Chapter 184: Tian Qiuqiu's Choice

Tian Qiuqiu composed himself, thought for a moment, then spoke respectfully.

Your Majesty, since I assumed the office of Chancellor, I deeply feel the weight of responsibility, as if treading on thin ice. Under Your Majesty's wise leadership, the court of the Great Han is like a vast and precise machine, its parts interconnected, none dispensable. I am merely one of those insignificant parts.

Tian Qiuqiu paused slightly, his eyes full of sincerity and emotion, and said: "The various systems established by Your Majesty are like the framework of this machine, stable and ingenious. Under this system, officials each perform their duties, upper and lower united, jointly striving for the prosperity and flourishing of the Great Han. In carrying out my duties as Chancellor, I have deeply felt the power of the system. It ensures that all affairs have precedents to follow, and that orders are smoothly communicated and executed."

Your Majesty is sage; every decision stems from the long-term interests of the Great Han. In assisting Your Majesty, I need only follow Your Majesty's lead, accurately convey Your Majesty's will to the officials, and urge all parties to cooperate.

Whether in military affairs, governance, or people's livelihood, everyone can cooperate within the framework of the system, working together to achieve the same goal. Such efficient coordination is the foundation of the Great Han's continual development and growth.

Tian Qiuqiu said this, his eyes full of determination, and said: "Although my body is weary, my heart is full. To ease Your Majesty's burden and to participate in the well-functioning court system of the Great Han, I feel deeply honored. Henceforth, I will surely exert myself fully, not betraying Your Majesty's trust, to uphold the order of the Great Han's court and to promote its development, giving my all."

Liu Ju smiled and nodded, looking at Tian Qiuqiu also full of gratitude and trust.

Tian Qiuqiu bowed slightly, his voice growing more sincere, and said: "Your Majesty, looking back on the past, I came from humble origins, yet Your Majesty's discerning eye recognized my talent and entrusted me with important responsibility. From my initial entry into the court as an unnamed minor clerk to now being able to share the Chancellor's burden for Your Majesty, this journey has been entirely due to Your Majesty's trust and promotion. Whenever I face difficulties, Your Majesty always points the way with your wise insight, allowing me to find the proper path amidst complex affairs."

I know well that without Your Majesty's tolerance and guidance, I could never have stood firm in the ever-changing court, nor could I have contributed even a little to the prosperity of the Great Han. This favor of being known and valued, I will never forget in my lifetime.

Tian Qiuqiu's eyes welled with a tear, his emotions growing more agitated, and he said: "Your Majesty exhausts mind and energy for the Great Han, laboring day and night, with every thought and action directed toward the realm and the common people. I am fortunate to follow Your Majesty, personally witnessing the effort you have expended for the nation's prosperity; this is indeed the greatest fortune of my life."

Henceforth, no matter how complex the court situation or how perilous the obstacles, I can only repay Your Majesty with utter loyalty. I wish to be like the sharpest sword in Your Majesty's hand, to cut down all treacherous officials and clear the thorns hindering the Great Han's development; I also wish to be like the sturdiest shield, guarding at Your Majesty's side to repel any waves that would shake the foundations of the Great Han. As long as Your Majesty gives a single command, I will surely go through fire and water, ten thousand deaths not shirking, using all my strength to defend Your Majesty's authority and protect the glory of the Great Han.

Liu Ju naturally would not doubt Tian Qiuqiu's loyalty, and also knew that Tian Qiuqiu's expression of stance today was also due to his inner unease.

He comforted Tian Qiuqiu with a few words, then asked: "Minister Tian Ai Qing, having served as Chancellor for so long, have you noticed any improprieties in the Chancellor system?"

Tian Qiuqiu heard this, pondered briefly, then spoke respectfully.

Your Majesty, in my view, the Chancellor system is indeed a major beneficial policy for stabilizing the Great Han's court and governing the world, with many advantages. First, as the head of officials, the Chancellor can gather information from all quarters and organize the complex affairs of government.

The court's myriad affairs, without a Chancellor to coordinate centrally, would be hard for Your Majesty alone to manage. Each day I collect memorials from all places, screen and organize them, then present the important matters to Your Majesty, thus enabling Your Majesty to more efficiently grasp the state of the world and make wise decisions.

Furthermore, the Chancellor system helps coordinate officials, making court operations run smoothly. Although officials each have their duties, conflicts of orders and unclear responsibilities inevitably arise; at such times, the Chancellor, according to Your Majesty's orders, mediates and urges departments to cooperate.

Take the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal project, which involves water conservancy, manpower, material allocation, and many other aspects; it is precisely under the Chancellor's coordination that the various departments can proceed in an orderly manner, ensuring the project's smooth launch.

Your Majesty, the Chancellor can also, to a certain extent, share Your Majesty's burden. When urgent matters or sudden situations arise, the Chancellor may first adopt temporary measures to stabilize the situation, then report to Your Majesty. This both buys Your Majesty time to handle affairs and avoids disturbing Your Majesty over trifles.

Thereafter Tian Qiuqiu bowed slightly and said: "In this way, Your Majesty can devote more energy to major matters concerning the nation's long-term development, planning for the Great Han's lasting peace and stability."

Tian Qiuqiu's words were earnest, his logic clear, full of approval of the Chancellor system.

Liu Ju nodded slightly, listened attentively to Tian Qiuqiu's exposition, and a flicker of approval flashed in his eyes.

What Tian Qiuqiu said is not false; the Chancellor system plays a crucial role in the governance of the Great Han's court.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious; recent events are the best proof.

But although Tian Qiuqiu's health has not yet recovered, and he has benefited greatly from the Chancellor system, for him it is indeed of great significance; continuing to discuss the system's pros and cons is not urgent at present.

Thus Liu Ju shifted his tone, his expression turning solemn, and asked: "Minister Tian Ai Qing, now at court the Prince of Wei and others have impeached Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian for forming factions and engaging in self-interest, their misdeeds evident, already affecting the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a major project vital to the state's foundation. In your view, how should I deal with these two?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Qiuqiu's expression tightened; the main topic has arrived!

He forced himself to sit upright despite his condition, thought a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian dare to violate state law, acting recklessly for personal gain; their conduct is truly outrageous. If not severely punished, it will be hard to appease public anger, and impossible to demonstrate to the world Your Majesty's resolve to govern the court. I believe the urgent priority is to first suspend them for investigation, thoroughly examine their crimes, and recover the losses caused by their corrupt practices."

Tian Qiuqiu's eyes firm, his words revealing indignation at the treacherous, he continued: "After all crimes are clarified, then according to the Great Han's laws, give them due punishment to serve as a warning, so that the court above and below knows Your Majesty's zero tolerance for illegal and disorderly conduct. Only then can public sentiment be stabilized, the Grand Canal project proceed smoothly, and the court's pure atmosphere be maintained."

Liu Ju listened quietly to Tian Qiuqiu's suggestion, then nodded slightly.

Immediately thereafter he quickly concealed his expression.