Chapter 130: Debate on Seeking Immortals

Seeing Liu Ju deep in thought and silent, the ministers immediately turned their spears toward Dongfang Shuo and the others who had proposed going to sea to seek immortals.

At the court above Weiyang Palace, the atmosphere instantly became tense, like swords drawn and bows bent.

Zhang Tang and Wei Xiang, faces full of anger, strode out of the court.

Zhang Tang took the lead in attacking, his eyes wide with fury as he pointed at Dongfang Shuo and the others, shouting angrily: 'You scoundrels, how dare you spread heresy and confuse the crowd in the court! What nonsense about going to sea to seek immortals, seeking the elixir of eternal life—utterly absurd!'

'This is clearly deceiving the Son of Heaven, recklessly trying to waste the manpower and material resources of our Han dynasty in pursuit of that illusory, baseless talk!'

Wei Xiang also spoke righteously: 'You intend to use these absurd, unfounded rumors to disturb the emperor's mind—truly harboring malicious intent!'

Tian Qianqiu and the other ministers likewise chimed in.

Upon seeing Liu Ju on the throne showing a somewhat moved expression, they instantly grew even more indignant.

Had it not been that many people had once been colleagues with Dongfang Shuo, they would likely have attacked him outright at this moment.

Dongfang Shuo, however, remained calm and unchanging in expression, stepping forward calmly, clasping his hands and saying: 'Sir Zhang, Sir Wei, lords, do not panic. Our proposal to go to sea to seek immortals is absolutely not heresy to confuse the masses, but comes from a sincere heart.'

Gongsun Yu quickly added: 'Lords, the world is vast and nothing is strange. Though the art of immortality is difficult, it is not entirely impossible. We alchemy masters have studied for years, knowing its mysteries; this time going to sea, we will surely exert our utmost and not disappoint the emperor's hopes.'

Zhang Tang snorted coldly and retorted: 'Hmph, still making excuses! Your so-called immortal arts are nothing but deceitful tricks. How could there be any principle of eternal life in this world? They are merely lies you fabricated for personal gain.'

Li Yichen said urgently: 'Sir Zhang, how can you slander us like this? We wholeheartedly serve the emperor and the Han dynasty, harboring not the slightest selfish motive.'

'If this voyage at sea can obtain the elixir of immortality, the emperor will live long and the Han dynasty will forever enjoy peace—what great merit this is; why do you fail to understand?'

Wei Xiang spoke solemnly: 'No matter how eloquently you argue, you cannot conceal the absurdity of seeking immortals. What our Han dynasty now needs is down-to-earth development, not indulgence in these illusory fantasies.'

The two sides went back and forth, neither yielding.

Liu Ju, meanwhile, sat on the throne, looking at everyone with a playful expression.

Seeing Liu Ju's expression, Zhang Tang and the others grew even angrier!

'If you are spreading heresy to confuse the masses, do not blame me for being merciless with my sword!'

Zhang Tang let out a sudden shout, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo remained calm and unhurried, still wearing his composed smile; he first bowed slightly to Zhang Tang and Wei Xiang.

'Sir Zhang, Sir Wei, while what you say has some merit, it is overly narrow and short-sighted.'

Dongfang Shuo spoke clearly and evenly: 'Did the fall of the pre-Qin dynasty occur solely because Xu Fu went to sea to seek immortals? No—it was because Qin Er Shi was foolish and corrupt, his harsh rule fiercer than tigers, leaving the people unable to survive, which caused the realm to fall into chaos and the throne to change hands.'

Saying this, he again bowed to Liu Ju and said:

'Our Han dynasty, under the emperor's wise rule, enjoys clear governance and the people live in peace and contentment, worlds apart from the Qin dynasty. Moreover, the late emperor, while on the throne, especially revered spirits and gods; for you ministers to speak this way today is tantamount to denying the late emperor!'

Zhang Tang stared coldly at Dongfang Shuo and said: 'Dongfang Shuo, do you know that disaster comes from the mouth?'

He then scanned the hall and proclaimed loudly: 'Your Majesty, and the former emperor, are not the same! Please, everyone, see the present situation clearly and do not speak against it.'

Dongfang Shuo slightly shook his head and said: 'Sir Zhang, you say our immortal arts are deceitful tricks; then I ask you, when penicillin was being researched, did you also think it was mere fantasy? But what about the facts?'

Zhang Tang immediately retorted: 'That is because the emperor is trustworthy; what qualifications do you have to be mentioned alongside him?'

Dongfang Shuo and the others dared not reply.

Dongfang Shuo then said: 'Our Han dynasty needs down-to-earth development, which I fully agree with. But seeking the elixir of immortality is not contradictory to down-to-earth work; it too serves the Han dynasty's long-term development.'

He curled the corner of his mouth with a faint smile, neither humble nor arrogant, meeting the piercing gazes of Zhang Tang and Wei Xiang, clasping his hands and bowing, his voice like a great bell: 'Since you lords consider seeking immortals and asking about the Way to be baseless talk, I will instead explain this matter from another angle.'

Seeing everyone's gaze turn to him, he stroked his beard and said: 'Our dynasty, since Emperor Gaozu rose in revolt by slaying the white snake, the Han dynasty inherited the Mandate of Heaven and was established; after generations of emperors, we have today's prosperity and flourishing.'

'At the same time, throughout these long ages, the land of China has always been eager to explore the mysterious and unknown; since the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, many legends about immortals and miraculous medicines have been passed down.'

'This is not only the faith of the ancients, but also a part of our nation's culture; how could a single phrase "absurd and unfounded" easily dismiss it?'

'Dongfang Shuo, stop making excuses!'

'The emperor will naturally not believe you!'

'That is...'

The ministers immediately engaged Dongfang Shuo in a war of words.

Dongfang Shuo's expression was calm, his eyes deep, and he then spoke slowly: 'Lords, all things in the world have their own meaning and value; the unknown is equally worthy of our exploration.'

'Furthermore, all things have two sides. Going to sea to seek immortals, while appearing to consume manpower and material, in this process our exploration of the ocean and understanding of the unknown world may bring unexpected gains.'

He then turned to face Liu Ju, speaking sincerely: 'Your Majesty, these gains may one day provide a new opportunity for the Han dynasty's development, becoming a new driving force for its progress. We must not only see the immediate cost, but also not overlook long-term possibilities.'

Inside the hall of Weiyang Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.

Everyone's gaze was tightly focused on Liu Ju upon the throne.

Liu Ju slightly raised his head, his gaze slowly sweeping over each minister in the court, his voice steady and powerful:

'After careful consideration, I have decided to permit Dongfang Shuo and the others to go to sea to seek immortals.'

As soon as these words were spoken, the court erupted in an uproar.

Zhang Qian's face showed shock, his tablet almost slipping from his hand; he stepped forward a pace and urgently said: 'Your Majesty, going to sea to seek immortals is vague and illusory; please reconsider.'

Tian Qianqiu looked worried, clasped his hands and said: 'Your Majesty, I believe Marquis Bowang's words are quite correct; this endeavor is indeed inappropriate.'

Zhang Tang's face turned extremely ugly, his eyes wide with fury as he glared at Dongfang Shuo and the others, shouting angrily: 'Your Majesty, it is all these alchemy masters spreading heresy to confuse the masses!'

Wei Xiang let out a long sigh, shook his head and said: 'Your Majesty, do not let a passing thought ruin the affairs of state.'

The other ministers likewise echoed their agreement.

Dongfang Shuo and the others, however, were full of joy and excitement.

'Your Majesty is wise! This move of yours is indeed a blessing for our Han dynasty. We will surely exert our utmost, not betraying your trust; if we can obtain the elixir of immortality, we will surely guarantee your long life and protect the Han dynasty's prosperity for ten thousand years.'

Dongfang Shuo and the others knelt and shouted loudly.

For a moment, their voices actually drowned out the ministers' discussion.