Chapter 106.2
General An danced well!
The Emperors drumming was even better!
A song for the ages!
Everyone looked on with envy at An Lushan.
For His Majesty favored him far too much.
Not only was he not punished for returning without permission, but he was also richly rewarded and even provided with drum accompanimenta privilege unique in the entire court, both civil and military!
On the surface, An Lushan was tearfully grateful, but inwardly, he thought: His Majesty still favors me; great achievements are surely within reach!
Setting down the drum, Lin Beifan spoke wearily, General An rarely returns. Continue to enjoy the Banquet of Ultimate Bliss here! I am tired and will go back to rest, you all carry on!
With that, he took the Consorts hand and slowly left.
Farewell, Your Majesty! the crowd shouted in unison.
An Lushan stayed behind, continuing to drink and revel in the intoxicating luxury.
Looking at the extravagant feast, he made a secret vow that all this would be his one day!
On the second day, the second day of the new year, the court officials officially started their holiday.
Unless there was an urgent matter, the government would not resume operations until after the Lantern Festival.
During this period, the officials would visit relatives and friends.
Lin Beifan was also going to visit relatives and friends. Early in the morning on the second day, he went to the Prime Ministers residence and the Grand Generals mansion to pay his New Years visits.
Prime Minister Xiao Guoliang and Grand General Chai Yulang were very pleased: Your Majesty, what brings you here?
Lin Beifan clasped his hands with a smile and said, You are both my uncles, the only two relatives and elders I have in this world. How could I not come? I am here to wish my uncles a happy new year, good health, and that everything goes smoothly for you!
Haha! Your Majesty is too kind! The Prime Minister and Grand General felt even more delighted in their hearts.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Among all the civil and military officials of the court, they were the only two whom His Majesty personally visited to celebrate the new year.
This showed that they were still very important in the Emperors heart.
My uncles, do you know why I favor the so-called treacherous official you speak of instead of the loyal ministers you mention?
Your Majesty, why? the Prime Minister and the Grand General asked in unison.
Because they are useful, and very much so!
Lin Beifan said with a smile, As long as I give the orders, they carry them out to the letter, and they do an excellent job! When I wanted to construct the Grand Canal, they immediately gathered a million workers to dig the river!
I wish to build an imperial palace, and immediately they summoned hundreds of thousands of workers to construct the imperial palace! I wish to wage war, and wherever I point, they fight. Whomever I choose to fight, they fight without a single word of complaint!
Lin Beifan spread his hands and asked, Would the loyal officials you speak of agree to these things? Would they not oppose me? To not call me a foolish emperor would already be quite something!
The Prime Ministers voice weakened, They oppose because they want whats best for Great Xia!
Lin Beifan spoke loudly, If they truly want whats best for Great Xia, then they shouldnt oppose but simply follow through! Look at what has happened since I ascended to the throne, what have I done wrong? It is I who have expanded the territory of Great Xia nearly twofold! It is I who have improved the lives of millions of common people! It is I who have made Great Xia so formidable that no one dares to be our enemy!
Although many actions seemed foolish at first, they all proved to be correct in the end! If not for me, our Great Xia would still be a small kingdom living day to day in uncertainty!
Lin Beifan knocked on the table, his words resounding powerfully as he asked, My two uncles, if I had followed your advice and appointed the loyal, good, and wise officials you speak of, would our Great Xia still enjoy the prosperity it does today?
This probably not, both the Prime Minister and the Grand General said, their voices fading.
Lin Beifan shook his head, Absolutely not, because their thinking is too conservative, they will only hold me back! If thats the case, whats the use of having them around just to give me a headache?
The Grand General said anxiously, But Your Majesty, those people you favor are all corrupt officials and sycophants, they will corrupt the government
You are being too harsh! Everyone has flaws, whether they are corrupt officials or loyal and virtuous ministers, they are motivated by fame, profit, or power. Who is to say who is more noble?
Lin Beifan said disdainfully, As long as their contributions outweigh their corruptions, I can tolerate their faults!
Take Heshen for example, you say he embezzled millions of taels of silver, but he has helped millions of common people escape poverty and become wealthy! Tell me, is his contribution greater, or is that of an ordinary incorrupt official greater?
What do you think, do the common people need him, or do they need loyal officials more?
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