Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1039: Chapter 1039: Short of People

The guard replied, ”Not just for a century, the Yao family has always been in the capital.”

Prince Liang naturally knew that in the latter part of the previous dynasty, the Yao family held military power, so if anything happened in the capital, the Yao family should know about it.

However, thinking of how his father, the Emperor, had dealt with Yao Wenqi some days ago, Prince Liang’s lips curled into a smirk, not forgetting about Yao Zheyu.

Zhou Shuren had entered the palace; he had submitted a Zhezi this morning, and the Emperor had summoned him.

When Zhou Shuren arrived, Eunuch Liu indicated that there were people in the inner hall, so Zhou Shuren could only wait in the outer hall. After waiting for a while, the doors to the inner hall opened, and Zhou Shuren saw Yao Zheyu coming out.

Yao Zheyu today caught Zhou Shuren’s attention for a few extra moments. Yao Zheyu had shaken off his previous degenerate air, his eyes shining once again, and he even greeted Zhou Shuren with a smile, ”Minister Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Princely Heir Yao.”

Yao Zheyu gestured that Minister Zhou should go in, as the Emperor was waiting.

Zhou Shuren nodded and walked toward the inner hall. After a few steps, he couldn’t help but look back. Yao Zheyu’s continuously bending spine was straight again. Before he could fully understand what was happening, he had already stepped into the inner hall, ”Your servant pays his respects to the Emperor.”

The Emperor’s voice was grave, ”Rise.”

Zhou Shuren was a bit slow in his movements, but he didn’t upset the Emperor. His Zhezi was about establishing new departments in the Ministry of Revenue. There were many departments in the Ministry already, but they were still too chaotic. He wanted to slowly refine them, not just for efficiency but also for clarity of positions.

Thus, the suppressed fury of the Emperor was related to Yao Zheyu.

The Emperor took the Zhezi and handed it to Zhou Shuren, ”I have read your memorandum, and I understand your points, but my dear minister, now is not the time to establish them.”

He naturally knew the benefits of meticulous organization, but the problem was, sheer lack of people; that was it, a shortage of personnel. His several purges had resulted in this situation. Of course, if he were to employ some ineffective children of noble families, the problem could be resolved, but he was unwilling to do so. He had been eager to clean out the worms, so why would he continue to let them in?

Just thinking about how the merely competent people he had taken years to cultivate were mere pawns made the Emperor feel like vomiting blood.

Zhou Shuren initially didn’t understand. It was just a matter of dividing duties, so why was the timing wrong? Observing the Emperor’s expression, he got it—the Emperor still had a list, hence the shortage of staff.

Zhou Shuren said, ”Your servant understands.”

The Emperor, thinking of the provincial examination, had a trace of a smile on his face, ”For many years since the founding of our dynasty, we have focused on recuperation and reproduction. Now the children born since have grown up. This year’s children’s test went well; I am looking forward to this year’s provincial examination.”

Zhou Shuren’s lips curled up slightly. Everyone loved the strength of the nation, ”Your servant is looking forward to it as well.”

The Emperor chatted with Zhou Shuren for a bit, feeling somewhat lighter, ”I heard your son has left the capital?”

Zhou Shuren was speechless; why was it always ’heard’? His residence was right under the Emperor’s nose, ”Yes, this year several Scholars from the Zhou clan will participate in the provincial exam, so they went back earlier to exchange knowledge.”

The Emperor knew how much Zhou Shuren had invested in his family, the rise of the Zhou clan depended on Zhou Shuren, ”You haven’t gone back for many years yourself, have you?”

Zhou Shuren paused, a hint of sadness on his face, ”Indeed, since leaving, I have never returned. For each major family event or ancestral sacrifice, it has always been my eldest brother and a few others going back.”

The Emperor, after hearing this, had no intention of letting Zhou Shuren leave the capital. If something happened to Zhou Shuren, who would manage the silver for him? Since Zhou Shuren had joined the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Qing had been relieved, and he more so.

Zhou Shuren waited for a while, but the Emperor did not speak, ”....”

If the man in front of him weren’t the Emperor, he would hardly be able to resist punching someone!

A quarter of an hour later, after the Emperor waited for Zhou Shuren to leave, Eunuch Liu saw the Emperor’s signal for him to go out and quickly slipped away.

Eunuch Liu estimated the time, wondering why the Crown Prince had not yet returned!

The Emperor, left alone in the hall, thought back on Yao Zheyu’s words. Yao Zheyu, after following a person back to the Hou Residence, dared not apprehend anyone, but he had figured out the location.

The Emperor closed his eyes, then opened them quickly; his eyes were cold and devoid of any emotion. He wanted to see if the person was who he suspected.

When school was over, inside the Zhou family’s carriage, Mingyun clutched an invitation in his hand while Ming Teng curiously asked, ”Big brother, who gave you the invitation? Let your little brother have a look, okay?”

Mingyun handed over the invitation, and upon opening it, Ming Teng’s eyes lit up. ”Brother, they’re inviting you to go horseback riding. Brother, take me with you, please.”

Jiang Zhu’s heart stirred. He had never ridden a horse before and turned to look at his older cousin.

Boys of the Zhou family all had an equestrian interest, none of them physically weak, and they loved horseback riding. The family owned several horses, but they lacked quality steeds; they were all retired horses, and the stable was too small, allowing only for gentle rides, which wasn’t thrilling for the boys.

The horse racing field in the capital was no small place. It was not only spacious, but the horses there were fine steeds from all regions. The young masters of the capital all loved going there.

Mingyun was tempted and liked the idea too, but he ultimately put away the invitation, ”Riding horses outside is too dangerous. It’s not allowed.”

Ming Teng wanted to argue but, meeting his older brother’s cold gaze, he swallowed his words, still feeling unwilling.

Back at the residence, Ming Teng headed straight to the main courtyard after getting off the carriage. Ming Rui looked at his older brother, ”Second brother must have gone to see our grandmother.”

Mingyun didn’t think their grandmother would be easy to persuade, ”Grandmother is very principled.”

Ming Rui felt disappointed; he also wanted to ride, to ride fine horses. He sighed in resignation.

Mingyun couldn’t help but smile. He liked the current Ming Rui, who previously worried about too much and bore too many responsibilities. Ever since his second uncle became an official, Ming Rui had been more fitting for his age, becoming livelier.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan listened to Ming Teng ramble about horses, and when he finished, she finally spoke, ”Your elder brother is right; riding horses is too dangerous.”

If something were to happen, Mingyun’s safety was not something to gamble with, and Ming Teng, even more so, was not permitted to go. She wouldn’t want Ming Teng to harm himself; the boy was daring, and faced with a good horse, he would challenge it.

Ming Teng’s last hope was extinguished. Once grandmother spoke against it, there really was no chance, ”Grandmother, I’ll go back now.”

Zhulan interjected, ”Actually, riding horses is not entirely out of the question.”

Ming Teng abruptly looked up, ”Anything you ask, grandmother, I will agree to.”

”It’s not that difficult. Place in the top three in class ’Yi’, and when Yang Wen arrives, let him take you to the manor to ride.”

Ming Teng jumped up, excited at the opportunity to ride a horse. Then he paused, ”Is Brother Yang Wen coming?”

”Mhm, he should be arriving soon.”

As Zhou Shuren left the government office, he encountered the Crown Prince. Coincidentally, they were heading in the same direction.