Volume One, Chapter 15: A Furious Tirade

“Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely improper!”
“Your Majesty, the noble titles of our Great Qian dynasty have been passed down for over a hundred years; the ancestral system must not be altered, lest it destabilizes the very foundation of Great Qian...”
“I, your humble servant, implore Your Majesty to rescind this decree...”

Those of clan lineage below all protested vehemently. Many ministers knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces, repeatedly kowtowing.

Especially the two chancellors on either side exchanged a glance and then spoke in unison, earnestly urging the Empress to withdraw her edict.

Gong Yuyan observed the uproar below with a flicker of self-mockery in her eyes.

Could it be that she was truly so inept? She had failed to wield the knife against the clans, and now even a modest cut to expenditures could not be enforced?

With this thought, a cold gleam blossomed in her gaze, and a murderous intent surged forth.

Under this fierce aura, the ministers gradually fell silent, each casting uncertain, wary looks upward toward the Empress.

Those with martial prowess unmistakably sensed the deadly intent radiating from her.

Gong Yuyan fixed her stare on the assembly below and spoke slowly and deliberately: “I am merely trimming some unnecessary expenditures projected decades into the future. Yet your reactions are so vehement. Minister of Revenue, step forward!”

The Minister of Revenue’s heart jolted. Summoning his courage, he emerged from the ranks of officials.

This man was Lin Dongyang of the Lin family, a second-rank official of Great Qian.

The Ministry of Revenue was among the most crucial departments within the Six Ministries, responsible for approving all court expenditures—effectively the treasury and finance department of the realm.

“Lin Dongyang, stand here and recite aloud last year’s treasury income and expenses. Highlight especially the number of empty salaries and the sums involved, so that all may listen well!”

Beneath her controlled fury, the ministers averted their gaze.

In truth, everyone understood they were vested interests; naturally, they opposed any policy changes. At this moment, they had no choice but to react.

Lin Dongyang, vexed, forced himself to speak: “Last year, the national treasury of Great Qian accumulated revenues of three million three hundred thousand taels of silver, with expenditures totaling three million two hundred fifty thousand taels. Those holding noble titles numbered thirty-five thousand, among whom twenty-three thousand were viscounts and barons. The total outlay was eight hundred thirty thousand taels, with viscounts and barons accounting for four hundred fifty thousand taels. The treasury surplus was less than one hundred thousand taels. If this continues, even without natural disasters, the treasury will soon be insolvent...”

These words stunned the ministers, who exchanged incredulous glances.

None had anticipated that so many titled individuals were drawing salaries without contributing.

They were all intelligent men; with such clear facts presented, they keenly grasped the problem: the court was running out of money.

No funds remained to disburse!

Merely paying the titled nobility consumed over a quarter of the treasury’s annual income—a figure that had risen alarmingly from about one-tenth in the past.

It was truly unsustainable.

All eyes turned toward the two chancellors, Lin Shian and Lu Yunqing.

Neither said a word, bowing their heads and avoiding the Empress’s gaze.

Their silence spoke volumes—if this were falsehood, they would be the first to protest.

Even these two most esteemed ministers recognized the stark truth: the court was broke.

Perhaps now they would have to concede.

When the treasury was empty, no number of noble titles mattered.

Better to yield some ground and allow the Empress to pare down expenses, especially since these were future costs that would not undermine the foundation.

Even the late Emperor Qian would have done the same.

Li Xian had struck at the heart of the problem, knowing such a policy could be implemented precisely because it was a soft blow.

This policy was hardly a knife to the clans, merely a sensible strategy to balance the court’s finances.

Li Xian, well-read in history, understood how clans historically had latched onto the court like parasites, endlessly breeding offspring who inherited titles and drew stipends without contributing.

This plague had troubled many dynasties, and after generations of trial and error, such measures were devised.

Namely, to reduce noble titles by downgrading those who inherited without merit by one rank.

This policy was no panacea but at least could cut unnecessary spending significantly.

“Last year, a snow disaster struck. The Ministry of Revenue urgently allocated fifty thousand taels of silver from the treasury to the disaster areas. Of this, thirty thousand taels ended up in certain hands. Some concealed or falsified the deaths of disaster victims, painting an illusion of peace and stability. Do you truly think I am unaware of these deeds? Some of you have great audacity!”

Gong Yuyan’s cold gaze swept the assembly; the Empress’s wrath commanded immense authority.

Not a single official dared utter a word.

Neither chancellor made a sound, thus no one else dared speak either.

Yet a flicker of light appeared in the left chancellor’s eyes.

This matter had been the doing of one of his own men.

Upon discovery, he was furious and had the culprit quietly dealt with, later replenishing most of the funds to the disaster zone. He had not expected the Empress to know everything.

He was no fool; embezzling disaster relief funds, even by his own men, was intolerable.

Otherwise, it would directly corrode the very foundation of Great Qian.

As a clan reliant on the court, he did not wish to see Great Qian decline.

The more prosperous the court, the safer and more flourishing they would be.

Yet the incident was done—the deaths of thousands of disaster victims left a stain despite his cleanup efforts. The right chancellor likely held much evidence, poised to strike him with thunderous authority when the opportunity arose.

Lu Yunqing glanced at Lin Shian with a smile, as if enjoying the spectacle, clearly aware of the affair.

“And now, the treasury is nearly empty, expenditures exceeding income. Coupled with relentless natural disasters, the need for funds is urgent. I am only trimming some future costs projected decades ahead, yet your reactions are so fierce. Could it be you intend to bankrupt the treasury, forcing the court into collapse? Or perhaps some among you have already colluded with the factions of Gong Xiao or even the neighboring states of Qi and Chu? Do you truly seek to kill me, to drag down all of Great Qian?!”

The Empress’s words struck the ministers with a shock that reverberated through the hall.

At once, all knelt in submission.