Xiao Qing and the other two stared at Liang Xiao in stunned silence.
He was still grinning?
Liang Xiao sat back in his seat and chuckled as if nothing had happened, "Little Shuangzi, whatever I said just now, you absolutely must not let your Imperial Sister know."
At that moment, a surge of impulse rose within Xiao Qing, making him wish he could pin Liang Xiao down and spank his backside with an inkstone!
He was furious!
Xiao Qing's mind raced, and he said with a smile, "Why don't you tell her yourself?"
Liang Xiao jumped, "No, no, no, I'm afraid she'll get a whim and try to trip me up. You know girls can't be provoked, especially pampered ones like her."
Veins bulged on Xiao Qing's forehead, and Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun were also struggling to contain themselves.
"Either I go tell the Imperial Sister, or you go communicate with her yourself. If the Imperial Sister finds out what you just said, who knows how she'll react. For instance, she might suddenly decide to make you her consort, preventing you from marrying your fiancée. To continue the imperial lineage, I'd have no choice but to go along with her wishes," Xiao Qing said.
Liang Xiao's expression changed, and a fawning smile appeared on his face.
"No, no, no, let's talk. I'll find some time to properly communicate with her myself..."
Only then did Xiao Qing's eyebrows unfurl into a smile, "You know what's good for you! As for taking an official post..."
Liang Xiao readily agreed, "I promise, Little Shuangzi."
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao with suspicion.
"Why, have you suddenly changed your ways?"
"Because I remembered my promise to you..." Liang Xiao's gaze suddenly deepened, and he murmured to himself, "Little Shuangzi, as long as I'm here, you won't be alone anymore."
The unexpected promise made Xiao Qing unable to hold back. Tears involuntarily welled up and streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto the table.
I am no longer alone.
"Oh dear, don't cry, I'm not one to break my word. After all, you're my dear Little Shuangzi," Liang Xiao exclaimed in surprise, quickly trying to comfort him.
"Brother finally has some conscience..." Xiao Qing wiped away his tears, his voice choked with emotion, "Choose one between the Vice Minister of Works and the Minister of Personnel. If I could be Minister of Personnel, that would be even better!"
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun's breath hitched.
Minister of Personnel?!
Liang Xiao's brow twitched, "Minister of Personnel is definitely out!"
"Why not?" Xiao Qing felt a pang of disappointment.
Liang Xiao reminded him, "It's not a time of grave crisis now. Even if you want to make unconventional appointments, you have to consider the court officials and the opinions of the common people. Da Qian has so many deeply entrenched aristocratic families; even if you want to rectify the bureaucracy, you can't rush it, or it will backfire!"
Hearing Liang Xiao speak so earnestly, Xiao Qing was overjoyed. On the surface, however, he feigned displeasure, "Then it's Vice Minister of Works?"
"Let's agree upfront, I'll contribute ideas but not effort. I can offer good strategies and guide the details, but I really don't want to deal with administrative琐事 (suǒshì - trivial matters) or waste time attending court sessions!" Liang Xiao said helplessly.
A silence fell over the imperial study.
Attending court sessions, such a major event, was considered a waste of time to him?
Xiao Qing pondered for a moment before speaking, "Brother, you can rest assured! The court won't overwork you. We'll have Zhang Yang join the Ministry of Works with you and act on your behalf, how about that?"
Liang Xiao was overjoyed and excitedly grasped Xiao Qing's hand, "Little Shuangzi truly has the makings of a wise ruler! The court needs talents like Zhang Yang to cover for me... ahem, no, to help you with the work!"
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun trembled, wishing they could jump up and kick Liang Xiao.
If you want to praise, then praise, but why must you still call him Little Shuangzi!
At that moment, Zhang Yang, who was listening to Wang Canghai's teachings with others, suddenly covered his mouth and sneezed, "My apologies, my apologies!"
Xiao Qing's cheeks flushed, his heart filled with sweetness.
He had finally, facing my imperial identity, praised me properly!
Even though he was still as shameless as ever, and poor Zhang Yang.
"In a few days, when the weather by the river warms up, I hope Brother can accompany your Little Shuangzi to enjoy the river scenery," Xiao Qing said, his heart filled with trepidation, not daring to look at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
Xiao Qing was secretly delighted and continued, "The contractual tax and the屯田 (túntián - land reclamation for farming) proposed by Brother are simply brilliant. When the Prime Minister promotes them, I'll still need to consult with you."
Liang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "That's fine!屯田 is to increase grain revenue, and contractual tax is like 'plucking the most goose feathers with the least goose honking'! If you think three in a thousand is too much, you can consider two in a thousand. When the country has more money, it can be changed to one in a thousand."
A flicker of joy appeared in the eyes of Xiao Qing and the other two.
Plucking the most goose feathers with the least goose honking!
The analogy was quite fitting.
The common people could also choose not to go through the government and thus not pay the contractual tax, but these contracts might lack legal basis and lead to unexpected issues.
The vast majority of people, for the security of their property, would surely be willing to spend a little money to have the government authenticate various receipts, land deeds, and promissory notes, a win-win situation.
This was a good tax. As long as it wasn't excessively exploitative, it wouldn't shake the foundation of the country and could lead to a reasonable surge in fiscal revenue!
As for屯田, Xiao Qing was already eager to try implementing it!
"As long as Brother is willing, you can take on the responsibilities of Minister of Personnel at any time," Xiao Qing said, in high spirits.
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded.
After Ding Wuyi saw Liang Xiao off, Xiao Qing silently looked at Liang Xiao's five answers, tears welling up in his eyes.
After a moment, Xiao Qing suddenly collapsed onto the desk and wept uncontrollably.
Ning Xuejun gently patted Xiao Qing's shoulder, her eyes also filled with tears.
She naturally understood that the Sovereign was crying tears of joy.
But now, Ning Xuejun couldn't help but worry about Liang Xiao's condition.
Compared to Liang Xiao's marriage, his injuries were the real trouble and needed to be healed as soon as possible.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In the selection of talent for state affairs, I am greatly pleased to receive excellent strategies! The overall champion, Liang Xiao, is truly a rare genius, worthy of his title. He is to be exceptionally appointed as Vice Minister of Works, with special privileges, allowing him to forgo bowing in audience and to freely attend court sessions. Zhang Yang shall serve as Director of Land in the Ministry of Works. Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, and Li Xiuyun shall also have appointments tomorrow, with ranks no lower than Director of Land! The rest shall be registered and considered for future employment. Respect this decree."
As the chief eunuch read the imperial edict, those kneeling outside the hall were all astounded, looking towards Liang Xiao.
Liang Qing, Zhuo Zifang, and Luo Changfeng, who had been standing guard, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed His Majesty still valued Liang Xiao greatly!
But to appoint him as Vice Minister of Works, such a high-ranking official, right from the start?
That was a third-rank official, and the aristocratic families would definitely have opinions!
As expected, after the edict was read, He Wanli was the first to protest.
"I beg Your Majesty to reconsider! Liang Xiao was originally a commoner. How can he be directly appointed to a position as high as Vice Minister of the Six Ministries! He should be given a minor post first, for ten years or so of experience, and then be considered for promotion based on his performance!"
Dugu Qun and others echoed his sentiments.
Dugu Qun was particularly enraged at this moment.
The policies of屯田 and contractual tax were all unsuitable for the Barbarian Lands!
If Liang Xiao gained power in the future, he would inevitably be a proponent of war, which would severely affect their interests!
Wang Canghai frowned and said sternly, "Liang Xiao won the championship in all five tests and proposed two brilliant national policies. Appointing him as Vice Minister of Works is perfectly acceptable. My lords, you are being overly concerned. His Majesty's 'National Affairs Selection of Talent' is precisely for discovering and exceptionally appointing rare talents. We all agreed and fully supported this before; why change our minds now?"
Ouyang Ji and others were still unwilling to give up and argued.
"Who dares to doubt Your Majesty's sagacity? This treasure sword at my waist can execute first and report later."
At this moment, Ding Wuyi walked over from a distance, his gaze sharp.
The crowd dared not voice any further objections.
While they could bully Wang Canghai and the others as fellow members of the Four Grand Ministers, Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, the two shadow guard commanders, truly held the power of life and death!
After Wang Canghai dismissed the crowd, he cupped his hands towards Liang Xiao and said, "Young Master Liang Er... hmm, I should call you Vice Minister Liang. May I have a word with you? I have a few points I don't understand and am eager to ask, especially about your relationship with His Majesty. I also have something to tell you."