Chapter 66: Sharp Tongue
In the royal court, Su Wen spoke righteously, making Emperor Zhou somewhat astonished. He asked curiously, "You brat, you usually don"t have any proper conduct. Why are you so serious this time? Tell me, why did you beat someone up?"
Su Wen said in a deep voice, "One of the reasons why I hit him was because Guo Bin and Zhuang Qingbei were rude and slandered my father!"
As he spoke, Su Wen repeated Zhuang Qingbei and Guo Bin"s words in front of Emperor Zhou. After the explanation, Su Wen loudly proclaimed to all, "Zhuang Qingbei said that my father was degrading himself and that my father was shameless. That old thief Guo Bin then added that the corruption of the government officials in Great Zhou was all caused by my father. He also said that my father exploited the people. As a son, my father was humiliated. If I still don"t dare to do anything, then I might as well not be a son and not be a human!"
Hearing Su Wen"s complete recount, the Zhou Emperor"s expression became even darker.
It was fine if they had just slandered Su Changqing, but the two of them had even publicly objected to the reestablishment of the Secret Shadow Guards.
This made him even more displeased. He glanced sideways at Fei Chi and said, "Minister Fei, you didn"t say anything about Guo Bin and Zhuang Qingbei slandering Minister Su earlier."
Fei Chi said, "This is a debate on political affairs. How could it be considered rude?"
He had only spoken this one sentence when Su Wen interjected, "Good fellow, you accept bribes every day and even brought a prost.i.tute back to the Profound Language Pavilion to mess around. To do such a thing, how could you still have the face to stand in the royal court?"
Fei Chi was shocked for a moment before he turned furious. When had he done these things?
He pointed at Su Wen and scolded, "Don"t you dare slander me!"
Su Wen sneered, "I"m also arguing about political affairs, so how did it become slander? You said that their use of fake news to destroy my father is considered arguing about political affairs. I say, old man, how is this slander?"
"Those things about Su Changqing are not completely false!" Fei Chi said.
Su Wen smiled and said, "Alright then. Elder Fei has never accepted any bribes. He only finds some women to return to the Profound Language Pavilion every night to mess around! This shouldn"t be a complete lie, right? Elder Fei, do you think this is appropriate?"
Fei Chi was shaking with rage, but he could not utter a single word.
Emperor Zhou looked at Su Wen and narrowed his eyes. He then asked, "Since you acted on behalf of your father, it is understandable. However, I am very curious. Why did you say that these two people do not have their father nor ruler in their eyes?"
Su Wen cupped his hands at Emperor Zhou and said, "The Emperor is the highest authority of the country since time immemorial. Ever since you ascended to the throne, the sea has been leveled and the people have been living in peace. You have expanded your territory to the outside world and have made outstanding military achievements.
As such a wise and wise ruler, our subjects should naturally follow Your Majesty"s lead. Since Your Majesty said you would like to reestablish the Secret Shadow Guards, we as your subjects should be wholeheartedly supporting you. Yet, these two people are openly opposing Your Majesty, even resorting to bewitching the people and wantonly spreading false information. Shouldn"t we beat up such people?"
All of the officials present furrowed their brows upon hearing this.
It had to be known that this was the crucial moment for the Secret Shadow Guards to reestablish themselves. Once Su Wen"s words were spoken, if no one in the imperial court came forward to refute him, this would definitely allow Emperor Zhou to make use of this opportunity to make a move.
Immediately, a minister stepped forward and said, "Su Wen"s words are incorrect. It"s true that Your Majesty has been the highest authority since time immemorial, but even the ancient Virtuous Paragon Lords make mistakes. A wise ruler must heed his subjects" advice and not decide the country"s affairs for his own personal evil!"
Su Wen turned around and asked, "Then, I would like to ask, how do you know that reestablis.h.i.+ng the Secret Shadow Guard is wrong?"
"History has already shown us a very good example. How can we not know?"
Su Wen sneered and said, "If we"re using the past as an example, then all the officials in every position in the dynasty who are guilty of corruption should be just captured and killed just like in the past? Is being an official evil? No, the ones who are wrong are the people. Is there anything wrong with the Secret Shadow Guards? No, the ones who are wrong are also the people.
I would like to ask this lord, if I were to secretly let you be the commander of the Secret Shadow Guards, would you also end up giving an unjust charge to the entire imperial court?"
Su Wen"s question was difficult to answer. If this person wanted to prevent the establishment of the Secret Shadow Guards, he had to answer positively… but that would mean that he had a problem with his morals.
Besides, it was in front of Emperor Zhou. How could he dare to say it?
After hesitating for a long time, he muttered. "This… naturally won"t happen!"
Su Wen turned to look at Emperor Zhou and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, you have seen it. This lord has already turned over a new leaf and is supporting the establishment of the Secret Shadow Guard."
Emperor Zhou"s eyes were full of smiles as he praised loudly, "Well said!"
Su Wen"s sophistry simply opened a new door for Emperor Zhou.
He immediately took the opportunity to look at the officials and asked loudly, "Let me ask all of you today. If I let any of you become the commander of the Secret Shadow Guards, will you also end up performing a miscarriage of justice? Whoever thinks that they will end up in such a state, step forward. You will be pardoned of all offenses today!"
LOL, nice try. Pardoned of all offense?
One might be pardoned today. But what about after?
Besides, if someone were to stand up now, wouldn"t it mean that there was something wrong with his morals?
"It"s decided then. The Secret Shadow Guard shall be reestablished!"
Under Emperor Zhou"s command, the entire court sighed, but no one could say anything.
At that moment, a person stood out and said, "Forgive me for being blunt, but I believe it would be very suitable for me to be the commander of the Secret Shadow Guards! I would like to recommend myself!"
This person was the Minister of the Judiciary Branch, and also the Head of the Prisons Branch. In terms of professionalism, this fellow was indeed very suitable!
The moment he stepped out, everyone immediately realized what he was trying to do!
Once the Secret Shadow Guard was re-established, it would become the most powerful department in Great Zhou!
In fact, it was even more important than the Ministry of Appointments and could contend with the entire board of civil officials. Once one obtained this position, they would immediately become an important official under the Great Zhou Dynasty, above everyone else and only below the Emperor.
His appearance seemed to have given a wake-up call to all the ministers. Immediately, a few more ministers stood out to seek this position.
No one was stupid. If they were really transferred into the Secret Shadow Guard, not only would they have great authority, they would not have to worry about being investigated. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Unfortunately, Emperor Zhou said, "I have my own plans for the members of the Secret Shadow Guard. You don"t have to worry about it, just manage your own affairs!"
With that said, he had the eunuch announce that the court session was adjourned.
Everyone dispersed. Su Changqing however did not leave, and neither did Su Wen.
After the officials left, Su Changqing walked to Su Wen"s side and said in a low voice, "Brat, you aren"t hiding your abilities anymore?"
Su Wen sighed. "I can"t hide it. Your son, I, am like a s.h.i.+ning star in the night sky. I"m so dazzling and charming. His Majesty has already bestowed me with a Heaven Rank cultivation technique. It"s obvious that he wants to nurture me. What"s there to hide? From today onwards, your son will be invincible and take over your job."
Su Changqing burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you brat. It"s still too early for you to take over my position!"
Looking at Su Wen in front of him, Su Changqing was still very pleased. "His Majesty must be very satisfied with you now. But remember, don"t cause any more trouble during this period of time. Let"s aim to pa.s.s the New Year in peace!"
"I"ll try my best!" Su Wen smiled and said, "Sometimes, it"s not that I want to cause trouble, it"s just that it always comes knocking!"
Outside the hall, the ministers began to whisper amongst themselves.
"This Su Wen is just like his father. If His Majesty wants to do something, they will help him. They have no integrity at all."
"Haha, Old Zhang, when you said that you wanted to go to the Secret Shadow Guard, you didn"t show any moral integrity as well."
"What are you saying? Since we can"t stop His Majesty, we naturally have to help him."
"What a n.o.ble character! However, this Su Wen doesn"t look like an easy person to deal with."
"In my opinion, this sharp tongue is even above Su Changqing"s!"