Sunlight streamed through the windows of Li Wei's chambers, highlighting the beautiful tapestries and hand carved decorations. But to Li Wei, the beauty around him felt empty. He'd recently seen the harsh reality in his kingdom, while a few lived in comfort, many people were starving.
A servant brought him a tray with delicious food, steaming dumplings, fresh fruit, and meats. Li Wei stared at the food, his appetite gone as he thought about the hungry faces he'd seen. How could he enjoy this luxury when his people could barely get one good meal? He pushed the plate aside, dismissed the servant politely, and prepared for the day ahead.
Soon, a group of advisors entered, led by Chancellor Wu, whose cold eyes were fixed on Li Wei. Wu didn't trust Li Wei's leadership, though he hid his contempt behind formal politeness. The advisors, secure in their power, chatted casually, acting as though they were in charge.
The daily meeting began, and the advisors focused on palace matters and trade deals that mostly benefited the noble families. Li Wei tried to shift the conversation toward the common people, asking about the recent drought and food shortages.
One advisor, a stout man, dismissed his concern. "The farmers are resilient, Your Majesty," he said, smiling. "They've survived worse."
Li Wei's frustration simmered, but he kept his voice calm. "Yet, I've heard of families abandoning their fields, unable to pay rising taxes. Why not relieve their burdens until the drought ends?"
The room fell silent as advisors exchanged glances. Finally, Chancellor Wu spoke with a patronizing smile. "Your Majesty, your concern is admirable. But reducing taxes might make people dependent. They need to be resilient or they'll expect help every time things get tough."
Li Wei kept his anger in check. He knew Wu's words were just an excuse for greed. But now wasn't the time to confront him, especially without support. He nodded slowly, keeping this moment in mind for his future plans.
As the meeting continued, Li Wei thought about finding allies, people he could trust who cared about the kingdom. For now, any reforms he planned would need to be subtle to avoid suspicion.
When the advisors left, Wu lingered. "A word of advice, Your Majesty," he said. "Trust isn't easy to earn in a court this large. Patience is key."
Li Wei looked back, determined. "Thank you, Chancellor. I'll remember that."
With Wu gone, Li Wei understood, if he wanted to change the kingdom, he'd need to play by their rules. But he'd do it on his own terms.