Chapter 329: Winning Hearts

"In the southeast we can invoke coastal defense to impose a navy tax; in the northwest we can use border garrison as a pretext to levy a colonist tax…"

Nanzhu's voice lowered, "These revenues can all be recorded in the Empress's merit book of proposals."

Bai Li's hand, which had been twirling the pearl, paused slightly.

Indeed, why hadn't she thought of these methods before?

Are the lives of those lowborn people important?

They're not important at all!

Whether it's her or the Emperor, what matters is the result.

After all, would that Emperor hand over the realm he barely managed to keep to someone else?

Yangxin Hall.

Seeing the candles burning inside, Wan Tang inhaled deeply.

After half a day's mental preparation, she finally strained to steady her emotions.

Now is the time for her to act.

Now she is no longer a palace maid, nor a member of the Xu Family or the Mo Family.

She is the Empress!

She is the mother of the Fengqi Kingdom.

Even though she knows her next move will inevitably provoke Chu Yunzheng's fury, Wan Tang has no other choice.

The hall doors swung open.

Chu Yunzheng was buried in the documents before him.

Even when Wan Tang entered, he didn't even lift his head.

Wan Tang gently placed an Account Book on the imperial desk, her voice calm: "Emperor, I have some words I wish to say to you today."

"The Empress has been coming for three consecutive days; what is it, the same old words?" Chu Yunzheng kept his head down, his voice icy.

Wan Tang seemed oblivious to Chu Yunzheng's mood.

She continued: "Although the salt‑iron monopoly has alleviated the immediate crisis, the salt price in the southeast has risen by thirty percent, and the people have many complaints. If this continues, the populace will suffer unbearably."

"These measures appear to target merchants, but in reality the victims are still the common people."

"The Empress has lately seemed to keep a close eye on state affairs," Chu Yunzheng interrupted her, impatience evident in his eyes, "I recall saying that the harem must not interfere in governance."

Wan Tang slightly clenched her fist, showing no sign of retreat: "I simply cannot bear to see the people suffer."

"Unbearable?" Chu Yunzheng raised his eyes, his gaze sharp, "Or is it unwillingness?"

He set down his vermilion brush, his tone growing colder: "These harem women are not the only ones who understand the way of governing the state."

"The new canal transport proposal you presented the day before yesterday, Bai Li, received considerable praise from the Ministry of Revenue."

From outside the hall, Nanzhu's voice suddenly came: "Emperor, Concubine Pear has personally stewed snow frog soup…"

Chu Yunzheng's expression softened, and he said lightly to Wan Tang, "If the Empress truly has leisure, perhaps she should properly instruct the concubines."

"As for state affairs," he turned his face away without even looking at Wan Tang, "competent people will shoulder the burden for me."

"Empress, does Minghui not need care?"

"I think you should go back and look after the child!"

Chu Yunzheng's voice was cold; from now on it would be only greed for power and money.

There is no trace of any former affection left.

"I take my leave," she bowed and performed the salute.

Turning, she heard Chu Yunzheng gently instruct, "Tell Concubine Pear that I will be there shortly."

Wan Tang left the palace, a smile curling her lips, murderous intent flashing in her eyes.

Excellent, everything is proceeding—very well!

The night was deep.

In a secluded annex on the outskirts of Jingjiao, candles burned brightly.

Wan Tang changed into ordinary attire and sat upright at the head of the table.

At the lower seats were several senior ministers led by Qi Qi, each with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty," Qi Qi began, his voice low, "the salt‑iron monopoly has been in effect for barely a month, and now the southeast salt price has skyrocketed, the people are full of complaints."

"This morning there was an urgent report: in Jiangzhou, salt merchants have gathered and caused a disturbance."

The Minister of War followed quickly: "The new colonist tax in the northwest campaign has already sparked several peasant uprisings; if this continues, a great upheaval may arise!"

Wan Tang listened quietly, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of her teacup.

Even though the matters discussed were of utmost urgency, Wan Tang's complexion remained very calm.

After all, wasn't all this the result of their meticulous step‑by‑step scheming that brought them to this point?

"Since the court disregards the lives of the people," Wan Tang raised her eyes, her voice not loud but each word clear, "we shall provide the people with a way to survive."

She took out a token and placed it on the table: "Immediately mobilize the Mo Family covert posts in each prefecture, open the granaries to stabilize salt prices, under the banner of 'Righteous Merchants.'"

"As for the people afflicted by disaster, we cannot leave them unattended."

"I recall the Mo Family Army has the most veterans returning home; let them all mobilize."

"As long as I am here, the Mo Family Army remains."

"Let the Mo Family Army forever bear the duty of defending the homeland."

Qi Qi's eyes flashed with brilliance: "Your Majesty intends to…"

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it," Wan Tang stood, looking toward the heavy night outside the window. "Since some have dug their own foundations, we shall let the world see who truly upholds this realm."

The officials below, hearing Wan Tang's words, each became highly agitated.

They nodded repeatedly: "It should have been like this for a long time."

"But to speak of it, we can only advance step by step, so that we may see hope."

Qi Qi placed the tea cup heavily: "Madam, now the people's grievances are boiling across the lands; if this continues, Chu Yunzheng will become a timeless criminal!"

"The most urgent matter is to have you bear a legitimate son, and promptly establish an heir to soothe the people's hearts."

Minister of the Ministry of Rites continued: "We, the subjects, have discussed, and only this method can legitimize and smoothly stabilize the nation."

Wan Tang's fingertips tightened slightly.

She naturally understood the old ministers' good intentions, but the thought of intimately acquainting with that increasingly unfamiliar emperor's flesh…

Just the thought of it makes one feel nauseous.

Having come to this point, how could one still do such a thing.

"Gentlemen," she lifted her eyelids, her voice calm yet bearing undeniable authority, "toppling a tyrant is to rescue the people from fire and water, not to plunge the realm into further turmoil."

Seeing the crowd still urging, she gently raised her hand: "I have my own arrangements. The matter of the heir concerns the nation's destiny; I will not act rashly."

Although Wan Tang did not state the plan, that steady gaze already gave the others a slight reassurance.

One by one they hurriedly echoed: "As long as the Madam decides, we are a hundred percent at ease."

"Indeed! After all, we trust the Madam."

"Hmph, the current court has long decayed; thinking of our poor daughters, how can they be doomed to die in the Imperial harem."

"Madam, we are all willing to follow you, to open the realm you speak of."

Wan Tang nodded slightly.

She asked, "The realm you speak of, is it the kind mentioned in the Barrage?"

"That is merely an unattainable blueprint; even she herself cannot be certain."

Just as the crowd's emotions surged, the Mishi door was gently pushed open.

Su Yanci stood outside the door, the night wind lifting his plain robe.

His gaze swept the room's occupants, finally resting on Wan Tang: "Madam, if you are unwilling, why force it."

In the silent room, he stepped forward slowly, placing a military token on the table: "One hundred thousand elite troops have been fully integrated."

He looked at Wan Tang, his eyes deep, "But I think the people's hearts are more important than military power."

"As for the Imperial Heir…"

Su Yanci's gaze was especially complex: "Indeed, a child is needed who can shoulder the great responsibility of the nation."