IDWBE -Chapter 328 Avoiding Trouble

No matter how much scheming and rivalry went on in the court, these officials were still scholars—they had to maintain some decorum!

Faced with a shameless character like Prince He, they were utterly helpless.

“Normally, such matters would be reported the same day,” Lin Yi said calmly. “Although all of you stayed home yesterday, no one stopped you from snooping around. I’m sure you’ve heard— secret guard command was wiped out. Jiang Zhong escaped, but it was only a matter of time before he was caught. Qin Tong was executed. As for He Jin, I let him retire to his hometown.”

“Prince He is wise!”

Everyone shouted again.

The tension in many hearts seemed to settle instantly.

Prince He’s unspoken message: the revenge that needed to be taken had been taken.
The rest of you are safe!

He won’t trouble them anymore.

“You lot, I know you’ve all rubbed me the wrong way,”

Lin Yi said, as direct and straightforward as ever.

“We—dare not!”

The officials smiled wryly.

It’s enough that he knows—why say it out loud? They already knew Prince He was eccentric, but this… this was a whole new level.

His words and actions were completely unlike anyone else.

“However… mutually speaking, I don’t like you either. Honestly, I’d love to replace each of you with someone I find more agreeable,” Lin Yi said without hesitation. “You should thank the Wadan people. With a major enemy at our doorstep, I can’t make things hard for you. Without you, the administration of the Daliang Kingdom would be a mess. I’d have to rely on you. I won’t speak of you being slaves to a fallen nation. I’ll just be practical—perform meritorious deeds to make amends. Once the Wadan matter is settled, we’re square. How does that sound?”

“Prince He is wise!”

The officials had only hoped that the Prince would spare them. Yet when he actually did, they found it hard to believe. According to tradition, at least a few people would have been executed as a warning.

So far, only the insignificant Qin Tong had died—a far cry from sending a clear message.

“Do not ignore my words,” Lin Yi tapped his knee, stood up, and paced across the hall. “I’ve heard that to eliminate a man, you first let him roam free, and when conditions are right, strike in one move. I hope you won’t give me that opportunity.”

Given the current situation, he didn’t have time to care about these old bureaucrats.

Besides, he was lazy—any process that wasted time felt exhausting.

Even falling in love was the same.

“We—dare not!”

The officials had grown numb to Prince He’s words.

He had zero sense of propriety—even his threats were so blunt.

“Stand up. Kneeling is tiring—you’re all old enough,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “If something happens while you’re exhausted, who will serve me? Without you, I could pull officials from the Six Ministries, but they wouldn’t be as experienced as you.”

“Thank you, Prince He!”

The first part sounded sincere and touched them slightly. But the second part… turned into a threat again.

The Six Ministries—Ministry of Revenue, Rites, Personnel, Justice, War, and Works—relied on the secretaries and lower clerks to actually do the work.

So-called ministers were often figureheads, while the secretaries handled administration, personnel, law, finances, and grain.

Even if Prince He got angry and imprisoned or executed them, the government would still function.

Lin Yi walked to Qi Yong, hands behind his back, and smiled. “Prime Minister, why don’t you say a few words? No fancy classical phrasing—I’m illiterate. Keep it simple. We’re all grown-ups; no need for polite obfuscation. And don’t give me the ‘I’ve stolen, murdered, embezzled, but I’m a good man’ nonsense. You can speak harshly—I won’t mind. Waste my time, and I will mind.”

At the mention of murder, embezzlement, and corruption, Qi Yong’s eye twitched.

Few survive long careers without missteps. To have remained upright through decades of bureaucracy requires skill—but facing Prince He, all previous experience seemed useless.

He was harder to serve than even Emperor Delong.

After a pause, he bowed. “Hearing your words, Prince He, is worth more than ten years of study. I am ashamed of myself! I shall assist you in eliminating traitors without hesitation.”

“That sounds old-fashioned, lacks originality,” Lin Yi shook his head, still unsatisfied.

He actually sympathized with the old man.

Everyone called him a treacherous prime minister, but most of the time, he simply bore the blame for Lin Yi’s father.

His father was naturally suspicious. After ascending, although he kept the previous dynasty’s centralized system, he made many changes.

Most controversially, all power was centralized to the Emperor. Every major and minor matter was ultimately reported to him. Only when he was too busy would a grand secretary convey orders on his behalf.

Thus, the prime minister’s role, while not abolished, became largely ceremonial. Occasionally, they could speak during court sessions or advise the Emperor—but otherwise, they were like jesters.

In contrast, Grand Secretary Ma Jin wielded more real power as the Emperor’s secretary.

Ma Jin, seeing Lin Yi glance at him, spoke first: “The court celebrates your favor, Prince He. You should open a special examination to select talents, appoint the capable, and gather the best from the realm.”

Right Censor Qin Yang stepped forward: “I believe it is best to restore order and correct the times, bringing peace to the realm.”

“Grant a general amnesty,” Lin Yi remembered this man—Shan Qi went to Sanhe because of him. Looking at Qin Yang, he said, “Those with no outstanding criminal cases are all released. Those with cases are sent to the army to atone through meritorious service.”

“Long live Prince He!”

The ministers kowtowed repeatedly.

Lin Yi continued: “Who can tell me whether there’s any silver left in the treasury?”

He had been dawdling until now—yet hadn’t addressed the main point!

“I, Gan Mao, report to Prince He!”

A small old man stepped forward, knelt, and said, “Long live Prince He!”

“Enough nonsense,” Lin Yi crouched in front of the Minister of Revenue, smiling. “Speak frankly—do we still have money in the treasury?”

“Your Highness, less than 100,000 taels remain.”

“Less than 100,000 taels?”

Hearing this, Lin Yi felt as if struck by thunder. Gritting his teeth, he said, “This little money—you have the audacity to say it so loudly?”

Gan Mao grimaced, unsure how to respond.