funbook-pk Chapter 658
Chapter 658
"Your Highness, you are too kind. This is my duty!"
After some pleasantries, Shui Rong said to Mr. Wu Zhai,
"Sir, do you know why the emperor issued such an order?"
Mr. Wuzhai was slightly stunned, and after thinking for a moment, he understood what Shui Rong meant.
After thinking about it, he smiled and asked,
"Your Majesty, do you really not know?"
Shui Rong laughed and nodded slightly.
"Of course I know that. It's just a cover-up for the eight million taels of salt tax!"
Then his expression became slightly solemn.
"However, what I am confused about is why the emperor bestowed the decree on his daughter."
"He has a murky relationship with Qingfeng Village. Your Majesty isn't afraid of criticism from the officials. What if..."
Mr. Wuzhai stroked his beard and said,
"Your Majesty, this is exactly where the current emperor's brilliance lies!"
Shui Rong raised his eyebrows.
"Oh? Please enlighten me, sir. I'd like to hear the details!"
Mr. Wuzhai smiled and nodded slightly, then asked,
"Your Highness, do you still remember the Emperor's original plan?"
Shui Rong nodded.
"Of course, he's just using that gang of bandits to regain control of the military!"
"But he didn't expect that the eagle would catch his eye, and the bandit would turn into a powerful rebel."
Looking at Shui Rong with a look of contempt,
Mr. Wuzhai laughed.
"Your Highness is wise! It is precisely because of this that today's decree was granted!"
As he spoke, Mr. Wuzhai tapped his finger on the table and said solemnly,
"No matter whether Lin Ruhai is alive or dead at this moment, this decree of grace can play an unexpected and extraordinary role at the critical moment!"
"Oh?"
Shui Rong was slightly stunned, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his mind raced.
Suddenly, he understood the whole story and his expression lit up with joy.
"Sir, that's a good idea. I understand!"
Seeing that Shui Rong had figured it out, Mr. Wuzhai waved his hand modestly.
"Ah, Your Highness is wise, and you will see clearly sooner or later. I just mentioned it briefly!"
Shui Rong laughed.
"Sir, you are too modest!"
Then he said solemnly,
"Sir, what do you think Xiao Wang should do now?"
Mr. Wuzhai pondered for a moment, then said to Shui Rong,
"Without the skin, where will the hair be attached? I think that Your Highness should contact his old friends and followers and make every effort to suppress the bandits!"
After a slight pause, he continued,
"Although the current emperor is good at reading people's minds, he has no military power. As long as we can completely wipe out the rebels in Yangzhou, then all the moves made by the emperor will be useless."
"Don't forget, all power in the court is now in the hands of the Emperor!"
Shui Rong nodded thoughtfully.
The more he thought about it, the clearer his eyes became, and suddenly he looked happy.
"Sir, Xiao Wang understands!"
……
The palace was brightly lit.
In the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Xinglong lay on the couch with a slightly pale face, gazing at the ceiling of the hall with a gleam of light flickering in his eyes.
Dai Quan stood beside Emperor Xinglong's bed, bowing like a sculpture, looking down at his toes as if there were ants on them.
Suddenly, Emperor Xinglong turned his head and looked at Dai Quan and asked in a deep voice,
"Have your people found out anything about Lord Lin's situation?"
Dai Quan seemed to come alive in an instant, and hurriedly bowed to Emperor Xinglong and said,
"Your Majesty, most of the people previously stationed in Yangzhou have been captured by the rebels, and the remaining ones are still working hard to gather information."
Seeing that Emperor Xinglong looked uneasy, Dai Quan hurriedly said,
"But rest assured, Your Majesty. I have already selected a group of elite men and will return to Jiangnan to infiltrate the rebels' heartland!"
Emperor Xinglong's expression eased slightly.
"Well, that's good!"
"This matter concerns the great affairs of our country and family, so we must act quickly!"
Dai Quan hurriedly bowed in agreement.
"The slaves obey the orders!"
Emperor Xinglong then looked at Dai Quan and asked,
"How is the salt tax now?"
Dai Quan knew what Emperor Xinglong was asking, and he bowed and said,
"Lord Lin has prepared nearly twenty large ships loaded with salt taxes. The eight million taels of salt tax have been inspected by the Ministry of Revenue and have been safely deposited into the warehouse."
"However, because everyone's attention is focused on the decree read out in public today, a lot of people are paying less attention!"