Chapter 60 (1/2)

Chapter 60 Refuse to comply? Deduct their wages!

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Even though they have settled on the design matter, but the biggest problem was still not resolved yet and that was the…. funds.

Even though this thing could benefit the people, but it is also considered a project that’s a waste of manpower and human resources. Without funds to open the path, everything would just be done in vain. Feng Tingye wanted to dig some money out of the mouths of the civil and military officers but doing that is harder than hard.

As Xia Yuqing watched on as a bystander expecting a certain someone to erupt again and to irrationally rake up the nation’s hard earned wealth, it is no wonder that His Majesty is Xia Yuqing's number one most immoral and despicable person. He once again made a gla.s.s shattering decision.

Three days later, a hundred officials in morning court, His Majesty had a worried expression and watery eyes, he spoke grievously towards his officials: ” For the past few years, the north, the south, and various lands have unceasingly had natural disasters. Zhen deeply feels that the heavens are appointing this mission to our Ye Country, bringing suffering to my people's body and starving my people's stomach.

Although Zhen knows that this a test from heavens, however, in the end, Zhen can't bear it, the heavens trying to give birth to new life. Zhen and the officials as the citizen's parents, how could we helplessly watch our children suffer while we enjoy the pleasures of life by ourselves? Hence, Zhen had decided that from today on, the harem and officials will have their salary reduced in half to share the sorrows of the victims of the natural disaster.

Once these words came out, without an exception every single official was alarmed. Lifting their heads to look at Feng Tingye who was bemoaning the state of the country, they looked at each other in dismay. Finally all agreeing by chance, they looked towards the three senior figures of the court. The previous Imperial Tutor Yuan Chenhuan quickly exclaimed: ”Your Majesty, please reconsider. The salary of the officials is like…”

Before he could finish, Feng Tingye gave him a glance and righteously interrupted him: ”Tai s.h.i.+, could it be that you are unwilling to share hards.h.i.+ps with Zhen and the country’s citizens? Well, Tai s.h.i.+ is already at that age and wouldn’t be able to handle this kind of suffering. With the court's bustling affairs, Zhen thinks that your spirit is willing but your body is weak. There is no harm in retiring and returning home.”

Yuan Chenhuan's eyes widened and his body began to tremble and falter. Finally, with great difficulty, he stabilized himself and forced a smile on his face: ”Your Majesty, Lao Chen’s strength is still vigorous and is thinking about working for Ye Country for another few years. I want to thank the previous emperor and Your Majesty for their kindness. It is just that Chen thinks that the salary was set by our previous ancestors. If Your Majesty decides to change what the previous generation has set down, if this spreads, I’m afraid it will damage Your Majesty's ill.u.s.trious reputation and honour. Your Majesty sympathizing with the citizens is something I also take personally. That’s why Lao Chen has another idea. Thinking about all these victims of disaster, I would like to voluntarily offer up ten thousand silvers to aid disaster relief. Lao Chen believes that all the officials here and Your Majesty all have the same heart and idea. Gathering the strength from the officials, then Your Majesty wouldn’t be breaking rules set up by the ancestors and can also save hundreds of victims, two birds with one stone.

Feng Tingye stared at the impa.s.sioned Yuan Chenhuan: ”Tai s.h.i.+, that is a magnificent idea.” Turning towards the group in court. ”How does everyone else feel?”

Being stared at by Feng Tingye's weak smile that had a hidden icy aura, all of the officials gave a little shudder. Each and every single one of them hurriedly bowed their heads and echoed each other: ”We all agree with what Tai s.h.i.+ had just said. We are all willing to spare no efforts in sharing Your Majesty’s troubles and worries. We would not hesitate to offer our lives.”

Feng Tingye was incredibly satisfied. His lips hooking up in the corners: ”Then it will be as Tai s.h.i.+ had said. Now, this matter has been decided.”

It was mid-afternoon when Xia Yuqing had heard of this heroic deed through the mouth of the person involved.

After hearing the entire thing, Xia Yuqing had thought that this man knew no shame.