Chapter 764: Living on Borrowed Money
When the Emperor proposed using the treasury to deal with the current crisis, the first to object wasn’t the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister—it was the Minister of Defense.
The Emperor didn’t argue right away. Instead, he looked around the room, trying to gauge each minister’s stance and whether any of them had shifted their positions.
When his gaze fell on the Minister of the Army, the man hesitated before meeting his eyes. “Your Majesty, I share the Defense Minister’s concerns. The end of the year is approaching.”
“The end of the year?” The Emperor’s lip curled. “And what of it?”
He knew it was just an excuse. Still, he felt a creeping sense of urgency. Only an emperor who firmly holds power is a true emperor.
Those who don’t—are mere puppets. He might not be a puppet manipulated at will, but watching these ministers repeatedly oppose him ignited a deep anger.
None of it showed on his face. His tone and expression remained cold, detached.
The Army Minister looked uneasy. In a low voice, he said, “We need to issue the death benefits for fallen soldiers in the second half of the year. The stationed troops must rotate with homeland units. Our weapons need maintenance, and some equipment needs replacing…”
That one sentence made the Emperor fall silent. He had been ready to retort, but now he closed his mouth. Silence settled over the throne hall, even breathing was too soft to hear.