After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

The Minister of the Ministry of Industry was startled when he was pulled into the chess game. He quickly glanced at Jia Gonglu, stroking his beard and said: "According to the system, the restitution of disability can be included in the expenditure of the next year. This money is clearly remembered in the account of the Ministry of Industry. "

"Yes, but where will this money be used next year? Why did the Ministry of Works pay another three million from the Ministry of Household Affairs next year?" Pei Jiaoran raised his lips, "Lu Shangshu. As the head of the Ministry of Works, don't you know Any surplus should be reported to the Ministry of Accounts. Will the Ministry of Accounts allocate next year's expenditures based on the August capital account?"

Seeing Pei Jiaoran's aggressive look, the Western Privy Council couldn't sit still and snorted coldly, "At the end of last year, the inner treasury paid 370,000 guan for expenditure, and in February this year, another 50,000 guan was paid out. Help the army. These two accounts are clearly written in black and white in the government's account books. Didn't Shangshu Pei see them?"

"There are indeed these two accounts. However, Heyang, Yiwu, Shannan and other six provinces sent troops to quell the rebellion, and the military resources consumed were immeasurable. Now Cai Xilie has blocked the water transportation of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, and taxes cannot be transported. The Ministry of Revenue does not have the nudge. The ability to turn into gold." After saying this, Pei Jiaoran raised his head and looked behind the screen. She sighed when she heard the faint sound of footsteps. With a look of regret on his face, He Jingwen said, "In order to raise military expenses, He Jingwen did not hesitate to ask the two taxes, salt, and interests of the world to add fifty cents to the army each time. He also added fifty cents to the tea money. He also ordered all the Taoists to stay in the state to keep the money. Every time two hundred coins are cut to help the army. But as you all have seen, this method is useless. I heard that when Mr. Wang went out a few days ago, he was often stopped by the people crying and complaining about their difficulties."

There was a pause of footsteps behind the screen, and thoughts flashed in Pei Jiaoran's eyes. She knew that Emperor Wei only cared about whether he could regain the vassal town of Heshuo this time, and did not care about how his subordinates would fight for power and benefit others. And she just needs to give a reasonable plan.

Jia Gonglu spoke slowly: "Originally, Shangshu Pei's proposal to recover Heshuo was to include the taxes of the three towns in Zuozang. But the current situation is probably no longer suitable for the use of troops. In the past, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, in order to attack the Xiongnu, resorted to military violence so that the people could not live. . In the past year, the imperial court has spent millions of dollars, but it has not been able to bring Heshuo's feet, silk, and grain into the Tianfu. It would be better to give up and let Heshuo's position as commander-in-chief be hereditary."

"Pei Shangshu, why bother the people of the world for personal gain? Are you going to ruin your majesty's virtuous name?" Wang Yu looked at Pei Jiaoran, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

At this time, Emperor Wei behind the screen was also looking at Pei Jiaoran. He wondered how she would respond to them. This expedition to Heshuo was a tacit secret between the two of them, but the current situation was not what he wanted. Emperor Wen was also upset when he killed Chao Cuo. But for the emperor, it was not impossible for the vassal town to withdraw its troops with the death of Chao Cuo.

The people of the world suffer because of selfish interests. Wang Yu's words threw Pei Jiaoran into the spotlight. You are the one who proposed to attack the three towns of Heshuo to collect taxes. And the imperial court is now unable to make ends meet, so you should bear the infamy.

Emperor Wei smiled slightly. Wang Jiao wanted Pei Jiaoran to make a mistake and bear the eternal infamy of causing trouble in the government. If she can't solve this situation, then she can only kill her to appease the public's anger.

Thinking of this, Emperor Wei sat back again. Wait patiently for Pei Jiaoran to speak.

After a brief silence, Pei Jiaoran stood up. He bent his knees and kowtowed in the direction of Emperor Wei, "The guilty minister Pei Jiaoran went to see your majesty and asked your majesty to remove the guilty minister from his post as Minister of Household Affairs. The guilty minister indeed suggested that your majesty counterattack Heshuo for his own selfish interests. But I have something to say. .”

Seeing Pei Jiaoran accepting the charge so generously, Jia Gonglu was surprised, but he didn't speak. He just listened patiently as she continued to speak.

Realizing that everyone was looking at her, Pei Jiaoran lowered his head and said, "The household department is not the minister's household department, but the household department of the world. I enrich the household department for personal gain, but in fact I am enriching the world. If the national treasury is rich, the people will be rich, and the people will be rich. Then the country will be strong. The predecessors said: "All mortals desire benefit and despise harm. Therefore, those who share benefits with the world will be held by the world; those who are good at benefiting the world will be planned by the world." I ask your majesty to approve what I have said. "

Her voice fell, and the stagnant thunder suddenly began.

Emperor Wei walked out from behind the screen and looked at the female minister kneeling in the middle. She was wearing a deep purple robe, the candlelight on both sides reflected her body, and the auspicious bird patterns on the fabric were clearly visible. Her entire body was pure and straight. Cloud-like robes were spread out on the ground, exuding a calm air of self-importance.

Seeing Emperor Wei come out, the three chief officials from the three provinces stood up together, and the others also stood up one after another.

After walking to the main seat and sitting down, Emperor Wei looked at Pei Jiaoran calmly. He couldn't help but think of the first time he saw Pei Jiaoran.

She was like a mirror shining into the mire, and everyone's stains were reflected on it. It is true that since ancient times, few kings were willing to listen to the advice of their subordinates and to have their bad deeds pointed out by their subordinates. And she uses very clever methods to use herself as a mirror to make people dare not look directly at her.

There was a long silence in the hall. It seemed that only the monarch and his ministers were left communicating while looking at each other.

Emperor Wei who was sitting in his seat suddenly burst into laughter, and the laughter became louder and louder, shaking the palace. The ministers couldn't help but look at each other, but no one wanted to speak.

Emperor Wei stopped laughing and said, "I have trained my body to look like a crane, and two scriptures are written under a thousand pines. I came to ask, but I can't help but say, clouds are in the blue sky, and water is in the bottle."

Pei Jiaoran frowned when he heard the poem read by Emperor Wei.

Before she could think about it, Emperor Wei's next words came. Only to hear Emperor Wei say again: "Pei Qing, what do you think the clouds in the sky and the water in the bottle mean?"

"I am stupid. I think what your Majesty is referring to is the clouds in the blue sky and the water in the bottle. They all perform their own duties and there is no difference." Pei Jiaoran spoke in a calm tone.

After giving her a meaningful look, Emperor Wei turned to look at Jia Gonglu who was standing aside, "Jia Qing, I remember that it was you who recommended Pei Qing to come back as the censor, right? What do you think of what Pei Qing said before?"

Jia Gonglu thought about it for a while, lowered his head and said: "Pei Shangshu has done great things for the country, and he is indeed an example to me. I am a man with scabies and a dolphin, so I dare not make rash remarks about Pei Shangshu."

Emperor Wei stroked his beard and smiled but did not answer. But Pei Jiaoran frowned. For a moment, she couldn't figure out what Emperor Wei wanted to do.

"I know that you are all sharing the country's worries. Now that the war in Heshuo has begun, there is no reason to give up halfway. Just follow what Pei Shangshu said, let's temporarily stop the salt and profit from entering the inner treasury. As for the various roads, we will also temporarily stop sending gifts. Stop it." After saying this, Emperor Wei looked at Jia Gonglu and said in an indifferent tone, "What do you think, sir?"

Listening to Emperor Wei's words, Jia Gonglu quickly replied, "I obey the decree."

"Then draw up the imperial edict and draw it according to the regulations." Emperor Wei said.

Emperor Wei stood up and led Zhang Rang and others away, and everyone also left one after another.

Only Jia Gonglu and Pei Jiaoran were left in the political hall.

Looking at Pei Jiaoran, Jia Gonglu smiled. They all underestimated her.

Her real purpose is not to stop all Taoism and advance worship, but to Yantiesi. She knew that the current Salt and Iron Division was basically a puppet in the hands of the eunuchs, so she wanted to seize it.

Jia Gonglu narrowed his eyes and took a sip of tea.

His eyes paused briefly on Jia Gonglu, then Pei Jiaoran turned and left.