Chapter 2036: Chapter 2033: Reform

"I dare not make decisions arbitrarily." Chu Heng knew Emperor Xuanming was testing him.

His attitude clearly conveyed his intentions to Emperor Xuanming.

Emperor Xuanming looked at him with a faint smile: "Oh? What if I insist on you giving me an answer?"

Without much hesitation, Chu Heng spoke: "Minister of Rites, Official Huang... Official Jiang... Official Li..."

The few he mentioned were all renowned in the court for having no notable background, were older, and were people of Emperor Xuanming. Even if they became chief examiners, it was impossible for them to form factions and engage in favoritism like Minister Qi and Grand Tutor Deng.

Emperor Xuanming sneered: "What audacity."

Chu Heng remained silent.

However, though Emperor Xuanming appeared angry, there was not much anger in reality.

"I heard you went to the manor outside the capital to escape the summer heat days ago?" Emperor Xuanming abruptly changed the topic.

Chu Heng nodded: "Yes."

"So, you clashed with Grand Tutor Deng?"

"Grand Tutor Deng made the first move." Chu Heng directly complained, having long collected relevant evidence.

But he also knew that now Grand Tutor Deng had Emperor Xuanming’s favor, so even if he presented evidence on the Emperor’s desk, there would be no result. Instead, he might anger Emperor Xuanming and lose imperial favor, making it harder to approach Emperor Xuanming in the future.

In the official circle, rise and fall are just that simple.

However, now Emperor Xuanming himself brought up the issue.

This was a great opportunity.

Emperor Xuanming was amused by his candid attitude: "It seems beloved subject harbors resentment toward Grand Tutor Deng."

"Your Majesty, I won’t hide from you, the reason I became an official is just to give my family a good life. I am very satisfied with my current life, but Grand Tutor Deng acted against the female family members of my household. It’s impossible to hold no resentment, so I collected quite a lot of evidence against Grand Tutor Deng, hoping Your Majesty will uphold justice."

"Oh?" Emperor Xuanming raised an eyebrow, showing no clear emotion: "And what if I don’t uphold justice for you?"

"Then I can only use a rogue method to trouble Grand Tutor Deng." Chu Heng spoke without much thought, clearly having thought it through long ago.

Emperor Xuanming narrowed his eyes ambiguously: "You’re all my subjects, creating turmoil is not ideal."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I simply wish to warn Grand Tutor Deng not to trouble me anymore. I am not one who enjoys resorting to violence."

Emperor Xuanming looked at Chu Heng, remaining silent for a long time.

Chu Heng allowed himself to be scrutinized.

Eventually, Emperor Xuanming took all the evidence, showing an attitude towards Chu Heng.

Immediately after, Chu Heng presented the proposal about soldier salary reform that he had long prepared.

Emperor Xuanming pondered for a long time, and after reading it, said: "Soldier salaries are raised, but the nation’s finances will spend more on military supplies."

"Your Majesty, I have analyzed it. Spending silver is one part, but we can seize this opportunity to earn the silver back." Chu Heng had long looked towards some overseas businesses.

"Doing business with the People of Beirong can earn considerable silver. With many military camps in the Northern Region, merchant-robbing bandit unions won’t occur, and by then, just the silver coin income from the Northern border pass can cover a significant portion of military supplies."

"Without the annual disturbances of the People of Beirong, the economy in the Northern Region can flourish, and by then, silver will only increase. Without sufficient force, local governance can easily have more flaws."

How to manage soldiers is Emperor Xuanming’s matter, but Chu Heng at this moment merely made clear to earn the silver back, as without silver, even if Emperor Xuanming consented, nothing could be done.

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