Upon receiving the news that Xiao Tianchi had ended his "seclusion" for prayer and was going to meet the court officials in the Imperial Study, the key civil and military ministers in the court rushed over from their yamen and waited outside the Imperial Study.
In a short while, a group of people came slowly from afar. The eunuch announced in a loud voice, "His Majesty the Emperor is coming!" Everyone tidied up their clothes and immediately knelt down to greet him.
"Welcome Your Majesty! May Your Majesty enjoy good health!"
A moment later, Xiao Tianchi's unique lazy voice came from above, "All of you may rise."
Everyone stood up one after another. Looking up, they saw Shen Lingyun standing not far from Xiao Tianchi's side, and shock was written all over their faces.
Why is this woman here beside His Majesty?
Noticing everyone's strange looks, Xiao Tianchi introduced, "This is Lady Shen, a scribe in the Secretariat. She is responsible for assisting me in handling political affairs."
What?!
A scribe in the Secretariat?!
A woman?!
As if he didn't see the shocked and dissatisfied looks of everyone, Xiao Tianchi turned around and walked into the Imperial Study. "It's hot outside. Let's go inside and talk."
Shen Lingyun also turned around and followed him into the room.
"Forget it. Let's go inside first." Finally, General Tan, the current Minister of War, spoke up and took the lead in striding forward.
After entering the room, everyone found that Shen Lingyun was sitting on Xiao Tianchi's right-hand side, with a blank booklet in front of her and a pen in her hand.
This scene made everyone even more confused.
After everyone stood still, Xiao Tianchi said slowly, "I haven't seen you all for a month. It seems that everyone has changed a lot. I'm quite emotional. Although I've been reviewing memorials every day and haven't missed any matters in the court, there are still some things I want to say face to face."
"If you've encountered any difficulties in political affairs recently, feel free to speak your mind. There's no need to wait until the court session."
The memorials submitted every day only cover two-thirds of the political affairs. There are still some things that are not convenient to write in the memorials or cannot be explained clearly in a few words. Everyone has been keeping them in mind, waiting for this day when they can meet Xiao Tianchi in person and ask for his instructions.
The Minister of War was the first to speak. "In that case, I'll start first."
"Your Majesty, the deposed emperor has occupied the south of the Yangtze River. He's shouting everywhere that he wants to take back the world. He's also spreading a lot of rumors that are unfavorable to Your Majesty. He often sends troops to harass the north bank of the Xijiang River, making the common people suffer a lot. If we don't take action, they will really think that we're afraid of them!"
"These days, I've been submitting memorials asking to send troops south, but Your Majesty always replies with 'to be discussed later'. Now, Your Majesty, should you give me a definite answer? Are we going to fight or not?"
The Minister of War was a military general. He spoke very straightforwardly, and there was even a hint of complaint in his tone. He thought that Xiao Tianchi was too cautious, which made him feel extremely aggrieved these days.
Xiao Tianchi knew about the memorials asking for war. It was also he who asked Shen Lingyun to hold them back and not deal with them for the time being. If things got urgent, she would just reply with "to be discussed later".
At this moment, facing the subordinate's pressing question, he really needed to give a definite answer.
"Of course, we're going to fight." Xiao Tianchi said, "But you should know that Cangzhou has just experienced a natural disaster. If we start a war at this time, I'm afraid it will make the people in Cangzhou even more miserable. If the deposed emperor uses this as an excuse to gain the support of the people in the south of the Yangtze River, that's not what I want to see."
"Yes. Those who win the hearts of the people will win the world. If possible, the common people are the least willing to see a war. If we can get the support of the people, things will be much easier for us."
The Minister of War looked very angry. "Then what on earth should we do?"
"Be patient. The deposed emperor sent troops to harass the north bank of the Xijiang River. Isn't he just waiting for us to make the first move?" Xiao Tianchi said, "Keeping calm in the face of changes is also a way of using troops. Autumn is coming soon, and the autumn harvest will be here soon. Don't affect the livelihood of the common people. With more harvests, the soldiers will have enough food and supplies."
"But in this way, won't the deposed emperor also have enough food and supplies?" Someone below whispered.
Xiao Tianchi looked at him and smiled. "My dear minister, have you forgotten? There was just a flood in Cangzhou. The flood destroyed the villages and good farmland. Where can they get food and supplies?"
Yes! In this case, they actually had the upper hand!
Everyone was instantly energized.
"Cangzhou is the most fertile place for grain production in the south of the Yangtze River. Even Qingzhou can't compare with it. What will happen if they don't have enough food and supplies to support them?"
Shen Lingyun couldn't help but think along with Xiao Tianchi's words.
The Minister of Revenue below then said, "Then they'll have to transfer food and supplies from other places. If it were me, I would suggest transferring them from Qingzhou, Mizhou, and Xuzhou."
"That's right. This is our opportunity." Xiao Tianchi said, "Send people to keep a close eye on these three prefectures. Food and supplies are what we should fight for now."
The Minister of War suddenly understood. With a bit of excitement, he said, "I know what to do. Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will never let them fatten their warhorses!"
This topic ended here. Next came the Ministry of Personnel.
The Ministry of Personnel was also very worried now. "The deposed emperor has taken control of the area south of the Yangtze River, which has attracted many southern officials to defect to him. It's okay that we're short of manpower here, but most of the officials are still the old ones. Now some of them are also itching to move, which hides a great hidden danger. If they open the city gates and defect to the deposed emperor, the situation will become more and more unfavorable to us."
This was also what Shen Lingyun had worried about before.
The Xiao family was able to replace the Chu State and become the master of the world. Besides Xiao Tianchi's great influence, it was also because of the prestige of the Xiao family that they had attracted the gentry and aristocrats from all over the place.
These people helped the Xiao family to seize the world for the sake of interests. Therefore, they might also choose to betray because of interests.
Xiao Tianchi lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "I still need to think this over carefully. Let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it later."
This in - depth conversation lasted for a long time. When it was time for lunch, the imperial kitchen had prepared meals for all the ministers. Everyone ate in the Imperial Study and then continued.
It was already three and a half hours later when everyone left.
Noticing that Shen Lingyun was gently rubbing her wrist, Xiao Tianchi smiled and said, "Well, Lady Shen, can you still hold on after writing for so long?"
Shen Lingyun replied, "This is actually the question I should ask you."
He had just recovered from his illness and had talked with the ministers for so long, but he was asking her first.
Xiao Tianchi's eyelashes trembled. With a bit of uncertainty, he said, "Lady Shen, are you concerned about me?"
Shen Lingyun held back and turned her face away. She closed the record of current political affairs she had just written and handed it to him.
"This is what I recorded during your discussion just now. Please take a look and see if there are any omissions?"
Xiao Tianchi waved his hand. "I trust Lady Shen's work."
Shen Lingyun was a bit speechless and silently took back the record.
At this time, a report came from outside. "Your Majesty, a message has come from Zhegu."
Zhegu?
Shen Lingyun was stunned for a moment.
After getting Xiao Tianchi's permission, a guard quickly entered and handed two very special secret letters to Xiao Tianchi.
Xiao Tianchi opened them and took a look. The familiar handwriting made him let out a soft laugh.
"I thought he was already dead."
Shen Lingyun's heart instantly rose. Xiao Tianchi quickly finished reading the first letter. When he turned to the second letter, he looked at Shen Lingyun.
"Lingji, the news of Cheng'er that you've been waiting for has come."