Chapter 358

Chapter 358

At the beginning of this year, because of the disaster in Huizhou, some stragglers went north to take refuge in Jinzhou. Jinzhou was already infested with bandits and those bandits absorbed part of the stragglers, causing them to grow in number, forming a considerable force in the local and occupy the mountain, ruling it like a king.

Because the emperor issued a decree to investigate the Xu family, the local officials of Jinzhou immediately reported what happened to the Xu’s.Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

To speak, the three members of the Xu family encountered bandits near Daqingshan in Jinzhou. Not only were their belongings taken away, but everyone was killed, leaving no survivors.

On the same day, the emperor issued a decree to suppress bandits in the morning court, which immediately drew another wave of opposition.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think it’s right.”

“The banditry in Minzhou has not yet been quelled, and the treasury is empty, we are financially overwhelmed.”

“Lord Li is right. This year due to the floods in Huizhou, not only did the tax revenue decreases, but the imperial court had to allocate money for disaster relief...”

The ministers stood out one by one, their expressions impassioned and their voices resounding.

Previously, when the emperor issued a decree to pacify Minzhou, he did not inform the court in advance so many ministers didn’t really have the chance to voice out their opinion, but now that they were on the topic, they all felt that the emperor was too anxious, otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed sending troops knowing the treasury was empty.

The emperor of course knows that the treasury had no money, since the day he ascended the throne, the treasury of Daqi has not been abundant.

Although the late emperor was not considered a wise man, he was diligent and dedicated, it’s just that in his later years, he became fatuous and extravagant. At that time, was against Daqi and disasters continued, but the late emperor turned a blind eye and emptied the national treasury, only to build palaces and gardens for his enjoyment.

Ten years ago, when the emperor ascended the throne, what was left to him was a Daqi full of holes.

While the corner of Lord Chengen’s lips curled up even higher.

A minister was about to stand up and praise the emperor with a few words for his wisdom when he heard the emperor sigh and said, “I originally intended the second prince to lead the troops...ai.”

The smile on Lord Chengen’s lips instantly froze and his pupils slightly shrank.

The emperor seemed to be talking to himself, but his voice was loud enough for the ministers in the hall to hear, and immediately a subtle change occurred in the atmosphere.

Especially Lord Chengen, his emotions were surging while thinking, this was a great opportunity for the second prince.

Unable to hold back anymore, he immediately stood up from the queue and bowed to the emperor in front of him, “Your Majesty, the second prince is brave and courageous, which he got from his father, he will be able to live up to the emperor’s order and put an end to the chaos in Jinzhou.”

As soon as he said this, the ministers who had just opposed the suppression of bandits looked at each other with a hint of embarrassment on their faces.

The emperor faintly said, “But the treasury has no money.”

Lord Chengen: “......”

The second prince displeased the emperor because of the previous peace talks with Northern Yan.

However, since the emperor wanted to let the second prince suppress the bandits in Jinzhou, it showed that the emperor still attached great importance to this son. So, if the second prince pacifies and completed this task in Jinzhou, not only could he redeem himself, but also gain military power, and even win the praise of the ministers and the support of the common people.

The corner of the emperor’s mouth slightly curled as he continued, “Let’s put this matter to rest for now.”

Lord Chengen quickly made a decision, and said to the emperor righteously, “Your Majesty, the people of Jinzhou are suffering from banditry, putting the people into dire straits, so suppressing these bandits will surely help your people. As your subject, I should contribute to society, this minister is willing to collect this sum of money to suppress the bandits for the sake of the common people.” What he meant was that there was no need to use the money from the treasury, as he would pay for the second prince’s expedition with his own money.

***