Chapter 1574: You're in for a Rough Time

"This... Edict of Self-Blame seems rather excessive."

"How could it be excessive? As the Son of Heaven, if the Emperor makes a mistake, he naturally must bear the responsibility!"

"Hmm... if the Emperor possesses saintly virtue and a benevolent heart, then for the sake of the common people, he indeed should do so..."

Xuan Yuan Qifa's memorial immediately caused the assembled ministers to buzz with discussion.

Xu Que, seated upon the Dragon Throne, raised an eyebrow, stared straight at Xuan Yuan Qifa, and said with a cold smile, "Are you stupid... ahem, to have racked your brains just to come up with such a plan?"

Damn it, you want me to issue an Edict of Self-Blame?

You must be living in a dream, right?

Once this Edict of Self-Blame is issued, it would be tantamount to admitting incompetence to the entire Kingdom!

Only a fool of a Saint would pay you any attention!

Xu Que immediately waved his hand broadly and declared in a deep voice, "Let us set aside the matter of the Edict of Self-Blame for now; I have something far more important to announce!"

Xuan Yuan Qifa refused to yield an inch: "Your Majesty, this concerns the livelihood of the common people and cannot be delayed!"

Oh ho, so you're preparing to force your way into the Palace?

Xu Que immediately found this amusing; he leaned forward slightly and said in a deep voice, "Beloved subject, what I am about to speak of is a great matter for the nation and its people; are you certain you wish to interrupt me?"

"Your Subject dare not!" Xuan Yuan Qifa felt a chill in his heart; he detected that Xu Que was already growing impatient, and if he continued to pressure him, this Dark Lord would surely commit some absurd act.

He tilted his head slightly, casting his gaze toward Xuan Yuan Wanrong.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong looked neither left nor right, gazing solemnly ahead, completely ignoring Xuan Yuan Qifa's glance.

Xu Que's expression was subtle, yet he did not speak it aloud immediately; instead, he proclaimed an imperial decree: "Beloved subjects, today I decree that we shall build schools throughout the land, abolish the Recommendation System, establish the Imperial Examination System, and simultaneously undertake massive construction to repair roads across the nation."

Clamor!

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers were shocked!

Building schools was for the education of the common people, so the officials had no objection.

Repairing roads across the nation was likewise a good deed, so naturally, they could find no words to refute it.

But abolishing the Recommendation System and establishing the Imperial Examination System immediately sent the entire court into an uproar!

The appointment and promotion of officials in the Eastern Tang Kingdom had always relied entirely on the Recommendation System.

Simply put, to enter the court as an official, one required a recommendation from someone already serving in the court.

But where would those from poor families and humble backgrounds find acquaintances serving as officials in the court?

This resulted in a situation where all officials within the court belonged to various factions, were interconnected, and controlled the court.

Even those from humble origins, no matter how talented or learned, could never become court officials.

Xu Que's move undoubtedly infringed upon the interests of all officials; he was essentially standing alone against the entire court!

"Your Majesty, this cannot be!"

"The Recommendation System has existed since ancient times; the ancestral system cannot be abolished!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Except for a small portion of the Reform Faction, everyone else spoke out in opposition, strongly demanding that Xu Que revoke his order.

Among them, led by Xuan Yuan Qifa, the entire Affinal Clan Group reacted most violently.

These people relied entirely on the Recommendation System to become officials, and furthermore, the annual income they gained through recommendations was substantial; Xu Que's actions were equivalent to digging out the roots of the affinal clans.

How could they possibly agree?

Listening to these words of opposition, Xu Que's face retained its smile.

I just want to see this group of you anxiously stamping your feet; it's so cute!

"You will not succeed; imperial rule has been this way for thousands of years; how can it be changed so casually?" At this moment, Xuan Yuan Wanrong said indifferently.

"What the hell do you know? Stand aside and watch properly!" Xu Que, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, retorted directly.

I, the dignified Son of Heavenly Mandate and leader of the F*ck-Heaven Gang, need to care about your expressions just to carry out a reform?

Go eat shit!

Xu Que pondered for a moment, then piled a gentle smile back onto his face: "Since all you beloved subjects oppose the Imperial Examination System so strongly, I shall consider it further; however, what do you think of the other two policies?"

Seeing Xu Que relent, the officials breathed a collective sigh of relief.

As long as the Recommendation System remained untouched, anything was negotiable; as for building roads and schools, let him build whatever he wished.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"This act is a merit for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations; I am willing to contribute my strength for Your Majesty."

"I second this motion."

Bang!

Xu Que immediately slammed the table, his expression excited: "Excellent! I never expected Beloved Subject Xuan to understand my intentions so well; now that the Imperial Treasury is empty, I also intend for all of you to make donations; let us build ten or eight schools in various regions, accumulating little by little into much! I wonder how much Beloved Subject Xuan intends to donate?"

Xuan Yuan Qifa was completely stunned.

When did I say I would donate? I only said one sentence: 'I second this motion'... Holy crap!

That dog-dayed Emperor is digging a pit for me!

Xuan Yuan Qifa immediately realized the situation: So you understood 'contribute my strength' to mean this?

Talking is fine, but paying money is absolutely impossible!

Xuan Yuan Qifa immediately attempted to politely decline: "This... my salary is barely enough to subsidize my household expenses..."

"I heard that Beloved Subject Xuan went to the White Cloud Tower a few days ago to eat Hot Pot and extravagantly spent a thousand gold in a single day; surely you aren't unable to produce this small amount of Silver?" Xu Que glanced at him, directly blocking the words Xuan Yuan Qifa was about to say.

Xuan Yuan Qifa's face turned as red as a pig's liver, and a wave of bewilderment surged in his heart.

Damn it, how does this Dark Lord know I spent so much Silver on Hot Pot?

Oh, right, that place seems to be owned by the Emperor.

Then never mind.

"Since that is the case, then this subject will donate five..." Xuan Yuan Qifa's face twisted in pain as if losing flesh, holding up one palm.

"Five Ten Thousand Taels! Excellent! I never expected my beloved minister to be so generous; you truly are a pillar of Eastern Tang! This is simply too magnificent; such a heroic deed should be proclaimed to the entire Kingdom. I am deeply gratified to have a minister like you!"

Before he could finish, Xu Que slapped the table and stood up. "Everyone, let us applaud Minister Xuan!"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, but ultimately clapped with evident reluctance.

Those present had finally realized the situation: the Emperor had been waiting for them to fall into this trap all along.

Damn it, if only we hadn't gone to eat that Hot Pot earlier.

Xuan Yuan Qifa stared at Xu Que, who was loudly proclaiming his virtues before everyone.

At this moment, he wished he could immediately grab a knife and commit the treasonous crime of regicide.

Hell, I originally intended to donate just Five Hundred Taels as a mere gesture!

Yet you scream so loudly here, calling it so magnificent!

How am I supposed to have the nerve to say the rest of my sentence now?

Xuan Yuan Qifa finally understood: Xu Que was not collecting donations at all; he was outright robbing money!

Watching Xuan Yuan Qifa's face turn green then white in turns, Xu Que smiled coldly in his heart.

You bastard, since you opposed me so fiercely just now, tricking you out of some money is the least I could do!

If you don't stay obedient—no, whether you are obedient or not, you are in for a rough time ahead!

Very soon.

Amidst Xu Que's shouting, which resembled a Presentation, the various ministers contributed considerable amounts of silver.

After court adjourned, the other officials looked at Xuan Yuan Qifa as if they wanted to eat him alive.

Damn it... if you hadn't clashed with the Emperor right there, would we have been forced to donate so much?

Xuan Yuan Qifa wanted to cry but had no tears, harboring secret resentment in his heart.

Dog Emperor! This grudge is now settled between us!