"Your Majesty..."
Seeing the gloomy expression on Zhao Huan's face, Wu Min, even if he were an idiot, would have understood that the emperor had murderous intent.
"Wu, you old dog, do you dare to say that what I just said is false? Do you dare to call those people outside to confront me?"
Seeing Wu Min stammering, Han Jiayan sneered and asked.
"This, this..."
He knew perfectly well what kind of people those outside were. If it weren't for Li Gang, he might have been able to get away with it. But the problem was that the stubborn Li Gang was waiting outside the hall. If he dared to lie again here, it would be a direct deception of the emperor...
"Your Majesty, State Duke Wu is probably just concerned about security. It's just that the people below misunderstood his intentions. This old minister dares to guarantee that State Duke Wu would never have any ill intentions!"
Zhang Bangchang had worked hard to create this situation of three against one. Even if Li Gang entered the circle of prime ministers later, it would still be three against two, and he could maintain the upper hand. If Wu Min were easily dismissed by Han Jiayan like this, then all his plans would be in disarray!
"No ill intentions? State Duke Zhang's words are truly easy to say. Li Gang is currently the Governor of Tokyo. The safety of the entire Tokyo city is in his hands now. He was blocked when he came to report military intelligence. State Duke Zhang, do you know what this is? This is called isolating oneself from the outside and deceiving the emperor! If this is still considered having no ill intentions, then State Duke Zhang, tell me, what is considered having ill intentions?"
"Must those Jurchens be brought directly to this Fu Ning Hall to arrest someone before it's considered having ill intentions?"
Han Jiayan's voice grew louder and louder, and Zhao Huan's face became uglier and uglier. Even Zhang Bangchang himself had not expected that the old fellow Han Jiayan would say such words at this critical moment!
Although he had already thought highly of this fellow, after confronting him again, Zhang Bangchang discovered his terrifying aspect.
This old fellow's grasp of the court situation, his attention to detail, and his mastery of political maneuvering were definitely that of a supreme master!
"State Duke Wu, don't you want to say anything?"
Zhao Huan spoke while looking at Wu Min again.
However, this time, there was no warmth in his eyes, only infinite murderous intent.
"Your Majesty, your subject has absolutely no such intention, absolutely no such intention!"
Seeing the cold glint in the emperor's eyes, Wu Min's heart pounded.
"No need to say more. I really underestimated you. You've only been a Minister of War, and you have the ability to block the Governor of Tokyo in this Forbidden Palace. If you were to become the Grand Minister, would I have to get your approval for what I eat every night, State Duke Wu!"
Zhao Huan was already easily swayed, and with Han Jiayan's guidance, he almost instantly switched his allegiance.
Hearing the emperor's words, Zhang Bangchang's face turned ashen in an instant.
The emperor was not talking about Wu Min at all; he was clearly warning him!
"State Duke Zhang, State Duke Zhang, it's not like this, it's not like this!"
Seeing that the situation was getting worse and worse, Wu Min could not explain himself clearly. He could only turn to Zhang Bangchang beside him.
But the situation had already reached this point. If they were not prime ministers, they would have already been dragged out and beaten to death by the emperor. How could Zhang Bangchang dare to speak for him?
"State Duke Wu, out of respect for our relationship as ruler and subject, I hope you will save some dignity for yourself and for me!"
Just as Wu Min was about to say something, the emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, finally uttered the words that should never have been spoken.
After the emperor finished speaking, cold sweat broke out on Zhang Bangchang's back.
When he looked at Han Jiayan again, his expression was one of disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
This was a Minister of War of a nation!
He was only given such a small opportunity, and this minor matter was directly escalated by this fellow to the level of isolating oneself from the outside!
"Your subject understands..."
Seeing the determined look in the emperor's eyes, Wu Min's body trembled. After a moment of silence, he finally bowed dejectedly to the emperor and turned to walk out of the hall.
"Your Majesty is wise. This is a list of five hundred thousand taels of silver that your humble subject, His Highness the Prince of Yue, and the imperial relatives in Bianliang City have pooled together. The silver has already been sent to the Ministry of Revenue. I ask Your Majesty to review it!"
Seeing that his objective had been half-achieved, Han Jiayan did not pursue Wu Min further but wisely changed the subject.
"Uncle-in-law, I, on behalf of the people of Great Song, thank you and my uncles."
His father spent money too easily, and even when he left, he was not polite. It wasn't until Zhao Ji had already fled Bianliang City that the new emperor discovered that a large portion of the money that Han Mo had brought to the court had been squandered by his father!
In recent days, the silver in the Ministry of Revenue had been spent like flowing water. Even he, the emperor, did not dare to look at the accounts there at the moment.
Although this sum of money was not large, its sentiment was greatly appreciated by Zhao Huan. After all, this was the only money that had come back in so many days!
"Your Majesty is joking. The empire of Great Song belongs to Your Majesty, and it also belongs to our Zhao family. If you lack funds, Your Majesty need only ask. Your humble subject still has some calligraphy, paintings, and jade artifacts at home. If it truly comes to that, even selling the Prince of Yue's mansion, your humble subject would do so willingly!"
This was a good time to show loyalty. Prince Yue, Zhao Si, an old hand, naturally would not miss such an opportunity.
After all, no matter how short of money the court was, it was not his place as a prince to sell his house and land!
If he didn't seize the opportunity to show loyalty now, by the time the emperor came to his senses, it wouldn't have such a good effect!
"Your Majesty, Lord Li Gang is still waiting outside. You should hear what he has to say first!"
Seeing that Zhao Si was getting more and more carried away, Han Jiayan quickly interrupted him.
The two of them were here today to pave the way for Li Gang. Now that the paving work was done, they should give up the stage.
"Your Majesty, your subject has something to say!"
Seeing that Han Jiayan had dealt with Wu Min with such a few words, Li Ruoshui seemed to have suddenly thought of something. After taking several deep breaths to calm his breathing, he stepped forward.
"Prime Minister Li, are you feeling alright? Perhaps you can say what you have to say another day!"
Seeing his shaky appearance, Zhao Huan said with some concern.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, if your subject does not speak now, it will be too late. I implore Your Majesty to give your subject this opportunity!"
"Then, alright, Prime Minister, speak your mind!"
Without Zhang Bangchang and the others fanning the flames and stirring up trouble, Li Ruoshui's precarious appearance alone was enough for Zhao Huan to show him sufficient respect.
"Your humble subject believes that Li Gang is experienced and prudent. Although he is currently the Governor of Tokyo and concurrently the Minister of War, Bianliang City is, after all, the capital of Great Song. Without the title of a prime minister, it is inconvenient for him to mobilize personnel and supplies. Your humble subject recommends Li Gang as the Right Minister of the Secretariat, and implores Your Majesty to examine this."
After Li Ruoshui finished speaking, the entire hall suddenly became quiet. Just as Zhang Bangchang was about to stand up and object, he suddenly saw Han Jiayan beside him smiling noncommittally.
Thinking of the thunderous methods this old fellow had just displayed, the right foot that had stepped out halfway was finally retracted...
This old bastard is not to be trifled with!