Chapter 353

Jiang Tu's petty calculations clacked like beads snapping together.

Everyone present was no fool—top-tier scholars forged in the crucible of ten thousand troops clashing. Even if they'd once struggled to read others' minds, decades of bureaucratic turbulence had honed their wit until they'd perfected the art of discerning intent.

The moment Jiang Tu shifted his buttocks slightly, all present knew what he was scheming. They sneered inwardly: a toad dreaming of swallowing a swan—how presumptuous. To covet military command? Pure fantasy.

Just as Jiang Tu stirred with ambition, Yu Zhaoan stepped forward first.

Yu Zhaoan, newly appointed, had remained quiet, showing none of the typical new-official's three fires. But all knew well: Yu Zhaoan was no meek soul. The moment he stood, every heart flashed the same thought: he's about to stir trouble.

As expected.

"Your Majesty, I impeach Prince Zhong."

What?

What?

They were discussing Prince Chu's rebellion, yet Yu Zhaoan inverted priorities—why impeach Prince Zhong? Has he lost his mind?

What game is Yu Zhaoan playing? What's his true intent?

Left Chancellor Li Liangcheng, who had already half-stepped forward, froze and slowly retracted his foot. He seemed to glimpse Yu Zhaoan's hidden purpose.

To impeach Prince Zhong now—is this to protect him or destroy him?

The old emperor was equally puzzled by Yu Zhaoan's move.

"Minister, don't create unnecessary complications!"

Yu Zhaoan suddenly raised his voice—as if volume alone could amplify the power of his words. Everyone present felt their eardrums throb.

He declared: "I do not speak without cause. Your Majesty's excessive leniency toward Prince Zhong is precisely why Prince Chu dared rebel. I've heard Prince Zhong has built countless Daoist temples within his mansion, summoning every renowned Daoist across the land—good or vile—to gather daily, practicing Dao to seek immortality.

Tell me, what virtue or merit does Prince Zhong possess to dare seek immortality? Immortality is no easy path. The chance for it is vanishingly rare—perhaps even unique. If he practices Dao, what will Your Majesty practice?

Under heaven, only Your Majesty has the right to pursue the Dao of immortality. Your Majesty holds the Four Seas; the sole opportunity belongs to you alone.

Prince Zhong, audacious beyond measure, has shown no remorse since being stripped of his crown prince title. Now he dares compete with Your Majesty for the one and only chance at immortality. This is clear disloyalty. His actions have misled others, giving Prince Chu the false confidence to rebel. I implore Your Majesty: abandon paternal affection. Issue an edict to punish Prince Zhong severely."

Scholars' hearts are black.

Jiang Tu, standing at the rear of the line, thought to himself.

Is this the mind of a scholar? Even flattery can be so fresh, so unconventional—he could never conceive of such a method.

His instinct was right: Yu Zhaoan is his true rival.

Such a sycophantic worm dares call himself a scholar? He shames the entire class. If he were a scholar, he'd refuse to stand beside such a man.

Many in attendance wore expressions of fury and contempt. Yu Zhaoan had kicked Prince Zhong while he was down—despicable, vile. How did such a scoundrel slip into their pure ranks? They should have fiercely opposed the old emperor's promotion of Yu Zhaoan from the start.

All ministers turned to look at Li Liangcheng.

Yet Left Chancellor Li Liangcheng slowly closed his eyes, relaxed completely, no longer tense as before.

"Absurd!"

Finally, someone could no longer contain their rage and stepped forward first.

"Prince Chu's rebellion—what has it to do with Prince Zhong? Prince Zhong is utterly innocent, sitting at home while disaster falls from heaven. Chancellor Yu, you're clearly sowing discord between father and son in the imperial family. You're unfit to be chancellor."

"I cannot agree with Chancellor Yu. How can Daoist practice be linked to Prince Chu's rebellion? Even if you must find fault, at least pick a plausible excuse."

"Is Chancellor Yu paving the way for Prince Jin? Is Prince Jin truly so impatient?"

"As a minister of state, how can you harm Prince Zhong for personal gain? The most urgent matter now is quelling the rebellion and appointing the right general. Chancellor Yu ignores state affairs, obsessed only with settling personal grudges. Truly disappointing."

"Your Majesty, issue an edict to remove Yu Zhaoan from his post as chancellor—he is unworthy!"

"Your Majesty, issue an edict to remove the chancellor!" The ministers shouted in unison, treating Yu Zhaoan as a traitor and villain—his threat surpassed even Jiang Tu's. Unless this man is expelled, the court will never know peace.

Jiang Tu's cheeks flushed with excitement.

Yu Zhaoan has courted death—Heaven aids me! He joined the chorus, roaring: Remove him, remove him, he must be removed! He's unworthy!

Only Left Chancellor Li Liangcheng remained still, seated, unmoving as a mountain. His expression was indifferent, revealing no joy or anger, his true thoughts unreadable.

"You all call me absurd, yet you reveal only your short-sightedness and intellectual limits. No wonder governance has grown worse under your hands, the realm worse under your rule. Don't blame everything on Your Majesty. If Your Majesty bears three-tenths of the blame, you bear at least five."

Yu Zhaoan lashed out at the entire court.

"Absurd!"

"Traitor!"

"Dog!"

"Yu Zhaoan, may you die a wretched death!"

"All of you, be silent! This is the imperial court, not a marketplace. Let Chancellor Yu finish speaking." Li Liangcheng finally spoke, restoring order.

The old emperor felt displeased, yet secretly comforted, even somewhat pleased.

Yu Zhaoan understood him.

Of course, he would never admit the realm's chaos was his fault. It was peaceful before—now it's chaotic, so clearly his ministers failed. As Yu Zhaoan said, the ministers bore the main responsibility. As for his own? Well, intellectually he conceded Yu Zhaoan's point—he wasn't entirely blameless, perhaps a little. But emotionally? He refused. Hence his displeasure, yet his comfort and satisfaction.

Promoting Yu Zhaoan was indeed the right decision.

As for the bond between Yu Zhaoan and Prince Jin—hah, it's nothing but a fart. Prince Jin's hope that Yu Zhaoan would side with him? Pure fantasy.

Yu Zhaoan was once a staunch scholar, upholding orthodox principles and ready to debate the old emperor. Now he is a firm Imperialist, centering all on the emperor. But his brilliance lies in this: unlike Jiang Tu, who merely fawns and bullies, Yu Zhaoan wraps his true intent in a sugar-coating of loyalty to the emperor.

His true goal? No one can say.

For instance, now—he impeaches Prince Zhong. Is he truly aiming at Prince Zhong?

Li Liangcheng narrowed his eyes, studying Yu Zhaoan at the center of the court. Amid the ministers' accusations and curses, Yu Zhaoan showed no wavering—instead, he grew even more resolute.

"Why did Prince Chu dare rebel? Beyond his long-held ambition and secret planning, it was Prince Zhong's fate that gave him confidence."