Chapter 25: News from Bai Che

"Several other ministers have also arrived and are waiting outside the palace to request an audience with Your Majesty!"

Hearing that several ministers had arrived together, Li Chen felt a splitting headache. Based on past experience, whenever this group gathered, nothing good ever followed. He had only parted ways with them a short while ago, so it was clear they had come specifically to remonstrate with him.

Li Chen considered avoiding them, but then thought that if they decided to linger outside, it would be quite improper. Moreover, Bai Che’s sudden return must have had an underlying reason. He could hardly meet with Bai Che, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, while ignoring her sister, Bai Lian, the Minister herself.

Wan'er, standing to the side, sensed Li Chen's hesitation. After a moment of silence, she whispered soothingly, "Your Majesty, it is just a quick meeting; it won't take much time. I will wait for you here. Please go and return quickly. It would be troublesome if you were to delay important matters."

Hearing this, Li Chen waved his hand, signaling for Wan'er to help him adjust his attire, all the while calculating how he might silence them this time.

A moment later, in the Imperial Study.

"Today, we must persuade His Majesty to rescind his decree. No matter what he says or how he says it, we must not back down!" Bai Lian said with a grave expression, reminding her colleagues. The other ministers nodded repeatedly, clearly having steeled their resolve.

"Since the founding of the Great Zhou, there has never been such an absurd decree! Putting aside the offense to public decency, it violates our ancestral traditions. As ministers, we cannot sit idly by and watch His Majesty continue to make mistakes!"

"Indeed! We eat the ruler's grain and share the nation's concerns. Today, even if it means dying in protest, I shall not hesitate!"

Just as their discussion grew heated, Li Chen's voice suddenly rang out. "What are you all discussing? You seem so agitated that I could hear you from outside."

Hearing this, they all quickly knelt toward Li Chen. Li Chen scanned them, noting that they were all still wearing the silk stockings from the earlier ceremony. He realized immediately that they must have deliberated together before coming.

Bai Lian stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, we have come here because..."

Before she could finish, Li Chen spoke up. "Are you all in such a rush to see me because you feel my arrangements today were not detailed enough?"

With a single sentence, Li Chen seized the initiative. He was the Emperor, and regardless of their dissatisfaction, they could not openly challenge him. Their eyes turned to Bai Lian, who hesitated for a moment before bracing herself to explain.

"Your Majesty, we are indeed here because of your arrangements, but not because they lacked detail. We are here to implore you to rescind your decree!"

Hearing Bai Lian state their purpose, the others chimed in immediately.

"Indeed, Minister Bai is right. We implore Your Majesty to rescind the order!"

"Abolishing the imperial examinations will destabilize the hearts of the people and shake the very foundations of the nation! And that 'entertainment industry' is a stain on our culture. If other nations learn of this, will they not mock the Great Zhou? Please, Your Majesty, rescind the decree!"

Without waiting for a response, they unleashed a barrage of arguments, kneeling before him as if their posture alone could force a compromise. To their surprise, however, even as they stated their intent, Li Chen turned his attention to an attendant.

"Was it not said that Divine Physician Bai had returned? Why do I not see her?"

The attendant quickly explained, "Reporting to Your Majesty, according to protocol, given Vice Minister Bai's rank, she is not permitted to enter the Imperial Study without a summons or official business."

Li Chen waved his hand dismissively. "She has traveled a long way to see me; how can we be so negligent? Go, bring her in. From now on, she need not wait outside."

At these words, everyone's gaze shifted to Bai Lian. Bai Lian and Bai Che were sisters, and by Great Zhou custom, they were not supposed to serve in the same department. Li Chen had been unaware of this, leading to the accidental placement. To outsiders, however, this was seen as a sign of the Emperor’s absolute trust and favor toward Bai Lian, so no one had spoken up until now. But now, with Li Chen granting Bai Che such special treatment, it sparked much speculation.

The most astute among them, Minister of Rites Zhang Cong, immediately concluded that the Emperor was courting Bai Lian to sow discord and break their coalition.

"Your Majesty, this action violates the rites. I dare to suggest that you rescind this order!"

With Zhang Cong taking the lead, the ministers followed suit, acting as if the nation would collapse if Li Chen ignored their advice. Li Chen felt another headache brewing. Fortunately, Bai Che arrived at that moment.

Seeing her, Li Chen felt like a drowning man grasping at a floating log. A glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. He was about to ask why she had returned on her own, when she entered and fell to her knees before him.

The abrupt action startled everyone, including Li Chen.

"Minister Bai, what is the meaning of this? Has something gone wrong at the Great Wall?" Li Chen asked with a grave expression, though his heart was filled with ecstasy. If there were trouble at the Great Wall—a peasant uprising, for instance—his plan to sabotage the national fortune would take a significant step forward. He suddenly found Bai Che rather endearing.

The ministers were terrified. They knew that for an official to leave their post without authorization to return to the capital was a grave crime. Something must have gone terribly wrong. The Great Zhou, while appearing prosperous, could not withstand such turmoil.

Bai Lian looked at Bai Che, clearly worried for her sister, and began calculating how to protect her. But to everyone's shock, Bai Che’s first words were astonishing.

"Your Majesty, I have come to bring you good news!"

Li Chen’s heart sank.

"Following your arrangements, I led my men to work day and night, and as a result, the Great Wall collapsed!"

Li Chen was overjoyed and couldn't help but clap. "Excellent! A wonderful collapse! Did the workers riot? Or is it impossible to rebuild? No matter, I shall raise more funds for you..."

Before he could finish, she continued, "Your Majesty, you misunderstand. It is indeed good news. When the wall collapsed, I ordered the men to keep working so as not to delay the schedule, and we unexpectedly unearthed a gold mine in the collapsed area! The mineral map has been drawn; I have made a rough calculation, and the deposits are enough to cover the Great Zhou's expenses for at least twenty years!"

For a moment, the Imperial Study was silent enough to hear a needle drop. The ministers were so excited they forgot to breathe.

After a long while, Bai Lian was the first to react. "Heaven bless the Great Zhou! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

With the treasury empty and the government fretting over where to find silver, the money had simply appeared. This was indeed monumental news. The others followed suit, offering their congratulations.

Only Li Chen stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning. He gripped the heavy mineral map, his expression shifting from shock to anger, then to helplessness, before finally settling into a heavy sigh.

"Bai Che! I told you to speed up construction on the Great Wall! Who told you to mine for gold!"

Realizing what had happened, Li Chen grew irritated and scolded her. Ignoring the reactions of those around him, he flicked his sleeves and stormed out.