After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

The hall was deathly silent, save for the flickering candlelight that illuminated the varied expressions on everyone's faces. The air seemed to freeze, pressing down on everyone, making it hard to breathe.

Minister of Works Wang Chengyun hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down, and looked aggrieved:

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have always been loyal and diligent to Your Majesty, without the slightest selfishness! It is this old scoundrel Zhao Ning who has deliberately framed me. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

The emperor sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"Don't give me these empty promises! I want to hear the truth! Tell me exactly what happened!"

Minister Wang prostrated himself on the ground, his voice low and deep:

"Your Majesty, this matter... this old minister is truly ashamed to face Your Majesty..."

He slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with guilt and helplessness, and then told the truth in detail.

It turns out that although disaster relief funds have been allocated, temporarily alleviating the people's suffering, frequent natural disasters and alternating droughts and floods have made it impossible to completely contain the disaster.

Wang Chengyun knew that if the root cause was not addressed, the disaster would inevitably repeat itself.

Therefore, he decided to control the water at its source by building a dam to prevent future problems. However, the manpower, material resources, and financial resources required to build the dam were all substantial, and the national treasury was currently empty, making it difficult to support such a massive project.

Wang Chengyun was caught in a dilemma. He dared not easily use the national treasury, but he also feared that the disaster would worsen. Therefore, he hesitated to report the situation.

His voice choked with emotion as he continued:

"Your Majesty, I know this matter is of great importance, and delaying its reporting is a capital offense. However, I had no other choice but to do so, hoping to find a solution that would both alleviate the people's suffering and prevent further damage to the national treasury. Now that the matter has been exposed, I am willing to accept my punishment. I only ask Your Majesty to see the truth. I have no selfish motives whatsoever!"

The hall fell silent; everyone was stunned by Minister Wang's words.

The emperor frowned, his gaze deep, as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, the emperor spoke slowly, his voice sounding as if he had aged several years, filled with deep weariness and helplessness:

"Enough. I am already aware of this matter. Let us discuss it again later."

"No, Your Majesty!"

Minister Zhao suddenly looked up, his expression urgent, his voice firm and powerful.

"This matter must be resolved as soon as possible! The people of Jiangnan are displaced. Today is New Year's Eve, and we are living in luxury, while they cannot even reunite with their families. They are sleeping on the streets, suffering from hunger and cold, and some are even starving to death in the wilderness!"

"Your Majesty, the suffering of the people is urgent and cannot be delayed!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran was deeply moved. In her previous life, she had never noticed that in this seemingly corrupt court, there were still ministers who cared so much for the people. She couldn't help but look at Minister Zhao, her eyes filled with admiration.

The emperor's face changed drastically, and he slammed his fist on the table in a rage, his voice booming like thunder:

"Zhao Ning! Do you really think I have no temper?! That I wouldn't dare do anything to you?"

Minister Zhao did not flinch, prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed, his voice firm:

"Your Majesty, I dare not! I only beg Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the people, thoroughly investigate this matter, and restore justice to the nation!"

"If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I am willing to accept it. I only beg Your Majesty not to delay any longer and to save the people from their suffering!"

The hall was silent for a moment; even breathing could be heard clearly.

Xiao Ran's gaze swept across the hall. She saw some timid women with their heads down, not daring to even breathe loudly, while the court officials had different expressions, some nervous, some fearful, and some indifferent.

Just as this awkward stalemate was about to begin, a clear and steady young man's voice suddenly broke the silence:

"Father, I have a plan that may solve the predicament of Jiangnan."