There’s no need to wait for other people’s reactions, Minister Qi from Ministry of Revenue was the first to stand up and object.

“Your Majesty, re-forging the military equipment is a major task. It must be discussed in detail with the six ministries. We cannot make hasty decisions!”

If this decision is made, it’s a matter of hundreds of thousands of taels. Not only will the Ministry of Revenue be overburdened, but more importantly, the money will be gone!

The national treasury will be emptied!

Can the Ministry of Revenue still be called the Ministry of Revenue without money? If another department demands funds from them, what should they do? Who will they ask for money from? Should it come from the emperor’s personal treasury?

Qi Tishou’s reason for refusal was very straightforward, “Your Majesty, the Great Wei has not been at war for ten years, and the borders are peaceful. There is no rush to re-forge the military equipment. If necessary, we could forge only 20,000 sets.”

“Your Majesty! I believe Lord Qi’s words are not true!”

Du Xing suddenly stood up. A strong man over six feet tall, his figure far exceeded that of other ministers, and he spoke with firm resolve.

“High-quality military equipment is like adding wings to a tiger for the army! If, as Lord Pei said, the new steel forging method can create even more powerful weapons, then why not prepare in advance? Should we really wait until an enemy strikes, and only then rush to forge military equipment? Wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse and missing the opportunity?”

Qi Tishou immediately countered, “When will the enemy strike? Do we possess the ability to foresee the future? The people in Great Wei are at peace, and although there are occasional border skirmishes, our soldiers can handle them. Re-forging the military equipment is unnecessary!”

Du Xing raised his eyebrows, “What do you mean unnecessary? Just because there is no enemy today doesn’t mean there won’t be one tomorrow. Are we supposed to wait for the enemy to send us an invitation to attack? Lord Qi, you clearly have no sense of ‘be prepared for danger in times of peace!’”

Qi Tishou sneered, “Being prepared for danger requires there to be actual danger. If it’s just a useless fantasy, I’d rather be a fool!”

“You!” Du Xing was furious.

“You are ignorant!” Qi Tishou rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Minister Du’s “skills” were still lacking. It seemed he needed to learn how to properly scold.

Among the civil officials, the Minister of War, Yu Wenzhi, silently shook his head and quietly stood up.

“Your Majesty, I believe Lord Du’s words are very reasonable. Re-forging the military equipment can not only reduce casualties among the soldiers but also deter enemy forces.”

The middle-aged man with a small beard stood in the hall, speaking earnestly. “If the armor the soldiers wear and the weapons they hold are fragile, even if they are capable of fighting one hundred enemies each, it’s like a skilled cook without ingredients. Therefore, I also believe we should re-forge the military equipment.”

Another one comes forward, huh?

Qi Tishou was about to speak, but Gongsun Tai spoke first.

“Your Majesty, I believe Lord Yu’s words are not wrong…”

Qi Tishou’s eyes widened.

“But Lord Qi’s words are not without merit.”

Qi Tishou’s heart sank, then he felt relieved.

Gongsun Tai continued, “Re-forging military equipment is indeed crucial for the army, but since there has been no war in Great Wei, it’s also a massive expense. It could become a burden on the national treasury. If a natural disaster or calamity occurs within Great Wei, it might be hard to sustain. Therefore, I believe re-forging the military equipment is possible, but it should be reconsidered and decided prudently.”

As soon as these words were spoken, those who supported the re-forging of the military equipment frowned.

Especially Yu Wenzhi, who exhaled sharply.

What “prudent reconsideration”? Gongsun Tai was clearly trying to delay the decision!

He’s saying yes to re-forging the military equipment now, but once the court ends, he’ll definitely deny it and avoid the topic, dragging the matter on and on until it fades away.

Yu Wenzhi understood Gongsun Tai’s intentions all too well.

They were all seasoned bureaucrats. Who didn’t understand each other?

Not only Yu Wenzhi understood, but others did too.

Pei Zhi did, Qi Tishou did, and even Emperor Wei did.

However, for the emperor, for a benevolent and civil emperor, even if he had a preference in his heart, he couldn’t openly display it when most ministers opposed the matter.

At least, he had to wait for a reasonable excuse…

So, what was his excuse?

Emperor Wei glanced at Wei Yu’s direction.

A few people barely noticed, but Wei Yu was fast asleep at the desk in front of him.

The arguments between the ministers had not even disturbed him.

Even the Censors and his superiors were paying attention to the debate, yet Wei Yu remained deep in his stupor.

How could this unfilial son sleep so soundly?

Emperor Wei was annoyed and coughed lightly, feigning.

The cough did not cause any stir among the ministers, but it did catch the attention of Li Cheng, who was constantly watching the emperor’s movements.

Emperor Wei gave a subtle glance towards the bottom right, signaling to Wei Yu.

Li Cheng’s heart skipped a beat.

[Ah, the emperor really noticed Ninth Prince. Tsk tsk.]

Having served the emperor for decades, Li Cheng understood exactly what the emperor meant.

He retreated and descended from the imperial platform.

Wanting to save face for the Ninth Prince, Li Cheng intentionally walked on the edge to avoid being seen by the ministers below.

However, the ministers, who were always watching the platform, certainly noticed his actions.

Especially those in the front rows, who could see clearly with just a slight raise of their eyes!

During this brief pause, as the ministers awaited the emperor’s decision, the eldest prince and others also watched as Li Cheng walked down and moved towards the inner circle, where Wei Yu, who had his head down, was still sleeping.

The eldest prince and others: …?

The Eighth Prince wanted to cover his face.

It’s over.

This time, it’s really over.

The emperor’s personal eunuch, calling a sleeping person during the morning court — there’s no way he could have done it without the emperor’s personal orders!

Wei Yu, you brat!

—

Wei Yu wasn’t woken by Li Cheng; he was roused by his superior, who jabbed him with an elbow.

“Mm! Ah…”

When he was sleeping deeply, a sudden pain in his waist startled him awake.

Wei Yu opened his eyes and inhaled sharply. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the desk in front of him and the pen in his hand, and then his mind snapped back into focus.

He seemed to be at work?

Coincidentally, his superior, who had jabbed him with an elbow, whispered something.

“Your Majesty is watching you.”

His superior, Zhou Shi, sat upright with a serious expression, looking at the court without moving his lips while speaking. It was as if he had never been distracted.

Wei Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

What!

His father was watching him?!

Wei Yu instinctively wanted to look up, but then he stopped himself and slowly straightened his back, gripping the pen tightly, his face turning serious.

In crucial moments like this, one had to remain calm. No matter what… Damn!

Wei Yu looked up at the court and met several pairs of piercing eyes. His grip on the pen tightened.

[What’s going on?! Why is everyone looking at me? Did they notice I was sleeping? Wait… did the Censor see? I better not get fined…]