Chapter 88

Chapter 88

With the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of War offering no objections, the matter was provisionally settled. Having concluded this, Emperor Qianyou turned to Meng Shuping, "You needn't leave. Just stand in that corner by the door!"

He thought, *I refuse to believe Meng Shuping can still doze off right under my nose.*

Meng Shuping’s heart leaped with joy. "Yes, Your Majesty."

*Heh, even if it’s by the door, it must be warmer than outside, right?*

As Meng Shuping happily retreated to the corner, Shi Xing stepped forward, a look of admiration on his face. "Your Majesty is truly wise. I am humbled. However, since Vice Director Meng possesses such innovative thinking, I propose that other seventh-rank officials in the capital also attend the grand court session alongside him. This would allow them, like Vice Director Meng, to better contribute ideas and efforts to state affairs and share Your Majesty’s burdens!"

Meng Shuping was speechless. *Are you serious? There’s no more room in here, and he wants to add more people? Why doesn’t he just summon all the officials?*

*And it’s not that I’m criticizing him, but isn’t he being utterly heartless? Those seventh-rank petty officials are sleeping soundly at home, and he wants them to come in early for overtime? If he’s willing to be exploited by the emperor, that’s his business, but why drag others into it? How can he be so detrimental to others and gain nothing himself?*

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

What did he mean by "exploited"? Attending an early court session is exploitation? This Meng Shuping truly believes everyone is as averse to such things as he is? Some people would eagerly seek such recognition!

Shi Xing remained unfazed. He believed he was acting solely for the good of the court. As officials, how could they not think of serving the court, but instead prioritize sleeping in?

How could someone as indolent as Meng Shuping have earned the Emperor’s favor?

However, others also voiced their disagreement. "Minister Shi, your words are misguided. Not everyone is as favored by His Majesty as Vice Director Meng. Even if they were to come, would they necessarily be able to offer useful suggestions?"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but agree inwardly. *Exactly! Those seventh-rank petty officials don’t earn high salaries like the senior officials. Why should they bear the same worries? Is Minister Shi even acting like a decent human being?*

*Wait, I get it! Minister Shi’s real goal isn’t to have others attend the morning court! I think he’s trying to get back at me for embarrassing him earlier, deliberately stirring up animosity against me!*

*On the surface, he praises me, but his proposal to bring in more people is actually a sarcastic way of saying that all the officials present are useless, even worse than a mere seventh-rank petty official like me. Wow! If that’s the case, won’t the other officials resent me?*

*How cunning, so cunning!*

Shi Xing: "..."

When did he ever intend to mock his colleagues to make Meng Shuping a target? Could this kid stop making wild assumptions? He even called him cunning—since when was he so cunning without even knowing it?

Minister of Revenue Chen’s face darkened. Could it be that Shi Xing was indeed subtly mocking them? Yes, yes! After losing face earlier, he might now be trying to drag them down as well, using them as a means to deal with Meng Shuping!

Cunning! Truly cunning!

He shot a displeased look at Shi Xing. "Minister Shi, your reasoning is flawed. Even without those people, are you suggesting that the colleagues present in this hall are incapable of offering suggestions to His Majesty?"

And as for Meng Shuping, was he also secretly mocking him for being incompetent? Did he really think he couldn’t come up with any ideas? He just didn’t want to offend too many people!

Only a greenhorn like Meng Shuping would foolishly act without restraint.

Hearing this, the Minister of War also expressed his displeasure. "Hmph, just because Minister Shi cannot offer useful suggestions doesn’t mean the rest of us are incapable. Are you looking down on us, Minister Shi?"

Shi Xing stared at them, baffled. "When did I say I looked down on you? I merely proposed allowing more colleagues to contribute ideas for the court!"

Meng Shuping was puzzled. *Isn’t that still implying the incompetence of the officials present? That’s why we need more people! Look, it’s because the current officials are useless that we have to rely on a bunch of seventh-rank petty officials!*

Minister of Revenue Chen shot a sidelong glance at Shi Xing. "Aren’t you still saying that because we cannot share the Emperor’s burdens, we need to call in more people?"

The Minister of War also nodded angrily. "Exactly!"

Shi Xing was furious. "Don’t twist my words! I said this for the sake of sharing His Majesty’s burdens, unlike some who are afraid of being outshone by others."

Meng Shuping sighed. *Oh ho! He’s saying the officials are jealous! Afraid that newcomers will steal their thunder! And while criticizing others, he’s acting all high and mighty, saying, 'Look, I’m all about public service, unlike you!'*

Minister of Revenue Chen was getting angry. Wasn’t Shi Xing being too shameless? By saying this, wasn’t he making himself seem selfish while portraying Shi Xing as noble?

He coldly retorted, "Then why didn’t you share His Majesty’s burdens when he asked for your suggestions earlier, Minister Shi? Could it be that your way of sharing burdens is to have others do it for you? Not to criticize, but isn’t that too easy for you, Minister Shi?"

Meng Shuping chimed in repeatedly. *Exactly! When he’s needed, he does nothing. When he’s not needed, he spouts nonsense. So his way of handling things is just talking, huh? With his talent for exaggeration, why doesn’t he become a storyteller?*

Shi Xing was livid. Could this Meng Shuping just stop running his mouth? Would it kill him to say one less sentence?

Other officials, who initially saw no issue with Shi Xing’s words, began to feel that he was mocking them after hearing the arguments. They couldn’t hold back either. "Minister Shi, it’s not that we don’t want to share His Majesty’s burdens like you, but aside from the seventh-rank petty officials you mentioned, aren’t there plenty of people inside and outside this hall who can contribute?"

"Minister Shi, why are you so insistent on calling them here? I can’t help but suspect you’re trying to give your own juniors a chance to shine!"

"Hmph, Minister Shi, do you think you’re the only one without jealousy?"

"Shameless! Utterly shameless! If Minister Shi wants to curry favor with the Emperor, there’s no need to use us as stepping stones!"

Shi Xing’s face turned ashen. Ganged up on from all sides, he found it impossible to refute every accusation. He never expected that a casual suggestion would lead to this. Could it be that his words were really so easily misunderstood?

Emperor Qianyou was thoroughly enjoying the argument and almost didn’t want to stop it. However, if he didn’t intervene, other matters would be delayed. So he coughed lightly to silence everyone and said, "My Beloved Ministers, there’s no need to argue further. Let’s revisit this matter another time."

The officials quickly replied, "Yes."

Shi Xing, sweating profusely, retreated to his position, finally escaping the predicament. This Meng Shuping was a real menace!

At that moment, Emperor Qianyou asked again, "My Beloved Ministers, is there anything else?"

The Minister of Works stepped forward. "Your Majesty! With the severe cold of winter setting in, even I shiver standing under the sun every day. I can only imagine how chilling it must be for the Fourth and Fifth Princes, stuck in prison!"

Next, he just needed to emphasize how miserable the Fourth and Fifth Princes were in prison. Surely, Emperor Qianyou, with his love for his sons, would propose releasing them?

Sure enough, Emperor Qianyou showed concern. Yes, if it’s this cold outside, the Fourth and Fifth Princes must be suffering even more in prison. They’ve lived in luxury since childhood and have never endured such hardship. What if they fall ill from the cold?

Just as he was about to speak, Meng Shuping’s voice piped up. *That can’t be right? They’re princes, not ordinary people. Even the son of an official can live comfortably in prison through connections—how could the Fourth and Fifth Princes possibly suffer from the cold? The officials of the Imperial Clan Court wouldn’t dare mistreat them!*

*But if we’re talking about suffering, the people whose land was seized are the ones truly suffering!*

*Boo hoo, in such cold weather, their families must have no food reserves. Cold, hungry, and without warm clothes, they still have to face the freezing wind to find work. Compared to them, those two princes are living in comfort! How dare they complain and play the victim!*

Jiang Cihe seized the opportunity to speak. "Father, I visited Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother a couple of days ago. They’re doing quite well in prison—they have charcoal for warmth, thick blankets, wine, and meat. They shouldn’t be suffering from the cold."

Other princes also chimed in. "Indeed, Father, there’s no need to worry. We brothers also sent clothes to Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother. Their cell is practically overflowing—how could they be cold?"

The concern on Emperor Qianyou’s face vanished instantly. Yes, if they’re suffering, what about the people they drove to ruin? And besides, they’re not even suffering!

The Minister of Works was stuck. How was he supposed to respond to that? He could hardly continue claiming the princes were miserable!

Taking a deep breath, he pressed on. "In my humble opinion, the Fourth and Fifth Princes have been in prison long enough to have reflected on their mistakes. Although they have warm supplies sent by the other princes, a jail’s no place for long-term residence. I beg Your Majesty, in light of their usual filial piety, to release them."

Meng Shuping suddenly understood and couldn’t help but translate the Minister of Works’ words in his mind. *Wow! Now I see! He’s blaming the emperor: 'You old fool! I’ve hinted so clearly, and you’re still pretending not to understand? How cold-hearted can you be, leaving your sons in prison in such freezing weather? Even I, an outsider, can’t stand it!'*

The Minister of Works choked. *Kid, quit putting words in my mouth! When did I ever mean that?*

He took another deep breath and continued, "Moreover, they are still young and bound to make mistakes. I believe they have learned their lesson this time and will not repeat them. Your Majesty, please forgive them this once!"