"If things continue like this, this winter will likely be another difficult one to endure."

"In my opinion, one coincidence is understandable, and two can be tolerated, but when everything is like this, I simply cannot comprehend it."

Feng Chengen loudly declared, "Therefore, I beseech Your Majesty to dismiss Xu Changqing from his position as Minister of Revenue and appoint a more worthy candidate."

After Feng Chengen finished speaking, the hall buzzed with discussion.

Usually, people didn't consider these things, but upon closer reflection, it seemed Feng Chengen's words held truth.

At least, each and every instance was a fact, but whether Xu Changqing was the cause was something the ministers couldn't determine.

Jiang Chen wasn't surprised by Feng Chengen's reasoning; Xu Changqing had used the same justifications when he proactively requested to resign yesterday.

In this era, due to an insufficient understanding of weather and climate, people attributed it to the divine.

Such reasoning might hold in this era.

But to Jiang Chen, it was nothing but nonsense.

"I have said before, weather and climate are caused by the environment and have nothing to do with individuals," Jiang Chen stated calmly.

Originally, some ministers had agreed with Feng Chengen, but after hearing Jiang Chen's words, they hesitated.

Indeed, His Majesty had previously used contradictory conclusions to prove that the weather had nothing to do with wise or foolish rulers.

Since it had nothing to do with wise or foolish rulers, how could a mere minister possibly influence the weather?

After all, the gods could punish the king by punishing the people, but they couldn't possibly punish a Minister of Revenue with disasters, could they?

That made no sense!

Feng Chengen then said, "While Your Majesty believes so, I do not."

Feng Chengen's words silenced the hall.

The ministers' gazes toward Feng Chengen were now filled with admiration.

Good heavens, he dared to directly oppose His Majesty.

What courage!

Feng Chengen continued, "Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, even when the Mei family held sway, we never experienced such disasters."

"Only after Xu Changqing became Minister of Revenue have the people of the realm suffered calamities. If you say these two are unrelated, I cannot agree."

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

He finally understood Feng Chengen's plan.

In this era, where the cause of natural disasters couldn't be understood, the inexplicable was a perfect excuse.

Jiang Chen suddenly looked at Grand Censor Ma Ren, "Lord Ma, what do you think?"

Ma Ren was taken aback, not understanding what Jiang Chen meant by "what do you think."

Was he referring to Feng Chengen stealing the censors' work, or something else?

Seeing that Ma Ren didn't understand, Jiang Chen said, "Lord Ma, I recall you took office before last winter as well, did you not?"

Ma Ren nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty is perceptive."

Jiang Chen smiled and looked at Feng Chengen, "Lord Ma took office around the same time. Why are you so certain the disasters are related to Xu Changqing and not to Lord Ma?"

This question startled all the ministers.

That seemed to make sense.

Jiang Chen continued, "Should we also investigate the responsibility of the children born last autumn?"

Jiang Chen looked at Minister of Rites Wen Fengli, "I remember Lord Wen celebrated the birth of a grandson last autumn?"

"Lord Wen, do you think your grandson has anything to do with these three disasters?"

Wen Fengli, who had been uninvolved, changed his expression and quickly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I believe Feng Chengen's words are utter nonsense!"

"Natural disasters and human-caused calamities are clearly distinct, how could they be one and the same?"

"I believe Feng Chengen is senile, I beseech Your Majesty to see clearly!"

Jiang Chen's series of blows left the ministers dazed.

Even Feng Chengen was struggling to cope.

His target was only Xu Changqing, but Jiang Chen had diverted the fire.

This wouldn't do!

He steadied his mind and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Ma and the children born around that time are naturally unrelated to the disasters."

"Lord Xu is different. He is the Minister of Revenue, in charge of the realm's finances and provisions, and has a direct connection."

"Oh."

Jiang Chen nodded and said to Feng Jin, "Summon the director of the Imperial Observatory."

"Yes! Summon Chu Mingxing, the director of the Imperial Observatory!"

Soon, Chu Mingxing, the director of the Imperial Observatory, hurried over.

"This subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" Chu Mingxing said.

"Chu Mingxing, I have something to ask you."

Jiang Chen said calmly, "Are the recent severe winter, drought, and torrential rain related to Minister of Revenue Xu Changqing?"

Chu Mingxing said loudly, "Your Majesty is perceptive, they are related!"

"What?!"

The hall erupted in an uproar.

Were the three disasters really related to Xu Changqing?

The same words coming from Chu Mingxing, the director of the Imperial Observatory, naturally carried different weight.

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed.

Chu Mingxing's reaction was too abnormal.

It was as if he had prepared the answer in advance, waiting for him to ask.

Jiang Chen's gaze shifted back and forth between Feng Chengen and Chu Mingxing, but he didn't see any communication between them, not even an exchange of glances.

After the hall quieted down a bit, Jiang Chen said, "Chu Mingxing, are you sure?"

"This subject is certain!" Chu Mingxing said decisively.

This reaction deepened Jiang Chen's suspicion.

"Explain your analysis," Jiang Chen said.

Chu Mingxing then said, "Your Majesty, when I observed the celestial phenomena last winter, I discovered that Mars was flickering and the Purple Star was dim. This is a sign of a subject suppressing the ruler!"

"At the time, I didn't understand what was happening, but now I realize that Minister of Revenue Xu Changqing's influence on the Great Wei's fortune has surpassed Your Majesty!"

"What?!"

Chu Mingxing's words shocked the ministers again.

There was such a thing?

Many ministers began to criticize Xu Changqing's previous actions in their hearts.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly. Chu Mingxing's words seemed to have no problems.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Chen said, "I ask you, do you have any records of what you said?"

Chu Mingxing was overjoyed and said, "Yes!"

"Have them brought here," Jiang Chen said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, the ministers had different thoughts.

Judging from His Majesty's expression, he seemed to believe it a little.

Could it be that Xu Changqing's position as Minister of Revenue was about to be taken away?

Especially some of the ministers in the Ministry of Revenue, couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

If Xu Changqing was dismissed as Minister of Revenue, they would have the opportunity to rise through the ranks.

Soon, the pages containing Chu Mingxing's description of the abnormal celestial phenomena were brought over.

Jiang Chen looked at them, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Having been in this era for several years, although Jiang Chen wasn't proficient in calligraphy, he had a keen sense of observation.

Although the ink on these pages had been there for some time, it was definitely not as long as a year.

It was definitely written within the last six months!

Jiang Chen didn't reveal these thoughts, but instead wore a thoughtful expression.

After a long time, Jiang Chen said, "When there are abnormal celestial phenomena, there must be some indication."

"This matter involves an important official of Great Wei, so we must be cautious. Bring the records from the past year, I want to take a good look."