Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 192: Su Juan Is Impeached (Second Update)
After the festival, the officials attended court. Su Juan, having not slept well the night before, yawned repeatedly as she rose early.
Liu Miaoying accompanied her into the main hall. Along the way, they encountered many colleagues. She whispered, "I heard that the Ministry of Justice’s investigation in Xu State has not progressed. Surely someone will bring it up today."
It’s likely that when Xu State is mentioned, someone will use it as an excuse to criticize our Ministry of Revenue. After all, our ministry has been attracting too much envy this past year.
"Let’s wait and see," Su Juan said, glancing around. With her promotion, her position at court had changed, and she could no longer nap at the back.
Minister Mo Youqian teased, "Xiao Su, you are the youngest Sixth Ministry Vice Minister I have ever seen."
Back then, he had thought that Su Juan was quite capable and could be of great use, so he had always cultivated her. Little did he know that after a trip to Xu State, she would rise so swiftly!
Su Juan smiled modestly, "I owe much gratitude to Lord Mo for his constant cultivation of me."
Minister Mo squinted with a smile, "Frankly, I can read faces, and I saw back then that you had the look of being a pillar of talent."
"Lord Mo, you flatter me."
Su Juan was almost at a loss for words, [Stop it! You’ve praised me so much I’m blushing.]
Many courtiers looked over. Is she really blushing?
How could such a thick-skinned person as Vice Minister Su blush?
[Minister Mo really knows how to praise. I didn’t know he had such a way with words.]
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel scoffed, with people like you, who doesn’t have a sharp tongue?
Liu Miaoying calmly observed her surroundings. This was her first time standing in the Golden Hall for a court meeting, and at the front were all the high-ranking officials of the Third Rank and above.
In the matter of Xu State, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Justice were all involved, but only people from the Ministry of Revenue received rewards and promotions. The Minister of War even hanged himself in prison, and no one has filled the position of Minister of War since.
Just as she thought this, the Emperor entered the Golden Hall, and the officials paid their respects.
After discussing a few recent matters, Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have a report to present."
As soon as it got cold, the Old Emperor always wanted to conclude court quickly, "Speak."
"A few months ago, the grain price in Xu State soared. It is heard that this was the handiwork of Su Juan from the Ministry of Revenue. Not only did she not open the granaries to release grain, but she also colluded with the Magistrate of Xu State to support local grain merchants in driving up prices, causing the people to suffer and unable to buy rice, with bones of starvation seen along the roads."
"Vice Minister Su even claimed to attract merchants to Xu State while she and the Magistrate indulged in pleasures with wealthy businessmen, neglecting their duties."
As he spoke, the Right Vice Imperial Censor stepped forward to agree, "Your Majesty, I have also heard about this. Although the Ministry of Revenue has achieved great merit in disaster relief, its faults cannot go unmentioned."
Immediately, many people turned to look at Su Juan.
Su Juan lazily yawned, [Listening to hearsay all day long and following others to make complaints, without any original ideas of their own. No wonder he’s still only a Right Vice Imperial Censor at his age.]
Someone almost burst out laughing.
Liu Miaoying also almost laughed aloud, her mouth curling up.
Some ministers who had often been complained about by the Right Vice Imperial Censor even wanted to jump up and applaud Su Juan.
This statement from Su Juan was a direct stab at the heart of the Right Vice Imperial Censor, angering him so much that his old face turned red, "Your Majesty, merit should be rewarded, and faults should be punished. Only in this way can the courtiers be convinced."
The Old Emperor immediately grew impatient, didn’t they already lower the grain prices? Didn’t the Magistrate of Xu State say these were necessary measures for extraordinary times? Bringing it up again now is just being idle, isn’t it?
If there’s no matter to present, don’t force it!
"Where is Vice Minister Su from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Su Juan stepped forward, "I am here."
As she stepped forward, everyone could see her. Unlike before, she used to stand at the back, and it would take her a long time to walk up to speak.
It was the first time the Old Emperor had seen her so closely in the Golden Hall. The young lady standing there looked quite spirited.
"What do you have to say in defense of what Minister Mei and Imperial Censor Chen have said?"
Su Juan replied in a deep voice, "In response to Your Majesty, what Minister Mei said is absolutely true, and I have no words to defend myself."
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel sneered, daring her to have nothing to say.
The Old Emperor’s eyes flickered, usually, she has plenty to say, and now she has nothing to defend?
Su Juan stood there in everyone’s sight, [These old fellows are just envious of the Ministry of Revenue’s frequent achievements lately, using my recent promotion as a reason to suppress me. Alas, they’re so petty. No wonder they’re glued to the position of Chief of Staff at their age, unable to budge an inch.]
[Well, it’s only a matter of time before they get packed off home like the Minister of War.]
The face of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel turned red and dark with anger, Who is she talking about! Who!
If you have the skill, say it openly, mumbling in your heart, what skill do you have!
The Old Emperor squinted his eyes, "Minister Su, do you really have nothing to defend, nothing to say?"
Su Juan was silent for a while, [Must I really say something?]
[Well, I should say a few words, having worked hard to climb up to the position of a Fourth Rank Vice Minister at such a young age shouldn’t go to waste.]
Someone coughed lightly, alright, everyone knows you’re a Fourth Rank Vice Minister so young.
Su Juan said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, the so-called driving up of grain prices was but a necessary measure in extraordinary times. What rises must fall. Opening warehouses to release grain can only solve short-term starvation, while attracting external grain merchants to Xu State, reducing the grain price, and inviting wealthy merchants to Xu State to open businesses can resolve the immediate predicament."
"Only when Xu State becomes prosperous can its people have a livelihood and long-term food security through their labor, thus avoiding two years of post-disaster famine. I believe this is the best strategy."
"Therefore, as Minister Mei said, I have no defense."
Su Juan spread her hands, [Did you understand? If not, don’t say anything else, lest people know you’re foolish.]
Many people nodded repeatedly, Vice Minister Su’s words were reasonable. Given Xu State’s current situation, anyone with a keen eye could see that Vice Minister Su’s approach indeed worked.
Otherwise, the Magistrate of Xu State wouldn’t have sent over a dozen memorials consecutively.
[Given the positions of Chief of Staff and Imperial Censor, one wouldn’t be so foolish as to not understand human speech, right?]
They all understood, but who knows if Minister Mei and Imperial Censor Chen did?
[If they still don’t understand, the Old Emperor might even consider promoting some newcomers who do understand human speech to replace these two old fellows.]
The Old Emperor looked at the two of them, squinting his eyes, It made sense.
Minister Mei and Imperial Censor Chen could have questioned a few more things, but Su Juan’s words had put them in a position where they couldn’t proceed or retreat.
Su Juan changed her tone; since you want me to speak, I might as well say a few more words.
"Regarding the affair in Xu State, Your Majesty, I also have a question for Minister Mei."
The Old Emperor put his hand down, not in a hurry to end the court session anymore.
The drowsy courtiers perked up their ears.
