Chapter 431: Devoted to the utmost, until death! (Seeking subscriptions, seeking...)

"Prime Minister, when do you think His Majesty will return?"

Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan brought some files for Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan to approve.

If Li Chen is not in the Imperial Capital, many files need to be decided by Zhao Wenyuan, the Prime Minister.

As the current Prime Minister, Zhao Wenyuan's authority is naturally very great. Li Chen has already delegated a lot of power to him, and basically, he can make independent decisions.

Only those thorny problems that are really difficult to handle will be left for Li Chen to review after returning to the palace.

This way of delegating power has greatly reduced Li Chen's workload, unlike the late Emperor who often stayed up all night reviewing memorials.

The Minister of Revenue Liu Minghan is the same; he only submits files involving officials of the same rank or higher to Zhao Wenyuan for approval. He can handle the files he produces himself, and he has many officials under him.

Through this system of delegating power layer by layer, Li Chen has made every official in the court have clear responsibilities, everyone performs their own duties, and government affairs operate more efficiently.

Coupled with the recent expansion of the establishment and the establishment of many new departments, the work pressure on the officials of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty is not great.

Facing the inquiry of the Minister of Revenue, Zhao Wenyuan picked up his teacup and took a sip.

This high-ranking Prime Minister, however, was drinking the most ordinary coarse tea, the kind that even ordinary people can afford.

He put down the teacup and said slowly: "His Majesty is young and strong, often traveling incognito to understand the feelings of the people. When he will return to the palace, this old man does not know, but as subjects, we should share His Majesty's worries."

As a veteran of three dynasties, Zhao Wenyuan always speaks with a bit of official tone, but these words were from the bottom of his heart.

In his view, if the Emperor is trapped in the deep palace all day, sooner or later there will be big problems.

Many livelihood decisions, thinking until one's head breaks in the palace, are not as practical as taking a look at the grassroots.

From the memorials Li Chen reviews, one can see that this young Emperor has a thorough grasp of the situation in all places, and every instruction cuts to the point.

Thinking of this, Zhao Wenyuan couldn't help but regret that he was old and could not accompany Li Chen incognito like he accompanied the late Emperor back then.

His thoughts drifted back to the late Emperor's period, when he and Guo Guo Po Yun were often by the Emperor's side.

Thinking about it now, it is truly Heaven's blessing for Heavenly Strategy that Li Chen inherited the throne.

If any of the other princes had ascended the throne, although they might not have committed major mistakes, they would never have been able to let Heavenly Strategy develop into the prosperous scene it is today!

Zhao Wenyuan suddenly remembered something and spoke up: "By the way, has the military report from the south been delivered?"

Liu Minghan hurriedly replied: "It arrived just this morning. The Southern Expedition Army has advanced another thousand meters. The southern kingdoms are now trembling with fear. Some countries that have defected to the Eternal Day Empire have secretly started sending people to show favor, while those who are neutral or on our side are spending large sums of money to purchase military equipment to improve their strength."

Although he is the Minister of Revenue, these things should have been managed by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works.

But people at this level certainly know the news, and people from the southern kingdoms are also finding connections, and they have all found him.

Zhao Wenyuan stroked his beard and smiled: "His Majesty's move of 'drawing without firing' is wonderful. It neither costs a single soldier nor a single grain of rice, yet it makes those fence-sitters lose their footing first."

Liu Minghan sighed: "Indeed, it is much more brilliant than going to war directly. This year our fiscal revenue is simply comparable to the past ten years, but..."

He lowered his voice and continued: "With us advancing like this, will the Eternal Day Empire send troops to attack?"

As the Minister of Revenue, he certainly knows one thing: war is burning money.

Zhao Wenyuan's mouth curled up slightly, and he waved his hand: "That's where you don't understand. The King of the Eternal Day Empire and our Majesty have a tacit understanding. There is no benefit in fighting, so why fight?"

There are many countries on the Human Continent; either the weak eat the strong, using the small to gamble on the big.

Or the strong crush the weak, showing off their heavenly might.

There are very few fights between those of similar strength, because that can only be a meaningless war of attrition.

Unless there is some deep blood feud, otherwise, two similar countries, without absolute certainty of directly capturing the other, will not take action.

Otherwise, you think, at this time, why does Li Chen dare not be in the Imperial Capital?

However, Zhao Wenyuan's thinking here is not comprehensive. Li Chen is not in the Imperial Capital, but he is in the southern kingdoms.

Liu Minghan and Zhao Wenyuan chatted briefly, then said goodbye and left, returning to the Ministry of Revenue to continue working. At this time, Zhao Wenyuan's son, Zhao Mingyuan, walked in. Looking at the mountain of files on his father's desk, he couldn't help but sigh: "Father, is your work too much recently? It feels busier than before."

Zhao Wenyuan stroked his beard and shook his head with a smile: "You think I'm busy, but actually I'm much more relaxed than before. In the past, although many things were handled by the late Emperor himself, I had to carefully guess the Emperor's intentions while competing for power with other ministers. At that time, it seemed leisurely, but in fact, every step was like walking on thin ice."

Speaking of this, he suddenly sighed.

Zhao Mingyuan asked in confusion: "Why does Father sigh? Didn't you say it's very good now?"

Zhao Wenyuan's expression became serious: "His Majesty trusts me and delegates power to me. I am naturally gratified. I can ensure that I am loyal and will not lose myself in the face of such power. However..."

He paused and continued: "Father is old, and I don't know how many more years I can persist in this position. If the next Prime Minister has ulterior motives, Heavenly Strategy will likely fall into chaos."

These words revealed Zhao Wenyuan's concern for the country.

Even while alive, he was already considering things after his death; he was truly devoted to the utmost, until death.

Zhao Mingyuan hurriedly comforted him: "Father is in good health, and working for another ten years is no problem. Moreover, Heavenly Strategy is full of talent, and His Majesty is young and promising, so he will certainly be able to select the virtuous and capable."

Zhao Wenyuan smiled and said nothing upon hearing this.

He certainly hopes so, but who can say for sure about future things?

Recently, those young officials in the court, although talented, are mostly unruly.

Zhao Wenyuan thought to himself, when His Majesty returns to the palace, he must remind him to give them a beating.

Or, should he discuss it with Guo Guo Po Yun first?

It can also be considered as reducing the workload for this young Emperor.

Pondering for a moment, Zhao Wenyuan picked up the vermilion pen again and continued to review the files.

At the same time, inside the mansion of Grand General Guo Guo Po Yun.

This old general, who once dominated the world, was sweating profusely and busy in the vegetable garden.

The cabbage in the courtyard was growing gratifyingly, its green leaves shining in the sun.

Since the court struggles subsided, Guo Guo Po Yun truly started growing vegetables. Before, he was just pretending, but now he is truly tilling the land.

"This one is not bad... this one is also good..."

Guo Guo Po Yun carefully selected the best-looking cabbage, preparing to pick it himself and give it to Li Chen.

He knew that the Emperor liked to eat this kind of fresh and tender cabbage the most.

"Master, someone from Prime Minister Zhao's mansion is here, saying there is an important matter to discuss." The butler came to report.

Guo Guo Po Yun straightened his back and wiped his sweat: "Let him wait a moment, I'll go after changing my clothes."

Looking at the greenery in the garden, Guo Guo Po Yun showed a satisfied smile.

Compared to the infighting in the court, he prefers this simple and fulfilling life.

However, if His Majesty and the court need him, this old bone of his is ready to return to the battlefield at any time.

This time, the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty sent a Southern Expedition Army. Guo Guo Po Yun actually submitted a memorial wanting to be the commander, but was rejected by Li Chen, who then sent Yun Xu.

Yun Xu's qualifications are certainly enough; he has been a general leading troops for decades, and he is steady and loyal to Heavenly Strategy.

Guo Guo Po Yun also knows that even if Li Chen trusts him, he must consider the feelings of other ministers; he can't let him go every time.

Older ministers have no conflict with Li Chen and are naturally loyal. As Zhao Wenyuan thought, those young ones are not necessarily so.

Xiao Ming is a typical example.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 432 =====