Everyone quietly observed the Sage's expression, their hearts pounding for Minister Qin.
Minister Qin's relationship with the Wang family was no longer a secret. It was already a stroke of luck that he hadn't been implicated by the Wang family's downfall. To speak up for the Cui family at this juncture was akin to courting death.
"Minister Qin, your analogy is well-made and holds some truth. Then, according to your words, how should the imperial court proceed?" The Sage looked towards Minister Qin.
Minister Qin, the financial wizard of Great Wei, while indeed favoring the aristocratic families, was undeniably competent in his role as Minister of Revenue.
Great Wei's treasury was brimming with wealth, and its granaries were full. Even the soldiers stationed at the border received two new cotton-padded coats every winter.
This was why the Sage tolerated Minister Qin. Yao Zhinian gnashed his teeth in frustration, but he couldn't infiltrate the Ministry of Revenue, rendering him powerless.
"Then it depends on whether the court wants money or grain!" Minister Qin tossed the question back.
The Sage: ...
The Sage rolled his jade thumb ring. This man was as slippery as a loach.
"Your Majesty, Minister Qin is clearly shielding the Cui family. What does 'the more one does, the more mistakes one makes' mean? What has the Cui family done for the common people? They are not benevolent benefactors who consider the welfare of the people. They forcibly cultivate mulberries and seize land. This is harming the people and the very foundation of Great Wei!" Yao Zhinian roared, spittle flying.
Minister Qin recoiled slightly in disgust. "Minister Yao, since ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants have not been equal. Would you, Minister Yao, marry one of your household maids as your principal wife simply because you pity her?"
"Qin Yanjing, you are twisting logic!" Yao Zhinian, his heart struck by the truth, was so enraged he called him by name.
His useless son insisted on taking a maid as a concubine, which had angered his principal wife into returning to her maternal home.
Qin Yanjing exposing his private shame in public was truly infuriating.
"Minister Yao, do not let your thoughts run wild. Is this not simply because you were refused a loan of books from the Cui family in the past? To harbor such malice while holding a high position is truly a case of virtue not matching one's rank. Chancellor Mo, what do you say?" Minister Qin, having been severely undermined by his own faction, realized that indeed, the quietest dogs often bite the hardest.
The Mo family had also migrated south of the Yangtze River many years ago. Unfortunately, their reputation and prestige did not match that of the Cui family. Chancellor Mo's position was undeniable due to his personal abilities, but could he honestly claim he hadn't received assistance from the Cui and Wang families in the past?
Otherwise, with his family background, how could he have been able to contend with Chancellor Gu, who was supported by the Zheng family?
Chancellor Mo chuckled. "Minister Qin speaks wisely. The Cui family is a large and influential clan. It is not impossible for wicked servants to commit evil deeds under their master's name. However, this matter requires urgent resolution, as time waits for no one. If we miss the planting season, it will be too late."
No matter how abundant the national treasury, it could not withstand constant depletion.
"I would like to ask Chancellor Mo, what is being planted on your family's ancestral land this year, mulberries or rice?" Minister Qin asked in a casual tone, as if making small talk.
"This..." Chancellor Mo smiled calmly. "Minister Qin has indeed asked me. I have not been involved in family affairs for many years and truly do not know."
Minister Qin nodded. "Chancellor Mo is absolutely right. It is evident that Minister Yao is truly idle. He cannot even manage his own affairs properly, yet he has the time to inquire about what is being planted on other people's fields in the Jiangnan region. Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Yao Zhinian for having improper intentions as a high-ranking official, for sowing discord between the aristocratic families and the imperial court, and for harboring rebellious ambitions."
"You..." Yao Zhinian was so incensed he nearly jumped up. He pointed at Qin Yanjing, struggling to utter, "You are talking nonsense."
"In the imperial court, it is not the loudest voice that prevails." Without looking at Yao Zhinian, he continued, "Your Majesty, indeed, time waits for no man. The court needs grain, and the Jiangnan, Shandong, and Henan regions are the granaries of our Great Wei. The court needs money, and they are the gold and silver mountains of our Great Wei. Everything depends on Your Majesty's decree."
Qin Yanjing threw the problem back to the Sage. Whatever you decree to plant, shall be planted. In any case, no matter what is planted, it remains in the hands of the aristocratic families, and it will not be easy to acquire.