Fu Chen’an considered the pros and cons for a long time before he said, "The security in the barracks is very tight. It won’t be easy for us to sneak in."

"Then, what do you think we should do?" Yao Zhi asked.

"Since this is a new breed, I think it’s better to use Lei Feng’s identity. First, we can send them over openly. Second, it will help us build a good relationship with the General’s mansion."

"In the northern border area, General Lu holds the highest rank, and with the military power in his hands, the civil officials have to give him face and won’t dare to do anything toward people under his protection."

"Didn’t you say that you want to open a store and build workshops? There is a possibility that people will use underhanded tactics when they are jealous of your achievement. So we need to make some preparations," he reminded her.

Yao Zhi nodded and replied without hesitation, "Then we will do as you say."

Seeing how casual she was, Fu Chen’an asked, "Wife, are you not worried about people with bad intentions targeting Lei Feng to kill him and snatch his wealth?"

"If they want to target Lei Feng, they must have the ability to find him first. If the situation worsens, we can just abandon that identity."

"What about those properties?" he asked again.

"Except for the estate given by the Madam, all properties are under my name, Yao Zhi. If they trace it back to me, I can just claim that Lei Feng rented my properties."

After a moment of pause, she asked, "There is no law that dictates that I can’t buy properties and rent them out as a source of income, right?"

Fu Chen’an chuckled when he heard her question and replied, "Everyone can do whatever they want with their own properties."

"That’s good then," Yao Zhi nodded.

While she thought that this law only affected properties like buildings and houses, in the Great Yan Kingdom, this law included slaves, as they were counted as the Master’s properties.

Fu Chen’an thought that his wife knew about this and didn’t bother to explain.

After they returned home, Yao Zhi put the horse back into the system’s grassland before they entered the shared manor. They took a shower, changed into their pajamas, and had supper before they reappeared in their room.

When they went to sleep, it was already 2 o’clock in the morning.

While everything went smoothly on the northern border, the situation in the Capital was tense.

Before the sun even rose on the eastern horizon, carriage after carriage reached the entrance of the imperial palace.

The carriages stopped, and the officials wearing their official robes came down with the help of their servants. Those of lower ranks who had no money to afford a carriage walked while chatting with their colleagues.

Their robe colors and accessories stated their ranks, and when higher-ranking officials arrived, they had to make way and bow to them.

Walking at the forefront was the Empress Dowager’s grandfather, the current Prime Minister. Because of his family ties with the current Emperor, no one dared to offend him, even if he was no longer as strong as before.

The officials walked into the Hall of Magnificent Brilliance as they conversed in low, hushed voices.

At 5 o’clock in the morning, the shrill voice of a eunuch echoed in the entire hall. "The Emperor has arrived."

As the shrill voice fell, all of the officials knelt and touched their foreheads to the ground. Soon after, their voices echoed in unison, "Long live the Emperor!"

Today was the grand morning court, which is held twice a month, once every 15 days. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

All officials who served in the capital had to attend, but only those of the 5th rank and above could stand inside the hall. The lower-rank officials could only stand outside the hall and listen.

As for those who could offer their suggestions and talk with the Emperor, only 3rd rank officials and above had this permission.

The young Emperor sat on his golden throne and waved his hand. His young voice echoed in the hall. "My dear ministers, rise."

"Thank you, Emperor."

After they offered their bows, the head eunuch’s voice echoed again in the hall. "Speak if you have a report. Dismiss if you have nothing to report."

As soon as he said these words, the Minister of Works took a few steps forward and bowed. "Reporting to the Emperor, this minister has something to report."

"What is it?" the Emperor asked curtly.

Despite his young voice, his tone was arrogant. He didn’t give face to any of the officials, including his maternal grandfather, even if they had served the previous dynasty.

Jin Liangkai didn’t hold against his grandson’s arrogant attitude. As the son of Heaven, it’s normal for him to behave like this. Even the Empress Dowager still had to give this young Emperor’s face when she talked to him.

He bowed to him and replied, "Reporting to the Emperor, the Ministry of Work hasn’t received the money from the Ministry of Revenue, so the construction of the Summer Palace couldn’t be continued."

The Emperor frowned when he heard this and asked, "What’s going on?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue took a step forward and bowed to the Emperor when he heard this.

With his waist bent, he reported, "Reporting to the Emperor, the tax revenue we received this year has decreased by two-thirds compared to the previous year. The treasury is empty, and we don’t have enough money to build the Summer Palace."

Ye Wenzhou’s current position was obtained by his own hard work. Due to his stubborn personality, he had offended a lot of people. So, even though he had served the court for almost 30 years, his career was stuck at the lower third rank.

Although the Emperor always gave him a cold shoulder, he still did his duty as usual and did not take his harsh words to heart.

After all, serving the Emperor was like serving a tiger; it was risky and full of danger. One wrong move and his head would roll to the ground.