Chapter 532: Shut Up, Hold It!

Soon, the moment for Chang Chao arrived.

A eunuch stepped forward to announce the summons, and numerous officials entered the Tai Ji Dian in orderly fashion.

When everyone had arrived, Li Shimin stepped forward and sat on his exclusive throne.

After the ministers paid their respects, Li Shimin raised his hand in a gesture and said, "All beloved ministers, rise."

"Thank you, His Majesty!"

Li Shimin gave a casual glance toward Chen Yan behind Dai Zhou, and Wushe stepped forward, shouting in a rather sharp voice, "If you have matters to report, present them; if not, retire from court."

What no one expected was that Chen Yan was the first to step forward, saying, "His Majesty, I have a matter to report!"

Not to mention Cheng Yaojin and the others, even Li Shimin was taken aback.

"No, on your first day at court, what could you possibly have to report?"

"Have you clarified the Ministry of Revenue matters?"

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling a premonition that Chen Yan was about to stir up some trouble again.

"Go… *cough*, speak!"

He subconsciously spoke in a private tone, but unfortunately caught himself and instantly corrected his words.

"His Majesty, I wish to impeach Left Vanguard Grand General Cheng Yaojin!"

The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell into dead silence.

Li Shimin:???

Ministers:???

Cheng Yaojin:?!!!

Who?

"Who the hell are you saying you want to impeach?"

Cheng Yaojin, incredulously, turned his head to look at Chen Yan, who had stepped forward in a flamboyant scarlet official robe, his mind completely blown.

Not to mention him, Li Shimin was likewise rendered speechless.

At that moment, the Tai Ji Dian was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, and everyone wore an expression of disbelief.

Who in the entire Tang Dynasty doesn't know that Chen Yan is Cheng Yaojin's nephew?

Since Chen Yan's parents passed away, Cheng Yaojin has practically raised him as his own son… no, even better than a son.

What have they just heard?

Chen Yan, on his first day at court, impeaching Cheng Yaojin?

Loyalty followed by betrayal, right?

First Sword of Landing, first slay the black rat?

Li Shimin hesitated, then wavered, and after a while, painfully closed his eyes, waved his hand, and said, "Speak!"

Chen Yan straightened his posture and loudly declared, "Since ancient times, food has been the foundation of all things. The *Guanzi·Governance* records: 'A prosperous state has abundant grain born of agriculture, therefore the ancient kings valued it. When the people farm, fields are cultivated; cultivated fields yield more grain; abundant grain makes the state rich.'"

"It clearly states that grain is the cornerstone of governing and strengthening a nation!"

"And I would like to ask you all, besides the people's hard labor and irrigation of good fields, what else does food require?"

Even though he hadn't finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin had already recalled something.

Before entering, Chen Yan had indeed said he would impeach him for slaughtering cattle!

He hadn't taken it to heart before, assuming it was a joke, but now, upon reflection, Chen Yan's words seem to have hidden meaning.

Cheng Yaojin lowered his head slightly, now understanding.

He himself, together with Yuchi Gong, fought a man named Cui, and still hasn't faced any punishment; this is not good news for them.

Because they all know that Li Shimin is likely to soon announce a mobilization of troops abroad.

No joke, the Tang Dynasty truly lacks no generals, so if they want to go forward, they must, as Chen Yan suggested, earn merit by bearing a penalty.

But how can that work when the crime hasn't been adjudicated yet?

Realizing this, Cheng Yaojin instantly steadied himself, his back straightening.

"......"

"We need draft oxen to plow the fields," Du Ruhui added.

"Indeed!" Chen Yan nodded slightly, "But think carefully, what have our Left Vanguard Grand General, our Duke Lu, done?"

"The household's draft oxen, troubled by love, brazenly killed itself; in a moment of hopelessness, it felt life was meaningless and hanged itself."

"Case by case, incident by incident, this is not idle talk; it is concretely recorded in the Government's official documents!"

"I just want to say, how arrogant and overbearing this is!"

"The common folk outside seek a draft ox but cannot obtain one, yet our Left Vanguard Grand General treats the ox so terribly, and the reasons given are even more laughable!"

Chen Yan hammered his chest, "His Majesty, whenever I think of it, I feel deep anguish!"

Cheng Yaojin was genuinely flabbergasted!

"Are you now feeling anguished, you son of a bitch?"

"When you were eating with oil dripping from your mouth, why weren't you anguished?"

Li Shimin at this moment also caught on, looking at Chen Yan below with a half‑smile, "In that case, Duke Lu indeed behaved outrageously; I had previously been completely unaware, thanks to your reminder."

"Not only that!" Chen Yan said seriously, "Duke Lu Cheng Yaojin's crimes go far beyond this!"

"Some time ago, when I was County Magistrate of Weinan County, I heard that Duke Lu and Duke Wu Yuchi Gong behaved crudely, even assaulting a court‑appointed official in front of the entire court's civil and military officials!"

"His Majesty, this Court is the crucial venue where ministers discuss the nation's major affairs. For such an important place, the two Dukes disregarded Your Majesty's authority, ignored the dignity of the officials, acted with extreme arrogance, making the Tai Ji Dian seem like a place specially for fighting and brawling."

"If such crimes go unpunished, Your Majesty, should anyone emulate the two Dukes, the hall will become choked with smoke and foul air, and we scholars will have to attend court in chainmail."

Li Shimin: "......"

He remained silent for a long while, truly at a loss for words.

You little brat...... you're really damn vicious.

Yuchi Gong stared wide-eyed, and what about my thing?

Never mind, Chen Yan's words are indeed somewhat incendiary; given his special situation now, many want to curry favor with him, and they've stepped forward one after another to voice support.

"His Majesty, I believe Minister Chen's words are reasonable; in court, assaulting officials must be severely punished!"

"I second that......"

Li Shimin really wanted to laugh, rubbing his forehead, 'Since that's the case, Minister Chen, how do you think I should punish them severely?'

"I believe we should strip the two Dukes of their posts and withhold their salaries for a year. Furthermore, their conduct is truly lacking in virtue; continuing to serve as Dukes would hardly win public approval."

Chen Yan said with a stern face: 'I suggest His Majesty demote their ranks; if they later achieve great merit, we can consider restoring them.'

"Oh, it would be best to also hit them with the Twenty Great Boards!"

Li Shimin: '......'

Upon hearing the first two sentences, he showed little expression, for he clearly understood what Chen Yan wanted—removal from office and demotion, which was also what he hoped to see.

But when he heard the last sentence, he really couldn't help snorting.

"...... What do Minister Du and Minister Fang think of Minister Chen's proposal?"

Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling actually also wanted to laugh, but being old hands in the world, they forcibly pinched the flesh on their hands.

Shut up, hold it in!

The two cleared their throats, stepped forward, and each spouted a lot of grand principles; in short, it boiled down to one sentence!

Agree with the punishment Chen Yan proposed!

Li Shimin nodded, 'Then let's follow Minister Chen's advice; the Ministry of Justice will carry it out!'

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Chen Yan performed a proper salute, then returned to his position.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong wore resentful expressions.

Awesome!

You're truly awesome!

On the first day of court, did they just take us down?

"......"