Chapter 1 Jiang Chen's Questioning

Jiang Chen's joking question echoed in the hall.

The newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Zhao Peng, was so frightened that he immediately stepped forward and knelt, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not!"

"It's just that the Imperial Capital has just experienced turmoil, and everything is waiting to be rebuilt. There are also many buildings in the palace that need to be repaired..."

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, "What? Is the confiscated property of those rebellious thieves not enough?"

"If you can't even handle this small matter well, what's the use of me choosing you?!"

"Ahem, Your Majesty, this old minister feels that the matter of rebuilding the army can perhaps be slowed down," the Prime Minister suddenly stood out, his expression solemn.

Jiang Chen was a little displeased. He didn't like the feeling of being publicly refuted.

But this old man was capable, and he was an important minister of two dynasties, so he still had to give him some face.

Jiang Chen suppressed the irritability in his heart and said calmly, "Beloved minister, why do you say that?"

Prime Minister Pei cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, that rebellious thief Mei Wen-shi controlled the court's taxes, causing the people in various places to suffer from exploitation and harbor resentment in their hearts."

"Now that the rebellious party has been pacified, this old minister believes that it is time to relax taxes and allow the people to recuperate."

Saying that, he emphasized, "Therefore, although the national treasury is full, it is not appropriate to squander it. We must use the money where it counts!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen revealed a thoughtful expression.

He was not a tyrannical emperor who levied excessive taxes. Sitting in this position, he had a responsibility to ensure that the people under his rule lived a good life.

But national defense construction could not be delayed either. This was the guarantee of the Great Wei's strength.

After a few moments of silence, Jiang Chen said calmly, "In that case, the silver spent on recruiting soldiers will come from my private treasury. As for the plan to build new military camps, it will be put on hold for now, and the money will be used to settle the people."

As soon as the words fell, the officials in the court all knelt down.

They sincerely said, "Your Majesty is benevolent. We thank Your Majesty for caring for the people of Great Wei!"

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, immune to these bootlicking words, and returned to the main topic:

"Now that Mei Wen-shi's party has been completely executed, and the court is riddled with holes, I hope you can shoulder your responsibilities, support a piece of the sky for the people of Great Wei, and not disappoint my expectations."

The ministers concentrated their attention, listened to Jiang Chen's admonitions, and shouted in unison, "Yes, we will never let Your Majesty down!"

This voice, like a mountain roaring and a tsunami, contained full of fighting spirit.

Jiang Chen sat upright on the upper seat, looking at the ministers below with their faces held high, and a faint sense of comfort arose.

After working hard for so long, he finally grasped the court.

Although there were still some opportunistic villains among these people in front of him, as the saying goes, water that is too clear has no fish. As long as they were loyal and able to handle affairs, Jiang Chen could pretend not to know and continue to reuse these people.

Of course, occasional beatings were also necessary.

Jiang Chen's expression became more serious, and he warned, "I have seen the attitude of you beloved ministers. I hope you can remember the fate of the Mei family and other rebellious ministers, take it as a warning, and do not violate my taboo!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for not remembering the relationship between the monarch and his ministers and letting your blood splatter on the Golden Luan Hall!"

While speaking, Jiang Chen's sharp gaze swept across the ministers below the steps.

That cold and stern gaze made everyone's legs go weak, and a deep sense of awe and fear arose in their hearts.

They immediately knelt down and expressed their stance: "Yes, we will never forget Your Majesty's teachings!"

The Mei family, such a behemoth, had fallen. How dare they go and beard the tiger?

Seeing that they were obedient, Jiang Chen turned his attention to organizing his thoughts, checking if there were any omissions in the previous decrees.

"The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, mobilize all forces to investigate the criminal woman Mei Ruo-ying! She stole my waist tag and escaped last night in the chaos!"

"I order you, at all costs, to bring her to justice within a month!"

Hearing this, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, Su Wen, and the Minister of Justice flashed surprise in their eyes.

But thinking of the previous methods of this demon concubine Mei Ruo-ying, the surprise in their eyes was gradually replaced by solemnity.

They frowned and said, "Yes, we obey the decree."

Seeing their headache, Jiang Chen felt a faint sense of foreboding in his heart.

But there were many things to do right now, so he could only deal with it like this for the time being.

Putting away his thoughts, Jiang Chen looked down, "The affairs of the court are over. Next, I will reward those who have rendered meritorious service and give rewards to the beloved ministers who came to the rescue last night."

"I have already drafted the imperial edict for the awards yesterday. After the court session, someone will send the rewards to the homes of you beloved ministers."

"I am a person who distinguishes between rewards and punishments. I will not be soft on officials who have made mistakes. Similarly, I will not be stingy with ministers who have made contributions!"

"Fame and fortune, gold and silver treasures, none will be missing!"

As soon as these words came out, the ministers under the imperial steps immediately showed joy.

They thanked him one after another, "We kowtow to thank Your Majesty for your holy grace!"

"Your Majesty's kindness, I will surely repay with my life!"

"..."

After handling a few more government affairs in an orderly manner, this court meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, finally came to an end.

It was the first time for Jiang Chen to deal with so many problems. The destruction of the Mei family left too many power vacuums, which made his burden much heavier.

It seemed necessary to build a cabinet directly under him.

Otherwise, with such a huge workload, he would be exhausted sooner or later!

Afternoon.

The various departments of the imperial court officially operated according to Jiang Chen's will, those who should handle the aftermath handled the aftermath, and those who should arrest people arrested people.

At the same time, the rewards for the ministers were quickly put into effect.

Xu Chang-qing was named Duke An-guo, and Meng Qi, the commander of the Fifth City Garrison, was additionally awarded the title of Second-Rank Protector-General.

Many other people were also rewarded, promoted to higher ranks, and quite a few were promoted three levels in a row.

This made countless people who were half a step slower and failed to catch up with the rescue of the emperor green with envy!

But these had nothing to do with Jiang Chen anymore. After the court meeting, he summoned the talents of the Four Great Academies without stopping.

Time was tight, and many key positions needed to be filled.

If this matter was not resolved, the chaos in Great Wei would continue. When popular grievances arose and the country was turbulent, it would be troublesome.

The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Twenty-six scholars wearing Confucian robes came to pay their respects.

Their expressions were serious, but the excitement and exhilaration in their eyes were almost overflowing, thinking about what to say when they saw the emperor later.

But when they saw Jiang Chen's true face, most of them were directly stunned and doubted their eyes!

"Jiang... Jiang Yan, aren't you the Poet Immortal?"

Zhang Zi-fang asked in shock, unable to believe it.

The tyrant with a notorious reputation among the people and the Poet Immortal Jiang Yan, who was praised throughout the world, were actually the same person?!

It was not the first time Jiang Chen had seen Zhang Zi-fang's shocked appearance, but he still found it interesting.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled, "So surprised?"

"It's not the first time you've seen me, relax."

The scholars present still widened their eyes, staring at Jiang Chen, with a ghostly expression.

Jiang Yan was the tyrant they had cursed?

This, how was this possible?!

How could the Poet Immortal and literary saint who wrote hundreds of poems at the Huai River poetry conference and created countless peerless classics be the current tyrant?!