In the study of the Zhao residence in Twin Moon City, at night.
Zhao Weihai, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was respectfully receiving a man in black.
"This subordinate has already sent people to investigate. That Chu Chen merely requested some clay and wooden strips."
"These items will absolutely not speed up the forging process. Please rest assured, my lord."
The man in black snorted and said, "That Chu Chen is quite talented. You'd best keep a close eye on him, lest he create something else that accelerates forging."
"As long as you handle this matter well and ensure Chu Chen is swiftly expelled from Twin Moon City, then my master's promise of the Minister of Revenue position for you will surely be fulfilled."
"This subordinate understands. I will certainly keep a very close watch."
Zhao Weihai's waist bent even lower.
"Then it's settled. Remember to keep this confidential!"
The man in black uttered a warning, pushed open the door, and vanished.
Only then did Zhao Weihai dare to straighten his body, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Master," the butler walked over from nearby.
"How is the matter I entrusted to you? That lord just came to inquire again."
Zhao Weihai asked with an air of authority, showing no trace of the fawning subservience he displayed to the man in black moments before.
"Master, are you still not confident in my abilities? I have people monitoring the relevant funds from the Ministry of Revenue. As soon as that fellow surnamed Chu applies for funds to create large items or quantities, it will be directly rejected."
The butler replied with a sinister smile.
"That's good then." Zhao Weihai nodded, then added with unease, "You must also keep an eye on the Sword and Saber Division of the Ministry of Works for me. Report to me immediately if anything seems amiss."
"Understood, Master!" the butler quickly replied.
A month passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for the Ministry of Works to deliver the monthly military provisions.
The next day, during the morning court.
Chu Chen, as usual, attended the court session. Standing slightly stooped, he listened with a low profile.
For the past month, Chu Chen had attended the morning court every day, but he only listened and never spoke, treating himself as mere filler. In his heart, however, he was silently taking note of the situation in Yun Yue Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, this minister has a memorial to present!"
At this moment, Zhao Weihai, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"What is it, Minister Zhao?" the Empress Dowager nodded slightly and asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, since last month when Your Majesty ordered the casting of military provisions for the Imperial Guards and the court's army, the Ministry of Revenue has allocated sufficient funds."
"However, yesterday the Grand General of State protection found me and said the army did not receive enough military provisions!"
As he spoke, Zhao Weihai glanced at Chu Chen and continued, "This minister wishes to impeach Chu Chen, the Director of the Sword and Saber Division of the Ministry of Works, for delaying the construction period and hindering crucial state affairs!"
"Is Chu Chen present at court today?"
The Empress Dowager inquired.
"Your Majesty, this minister is here." Chu Chen quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands, lamenting, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister also wishes to deliver the weapons on time, but the orders from the Ministry of Revenue are simply too many!"
"To deliver weapons for eighty thousand men within a month is an impossible task given the previous output of the Sword and Saber Division. I implore Your Majesty for clarification."
"Weapons for eighty thousand men in one month?" The Empress Dowager was taken aback, her face showing displeasure. "Minister Zhao, what is going on?"
"Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. However, these eighty thousand weapons are not for the Ministry of Works to forge anew, but merely to repair damaged and captured weapons."
"Even so, the Sword and Saber Division, with its hundreds of artisans and thousands of apprentices, delivered less than ten thousand repaired weapons last month. Therefore, this minister impeaches Chu Chen of the Sword and Saber Division!"
After hearing Zhao Weihai's words, the Empress Dowager frowned and looked at Chu Chen. "Did the Armor Division complete the task of repairing ten thousand pieces as scheduled?"
Chu Chen had been promoted to Director of the Sword and Saber Division last month, and the former Director, Wang Chen, had been transferred to the Armor Division.
At this moment, Wang Chen stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, although the schedule was tight, the Armor Division did not fail its duty and delivered the full amount to the army."
The Empress Dowager was now a bit confused. Logically, if the Armor Division could complete the task, the Sword and Saber Division should also be able to, especially with Chu Chen, who was reputed to be more capable.
"Since the Armor Division could complete it, why could the Sword and Saber Division under your charge not do so, Minister Chu?"
The Empress Dowager asked coldly, while in her mind she was pondering what new trick Chu Chen was up to.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this first batch of military provisions is for the three thousand Imperial Guards you recently formed. The Imperial Guards are elite and loyal soldiers drawn from the army. Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Revenue asked me to repair old weapons for them, but this minister truly cannot do it."
"The mighty and unparalleled elite Imperial Guards should not be equipped with repaired weapons; they should be equipped with brand new weapons!"
Chu Chen said with an innocent expression.
Zhao Weihai's heart leaped with joy. He loudly reprimanded, "Presumptuous! The military's provisions are all planned, how can they be changed according to your personal preference? If everyone in the world acted like you, wouldn't it be chaos?"
After speaking, Zhao Weihai cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty! This Chu Chen is clearly making excuses. Last month, only five thousand swords and sabers were delivered, and they couldn't even complete the repairs. How can he talk about forging new swords and sabers?"
The Empress Dowager's mind cleared. She knew that Chu Chen was planning to trick someone. She looked at Zhao Weihai with pity, leaving him utterly bewildered.
"Your Majesty, this minister has already forged ten thousand sets of brand new swords and sabers. However, this minister believes that these thirty thousand Imperial Guards should all possess new weapons, so as to avoid disparities and promote unity within the army."
"Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to grant me two more months. By then, I will deliver thirty thousand sets of brand new weapons for the Imperial Guards, at least made of wrought iron."
As Chu Chen spoke, although his tone was sincere and confident, his eyes darted left and right, avoiding the Empress Dowager's gaze.
Zhao Weihai, who had been staring intently at Chu Chen, was absolutely certain that the latter was guilty. He sternly questioned, "Chu Chen, why are your eyes darting around as you speak? Are you feeling guilty?"
"Could it be that you haven't forged any new weapons at all, but are deceiving Your Majesty? Do you know that this is a crime of deceiving the emperor?"
"Minister Zhao, you are wrongly accusing this subordinate. Your Majesty, please uphold justice for me!"
Chu Chen cried out with practiced ease.
The surrounding officials, who were spectating, were collectively speechless seeing Chu Chen's demeanor.
You're not a eunuch anymore, why do you still cry out for support in such a wronged manner? Is it still the same old way?
"Chu Chen, this is the imperial court, be serious!" The Empress Dowager reprimanded with dissatisfaction.
"Yes!" Chu Chen replied with a hint of grievance.
"Minister Chu, stop beating around the bush. Just tell me directly, do you or do you not have ten thousand sets of brand new weapons!"
Zhao Weihai said impatiently.
"If this subordinate says yes, you won't believe me. If this subordinate says no, my conscience won't allow it. I cannot go against my conscience and say something that isn't true."
Chu Chen waved his hands innocently.
Really have them? No, that's absolutely impossible.
Zhao Weihai was initially shocked, but after calculating the previous output, he found it impossible.
Gritting his teeth, he thought of a way to have the Empress Dowager punish Chu Chen.