Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 117: The Attitude of the Elders in the Court

Hu Bugui repeatedly stroked the letter in his hand. The handwriting on the anonymous letter was sloppy, but every word was like a needle, piercing his heart. Prime Minister, this veteran of three dynasties, could he really be a hidden enemy? He took a deep breath and threw the letter into the candlelight. The flames reflected his deep eyes, which were filled with deep doubts that could not be dispelled.

At the court meeting a few days later, the atmosphere was unusually relaxed. Officials gathered in groups of three or four, talking and laughing in low voices, seemingly unconcerned about the upcoming court meeting. Hu Bugui and Wu Tao walked into the hall side by side, and keenly noticed this unusual atmosphere.

Sure enough, when Hu Bugui began to report the latest results of the military reform, the prime minister slowly stood up with a meaningful smile on his face. "Your Highness, your reforms are vigorous and effective, and the results are remarkable! But there is one thing I don't understand. The army is strong, but is the treasury still full? Don't forget that the treasury is not a treasure pot and cannot withstand such squandering!"

As soon as the prime minister finished speaking, the originally quiet hall seemed to explode. Officials began to talk one after another, and their words were full of doubts and ridicule about the reform.

"Yes, Your Majesty, these new weapons are very expensive, and military training is even more costly. How can the national treasury afford it in the long run?"

"The prime minister holds the key to the national treasury. He knows it best. This money doesn't just fall from the sky!"

"I think this reform is a waste of money and time and is just a way to attract attention!"

The sarcastic words were like sharp blades, stabbing at Hu Bugui and Wu Tao. Wu Tao clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost piercing her palms. She wanted to refute, but Hu Bugui gently held her hand.

Hu Bugui looked calm, his eyes swept across those faces who were mocking, worried, or gloating, but a raging fire was burning in his heart. He knew very well that if the reform violated the interests of these people, they would definitely rise up and attack.

He took a deep breath and was about to speak when an official stood up and said in a sarcastic tone, "Your Majesty, don't forget that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs!"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Wu Tao, and the mockery in their eyes was self-evident.

Wu Tao felt her cheeks getting slightly hot, and the eyes around her seemed to carry a burning temperature, wanting to nail her to the pillar of shame. She subconsciously wanted to retreat back to avoid this suffocating judgment, but was tightly wrapped by Hu Bugui's warm and dry palm.

Hu Bugui sensed Wu Tao's nervousness and gently squeezed her hand to comfort her. Then he took a step forward and blocked Wu Tao behind him. He looked directly into the eyes of the sarcastic official, and said calmly but with unquestionable majesty: "The princess has the right to inquire about my affairs. What's more, what the princess said was for the country and the people. How can it be said that she interfered in politics?"

"Your Highness, this..." The official wanted to say something else but was interrupted by Hu Bugui.

"My Lords," Hu Bugui looked around with sharp eyes, "I know that the reform has affected the interests of some people. You are afraid of change and afraid of losing your power and status. But have you ever thought about it? The Tang Dynasty is now surrounded by powerful enemies and has accumulated problems that are difficult to eliminate. If we don't make progress and stick to our old ways, what will be waiting for us?!"

He paused, and said in a loud and firm voice: "Military reform is imperative! What we need is not a bloated and corrupt army, but an elite and powerful army! Only in this way can we defend our country and resist foreign enemies, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and let the Tang Dynasty return to glory!"

Hu Bugui's words were powerful and echoed in the empty hall. Wu Tao stood behind him, feeling indescribable emotion and admiration. She knew the pressure and responsibility Hu Bugui shouldered, but he never backed down and always moved forward towards his goal firmly.

"As for the problem of an empty treasury," Hu Bugui continued, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "I naturally have a solution. Increasing revenue and reducing expenditure is the long-term solution. I have already ordered people to rectify commercial taxes and severely punish corrupt officials. I believe that in time, the treasury will be filled!"

Wu Tao also stood up. She took a deep breath, combined some economic knowledge of modern society with the current situation of the Tang Dynasty, and used simple and easy-to-understand language to explain to those stubborn officials the long-term benefits of reform.

"My Lords, you only see the immediate benefits, but not the long-term future! Reform may bring temporary pain, but in the end, the beneficiaries will be the entire Tang Dynasty, and all of us!"

Wu Tao's words were like a stone that caused ripples on the calm lake. Some officials who had originally remained neutral began to whisper, and their eyes showed a little more thought and hesitation.

However, the Prime Minister's faction remained unmoved. They sneered and scoffed at Hu Bugui and Wu Tao's explanations.

"Who knows if it's true!"

"I think this reform is a farce and will end in failure!"

The efforts of Hu Bugui and Wu Tao did not seem to shake the determination of those stubborn forces. The road to reform was destined to be full of thorns and bumps...

 Cynicism

As soon as Wu Tao finished speaking, a burst of contemptuous laughter rang out in the hall. The Prime Minister stroked his gray beard, his eyes full of mockery: "The princess is really eloquent and speaks very well. But I am stupid and don't understand whether these new things the princess mentioned can make up for the deficit in the national treasury."

Several officials beside him also echoed: "Yes, what the princess said is something we have never heard of. Who knows if it is true?"

"Does the princess think we are fools? Do you think you can make us believe in this so-called reform just by saying a few nice words?"

These sarcastic words, like sharp blades, stabbed Wu Tao mercilessly. Wu Tao felt as if his heart was tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it became difficult for him to breathe.

Hu Bugui noticed Wu Tao's strangeness, gently held her hand, and gave her a soothing look. He turned around, glanced at the officials who were sneering and mocking, and said in a cold tone: "You all seem to have some complaints about the reform plan of the king and the princess? Why not speak directly? Why beat around the bush?"

The Prime Minister said with a fake smile: "Your Majesty, you are too serious. I am just worried that Your Majesty and Princess are young and energetic, and they may be blinded by some unrealistic ideas, which will eventually harm the country of the Tang Dynasty."

"Oh? Then according to the Prime Minister's opinion, what is practical?" Hu Bugui asked back.

"Of course we should maintain the status quo and deal with all kinds of changes with the same approach." The Prime Minister said slowly, "Our Great Tang has been established for hundreds of years and has always been governed in this way. How can we change it at will? Your Highness and Princess should not be too ambitious and try to change the rules left by our ancestors."

"Can't the laws of our ancestors be changed?" Wu Tao couldn't help but retort, "If we stick to the old ways and don't make progress, the Tang Dynasty will be eliminated by the times sooner or later!"

"How dare you!" The prime minister slammed the table and shouted angrily, "The princess is just a woman, and you dare to discuss state affairs! You are so audacious!"

Wu Tao wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Hu Bugui. He knew very well that arguing with these stubborn old ministers would only waste time and energy and be meaningless.

"Prime Minister, don't be angry," Hu Bugui said calmly, "The reform plan of the king and the princess is not arbitrary, but is a well-thought-out one. As for whether it will succeed in the end, time will tell."

After saying this, he no longer paid attention to the prime minister and others, and turned around and left the hall taking Wu Tao with him.

Although the performance of Hu Bugui and Wu Tao was recognized by some neutral officials, their reform plan was still greatly hindered. The prime minister used his power to secretly sabotage the implementation of some reform projects, which hindered the progress of the reform.

Hu Bugui and Wu Tao realized that in order to continue to promote reform, they must first solve the biggest obstacle, the prime minister. However, the prime minister is powerful and has a deep foundation. How easy is it to overthrow him?

A war without the smoke of gunpowder is quietly beginning...

As night fell, Chang'an City was shrouded in silence. In the study of the palace, the soft candlelight illuminated two figures. Hu Bugui frowned and stared at the scroll spread out on the table. It was the reform plan he and Wu Tao had worked out day and night, but it was regarded as a scourge by conservative officials headed by the prime minister and obstructed in every possible way.

"Taotao, tell me, how can we get the prime minister to stop blocking the reform?" Hu Bugui put down the scroll, rubbed his eyebrows, his tone revealing a hint of fatigue.

Wu Tao poured him a cup of hot tea and comforted him, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. A journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart. We have taken the first step, and one day, everyone will understand our good intentions."

Hu Bugui took the teacup, took a sip, and said with a wry smile, "I hope so. But this prime minister is cunning and has deep roots in the court. How easy is it to bring him down?"

Wu Tao pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, we might as well take a step back and find out why the Prime Minister is so opposed to reform. Perhaps we can start with the people around him and get some information."

Hu Bugui's eyes lit up and he nodded in appreciation: "Tao Tao's words make sense. I'll send someone to investigate."

A few days later, the people sent out reported that there were officials coming in and out of the Prime Minister's Mansion frequently recently, and they seemed to be plotting something. Hu Bugui and Wu Tao became more alert, and they realized that a storm was coming.

Just as they were about to take action, the prime minister suddenly sent someone to deliver an invitation, inviting Hu Bugui and Wu Tao to attend a flower-viewing banquet to be held in the prime minister's residence three days later.

"Flower-viewing banquet?" Wu Tao took the invitation, frowned slightly, and a hint of doubt arose in her heart.

"What is this old fox up to?" Hu Bugui took the invitation and looked at it carefully, but found no clues.

"Go! Why not?" Wu Tao put down the invitation, his eyes determined, "I want to see what tricks he is trying to play!"

Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao's determined eyes, and a warm current surged in his heart. He held her hand and said softly: "Okay, let's go together. No matter what happens, I will protect you."

Three days later, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao dressed up and went to the Prime Minister's Mansion with several guards. The carriage slowly drove into the Prime Minister's Mansion and stopped in front of the gate with carved beams and painted buildings.

Hu Bugui and Wu Tao got off the carriage and looked up. They saw that the Prime Minister's Mansion was decorated with lights and full of guests. It was a lively scene, as if it was just an ordinary flower-viewing banquet.

However, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao did not dare to let down their guard at all. They knew that beneath this calm surface, there might be a huge crisis hidden...