Chapter 1103 - 1097: No One is Allowed to Eat Meat
The Emperor watched the ministers below arguing in a tumult and felt a headache coming on. He massaged his temples and said, "Now it’s not only the issue of who will be the chief commander; we’ve been unable to conquer the territory for so long, and the lack of food and fodder has also become a major issue. My beloved subjects, do any of you have a solution for the food and fodder problem?"
As soon as this issue was mentioned, everyone fell silent.
Everyone knew that the South had suffered a disaster this year, and the shortage of food was no small matter. To fight this war, the common people had already tightened their belts and were scrimping on. To extort anything more from them wouldn’t yield much food.
Just as everyone was at their wits’ end, the Protectorate Prince sneered and stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute, "Your Majesty, Consort of the Crown Prince handled the flood matter very skillfully; why not entrust this matter to her as well?"
Those who followed his lead, the sycophants, suddenly saw the light and clapped their hands, "Exactly, Your Majesty, now that the national treasury is depleted, there’s nothing we can do about the food and fodder. But the Consort of the Crown Prince surely has silver. She has always been expanding her businesses, and I’ve heard they’ve even spread to neighboring countries, each one doing very well."
The Emperor looked at them indifferently and asked, "So what you’re implying is that a bunch of grown men can’t find a solution, and we must rely on a woman to gather food and fodder?"
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, those who had spoken hung their heads in shame.
However, some had thicker skins, like the Protectorate Prince, for instance.