Chapter 187

Liu Ju swept his gaze across the court, cleared his throat, and spoke in a steady tone:

"After careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Chen Wenjin as Right Chancellor, overseeing the Southern Great Development, and Li Xiangtian as Vice Minister of Works, to fully assist Chen Wenjin. I hope the two of you will not disappoint my expectations and will expand the southern territories of our Great Han, achieving great merit."

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

Wei Qing's face filled with astonishment; he looked at Liu Ju in disbelief, his lips trembling slightly, as if wanting to say something, but the sudden appointment left him momentarily speechless.

After composing himself, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty! Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian have notorious records, engaging in corruption in the court, which has stalled the Grand Canal project, and now they have even driven Chancellor Tian to illness. How can such people be entrusted with important responsibilities? The Southern Great Development is a matter vital to the nation's fate; it must never be left to them."

Wei Qing furrowed his brows, his eyes full of worry and urgency, his voice trembling slightly from agitation.

Zhang Qian also spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty, I humbly ask you to withdraw this order. Everyone can see these two's character and conduct; the Southern Great Development requires someone of both virtue and talent, and they are simply not equal to the task, lest they jeopardize national affairs."

Beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Qian's forehead.

Su Wudao said: "Your Majesty, such treacherous villains, if not punished but instead promoted, how can they win the people's submission? How will the common folk view Your Majesty's decision? Please, Your Majesty, think thrice!"

Wei Xiang sighed and said: "Your Majesty, Chancellor Tian's illness is related to these two. Yet now they are placed in important posts—where is justice in the court? I believe this appointment is improper; I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."

Everyone was filled with disappointment and worry, their faces grim.

In contrast, Chen Wenjin, upon hearing the appointment, first froze for a moment, then an undisguised look of delight appeared on his face, the corners of his mouth slightly turning up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

He hurried forward, knelt, and kowtowed in thanks: "Your Majesty's wisdom! I will surely exert my utmost, not betraying Your Majesty's trust, and devote myself to the Southern Grand Development."

Having said that, he furtively glanced at Wei Qing and the others, his eyes hinting at a provocation.

Li Xiangtian also became excited, his face flushed red, and hastily followed suit, kneeling and saying: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lay down my liver and brains, to fully assist Chancellor Chen in seeing the Southern Grand Development through."

At the same time, the other officials in Chen Wenjin's faction also received Liu Ju's heavy promotion.

For a moment, all the civil and military officials of the court were abuzz with discussion, not understanding why the wise and martial Liu Ju had suddenly been bewitched by Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

They actually made such an absurd move.

After Liu Ju left court, he returned to the front hall.

All the civil and military officials of the court were abuzz with discussion, not understanding why the wise and martial Liu Ju had suddenly been bewitched by Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, and actually made such an absurd move.

After Liu Ju left court, he returned to the front hall.

Empress Wei Zifu, the newly delivered Li Yan, and the pregnant Consort Shi Liangdi came to see him with worried expressions.

Empress Wei Zifu's expression was solemn; she spoke first, her voice tinged with worry: "Ju, I have also heard of today's court affairs. The conduct of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian is known to all inside and outside the court; they are truly not fit to bear important responsibilities. Why would the Son of Heaven entrust such a vital matter as the Southern Grand Development to them? I truly do not understand; I hope Your Majesty will give it careful thought."

She slightly furrowed her brows, her eyes full of concern and anxiety, her gaze fixed on Liu Ju, as if hoping to find an answer in his eyes.

Li Yan gently stroked the child in her arms and whispered: "Your Majesty, although I reside in the inner palace, I have also heard that these two are of ill conduct. The Southern Grand Development concerns the future of our Great Han; if it fails due to improper employment, it may affect Your Majesty's reputation and cause the people to suffer. Your Majesty has always been wise—could there have been an oversight this time? Please, Your Majesty, think carefully before acting."

Li Yan's eyes were gentle, yet her words carried firmness, hoping to persuade Liu Ju to change his mind.

Consort Shi Liangdi slightly bowed, her hands lightly stroking her slightly raised belly, and said: "Your Majesty, stability in the court concerns the rise and fall of the nation as well as the tranquility of the inner palace. Now these two have been entrusted with important duties, and all civil and military officials voice objections. I fear this will chill the hearts of loyal ministers and plunge the court into chaos. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider, lest a moment's decision bring irreversible consequences."

Liu Ju listened silently to their three words, his face showing little expression, merely letting out a faint sigh.

He slowly rose, walked to the window, gazed at the outside scenery, remained silent for a moment, then said: "Empress Dowager, Yan'er, Liangdi, I understand your feelings, but court affairs are far more complex than you imagine. I am not foolish; I have my own considerations. The Southern Grand Development does carry risk, but also opportunity. Although Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian have faults, they also have useful qualities in certain aspects. I will closely monitor their every move and will not let them run amok."

Liu Ju turned, his gaze firm as he looked at them, and said: "You need not worry; I will maintain the proper balance, putting the interests of our Great Han first."

The next day, the newspapers of the Great Han also widely reported the emperor's new personnel appointments.

Sima Qian especially wrote an article for this occasion, his pen sharp; although he did not directly question Liu Ju's decision, he showed no mercy toward Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

Sima Qian wrote in the article: "Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian— their conduct is evident, their wicked deeds piled up. In the court, they form factions for private gain, serving only themselves and disregarding the nation's righteousness. The Grand Canal project, which concerns the nation's livelihood and the people's welfare, has been obstructed by their meddling, progress stalled, and the people suffer immensely."

"Now, to actually entrust these two with the important task of the Southern Grand Development— the southern lands await their rivers and mountains to be raised, the people hope for prosperity; to let such treacherous villains take charge, is it not to place the splendid rivers and mountains and myriad masses in peril? Their hearts deserve death, their actions deserve condemnation!"

The article's language was fierce, each word like a blade, laying bare all the wicked deeds of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

Upon release, the newspaper quickly caused a great uproar among the populace of the Great Han.

In every street and alley of the Great Han, people were discussing this matter.

"Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian have long been up to no good, yet now they are even being promoted— what is the court thinking? We common folk are watching."

"My family lives near the Grand Canal; because of their meddling, the project has stalled, affecting countless households' livelihoods. Now sending them south again, the southern people will surely suffer."

Everyone talked on end, filled with righteous indignation.

From ordinary commoners to market vendors and then to school students, most expressed dissatisfaction and worry over the appointment of Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian.

Although they are in different places and engage in various livelihoods, they all care about the nation, hoping the court will employ the virtuous and capable, so that the people of the Great Han may enjoy a stable and prosperous life.

But at present, the emperor's appointment has already been issued; clearly, this is not something they can influence.