Chapter 37: Nearly Doing More Harm Than Good

The next morning, as dawn broke, Tian Yueying stood alone once more, facing the listless ministers below her throne, a deep headache pressing upon her.

“Gentlemen, our great Qi has recently ceded land and paid reparations to the Kang Kingdom. Our domestic economy lies in ruin. Does anyone here have a sound strategy to revive this stagnant economy?”

The Minister of Justice was silent.

The Grand Secretary was silent.

Every minister within Tian Yueying’s gaze, after locking eyes with her for a few seconds, quietly lowered their heads, unable to offer a single solution.

In the front row stood Duke Sun Xin, a military man by background. Though watching the Empress’s frustration stirred his own unease, his limited scholarship left him unable to devise a proper response.

For a moment, the entire court grew even more desolate than usual.

Looking around, the ministers all nodded and lowered their brows, as if they had committed some offense against the Empress.

Indeed, they had.

Once, they had been so eager to impeach Prime Minister Yang Chuan; now, they were utterly embarrassed.

With no capable statesmen in court, a rabble of incompetents became glaringly obvious.

Today’s challenge was none other than Yan Wugou’s first stratagem.

“Have you not long harbored resentment toward Chancellor Yang?” she thought.

“Now I have dismissed him to rest at home, but I want to see if any of you can help me govern this country!”

“If you continue to do nothing, do not blame me for reinstating Yang Chuan!”

After pondering alone for some time, Duke Sun Xin suddenly stepped forward.

“Your Majesty! During your absence, some ministers have fattened their purses. Since they offer no good policies, why not have them all chip in to fill the empty treasury!”

His words shocked the ministers.

They never expected the usually silent Duke Sun to utter such absurdity.

Was this not a blatant denunciation of them all?

Moreover, their anger, once directed solely at Yang Chuan, had now been drawn to Sun Xin instead.

Tian Yueying, well aware of the ministers’ corruption, understood that Sun Xin, having served two dynasties and proven loyal, was trying to divert their hostility away from Yang Chuan.

But unlike Yang Chuan, Sun Xin lacked the cunning to withstand their collective ire. If he truly made enemies of them all, he would be helpless against their onslaught.

“Duke Sun, you’ve always ignored court affairs. Have you lost your senses today, to slander the ministers so?”

Though Yang Chuan had been dismissed, Tian Yueying firmly believed his return was inevitable.

Sun Xin, who once doubted Yang Chuan, now sought to clear his name, hoping he might soon return to aid her in governing.

Though his intentions were noble, Tian Yueying knew few ministers were loyal to her.

If she let Sun Xin be dragged down now, should Yang Chuan fall again, she would be utterly alone.

After reprimanding Sun Xin, she continued.

“Duke Sun, I know your heart is with the court, but some things cannot be casually speculated on, nor can you speak recklessly! Today, I pardon you for your words as you are an old servant of two dynasties, but do not speak nonsense again!”

Her words stirred scornful glances from senior ministers.

“Hmph! That old fellow! Does he think no one dares touch him because of his years of service?”

Even a strong figure like Yang Chuan had been forced to resign under their “unity.”

With few allies, how could Sun Xin dare speak so boldly?

Had the Empress not been discerning, Sun Xin would have been their next target for impeachment.

After two rounds of rebuke, Tian Yueying glared at him inwardly.

“Duke Sun, you nearly spoiled my plans!”

“I know you care for Yang Chuan, but the next move is already arranged between us. You need only be a symbol in court, to show I am not fighting alone!”

It was the first time in many years that the Empress had scolded him.

Sun Xin’s lips twitched, unsure what to say, his face flushing with embarrassment. He simply closed his mouth and became the symbol she asked.

Once the matter was quelled, Tian Yueying’s gaze swept over the ministers with renewed authority.

“You have waited long enough. It seems none of you can ease my burdens.”

“If so, I must find another way.”

“Minister of Revenue!”

Suddenly called upon, the Minister of Revenue stiffened, hesitating briefly before replying anxiously.

“Your Majesty, I too wish to devise a plan to relieve Your Majesty’s worries, but alas—”

“I do not intend for you to devise any plan.”

Tian Yueying shot him a sharp glance. As the official overseeing the nation’s finances, his lackluster response chilled her.

Seeing the Empress had no intention of entrusting him with the matter, the Minister of Revenue’s expression brightened considerably.

To leave a better impression, he smiled and listened eagerly to what she would say next.

“Are there any vacant positions within the Ministry of Revenue?”

“There are,” he replied.

Due to the country’s declining population in recent years, capable officials were scarce.

Thus, the position of Vice Minister had remained vacant.

The Minister of Revenue’s eyes rolled as he almost blurted out that none of his subordinates could fill the role, but a sharp tap from the Minister of Justice beside him silenced him.

It was clear the Empress’s question about vacancies was meant to offer Yang Chuan a way back.

Assigning him a substantial post might risk revenge on those who had impeached him.

The Minister of Revenue, thus reminded, regained composure and answered carefully.

“Your Majesty, there is still the position of Director unfilled in the Ministry.”

Compared to Vice Minister, Director was a much lower rank.

In this, the Minister of Revenue thought himself clever.

But he did not know the Empress had long known all the vacancies in every department.

Her inquiry was a test to see if any loyal ministers remained.

Clearly, the Minister of Revenue failed that test.

The humble Director role for Yang Chuan was not only beneath his talent but also a slap in the face.

After all, to have her most trusted man suddenly demoted from first rank official to a minor fifth rank was simply unreasonable.