Chapter 716: First Volume, Chapter 716: Qin Feng Has Arrived!

First Volume, Chapter 716: Qin Feng Has Arrived!

Chen Zheng, the leading figure among the pure-stream upright officials and Minister of Court of Imperial Stud, stepped forward.

He neither looked at the Taolin Party officials nor acknowledged the Imperial Party ministers; he simply stood tall and straight, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Now, the factional strife within this Imperial Court has grown increasingly fierce."

"The Taolin Party, led by Grand Commandant Qin, and the Imperial Party, led by Grand Commandant Tian, together control over ninety percent of the Civil and Military Officials."

"Both sides bear heavy responsibilities, yet care only about fame and profit—where does this leave the Liang Empire's throne and state?"

"I'd like to ask Grand Commandant Qin and Grand Commandant Tian: is the position of Taishi Taibao really that desirable?"

"Even you two Court Heavy Ministers have lost your composure?"

Chen Zheng showed not the slightest mercy, openly rebuking the most powerful ministers before the Liang Emperor and all Civil and Military Ministers.

Logically, Chen Zheng alone was weak and powerless, utterly incapable of turning the tide.

Even if he added all the pure-stream upright officials behind him, they still could not make a significant impact in this Imperial Court.

But…

Everyone in the hall knew clearly: any official tagged with the words "pure-stream upright official" was a Ruffian.

Neither soft nor hard tactics worked on them; they recognized only rigid principle. Not even Court ministers could intimidate them—provoke them enough, and these pure-stream upright officials would directly defy the Liang Emperor face-to-face.

The entire Grand Hall fell silent.

Tian Yuanshou had no desire to stand off against the pure-stream upright officials; doing so would only invite trouble.

Qin Tianhu remained silent as well; although he led the Taolin Party in competing for the position of Taishi Taibao, his goal was to consolidate the Qin Family's status, end internal strife, and Rejuvenate Daliang.

The Taolin Party's original intent was never to monopolize governance; naturally, it could not stand opposed to the pure-stream upright officials.

In this Imperial Court, a good official was not necessarily a pure-stream upright official—but any pure-stream upright official was unquestionably a good official.

Seeing that Qin Tianhu and Tian Yuanshou remained silent, the Liang Emperor let out a long sigh—but could not bring himself to feel relief.

Because Chen Zheng had stepped forward not to aid the Liang Emperor; he merely believed that the Taolin Party and Imperial Party's struggle for the position of Taishi Taibao endangered the state.

As the Liang Emperor had anticipated, Chen Zheng spoke bluntly: "Your subject believes this position of Taishi Taibao cannot remain vacant indefinitely."

"A virtuous talent must be appointed as soon as possible."

"As for who should hold it, it must be based solely on merit."

At these words, the Liang Emperor's heart sank.

Li Xu quickly seized the opportunity: "If merit alone determines selection, then clearly achievements should decide who is worthy—among all Civil and Military Officials, whose achievements surpass Grand Commandant Qin's?"

"Who else but Grand Commandant Qin could shoulder such a heavy responsibility?"

Facing Li Xu's retort, Chen Zheng replied without hesitation: "Grand Commandant Qin's achievements are indeed unmatched."

"But the Qin Family's power is too great—this position of Taishi Taibao must not be entrusted to the Qin Family!"

At these words, Minister of Personnel Wu Mian immediately shouted angrily: "Chen Zheng, I see you're clearly targeting Grand Commandant Qin!"

"Just now you claimed merit alone should decide appointments, yet now you've reversed yourself. What do you mean, 'the Qin Family's power is too great'? Are you, a pure-stream upright official, now playing the Hedging Art?"

"Grand Commandant Qin, out of respect for your status as a pure-stream upright official, has voluntarily stepped back—don't mistake his courtesy for your advantage."

Chen Zheng had anticipated this backlash and paid it no mind.

He stood proudly among the ministers, eyes straight ahead, utterly unmoved.

"Wu Mian, why are you so agitated?"

"In rank, I am Minister of Court of Imperial Treasury—not substantially lower than you, the head of the Ministry of Personnel."

"In seniority, you and I are both Imperial Examiners of the same cohort."

"In ability, I was the top-ranked scholar; you were merely a Jinshi."

"Ultimately, I rank higher than you—how dare you speak to me this way?"

Wu Mian and Chen Zheng were indeed classmates from the same cohort; since the founding of Liang, only thirteen top scholars had been produced—and Chen Zheng was one of them.

That was precisely why Wu Mian always avoided confrontation—but now, facing Chen Zheng's aggressive tone, Wu Mian could not suppress his anger.

Just as he was about to speak, Qin Tianhu intervened.

Qin Tianhu looked at Chen Zheng and bowed slightly: "Chen Official, the last top scholar was decades ago; among the living, you are the only one."

"Even this old man holds great admiration for your exceptional talent."

"Yet, as you yourself said, the appointment of Taishi Taibao must be based on merit and ability. Your accusation that the Qin Family's power is too great—that too is an act of personal bias, not impartial governance."

Chen Zheng held no animosity toward Qin Tianhu; in fact, he genuinely admired him.

Had it not been for the Qin Family's father and son, who turned the tide and repelled the Di from the north, Liang's current situation would have been far worse.

Yet Chen Zheng refused to yield an inch.

"Grand Commandant Qin, please do not blame me—I am not targeting the Qin Family, but the Qin Family is simply unsuitable to hold the position of Taishi Taibao."

"This is for the sake of the empire's stability."

"If Grand Commandant Qin believes I am acting out of personal vendetta, deliberately suppressing the Qin Family, then I am willing to bear the blame as the villain."

With that, Chen Zheng took a deep breath, his voice ringing powerfully throughout the entire Grand Hall.

"I will not accept the Qin Family assuming the position of Taishi Taibao!"

"If anyone dares to use their faction's strength to seize power by deceit, I will lead every pure-stream upright official and all scholars and Imperial Examiners of Heaven to denounce such evil acts!"

"Moreover…"

"I and all the pure-stream upright officials hereby resign from office and return to our hometowns!"

At these words, not only Qin Tianhu and Tian Yuanshou, but even the Liang Emperor were stunned.

With the great war over and external threats temporarily resolved, internal governance had become the paramount concern.

Every pure-stream upright official was a capable, hardworking official—if they collectively resigned, the Imperial Court would nearly grind to a halt.

This was not the first time Chen Zheng had threatened resignation; even the Liang Emperor had been threatened by him before.

And in truth, Chen Zheng had the courage and resolve for this—after all, if he hadn't resigned his post and returned to his hometown back then, one of the Three Dukes would surely have been Chen Zheng.

The entire Grand Hall fell silent once more.

As long as Chen Zheng stood in the way, the Qin Family could never obtain the position of Taishi Taibao.

Qin Tianhu sighed inwardly; he had anticipated that the Liang Emperor would spare no effort to block it, but he had never expected Chen Zheng to suddenly appear at the final moment.

The position of Taishi Taibao will likely remain vacant for some time again.

Just as Qin Tianhu and the Taolin Party officials were preparing to give up, the Imperial Eunuch hurried in.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Anle, Qin Feng, requests audience outside the palace."

Upon hearing this, the Liang Emperor's heart sank.

Dammit!

The one person who should never have come, had come anyway.

The Taolin Party officials were also greatly surprised, then secretly rejoiced.

After all, they had witnessed firsthand how Qin Feng dealt with the Northern Di Envoy Group—now, only Qin Feng could handle Chen Zheng.