As he was somewhat flattered, he suddenly discovered that the people left behind by the emperor were not only him, but also Fan Zhengguo, who had just stabbed him in the back in court.
"You two ministers are busy with the court all day long. The weather is nice today, why don't you accompany me to Genyue for a walk?"
Accompanying the emperor to inspect Genyue was something too normal for Wang Fu in the past year or so. He had to go about once every ten days.
However, since Yu Shen snatched his position last time, he seemed to have been erased from the emperor's invitation list.
This kind of thing also made Wang Fu more and more scared the more he thought about it.
Hearing the emperor say this today, Wang Fu truly felt a sense of flattered disbelief.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Compared to Wang Fu's flattery, Fan Zhengguo appeared too indifferent.
After thanking the emperor in a bland tone, he quietly stood aside, awaiting the emperor's orders.
In order to salvage his image in the emperor's mind, Wang Fu had been pondering how to please the emperor all the way.
"What do you two ministers think of this garden?"
Showing his ministers this royal garden designed by himself has basically become one of Zhao Ji's greatest hobbies over the years.
The entire Genyue was truly extravagant, with exotic flowers and plants everywhere, every pavilion and platform had a history, and every peak and stone could be a scenic spot.
Although the entire garden had not yet been completed, its magnificent splendor was already breathtaking.
"Your Majesty is rich in the four seas, and this Genyue is the culmination of Your Majesty's efforts over the years. It will surely shine through the ages."
If Wang Fu dared to claim second place in flattering, who in the entire court would dare to claim first?
Anyway, he had said similar flattery countless times, and now it was as natural as breathing.
As expected, flattery always works. As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor nodded in satisfaction.
"This garden is good, but it still seems a bit imperfect. The northwest corner does not seem to be completed!"
Compared to Wang Fu's flattery, Fan Zhengguo spoke much more seriously.
"Minister Fan has a discerning eye. The entire garden is basically completed, but the northwest corner alone will cost at least a million strings of cash. Where can the court afford this money now..."
Zhao Ji couldn't help but sigh as he said this. Even as the emperor, he couldn't do anything without money.
The court was fighting on two fronts, and he, the emperor, could not possibly cut the soldiers' pay at this time.
As soon as the topic of money came up, Wang Fu immediately shut his mouth.
Although he had accumulated a lot of money, he also knew in his heart that Genyue was a bottomless pit.
Moreover, if he really took out the money, Fan Zhengguo would only have to say, "Where did the prime minister's money come from?" and he would be in great trouble.
After all, it was 1 million strings of cash!
"Although the front line is tense now, can our great Song Dynasty not afford this little bit of money? What do you say, Prime Minister Wang?"
To Wang Fu's surprise, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue suddenly kicked the ball back to him.
This immediately made Wang Fu feel awkward. With the front line fighting, no matter what he said, it would be wrong, unless he could conjure money out of thin air.
Otherwise, if he supported the emperor to continue construction, Fan Zhengguo could retort by calling him a treacherous minister who harmed the country.
If he did not support the continuation of the construction, he would probably never be able to enter this garden again from now on.
"This, this..."
Even Wang Fu did not expect that such a good thing would suddenly cause him to capsize in the gutter.
"Enough, I understand what you mean. You may go back now!"
Seeing his hesitant appearance, the emperor waved his hand with displeasure.
This time, Wang Fu was completely embarrassed. Others flattered the horse and hit its legs, but he flattered the horse and hit its crotch...
"Yes!"
Although he felt very aggrieved, he also understood that if he stayed here, he would still be troubled by this problem. He could only respond to the emperor, turn around angrily, and leave first.
"What do you think, Minister Fan?"
With only Fan Zhengguo left at the scene, Zhao Ji finally regained his calm demeanor.
"Since the entire project is now only the northwest corner left, I think Your Majesty should complete this project as soon as possible!"
Having money in hand makes one's words have more weight.
Although he knew in his heart that inciting the emperor to build gardens was simply throwing money into the water.
But thinking of what Han Mo had told him before, and the source of this money, he spoke with much more ease.
"This doesn't sound like Minister Fan. You are the Minister of Revenue, and you should be able to say something like this!"
Admittedly, Fan Zhengguo's answer did surprise the emperor.
The reason he had pulled both Wang Fu and Fan Zhengguo here today was indeed due to some ulterior motives.
He had originally expected Wang Fu to stand on his side and persuade Fan Zhengguo with him, but unexpectedly, Wang Fu had shrunk back on his own when the time came.
Instead, Fan Zhengguo, who should have opposed it, not only did not raise any objections but even agreed.
"Your Majesty is joking. I eat the king's salary, so I should bear the king's worries. Moreover, if the construction of the garden starts and is stopped midway, the final impact will only be greater. Since only the last part is left, it should not be stopped like this!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor looked at Fan Zhengguo again with an affection as if he had seen his own father.
Well, it should be said that it was much more affectionate than seeing his own father, because his father back then did not intend to hand over the throne to him.
"Although that is what you say, the court is currently fighting on two fronts, and you are in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, so you should be most aware of the court's financial situation. Can the court still afford this money?"
The most difficult Minister of Revenue to persuade has now agreed, but if the court really has no money, even if he agrees, what good will it do?