To be able to obtain Li Er's appreciation and request to meet him, not to mention that there would be no one else in the future, but at least it could be said that there was no one in the past.
All of a sudden, the ministers began to whisper to each other, trying to find out more about this strange young man.
However, without exception, no one could tell his background. They didn't even know his name, but they believed that his future was limitless.
"Then let's do as this extraordinary young man said. A warhorse comes with three sets of horseshoes.”
Second Emperor Li's face was filled with joy, and he agreed heroically. It was just three sets of horseshoes. Compared to the loss of the warhorses, it was a drop in the ocean.
Other than the officials from the Ministry of Revenue, everyone else was also beaming with joy.
"Burp, I…accept the decree."
Cheng Yaojin had drunk a lot of hard liquor and rushed to the palace. The alcohol was also on his way. His face was red and his steps were a little light.
"Old Cheng, your alcohol tolerance is the best among us. How did you drink to this extent?”
Li Er knew Cheng Yaojin's alcohol tolerance. Yuchi Jingde, Qin Shubao, and the others combined were not his match, so how could he drink so much?
"Your Majesty, I only drank four bowls today.”
"Four bowls?"
Looking at Second Emperor Li's incredulous expression, Cheng Yaojin explained,"
"Your Majesty, you might not know this, but the wine brewed by that strange person, hiccup, is far from what Sanle wine can compare to.”
Cheng Yaojin certainly wouldn't lie to Li Er. To be able to brew a wine that was stronger than Sanle pulp, he could immediately think of its future market prospects.
"Hehe, Your Majesty, burp, I have already cooperated with him.”
Cheng Yaojin saw that Li Er was deep in thought and understood that Li Er also wanted to cooperate with him, so he cut off Li Er's thoughts first.
Li Er wasn't angry at Cheng Yaojin's words. He scolded with a smile,""You old fox, bring him to see me tomorrow and withdraw from court.”
"Farewell, Your Majesty!"
Not to mention Cheng Yaojin's contribution to Li Er's fight against the world, just the contribution of the horseshoe today would not be blamed on him.
After the court session ended, all the officials surrounded Cheng Yaojin and asked about the strange young man.
Although Cheng Yaojin was drunk, he was tight-lipped and could not get any useful information out of him. Moreover, no one dared to use official authority to force him to explain.
No matter what, Cheng Yaojin was a founding hero of the Great Tang, and his hands were stained with blood. It would be good if such a ruthless character did not force others. Who dared to force him?
The officials could not get the answer they wanted, so they could only leave resentfully.
"Nephew is really my lucky star!"
Cheng Yaojin shook his dizzy head and walked to the palace gate. He was carried back to the mansion by the servants and fell asleep.
He slept until dawn.
"Men, prepare two palanquins."”
The two palanquins set off towards Qin Manor in the dim night.
……
The servants of Qin Manor had woken up early to clean up. When they opened the door, they saw a burly man and two palanquins standing outside.
"This old man is Cheng Yaojin.”
"Cheng Yao…General Cheng, please wait.”
Just as the servant was about to ask who Cheng Yaojin was, he suddenly thought of the founding hero, the devil king Cheng Yaojin, and trembled in fear.
Although the Qin family was a landlord, they were only landowners with a little money. There was a world of difference between them and such powerful figures.
A moment later, Qin Shoucai ran over with his clothes disheveled. He took a closer look and saw that it was indeed Cheng Zhijie.
"General Cheng has come to my humble residence. I have not welcomed you from afar.”
As he was about to kneel, Cheng Yaojin pulled him back and chuckled.
"Old Brother Qin, there's no need to be so polite. Is Nephew awake? If he isn't, then sleep in the sedan chair.”
"Plop!"
Qin Shoucai turned pale with fright and knelt down to beg for mercy."General Cheng, I only have this one son. My son is still young and doesn't know anything. If he offended you in any way, please forgive him.”
He went to court and entered the palace to meet the emperor. Could it be that his son had done something wrong to Lord Cheng?
"Old Brother Qin is worrying too much. Nephew has solved a problem that the entire court couldn't solve.”
Hearing this, Qin Shoucai felt relieved and sent someone to wake up his young master.
At the same time, Qin Shoucai was also wondering what problem Qin Feng could solve. Even the civil and military officials couldn't solve it, but they didn't dare to ask.
After a while, Qin Feng walked out with sleepy eyes.
Seeing Cheng Yaojin and his father standing at the door, he yawned and asked,""Uncle Cheng, why are you here so early?”
Cheng Yaojin urged," Get on the palanquin and follow me to meet the Emperor. His Majesty wants to see you."”
"What? You want to see me?"
Qin Feng knew that with his talent, he would be summoned by Li Er one day, but he did not expect the time to come so early.
"Then wait, I'll leave after I'm ready.”
Cheng Yaojin had already expected Qin Feng to act like this. Without waiting for him to turn around and go back, he lifted Qin Feng up and placed him in the sedan chair. He then ordered the sedan chair bearer to walk towards the palace.
……
Ming De Hall.
"Your Majesty, it's already June and the weather is getting hotter and hotter. I implore Your Majesty to bestow ice on us.”
This suggestion immediately received the approval of the ministers.
"Where's Qi Siyong?" Li Er nodded and asked.”
"Your subject is here."
"After the court leaves, I will reward the officials according to the amount of ice used over the years.”
Qi Siyong's body trembled as he knelt down with a thud and said,""Your Majesty, this subject is guilty."
"Hmm? What crime?"
"It's summer now. A few days ago, I sent people to check the ice cellar and found that many places had collapsed. These few days, I tried my best to remedy it, but unfortunately, there was less than 20% ice left last winter.”
"I implore Your Majesty to only punish me for my crimes and not anyone else.”
Qi Siyong's act of protecting his subordinates took all the blame on himself. He retreated in order to advance. He was playing psychological warfare, hoping that Li Er, who had just succeeded the throne, could reduce his punishment.
Cibing was also considered a lucrative job in ancient times. Not only could he build a relationship with them, but he could also take the opportunity to fill his own pockets. It was a beautiful job that many people had been eyeing.
But now that something like this had happened, not to mention how they could survive the scorching summer without ice, just the crime of oversight was enough to implicate nine families.
It wasn't that Qi Siyong hadn't thought of escaping, but the entire world was the land of the king, so where could he escape to? He just wanted to drag it out as long as possible.
But now, the truth was out of the window.
The lack of ice in summer was extremely torturous. Although the ministers stored ice in their homes during the winter, the conditions for storing ice were simple. A lot of it would melt, so there was not enough.
All the officials in the court began to discuss in low voices. Qi Siyong's incompetence would make them get very little ice. Moreover, the lower the position, the less ice they would be given.
"Your Majesty, since ancient times, ice has been stored in winter and used in the summer of the following year. However, Qi Siyong's oversight has caused the number of ice stored to decrease. It's not a big deal that we don't have ice, but I'm afraid that the palace doesn't have enough.”
Regarding such a lucrative job, countless people had long been envious. Coincidentally, Qi Siyong happened to have such a thing happen, so naturally, other big shots would take it up.
"This subject agrees. Although Lord Qi is thinking of a way to remedy the situation, it is already the sixth month.”
"I agree. This is the first time His Majesty has given ice since he ascended the throne. If something goes wrong, it will inevitably become a topic of discussion!”
The officials knelt down like a tide and said in unison,"We agree."
Qi Siyong originally still had a glimmer of hope, but seeing this scene, his face turned ashen, and his heart turned cold.
Originally, Li Er had planned to reduce the number of ice gifts from top to bottom, but the ministers were right.
This was the first time he had given ice to the ministers after he ascended the throne. Although they did not say it, they would definitely complain in their hearts.
If Retired Emperor Li Yuan heard about the reduction of the ice in the palace, his prestige would definitely be greatly reduced.
Just as Li Er was about to speak, a eunuch ran in from outside the hall and said,"Your Majesty, Great General Cheng requests an audience."
"Quickly announce it." He turned to the ministers and said,"Get up. We'll discuss this later."”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。