Chapter 1462: Attitude and Declaration

The paths and corridors between the palace buildings remained clean and tidy under the diligent sweeping of the palace attendants, yet on the layered palace walls and eaves, patches of unmelted snow could still be seen, adorning this stern and cold court with an added touch of pallor.

Though the winter snow was cold, fortunately the wind was light, making it not so unbearable; after walking for some time, Zhao Pu even felt a wave of heat. When he arrived at Chuigong Hall to await an audience, he did not wait long before the notice to enter the hall arrived, with Yan Tuo personally leading him in.

Compared to the cold outside, Chuigong Hall was warm and cozy inside; two incense burners stood facing each other, their fragrant fires burning vigorously. However, the atmosphere in the hall clearly gave one an uneasy feeling.

Emperor Liu, barefoot, stood on the soft carpet, both hands resting on the brazier, warming himself with an air of nonchalance. In the hall, besides the few attending palace eunuchs and maids, only Wang Qiwu and Li Fang were present.

Wang Qiwu wore a grave expression, his head slightly lowered, his face looking none too pleased. Li Fang stood on the other side, even more indifferent, like a sculpture devoid of any emotion. What drew the eye most, however, was the mountain of memorials piled high on the imperial desk.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Pu's wariness surged, and his heart immediately rose. He stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, your servant has come at your summons!"

"Rise!" Emperor Liu waved a hand casually, glanced sidelong at Wang Qiwu, then looked at Zhao Pu and said in a calm tone: "Minister Zhao has arrived just in time; I happen to have something to ask!"

"Your Majesty, please speak!" Zhao Pu lowered his head to the same degree as Wang Qiwu, displaying great humility.

This was perhaps the first time Emperor Liu had shown Wang Qiwu no face. With fingers bearing obvious calluses, he pointed directly at Wang Qiwu, yet looked at Zhao Pu and asked with a smile: "Minister Wang came to see me earlier and submitted a memorial. According to him, the current court situation is chaotic, hearts are restless, and it has reached a point where we must change course and set things right. If we do not rectify and stabilize things soon, the court will collapse and the realm will be shaken.

I am curious—wasn't everything fine just a while ago? What has happened? What crisis has the Great Han encountered, so severe that the court is on the verge of chaos?

Minister Zhao is the chancellor, assisting in the governance of the state and overseeing all ministries and bureaus. Managing the overall situation is your duty; no one knows the court's condition better than you.

Tell me—is the court truly in the state Minister Wang describes?"

Emperor Liu's words were somewhat knowingly asked, and carried obvious mockery, making Wang Qiwu feel embarrassed and leaving Zhao Pu not daring to gloat either.

Glancing at Wang Qiwu, Zhao Pu clasped his hands and bowed: "Your servant has been favored by Your Majesty to preside over court affairs. Having received such deep grace, I naturally ought to serve to the best of my ability. If the court is in disorder and governance is not smooth, that would be my dereliction of duty, my incompetence. I only ask Your Majesty to punish me!

At present, though there are indeed some rumors in the court, and it is a season of troubles, the operation of state affairs remains stable. Everything proceeds under the laws and regulations of the state..."

"Qiwu, did you hear that!" Emperor Liu withdrew his hand, turned his head and stared fixedly at Wang Qiwu, chuckling lightly: "Minister Zhao holds a different opinion from yours. What chaos is there in the court?"

A flush of red involuntarily rose on Wang Qiwu's stern face—part shame, part indignation. Meeting Emperor Liu's gaze, he took a deep breath, still maintaining his ministerial courtesy, but his tone became earnest and weighty: "Your Majesty is wise and sagacious, long revered by your officials. Though you remain within the inner palace, regarding the current situation facing the court, this old minister believes Your Majesty sees it as clearly as fire, knowing it well in your heart.

My concerns have been fully laid out in this memorial. I earnestly beg Your Majesty to treat it with prudence. The Huazhou case has implicated ever more people; the officials entangled number in the hundreds. Its impact runs deep, penetrating bone and flesh. Now both inside and outside are unsettled, above and below are uneasy, leading to scattered hearts and neglected governance. This situation is grave and far-reaching, and absolutely cannot be indulged, lest it leave endless harm!

Honest advice grates on the ear. This old minister earnestly begs Your Majesty to accept some of this honest counsel, to reassure both inside and outside..."

Wang Qiwu's earnest plea clearly did not win Emperor Liu's approval. Instead, he looked at him with slight coldness and said with amusement: "Honest advice grates on the ear—well said. You are a loyal minister, known throughout the court and the realm. If I do not accept your honest counsel, does that make me a benighted ruler?"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" At these words, Wang Qiwu's legs went weak, his eyes reddened, his expression agitated, and his tone even carried a hint of sorrow: "This old minister would never dare such a thought!"

Seeing his pitiful state, Emperor Liu averted his gaze and did not bid him rise. After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu murmured in a serious tone: "You are so eager to quell this storm, to have me show leniency to those guilty ministers and criminals—could it be that someone from the Wang family is also implicated? I have received too many case reports lately and have not finished reading them all. Have I overlooked something?"

Hearing these words from Emperor Liu, Zhao Pu's heart stirred greatly—not because of the piercing accusation against Wang Qiwu, but because Emperor Liu's attitude, which had seemed obscure and hazy, now appeared to be clarifying.

Emperor Liu had already defined those offending aristocrats and officials as "guilty ministers and criminals." Did his attitude still need further elaboration?

Wang Qiwu was clearly not as quick-witted as Zhao Pu. Of course, at this moment he had no mind to ponder the deeper meaning in Emperor Liu's words. He simply wore a look of desolation and kowtowed outright: "With Your Majesty's words, this old minister has nothing to say. I only ask to resign from all my concurrent posts and await your disposition!"

Wang Qiwu's seemingly excessive reaction made Emperor Liu pause slightly. His mood these days could hardly be described as good. Seeing this, a faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained startlingly cold.

Still, seeing Wang Qiwu's tearful and sorrowful appearance, he was somewhat moved at heart. After all, this was a veteran minister of over twenty years. Such grievance did make Emperor Liu seem somewhat cold and harsh toward his old minister.

"Rise!" Emperor Liu let out a light sigh.

"Your Majesty!" Wang Qiwu called out with some emotion, having lost all the bearing of a renowned scholar, his voice quite plaintive.

"Qiwu, do you intend to defy my decree?" Emperor Liu would not coax him and immediately spoke sternly.

Hearing this, Wang Qiwu shuddered, rose tremblingly to his feet, and indeed shed tears. His aged face had turned pale, looking utterly devastated.

Of course, cherishing old ties was one thing, but it also depended on the person. At least, Emperor Liu still trusted Wang Qiwu. This was a man who cherished his reputation extremely, serving his lord with loyalty, his father with filial piety, and others with propriety. But Wang Qiwu was Wang Qiwu—others were not necessarily the same.

With just a slight gesture of his eyes, Yan Tuo, like a worm in Emperor Liu's belly, instantly understood his intent. He took out a silk handkerchief and gave it to Wang Qiwu to tidy his appearance.

"Qiwu, I have always trusted your character and conduct. Your loyal heart toward me and toward the Great Han, I have always been grateful for!" Looking at Wang Qiwu, Emperor Liu finally said gently: "My words just now were a bit harsh. Do not take offense!"

Before he could respond, Emperor Liu continued: "Over this period, I have received too many memorials and witnessed too many disgraceful affairs. I have begun to doubt my own eyes and ears!

I can understand your concerns. Beyond the Huazhou case, case after case has emerged in succession, implicating ever more people. Inside and outside the court, public opinion surges, stirring up a great commotion and citywide turmoil. I know all of this.

I also know that even in the streets of the Western Capital, these case secrets are circulating, and many commoners and scholars have gone to the Luoyang prefectural office and the Ministry of Justice to file reports.

This is no longer just a few cases, nor is it confined to within the court. This is the greatest and most far-reaching scandal to emerge in the court since the founding of the Great Han!"

At this point, Emperor Liu's tone had turned exceptionally icy: "So many nobles and dignitaries, so many officials and clerks—beneath their splendid cloaks of power and privilege, they are so utterly disgraceful. It is simply appalling!

Are the meritorious ministers and nobles I rely upon, the officials and servants I depend on—are they all filthy wretches who break the law knowingly and commit crimes?

I know that if I let this situation expand unchecked, who knows how many cases will be exposed, how many people will be implicated. By then, the court will only lose all its dignity and become a laughingstock to the world!"

"But!" Emperor Liu swept his gaze over the three ministers present, finally settling on Wang Qiwu: "I can tell you clearly—attempting to cover up and compromise is like covering one's ears to steal a bell, deceiving oneself. When the court has problems, we seek solutions. Where there is fault, we judge it; where there is crime, we punish it. There is no other path.

Your worries, though born of mature counsel for the state, are entirely superfluous! I tell you all—the sky will not fall. The court can function without anyone.

I will not, upon seeing a problem or discovering an illness, hide it from the doctor and let it fester and rot!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Hearing these words from Emperor Liu—firm in attitude, resolute and decisive, like a declaration—Zhao, Wang, and Li all felt their hearts shaken greatly.

But likewise, acclaiming his wisdom, so did Wang Qiwu.