"My humble self rejoices in promotion, naturally overwhelmed with joy, and deeply grateful for the Emperor's recognition. Yet, this promotion inevitably makes me feel uneasy; what the esteemed gentlemen expressed earlier is indeed logical."
As expected, just as Gu Chengyu uttered those few words, the Emperor's expression turned extremely displeased.
His hand gripping the Dragon Throne revealed bulging veins, and his gaze became sharply intense.
Gu Chengyu, under such pressure, had to continue speaking: "This humble servant has been in office for over a month; compared to the veteran seniors of the Hanlin Academy, my qualifications are naturally the shallowest. But my humble self believes I have played a modest role in the matter of the tea tax. Although the tea tax has yet to be implemented, the revenue will surely not be meager."
All the officials wore stern faces, intent on discovering what Gu Chengyu was truly up to.
