Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

In the imperial court, Li Yuanzhao listlessly watched the courtiers below engaging in heated discussions.

With Lao Fang absent, much of the amusement was gone.

The most important topic was still the grain disaster, but Li Yuanzhao had lost interest in listening.

For three consecutive days, he had submitted memorials to the Emperor, requesting the large-scale construction of houses in the three prefectures near Jianjiang.

The first two were directly shelved without response.

Finally, Li Yuanzhao couldn't hold back and directly voiced his opinion in court.

The outcome was obvious: vehement opposition from the ministers! Emperor Jing remained expressionless, ultimately using a single sentence to harshly rebuke him.

Today's discussion about the grain disaster was still the same old routine.

It was nothing more than quickly transferring grain to wherever there was a shortage and suppressing prices wherever they rose.

Li Yuanzhao felt his ears were about to develop calluses from listening.

Finally, he endured until the court session ended.

Li Yuanzhao didn't leave the palace; instead, he closely followed Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing looked back at Li Yuanzhao, a faint smile appearing on his lips: "What are you following me for? Do you have something to say?"

Li Yuanzhao said sullenly, "Wherever Father goes, I go."

Emperor Jing chuckled: "Then come with me. I'm going to the Imperial Study!"

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Emperor Jing went straight back to his seat, glancing at Li Yuanzhao.

He saw him constantly looking around.

Emperor Jing said calmly, "What are you looking at? Is there something you need? If you do, say it quickly. If not, get out of here! Stop being an eyesore!"

Li Yuanzhao chuckled, rubbing his hands together: "Why isn't there a chair? Your son is tired!"

"Hmph, bring him a chair!"

A eunuch brought a chair, and Li Yuanzhao sat down with a grin, cautiously saying, "Did Father see the memorial I submitted?"

"Just for this matter?" Emperor Jing smiled.

"Then there's no need to talk to me about it. It's impossible. Did Fang Zhengzhi teach you all this?"

Li Yuanzhao's face turned serious: "No! It's what your son thought of."

He couldn't let Lao Fang get into trouble. If he were demoted further away, the capital would be unbearably boring.

"Oh? Then tell me, what exactly are you thinking?"

Li Yuanzhao couldn't wait: "Your son has thought about it. Relying solely on the court's power is clearly not enough."

"Encouraging the construction of houses, building temples, and renovating government offices will definitely require a large amount of labor. So, once various construction projects are launched in the disaster areas, the disaster situation will definitely be alleviated."

"If Father issues an order, local officials will definitely find ways to get wealthy households to cooperate."

"In this way... most of the money and grain hidden among the people can be released! Do you think what your son said is right?"

Emperor Jing sighed, "Yes, what you said is very right. Yuanzhao, you've grown up a lot."

Li Yuanzhao asked anxiously, "Then why won't Father approve it?!"

"Is there anyone in the court who wouldn't know such a superficial principle?" Emperor Jing got up and slowly walked towards Li Yuanzhao.

He placed his hands on Li Yuanzhao's shoulders and said coldly, "But I absolutely cannot do this!"

"But there are so many fools in the world; they wouldn't think of this."

"If I issue such an edict, how will the scholars of the world view me?"

"A foolish ruler, still advocating extravagance when the people are suffering, not showing compassion for the people's hard work. How will the historical records write about me then?"

Li Yuanzhao's face immediately turned ashen: "I didn't expect Father to be burdened by fame. Which is more important, the lives of the people or the views of the scholars?"

"This world... is ultimately the world of scholars." Emperor Jing's gaze seemed somewhat dejected: "Although I am the ruler of the world, seemingly omnipotent in the eyes of the people, only after sitting in this position do I realize that I am bound by shackles."

"So-called popular sentiment is not in the common people but in the scholars...."

Li Yuanzhao's face flushed red, and he retorted loudly, "Father has always been invincible in my heart! I didn't expect you to be afraid of even a bunch of pedantic scholars!"

"Those people are just a rabble! Full of petty scheming. Let them say whatever they want!"

"A ruined reputation can be salvaged, but lost lives are truly lost!"

"Your son doesn't want to hear those grand principles. I didn't expect Father to be so timid!"

Guo Tianyang panicked and repeatedly said, "Your Highness, be careful! Your Highness, be careful!"

Emperor Jing waved his hand to stop Guo Tianyang, a hint of gratification flashing in his eyes.

"You can say whatever you want now, but I will absolutely not agree to your request."

"One day, when you sit in my position, you will understand!"

"The so-called world is not as simple as you think!" Saying this, Emperor Jing walked back to the table, picked up a piece of yellow silk, and threw it to Li Yuanzhao.

"This is the latest news from the border. A powerful leader has emerged in the Northern Rong grasslands, sweeping away the various tribes and unifying the grasslands."

"The forces I planted in the grasslands have also been eliminated one by one. Recently, they have also been constantly probing the border."

"According to news from the border, I guess it won't be long before the Northern Rong send envoys."

"This person will definitely be a great threat to my Jing Kingdom in the future!"

"The crisis has never subsided for me. If my edict causes unrest in the world and alienates the scholars from me, it would be penny-wise and pound-foolish! Do you understand?"

Li Yuanzhao looked at the content on the yellow silk, his eyes lighting up!

He exclaimed with delight, "Is there going to be a war? Don't be afraid; your son can definitely sweep across the Northern Rong!"

"Beast! Get out!"

..........