Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1372: Monopolize

Chapter 1372: Chapter 1372: Monopolize

The final result was that Mingyun and Ming Jung won together. Ming Teng and his group thought they had the advantage, utterly forgetting that Mingyun was nearly the Top scorer, talented in every aspect, and chose Ming Jung simply because he didn’t want to bully anyone.

Ming Jung was just along for the ride, accompanying her uncle in watching the big brother battle against the other brothers.

Liufeng and Wong Wei lasted the longest, followed by the team of Ming Rui and Ming Hui, with Ming Teng and Ming Jia being the first to be eliminated. Ming Feng being too young, doesn’t count.

Ming Teng hugged Ming Feng, "It’s too tragic, too tragic."

Wong Wei and Liufeng were somewhat disheartened. Despite their efforts, they knew about the fierce competition in the previous top-score list and were aware of their impressive uncle who had fought his way to second-place scholar, but they had always been striving hard too.

Mingyun happily collected the bets. His official salary was too modest, and even with his monthly allowance, times were tight. Finally, during the New Year when they preyed on the wealthy, and with another young one to support next year, he couldn’t afford to go easy for Silver!

Mingyun’s eyes sparkled. Liufeng bet the least, Wong Wei considered Liufeng when betting, Ming Teng was like a gold mine with his silver ingots, and both Ming Rui and Ming Jia had Silver too.

Mingyun gathered the Silver, his face remaining calm despite the active excitement inside, "Shall we continue?"

Ming Teng twitched the corner of his mouth, "Is this the intellectual crush grandma talked about? The toughest questions and big brother can answer them all, ’Do you think we’re stupid?’"

Mingyun gave his brother a look, implying he’s not so bright.

Ming Teng, "..."

That’s my big brother, my own brother, alright, he can’t argue against him, nor dare to start a fight!

Ming Jung laughed merrily, "Big brother, where’s my Silver?"

Mingyun turned his head, "Did you say a word just now?"

"No, none."

Mingyun hummed and stopped looking at Ming Jung.

Ming Jung’s face suddenly changed, pointing at his big brother, "Ah, ah! Big brother is lying about not wanting to bully anyone. You just wanted to hog all the Silver!"

Chang Xhong chuckled, "Still not dumb enough!"

Ming Teng also laughed, "This little dummy only just realized it."

Ming Hui couldn’t stop laughing, wrapping his arm around Ming Jung, "You’re only a bit talented in studies, still quite dim in other things."

Next door, Zhou Shuren and his sons also heard the commotion from the other side, and then Ming Jung’s angry voice, "Big brother is bullying, let’s beat him up!"

Zhou Eldest barely held onto his cards, his youngest son is so daring now, and he wouldn’t even dare to hit his eldest!

Chang Yi grinned, "Certainly, no one dared to really do it."

Just then, the door opened, and Ming Jung ran in, "Dad, look at your eldest son, he’s swallowing my Silver."

He was really upset, as happy as he was earlier, now he was equally angry!

Zhou Eldest affectionately patted his youngest son’s head, Chang Zhi laughed, "Your dad wouldn’t dare."

Zhou Shuren coughed, "Do I really have no presence now?"

Ming Jung looked at his dad disappointedly, right, in front of big brother, dad is absolutely a loving father, "Grandpa, big brother is bullying me."

Zhou Shuren cheerfully took the little plump hand, "Come on, grandpa will take you to settle scores."

Zhou Eldest and his brothers looked at each other, why wasn’t dad playing with them anymore? Because now they play very childishly, this silly youngster, Ming Jung!

The final result was that Zhulan twisted Zhou Shuren’s ear, "You really do have a way, actually bullying your grandson."

Ming Jung cried terribly, even holding the silver did not soothe her.

Zhou Shuren felt wronged, "Didn’t I return all the silver?"

"You still think you have a reason?"

Zhou Shuren smiled apologetically, "Oh dear, I was just trying to tell them not to get too carried away, as there are better people out there."

Zhulan was furious, her face turning red today, mainly because she had daughters-in-law and even grandchildren’s wives!

At the first Imperial court session after the New Year, Zhou Shuren thought it would end quickly without major issues like previous years, but his expectations were cut short when he heard someone make a proposal, invigorating the normally unenthusiastic ministers present at the dawn meeting.

Mr. Chang shivered under everyone’s gaze, still biting his teeth to hold on, "The Grassland Tribe has been in the capital for several days. I was in charge of receiving them. The various tribes of the grasslands questioned me about provisions, they no longer believe my words, I am truly incapable."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows; the tribal people did not make trouble before the New Year, but became unrestrained after the start of the year. He wondered if Mr. Chang took some benefits, or it was the Emperor’s instruction — it must have been the latter’s instruction, otherwise, at the starting session of the year, Mr. Chang would not be this foolish.

The Emperor pondered, "You have all heard Mr. Chang’s words, what are your thoughts, beloved ministers?"

This issue had never been brought up in the imperial court previously, the Emperor had been suppressing it; the ministers stayed silent knowing the implication too well—the Emperor obviously didn’t want to provide much help, or else the topic would have been discussed earlier.

Zhou Shuren twitched his lips; why are they all looking at him!

The Emperor’s gaze soon fell on Zhou Shuren, making it impossible for him not to feel it.

Zhou Shuren cursed internally, then spoke up, "Emperor, the national treasury is short on silver, the Ministry of Revenue has no silver."

The Emperor inwardly rolled his eyes; it had been a long time since he heard complaints of poverty and somewhat missed them, "The tax revenue has been good in these years."

Zhou Shuren with a look that those unaware of the steward’s hard work would not understand managing silver, spoke, "Emperor, though the national tax revenue is substantial, the imperial court’s expenditures are also large. I remember clearly each item of expenditure, truly, there’s no silver left."

With the year starting, everyone was waiting to ask him for silver, and every request involved substantial expenditures, the start of the year always brought the most painful spending!

The Emperor sighed, "Over the years, our nation has maintained a somewhat friendly exchange with the Grassland Tribe, it would be indefensible not to help, but if I say the court has no silver, the Grassland Tribe won’t believe it either!"

Zhou Shuren didn’t need to wait for the Emperor to continue, "I will present the data to persuade the Grassland Tribe. It’s not that our nation doesn’t want to help, but we genuinely have no silver."

Zhou Shuren paused, then continued, "Although there’s no silver to help, we can send some books. There is a saying, ’Gold and beauties are found in books’. I believe that a temporary aid cannot solve the fundamental problem; teaching them to fish is better than just giving them fish, that is the right approach."

The Emperor, "..."

He was glad that without prior notice Zhou Shuren knew how to cooperate with him, but this suggestion was too hurtful—was this not indirectly mocking their lack of education and need for learning?

Rongchuan couldn’t hold back and coughed to stop himself from laughing out loud. He knew his father had been holding back his feelings, and these words were rather satisfying to hear.

Zhou Shuren added another statement, "It’s best to educate from a young age, to prevent troubles generation after generation."

The rest went unsaid, but everyone understood what he meant—generation after generation only knowing plunder.

The atmosphere in the Imperial court became unusually quiet; the statement was too piercing. If the tribal princes had been there, they would certainly have exploded in anger.

The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up; every word struck deep. He had always heard from his grandfather and father that Chief of Staff Zhou had a venomous tongue—this indeed was venomous.

Imperial Censor Bao wanted to step forward to retort, marking that a great nation should be broad-minded, but just as he moved, Mr. Lin discreetly pulled him back.

Imperial Censor Bao paused and frowned at Mr. Lin, who looked innocent. This missed glance shifted the opportunity.

The Emperor cleared his throat, "Let’s discuss this matter another time, court is dismissed."

As the Emperor spoke, he swiftly walked away with the Crown Prince, leaving briskly, leaving the ministers exchanging glances—what did the Emperor mean?