Chapter 924: Chapter 205: The Surname Ji

Inside the Imperial Study, a round of discussions had just ended.

The Yan Emperor did not speak much, with the Crown Prince presiding. Most of the ministers and officials were present, including Ji Chengjue, nominally the observer from the Ministry of Revenue, sitting in the far corner.

Originally, the Minister of Revenue had fallen from grace, and the court appointed a new, highly respected Minister of Revenue, but coincidentally, an old case resurfaced: drunken murder of a concubine.

This should not have been a big deal; it was common for a powerful official of the current dynasty to secretly kill a concubine or execute a servant who made a mistake at home, as long as the matter was handled properly.

But who would have thought, three years later, just as this official was rumored to be chosen as the acting Minister of Revenue, the family and relatives of the concubine gathered dozens of people and came to the capital to complain to the authorities.

The uproar was city-wide, and the official fell ill—genuinely or otherwise—and stopped attending court.

The Yan Emperor issued a decree, first sending imperial physicians to diagnose, while instructing officials to follow up on the case.

Thus, the Ministry of Revenue of Yan sat leaderless, yet smooth operations continued, even better than before.

Those present, seasoned schemers of the officialdom, knew well who was behind the downfall of the two Ministers of Revenue.

At the same time, they were quietly surprised at why the Sixth Prince, who had always maintained a low profile as an idle and carefree prince, became so assertive after taking on the observer role at the Ministry of Revenue.

Political struggles are political struggles; rules must be observed. Uncovering old secrets like this breaks the political tacit understanding.

The means used twice were overly aggressive and disgraceful, likely leading to isolation within the court.

After all, how many officials are truly spotless?

But since the Yan Emperor remained silent on these matters, and the Sixth Prince’s special status as an imperial child, the emperor’s son—naturally under his own control—

Being both sovereign and father.

Yet ministers remain outsiders; attempting to discipline the emperor’s son or meddle in the Ji family’s affairs is risky.

In previous years, some ministers might have dared, but now, under the prosperous rule of the Yan Emperor, no one risks touching the tiger’s whiskers.

Today’s discussion pertained to commercial taxes.

Throughout, the Sixth Prince, expected to speak, remained silent, while the Crown Prince strongly advocated for implementation.

In essence, behind every large trade convoy stood noble figures. Such long-distance, large-scale transactions were either conducted by nobles or developed sufficiently to attach to nobility.

Commercial taxes essentially meant cutting into their profits.

But now, Yan was no longer an era of rampant aristocracies. Whatever the Ji family decided, everyone had no choice but to comply.

To put it nicely, the Ji family summoned everyone for discussions. Honestly, they were merely notifying them.

Not satisfied?

Endure it.

Still not satisfied?

Perish!

Finally, the meeting concluded.

The Yan Emperor raised his teacup, took a sip, and said:

"The Crown Prince and Chengjue, stay behind."

The ministers immediately bowed and took their leave.

Soon,

the Imperial Study fell quiet.

Wei Zhonghe personally stepped forward, replacing the tea for the Yan Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Sixth Prince, before stepping out to stand at the door.

The Crown Prince lifted his teacup, sipping slowly, imitating the Yan Emperor’s mannerism.

Ji Chengjue placed his teacup on his knee, wearing an innocent expression.

"Chengjue, the funds and provisions sent to the Snow Sea border were excessively generous; I’ve heard certain commanders disapprove."

Many were aware of this, given the considerable amount of money and supplies transported such a distance, not a matter of just one or two carts—it was impossible to keep it from perceptive individuals.

Hence, the Crown Prince had to address it.

As the Crown Prince, master of the East Palace, the nation’s foundation, if even his own brother secretly colluded with border military commanders and he remained silent, it would be disgraceful.

Even if he intended to lie low, this was not the way to do so.

A prince secretly associating with border military leaders was strictly forbidden.

Originally, the Crown Prince assumed that after voicing this, before the Yan Emperor, his sixth brother would be terrified, kneel to plead for forgiveness, and offer numerous excuses.

To the Crown Prince’s surprise,

upon hearing this,

Ji Chengjue merely raised his head slightly, looking at him,

with a puzzled expression:

"Oh, which commander is dissatisfied?"

"......" the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was momentarily stumped—the issue was centered on a commander’s dissatisfaction?

The focus was clearly his bias toward Snow Sea border, favoring Lord Pingye!

Alleged commander dissatisfaction was akin to ministers frequently claiming "on behalf of the people" or "public outcry", as if they truly lived among the people listening to them, a claim not to be scrutinized.

The most crucial point,

dissatisfied commanders were undoubtedly stationed in Jin Land.

With Lord Pingye and Lord Jingnan’s connections, who dared speak such words?