221: Government orders don't work

Upon returning to Chang'an, Sha Wujing could not help but feel infinite emotion in his heart; although he had only been here once, he still had a deep sense of the prosperity of Chang'an City.

Fortunately, after returning to the size of a normal person, his appearance was relatively close to that of an ordinary person, and with the group moving about swiftly and stealthily, not many people actually noticed him.

After returning to the Du Xin Domain, Pigsy eagerly pulled Sha Wujing along to introduce him to his Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, and when he saw Ao Lie, the two embraced and cried together again; all in all, this mission could be considered a complete success.

Tang Ku watched his Disciples reunited in harmony, his heart filled with great comfort, and he revealed a faint smile.

Just as the few were chatting, the door was pushed open. Nezha walked in slowly with his brows tightly locked, gesturing with his hands, and he did not even respond when Pigsy greeted him, appearing to be in a state of Qi Deviation.

What is wrong with him?

Pigsy turned his head and asked Shi Jingmo.

We do not know either! Shi Jingmo said. Ever since he started frequently going to the Qintian Prison to find old Yuan, he has been acting possessed every day. When we ask him what happened, he only says 'even if I told you, you would not understand,' and then he goes back to his room alone... Oh, he has also recently become obsessed with blacksmithing; there are clanging sounds coming from his room every day. If it were not for Junior Sister knowing sound-isolation techniques, I am afraid everyone in the courtyard would not be able to sleep peacefully!

Tang Ku smiled: Let him be. Perhaps when the time comes for him to be useful, you will see a completely different Nezha!

He remembered the scene where Nezha controlled the mecha when fighting against the gods of Greece, and he could not help but smile knowingly.

Hmm...

Nezha, who had walked halfway, suddenly came back to his senses. He turned his head and saw everyone looking at him with a strange gaze. He could not help but slap his forehead and said: I almost forgot... Hmm, Holy Monk, that new Emperor has sent someone to look for you, saying there is an important matter to discuss. You should go to the palace when you have time!

With that, he went to his own room on his own, ignoring everyone else!

Pigsy rolled his eyes and said: He really is in a state of Qi Deviation; he does not even recognize people anymore! He only recognizes Master!

Tang Ku flicked his forehead and laughed, scolding: You are complaining about even this? You are a man, yet your heart is as small as a needle's eye!

Everyone laughed, and after Tang Ku gave a few instructions, he went to the palace alone.

Just as he arrived outside the Council Hall, he heard Li Chengqian roaring inside: Is this how you people serve Me with all your heart and might, huh? It has been so many days, and these decrees still have not been promulgated. Do you think everything I say is just farting?

Your Majesty... this... it is not that we are not trying our best, it is just... just that these decrees you mentioned are too bizarre... For example, this Equal-Field and Tax Exemption is essentially taking a knife to those noble families and landlords. Do you think they will agree?

Said an official whom Tang Ku did not recognize.

And there is this exemption from three years of corvee labor... Originally, various cities are facing war and need to build city walls and fortifications, and manpower is already stretched thin. If this decree is promulgated, what will we do if there is no one to work?

Said another official.

Now the national treasury is empty, and you also want to reduce taxes... The Qintian Prison comes to us for money every day; we need to be able to provide it!

Yes, yes, military expenditures are becoming increasingly tight, and you also want to cut military spending... If war breaks out next, and if even the soldiers cannot be fed, I am afraid it will cause a mutiny...

The officials spoke all at once, and all kinds of complaints reached Li Chengqian's ears, and Tang Ku heard them clearly as well.

However, Tang Ku did not hear the voices of top officials such as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, or Wei Zheng, which could not help but make him feel a bit puzzled.

Li Chengqian seemed very speechless and did not say a word for a long time.

After a long while, he finally said in a very helpless voice: Forget it, forget it... I... I will deliberate on it further. You all may withdraw first... For the matter of the decrees, you should also think of some ways...

Since the Emperor had said to withdraw, what could they say?

To be honest, they were all sweating for themselves when they came to the hall today. After all, they did not know the temperament of the new Emperor. But fortunately, they also knew that these decrees were actually good things, but implementing them was extremely difficult. So, for half a month, they had not slept well. After discussing it among themselves, they had no choice but to state these difficulties in the hall...

The officials filed out. Tang Ku stepped aside and cast a simple incantation to shield himself from the eyes of Mortals. After everyone had left, he finally strode in and immediately saw Li Chengqian, who looked exhausted and was supporting his cheek with his hand.

The eunuch on the side also looked helpless and was instructing someone to go to the Imperial Kitchen to bring ginseng soup to nourish the Emperor's body.

Your Majesty is working so hard on state affairs; this Poor Monk has truly had his eyes opened!

Tang Ku laughed aloud.

Holy Monk!

Li Chengqian almost jumped up. You... you heard it all... these guys, none of them are useful, and they shirk responsibility when things happen; it is truly hateful... Sigh, when my father was the Emperor, I did not see him rack his brains to push any decrees!

So, being an Emperor is really not simple, right!

Tang Ku smiled.

Li Chengqian dismissed his attendants, told the eunuch to instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some food and fine wine, and then sat on the steps with Tang Ku, saying helplessly: Yes, being an Emperor is really not simple. Sometimes I think, is my power a bit too decentralized, causing these guys not to listen to me!

Tang Ku smiled instead: It is not that they do not listen, but that they dare not do it after listening. Do not forget, your Li family is also a powerful clan. Do you really not know how this world was obtained?

Li Chengqian was truly weary. He smiled bitterly and said: Yes, wanting to touch their interests is truly difficult!

Tang Ku said: To say it is difficult, it is indeed difficult, but to say it is not difficult, it is also easy... It is just that you are a bit too hasty. These decrees all touch their sore spots; how could they not unite to work against you? Issuing decrees is not that simple; it requires careful consideration and needs to be planned gradually. You need to be slow, adding firewood to the stove bit by bit, to boil a pot of water. Otherwise, before the water boils, the firewood will burn out, and without follow-up power, the water will still be cold!

Li Chengqian seemed thoughtful, then asked: Do you have any specific methods?

Tang Ku scanned the surroundings and then laughed: I do not, but someone definitely does. You just need to borrow someone from the Emperor, and everything will be solved easily!

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then seemed to understand something, and could not help but ask suspiciously: The person the Holy Monk is referring to, could it be Chancellor Fang?

The Peak of strategy, having him is enough... Well, let us not talk about this first. You asked me, this monk, to come here, surely not just to ask about politics! Tang Ku smiled, Is there anything else you need my help with?

Li Chengqian slapped his forehead: Hmm, I was almost confused by them. Indeed, there is something I need your help with... Now, the Immortal Schools of the Three Mountains and Five Peaks... can you think of a way to help me integrate their power?