NOVEL WEB Chapter 11
Lin Beifan opened the Empire Sandbox and saw that it was indeed so.
He hated speculation and profiteering the most, especially those who took advantage of the nation’s chaos to hike up the prices of daily necessities, making a fortune from the war, causing the people to suffer and the country to be unstable. It was simply outrageous!
Lin Beifan brought up the matter in the court and asked, “My loyal subjects, do you have any good strategies?”
“This…” The officials looked at each other, not daring to speak rashly.
At this moment, a senior official mustered the courage to ask, “Your Majesty, what are your thoughts?”
Lin Beifan said furiously, “During times of national turmoil, there are those who speculate and hoard, creating scarcity and disrupting the market for the common people. They are vermin to the state and must be eradicated. Otherwise, it is not enough to appease the rage of the common people!”
The officials were all shocked and dismayed, “Your Majesty, you must not do this!”
“These merchants come from influential noble families in the surrounding dynasties, with formidable backgrounds. We must not offend them lightly! If we take action, the consequences are unimaginable!”
“Yes, Your Majesty, our country is poor in resources and materials, and we rely on them for many goods! If we offend them, our trade will be blockaded, and the impact will be enormous!”
“These noble families still have members holding official positions within the dynasty, with connections spread throughout the realm. They truly must not be offended!”“Moreover, once this starts, no one will come to do business with us anymore!”
Lin Beifan exclaimed furiously, “Are we to let them ride roughshod over us?”
“Your Majesty, perhaps consider this!” an elderly minister suggested.
“Why not send someone to give them a warning first to make them lower their prices? If that doesn’t work, then we can think of other methods!”
Lin Beifan declared loudly, “Good! I will give them a chance! Send someone immediately, and I will wait for the news right here!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
An hour had passed, and there was still no news.
But Lin Beifan already knew that these merchants had completely disregarded his words as if they were nothing but wind past their ears.
Some even provocatively raised their prices even more.
Lin Beifan decided he could no longer tolerate this and, with a sneer, said, “It’s been so long without any message coming back; it seems they do not take me, the Emperor, seriously! Since that is the case, I will not take them to heart either! Who among you is willing to run an errand for me, to capture these profiteering rats and throw them into the dungeon?”
At this, the officials once again exchanged glances, with no one daring to respond.
Because this task was thankless and, moreover, it invited disaster!
They would rather offend Lin Beifan, this young Emperor, than the noble families behind these merchants!
“It seems that my words are becoming less and less effective; not a single person is willing to relieve my worries and solve my problems!”
Lin Beifan said with a cold laugh, looking down at one of them: “Minister Liu, you are the Minister of Revenue, this matter shall be your responsibility!”
The Minister of Revenue, who was called upon, was greatly alarmed: “Your Majesty, this cannot be done, it will offend the noble families behind them! Our country is small and the people are weak. We truly cannot afford to offend them!”
“Then tell me, what other methods do you have?” Lin Beifan asked.
“This… Your Majesty, we could sell off supplies to drive down prices!” the Minister of Revenue said softly.
Lin Beifan sneered repeatedly: “Such a foolish method, and you can actually say it out loud? Do you think they have more supplies, or do I have more? Do you want me to sacrifice my own interests to accommodate them?”
“Your Majesty… please forgive me!” the Minister of Revenue bowed in apology.
Lin Beifan said expressionlessly, “Minister Liu, as the Minister of Revenue, you bear an inescapable responsibility for this matter! I am giving you two options right now: either resign your post or have confiscate their goods. Choose one!”
The other party’s complexion struggled, and then he removed his official hat, saying, “Your servant chooses… to resign and retire to my hometown!”
Lin Beifan clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Good! I grant your request! Pack up your things and get out at once. I do not wish to see you again. Our Xia Kingdom has no need for a cowardly person like you!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The other party bowed again and then left with a faltering gait.
Another high-ranking court official had been dismissed, and the entire court, both civil and military, was silent as if chilled, daring not to speak further.
“The man has gone, but the work still needs to be done!”
Lin Beifan said with a smile, “Who among you brave souls is willing to share my worries? Whoever handles this matter well, I will appoint him as the new Minister of Revenue!”
Just then, a handsome Imperial Guard suddenly stepped forward.
He bowed to Lin Beifan with his hands clasped together and said respectfully, “This humble servant wishes to alleviate Your Majesty’s concerns. Please grant this humble servant an opportunity!”
Lin Beifan was taken aback.
An Imperial Guard, who was skilled in the martial arts, actually dared to step forward and take on this troublesome task?
This person piqued Lin Beifan’s interest.
Lin Beifan asked with a smile, “I greatly admire your courage. What is your name, and what is your background?”
The man replied loudly, “Your Majesty, this humble servant is named Heshen. I have been in the palace for over three years and possess the strength of a first-rate master. Currently, I serve as an Imperial Guard before Your Majesty!”
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