The fifth watch, Qianqinggong.
“Wang Chengen, prepare the imperial carriage. I want to see what kind of show is being performed in the court today!”
“Have that little palace maid come along to attend.”
Huangji Dian, where all officials stood solemnly.
Wen Tiren, clad in the official robe of the first rank adorned with the Xianhe Buzhi, stepped forward with an air of dignified austerity.
He first mentioned a few trivial matters of little consequence, then abruptly shifted his tone, speaking as gravely as if his father had just died.
“Your Majesty, I believe the war in Liaodong is at a stalemate, and the military funds from Bingbu are stretched thin. The urgent task now is to raise an additional three million taels of silver to expand the border troops. Only then can we repel the enemy beyond our borders and uphold the prestige of Da Ming.”
He spoke with impassioned fervor, his spittle nearly flying onto Chongzhen’s feet, as if he were ready to perform a celebratory dance on the spot as long as the money was secured.
Lin Yuan, ordered to attend as the palace maid serving tea before the emperor, was now huddled behind Wang Chengen. She thought she was merely an NPC responsible for serving tea and water today, but upon hearing Wen Tiren’s words, she couldn’t help but let her inner complaints flow.
[Wow! All it takes is a smooth talker to secure investment funds.]
[Expand the border troops? I don’t believe a word of it! Once this money is allocated, seventy percent will end up in the private coffers of the Wen family, twenty percent will be divided among those in Bingbu, and the remaining ten percent might, at best, buy some stale rice to distribute to the soldiers.]
[This is a classic Ponzi scheme! First, lure the boss with grand promises, delay the project indefinitely, and then let it collapse. In modern times, this would be considered fraud—starting with three years in prison and potentially even the death penalty.]
Chongzhen listened to the series of incomprehensible terms in his head. Though he didn’t understand the words, he grasped the meaning.
Wen Tiren’s proposal was nothing but a trap!
Meanwhile, Wen Tiren continued his non-stop chatter.
“…I already have a foolproof plan. All I need is Your Majesty’s allocation of silver. Within a year, I will surely turn the tide and even counterattack Houjin…”
[Hah, counterattack Houjin? Why not aim to conquer the entire world within a year? Three million taels! Ah, if Boss Chongzhen actually gives it, Da Ming will be one step closer to bankruptcy and liquidation. Poor boss, being sold out and still counting the money for them.]
Chongzhen’s hands gripped the armrests of the Longyi tightly, veins bulging.
In this little palace maid’s mind, am I nothing but a sucker?!
“Minister Wen.” Chongzhen spoke.
Wen Tiren, who had been speaking enthusiastically, was abruptly interrupted by Chongzhen and quickly bowed in response. “Your servant is here.”
“I have heard that Liaodong is bitterly cold, and what it lacks more than manpower is provisions and firearms. Minister, you speak of three million taels to expand the army. Let me ask you: Where will you recruit soldiers from? Who will serve as the instructors? And how can you guarantee what percentage of the silver will actually reach the soldiers’ rice bowls?”
By the end, Chongzhen leaned forward slightly, staring fixedly at Wen Tiren without a trace of warmth.
Wen Tiren’s heart skipped a beat.
Strange.
In the past, as long as His Majesty heard the words “counterattack,” he would have been overjoyed and approved it immediately. Why was he asking such detailed questions today? How would he know about these messy specifics? His earlier words were merely meant to swindle money.
[Damn!! Boss Chongzhen’s shining moment!]
【This strike hits right at the mark! Old traitor Wen Tiren must be utterly dumbfounded now, right? He never even considered actual implementation—once the money was in hand, that was all that mattered.】
Lin Yuan was cheering wildly for Chongzhen in her heart. If not for the mismatch of dynasty and status, she would have whistled in celebration.
“Your Majesty, please see clearly…”
“Recruiting soldiers naturally falls under the Bingbu’s coordination. As for provisions and pay… I will certainly assign dedicated personnel to investigate thoroughly, ensuring nothing goes amiss.” Beads of sweat formed on Wen Tiren’s forehead as he stammered through his reply.
“Investigate thoroughly?” Chongzhen sneered, suddenly hurling the teacup beside him to the ground with force.
“Crash!”
Shattered porcelain flew in all directions, startling the entire court into kneeling.
“Wen Tiren! How dare you speak of investigating thoroughly? Last year, the Hubu allocated five hundred thousand taels to Liaodong. Why are two hundred thousand taels still held up in the Shanxi Buzheng Shisi? How did this money grow legs and find its way into the private account books of your disciple Wang Jingming?”
As these words fell, a deathly silence enveloped the Jinluan Dian.
Wen Tiren jerked his head up, the color draining from his face. He could no longer even kneel properly, collapsing to the floor instead.
This matter had been handled with extreme secrecy—even the Jinyiwei couldn’t uncover it. How did His Majesty come to know?
【Incredible! The boss is on a rampage! He’s flipping the table outright! Well done! This Wen Tiren is nothing but a major parasite who should have been dealt with long ago!】
Lin Yuan was so excited that her hands trembled slightly as she held the tray.
Hearing such praise, the gloom in Chongzhen’s heart vanished completely.
He glanced at the little palace maid in the corner, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly.
Is this the benefit of knowing the “Tianji” in advance?
Truly delightful!
“Wang Chengen, convey Our decree. Wen Tiren has deceived his sovereign, formed cliques for personal gain, and embezzled military funds. He is hereby dismissed from his post, investigated, and thrown into Zhaoyu! All officials involved in the case are to be thoroughly investigated without leniency!”
“Your Majesty is wise—!”
The officials chorused in praise, each bowing their heads low, fearing they might be next.
Watching Wen Tiren dragged out by the guards like a dead dog, Lin Yuan felt so exhilarated she could almost take flight.
As an ordinary person, witnessing the downfall of a great treacherous minister firsthand was incredibly thrilling! Besides, she had no desire to become a citizen of a fallen nation.
【Step one of the working-class uprising: Send the toxic boss who only makes empty promises and loves stealing credit straight to prison!】
After the morning court session ended, Chongzhen did not return to Qianqinggong to catch up on sleep. Instead, he took Lin Yuan to a side hall, dismissed all attendants except Wang Chengen, and sat on the soft couch, getting straight to the point.
“Potatoes, sweet potatoes—do you know what these are?”
Lin Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
【Why is the boss suddenly asking me, a lowly palace maid, such a question? Did I talk in my sleep last night? Was it overheard by hidden guards and reported? As a mere palace maid, should I know or not know?】
She immediately dropped to her knees with a thud and kowtowed.
“R-replying to Your Majesty, this humble servant… this humble servant does not know what Your Majesty refers to. I merely…”
Chongzhen looked at the top of Lin Yuan’s head, where it displayed 【Current Emotion: Extreme Panic】, along with the vivid red countdown, 【16 years, 2 months, 2 days】.
Hmph, this little palace maid is quite cautious.
“There is no need for alarm,” Chongzhen said, trying to make his voice sound less cold.
“We merely heard of this today and casually asked someone. Since you have lived outside the palace, you might have heard more about it than We have.”
Lin Yuan cautiously replied, “Your Majesty is wise. In my humble servant’s hometown, there have been rumors that this crop grows in the soil, is cold and drought-resistant, yields abundantly, and can satisfy hunger.”
Chongzhen obtained the answer he had hoped for, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
“Wang Chengen.”
“Your old servant is here.”
“Immediately convey my secret decree. Order the Jinyiwei Commander Han Zhong to arrange for people to search. As long as they find the seeds of these two crops, along with planting methods or anyone who knows how to cultivate them, bring them all back to me.”
Wang Chengen was greatly puzzled. Why would the Jinyiwei be needed just to search for two crops? But he dared not ask further.
“Your old servant obeys the decree.”
[Tsk tsk, the boss’s comprehension and execution skills are quite impressive. But how many people do you have in the Jinyiwei? If even such matters are assigned to them, will there be enough manpower left for other important affairs?]
Chongzhen automatically ignored these words that seemed to mock him, his gaze still fixed on the countdown above Lin Yuan’s head. Suddenly, he remembered another matter.
“Wait, there is one more thing.” Chongzhen called out to Wang Chengen, who was about to leave.
“You personally go to Meishan.”
“Meishan?” Wang Chengen was taken aback.
“Your Majesty, are you planning an outing?”
“Outing my foot!” Chongzhen cursed.
“I want you to find a crooked-neck tree. If you find it, cut it down immediately! Uproot it! Burn it to ashes!”
[Holy crap!]
At this moment, Lin Yuan, who was bowing her head, was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped.
[How does the boss know about the crooked-neck tree? It’s not yet time for him to hang himself! Could it be because I traveled here, causing a butterfly effect?]
[But I have to say, this move accidentally hits the mark—is it considered changing fate through physical means?]
[However, just cutting down one tree won’t change the overall situation! If not this tree, there will be another! The boss missed the key point this time. The focus should be on Li Zicheng! The focus should be on your empty treasury!]
Listening to Lin Yuan’s rich inner thoughts, Chongzhen revealed a cold smile.
Change fate? Yes, I am determined to change fate!
I want to see, starting with cutting down a tree, whether this destined [16 years, 2 months, 2 days] can ultimately be altered!
“What is your name?” Chongzhen asked Lin Yuan.
“This humble servant is named Lin Yuan.”
“Good. From today onward, you shall remain in Qianqinggong to attend to writing and ink.”
Hmph, by keeping this little palace maid by my side, I will be able to hear the Tianji every day.
Lin Yuan did not understand but could only kneel and express her gratitude.
However, for some reason, she had a bad premonition.
She felt as though she was about to experience the life of an ultimate workhorse very soon.