Chapter 411: The Emperor Is Too Mischievous
Despite Nie Zhou shifting the blame to the Regent, the court officials remained unconvinced.
"The Emperor is still too fond of amusement. How could he sneak out of the palace?"
"Indeed, this cannot continue."
"If the Emperor were truly outstanding, he wouldn't be influenced by those around him."
"Ultimately, it's a matter of poor character—unfit for great responsibilities."
"Ah, what should we do about this?"
"Could there be some misunderstanding?"
"..."
Chu Rui lowered his gaze, a cold smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
As long as the young Emperor's reputation for mischief was firmly established and gradually spread, he would face little resistance when the time came to depose the child emperor.
Nie Zhou clenched his fists in fury.
Framing—this was undoubtedly a frame-up.
He glanced toward the dragon throne, hoping the young Emperor would say something.
If the Emperor denied the accusations, Nie Zhou would charge to the forefront and clear all opposition for him.
However, the young Emperor's round, bright eyes kept scanning the officials below, leaving everyone wondering what he was thinking.
At that moment, Minister Chen from the Ministry of Works stepped forward and declared, "It is true that His Majesty leaves the palace for over an hour every afternoon—he comes to my residence."
Nie Zhou narrowed his eyes.
Since when had that dog Minister Chen, supposedly neutral, been swayed to join the other side? Now he too was framing the Emperor.
Just as Nie Zhou prepared to retort, Minister Chen continued, "I can attest that His Majesty's outings are not for amusement but for researching battle plans."
Chu Rui's fingers tightened, and he looked up.
Minister Chen produced a blueprint from his sleeve—a revised version he had redrawn himself.
"This is the result of His Majesty's days of diligent study," he said, unfurling the drawing with enthusiasm. "This is a naval warfare weapon against the Eastern Tomb Kingdom. Once installed on our warships, it will ensure none of those Eastern Tomb scoundrels return alive..."
The blueprint was passed around among the officials.
"Did... did the Emperor truly conceive this?"
"Marvelous, absolutely marvelous! If this device functions as depicted, we could swiftly conquer the Eastern Tomb Kingdom."
"For one so young to design such a battle weapon—His Majesty is a prodigy!"
"The late Emperor made no mistake in choosing him as successor."
"..."
For a time, praises filled the hall without cease.
Seated on the dragon throne, Chu Hongyu felt somewhat carried away—until Yun Chu gave a soft cough. He immediately straightened up, appearing exceptionally composed.
Several members of the Regent's faction were stunned.
They had long known about the Emperor's daily palace excursions but always assumed it was for amusement.
Had he been undertaking great endeavors all along?
Originally, no one knew of the Emperor's secret undertakings, but their impeachment had inadvertently garnered him unprecedented acclaim.
A miscalculation.
A grave miscalculation indeed.
Chu Rui's jaw tightened into a rigid line.
Then, he smiled—a smile brimming with lethal intent.
He had assigned Chu Hongyu a group of worthless study companions, several of whose fathers were his subordinates. These individuals accompanied Chu Hongyu daily yet failed to report such crucial matters.
Aside from the boy's deep concealment, another reason was that those incompetents had all been won over by Chu Hongyu.
To recruit Counselors at such a tender age—he had to acknowledge the boy's shrewdness.
His original plans would require adjustments.
Witnessing the court's admiration, Minister Chen swelled with pride. Cupping his hands, he addressed, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, with war imminent, I propose immediate funding to construct this device!"Marquis Pingjin stepped forward. "Your subject concurs."
With the hundred-thousand-strong army now in position, provisions gathered, and battle weapons secured, the remaining ministers had no reason not to concur and stepped forward one after another.
It was rare for the court to be so united.
Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Revenue spoke up at an inopportune moment. "Your subject also believes this device should be immediately forged and sent to the eastern front. However, the national treasury lacks sufficient silver. Over these past days, your subject has gathered three hundred thousand taels of silver for military pay in the campaign against the Eastern Tomb Kingdom, yet it still falls short... If we are to forge this device, there will be a gap in military pay. To ensure military pay, then we will have no silver to forge this device."
At the mention of silver, everyone in the court fell silent.
No matter what great undertaking was pursued, silver was always of paramount importance. Without silver, all discussions were futile.
"If there is no silver, then we shall gather silver," Chu Hongyu rose from the dragon throne and declared. "Since ascending the throne, I have inherited my imperial grandfather's private treasury. Now that funds are needed, I shall donate the entire private treasury to the national treasury."
These words left everyone utterly astonished.
The Emperor's private treasury—how many treasures must it contain? Various priceless jewels, masterful paintings, rare curiosities... all to be donated?
"Absolutely not, by no means!" Nie Zhou immediately knelt in the court. "If a nation is reduced to relying on the Emperor selling off his private treasury to sustain military expenses, it can only mean this nation is soon to perish. With so many civil and military officials throughout the court, no matter the circumstances, it should never fall upon the Emperor to sell off the imperial family's ancestral property. This would make our Great Jin the laughingstock of all surrounding nations. I beg Your Majesty to rescind this decree!"
The young emperor wrinkled his nose. "But we're short on funds. This is the only way."
"What are all us adults here for? No matter how short we are on funds, a child shouldn't have to come up with solutions," Marquis Pingjin thumped his chest as he stepped forward. "My ancestors were relatively wealthy, and by my generation, we still have some family assets. I am willing to donate one thousand taels of silver to the national treasury!"
Yun Chu looked up.
Last time when Ding Yiyuan became Grand Astrologer, it was also Marquis Pingjin who helped move things along.
Now for donating silver to the national treasury, unexpectedly, it was Marquis Pingjin again.
Marquis Pingjin was not the brightest, relying on his ancestors' merits to spend his days in pleasure-seeking. His household was constantly embroiled in various scandals, often mocked by court officials.
Yet Marquis Pingjin had a carefree disposition, oblivious to others' sarcasm and ridicule, always addressing everyone as brothers.
Because he truly lacked capability, Chu Rui had never considered recruiting such a figure.
Yun Chu spoke up. "Marquis Pingjin holds Great Jin and righteousness in his heart. By my authority as Empress Dowager, I decree that the Marquis title shall be preserved for the next generation."
Generally, noble titles were reduced by one rank with each succession until eventually disappearing. Now with Yun Chu's decree, the next heir would still inherit the Marquis title—an immense honor.
Marquis Pingjin was completely stunned.
He had only donated one thousand taels of silver. Last year when he redeemed a concubine from the brothel, he had spent more than one thousand taels.
Money spent on concubines was like meat buns thrown at dogs—gone without return. Who would have thought that donating to the court would allow his title to continue for another generation.
It was truly worth it.
"Your subject kowtows to the Emperor, kowtows to the Empress Dowager!" Marquis Pingjin dropped to his knees on the floor. "Your subject's household owns a blacksmith shop, which I wish to donate to the court to forge battle weapons for the imperial forces!""Marquis Pingjin, rise!" Chu Hongyu then turned his gaze to the assembled officials. "My esteemed ministers, you should all take Marquis Pingjin as your model."
Many nobles in the court were filled with regret.
When it came to wealth, the esteemed ministers were no match for these nobles with their deep pockets. None of them lacked money; donating a thousand taels of silver was as easy as child's play.
But they also understood clearly that it wasn't simply about donating a thousand taels - the Empress Dowager would only grant rewards to the first contributor who set an example... They had all missed their chance to take the lead. No matter how much they donated afterward, it would be useless. Thus, none of them wanted to donate anymore, as doing so would only further highlight that fellow Marquis Pingjin.
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