Outside the Hall of Tranquil Cultivation!
"Your Majesty, Minister Li requests an audience!" Fang Jing's voice came from outside the hall!
"Enter!" Xie Qianmo uttered a single word!
Seeing someone approaching, Qin Yun cleverly got off the couch and stood obediently to the side!
A few seconds later!
Li Fengsheng entered the hall!
The moment Qin Yun and Li Fengsheng made eye contact!
Sparks like lightning and thunder flashed in their eyes!
Li Fengsheng cast a cold glance at Qin Yun, then kowtowed and bowed before Xie Qianmo!
After a brief exchange, Li Fengsheng stated his purpose!
"Your Majesty, a batch of refugees arrived north of the city these past two days, numbering in the thousands! Housing and food for these refugees require a substantial sum of money. Does Your Majesty have any suggestions?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yun sneered. "Minister Li has already said so much, how could Your Majesty have any suggestions?"
"Aren't you indirectly calculating to get money from the national treasury?"
Li Fengsheng glared at Qin Yun. "Qin Yun, you have immense courage. His Majesty hasn't spoken, yet you dare to chime in?"
Qin Yun walked closer to Li Fengsheng and said meaningfully, "Minister Li, you must clarify your position. I am currently a Second Rank Prefect and a First Rank Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy. Your official rank is below mine! Mind your attitude!"
Li Fengsheng was so angry he could spit blood!
He had been transferred away from the capital a few days ago, and now that he had finally returned, he received such shocking news!
Qin Yun, that little scoundrel, had obtained dual official posts!
He had worked hard for so many years to reach his current rank, while Qin Yun... had accomplished it just by moving his pen and acing the imperial examination!
He was resentful but dared not speak out, as these were positions appointed by the Emperor!
Li Fengsheng suppressed his anger and said with a falsely polite smile, "Yes, Zhuangyuan Qin is absolutely correct!"
Seeing Li Fengsheng cornered, Qin Yun felt immensely pleased. "What is this person, incapable of handling the refugees north of the city, yet dares to bother His Majesty? Your official career is likely at its end!"
"You...!" Li Fengsheng could not stand it any longer!
He bowed respectfully to Xie Qianmo. "Your Majesty, Zhuangyuan Qin, upon entering the court, dares to disrespect imperial authority. This is a grave insult to Your Majesty!"
Qin Yun was not one to be easily provoked and likewise reported, "Your Majesty, this Minister Li is a useless waste, incapable of achieving anything and only good at causing trouble. He cannot even handle a trivial matter like the refugees north of the city, yet he dares to ask Your Majesty for advice. This is incompetence!"
Now that Qin Yun held an official position, he no longer feared Li Fengsheng at all!
"You... Zhuangyuan Qin? Do you perhaps... have a better idea? Then let this matter be handed over to you, and I shall have some peace!" Li Fengsheng began to shift the responsibility.
"A waste is indeed a waste. When you can't handle something yourself, you start to act shamelessly!"
"Zhuangyuan Qin, His Majesty hasn't spoken, why are you blabbering? Please mind your words and do not abuse your power!"
Qin Yun seemed to be clashing with Li Fengsheng, and he snorted, "I am indeed abusing my power. What do you intend to do about it?"
"My abuse of power is something I learned from you, Minister Li! Don't forget how smug you were at the auction and the poetry competition; I still remember it vividly!"
Mentioning these events, Li Fengsheng felt his face slapped!
Was this kid Qin Yun taking revenge on him?
So petty!
"I wasn't abusing power back then; I was acting impartially! Zhuangyuan Qin, don't wrongly accuse a good person!"
Qin Yun sneered inwardly. Li Fengsheng dared to call himself a good person!
If such a scumbag was a good person, then the world would truly be in chaos!
"You two, do you think I am dead?" Xie Qianmo said coldly, striking the table with his left hand!
The sudden force startled Qin Yun and Li Fengsheng, making them freeze!
They stood on the spot, heads lowered in silence, daring not to speak.
Xie Qianmo glanced at Li Fengsheng, then his gaze shifted to Qin Yun!
This kid was quite articulate now!
When he was with him, he was inept, unable to do anything, and spoke clumsily!
But now, his tongue was as nimble as could be!
However... from Qin Yun's words, he could sense that she seemed to intensely dislike Li Fengsheng!
According to the information gathered, Qin Yun and Li Fengsheng only had conflicts during the auction and the poetry competition, with no other grudges!
Why did this kid dislike Li Fengsheng so much?
"Qin Yun, judging from your tone just now, it seems you have an idea regarding the matter in the north of the city?"
Qin Yun said respectfully, "Yes, your subject does have a plan to deal with it!"
"Tell me!"
Qin Yun smiled. "For the initial accommodation of the refugees, tents can be set up. Once their basic needs for food and warmth are met, organize the young and strong men into teams to build houses. After the houses are built, allocate land to them. For the first two years, distribute some money to them for their livelihood. Later, once they start planting crops, not only will it fill their stomachs, but the grain can also be sold for money!"
"I thought Zhuangyuan Qin would have some brilliant method, but in the end, it still requires money?" Li Fengsheng snorted!
Qin Yun curled his lips. "It does require money, I never said it didn't!"
Li Fengsheng said to Qin Yun, "I had already thought of what you've said. However, the issue of money is the most critical. If we can't even solve the immediate pressing need, how can the subsequent matters proceed smoothly!"
Qin Yun cast a sidelong glance at Li Fengsheng, his eyes filled with provocation. "So... you're still planning to tap into the national treasury?"
"Zhuangyuan Qin? This is a matter of urgent necessity. As long as the refugees' plight remains unresolved, they will suffer one more day of hardship. Please do not act recklessly!"
Seeing Li Fengsheng anxious, Qin Yun rolled his eyes. "If money is needed, isn't it simple? There are so many corrupt officials in the court; why not confiscate the wealth of a few officials? Why bother setting your sights on His Majesty's national treasury!"
Xie Qianmo, at this moment, did not stop Qin Yun because what Qin Yun said was very reasonable!
Moreover, his national treasury was not something anyone could access at will!
It was also time to deal with those corrupt officials in the court!
Xie Qianmo looked at Qin Yun meaningfully!
This kid's idea was feasible! He had not misjudged him!
However... what would she do next? He was very much looking forward to it!
"Zhuangyuan Qin, your words are too absolute! Who is a corrupt official? Saying such things, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue!"
Qin Yun smiled. "I wasn't talking about you, why are you so anxious? It's as if you feel you'll be the next one whose home is confiscated!"
Li Fengsheng shook his head helplessly, not wanting to argue with Qin Yun anymore. He had had a terrible day to encounter this person here!
"Your Majesty, since Zhuangyuan Qin has made the matter sound so simple, then let this matter be handled by Zhuangyuan Qin. This way, I can also have some peace!" Li Fengsheng said with a dejected face, throwing a childish tantrum!
He thought that Qin Yun, being new to officialdom, was speaking disrespectfully, and Xie Qianmo would surely not agree!
Unexpectedly, the next moment!
"Good, I agree! This matter will be handed over to Qin Yun!"