Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

After he finished speaking, he took a step back, bowed to the emperor, and continued:

"I, an old minister, would like to thank Your Majesty first, but I am also guilty. When Your Majesty opened up the imperial examinations, I was narrow-minded and did not support Your Majesty. But Your Majesty has a broad mind and not only did you not argue with me, you even summoned me to the palace to see this high-yield rice. I am really ashamed. Please, Your Majesty, punish me as well!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor looked at Ji Benchang meaningfully. It can be said that there is no one in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty who can be worry-free.

Ji Benchang's long speech was all praise for his wisdom and not only praised him highly but also asked for punishment himself.

There is no plea in every word, but every sentence is a plea.

Yue Zhenchuan was wrong first, but he sincerely admitted his mistake later. If he is punished too harshly, it would mean that his Majesty did not give his subject a chance to admit his mistake and correct it. If he is not punished, how can he warn all officials?

The emperor let out a breath and said, "Mother, it is so difficult to be a wise ruler. All the civil and military officials are bullying me."

"Then according to what Lord Ji has seen, how should I punish you and Minister Yue?"

Yue Zhenchuan lowered his head in frustration after hearing this. He really knew he was wrong. His Majesty no longer called him Yue Aiqing...

He also knew that Ji Benchang was pleading for him, which he had not expected.

In his opinion, Ji Benchang, although he hoped that the other departments would be doing well, would not ask him for money if the other departments lived well.

But Ji Benchang never had a good face towards these officials. He scolded this one today and that one tomorrow. If you ask him, Ji Benchang should not be the Minister of Revenue, but should go to the Censorate to be the Chief Censor, and impeach anyone he disliked.

Just now he thought Ji Benchang was going to add insult to injury, but who knew that he would actually retreat in order to advance and protect himself.

He cast a grateful look at Ji Benchang, but Ji Benchang did not look at him. Instead, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to the emperor:

"In my humble opinion, I and Minister Yue had been opposed to Your Majesty's opening of the imperial examinations in the past, but now the facts have proven that Your Majesty is far-sighted and has a unique vision. I am willing to write a letter of apology, and when I go to court, I will apologize to Your Majesty in front of all the civil and military officials, and I beg Your Majesty to forgive my mistakes!"

When these words were spoken, not only Yue Zhenchuan who was kneeling and Yu Shizhang who was standing beside him, even the emperor was stunned.

Ji Benchang's way of admitting his mistake was unprecedented. When a minister went to court, he admitted his mistake to His Majesty in front of all the civil and military officials, which meant he didn't care about his face at all. Although His Majesty was the emperor, they, as ministers, also had to save their reputation.

This letter of apology is undoubtedly a way of peeling off my face and handing it to Your Majesty, allowing Your Majesty to manipulate me as you wish.

Moreover, this action clearly told other court officials that it was I, Ji Benchang, who was wrong about the previous opening of the imperial examinations, but I knew I was wrong and would correct it. I will stand on the side of Your Majesty in the future. If there are still those who are ignorant and want to question Your Majesty, they should come after me, Ji Benchang first!

The emperor had a slight smile on his face. If all the civil and military officials were as sensible as Ji Benchang, he would have no worries about not being able to control them.

After saying this, Ji Benchang nudged Yue Zhenchuan with his toes and gave him a wink.

Answer the call!

Yue Zhenchuan looked at Ji Benchang with a bitter look on his face. This price was too high...

But his outrageous behavior today angered the emperor. Ji Benchang was not willing to stop there. In order to save him, he even sacrificed himself. If he still doesn't know what's best for him, then he is really stupid.

He gritted his teeth and made a decision.

This time it was because his skills were not as good as others in the Ministry of Industry. If he is still unable to bend and stretch at his age, it would be a laughing stock if people spread the news!

As for Shen Zheng, he, Yue Zhenchuan, was convinced this time!

Yue Zhenchuan raised his head and said loudly: "I was ignorant in the past and didn't understand why Your Majesty wanted to open up the imperial examinations. But today, I understand your majesty's intention. I am guilty! I am also willing to write a letter of apology and apologize to Your Majesty when I go to court!"

The emperor's discomfort had long since disappeared. He was already satisfied that he could make Yue Zhenchuan, the old stubborn man, admit his mistake today.

But he understood that the one who could force Ji Benchang and Yue Zhenchuan to such a point today was not him, the emperor, but Shen Zheng.

If Shen Zheng had not made such remarkable political achievements, these court officials would never admit that he was right to open up the imperial examination against all odds.

And now, Ji Benchang and Yue Zhenchuan only overestimate Shen Zheng, not putting all women in the world on the same footing.

But no matter what, now we have a good start.

There is a long way to go.

Ladies of the Great Zhou, you must strive to do better, so that my trust in you will not be in vain.

Just as he was about to call Yue Zhenchuan to stand up, he saw Ji Benchang take another step forward.

"Your Majesty, I think that Minister Yue is willing to admit his mistakes with me, which can be regarded as a punishment, but Minister Yue himself said just now that his crimes are more than one."

The emperor put his hand down again after just raising it. What was Ji Benchang up to?

Yue Zhenchuan, who was kneeling on the ground, felt his back stiffen. He thought Ji Benchang had changed his nature today, but he didn't expect that the old guy still had another trick up his sleeve.

The emperor frowned and asked, "Then according to your opinion, what else does Minister Yue want?"

He originally thought that this was enough and it would not be good to push people too hard. However, Ji Benchang, who was just pleading for Yue Zhenchuan, turned against him now.

Ji Benchang said, "I think that Minister Yue represents the Ministry of Works and just now he questioned and contradicted Your Majesty, so he should be punished again."

"In my opinion, since Minister Yue has to write a letter of apology, the punishment should not be too severe. It would be better to fine him and the Ministry of Works 1,000 taels of silver, which can then be properly managed and used by the Ministry of Revenue. This can also reflect Minister Yue's love for the people!"

Yue Zhenchuan: “…”

He knew that Ji Benchang, a stingy man, would never do business at a loss!

Ji Benchang asked for a thousand taels of silver to plead for him? !

This is the real golden words...

The emperor also laughed. No wonder all the officials in the court disliked Ji Benchang. Not only was this man in charge of the Ministry of Revenue stingy, but he was also thinking about the money in other people's pockets. It would be strange if all the officials disliked him.

But today, he might not let Ji Benchang get his wish.

"I think that Lord Ji is right. He should be fined some money."

Ji Benchang's face lit up with joy. Today, he was a fence-sitter who changed his mind quickly. It was rare for His Majesty to support him this time.

But the next moment, after he heard the emperor's words, his face fell. He supported it, but not completely.

"Today's incident was caused by cotton cloth and rice. You should have seen it in the letter just now. Now Shen Qing's Tong'an County is very poor. You should support Shen Qing with some money. When Shen Qing returns to Beijing in the future, he will definitely remember your kindness in helping him in his time of need."

This time, the smile on Ji Benchang's face shifted to Yue Zhenchuan's face.

If you have to pay the money, it would be much more comfortable to give it to Shen Zheng to build a textile loom than to Ji Benchang!

Just as Ji Benchang was about to argue for himself, he heard Yue Zhenchuan answer loudly: "I and the Ministry of Works are willing to provide money to support County Magistrate Shen in building Tong'an County!"

As soon as these words were spoken, both parties had made the final decision. Ji Benchang saw the money he had in his hands fly away, and he was so angry that he glared at Yue Zhenchuan.

If he had known this would happen, he would not have begged for mercy just now. Now, he has to follow Yue Zhenchuan and read a letter of apology in the court!

It's like losing your wife and losing your troops!