Chapter Two: Lending You an Item

The ministers looked on as if watching a monkey show; some shook their heads and sighed, others sneered with sarcasm, but not a single one believed the emperor would agree.

What they did not expect was Qin Yong, who had restrained the impulse to execute Xiao Zhi on the spot and patiently listened to the Salt Monopoly Law. His expression shifted from impatience to surprise, and then from surprise to delight.

Everyone was mocking Xiao Zhi, and the usually perceptive ministers all overlooked Qin Yong’s struggle to contain his ecstatic smile.

“A brilliant strategy, truly a brilliant strategy!”

“A poisonous scheme, indeed a poisonous scheme!”

Qin Yong closed the document, clutching it tightly until his knuckles turned white.

As Xiao Zhi had said, every part rang true: the court’s revenue this time would be equivalent to the salt taxes of the next ten or even twenty years. Moreover, it would not harm the nation’s fortunes but rather ease the burden on the people.

With this influx of silver, and after clearing out some parasites, the emperor would have far more power to act. The revival of the Great Chu suddenly seemed within reach.

In the court, the assembled civil and military officials were stunned. They had all been ridiculing Xiao Zhi and completely missed what the emperor had said. At first, some thought they must have misheard.

“What did His Majesty just say?”

“A brilliant strategy? His Majesty said it was a brilliant strategy?”

“You heard brilliant strategy too?”

“I swear I heard poisonous scheme.”

At this moment, the previously frustrated Qin Yong’s face was flushed with excitement, radiant and full of spirit.

Xiao Zhi’s Salt Monopoly Law was both a brilliant plan and a poisonous trap; yet for Great Chu, it was all gain and no harm.

With both internal turmoil and external threats, silver was paramount. Xiao Zhi’s law was a means of acquiring wealth; who would suffer in the end was not Xiao Zhi’s concern, nor could Qin Yong dwell on it now.

After a brief moment of thought, Qin Yong declared resolutely, “Draft the edict!”

“My mind is made up: the salt monopoly will be ceded, and its implementation shall be solely under Xiao Zhi’s authority.”

“Xiao Zhi, I hereby bestow upon you—”

“Your Majesty, you absolutely must not.”

Normally, no one dared interrupt the emperor during the drafting of an edict.

But this matter was of utmost importance.

Although Huaizhong was over sixty, his reflexes were sharp; almost instinctively, he loudly objected.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

“Absolutely not.”

“This will bring ruin to the nation and suffering to the people.”

“Ceding the salt monopoly is but drinking poison to quench thirst…”

Many ministers were a step slower but quickly followed Huaizhong’s lead in opposition.

At this moment, whether loyal or treacherous, all exerted their utmost efforts to stop the plan.

Xiao Zhi noticed many were only feigning opposition—those who knelt because everyone else did, but inwardly hoped for the law’s enactment.

These men came from prominent clans or influential local families, all fantasizing about their family monopolizing local salt—a business of endless profit.

Their minds were already filled with images of chests overflowing with gold and silver being hauled into their mansions.

But unfortunately, the opposition was overwhelming.

Faced with the court’s fierce resistance, Qin Yong was unusually resolute this time.

“Enough, no more words! We will proceed as Xiao Zhi suggests. I am not permanently ceding the salt monopoly; the court will sign contracts with these parties, and upon expiration, the monopoly will be reclaimed.”

Some officials from noble families rejoiced inwardly. Reclaim it? Let’s see if you can.

“Your Majesty, I support Xiao Zhi’s Salt Monopoly Law,” one official stepped forward slowly. “The court is short of funds. Reorganizing the military requires money, flood control demands money, and the salaries of officials cannot be delayed indefinitely. Even if we do not wage war against the northern barbarians, doubling tribute will still bring a great sum.”

Qin Yong looked at Huaizhong, still kneeling. “Chancellor Huaizhong, your thoughts?”

Huaizhong’s face twisted, his voice trembling with emotion, “Your Majesty, this matter must not proceed. Xiao Zhi is a calamity to the nation and the people; he should be executed.”

“I recall the late emperor once said Xiao Zhi was unfit for great duties, that merely serving as a lance-bearer was already a favor, and that he should remain a lance-bearer for life.”

“Your Majesty, that was the late emperor’s solemn decree. Xiao Zhi can only be a lance-bearer.”

Xiao Zhi’s incompetence and the late emperor’s disappointment were well known, often joked about, yet Huaizhong treated it as an imperial edict.

According to Huaizhong, Xiao Zhi was destined to be a lance-bearer forever.

Seeing Huaizhong weep and wail, Xiao Zhi paused, wondering if the old man’s performance was too convincing or if he genuinely cared for Great Chu.

But then Xiao Zhi understood.

Huaizhong, a man of humble origins from the Eastern Hills faction, was once a low-ranking official, unnoticed and insignificant. The late emperor elevated him step by step to the position of chancellor.

The late emperor promoted him precisely because of his lowly background, believing he could check the power of the noble families and thus balance the court after Qin Yong’s ascension.

Unexpectedly, Huaizhong proved highly skilled at currying favor with the aristocracy and had become a powerful minister under the second emperor.

His opposition to Xiao Zhi’s salt law stemmed from the fact that, due to his low origins, he stood to gain nothing—and worse, would lose much power and privilege.

This old relic was a true villain; Xiao Zhi almost felt moved by the display.

Serious illnesses require potent medicine, and correcting a crooked system often goes too far. Chancellor Huaizhong simply must be removed!

With a faint smile, Xiao Zhi suddenly said, “Your Majesty, I have a question.”

Qin Yong, still excited, raised his hand, “What is it?”

Xiao Zhi asked, “The ironclad decree says, ‘You may forgive nine deaths; officials shall not impose further punishment.’ Does this mean I can be pardoned nine times? Is that correct, gentlemen?”

Everyone was baffled. Weren’t they discussing the salt law? Why this sudden change?

Qin Yong was curious but went along, “Your father saved the emperor twice and was awarded an ironclad decree, passed down three generations, indeed granting nine pardons.”

Xiao Zhi’s father had twice saved the late emperor’s life as a guard and earned his trust—a reason why Xiao Zhi, a guard’s son, became the crown prince’s companion and tutor.

The late emperor had deliberately favored him, ensuring that when the crown prince ascended, Xiao Zhi would be a trusted minister.

Unfortunately, Xiao Zhi was ill-suited for study and was not very intelligent, often causing embarrassing incidents.

“If I were to kill an official?” Xiao Zhi asked one nearby minister.

“As long as it is not treason or great disrespect, you may be pardoned,” the Minister of Rites replied.

Xiao Zhi’s expression brightened, flashing a broad smile as he looked at Chancellor Huaizhong. “Chancellor, is what the minister says true?”

“Of course, everyone knows that,” Huaizhong sneered.

“That’s wonderful. In that case, Chancellor, I would like to borrow something from you.”

“What?” Huaizhong suppressed his anger. How could the chancellor be nagged by a mere lance-bearer?

“I want to borrow your head!”

Suddenly, Xiao Zhi thrust his lance through Huaizhong’s throat.