Chapter 47 of 100

Chapter 47

16 min read3,974 words

Li Er's face was dark and uncertain, his gaze fixed on Wei Hui below. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Wei Aiqing's proposal is reasonable. This plan was originally proposed by Zhao Chen, so he naturally knows more about the specifics than anyone else!"

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Zhao Chen was immediately taken aback, his mouth wide open in surprise. On the other side, Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao were also wide-eyed with shock. However, before the two of them could stand up, they heard Li Er's voice again from above.

"However, although the logic is sound, Zhao Chen is still underage. How can such a major state affair be entrusted to a young man?"

Li Er's meaning was clear. With so many officials in the court, if they couldn't come up with a solution, it was one thing. But now that a solution had been found, how could they entrust it to an underage youth? What good would the court be if they did that?

Sure enough, as soon as Li Er spoke, a slightly plump man stood up from below, holding a court tablet and bowing: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Such a major state affair should be handled by a high-ranking official. I am now the Minister of Revenue, and this matter should naturally be handled by me!"

Minister of Revenue? This was Changsun Chong's father, Li Er's own brother-in-law! As soon as Zhao Chen heard the man introduce himself as the Minister of Revenue, he immediately recognized him as Changsun Wujì.

Looking at the slightly plump Changsun Wujì and then at Wei Hui, Zhao Chen suddenly found Changsun Wujì much more likable than the old man Wei Hui.

However, he needed to figure out when he had offended Wei Hui. This Wei Hui was like a piece of chewing gum; offending Li Jing wasn't a big deal, but offending Wei Hui would make life miserable.

This old man was currently just a Chief Clerk, but he would eventually become a Minister and a Grand Secretary. Even Li Er often found himself humiliated and furious because of this old man, let alone others!

Changsun Wujì, as the Minister of Revenue, was responsible for this matter. Since he had proposed it in front of all the officials, Li Er couldn't protect his brother-in-law even if he wanted to. After a moment of thought, he said, "If that's the case, then let Wujì be in charge of this matter!"

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Zhao Chen immediately felt relieved. However, before he could celebrate, he suddenly saw Wei Hui looking at him, and his heart sank.

Sure enough, the next moment, Wei Hui, holding his court tablet, bowed to Li Er and said, "I agree that this matter should be handled by Minister Changsun. However, I still insist that it would be best for Judge Zhao to go in person. If any unexpected changes occur, he can handle them promptly!"

Zhao Chen was stunned. Even at this point, Wei Hui was still insisting on sending him out into the icy cold. It was truly inexplicable. If there were no grudges between them, that would be even stranger!

Li Er, too, was confused. He looked suspiciously at Zhao Chen and Wei Hui, probably thinking that Zhao Chen had offended Wei Hui in the past. Otherwise, why would Wei Hui insist on sending Zhao Chen to Lantian?

"May I ask, Minister Wei, when did I offend you, to the point where you insist on sending me to Lantian County?" Zhao Chen was furious, and he didn't care about the presence of all the officials. Since he was still underage and not a true court official, he felt justified in his questioning.

"Is it wrong for me to feel sorry for the suffering people who are forced to live in the snow and endure hunger and cold? Since Judge Zhao understands the principles of physics, shouldn't he help alleviate their suffering?"

Wei Hui's words were powerful. Despite his repeated targeting of Zhao Chen, he had now elevated himself to a position of selfless dedication to the country and the people, while simultaneously belittling Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen was speechless. It was Cheng Yaojin, who had been holding back, who suddenly sneered and pointed at Wei Hui, mocking him: "Minister Wei is truly concerned about the people. If that's the case, why doesn't Minister Wei go to Lantian County himself?"

"General Cheng's words are reasonable, but I am currently just a Chief Clerk. Such a major matter is not my responsibility!" Wei Hui seemed caught off guard by Cheng Yaojin's counterattack. After a moment of hesitation, he reluctantly defended himself.

"Ha ha ha!" Cheng Yaojin burst out laughing. After a while, he glared at Wei Hui and shouted, "Since Minister Wei is an inner court official and it's not his responsibility, why insist on sending an underage child? Is this child's position higher than yours, Minister Wei?"

Wei Hui's face turned red, and he looked at Cheng Yaojin hesitantly, as if struggling internally. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "If General Cheng insists, then I will go to Lantian. Would it be reasonable for Judge Zhao to go as well?"

Cheng Yaojin was taken aback for a moment but, seeing Wei Hui's hesitant expression, suddenly burst out laughing and said, "Of course! If Minister Wei goes, then it's fine for this boy to go as well!"

"Since General Cheng has said so, I will go to Lantian!" Wei Hui sighed, his expression somber. He then turned to Li Er and bowed, saying, "I am willing to go to Lantian County with Minister Changsun and Judge Zhao. I hope Your Majesty will approve my request."

Sitting on the throne, Li Er had been watching the argument with interest. Initially, he didn't understand why Wei Hui insisted on sending Zhao Chen to Lantian. But when Cheng Yaojin countered Wei Hui, and Wei Hui reluctantly agreed to go to Lantian, Li Er suddenly understood Wei Hui's true intentions. It seemed that Wei Hui's real goal was to provoke Cheng Yaojin into making that statement!

Well, since you're all going to Lantian, it's fine for Wei Hui to go as well!

Li Er, understanding Wei Hui's true intentions, looked at Zhao Chen with sympathy and said, "Minister Wei's concern for the people is commendable. Since that's the case, go to Lantian with Wujì. Judge Zhao, who understands the principles of physics, should go as well."

Zhao Chen was dazed, unable to understand why he was suddenly being sent to Lantian, which was dozens of miles away.

And Wei Hui, what have I done to you to deserve this?

"Your Majesty!" Cheng Yaojin was furious when he heard Li Er's order for Zhao Chen to go to Lantian. He bowed and was about to argue, but he was stopped by Li Er's cold gaze and Qin Shubao's subtle head shake.

Dazed, Zhao Chen left the hall. As soon as he stepped outside, the cold wind hit him, and he shivered. Thinking about the journey to Lantian, he felt both sad and angry.

Seeing Wei Hui come out, Zhao Chen was about to confront him but was held back by Qin Shubao. The next moment, he heard Qin Shubao's angry voice.

"Minister Wei, as an elder, why do you keep targeting a junior? Aren't you afraid of being criticized?"

Wei Hui laughed lightly and said, "I have already said that I feel sorry for the innocent people living in the snow..."

"Bullshit!" Cheng Yaojin, hearing Wei Hui's pretentious words, interrupted him angrily, "You can say that in front of the emperor and the officials, but don't try to fool us with the same nonsense!"

"I have said my piece. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. Goodbye!" Wei Hui, unwilling to argue with Cheng Yaojin in public, bowed and turned to leave.

"Wei, you're a good one!" Cheng Yaojin, furious, shouted after him but didn't chase him.

"Zhao Chen, are you sure you haven't offended this Wei?" Outside the palace, when they were alone, Qin Shubao frowned and asked Zhao Chen.

"Uncle Qin, I swear, this is the first time I've met this Wei. How could I have offended him without knowing it?" Zhao Chen felt aggrieved. No one likes being wronged, especially by someone who suddenly appears.

"That's strange!" Qin Shubao frowned, believing Zhao Chen. This boy was too smart to offend someone and not know it. The only possibility was that Wei Hui wasn't really targeting Zhao Chen.

"Uncle Qin, it's no use thinking too much. I have to go, and I'll figure out what's going on when I get there," Zhao Chen sighed sadly.

"Only that can be done!" Qin Shubao patted Zhao Chen's shoulder and sighed, "I have a tiger skin from the mountains. Take it; it will help protect you from the cold."

"I also have a bear skin. Take it too!" Cheng Yaojin, hearing this, also patted Zhao Chen's shoulder and sighed.

Zhao Chen nodded. He couldn't be picky now. Although there were warm clothes in the market, nothing could compare to real fur. With the tiger and bear skins from Uncle Qin and Cheng Yaojin, he wouldn't suffer too much from the cold!

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