Li Changan finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to follow the chief secretary of the Ministry of Industry to survey the terrain on the spot.
The other chief ministers also started disaster relief work.
Farming files from various places in Wanchuan Prefecture are constantly stacked on Li Changan's desk.
At this time in the capital, an invisible storm is slowly gathering.
The sky was only slightly brighter.
Xuanwu Gate has slowly opened, and the ministers who had been waiting outside began to enter Xuanwu Gate one after another.
"Sir, do you really want to act like this?" Zhao Jing, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, walked to Zeng Wanlian, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
His face was solemn and his eyes were full of worry.
Zeng Wanlian nodded, "This is a matter of serving the country and the people, but there will be some twists and turns in the process, so there won't be any problems."
"But if the Queen is aware of it, wouldn't it cause trouble for no reason?" Zhao Jing followed Zeng Wanlian, looking at other ministers who walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony from time to time.
I found that each of these ministers had their eyes moving, as if they were thinking about something.
"How could the Queen not notice it?" Zeng Wanlian shook his head, "It's just that the construction of the dam is too important and involves another major event, so we can't be careful."
"If the Queen notices it, it will be nothing more than a test."
Zhao Jing was a little anxious. He was getting closer and closer to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. If he really couldn't stop it, there would be no room for change in this matter.
"Since ancient times, imperial power and prime ministerial power have always been pulling against each other."
"The Empress has just changed the reign name, completely removed the curtain in front of the dragon chair, and taken charge of the court."
"This is the time when the imperial power is at its most prosperous. Wouldn't it be unwise to test at this time?"
"And this time, my household department will take the lead. Once the Queen becomes angry, not only the household department, but also the academy will be implicated."
Zeng Wanlian walked forward slowly, slowly but firmly, "The court belongs to the court after all."
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Jing's pupils trembled and he looked at Zeng Wanlian in disbelief.
There are so many meanings contained in these few words.
He didn't even dare to interpret it deeply, for fear that what he would uncover would be a secret that would shock the world.
The Chaotang... belongs to the Chaotang...
Is there still an emperor in this court, and is there still an academy?
Zhao Jing tightened his throat, but continued, "Sir, if this is really the case, aren't we putting Uncle Zhongyong in danger?"
"Danger?" Zeng Wanlian shook his head, "He is the academy's favorite, so he will not be in danger."
"And he is the one who pushed hard for this major event, so it should be pushed to the front of the stage."
"By then the matter will be done, and he will get the maximum benefit."
"And we are just going with the flow."
While talking, the two of them walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
What Zhao Jing wanted to say could only be kept in his stomach and he would not say another word.
…
The meeting was halfway through,
Sun Huaian, the right minister of the Ministry of Industry, stepped forward and saluted, "To express my gratitude to the Queen, the Nanxun Town Fusi sent a letter from the Ministry of Industry yesterday, pleading for the construction of Wushan Dam."
On the dragon chair, Dugu Zhao's back was straightened. Under the imperial crown, his red and phoenix eyes were filled with coldness and revealed a majestic look.
"What is Wushan Dam? Sun Aiqing will tell you in detail."
Sun Huaian saluted respectfully, and then said loudly,
"The Southern Patrol Town Fusi hopes to build a dam in Wushan County to cut across the Yan River and completely solve the flood problem in the south."
"From now on, the three southern prefectures will no longer have to worry about floods, and will become one of the important granaries of our Jin Dynasty."
There was a lot of discussion in the court.
Hengjie Yanshui, these four words alone are enough to make everyone feel the difficulty.
No one does not know the ferocity of Yan Shui.
It is not an exaggeration to say that he is an unstoppable angry dragon.
A small disaster every three years and a major disaster every five years have long become the norm.
This super flood is a rare event in a century.
The incident involving the lucky dragon in Wushan County has already made all the officials know everything about Wushan County.
It is sheer fantasy to build a dam across the Yan River there.
"Empress, I think this matter is inappropriate." A doctor from the household department stepped forward and said,
"If you want to cut across the Yan River, it's like building several more mountains between several mountains."
"Wei Chen feels shuddering just thinking about it."
"Such fortifications are too laborious and waste money, so they must not be carried out."
"Yes, building such a dam is several times more difficult than simply building a few mountains." Another doctor from the Ministry of Industry agreed,
"If it is to be built, both money and labor will be an astronomical figure."
"Indeed, it is still unknown whether such a dam can really solve the flood problems in the south."
Ning Hanqing, the right servant of the Ministry of Personnel, nodded and said,
"There is absolutely no need to spend a huge amount of money on such a dam whose ability to cure the flood is still doubtful."
"Wei Chen has reason to suspect that this is a fortification built by the Nanxun Town Fusi to show his merit."
"It makes sense. Building such a dam would be a great achievement." An official from Dali Temple also agreed.
For a time, everyone in the court was opposed to the construction of the dam.
Dugu Zhao turned his gaze to Zeng Wanlian,
"Zeng Aiqing, you might as well tell me."
Zeng Wanlian took a step forward, then bowed respectfully and said, "Yesterday, I also received a document from the Southern Patrol Division, which mentioned the Wushan Dam."
"The document also gives the estimated amount of silver needed."
"About thirty million taels."
As soon as these words came out, the court suddenly became quiet, and then the discussion became even louder.
Thirty million taels.
This number is simply appalling.
"Empress, you must not build a dam." A doctor from the Ministry of Rites said,
"Thirty million taels, that's five years of tax revenue for the imperial court. How can it all be spent on a dam?"
"Besides, it's unclear whether this dam will work or not. It's more like a monument of merit built by Nanxun Zhenfu Si for himself."
Other officials are echoing this.
"That's thirty million taels... It's unheard of. Why does the dam require so much silver?"
"How much labor does this require?"
"If we really want to build such a dam, public dissatisfaction will be trivial, and it is very likely that all the luck we have finally gathered will be lost."
"It really can't be done."
…
The corners of Dugu Zhao's lips slightly raised into a meaningful smile, "Xie Aiqing, what do you think? If this dam is to be built, can it be built?"
Xie Changbin, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, trembled slightly, then seemed to be under great pressure, took a step forward, and said hesitantly,
"If there were no restrictions on silver and labor, the dam should be able to be built."
"If the dam is built, will it help the floods in the south?" Dugu Zhao asked again.
Xie Changbin pondered for a moment, "If this dam can be built, floods in the south will indeed be greatly alleviated."
"As long as there are no problems with the dam, even if another big flood comes, there won't be much trouble."
Dugu Zhao turned his head slightly and said, "Zeng Aiqing, are there thirty million taels of silver in the treasury?"
The flesh on Zeng Wanlian's face trembled slightly, then he shook his head and said, "To inform the Queen, the disaster relief in the south has already spent ten million taels of silver."
"The remaining money will be used for military expenses in the north and disaster relief in various places."
"Don't say 30 million taels, even 30 million taels are a bit stretched."
Dugu Zhao continued to ask, "So, even if you want to build this dam, you can't build it?"
"Yes." Zeng Wanlian nodded, "Thirty million taels of silver, the amount is too huge and the national treasury cannot support it."
Dugu Zhao's eyes slowly passed over the faces of the ministers in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and then nodded without comment.
"In this case, let's not mention this matter for now."
The atmosphere in the court hall suddenly stagnated. Several ministers raised their heads slightly in surprise, but then lowered their heads again soon.
…
After the dynasty dispersed,
Dugu Zhao returned to the imperial study, took off his imperial robes and imperial crown, and wiped off the makeup on his face.
Only the dignified beauty left after washing away the luster.
She gently combed her black hair, but there was endless coldness in her eyes.
"These old guys have sung half a show today, and they will have to sing another half a show tomorrow."
"Obviously we have a solution, but we still have to perform for two days. If you want to use this matter to test my bottom line, it will be difficult for them."
At this time, a palace maid stood outside the imperial study room,
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Qi would like to see you."
Dugu Zhao paused slightly, then said, "Send him in."
Not long after, an old eunuch with gray hair, wearing brocade clothes and a gentle complexion walked into the imperial study room and saluted respectfully.
"Slave Qi Shanhai pays homage to the Queen."
"Get back on your feet." Dugu Zhao sat behind the screen, still looking at the bronze mirror, "Have you found anything?"
Qi Shanhai's voice was a little shrill as he bowed and said, "It was indeed Li Changan who proposed the construction of the dam."
"I had been rejected by the other governors before, but for some unknown reason, these governors began to agree again, and even promoted the matter secretly."
Dugu Zhao nodded, "It seems that Li Changan has paid a lot."
Qi Shanhai's attitude was extremely respectful, his eyes always staring at the position three feet in front of his toes.
"Your Majesty, Li Chang'an and the ministers in the court today are colluding with each other and even want to make decisions on court matters themselves."
"It's better to let the minions take action to get rid of a few, and save these minions from thinking that they can rebel against heaven."
Dugu Zhao looked at himself in the bronze mirror, "It doesn't matter, Li Changan is indeed quite influential, but he and these ministers of the DPRK are not of the same mind."
"Today, these ministers of the DPRK and China used the excuse of the dam to perform such a drama, trying to push Li Changan to the stage to prevent disaster, but in fact, they invisibly pushed Li Changan to their opposition."
"On the contrary, I feel that Li Changan is worth winning over."
"Go and find out what Li Changan exchanged with them."
"In addition, why are there those killers in Wushan County? Has your Dongchang found anything?" Dugu Zhao slowly stood up and asked.
Qi Shanhai's figure that was about to leave suddenly froze, and then said hurriedly,
"This matter is still under investigation, but the origins of those killers are mysterious and they are controlled by Gu insects. It is difficult to find effective clues."
Dugu Zhao nodded, "Go ahead and continue checking."
"My servant, please retire." Qi Shanhai bowed and retreated until he reached the door of the imperial study room, then turned around and left quickly.
The imperial study room became deserted again.
Dugu Zhao was dressed in white clothes, and her skin became fairer and fairer. She slowly walked out of the screen, looked at a secret letter on the desk, and murmured softly,
"The court officials have already been tied together, hoping to use this to control this palace, and even the academy."
"Today's temptation has just begun."
"Li Chang'an...I am waiting for the day when you come to Beijing to report on your duties..."