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

Minister Zhao was unwilling to give up and was about to step forward to report again when he was interrupted by a light cough.

The eldest prince, Ruichen, sat in a wooden wheelchair and was slowly pushed into the hall by his personal maid.

His face was pale and his body thin, but he still mustered his strength and nodded slightly to Emperor Jingyang:

"Father, I am late."

Emperor Jingyang narrowed his eyes, looking at his frail and sickly son with a complicated expression.

He didn't want Ruichen to attend the palace banquet, but he didn't expect him to insist on coming.

Emperor Jingyang sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness and pity:

"Please offer me a seat quickly."

Xiao Ran noticed that Rui Chen gently raised his hand to signal the maid, but the maid did not push the wheelchair.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jingyang frowned slightly, his tone revealing a hint of displeasure:

"What do you mean?"

At this moment, Emperor Jingyang was clearly in a bad mood, perhaps because the previous events had upset him.

Under the emperor's imposing presence, the maid trembled slightly, lowered her head, and dared not utter a word.

Rui Chen slowly stood up and gestured to the maid to push the wheelchair aside.

Although his movements were somewhat labored, they appeared exceptionally determined.

Upon seeing this, Ruixuan immediately stepped forward and helped Ruichen up.

The two had always been on good terms, and Ruixuan knew in his heart that this eldest prince, born to an unmarried woman, posed no threat to him.

"Father,"

After Rui Chen steadied himself, his voice, though soft, was clear and distinct.

"Your Majesty is well aware of your worries about the country. Although you have never participated in court affairs, you cannot bear to see the people suffer. Therefore, after much thought, I have come up with a plan that may solve our current predicament."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall turned their gaze to the eldest prince, who rarely appeared in public, secretly wondering what kind of suggestion he would make.

Emperor Jingyang also slightly raised his eyes, a complex expression flashing in them.

After a long silence, the emperor finally spoke:

"Go ahead."

Rui Chen slowly said:

"Your Majesty, I believe that your fourth brother's proposal of human sacrifice is not only inappropriate but will also incite public anger. While your second brother, the Crown Prince, has his reasons for increasing the grain tax, the people are already suffering, and further taxation could lead to unrest. Therefore…"

"Your subject suggests that we replace relief with work."

He paused, and seeing the focused expressions on everyone's faces, he continued:

"Now, with the drought and floods, people are displaced, and the most fundamental reason behind this displacement is unemployment."

"The imperial court can recruit these people to participate in the construction of the dam, which will not only solve the labor problem, but also allow them to earn food through their labor so that they will not be displaced, and can also solve the disaster problem as soon as possible."

"In addition, I suggest that we raise money and grain from wealthy merchants in Jiangnan to replenish the national treasury. These merchants have relied on the court's protection for many years, and now that the country is in crisis, they should share the burden of the nation."

After Rui Chen finished speaking, he breathed slightly, clearly having exhausted a lot of energy.

Ruixuan supported him, his expression thoughtful.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingyang's eyes flashed with approval, and he nodded, saying:

"This plan is brilliant. It solves the immediate crisis without increasing the burden on the people..."

"Ruichen, although you are physically weak, you care deeply about the world, which greatly pleases me."

Crown Prince Ruiyao also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Brother's plan is indeed comprehensive, I second it."

Seeing this, Ruixuan was somewhat displeased, but he had no choice but to agree:

"Brother, you are indeed far-sighted. Your son admires you."

At this moment, Minister Zhao frowned slightly, as if he had thought of something. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince's plan is comprehensive, I believe it still has flaws."