The Empress's roar lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. In her fury, she even used a trace of spiritual energy, stunning most of the officials and even the imperial guards.
When the Empress finally stopped her tirade and stared at the table to calm herself, Chu Chen waved his hand, sending streams of spiritual energy into the unconscious individuals, awakening them.
Princess Xin Yue had already returned to her seat, nervously twirling her fingers. She had never seen her mother so angry. Despite their close relationship, she dared not speak at such a moment.
After a while, the ministers who had fainted woke up, still kneeling on the ground. The entire court was eerily silent, awaiting the Empress's command.
Having calmed herself, the Empress finally spoke, "Rise."
"Your Majesty, we dare not!" the ministers replied in unison, none daring to stand.
"I said, rise!" the Empress's voice suddenly amplified.
Seeing that the Empress was about to fly into a rage again, the ministers reluctantly stood, but kept their heads bowed, not daring to look at her.
The Empress took a deep breath and looked at Chu Chen, who stood calmly and composed throughout the ordeal. "Chu Chen, as our Prime Minister, with such corruption throughout the court, do you have any method to turn the tide?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, naturally, I do," Chu Chen nodded, his gaze sharp as he looked at her. "However, the Yun Yue Kingdom is like a critically ill patient; only potent medicine can cure it."
"As long as it can be cured, that's enough. We can at least treat a live horse as if it were dead. Can it get any worse than this?" the Empress said with self-deprecation, her eyes fierce as she glared at the officials below. "I have long been prepared to be a ruler of a fallen kingdom! I am not afraid of potent medicine! If that day ever comes, I will not spare any of the people on this list first!"
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself!" What else could the officials say? They could only pray that the Yun Yue Kingdom would not truly fall, or they would be buried with it. As for rebellion, even the former Prime Minister Chen Yuanliang, who held immense power, had failed. Unless the army was willing to side with the rebels, how could they succeed? Even if they had won over some troops, like Chen Yuanliang who had managed tens of thousands of soldiers from the Five City Patrols, he had still failed in the end.
Calm down, calm down. The Empress ignored the ministers and focused her gaze on Chu Chen.
Chu Chen understood her intent and spoke, "Your Majesty, with the current corruption in the court, the most urgent task is to thoroughly investigate acts of corruption and collusion. Your Majesty can issue an imperial decree stating that from the day the decree is issued, any officials who continue to be corrupt will be severely investigated, and both new and old offenses will be brought to light."
"Only by punishing officials first can Your Majesty's decrees reach all corners of the kingdom, and only then can we prevent those who outwardly obey but inwardly defy, distorting Your Majesty's will or even disregarding it. Thus, policies can be implemented."
"The court has lost a vast amount of official land, and revenue has plummeted. For a Yun Yue Kingdom with a population of twenty-five million, the annual revenue is only two million taels of silver and two hundred thousand piculs of grain, indicating severe tax collection issues."
"I believe the second point is the urgent need to restore normal court revenue, while also alleviating the burden on the common people at the lowest level. We must pay attention to the reactions of the common people to avoid inciting public anger and causing great disaster."
"Thirdly, we must provide the common people at all levels with the means to support themselves and their families, so that they can afford to pay a modest tax. Therefore, restoring basic production and facilitating the circulation of goods is also an urgent matter."
"These three points, and only these three, can reverse the crisis of the Yun Yue Kingdom."
"Excellent!" The Empress was delighted, feeling that Chu Chen was different from the other officials. He was someone who would act decisively and was capable. At this moment, the Empress felt deeply fortunate that amidst the kingdom's crisis, she had someone like Chu Chen to rely on. She was fortunate to have promoted him in the past and fortunate not to have had him executed when his disguise as a eunuch was exposed. Otherwise, she would now be facing only sycophants who would kneel and cry for her to calm down!
After praising him, the Empress, with a headache, asked, "I will issue the imperial decree immediately, but how exactly should court revenue be restored?"
"Your Majesty, we must reform! Only through reform and innovation can the Yun Yue Kingdom reverse its decline and even increase its national strength!" Chu Chen said, bowing deeply. "I have a plan, called Tax System Reform, Land Survey, and Tiered Taxation! I implore Your Majesty to allow me to implement reforms for strength!"
Reform! This was a monumental change! The civil and military officials were shocked! They never imagined that Chu Chen would dare to say such a thing. Was he not afraid of future retribution from those he offended? Was he not afraid that His Majesty would abandon him halfway under pressure? Was he not afraid that once he had accomplished his mission, His Majesty would discard him like a worn-out shoe? Throughout history, what good end had reformers met? This was thankless work. As Prime Minister, with endless wealth and honor, why would he court such disaster?
The faces of the civil and military officials changed drastically, their expressions shifting between apprehension and uncertainty. Even those who were considered part of Chu Chen's faction looked at him in shock, their hearts trembling. They were unsure if they should still stand with him, as his faction was now too dangerous.
The Empress observed the expressions of the ministers and sneered inwardly. With a stern and imposing demeanor, she declared, "I am in full agreement! Since Prime Minister Chu has such determination, I will not fail you!"
Saying this, the Empress suddenly stood up and walked to Princess Xin Yue's side. She raised her right hand, three fingers pointing to the heavens, and declared loudly, "I, the sixth Emperor of the Yun Yue Kingdom, swear to fully support Prime Minister Chu Chen's reforms and innovations, and to reassure Prime Minister Chu Chen, making him unwavering! I have decided, effective immediately, to allow the Fifth Princess, Li Xin Yue, to be betrothed to Chu Chen! They will be married in three years!"
"Mother!" Princess Xin Yue stammered, calling out shyly.
Chu Chen was also a little surprised. The engagement was happening now? This was essentially a public announcement, wasn't it? The ministers below looked as if they had eaten excrement, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
"Is Your Majesty serious?"
"Is Your Majesty really going to oppose the entire world?"
"Your Majesty is foolish! The Son of Heaven and the scholars govern together, is that not ideal? Why bother with the lives of those lowly peasants? This talk of a fallen kingdom is entirely Chu Chen's fallacy!"
"This is troublesome. The army might be affected too. What a headache!"
The civil and military officials had their own thoughts, but none dared to provoke the Empress at this moment. They all looked on in shock or stunned silence.
Chu Chen took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and looked at the Empress, speaking loudly and earnestly, "Your Majesty treats me as a national scholar, and I shall repay you with the loyalty of a national scholar! For this reform and innovation, I swear! If I do not achieve it, I will perish, and I will not shrink from death a hundred times!"
"I, Chu Chen, thank Your Majesty for the betrothal!"
"Hardship met with a single decree, the clang of arms fades, surrounded by the stars.
The land is fractured, like scattered willow catkins in the wind; my life adrift, like duckweed battered by the rain.
At Huangkong Beach, I speak of fear; in Lingding Ocean, I sigh with loneliness.
Since ancient times, who has not faced death? Let my loyal heart shine upon the annals of history!"
"I, Chu Chen, will not fail Your Majesty's high expectations! I will serve the Yun Yue Kingdom with all my might until my dying day!"