Chapter 655: Life Between Heaven and Earth, Like a White Colt Crossing a Gap

The next day, outside Tai Ji Hall.

When Chen Yan arrived, he was immediately surrounded by Du Gou and other Ministry of Revenue officials.

"Brother Zi An, I thought it over carefully yesterday; this matter can indeed be done, but it has to be you who does it."

"If we were the ones to bring it up, I'm afraid we'd be thrown in jail that very day."

Han Zhongliang couldn't stop nodding: "Indeed, sir, this is like snatching meat from His Majesty's mouth; I... I'm a bit uneasy."

Chen Yan heard that and said irritably, "Didn't you just say yesterday that you'd let me lend you the 'reason', and you'd just go up and snap it?"

"Why are you chicken now?"

"Go away, I don't need you; just wait for the follow‑up arrangements."

"It's nothing at all."

Upon hearing that, the Ministry of Revenue officials not only didn't get angry, but all breathed a sigh of relief.

If it were about something else, targeting someone else, they naturally wouldn't be cowardly.

But now, who is Chen Yan targeting?

It's damn Li Shimin.

You think you're Chen Yan?

With Death-exemption Gold Medals enough in hand to build a house, how many lives could you possibly have?

Save it; following the big boss's steps and shouting support from behind is all they can do.

"Zi An."

At that moment, Du Ruhui called out, with Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Changsun Wujie standing nearby.

After calling, he made no move to come over.

Chen Yan understood, said something to Du Gou and the others, then walked over: "Cai Duke, how have you been lately?"

Du Ruhui replied helplessly, "I'm quite well, but whether you can still be well, I can't guarantee."

Fang Xuanling tugged Chen Yan, lowering his voice: "You kid, stop stirring trouble, lay low for two months; even if you want to make His Majesty suffer, this isn't the way to do it."

"What about the fine salt... doesn't everyone already know?"

"Although fine salt sells cheaply, the sheer volume is huge; for His Majesty, who was once accustomed to poverty, it's still a considerable income."

"How is this any different from pulling a tooth from a tiger's mouth?"

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi, as the sons of the two, naturally mentioned it privately to them after returning yesterday.

They would know, and Chen Yan was not surprised.

Moreover, this was exactly what Chen Yan hoped to see.

"Two gentlemen," Chen Yan asked with a smile, "Don't you support my idea?"

"It's not that we don't support it," Du Ruhui frowned, "In fact we also know that fine salt in His Majesty's hands is somewhat wasteful, and it hasn't been fully deployed yet."

"It's just that you only acted recently... now you point the spear at His Majesty again; isn't that a bit too hasty?"

"With the Money Shop around, you can't be short of money; we could easily delay two months."

When he finished speaking, Chen Yan hadn't had a chance to reply, but Wei Zheng spoke first: "Don't say that; the Money Shop is the Money Shop, the Ministry of Revenue is the Ministry of Revenue, and Minister Chen delineates the boundary between them very clearly."

"Moreover, the royal control of the Money Shop already yields a huge income, while the Ministry of Revenue still relies on that modest citizen tax revenue."

"As Minister of Revenue, Chen Yan has no problem finding ways to increase income."

"Some matters don't depend on timing; they only require judging right from wrong."

After speaking, he paused, cleared his throat dryly, and said, "You guys are just too cowardly; when it comes to angering His Majesty, you lack the experience that I and Minister Chen have."

"For a righteous act like this, His Majesty will at most be angry for a while; whatever follows will happen as it will."

Du Ruhui: "......"

Fang Xuanling: "......"

Chen Yan raised his thumb: "Lord Wei, excellent insight!"

Changsun Wujie added, "Wei Zheng is right; I also think that as long as fine salt remains in His Majesty's hands, its effect is already limited."

"Returning it to the court is actually better; at least it can ease a lot of the court's fiscal pressure and won't have a huge impact on His Majesty."

"Anyway, he still has the Money Shop, wine taverns and a series of accounts; His Majesty is no longer the same as before."

"It's time for us to direct our plan at him."

"Moreover, if His Majesty does get angry, aren't there people in the palace to back us up?"

"I heard that yesterday Zi An sent both little princesses back to the palace..."

Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling were momentarily speechless.

Alright.

This really is a series of preparations made in advance.

The two looked at the eager Chen Yan, then at the unsurprised Changsun Wujie and Wei Zheng.

They knew deep down that this was very likely to succeed.

Li Shimin... is going to stomp his feet again.

"Fine, do whatever you want," Du Ruhui said helplessly, adding, "But you kid, watch your words, or you'll definitely get into trouble."

"Don't worry, don't worry, I know exactly what's going on," Chen Yan grinned.

The two remained silent, feeling that this kid was somewhat unreliable.

"......"

Chang Chao began, and the civil and military officials entered the hall as usual.

After completing all procedures, the inner court staff called for a report if there was a matter, otherwise the audience was dismissed.

Chen Yan didn't act immediately; instead he waited for the other officials to report various minor matters one by one.

This has always been the norm for the regular court, after all it isn't thrilling every day; countless major events occur.

As the other officials finished speaking, Chen Yan was about to step forward to start the assembly, but unexpectedly, an unforeseen person stepped out before him.

"His Majesty…" Wang Gui stepped forward and made a deep bow.

Li Shimin, somewhat surprised, asked, "Does Minister Wang have something to report?"

Wang Gui shook his head and said softly, "To be frank, Your Majesty, today the old minister, as usual, intends to get up, change clothes, and attend the regular court."

"What makes the old minister feel powerless is that now I have reached the point where I need a servant to help me get out of bed."

"Your Majesty… the old minister is advanced in years, willing to continue serving the country, but my body no longer permits me to take on great responsibilities."

"I think… it is time for me to step down and make way for those who follow."

When those words were spoken, even Chen Yan was rather surprised.

Is Wang Gui really retiring?

Li Shimin gave Wang Gui a deep look.

By the sixth year of the Zhen Guan era, Wang Gui was already in his sixties; his hair had turned white, age spots had appeared on his face, and his body had become stooped.

Honestly.

Regarding Wang Gui, a scion of a noble family, Li Shimin's feelings were complex.

Wang Gui was commendable as a noble lineage, yet in other respects, no fault could be found.

All these years, thanks to Wang Gui's assistance, he would not have been so at ease otherwise.

Li Shimin indeed hoped Wang Gui would step down, but when the day finally arrived, he again heard Wang Gui speak of his own old age.

He couldn't help feeling a bit sorrowful.

"Shujie… why have you become old…?"

Wang Gui gave a faint smile; Shujie, his courtesy name, said, "Your Majesty, between heaven and earth, life is like a white colt crossing a ridge, fleeting indeed."

"There is no principle of never aging."

"......"