Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

After the court session ended, Li Yuanyi was the first to leave the main hall, without the usual greetings between brothers or any inquiries about his father's long-term illness.

He's really put on a show long enough. Anyway, everyone already knows the unspoken truth: being able to show filial piety in front of the family is already the greatest honor.

When Li Yuanyi came out, he was followed by Qian Lin, the Minister of Revenue, and Yan Hui, the Minister of Rites.

"Lord Qian, you should know what to do next, right?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

"With such a sensible and reasonable person as Lord Qian, his future is bound to be limitless."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness." Qian Lin said in a fawning manner, showing that he had absolutely no backbone.

As Li Yuanyi exited Wanfu Gate and took the sword, he casually asked the guard, "Is there anything unusual?"

The guard calmly replied, "No."

Li Yuanyi glanced down at the sword tassel again before striding away.

At this time, Li Yuanqi also returned to Yongshou Palace with the old emperor.

"Qi'er, do you know that the Minister of Rites is the second son's father-in-law?"

Li Yuanqi smiled slightly and replied, "Your subject knows. Your subject not only knows that Yan Hui is Li Yuanyi's father-in-law, but also guesses that the Ministry of Revenue is now mostly an empty shell."

"Then why did you answer?"

“Father, although the Ministry of Rites may seem inferior to the other five ministries, it is indispensable for everything from the selection of the heir apparent to major sacrificial rites.”

Sometimes, the most inconspicuous characters can play the most crucial role. They may not be able to decide anything, but they can certainly destroy something.

As for the Ministry of Revenue, I was willing to take it on because it is a vital department of the nation. But most importantly, the Ministry of Revenue is related to the people's livelihood.

Over the past year, both the Great Sheng Kingdom and the Shang Kingdom have been plagued by frequent natural disasters. Your subject has personally witnessed people being displaced and resorting to cannibalism.

But this shouldn't have happened. Those corrupt officials in the Ministry of Revenue are all fat and bloated. If they are allowed to remain in power, the people will likely face starvation sooner or later.

The old emperor looked at Li Yuanqi with a gratified expression. He was very glad that his son cared not only about power, but also about the people of the world.

"Alright, since you've made your decision, then it's all up to you. Just tell your father what you need."

"Father, please take good care of yourself." Li Yuanqi's lips curled up slightly; he truly cared for his father.

Not long after Li Yuanqi went to Shangguo, the late empress fell ill from missing him and passed away prematurely.

Since the late empress passed away, the old emperor has never entered the harem. Even Li Yuanyi was a child that the old emperor was forced to keep while the late empress was still alive.

Li Yuanqi sometimes thinks, what if his father hadn't been born into the royal family, what if they hadn't shouldered the responsibility for the entire Dasheng?

Perhaps they will become the happiest family of three in the world.

"Alright, don't worry, I will take good care of my health. Besides, I also have your doctor friend."

With him around, I could live another ten years without any problem. Alright, alright, you should leave the palace now.

If you don't go back soon, your wife will probably start to worry.

The old emperor was thoroughly enjoying teasing his son. Li Yuanqi smiled helplessly and turned to leave Yongshou Palace.

Just as he reached the door, Li Yuanqi suddenly stopped. He turned around, looked at the old emperor, and said:

“Father, you keep calling her ‘daughter-in-law,’ you can’t just say it happily.”

"You little rascal, are you here to help your wife get a reward?"

Li Yuanqi smiled slyly, "No! There's also your eldest grandson."

"Oh, it's true, I haven't even met my grandson yet."

"You should go back now. My daughter-in-law and grandson deserve the best things in the world."

"Then I will thank Your Majesty on their behalf."

Li Yuanqi turned and left the hall, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He didn't really want to ask the old emperor for anything.

However, having been separated from his father for many years, Li Yuanqi knew that the old emperor harbored regrets and felt indebted to him.

Rather than waiting for the old emperor to find a way to make amends, it's better to let him know now that his grown-up son still needs him.

As soon as Li Yuanqi left the palace, he went to the General's Mansion. According to the previous plan, Lian Jinghuai and his two sons also returned to the capital smoothly.

At this moment, the family sat in the main hall of the general's mansion, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

When they left, it was a large family of dozens of people, but now that they have returned, only a handful remain.

The huge general's mansion seemed rather empty.

As soon as Li Yuanqi entered the residence, Lian Jinghuai led everyone to rise and pay their respects. "This old minister greets Your Highness."

"Father-in-law, we've already agreed that there's no need for such formalities in private. Please sit down, and I'll tell you about what happened at court today."

Upon hearing this, everyone sat down. Seeing this, Lian's mother hurriedly instructed Qiuju to take Fubao and Ru'er back to the backyard.

At this moment, only Lian Jinghuai and his two sons, Lin Chuyue, Li Yuanqi, and Lian Rongrong were in the main hall of the General's Mansion.

Li Yuanqi briefly recounted the events of the day in court to the group. Upon hearing this, Lian Yijun couldn't help but frown.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Revenue is a complete mess right now. It hasn't been able to allocate military funds for several years."

"Now that you've taken over the Ministry of Revenue, if you can't restore order, they might seize the opportunity to cause trouble and ruin your reputation."

"I've thought about this problem a long time ago, but we can't afford not to fight for the Ministry of Revenue, as it holds the lifeline of the people and the army in its hands."

No matter how difficult it is, we cannot allow Li Yuanyi to continue acting so recklessly. I will purge those officials without hesitation.

I will temporarily use my private treasury to cover the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue, but..."

Li Yuanqi looked at Lian Rongrong and then continued, "I estimate that even if I drained my private coffers, it wouldn't be enough to cover the losses."

So, I'll soon be penniless. My dear wife, you can't abandon me, can you?

Lian Rongrong rolled her eyes at Li Yuanqi, speechless, and said, "Li Yuanqi, have you no shame? You're living off a woman and you're so comfortable with it?"

"What's wrong with being a kept man? With my face, what's wrong with being a kept man?"

The two of them were talking back and forth, which looked like flirting to onlookers. Fortunately, everyone was already used to their ridiculous behavior, otherwise they would have been disgusted.

"I mean... cough cough... can you two tone it down a bit? Let's not get down to business."

Lian Yicheng was practically everyone's mouth double. Lian Rongrong glanced at her second brother, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment.

She stopped talking and instead glared at Li Yuanqi. But the way she rolled her eyes was incredibly pleasing to Li Yuanqi.

However, we still need to get back to the main topic.

"There is one more thing, and I hope my father-in-law will approve it," Li Yuanqi suddenly turned to Lian Jinghuai and said respectfully.

"What is it, Your Highness? Please speak."

"My son-in-law wishes to move into the General's Mansion, bringing with him the few remaining of my secret guards."

"Your Highness wishes to stay with this old minister?"

"Yes. I have no residence now, so I can only ask my father-in-law to take me in."

Lian Jinghuai understood that Li Yuanqi was not without a residence at all.

Back when this prince was still in Shang Kingdom, His Majesty had already personally overseen the construction of the Prince Qi's residence. Moreover, now that His Majesty wants to establish an heir, the Eastern Palace will eventually belong to Li Yuanqi.

The reason Li Yuanqi moved to the general's mansion was ultimately to protect the Lian family's safety.

The return of the eldest prince to the capital must be very distressing for that prince. And in his distress, he must do something, and the first thing he must do is to cut off Li Yuanqi's support.

It's easy to imagine that the Lian family, who escorted Li Yuanqi all the way back, were the King of Yi's primary target.