Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 521: Do you have any objections?

Chapter 521: Chapter 521: Do you have any objections?

Indeed, Mu Yan looked at the civil and military officials, his voice echoing in the Golden Throne Hall, "I promise you, as long as you work diligently for the country and the people, within three years, based on public opinion, your salaries will only increase, not decrease!"

The civil and military officials looked at each other in astonishment; His Majesty not only won’t decrease their salaries but will increase them.

But where will the silver come from?

Seeming to understand their concerns, Mu Yan’s lips gently curved upward, "The family behind me is the foremost family under heaven. Providing for you for three years is more than sufficient."

The ministers were suddenly shocked; after all, their emperor is the richest in the world!

The officials straightened their backs immediately. With a wealth-rivaling nation emperor, what is there to fear!

Mu Yan looked at the officials’ humorous expressions, his lips slightly raised.

Zhan Lan stifled a laugh, Mu Yan truly can support them, not only support them but support them very well.

Otherwise, how could he have nurtured so many confidants in Western Rong; those insiders contributed significantly during this conquest.

Mu Yan secretly touched Zhan Lan’s hand under his wide sleeve, only then did Zhan Lan’s lips settle down.

Mu Yan continued, "Of course, my beloved ministers, it’s embarrassing to keep feeding you, so I’ve decided: Dayu will not only continue to support land trade but also establish a navy, lift the maritime ban, open waterways, increase trade with overseas nations, supporting merchants in commerce, trading items like silk, ceramics, and gold and silver jewelry with other countries."

Historically, the emperors of Nanjin preferred self-preservation and avoided extensive interactions with other countries, thus enforcing the maritime ban.

Now, Emperor Jian’an wants to lift the ban, which is a great shock to the ministers.

Lu Zhong stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the maritime ban has a long history. We’ve avoided trade and contact with overseas nations as a form of self-protection; please reconsider carefully, Your Majesty!"

Zhong Xuanliang also stepped forward, "Your Majesty, if overseas nations attack us via waterways, we’ll be besieged forcefully; please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

Wang Qingchen stepped forward, expressing a different opinion, "Your Majesty, Dayu’s territory is coastal, the citizens of several coastal cities are fishermen, their lands are barren and life is hard. Allowing fishermen to go to sea to fish and trade will make their lives prosperous. Furthermore, connecting Dayu’s waterways with the Grand Canal will foster commerce; I support Your Majesty’s decision."

Xiao Chen stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I believe it’s inevitable to replace the old with the new; the maritime ban has lasted too long, making fishermen’s lives difficult. I agree with establishing a navy to lift the maritime ban."

Lu Zhong looked at Wang Qingchen in shock, wondering why the usually quiet Wang Qingchen, who does not like to speak much and prefers to work silently, suddenly suggested such a thing today!

Zhong Xuanliang frowned looking at Xiao Chen, surprised that Xiao Chen, whom he considered cautious and thorough in consideration, acted so impulsively!

The ministers expressed their opinions, with conservatives opposing, and progressives supporting the lifting of the ban, quickly dividing into two camps.

Zhan Lan opened her mouth; everyone fell silent immediately, "Dear ministers, what’s beyond the sea remains unknown, but overseas nations haven’t refrained from disturbing us simply because of the maritime ban. In recent years, pirates have repeatedly landed on our islands, killing islanders, and occupying the land; do you think they’ll stop because of the maritime ban?"

The ministers remained silent.

Zhan Lan continued speaking loudly, "They dare to occupy our islands because we haven’t responded at all!"

Her gaze suddenly became sharp, "Vice Minister of War, tell me how many islands we’ve lost!"

Assistant Minister of War Chen Zi nodded, "Reporting to the Empress, in the past three years, pirates have seized five islands from us!"

Zhan Lan saw the ministers’ silence and said coldly, "Why do they occupy our islands—you think their ambitions only extend to these islands? They want our entire Dayu!"

"If we cover our eyes and don’t look, will the pirates stop coming?"

"Will the people be safe if we only use our meager soldiers to watch them at the shores?"

"You retreat a step; they advance a step. Weakness only encourages them to be more rampant!"

Zhan Lan’s words struck a chord with the ministers’ hearts, leaving the entire hall silent. Zhan Lan’s gaze affirmed, "Therefore, I support His Majesty’s decision. Do any of you have objections!"

Zhan Lan’s voice was firm and powerful, moving the ministers. Their previous implementation of the maritime ban was only targeted at civilians, not preventing the pirates at all.

The more they tolerated, the more rampant the pirates became!

The ministers started discussing.

"Those pirates are getting closer to our mainland, and their arrogance is becoming unbearable; one day, they might attack us, so we must take precautions!"

"The Empress speaks the truth!"

Lu Zhong and Zhong Xuanliang looked at each other, feeling shaken by Zhan Lan’s words.

Mu Yan looked at Zhan Lan, realizing she wasn’t speaking impulsively; she had been attentive to the maritime ban all along.

Zhan Lan’s perspective isn’t limited to ordinary women, her vision rivaling even some men, sharing a similar strategic outlook as him.

Mu Yan raised his hand, and the ministers stopped their discussion.

Mu Yan’s gaze dropped down, speaking loudly, "I’ve made a firm decision with the Empress; this matter is not up for debate!"

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

Mu Yan’s expression became solemn, "After the battle with Western Rong, my Empress led the Zhan Family Army to tremendous victories. The Zhan Family Army made sacrifices; I want to reward the whole army and promote all the Zhan Family Army achievers."

"Zhan Beicang, Zhan Hui, step forward!"

The father and son stepped forward, Mu Yan raised his hand and said, "Zhan Beicang’s achievements are outstanding; he is enfeoffed as Duke Xun. Zhan Hui fought bravely; he is enfeoffed as Marquis Zhongyong. All Zhan Family Army soldiers involved in this bloody battle will rise by one rank."

Zhan Beicang and Zhan Hui felt deep emotion; Zhan Lan stifled her joy because, indeed, her father and brother deserved these honors long ago.

The civil and military officials knew that Emperor Xuanwu had always suppressed the Zhan Family, but these hard-won achievements deserve their rightful recognition; no one envied them.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers shouted in unison.

Mu Yan’s voice turned heavy as he continued, "Tomorrow is the day Old General Zhan Xinzhang will be buried. Old General Zhan died for the people, living a life on the battlefield with illustrious accomplishments. I posthumously enfeoff Old General Zhan as Duke Zhen and build a statue of him in the city, allowing his name to be praised through generations."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers shouted in unison.

Zhan Lan’s hand lightly touched Mu Yan’s hand under the long robe, and Mu Yan gently clasped her hand.

Zhan Lan felt moved, for Mu Yan was thinking about her family, thinking about her grandfather.

Mu Yan looked at a corner in the hall, where someone was gazing down at their finger, seemingly lost in thought.

Mu Yan averted his gaze from him, looking at the ministers, "I have one more matter!"