She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1031 - 1029: Brought to Light

Even if the source of such logical argumentation cannot be found, the matter that needs to be rectified still has to be rectified.

On one morning in early March, as the court presented a large pile of memorials opposing the new reforms again, the emperor casually waved his hand, setting them aside, stirring up waves in the Imperial Court once more.

These memorials, like those before, were urging the emperor to think twice, arguing that craftsmen are crude and cannot ascend to the halls of elegance, and His Majesty must not let trivial matters ruin the reputation of a lifetime.

This was already the third memorial written by these loyal ministers who dare to remonstrate. How much effort did they put into making the same admonition with new ideas? Yet His Majesty set it aside so indifferently!

The first to speak was the Imperial Censor Tang Ming.

After the morning discussion, Tang Ming led the way, came forward and knelt down.

The emperor narrowed his eyes; is this finally unable to sit still?

"Beloved Minister Tang, do you have something to say? Do not be too formal, stand up and speak."

Tang Ming did not rise but pressed his head to the ground, saying, "Your Majesty is a Wise and Virtuous Monarch. Since ascending the throne, you have always received good advice broadly and treated ministers well, which is why there is today’s prosperity. But this time, Your Majesty disregards the opposition of court officials, advocates handcrafts extensively, and elevates the status of craftsmen forcefully, which truly violates the ways of the sages. I earnestly beseech Your Majesty to reconsider this matter, must not because of this minor doctrine, be taken by posterity to be autocratic, tarnishing Your Majesty’s lifetime of fame."

After Tang Ming finished speaking, his body knelt even lower. It seemed that if the emperor did not give a satisfactory answer, he would stay kneeling long-term.

Among the standing court officials on both sides, two more came forward, kneeling beside Tang Ming, continuously kowtowing and crying, "Your Majesty, think thrice."

The emperor looked at the three and remained silent.

Tang Ming was originally part of the former Crown Prince’s faction, supporting him for many years. His resolute opposition to the flourishing of craftsmanship and the elevation of craftsmen’s status was certainly due to the worry that craftsmen and the craftsmanship industry would replace the status of scholars in the future, occupying important positions in the court.

But it cannot be denied that these individuals were unwilling for the former Crown Prince to lose his position as heir, thus striking at Jinrong to limit Jinrong’s power from growing stronger, was probably also a very significant reason.

Jinkun seemed not planning on being a quiet Leisure Prince, right?

But, Jinkun is already over forty years old, his nature decided, who would still dare entrust the empire to his hands?

The emperor gazed coldly over the officials, asking in a deep voice, "Is there anyone else who has doubts about the new reforms?"

After only a very brief pause, Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Court Cheung Chi stepped forward, also kneeling and presenting, "Your Majesty, since Your Majesty has already ordered the various border government offices to collect external situations. I deem that waiting until external conditions are clear, to then decide whether to implement the new reforms would be more prudent."

Ideally, waiting until His Highness Prince Fu reengages in politics, for him to lead this matter would be best. At that time, not only would His Highness have achievements renowned through history, but also could support a large batch of craftsmen under his management as future stewards of the craftsmanship industry.

Afterward, eight more individuals came forward successively, pleading with the emperor to carry out administrative measures cautiously.

Even the temporarily attending Grand Tutor Xing also came forward, knelt on the ground, and sincerely said: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, sages have educated the populace relying on sage texts and the veneration of rituals. The so-called new reforms indeed discard ancient transmissions, prioritizing profit first. If this continues, people will only see profit and all pursue it, afraid the realm will become unstable. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to handle this matter with utmost caution."

Han Yanhui, who had not spoken, looked at the courtiers on their knees, then at Xing Yuyue, stepped forward and addressed: "Your Majesty, the sages have clarified: the people are precious, the state is secondary, the monarch is light. Humble minister believes it is most important to lighten the people’s labor, enrich the State Treasury, and stabilize the state."

The people’s thoughts are most simple, what they seek is simply survival, never coveting fame and status. If the new reforms can make the people prosperous, naturally the world will be peaceful, where would instability come from?"

Han Yanhui reported following proper etiquette, standing beside Xing Yuyue, appearing like a crane among chickens.

The courtiers exchanged amazed glances. The Prime Minister himself supporting the new reforms—does this mean Prime Minister Han has officially sided with His Highness Prince Yu?

It makes sense that the wife of His Highness Prince Yu is the legitimate granddaughter of Lord Prime Minister Han.

Then, Chancellery’s Zhan Master Zhao Ting came forward and addressed: "Minister presents to Your Majesty. Nowadays, many citizens of the capital discuss Your Majesty’s sagacity, all say Your Majesty vigorously pushes the new reforms, lightens the people’s toil, easing their livelihoods, a very virtuous act. Minister believes, since public sentiment is such, it is the aspiration of the masses. Humble minister supports the implementation of the new reforms."

Xing Yuyue knelt at the feet of Han Yanhui, already feeling uneasy, and with Zhao Ting standing behind, could not kneel steadily.

Following Zhao Ting’s words, Xing Yuyue promptly stood up: "Zhao Ting, what are your intentions? You are ensnaring His Majesty in unrighteousness!"

Xing Yuyue stood up, but Zhao Ting knelt down: "Your Majesty, observe clearly. The people deem His Majesty as a Wise and Virtuous Monarch, yet Grand Tutor Xing repeatedly expresses dissent. Minister fails to understand, does Grand Tutor believe the people’s words are untrue, is His Majesty not fit to be a Wise Monarch?"

"How dare you, whelp..." Sweat immediately emerged on Xing Yuyue’s forehead.

Minister of Public Works Dong Bolin came forward, agreeing with Zhao Ting.

Marquis Jingyuan did not watch the spectacle this time, coming forward agreeing with Han Yanhui: "Throughout history, dynasties that perish are those disregarding public opinion, losing the people’s hearts. Those seizing the realm are the righteous masters supported by the people." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Minister agrees with Prime Minister Han, the people are simplest, as long as they have meals, they can be peaceful subjects. People’s prosperity only stabilizes the realm, never stir turmoil."

Civil officials constantly engaging one another—a frequent sight for all. Marquis Jingyuan’s involvement at this time indeed surprised many.

Although Marquis Jingyuan currently does not hold a military position, he is certainly the descendant of the founding meritocracy and holds a real position in the capital, having his standing in the Imperial Court.

Marquis Jingyuan’s involvement, what reason do others have to shrink?

Subsequently, one official after another came forward, each presenting their views.

Soon, nearly half the officials kneeling before the hall, tightly squeezed, filled the clearing in Diligent Governance Hall completely.

The war of words escalated to a new height.

The emperor looked quite surprised at the sudden outbreak of contention, counting the influence of officials from the three factions. He was amazed to find that Jinrong’s faction, even amid attacks from the factions supporting the Deposed Crown Prince and His Highness Prince Fu, managed to gain the upper hand.

In terms of the number of officials, power, and rhetorical advantage, they held a stable advantage.

The emperor slanted his gaze toward Jinrong; this fellow, truly has risen to the occasion?

Jinrong watched the contentious court with great interest. Today’s event, the three factions had been plotting for quite some time.

The officials supporting the Deposed Crown Prince and Prince Fu, had almost all revealed themselves over the years, the emperor knew very clearly.

The emperor likely thought, with Lih Mian present, overt presentations and covert actions are no different, at least placing the forces overtly can clarify many matters in the Imperial Court.

Of course, he couldn’t allow his influences to incite the emperor’s suspicion, so seized today’s opportunity to display them for the emperor father to observe, to prevent Lih Mian from discovering later and make the father think they were hidden, unpleasant.

Jinrong watched the bustling court: Goodness, his emperor father really is patient, look at this court, is there no place livelier than here?

Thinking thus, Jinrong inadvertently glanced at the emperor, happened to catch the emperor’s sidelong look, immediately solemn and respectful in demeanor.

Then adjusted his posture, stepped forward, expression rarely solemn and dignified: "Imperial Father, common saying: One lives a lifetime, trees for a season, one comes to the world, always leaves something, else is the visit to the world wasted. Imperial Father, exalted as Son of Heaven, must not disregard the responsibility bestowed by Heaven. Son is willing to offer all efforts to assist Imperial Father, to ensure Imperial Father leaves a heavy mark upon the world, upon the annals."