Ji Heng always had full confidence in Cui Qizhou. The two analyzed the current situation in the South of the Yangtze River and decided that they had to raise some funds as soon as possible. Otherwise, the water diversion project would be seriously hindered.
"It won't be easy to get people to hand over their money obediently. We need to think this through carefully," Cui Qizhou said.
"I know. By the way, I heard that there are many unscrupulous merchants in the South of the Yangtze River taking advantage of the situation to make huge profits. Maybe we can get some money for the water diversion project from them," Ji Heng replied.
Ji Heng had become much smarter. Even without guidance, he was now capable of handling things on his own.
Cui Qizhou nodded and then withdrew.
The young emperor sat in the imperial study, lost in thought. Judging from his furrowed brow, his thoughts were definitely related to the current situation in the South of the Yangtze River.
Fu Lu, the eunuch standing beside him, sighed and decided to distract him.
"Your Majesty, just now, the Empress Dowager sent a message saying that she has prepared a meal and is waiting for you to go."
Hearing this, the melancholy on Ji Heng's face disappeared. After all, he was still a child, and his appetite was whetted.
To him, nothing was more important than a good meal. Moreover, the food cooked by his mother was much more delicious than that made by the imperial chefs in the palace.
When he arrived at the Palace of Longevity and Peace, the Empress Dowager had just had the dishes served on the table.
"Heng'er, you've been working hard these days. I've been wanting to cook something good for you. So I took the time today to cook for you myself. I've given a new twist to those dishes you like the most. Come and have a taste," the Empress Dowager said.
Ji Heng scurried over quickly and sat down beside Shi Muwang.
"Mother, this is so delicious. Even the imperial chefs in the palace can't compare to you," he said.
His enjoyment of the food was a great affirmation to her.
Shi Muwang looked at him tenderly and kept putting food on his plate. Before long, his bowl was piled up like a small mountain.
Ji Heng said helplessly, "Mother, don't just take care of me. You've lost weight since you came back from Baotuo Temple. After the disaster in the South of the Yangtze River is over and the pressure on the national treasury is relieved, I'll have people take good care of your health."
Shi Muwang was very touched by his words. She ruffled his hair.
"Is there any problem in the South of the Yangtze River?" she asked.
Half - way through her words, she suddenly remembered how the court officials had almost caused an uproar in the court in order to oppose her involvement in politics. She laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
"If there really are problems, you can ask the national teacher more. He knows a lot about such things."
The young emperor saw through her thoughts and said seriously, "Mother, you came up with such a great idea before, which has helped the people in the South of the Yangtze River solve their difficulties. They're grateful to you. You don't need to worry about anything else. As for the problems, there are indeed some. The water diversion project is too large, and the national treasury is currently tight. I'm afraid the treasury won't be able to provide enough funds."
Hearing this, Shi Muwang tapped the table gently with her fingers. Her mind was racing.
"In that case, since they are all important court officials, everyone should contribute. Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, should set an example. From today on, I will lead the concubines in the harem to live frugally. Then Your Majesty will have a good reason to persuade the court officials."
She had really thought things through.
Actually, many of those in the court had embezzled money. The late emperor had turned a blind eye to it. But now that they were under Ji Heng's rule, if they ignored the victims of the disaster this time, they shouldn't blame the emperor for being merciless.
After the meal, Ji Heng couldn't wait to leave. He returned to the imperial study and then summoned all the court officials outside the study.
When they rushed over in their robes, they were all looking blank, not knowing what the young emperor was up to this time.
"Do you think there's an urgent report from the South of the Yangtze River? That's why the emperor summoned us here in such a hurry," one official said.
"Everything will probably be clear after the emperor comes out. If it's really an urgent report from the South of the Yangtze River, should we just follow the methods we discussed before?" another official suggested.
As soon as he said this, someone else retorted, "Really? If we follow your methods, we might push the people in the South of the Yangtze River to the brink. Then families will be broken, and the country will be in chaos."
Hearing this, the prime minister got angry. He was an important figure in the court. Although he was always overshadowed by the national teacher, usually few people dared to challenge him like this.
Without turning back, he roared, "How dare you! When did you have the right to speak here? I'm still standing here. It seems you don't want your official position anymore."
The prime minister thought he was very imposing when he said this, completely unaware of the strange looks from those around him.
Just then, a shrill voice sounded, "Oh, the prime minister is really imposing. How dare you say such things in front of the emperor? It seems you're the one who doesn't want your official position anymore."
Hearing Fu Lu's words, the prime minister's heart skipped a beat. It was too late to take back his words.
He had no choice but to turn around and kneel down on the ground, braving himself to say, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I just spoke without thinking. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to Your Majesty."
Ji Heng just stared at him calmly, letting him kneel there and letting Fu Lu mock him.
"Now even the prime minister dares to challenge the emperor. I wonder if next time he'll do something treasonous," Fu Lu sneered.
Almost everyone present knew what this so - called "treasonous act" referred to.
The prime minister was kneeling on the ground, shaking like a leaf. How come he never noticed before that this eunuch was so sharp - tongued? With his exaggeration, he wouldn't be able to defend himself even if he had a hundred mouths.
He could only keep kowtowing until Ji Heng stopped him impatiently.
"The prime minister has shown no respect for the emperor. He is fined one year's salary. From today on, he is confined to his mansion and cannot leave without my order."
The prime minister wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. This was already the best outcome.
"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness."
After all the officials had gathered in the imperial study, Ji Heng finally stated his purpose.
"You all know the situation in the South of the Yangtze River. I feel heart - broken for the people there. This is not only a natural disaster but also a test from heaven. If our court fails to act or ignores the lives and deaths of the people at this time, the Great Liang Dynasty may have no future. Maybe the country will easily fall into the hands of others," he said.
The other court officials looked at each other. The grand tutor stroked his beard and said, "I wonder what countermeasures Your Majesty has for this situation? We will surely do our best."
This was exactly what Ji Heng wanted to hear. The young emperor didn't stand on ceremony with them.