bookrebus Chapter 317 A Sinister Idea
Chapter 317 A Sinister Idea
“Now that the reforms have begun, the Emperor will rely on me.” Gu Chang’an’s eyes were deep. “I am no longer the cruel official who needs to rely on imperial power to survive.”
He had long known the fate of a cruel official who gained the emperor's trust but offended princes and ministers. He was a knife that would be discarded after use, and he would be killed to appease public anger.
In the end, the emperor benefited, but he lost his life.
Given his ambition, he would never accept such an ending, so he paved the way for himself early on. He chose the Ministry of Revenue and carried out the land reform that countless people wanted to do but dared not.
Although this is still a thankless task, the only way to kill him is to wait until he finishes this task, but it would be best to wait five years to implement it.
Five years from now, he will have new leverage and will still not be easily manipulated.
"Ah Li, believe me. No matter what the royal family's intentions are, I have the ability to refuse them." Gu Chang'an's voice was firm, but there was still some worry in his gaze as he looked at Shen Li.
What he feared most was that Ah Li wouldn't believe him. If Ah Li lost faith in him, then all the leverage he had accumulated over the years would be for nothing.
“Of course I trust my husband. I just wanted to ask so we could discuss things together.” Shen Li held his hand and noticed that it was colder than usual and slightly sweaty.
He was genuinely nervous.
Gu Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Shen Li's expression was normal. After sitting down, he put his arm around Shen Li and said, "I won't let him control me. I will create some trouble for him in the near future and won't let him have an easy time."
He spoke gently to Shen Li, but his gaze toward the void was cold.
“Speaking of which, I also have an idea, and I’m just waiting to discuss it with my husband,” Shen Li said, leaning close to his ear and whispering.
A look of surprise appeared in Gu Chang'an's eyes, and when he looked at her again, he couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Although A-Li's plan is not new, it is indeed effective nowadays."
He was practically calling him insidious.
"Does my husband think this is feasible?" Shen Li asked.
Gu Chang'an nodded slightly: "Just be careful."
Shen Li narrowed her eyes: "Don't worry, my husband, I will make the arrangements. It shouldn't be difficult."
"Is Ah Li angry?" Gu Chang'an looked at the dagger on the small table. Although the dagger was now sheathed, he had not forgotten its cold glint just now.
Shen Li nodded firmly: "If I weren't angry after something like this, I'd be made of clay. But my husband, there's no need to be nervous. I know you won't agree. It's all that old guy's doing behind my back."
“As long as we are of one mind, no outsider can separate us.” Gu Chang’an placed Shen Li’s small hand on his heart, his expression gentle and grateful: “Thank you for trusting me, A-Li. If something like this happens again, I will definitely tell A-Li immediately.”
As long as Ah Li believes in him, he is not afraid to fight against the whole world.
"Husband, don't thank me. It's good to say it out loud. It must have been hard for you to keep it all inside these past few days." Shen Li looked at him with more heartache than anything else.
He would never bring even a trace of negative emotion home, but a person's energy and effort are limited; if he had to support everything himself, he would eventually run out of energy.
"Ah Li is so good." Gu Chang'an kissed her forehead, and the anxiety and anger he had felt these past few days seemed to dissipate in that moment.
“There’s something even better. I copied a memorial at the Hanlin Academy today.” Shen Li picked up a paper tube from the side and opened it to reveal a memorial: “It’s about a local prefect named Zhang Wei. I think he has a lot of ideas about land reform. Husband, take a look.”
Gu Chang'an was immediately somewhat helpless: "Ah Li, is this a time to talk about business?"
He finally felt relieved and just wanted to have a good chat with his Ah Li.
“My husband will definitely not regret it once he sees it. I think if my husband thinks he is good, he can be promoted to the Ministry of Revenue, which can also help my husband share the burden.” Shen Li insisted that he see it.
In his previous life, Zhang Wei was Gu Chang'an's capable subordinate. He contributed many ideas to land reform, taxation, and opening up trade in the East China Sea. Later, when Gu Chang'an entered the cabinet, this Lord Zhang became the new Minister of Revenue.
However, without Shen Li's introduction in his previous life, Zhang Wei would have entered the Ministry of Revenue five years later, even though the land reform in his previous life had already lasted for three years.
Shen Li wanted to make things easier for her husband, as they had been searching for this person's memorial for several days.