Chapter 1098: Chapter 76: Shouzhe Overturns the Great Court Assembly
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Even Taishi An Kang, who has always supported Wang Shouzhe, was twitching his eyelids. Shouzhe, oh Shouzhe, you were invited to Upper Capital City to solve problems.
As a result, you just stayed at home when you arrived. Every time I saw you, you always said there’s no rush, no rush, actions will be taken later.
And this is the result?
What kind of genius operation is this, daring to even refuse an imperial summons...
"Your Majesty." Prince Dexin, spirited and ready, personally stepped forward and said, "You have great favor towards the Wang Family, but it’s regrettable that Wang Shouzhe not only shows no gratitude, but also dares to defy orders. If you do not punish him severely, where will your Majesty’s dignity be?"
"Your Majesty." Prince Deshun stepped forward and argued, "Geniuses have eccentricities since ancient times. Shouzhe is an unparalleled genius, perhaps he has some hardships that prevent him from coming?"
"What hardships? It’s clearly because he resents that your Majesty did not approve the next stage of reform plans for Longzuo County, and he resents that your Majesty did not support him during the Three Ministries’ tax investigation." Prince Dexin, with a heart-piercing remark, said, "What use is there for such a person who has no regard for the emperor and is narrow-minded?"
Then, Prince Dexin and Prince Deshun, these two shameless old ghosts, started arguing in the Dingqian Hall, even going so far as to roll up their sleeves with a posture of being ready to go out for a fight if unconvinced.
Emperor Longchang felt a headache watching this. In their younger years, Dexin and Deshun were considered exceptional talents, his right and left arms during his campaigns.
Their relationship was once strong, but conflicts later emerged, leading to discord. They have been opposing each other ever since, constantly bickering. Then Deshun, in anger, withdrew to live in seclusion by the West Sea Shore, no longer concerning himself with military and political affairs in the court.
Until today.
Emperor Longchang felt a headache reminiscent of the past, in the midst of all the princes, it was always these two causing the most commotion.
"Enough, shut up." Emperor Longchang’s expression was as cold as ice.
Instantly.
The Dingqian Hall fell silent.
Longchang was, after all, a great emperor, having lived for more than three thousand years and having seen all sorts of storms and waves.
Immediately, he looked sharply at Little Ziangzi and asked, "Do you know why Wang Shouzhe defied the decree? What did he say?"
The Emperor’s oppressive presence scared Little Ziangzi pale. Even though he held a not low position among the Inner Guard, being one of the Four Great Commanders of Jixiang Ruyi, at this moment he still found it hard to withstand the Emperor’s intangible pressure: "Replying, replying to Your Majesty. Wang, no, Wang Shouzhe said, ’It’s all because his skin is too thin, really can’t accept this imperial decree’."
Too thin-skinned?
What kind of genius reason is this?
The ministers in Dingqian Hall, many felt it was inexplicable, an imperial summons and award is a rare honor, what does that have to do with being thin-skinned?
"Your Majesty, could it be that Wang Shouzhe has seen too little of the world and feels anxious at the thought of coming to Dingqian Hall to face the Emperor?" Old Yao, beside him, spoke in a low voice to help, "After all, coming from a Sixth-Grade Family in the countryside, it is normal to feel intimidated having never seen such a grand scene."
Emperor Longchang glanced at him crossly, "Pah, Old Yao, you dog, how much did the Wang Family pay you to defend them so thoroughly?" However, his expression finally relaxed a bit as he coldly snorted and said, "Apart from this, does he have any other explanation? If this is all, I shall still punish him."
"Your Majesty, Wang Shouzhe also said, ’Ever since Emperor Ziwei Xuandu established Daqian, the noble families have been sheltered by Daqian, allowing them a place for stable reproduction and life.’
"Every noble family is inherently a part of Daqian and should assist Daqian in governing the country and securing the territory. As for paying taxes according to regulations, it is the most rightful duty of noble families who enjoy privileges."
"If you don’t pay taxes, and I don’t pay taxes, when will Daqian become stronger?"
"Today, Your Majesty wants to summon Shouzhe in the grand court meeting to commend him highly for doing nothing more than fulfilling the basic duty of paying taxes and maintaining local stability, honoring him as the ’model of noble family taxation.’ Shouzhe merely did what a noble family’s negligible duty is, and is ashamed to receive Your Majesty’s high grace, nor wants to become a laughingstock for ages, therefore he boldly defies the order."
Little Ziangzi recited word for word what Wang Shouzhe said, as his forehead dripped with sweat. He knew that this time, unknowingly, he acted as Wang Shouzhe’s pawn.
An ill step that could provoke the Emperor’s anger might result in him being slapped to death.
The Dingqian Hall was silent, and the expressions of the civil and military officials were varied, each with its own brilliance. Some were moved by Wang Shouzhe’s words, with expressions of shock and emotion, falling into deep thought.
Yet some civil and military officials had a disapproving expression, a sneer at the corner of their mouths.
It was said that Wang Shouzhe was formidable, and since deciding to support Prince Anjun, he swiftly turned the tide, elevating Prince Anjun to contend with Prince Kang.
He was presumed to be a proud and aloof character, but who would have thought he was a fame-seeking opportunist.
Similar incidents are numerous throughout history; it’s always about using "reasonable defiance" to elevate one’s reputation and honor. The reason given sounds grand and valid, such that no matter how furious the Emperor becomes, he cannot punish for this.
Otherwise, the Emperor would "leave a mark in history" for being unreasonable.
"Haha~ narrow-minded, foolish to the extreme." A certain literati, who prided himself on his wisdom, internally sneered. This move by Wang Shouzhe appeared clever, superficially gaining him a reputation for integrity, but in fact, the repercussions were endless, beginning with secretly offending too many powerful nobles.
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