frightfiction Chapter 1394 Becoming an Official
Chapter 1394 Becoming an Official
Lin Yiwan replied softly, “Father, the climate in Lingnan is humid and hot, so the people’s food is mostly light and refreshing. This dace fish ball soup has tender fish meat and a fresh and delicious soup; this lychee meat is fragrant and refreshing; and this winter melon and barley soup can clear heat and remove dampness. These are all common dishes in ordinary Lingnan households.”
Xiao Li picked up his silver chopsticks and first put a fish ball into his mouth.
The fish balls melted in his mouth, their delicious flavor spreading across his tongue, accompanied by the crispness of water chestnuts—a truly exquisite taste. His eyes lit up as he took another bite of the lychee pork belly. The tenderness of the pork belly intertwined with the sweetness of the lychee, creating an indescribably delicious flavor.
After a few bites, Xiao Li felt the pent-up emotions in his stomach dissipate considerably, and the fatigue of the past few days was also greatly reduced.
He put down his chopsticks, looked at Lin Yiwan, his eyes full of admiration: "I didn't expect Lingnan to have such delicious food. You've really put your heart into it."
Lin Yiwan raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright: "Although Lingnan is a barren and cold place, it has such delicious ingredients and such intelligent people. If it is under the leadership of capable officials, it will surely be able to reclaim wasteland, plant fruits and vegetables, and build water conservancy projects. In time, Lingnan may very well become a prosperous place."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li's heart stirred.
He knew his daughter all too well; her intelligence was unmatched.
The mention of Lingnan this time suggests there may be other intentions.
He gazed at the Lingnan side dishes on the table, pondered for a moment, and suddenly laughed, "What a prosperous land! Now I understand, this meal wasn't for nothing."
He paused for a moment before raising an eyebrow and asking, "Speak, what do you want? What kind of favor do you desire?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yiwan's smile faded slightly, replaced by a solemn expression.
She gathered her skirts, bowed gracefully to Xiao Li, and said earnestly, almost stubbornly, "Father, you are wise. What I think and desire is not to seek any favor for myself, nor to recommend capable ministers for others, but to plead for Prime Minister Meng and for the hundreds of thousands of people in Lingnan."
Xiao Li paused slightly in his hand holding the celadon teacup. The crisp sound of the lid hitting the cup was particularly clear in the quiet imperial study.
He lowered his eyes to look at the green tea leaves floating in the cup, a knowing glint in his eyes.
He deliberately put on a stern face and said indifferently, "Prime Minister Meng? The evidence of his embezzlement is true. Even if there are other hidden circumstances, he has still committed a serious crime. What else do you want to ask for on his behalf? I remember that although you have a relationship with the Meng family, it has never reached the point of protecting them with such fervor, has it?"
These words carried a hint of probing and a touch of teasing.
Xiao Li looked at his daughter, who had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, and felt helpless.
He knew that Lin Yiwan had a close relationship with Meng Yunshang, the daughter of the Prime Minister, but he never expected that she would personally cook this table of Lingnan dishes for the sake of the Prime Minister, and even speak so frankly in the Imperial Study for a minister who was on the verge of punishment.
Lin Yiwan raised her eyes, her gaze neither humble nor arrogant, every word revealing deep consideration: "Father, it is true that I have a friendship with the Meng family, but my plea for Prime Minister Meng today is by no means solely due to personal relationships. Although Prime Minister Meng has been guilty of negligence, he has served as an official for decades, holding a central position and assisting Father in stabilizing the court. He is already thoroughly familiar with matters of state and the people's livelihood."
"Lingnan has been impoverished for many years, and the problem is not just natural disasters, but also man-made disasters. Local officials are incompetent and do nothing, and powerful gentry are seizing land. The people have no land to cultivate and no food to eat, which is why there are disasters every year and people ask for relief every year."
She paused, looked at the plate of lychee flesh on the table, and her voice became more earnest: "When I was young, I traveled to Lingnan with my maternal grandfather and saw with my own eyes the people there. Even though they were starving, they still worked hard in the fields. They just suffered because they had no one to guide them or support them."
"Although the Prime Minister is old, he has a sincere heart for the country and the people, and he also has the foresight to govern the country. If we send him to Lingnan, he will surely be able to solve the people's plight and share the Emperor's worries. Perhaps in the future you will not only have to eat this lychee flesh, but you can also eat fresh lychees."
The candlelight in the imperial study flickered slightly, casting intermittent light and shadow on Xiao Li's face.
He was well aware of the problems in Lingnan. However, the court was rife with factions, and Lingnan was far from the central government. Most of the local officials were protégés or former subordinates of certain people in the court.
If the Dream Chancellor were to be granted real power rashly, it would likely infringe upon the interests of many and attract considerable criticism. In that case, not only would the Dream Chancellor's position be difficult, but the emperor himself would also be overwhelmed by the memorials from his ministers.
He put down his teacup, tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, and said in a deep voice, "What do you want to say? Speak frankly. I want to hear what kind of idea you, you clever little devil, have come up with this time."
Lin Yiwan was overjoyed, knowing that her father was already moved, and quickly continued, "Your subject humbly requests Your Majesty to grant Prime Minister Meng great military and political power in Lingnan, allowing him to act as he sees fit. Anyone who obstructs disaster relief or annexes land, regardless of their official rank, shall be executed by Prime Minister Meng without prior approval! At the same time, Prime Minister Meng shall be permitted to open granaries in Lingnan to distribute grain, recruit refugees to reclaim wasteland, construct water conservancy projects, and reduce taxes for three years, so that the people can cultivate the land in peace and recuperate."
Xiao Li seemed taken aback by her boldness and called out in a low voice, "Wanwan!"
He frowned and warned, "How can this be allowed? Granting military and political power and permitting to execute first and report later? Do you know how much trouble this will cause? How can those old ministers in the court tolerate a disgraced official holding such power? In the end, their memorials will wear down the threshold of the Imperial Study!"
Lin Yiwan was not afraid at all. Instead, she stepped forward and said in a firm tone, "Father! Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles! The people of Lingnan have suffered for many years and can no longer wait! Meng Xiang is a criminal. He can only clear his name by doing his best. Do you not trust his loyalty? As for the criticism in the court, I believe that when the people of Lingnan are well-fed and clothed and the wasteland is turned into fertile fields, those criticisms will disappear!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she kowtowed heavily to the ground, her forehead pressed against the cold gold brick floor. Her voice was choked with emotion, but still firm: "Your subject is willing to swear on his life that Prime Minister Meng will not fail the Emperor's trust in Lingnan! If Lingnan is still impoverished after three years, your subject is willing to accept punishment together with Prime Minister Meng!"
Xiao Li looked at her bowing and kowtowing, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.
He looked down at the exquisite dishes laid out in front of him, and could picture her busy in the imperial kitchen, her sleeves rolled up.
At this moment, I heard her words, each one a sincere plea for the people.
This girl always manages to touch the softest spot in his heart without him even realizing it.
He was an emperor, but also a father. Seeing Lin Yiwan risk her life for others and for the people, he felt both gratified and heartbroken.
He remained silent for a long time, and the only sounds in the imperial study were the crackling of the candlelight and the occasional chirping of insects outside the window.
Suddenly, Xiao Li sighed, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness, yet also a touch of determination: "You silly girl, I really can't do anything with you. In my entire life, I have never seen anyone like you, who dares to argue so vehemently with me for the sake of others."