Tu Shanjin's seemingly casual question was actually intended to hear her thoughts.
Almost all the court officials were protesting against the "water conservancy project" policy, claiming that the national treasury was empty and it would burden the people financially, as well as saying it would take too long, suggesting to wait until the Yunyan Dynasty developed for another ten or twenty years.
In essence, they were just afraid of spending money, effort, and dealing with trouble, not wanting to inconvenience themselves.
A bunch of short-sighted individuals who only cared about their own interests!
Yun Yaoyao's tone was full of approval: "This is a great thing that benefits both the country and the people. Once it's built, it will not only boost the economy of both north and south but also improve transportation."
"I didn't expect you to have such foresight in this matter."
Receiving Yun Yaoyao's praise, Tu Shanjin's mood inexplicably improved.
Little did he know that Yun Yaoyao's next words would send him from heaven to hell in an instant.
"But you still have the image of a tyrannical emperor, despised by both the common people and officials. It's deeply ingrained. My image as a beloved and enlightened ruler has a long way to go~"
"Yun. Yao. Yao!"
Yun Yaoyao quickly changed the subject: "So what do you plan to do at this banquet?"
"They're all unwilling to donate money or grain, and they'll surely plead poverty when the time comes. I've already collected a lot of dirt on many of them..." Tu Shanjin exuded a cold aura.
Yun Yaoyao understood: "You want to use this to threaten them into donating money and grain obediently?"
"Touching one's wealth is like killing their parents. If you use their secrets to threaten and control them, it will lead to another bloodbath in the court."
"This way, the ministers' hatred and dissatisfaction towards you will only increase, not decrease..."
Tu Shanjin's face was expressionless: "I know what I'm doing."
From being an unfavored prince with no one to rely on to becoming the current emperor, Tu Shanjin had never relied on others' trust, delegation, or support. Without the means to make them fear him, he wouldn't have made it this far.
For some reason, Yun Yaoyao suddenly felt the loneliness and indifference that came with being in a high position.
"I actually have a good idea. Let me try it at this palace banquet," Yun Yaoyao thought of a clever plan.
Tu Shanjin asked, "What idea?"
Yun Yaoyao winked mysteriously, her mind bubbling with mischief: "You'll see when the time comes, but I'll need to borrow your Dragon Shadow Guard."
The Dragon Shadow Guard was Tu Shanjin's private army. It was with this elite force that he had unexpectedly entered the palace, seized the imperial seal from the previous emperor's hands, and subsequently ascended to the throne.
"What do you want to do?" A flash of suspicion quickly passed through Tu Shanjin's dark, obscure eyes.
"It's a secret!"
"Don't look at me like that. I'm Tu Shanjin now," Yun Yaoyao said righteously. "I'll handle getting the officials to donate money and grain."
"In exchange, you'll go back to the Yun family afterward and safely bring back the personal maid who grew up with Yun Yaoyao!"
*
Under the bright moon and sparse stars, the Imperial Garden was brightly lit and filled with lively sounds.
"Minister Fang, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm embarrassed to say, but before coming here, I only ate a few bites of bran and vegetables. My stomach is really churning with acid. My home is so poor, I haven't seen meat in days. Alas!"
"Lord Li, don't even mention it. My family is even poorer. Every day I wake up facing northwest, relying on the wind to fill my stomach."
"Gentlemen, let's not compete. Who could be poorer than me? Not only are my walls bare, but even during festivals, thieves who break into my house feel sorry for me and leave behind two bags of rice."
"Ah! His Majesty wants us to donate for the water conservancy project, but the national treasury is empty, and we're even poorer. How could we have money to donate?"
The officials exchanged knowing smiles between themselves, then continued to exaggerate their poverty dramatically.
The implication was clear: they, as officials, were so poor that not a penny could be squeezed out of them!
A shrill "His Majesty arrives" interrupted the officials' mutual performance, and they hurriedly bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty's holy peace!"
"Peace to the Talented Consort!"
"Rise," a deep, cold voice sounded.
The officials finally raised their heads and looked at the two approaching figures.
The man's features were cold and sharp, his misty pupils devoid of any emotion, exuding a noble and intimidating aura of one in power that people dared not look at directly.
Perhaps due to wearing a casual black robe with gold embroidery, he seemed less imposing than when in dragon robes, showing a hint of humanity.
The woman beside him had her hair tied up with a single gold hairpin, and her casual attire was in light colors, making her even more eye-catching. Her eyes were like distant autumn mountains, her complexion like the early spring.
Yet her aura was even colder and more indifferent than the emperor's by three degrees.
The group of officials began to understand why this Talented Consort could still be accepted into the harem after committing regicide – she was clearly of the same type as His Majesty!
Indeed, two of a kind sleep in the same bed!
Yun Yaoyao took her seat and waved her hand. The sound of strings and woodwinds rose in unison, and the officials began to raise their cups in toast.
Yun Yaoyao pretended to drink while chatting casually with Tu Shanjin beside her.
"Tu Shanjin, which one of them do you think is the richest?"
Tu Shanjin awkwardly poured a cup of wine for Yun Yaoyao, the first time he had ever served someone.
"The Minister of Revenue has embezzled and taken many bribes. We can start with him first."
Following Tu Shanjin's indication, Yun Yaoyao looked at a fat official drinking fine wine and eating meat in large bites. Indeed, he was plump, with three layers of fat under his chin.
"However, this man values money like his life and is smooth and cunning. If you plan to persuade him with kind words, the donation will not be possible," Tu Shanjin poured cold water on the idea.
Yun Yaoyao shook her head, not seeming too concerned: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter."
Tu Shanjin's curiosity was piqued: "What exactly are you planning?"
"Oh, you'll see in a moment."
Just then, the dancers came on stage to perform. Yun Yaoyao's interest was aroused, and when Tu Shanjin wanted to ask more, she stuffed a pastry into his mouth.
"My beloved consort, eat the pastry and be quiet."
The slightly rough fingertip brushed across his lips, and the soft pastry melted in his mouth, filling it with a subtle sweetness.
Tu Shanjin was stunned for two seconds by Yun Yaoyao's sudden intimate gesture.
When he recovered, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and reprimanded in a low voice: "Yun Yaoyao, who allowed you to feed me!"
If one listened carefully, his voice seemed a bit embarrassed.
Other officials who noticed this immediately started flattering them.
"His Majesty and the Talented Consort are truly in love. His Majesty's virtuous governance benefits all under heaven, and the Talented Consort is dignified and virtuous. They are a great blessing to the Yanchi Dynasty!"
"With His Majesty showing such love for the Consort, surely she will soon give birth to a royal heir, extending the prosperity of the Yanchi Dynasty!"
As waves of flattery came, Tu Shanjin uncomfortably turned his head away.
They can't even tell who the real emperor is, what a bunch of fools!
Yun Yaoyao, on the other hand, smiled and nodded, slowly opening her money-seeking mouth.
"Ah, I do wish to have a royal heir with the Talented Consort soon, but raising a prince is expensive. With floods ravaging the south and the water conservancy project not yet settled, money and grain are major issues. I'm truly stretched thin."
Here he comes, here he comes, he's coming towards them with his money-seeking mouth open.
The officials immediately fell silent, all looking troubled.
No one's speaking up, huh? Then she'll have to start calling names.
It's a good opportunity to learn their faces.
Yun Yaoyao's face darkened as her gaze swept across the officials, instantly making the atmosphere tense.
The officials all lowered their heads, silently praying not to be called upon.
"Minister of Revenue."
The official who was called shuddered.
"What good strategy do you have?"
The Minister of Revenue suppressed his nervousness and said, "I also wish to share Your Majesty's worries, but I have elderly parents and young children at home. My salary barely covers our expenses. I'm truly short of funds!"
In his unintentional apologetic bow, he revealed two heavily patched sleeves, demonstrating his poverty.
Yun Yaoyao called on another official.
"Attendant Fang, do you have any good strategies to solve my worries?"
Attendant Fang cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, I'm ashamed to say that my family's situation is even worse than my colleagues!"
As he spoke, a waist token fell from his belt. The golden waist token was missing several corners.
Attendant Fang nervously and embarrassedly picked up the token and fell to his knees with a thud: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. A few days ago, my wife fell ill, and we really had no extra money at home. I had to cut off parts of the gold waist token to exchange for medicine. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
The other officials thought: Oh my, why didn't they think of this!
Yun Yaoyao called on yet another official.
The official trembled with excitement, causing several pastries to fall from his sleeve. He shakily knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Your Majesty... forgive me. I... I... haven't eaten for two days, and my young child at home is also suffering from hunger. I... thought I'd bring a few... a few... a few..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he fainted from hunger.
The court officials were dumbfounded: this guy was truly something else.
After an examination by the Imperial Physician, it was confirmed that this official had indeed fainted from starvation.
Upon seeing this, the other officials were even more impressed. To avoid spending money tonight, he had actually starved himself for two days in advance!
What a hardcore fellow!
Your Majesty, oh Your Majesty, we officials have all tried our best to appear this poor. Now let's see how you can still ask us to donate!
