The main gate of the Top Scholar’s Residence was tightly shut.
A notice was pasted on the door, bearing seven large characters:
“No Visitors! See No One!”
It was personally signed by Li An.
The characters were crooked and uneven, clearly done on purpose.
Inside the residence, in the pavilion of the back garden, Li An was lying in a bamboo rocking chair, a dog-tail grass dangling from his mouth, legs crossed, swaying gently.
Comfy.
So damn comfy.
Since transmigrating to this ruined place, this was the first time he had enjoyed such leisurely days.
No court attendance.
No dealing with those old geezers’ sour faces.
No racking his brain over how to ruin the country.
Just lying there, waiting for the nation’s fortune to fall.
This was living the life!
“Master.”
Hongmei walked over carrying a tray of fruit, her expression a mix of resignation and concern.
“There’s news again from Heishuitai.”
“Go on. What kind of trouble this time?”
Li An didn’t even bother to lift his eyelids.
Hongmei set the tray down and lowered her voice.
“The Ministry of Works… had another fight.”
“New craftsmen and old craftsmen clashed, and several looms were damaged.”
“Over a dozen were injured, two seriously.”
Li An’s lips curled into a smile.
“Good! Well done!”
Hongmei: “…”
“Master, haven’t you forgotten? Those new craftsmen were selected by you.”
“Forget what?”
Li An turned over, finding an even more comfortable position.
“It’s not like I told them to fight.”
“Besides, a fight shows there are conflicts.”
“Conflicts mean severe internal friction.”
“Severe internal friction means…”
He squinted, and the smile on his lips widened even further.
“It means the Six Ministries are inefficient, national power is declining, and the country’s fortune is dropping.”
“Isn’t that exactly the result I want?”
Hongmei’s eyes lit up; upon careful thought, it really was exactly as Li An analyzed.
She was already accustomed to Li An occasionally spouting “astonishing words.”
“So… what about the injured craftsmen?”
“Pay them!”
Li An said casually.
“Send Jin Daya to deliver medicine fees in my name.”
“Tell them to rest and not rush back to work.”
“When they’ve fully recovered, then they can resume.”
Hongmei was stunned.
“Master, are you… trying to win people’s hearts?”
“Win hearts my ass.”
Li An rolled his eyes.
“I just want them to rest a few more days.”
“If they rest one more day, the Ministry of Works is paralyzed one more day.”
“One more day of paralysis means military supplies pile up one more day.”
“More piled-up military supplies…”
He grinned happily.
“Means national fortune drops a little more.”
“…”
Hongmei had nothing to say.
“Anything else? Keep going.”
“The Ministry of Revenue is also having issues.”
Hongmei continued her report.
“During your absence, Liu Banxian couldn’t handle things alone.”
“The officials kept tripping him up—today they say the accounts are wrong, tomorrow the procedures don’t comply.”
“Liu Banxian was so angry he threw his abacus and said he would return to fortune-telling.”
Li An listened, his expression growing even more relaxed.
“Let him go back.”
“Ah?”
Hongmei was surprised.
“You really want him to go back?”
“Not really.”
Li An sat up and picked a grape from the tray, peeling it slowly.
“Just tell him I said…”
“Street-side fortune-telling is his personal choice…”
“If he really wants to go back, I won’t stop him.”
“But if he wants to keep working, he needs to toughen up.”
“I can’t even protect myself right now, let alone him.”
“If he can’t handle a little grievance, he might as well leave early.”
Hongmei blinked.
“Master, is this reverse psychology?”
“What reverse psychology?”
Li An tossed the grape peel aside.
“I’m serious.”
“If he leaves, the Ministry of Revenue will immediately fall into chaos.”
“If he stays…”
Li An chuckled.
“The Ministry of Revenue won’t be doing so well either.”
“Either way, it’s a win for me.”
Hongmei was completely convinced.
This young master’s logic was not something ordinary people could understand.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Hongmei lowered her voice.
“Someone from the Prime Minister’s residence has come.”
“Oh?”
Finally, a flicker of anticipation appeared in Li An’s eyes.
“What did they say?”
“It’s the Prime Minister’s personal steward.”
“He said… the Prime Minister wants you to visit the residence for a discussion.”
“Tonight.”
“Through the secret passage.”
Li An popped the last grape into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
“‘Visit’… more like ‘summon,’ right? After all, in the Prime Minister’s eyes, I’m still a ‘dog’ with leverage in his hand!”
Hongmei nodded.
“The steward’s attitude… didn’t really seem like an invitation.”
“Hmph.”
Li An sneered.
“Old fox.”
“Brought me down in court, now wants to ‘tame’ me.”
“Such an ugly show.”
Hongmei looked at him.
“Are you planning to go?”
“Of course.”
Li An stood up and stretched lazily.
“How would I know what the old bastard is up to if I don’t go?”
“Besides…”
A trace of inexplicable anticipation flashed in his eyes as he said meaningfully:
“Maybe he can even point me toward a ‘bright path.’”
…
At the Hour of the Rat,
The back gate of the Top Scholar’s Residence quietly creaked open.
A shadow slipped out, moving quickly along the wall.
Li An was dressed in black, his face covered with a black cloth, only his eyes visible.
He followed the Prime Minister’s guide, winding through half of the capital.
Finally, they stopped in front of a fake wall behind the Prime Minister’s residence.
The guide pressed a protruding brick lightly.
Click.
The wall silently opened, revealing a deep secret passage.
“Master Li, please.”
Li An stepped in.
The passage twisted and turned. After about the time it took to burn an incense stick, he emerged into a spacious room.
It was a lavishly decorated secret chamber.
Famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and luxurious Persian carpets covered the floor.
At the center sat a large zitan wood desk, behind which an elderly man with white hair was seated.
It was none other than Prime Minister Wang Fu.
“Master Li!”
Seeing Li An, Wang Fu immediately stood, smiling broadly.
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”
“Please, have a seat! Please, have a seat!”
He gestured for Li An to sit in the guest seat and personally poured him a cup of tea.
Li An cursed inwardly.
The old bastard, what’s he playing at now?
Destroyed me in court, now pretending to be so warm and hospitable?
Just because there was a little mishap at the exposition, and your people didn’t make money off it, you have to come after me with carrot and stick?
“Prime Minister, you are too kind.”
He kept a straight face, sipped the tea.
“May I ask why you summoned me at this late hour?”
“Master Li, you speak plainly, so I’ll be frank too.”
Wang Fu sat back behind his desk, the smile on his face fading slightly.
“Today’s events in court— I bore quite a bit of pressure on your behalf.”
“Those old geezers wanted to devour you alive.”
“If I hadn’t intervened, Master Li, you’d be in more than just a ‘closed-door reflection.’”
Li An nodded and immediately put on a face full of gratitude.
“Prime Minister, your kindness, I will remember. And I have always served you faithfully!”
But in his mind he thought…
Old bastard, if you weren’t trying to use me, would you be this kind?
Am I that stupid?
“Master Li, you flatter me. You are now the Emperor’s most trusted official in court! What merit do I have to allow your loyalty…”
Wang Fu waved, then changed his tone.
“The reason I asked you here tonight is to discuss a matter.”
“Please speak, Prime Minister.”
Wang Fu pulled a list from his sleeve and pushed it across to Li An.
“This is a list of the Grand Marshal’s trusted men in the border army.”
Li An picked it up. The list was densely filled with more than a dozen names, with their ranks and postings noted.
“The Grand Marshal has been deeply cultivating his influence in the border army these past years.”
Wang Fu’s voice turned slightly sinister:
“These people are all his confidants.”
“If they are allowed to grow unchecked, they will become a serious threat to the Emperor and the court.”
Li An’s mind stirred.
“You mean, Prime Minister…”
“I want Master Li to do a small favor.”
Wang Fu narrowed his eyes.
“Those under your command, by imperial decree, now already manage most of the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Revenue’s affairs.”
“Old man wants you to find an excuse to cut off these people’s military supplies.”
“Just say… production is insufficient, prioritize supplying the capital garrison.”
When Li An heard this, he immediately inhaled sharply.
Cut off military supplies?
Has this old man gone mad?
These are the border troops!
The first line of defense against Northern Yan!
“Prime Minister… this might not be appropriate, right?”
He immediately put on a panicked expression.
“If military operations are delayed, I’d be responsible even if I die a thousand deaths!”
“What’s there to fear?”
Wang Fu sneered.
“I’ve been running things for so many years; the emperor will cover for you.”
“Besides, the border isn’t run solely by the Grand Marshal.”
“The small amount of missing supplies? Let the other generals figure it out.”
He paused, his eyes turning meaningful and threatening:
“Li, I heard you took quite a bit of silver when selling official positions before.”
“Did all that silver… make it into the national treasury?”
Li An deliberately changed his expression.
The old man!
That’s a threat!
“What do you mean by that, Prime Minister?”
“Nothing much. And also… that night at the Cining Palace…”
Wang Fu leisurely picked up his teacup.
“I just want to remind you, Li, we’re in the same boat now.”
“You help me, I’ll keep you safe.”
“If you don’t cooperate…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear enough.
Li An paused, then deliberately acted extremely troubled, finally biting his teeth in forced agreement.
“Fine! I agree, Prime Minister!”
“That’s better.”
Wang Fu nodded with satisfaction.
“Li, you truly are a smart man.”
“In the future, we’ll inevitably have to support each other.”
“As long as the Grand Marshal falls, we can rest easy.”
Li An took his leave.
As he exited the secret passage, he finally couldn’t help but laugh.
Cut off military supplies?
Old man, you really dare to think big!
But…
I like this idea!
If the border troops have no supplies, their combat effectiveness will drop significantly.
When Northern Yan attacks…
Heh heh heh.
Just thinking about it is exhilarating!
…
In the following days, Li An indeed stayed holed up in his residence.
Every day, he ate, drank, played with crickets, and occasionally flipped through a book.
Life couldn’t have been more comfortable.
Meanwhile, the new officials in the Six Ministries, without his “backbone,” fell into chaos.
The Ministry of Works’ old and new craftsmen were fighting non-stop.
Liu Banxian at the Ministry of Revenue had given up, loafing around all day.
Officials at the Ministry of Rites took the chance to extort those from the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice officials, in turn, sued the Rites officials.
The Ministry of War’s military supply transfers were endlessly delayed.
As for the Ministry of Personnel… Minister Wang Run was still at home recuperating; rumor had it, Li An had angered him so much that he broke two ribs.
The court had already descended into chaos.
Today they impeach this one, tomorrow they report that one.
And with Prime Minister Wang Fu deliberately doing nothing, pretending to be impartial and uninvolved…
This resulted in… no one capable of handling anything.
Ding!
【Detected: Host adopting a “rule through inaction” strategy…】
【Six Ministries leaderless, administrative efficiency dropped to freezing point…】
【Day 5 of closed-door reflection, Six Ministries paralysis and chaos exceed 50%…】
【Great Qi National Fortune -1500】
【Current National Fortune: 65,700】
Li An looked at the number and almost laughed out loud.
Even doing nothing drops national fortune!
This is how you properly slack off!
Ding!
【Detected: Border troops’ military supply shortage…】
【Grand Marshal’s garrison has not received supplies for five consecutive days…】
【Troops are discontented, morale low…】
【Great Qi National Fortune -2000】
【Current National Fortune: 63,700】
Even better!
The Prime Minister’s move really works!
Li An happily lounged in his rocking chair, feeling more relaxed than ever in his life.
Just lying here.
Doing absolutely nothing.
Watching the national fortune drop day by day.
This is life at its peak.
“Master!”
Hongmei rushed in, excitement on his face.
“Something big has happened!”
“What now?”
Li An asked lazily.
“The border report!”
Hongmei lowered his voice.
“Northern Yan troops are gathering at the border!”
“Two hundred thousand men in total!”
“It looks… like they’re really going to war!”
Li An sat up, eyes lighting up with excitement.
“War?”
“Yes!”
Hongmei added.
“Now that Great Qi’s Six Ministries are paralyzed, supply and military carts are stuck in the capital!”
“How can the border troops of Great Qi, without supplies, face our mighty Northern Yan army?”
“Master, Great Qi might really be doomed this time!”
Hearing this, he was even more delighted, crossing his legs and grinning:
“Let’s watch the show!”
“I’m currently serving a sentence of ‘closed-door reflection.’”
“What do state affairs have to do with me?”
“Besides…”
He chuckled.
“It’s better if they actually fight.”
“War consumes national resources.”
“Consuming national resources lowers national fortune.”
“If Great Qi perishes early, we can return to Northern Yan sooner… no, wait! When Great Qi falls, it becomes Northern Yan’s by default!”
…
Outside the window, a pigeon flapped past.
On the distant horizon, dark clouds gathered.
A storm was coming.
In the Prime Minister’s study, Wang Fu stared at the list, letting out a self-satisfied, cold laugh.
“Grand Marshal, oh Grand Marshal…”
“You never would have imagined that the one cutting your roots would be that madman Li An, right?”
The smile at the corner of his mouth turned darker.
“When the border troops run into trouble, I want to see how you’ll still oppose me!”
Meanwhile, at the Grand Marshal’s residence in the capital, Sun Qian sat in his study, brows furrowed.
Several investigative reports were spread across the table.
“Military supply shortage… it’s not that craftsmen aren’t working… it’s mismanagement…”
“That kid Li An’s reforms at the Ministry of Works… is he really causing chaos, or…”
His gaze fell on one report.
It detailed Li An’s actions over the past months.
“Staying at home, playing all day… seems like a discontented, marginalized person…”
“But those words he said before…”
The Grand Marshal recalled what Li An had said in court.
About weapons.
About border defense.
About the old furnace that had been in use for thirty years.
“This Li An…”
He stood, walking to the window.
“Does he really not know what he’s doing, or is he acting?”
“In any case, he needs to be closely monitored.”
“This game… Wang Fu must be behind it. It’s not so simple.”
…
At the border.
On top of Yanmen Pass.
Commander Xiao Cheng stood at the parapet, staring at the dense Northern Yan encampment in the distance.
Two hundred thousand troops.
Blades and spears like a forest, banners blotting out the sun.
This was the largest Northern Yan troop deployment in a decade.
“General, the capital’s supplies haven’t arrived yet.”
The deputy commander approached, speaking quietly.
“The soldiers’ swords are dull, and arrows aren’t enough.”
“If this continues…”
Xiao Cheng clenched his fists.
“Hurry them up!”
“Make those old men in the capital wake up!”
“The Northern Yan won’t wait for them to finish bickering before attacking!”
He looked southward.
That’s where the capital lies.
In the court there, after Li An’s closed-door reflection, much power had been released, and the officials were now fighting over trifles.
But no one paid attention…
The border troops were nearly out of everything.
And with Prime Minister Wang Fu’s deliberate instigation, officials at every level pretended not to notice the border situation.
Grand Marshal Sun Qian had no good solution either; he was also cautiously observing. As for the chaos in the Six Ministries, one Grand Marshal couldn’t intervene rashly.
“Li An…”
Commander Xiao Cheng gritted his teeth, cursing the famous name.
“It’s that bastard’s doing!”
“I heard he messed up the Ministry of Works!”
He slammed his fist against the wall. Though at the border, he was well-informed.
Almost every day, three or four pigeons flew in from the capital, bringing the latest major events and intelligence.
So he was fully aware of Li An’s actions in the capital over the past few months.
Previously, Li An’s reforms didn’t really affect the border troops, so he treated them as jokes.
But who would have thought, one day, he would be entangled in Li An’s “mad chaos”?
“If I survive this…”
“I will make that traitor, who harms the country, pay!”
Little did he know…
The “traitor” Li An was currently lying in his rocking chair at the Scholar’s Residence, gleefully waiting for them to run out of everything!
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