Chapter 1340

"You scholars are not only jealous, but your hearts are smaller than needle points. Since ancient times, you've never tolerated a capable general. The more achievements he earns, the less you can bear it. Yet, you readily forgive a general who loses battles, even giving him a second chance. No wonder our national strength declines year after year—it's all your doing."

"Who is truly ruining this country, Chen Chen Guanlou? Explain clearly to this old man."

Sun Sun Daoning was furious.

He had worked diligently for decades, never slacking, solely devoted to relieving the court and Your Majesty of burdens. Yet in Chen Chen Guanlou's mouth, he had become a narrow-minded traitor who ruined the nation.

Unthinkable!

If the tiger doesn't roar, they think it's a sick cat.

This is too much!

"Are you suggesting it's Marquis Pingjiang who's ruining this country?"

"Isn't that exactly the case?"

Sun Sun Daoning slammed his fist on the table.

"For his own selfish interests, he delays crushing the rebel Guo Guo Dachun. For his own selfish interests, he allows Xiliang to ravage border civilians. Every year, the court spends an astronomical sum on grain and military supplies for the northwest armies. As a result, taxes have been raised repeatedly, and the people suffer unbearably. If those supplies were redirected to civilian needs, the people's lives would improve overnight. Tell me—is Marquis Pingjiang not a traitor who ruins the nation!"

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered, "It sounds as if the world would be peaceful and the people prosperous if Marquis Pingjiang simply stopped fighting. I ask you—what were the people's lives like before Guo Guo Dachun rebelled? What were they like before Da Ming Wang rebelled?"

"If their lives were truly good, why did so many rally behind Da Ming Wang and Guo Guo Dachun? Why, over these years, have rebels sprung up everywhere—just as one flame is extinguished, another ignites, and burns hotter than before? In truth, it's you corrupt, idle officials who are incompetent, unable to govern, obsessed only with power and profit."

"You—you—you're just twisting words! To defend Marquis Pingjiang, you abandon reason entirely, speaking only of loyalty, never right or wrong. I misjudged you."

Sun Sun Daoning was beside himself with rage.

This evening's wine made his heart ache.

He decided never again to drink Chen Chen Guanlou's wine—he wanted to live a few more years.

Chen Chen Guanlou smiled, "You blame me for speaking only of loyalty, not right or wrong. But how can court law be humane when it so readily punishes nine clans? If nine clans are to be exterminated, naturally one speaks only of family interest—how can one speak of national interest? The law itself is flawed at its root."

"Impudent! Since you've enjoyed your family's protection, when your family commits crimes, you deserve to be implicated. Exterminating nine clans is not wrong—the fault lies with the criminals. Besides, you've long been outside the five degrees of kinship with Hou Fu. Even if nine clans are exterminated, it won't touch you."

"But I bear the surname Chen!" Chen Chen Guanlou chuckled, "As you said, one cannot enjoy the benefits without bearing the consequences. Defending Marquis Pingjiang is my duty. So you have no right to blame me."

Sun Sun Daoning was momentarily speechless—he was never a skilled debater.

His mind had been led astray, following Chen Chen Guanlou's line of thought.

Why does everyone defend family interest instead of national righteousness? Is it truly because of the law? Because of exterminating nine clans?

No, no, no… it's not like that.

Exterminating nine clans is merely one reason—not the main one.

He had been led astray by the other man.

"I nearly fell into your verbal trap. You're truly devious—even this old man you've tricked."

Chen Chen Guanlou chuckled, "Old Sun, don't say I tricked you. You're tricking Marquis Pingjiang—and that's the same as tricking me. If Hou Fu falls, how will I survive in Jingcheng? I finally got a comfortable post to retire in peace, and now you're robbing me of that. So naturally, I won't be polite."

"Impudent! The Imperial Prison is a government office—how dare you treat it as your retirement haven? You're truly… absurd!" Sun Sun Daoning pointed at his nose, furious.

No wonder he's always holed up in the Imperial Prison, refusing to move. He's turned it into his retirement retreat.

He didn't know what to say anymore.

As they talked, they nearly broke off entirely.

Fortunately, both still wished to avoid open conflict, so their fragile bond held—though each now found the other unbearable.

Thus, they mutually agreed: for now, avoid meeting again, lest they grow even more disgusted with each other.

They left the painted boat.

Chen Chen Guanlou headed straight for Hou Fu to find Chen Chen Guanfu.

He disliked the new chief steward, Chen Guanping, so he wouldn't go to him.

Chen Chen Guanfu, seeing this unexpected midnight visitor, winced, "Can't you visit during daylight? Why must you come at this hour? What's wrong with you?"

Chen Chen Guanlou had no patience for debate—he told him a new storybook had surfaced, and storytellers everywhere were reciting it. The tale was a veiled reference to Marquis Pingjiang. The matter could be trivial or grave. Before any censor causes trouble, they must suppress it immediately.

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen Guanfu immediately frowned.

He never listened to storytellers—he had no idea such a thing had spread. The servants and guest advisors in the mansion were utterly incompetent. Such a major matter, and not a single person in the vast Hou Fu had noticed or warned him.

Absurd!

Replacing the chief steward has brought nothing but trouble.

Chen Guanping can't distinguish priorities—he still thinks like a merchant, judging everything by profit. Fool! How can Hou Fu operate by profit alone? Every aspect must be considered.

He said grimly, "I understand. Thank you for coming personally to inform me. I'll remember this favor—and repay you handsomely."

"Pay more attention. You can't handle everything alone—assign your subordinates to monitor outside developments. This mess… I tell you, the court has already begun considering replacing the Marquis. They'll stir up storms even without wind. Once this blows up, Hou Fu will suffer dearly."

"I understand. Thank you for the warning."

Chen Chen Guanlou fulfilled his duty and hurried away.

Chen Chen Guanfu sat in his study, lost in thought.

Chief steward Chen Guanping, upon hearing the news, scrambled out of bed in the middle of the night and rushed to the study—only to be struck by a teacup thrown by Chen Chen Guanfu, barely missing his head.

Chen Guanping didn't know what had happened, only that disaster loomed—he immediately knelt and begged for punishment.

"My chief steward, what have you been busy with these days? Do you know what's happening outside? I promoted you to relieve my burdens—not to flaunt your status under my protection."

"Master, calm down! Master, calm down! I am guilty—punish me!"

"What fault could you possibly have? You're simply enjoying the privileges of power, basking in Hou Fu's wealth and glory, and as chief steward, you think you needn't bother yourself with outside whispers, correct?"

The sarcastic tone terrified Chen Guanping—he bowed his head repeatedly, begging for mercy.

Chen Chen Guanfu snorted, "Get out. Think deeply about this."

He would no longer keep Chen Guanping.

He had thought him capable, so he promoted him. But he turned out to be a glory-seeking, arrogant fool. He had misjudged him—it was his own fault!