The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Arguing with Reason

It seems reasonable, but Jian Yuhuo is not senile yet, he clearly understands He Tizhu’s intentions.

No matter the great merits, it’s about magnifying even a slight mistake and saying the worst. As long as the Emperor hears even a single phrase, he’s achieved his purpose.

Having seen much of the sleaze in officialdom, Jian Yuhuo detests such harm even more.

He immediately said, ”Emperor, Shang Jingwang is wholeheartedly for the people, even disregarding his own life, entering the epidemic center, sharing the hardships with the populace. Just because of a small flaw in the reporting procedure, should we chill the heart of a loyal minister?”

He Tizhu sneered and said, ”Mr. Jiang also admits there’s a problem with the reporting, do you think this is a minor issue?” He spoke righteously, ”A country has laws, a family has rules, if everyone acts on their whims, deceives their superiors, then why have ranks? If all Nanxia officials imitate this, wouldn’t it be chaos?”

Seeing the timing was right, Marquis Anning signaled to another person and then, instead of an Imperial Censor, a Third Rank official, Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, stepped forward, equally righteously: ”Emperor, Shang Jingwang is only Fifth Rank, yet dares to disrespect his superiors, using a trivial matter, bypassing ranks to report directly to the Capital City. If his rank were higher, could he ignore even the Emperor?”

This accusation was so grave and wide that it left no room for redemption.

Jiang Yuhuo, trembling with anger, pointed at him and shouted, ”In his position, he fulfills his duties. Shang Jingwang performed excellently, the epidemic matters heavily, even if he momentarily miscalculated, he sent the report to the Capital City to dispatch Imperial Physicians quickly to solve the problem. As Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, how can you fail to discern the gravity? This is clearly slander!”

The Assistant Minister of the Secretariat is Third Rank, the Imperial Censor Fifth Rank, but the Imperial Censor’s position is special, originally meant for correction and criticism, advising against evil and promoting good.

Jian Yuhuo, being tough, completely ignored the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat’s position.

The Assistant Minister of the Secretariat coldly laughed, saying, ”Imperial Censor Jiang, you also said, the epidemic started in a small town under the jurisdiction of Jiazhou Northern County Huainan Prefecture. Our Nanxia is a vast country, with hundreds of such small towns. The Court’s duties are clear, subordinates fulfill their roles, there are laws to follow, and precedents for guidance! Therefore, everything is orderly, the nation’s machinery operates normally. If everyone behaves like Shang Jingwang, it is to dismantle the already self-sufficient foundation, to disdain the precedents maintained by previous emperors and the current Holy Emperor! Shang Jingwang is reckless, acting senselessly, such a person should be severely punished!”

Immediately, many in the Court supported the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, but some officials stood by Jian Yuhuo, each expressing their views.

One side believes Shang Jingwang is challenging Nanxia’s long-standing officialdom rules with trivial matters, trying to undermine the efforts of preceding generations, his intentions deserve condemnation.

Another side believes urgent matters require power, though the process slightly flawed, it’s all for the nation, without selfish intentions, minor flaws do not cover major merits.

For a moment, the Court seemed to become a debating stage.

The Emperor did not stop speaking nor did he speak up, allowing both sides to ”argue with reason,” trying to convince each other.

After a while, the Emperor lightly coughed.

The debating parties immediately fell silent, waiting for the Emperor’s judgment.

The Emperor looked down, gazing at Huangfu Hanyu clad in the Crown Prince’s robe, dignified, saying: ”Crown Prince, what do you think?”

This Crown Prince, of course, is not referring to the Eldest Prince Huangfu Qidai, who has been demoted to Prince Liang, even when going to court, standing at the back.

At the moment, his expression was gloomy, looking subtly ahead.

Compared to his gloomy expression, Huangfu Yuxuan standing further back appeared much more carefree.

Huangfu Hanyu knew the Emperor was testing him.

After all, the Emperor, now over sixty, in recent years his energy dwindled year by year, the Crown Prince, though newly established, is in his prime, some Court matters, the Emperor would also hand over to the Crown Prince.

After all, once the Emperor passes, the Crown Prince won’t lack all experience.

However, with the Emperor in court, even if the Crown Prince’s opinions are valued, true authority rests in the Emperor’s hands.

This matter can be discussed extensively or briefly, so it is something trivial if overlooked, but disastrous if considered. Originally just Marquis Anning wanting to target Shang Jingwang, involving He Ti to sow discord with the Emperor, suddenly developing into a clash of different opinions.

Even though most people in the Court did not participate, able to debate like this on the court, gradually even Third Rank, Second Rank, and even First Rank leaders personally debated right and wrong, wanting to see what the Crown Prince thought, is also quite normal.

From one’s perspective and attitude on such controversial matters, one can see a person’s style and character.

The Crown Prince was able to overtake Prince Liang, step by step, calculating, he certainly could see what He Tizhu meant, especially the interactions between He Tizhu and Marquis Anning, seemingly subtle, but how could it escape the observant?

In his early years, he went to the vassal land, though he would return to the Capital annually to accompany the father Emperor for a time, still, spent more time in the vassal land, less in the Capital City, the foundation in the Capital appeared somewhat weak.

Although he is already compensating for this weakness, such things cannot be accomplished overnight.

For example, he sent gifts to Marquis Anning, clandestinely courting him, but Marquis Anning, this sly old fox, remained unclear in his response to this day.

At this moment, he has two choices, follow Marquis Anning’s words, letting him remember his kindness, gradually incorporating them for his use, after all, the hereditary Marquis family, still has deep roots! Using such people, makes his Crown Prince position more stable, no, even the Emperor’s position more stable!

Another choice is to knock him. Stand against him, let him know, no matter how formidable Marquis Anning may be, he is merely a subject, while he is the Crown Prince, the future realm is his. Under the Emperor’s authority, everyone should bow. If Marquis Anning remains oblivious, it will be more than mere knocking; he will unleash thunderous measures!

Between the two, the Crown Prince chose the latter!

He slowly said, ”Father Emperor, I believe, national laws are considerate of human nature. Shang Jingwang, as Prefect, bypassed Prefectural Governor Yu Shikui, reported directly to the Capital City, there was impropriety! But circumstances exist, the epidemic matter can be large or small, the best method is naturally to prevent it early to avoid calamity. And where could doctors gather like in the Imperial Hospital? In other words, even if Yu Shikui received the news, he could not dispatch doctors capable of treating epidemics. Shang Jingwang made the decision promptly, not only having faults but also accomplishing merits!”