Capítulo 141: Schemes Beneath the Moonlit Tide
The ministers below were trembling with fear, heads bowed low, utterly at a loss.
Xuan Yue's words, though blunt and straightforward, were nothing but the truth. Lan Yi Xuan had been absent for years, leaving Gong Shaohua as the sole figure under the king, towering above all others. None of the ministers were fools; they could all see how she favored Lan Shaochen while utterly neglecting Lan Yi Xuan. These cunning officials were undoubtedly plotting for their own future, yet, in the end, all their scheming had been in vain. Now, they had shot themselves in the foot.
Among those present, how many could truly claim to be without ulterior motives?
Had Xuan Yue and Lan Yi Xuan been incompetent, they would have raised their heads high, shouting for the king's wisdom to vindicate their innocence. But the reality was that both their king and queen were no easy prey. If it were just Lan Yi Xuan, things would have been easier—he, at least, was mindful of the greater good and would not embarrass them. But Xuan Yue? She was unpredictable. They wished to deliver grand speeches, proclaiming their loyalty as clear as the sun and moon, but feared that, before they could finish, the queen would throw a stack of incriminating evidence in their faces. Where, then, would they hide their shame?
"Master Lan, it seems your ministers' loyalty is nothing more than empty words."
Seated on the steps, Xuan Yue rested her chin in her hands, gazing down at the trembling officials with a smile. Her mood was light—she wanted them to feel the unease she had crafted, to know who truly held the power. Those who wronged him would pay the price.
"My king, my loyalty to you is as clear as day and night!" Xu An raised his hands, his earnest display almost making Xuan Yue burst out laughing.
A tree without bark is doomed, and a man without shame is invincible. Xu An's shamelessness was indeed unparalleled. Even now, he could boldly spout such words. Could it be that Gong Shaohua preferred people like him? Perhaps it wasn't surprising—someone like her, who allowed no dissent and only welcomed flattery, would naturally produce such results.
The other ministers exchanged glances between Xuan Yue and Lan Yi Xuan, quickly voicing their agreement.
"Talk is cheap. Do any of you have concrete actions to back your words?"
Xuan Yue smiled, extending her right hand and making a gesture as if counting money. "The army of Xuan Yuan is advancing with great force. Our Lan Kingdom has already promised to send troops from Bai Chu and Nan Yan, but military expenses are no small matter."
She looked up, using her left hand to toy with the fingers of her right. "Every year, the people pay a significant amount in taxes. Their burden is heavy. They don't know Master Lan well; perhaps, like you, they harbor some resentment. If Master Lan were to ask them for money now, it would only spark public outrage. Before the Xuan Yuan army even reaches us, you'd already be prisoners. Then again, maybe not. After all, you're officials—many of you would turn traitor for the right price. It wouldn't be the first time."
If anyone still didn't understand Xuan Yue's meaning, they would have wasted all their years in court.
"Those with money, contribute what you can. Let's see how much you're willing to give."
Without giving them much time to think, Xuan Yue laid her intentions bare.
"Your servant will donate one thousand taels."
Cheng Qiang stepped forward, kneeling before Xuan Yue once again. His armor clinked melodiously as it struck the ground.
"One thousand taels, is it?"
Xuan Yue nodded. "Lei Yun, make a note of it."
Only one thousand taels? The crowd glanced at Xuan Yue, relieved that she showed no sign of anger.
"I will donate ten thousand taels," Zou Kai said, kneeling beside Cheng Qiang.
"Only ten thousand?"
Xuan Yue pointed at Zou Kai, raising her voice in question.
Zou Kai's shoulders trembled as he looked up at Xuan Yue. He had given ten times as much as General Cheng—was that still not enough?
Lei Yun, pen in one hand and record book in the other, stood nearby, while Lei An, brimming with excitement, watched Xuan Yue with shining eyes.
"The Ministry of Personnel is quite a lucrative post, Lord Zou. Your pockets should be well-lined. Ten thousand taels? How insincere."
At this, Zou Kai furrowed his brow, his face rippling with his chubby folds. Xuan Yue pointed at him, her finger tracing down from his bloated face, over his eight-month-pregnant-looking belly, to his elephantine legs, laughing as she spoke. "Lord Zou looks like someone who's had plenty to eat."
With Xuan Yue pointing at him, Zou Kai's legs trembled violently, making his large belly jiggle like a bouncing ball. Xuan Yue twirled her finger in front of his bulging stomach, finally resting it over his navel. "I wonder if I cut here, would it bleed, or would oil come out?"
Xuan Yue mimed slicing as she spoke.
"Princess, would you like to try?"
Standing nearby, Yi Lan drew a flying dagger from her waist, dashing over to Xuan Yue. Green Pearl followed behind her, brimming with excitement, winking at Xuan Yue. "Princess, you should give it a go."
Her expression was bloodthirsty.
Xuan Yue took the blade Yi Lan handed her, the gleaming edge reflecting her own image. She smiled—her manner was reckless, devoid of any queenly grace. No doubt, these people were cursing her in their hearts, calling her a bandit. Let them think whatever they liked. Today, she would make them cough up everything they owed Lan Yi Xuan.
"Twenty thousand taels at the very least, wouldn't you say?"
Though Zou Kai wasn't the head of the Ministry of Personnel, for over a decade, he wielded more power than the actual minister, relying on Gong Shaohua's influence and receiving countless bribes.
"Two hundred thousand?" Zou Kai's eyes, hidden beneath layers of flesh, widened as he stared at Xuan Yue. She was clearly squeezing him dry. He wanted to protest but fell silent when he caught sight of the sharp blade gleaming in her hand.
"Does Lord Zou have any objections?"
After some internal deliberation, Zou Kai shook his head. He hadn't forgotten how back in the Feng Kingdom, those who opposed her decisions met a fatal end.
"I wouldn't dare," Zou Kai replied, bowing respectfully.
"Good. Lei Yun, make a note. Lord Zou, the people of Lan will surely be grateful to you."
Two hundred thousand taels... Those people, no matter how ignorant, wouldn't fail to trace the origins of such a sum. They might not only curse him but thank him? If they were to be grateful, it would only be to their king and queen.
"And what about Lord Hu?"
"I will contribute two hundred thousand taels as well."
Hu Hai clenched his teeth, feeling the pain as if the money had flown away. Two hundred thousand taels? It wasn't two hundred or two thousand; it was a small fortune. How could he not feel heartache?
"I've heard your son is remarkably strong, able to take on ten men at once. If he were to join the army, he would surely help us defeat the enemy."
"This cannot be!"
At the mention of his son going to war, Hu Hai panicked. He only had one son. How could he send him to such a dangerous place?
Xuan Yue coughed lightly. "The rise and fall of a nation is every citizen's responsibility. Lord Hu's son, as a subject of Lan, should serve his country with his abilities."
She lowered her head, blowing on her nails. "I heard he crippled several strong men. Now, he can serve in their place."
Hu Hai grew desperate, his face turning pale as he knelt before her. "Your Majesty, I only have one son. If something were to happen to him, how could I face my ancestors after I'm gone? The soldiers at the border face great hardships. I will contribute two hundred thousand taels and additional military supplies. Your Majesty can provide me with a list, and I will personally see to it."
Xuan Yue nodded in satisfaction. Hu Hai was different from Zou Kai. Zou Kai's money came from the blood and sweat of the people, while Hu Hai's wealth was rooted in his family. Especially since his sixth wife, Fang Jingyi, was the daughter of Lan's richest man, and her son was Hu Wei. Though two hundred thousand taels was no small amount, Fang Jingyi would never hesitate to part with it to protect her son.
The others, knowing Xuan Yue's ruthless reputation, dared not give a random figure. By the end of it, they had collected over five million taels.
Xuan Yue smiled. It was often said that Yanjing was the wealthiest of the six kingdoms, but Lan was no less prosperous. The only difference was that Lan's wealth didn't go into extravagant buildings but into the pockets of these officials.
Clapping her hands, Xuan Yue stood, laughing. "Now I see, all of you truly are loyal to our king and Lan."
The officials stood in silent despair, their heads lowered. Years of accumulated wealth had been almost entirely drained, yet they couldn't vent their frustration. Who could endure this?
Xuan Yue chuckled, walking up to Xu An. She tilted her head, her bright eyes full of mischief. "Didn't Lord Xu say just now that you would relieve the king's burdens?"
Xu An's heart raced as he looked at her. Something in her tone suggested ill intent. He tried to think of an appropriate response.
"Or does Lord Xu only wish to collect his salary without doing anything in return?"
"As a subject, it is my duty to ease the king's burdens."
Xuan Yue nodded, smiling as she patted his shoulder. "Since the young lord cannot accompany me to battle, how about you take his place?"
Me? Fight in a war? Xu An's heart raced faster. Swallowing nervously, he was just about to kneel and plead when Xuan Yue stopped him.
"If Lord Xu is so concerned, then you can accompany me to oversee matters and ensure everything is in order."
"Your Majesty, I am but a scholar. I know nothing of warfare."
Xuan Yue smiled warmly, seemingly understanding. "Are you refusing? Do my words mean nothing here? It seems I hold no position in this place."
Xuan Yue angrily shook off Xu An's hand, her frustration evident.
Finally, Xu An understood the bitterness of having no choice but to suffer in silence.
How could he agree? The queen clearly sought revenge. If he went, death awaited him. Yet refusing would mean defiance, and that too would lead to death. He decided to comply for now and figure out a solution later.
"I humbly obey your command."
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