teacup, Li Chen looked at the old monk opposite him and said calmly, "Those who ruin a country are not born overnight. It can even be accomplished within a generation. Even if something starts with go...Chapter 320: The Red Clay Stove

The old man bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Your Highness is so ambitious, we will certainly go through fire and water for Your Highness's everlasting foundation, and willingly die for it!"

Li Yinhu said with satisfaction, “Very good. This king will definitely not treat you badly. When the mission is accomplished, each one of you will be a dragon among ministers. And you, you will be the first to achieve this honor!”

The old man's eyes sparkled with excitement as he met Li Yinhǔ's gaze, both seemingly seeing the day of their great accomplishment.

But at this moment, within the East Palace.

"A red clay stove, new rice wine just roasted, as dusk falls and snow is about to fall, can we have a drink together"

In the garden of the East Palace's inner court, Li Chen, clad in a bright yellow silk robe woven with intricate patterns, was idly tending to a small charcoal brazier.

And opposite him was Su Jinpa, wrapped in a satin embroidered cloak, her fair skin peeking out from the white fur, with a face that could be both charming and playful.

Watching the blazing fire, the yellow wine bubbled and hissed. Li Chen raised his poker to lift the wine pot, tossing two green plums into a bowl, then ladled a steaming cup of yellow wine and presented it to Su Jinpa.

Su Jinpa was still savoring the poem, subconsciously continuing, and said with admiration: "In just four lines, it perfectly captures the cozy feeling of warming oneself by a fire during winter. It's not just a poem, but rather an atmosphere and a mood."

> All good days must unfold on the basis of material conditions...... Material conditions mean food, clothing and shelter. If you can't even eat enough or stay warm, who has the time to talk about mood and ambiance

Li Chen took a sip of the plum wine. The warm, scalding liquid with a slight sourness flowed into his throat, then returned with some sweetness after the astringency. He smiled and said, "Not bad, this Shao Zhou tribute yellow wine paired with Liangzhou plums is indeed a masterpiece."

"Liangzhou To get to the capital from Liangzhou, one must inevitably pass through Xishan. Has the official road in Xishan province been restored to operation Does that mean the situation in Xishan province has been brought under initial control"

Su Jinpa's sense of smell was extremely acute, and he immediately picked up on some clues. He asked:

Li Chen smiled and said, "The facts prove that Zhao He Shan is indeed a capable person, not in vain for me to go to so much trouble supporting him."

Su Jinpa curled her lips and said, "They all say emperors are heartless, but you haven't even ascended the throne yet, you've already figured out the essence of it. Zhao Heshan is risking his life in Xishan Province, living a bloody and dangerous life, while you, with just one word, take all the credit for yourself."

Li Chen raised an eyebrow slightly and said, “He may be standing in the open attracting fire and being besieged, but the most dangerous things are never those in the open, but rather those hidden arrows shot from the shadows.”

"These days, the court has piled up Zhao He Shan's writings to a man's height. It's not the first or second time that officials have proposed to question him about his crimes. If it weren't for me, he would have been arrested and tortured long ago. What's wrong with taking credit for this"

Su Jinpa snorted softly: "So, it's much harder to be an honest official than a corrupt one throughout history. To do good for the people properly, you have to face attacks from all directions, and if you're not careful, you could lose your head."

"It's not that upright officials are harder to be than corrupt ones, but that corrupt officials are usually more cunning and know how to please those in power. Upright officials, on the other hand, stick to their principles and bottom line."

"You tell me, one is someone who constantly cries 'My lord as my father, I as his son!' and says all a subject thinks and does should be for the sake of his father-lord, and another who claims that commoners are insignificant and that those in power should set an example, saying even princes must be held to the same law as commoners. Which one is more pleasing"uests Your Highness to bestow fifty taels of silver upon me. I would like to send it back home to repay my debts. This humble one is willing to do anything for Your Highness, even risk life and limb!"...