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From the first ray of morning sun that illuminated the glazed tiles, the sound of the morning bell echoed through the deep palace walls.
In the Sanyang Hall, sandalwood incense wafted from the golden Qilin censer, making the birds and beasts carved on the red beams appear lifelike.
Before the Dragon Throne, Jingtai heard the bell. His eyes, hidden beneath his imperial crown, opened, revealing a gaze that held a hint of weariness within its majesty. He saw the distinct ranks of civil and military officials below him.
“A mysterious sea eye has suddenly appeared in the North Sea, bottomless. Many ships from North Seal have gone missing near it, only to reappear in the East Sea.”
“Envoys from the Buddhist Kingdom of the Western Regions have arrived, hoping to establish temples and spread their Dao in Dijin.”
“The Southern Frontier is facing a shortage of provisions...”
A eunuch, wearing a black gauze hat and a crimson python robe, loudly announced a series of major events, all concerning the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths and the fate of the Great Shang.
When he had finished most of the announcements, he finally asked:
“Esteemed sirs, do you have any proposals?”
His voice echoed through the silent hall.
The courtiers all kept their eyes down, saying nothing.
For such major issues, it was not advisable to express opinions in court. Court discussions were usually for observing the attitudes and movements of officials regarding matters that had already been decided by various factions.
In simpler terms, the court was not a place for getting things done, but a place where power intersected.
After a long silence, Jingtai Emperor spoke:
“Since that is the case, if there are no further matters, court is dismissed.”
“Your Majesty, I have one matter I wish to present.”
At this moment, the Minister of Rites, Song Baiyue, stepped forward and bowed, saying:
“The Qianlong Assembly has just concluded. I believe that before entering Human City, another grand gathering could be held. Firstly, to reward the assembled Geniuses, and secondly, to share joy with the people.”
The officials and nobles in the hall exchanged glances, unsure of the Minister of Rites’ sudden and strange suggestion and its true intention.
Unable to grasp his intent, the court remained silent.
However, a few censors stepped forward to object:
“Another celebration would be a waste of resources and manpower.”
“What is the point of a celebration when Your Highness has suffered a setback?”
“I don’t see the necessity for this.”
Holding another inexplicable celebration, putting aside other matters, simply meant more work.
Who would willingly seek more work without any benefits?
But Song Shangshu smiled slightly and said:
“The celebration I speak of is the Hundred Flowers Gathering, inviting those peerlessly beautiful women from the Baihua List to the capital to perform, such as playing music, singing, and so on...”
A collective gasp echoed among the civil and military officials.
Those feigning sleep stopped, those lost in thought returned, and the elderly and frail straightened up. Even the Confucian scholars of the National Academy showed a slight look of solemnity.
“Ah, I always said Old Song managed the Ministry of Rites with such success, he must have his own talents. I think this proposal is excellent!”
“Since ancient times, where there are talented scholars, there are beautiful women. With the Qianlong Assembly, adding a Hundred Flowers Gathering is both reasonable and proper, benefiting the nation and its people, benefiting the nation and its people!”
“Yes, this perfectly showcases our Great Yu’s prosperity and peaceful times!”
“Good, good, good! Just thinking of this scene inspires my poetic muse! As the saying goes... The old man feels the youthful frenzy, one section is stronger than six!”
“What splendid verse, what splendid verse...”
The court immediately became lively, united in spirit and incredibly cohesive.
Jingtai Emperor had never seen such a scene since his ascension to the throne.
He had, however, seen plenty of instances where officials in court argued until they were bruised and battered.
But not everyone was enthusiastic.
The Minister of Revenue stepped forward decisively:
“I object!”
“Hmm?”
The officials looked at him with displeasure, ready to lash out. Several inarticulate military generals rolled up their sleeves, preparing to show this old fellow the truth.
“The national treasury is empty. The Nurturing Dragon Temple consumes enormous funds every year, and now we are to hold some Hundred Flowers Gathering? Where will the money come from?”
“I also do not wish to spoil everyone’s enjoyment, but all funds currently have a purpose.”
“Are we to touch the silver allocated to the Nurturing Dragon Temple, or the silver for building large ships in North Seal, or the military provisions for the Southern Frontier?”
The Minister of Revenue, who managed the finances, threw out the question.
Then, he looked at Zhennan King. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Zhennan King nodded slightly and said: “Matters of military and state are not to be trifled with. Military provisions cannot be touched.”
Those from the imperial clan did not need to speak.
North Seal... the ships were already built, were they to be dismantled and sold off?
At this moment, the Minister of Rites seemed to have a solution ready, and said:
“How about this: we can invite wealthy merchants to sponsor, letting them fund our grand gathering.”
“They will gain reputation, and we won’t need to spend any money. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”
“Eh, Song Shangshu, you are truly a Genius!”
Thus, the entire court of civil and military officials unanimously approved.
Jingtai Emperor had no reason to refuse and stamped the document with the Eight Wildernesses Six Harmonies Seal.
That very day, an edict was proclaimed throughout the land, summoning famous women from the Baihua List to the capital, and sincerely inviting sponsors with generous terms.
For a time, the wealthiest people in the land flocked to it.
After all, serving the court also granted an official position without actual power.
Do not underestimate the power of this condition. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
In the future, no matter what the matter, as long as it was given the title of ‘serving the court,’ it would be legitimate and sanctioned by imperial authority.
By the time summer arrived.
In the Dijin Prefectural Hall, a unique ‘bidding conference’ had already begun. Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue presided over the gathering of incredibly wealthy merchants.
Representatives from all four major merchant houses were present.
Among them was the Hengtong Merchant House, represented by an old acquaintance, Sun Gui.
There was also the Qingmu Association, famous for selling medicinal ingredients; one out of every three Divine Pills in the entire world came from their hands. Their representative was a Grandmaster of the Dao of Pills.
Of course, some people who appeared to be representatives of the Qingmu Association were actually the Hall Master of Blood Refinement... The other two were the Jinqian Gang and the God of Wealth Bank.
The fragrance of tea wafted gently as the wealthy merchants drank their tea, waiting for the esteemed officials to emerge.
“Brother Sun, long time no see. I didn’t expect you to be transferred to Dijin. You’re becoming even more prosperous.”
The Hall Master of Blood Refinement, dressed in green and without his half-face mask, smiled.
“Just good luck, met a noble person who promoted me. Brother Lu, on the other hand, has hopes of refining Divine Pills in the future.”
Sun Gui smiled, his face full of chubby wrinkles. The Qingmu Association and the Hengtong Merchant House had many collaborations.
Representative Lu looked at the passing wealthy merchants and whispered:
“So many people have come, yet they are all rather ordinary. In my opinion, the one who truly has a chance to secure the court’s official title must be your God of Wealth, whose fortunes are ever-prosperous.”
Sensing the probing intent, Sun Gui quickly said:
“I’m just lucky. The noble person who promoted me is the true God of Wealth, but unfortunately, he didn’t come today.”
“Oh? That certainly makes me curious, my friend. Who is this esteemed person?”
“I imagine Brother Lu also knows him. That would be...”
Sun Gui had just opened his mouth.
Just then, a low-key bronze carriage stopped at the entrance. Amidst a crowd of opulent carriages, it stood out even more.
Everyone was momentarily stunned, and then they saw several people alight from the carriage, all wearing sunglasses, looking cool and aloof.
If a Grand Theft Auto theme song could be played, it would be perfectly fitting, surely making them five-star citizens.
And the person leading them... “Li Laodi?!”
