Chapter 190

Chapter 190

The Minister of Revenue and others were filled with envy. While they, too, had received imperial favors, the Emperor’s clear favoritism towards Meng Shuping at this moment still pricked them with a touch of jealousy.

They watched Meng Shuping with keen curiosity, wondering what he would request: a promotion, a noble title, a mansion, land, or perhaps some imperial treasure?

Meng Shuping, too, was in a quandary. "I wonder if I could ask for an imperial pardon? I’ve offended so many people; what if someone frames me someday? At least I’d have a lifesaver!"

Emperor Qianyou raised an eyebrow, ready to grant the request the moment Meng Shuping spoke. Unexpectedly, Meng Shuping quickly changed his mind. "No, no, the Emperor is already petty enough. What if he thinks I’m mocking him for being small-minded?"

"Besides, even if he dares to let me ask for anything, I don’t dare to speak recklessly. What if he couldn't deliver? Wouldn’t that make him lose face? I’m not stupid—I won’t do something that might offend my boss, especially when that boss holds the power of life and death. If I embarrass him, won’t he hold it against me forever?"

Emperor Qianyou took a deep breath. *He* was petty? Meng Shuping had offended him so many times, and he had never held it against him. How could he be considered small-minded?

Forget it. Meng Shuping had made significant contributions this time, so he wouldn’t bother arguing. He’d just wait and see what else Meng Shuping wanted.

The Minister of Revenue and the others grew anxious. What did he mean by "not stupid"? Since the Emperor had asked, how could he possibly not deliver? Meng Shuping should just ask boldly! Maybe the Emperor would agree!

At that moment, Meng Shuping continued to hesitate. "Come to think of it, I don’t even have a house in the capital. Would it be possible to ask for a mansion?"

Just as Emperor Qianyou began considering which property would be suitable to reward Meng Shuping, he heard Meng Shuping’s voice again. "But that probably won’t work either, right? The Emperor is so stingy—even when rewarding me with silver, he’s always been tightfisted. Would he really be willing to give me a house? Even a single-courtyard residence in the inner city costs thousands of silver taels!"

"Maybe I should just ask for silver. My request isn’t too high—five hundred silver taels, no, three hundred silver taels would be enough. Surely, he wouldn’t begrudge me that much?"

Emperor Qianyou looked at Meng Shuping helplessly, wondering if he had been too harsh before. In Meng Shuping’s eyes, was he really that stingy?

The Minister of Revenue and the others were utterly exasperated. Wasn’t Meng Shuping usually quite fond of money? Why was he asking for so little now? Couldn’t he be a bit more ambitious?

They started offering suggestions. "Director Meng, don’t you still lack a private residence? Given your achievements this time, as long as you ask, the Emperor will surely agree!"

"I think a manor would be good too—it could generate substantial annual income."

"Failing that, gold, silver, or jewels would also be acceptable!"

At the very least, he shouldn’t ask for only three hundred silver taels—that would be such a waste!

Seeing how much more anxious they were than him, Meng Shuping was puzzled. "Wait... It’s not like the Emperor is rewarding them—why are they giving me advice?"

"Ah… I get it now!" thought Meng Shuping.

"The Emperor’s question must have been a test, right? I knew he couldn’t suddenly be so generous. It was all a trap! Good thing I didn’t fall for it, or I’d have been in big trouble."

"In court politics, the biggest taboo is becoming arrogant because of one’s achievements. How could I let a few days of showing off outside go to my head? If the Emperor gives me an inch, should I really take a mile?"

"No, no, I need to reflect on myself. I’m just a humble Director of the Board of Revenue. They might flatter me, but I can’t lose sight of my own worth."

"So, the correct response at this moment should be…"

Meng Shuping cleared his throat and declared righteously, "It is my duty to share Your Majesty’s burdens. How could I ask for a reward? However, since I’ve been away for so long without rest, if Your Majesty insists on rewarding me, I would humbly request ten days of leave with full pay."

"Hehe, I’m such a smart cookie! With this, my intention to take it easy should be obvious, right? Besides, who doesn’t love leave with full pay?"

The Minister of Revenue and the others almost had a stroke. Was that what they meant? Did Meng Shuping not realize how much the Emperor favored him?

Emperor Qianyou was also almost amused by Meng Shuping’s antics. He was being genuinely generous, and this brat didn’t even appreciate it? And after all that effort, he was still thinking about slacking off?

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Very well. Beloved Minister Meng is truly dedicated to serving the court. Since Beloved Minister Meng does not want a reward, so be it. After tomorrow’s Morning Court, you may rest at home."

After all, he still had his son. If Meng Shuping wanted something, he could just have Jiang Cihe give it to him.

Completely unaware of what he had missed, Meng Shuping delightedly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"I knew the Emperor was too stingy to suddenly be so generous. Good thing I passed the test!"

The Minister of Revenue and the others glanced at Meng Shuping speechlessly. Was it possible that the Emperor had genuinely intended to reward him?

Since he hadn’t needed to wake up early while traveling, Meng Shuping struggled to get out of bed the next day. Half-asleep, he stood in his designated spot, only half-paying attention to a minister’s report while complaining internally, "The Emperor is really something. If he’s already given me ten days off, why force me to attend this Morning Court? It’s not like the court can’t function without me."

Emperor Qianyou couldn’t resist glancing at Meng Shuping. While it was true that the court wouldn’t collapse without him, today’s session really couldn’t proceed without Meng Shuping. He didn’t want to delay matters for another ten days.

After the minister below finished his report, Emperor Qianyou said, "Beloved Ministers, if I recall correctly, last time you said that if Beloved Minister Meng could collect all the overdue taxes from his own clan, you would not oppose including tax collection in the performance assessments. Is that correct?"

The court officials exchanged glances. They had heard rumors that Meng Shuping had been putting pressure on local influential families wherever he went, but had he actually succeeded?

When no one spoke, Emperor Qianyou turned to Meng Shuping. "Beloved Minister Meng, report on your tax collection efforts."

Meng Shuping then took out his ledger and read aloud the details of the tax collections. Finding no faults in the records, some ministers couldn’t help but eye Meng Shuping with apprehension. Even his own clan members hadn’t been spared—Meng Shuping was a ruthless operator.

Unexpectedly, the Vice Minister of Personnel suddenly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

Emperor Qianyou looked at him. "Vice Minister Wu, what is it?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel glanced at Meng Shuping. "Your Majesty, I wish to accuse Director Meng of abusing his power for personal gain, engaging in misconduct, and acting arbitrarily under the guise of his official duties during the tax collection process!"

Meng Shuping was startled and sighed inwardly. "Not again? I just got back! What’s wrong with these people? Can’t they let me rest before accusing me?"

"Seriously, did the Emperor foresee that someone would accuse me today and specifically summon me here? Sigh, I knew I shouldn’t get too carried away. Look, I haven’t even done anything, and someone’s already accusing me of manipulating power. If I were any more high-profile, would they accuse me of plotting treason?"

"Cough, cough, cough!" Several people coughed abruptly. Emperor Qianyou looked at Meng Shuping in disbelief. How could anyone believe that Meng Shuping, who was always thinking about slacking off, would plot treason?

Expressionless, he said, "Then, Vice Minister Wu, please elaborate on what Beloved Minister Meng has done."

Meng Shuping was also curious. "Yes, yes, what exactly did I do? I didn’t even know! Did I accept bribes?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel replied, "Your Majesty, I heard that Director Meng, after a disagreement with a man on the street, falsely accused the man’s family of tax delinquency, resulting in their property being seized and the family punished accordingly. Is this not an abuse of power for personal gain?"

Emperor Qianyou was genuinely surprised. "Is this true?"

He didn’t believe Meng Shuping would do such a thing. What surprised him was that even when Meng Shuping was away, his knack for making enemies remained undiminished. He wondered what had actually happened.

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but retort, "That’s ridiculous! Who said we had a disagreement?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel sneered. "No disagreement? Director Meng, are you trying to say it wasn’t you who ordered the confiscation?"

Meng Shuping explained seriously, "What I mean is, we came to blows immediately—there was no argument at all!"

"He didn’t even get his facts straight, and he has the nerve to accuse me? I mean, the charges he’s leveling against me are completely baseless, aren’t they?"

"Pft!" The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice couldn’t help but laugh. They spoke up one after another. "Minister Wu, isn’t it too rash to accuse Director Meng without verifying the basic facts?"

"Exactly! Perhaps Minister Wu should investigate further and return to report to His Majesty after clarifying the matter?"

"Hmph, I didn’t realize Minister Wu, who remains in the capital, could get wind of Director Meng’s activities elsewhere. Could it be mere hearsay?"

"Preposterous! Absolutely preposterous! Minister Wu’s actions make me doubt whether he handles his usual duties in the same manner!"

The Vice Minister of Personnel didn’t expect the criticism to turn back on him. Angrily, he said, "Director Meng, stop deflecting. Whether it was a disagreement or a physical fight, doesn’t it prove that Director Meng had a personal vendetta against this man and thus abused his power to punish the entire family?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t resist adding, "Minister Wu is wrong again. I didn’t punish the entire family—just the majority of them."

"I don’t mean to nitpick, but could he be more precise with his words? Who punished the entire family? And he’s the Vice Minister of Personnel—does he report to the Emperor in this careless way? How can the Emperor tolerate it?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel was furious. Couldn’t Meng Shuping stop picking apart semantic quibbles? Was it even important?

Impatiently, he asked, "So, Director Meng confesses to abusing his power for personal gain?"