Chapter 708: Go Against the Norm

When Pan Yun was mentioned, the Emperor also got a headache—physically.

He couldn't help rubbing his temples.

Xue Shao lowered his eyes; he knew exactly why, which was why he didn't mention Pan Yun's name, leaving it to Chen Liutao and Qu Zhixing to bring up.

Chen Liutao and Qu Zhixing, unaware of the inner workings, exchanged glances and both bowed their heads.

The Emperor exhaled, his fingers tapping irritably on the desk: "It's her~~"

Wang Zhen's expression had long since vanished; he stepped lightly aside, quietly withdrawing, then returned shortly with a cup of tea to replace the cold one before the Emperor.

The Emperor took it absently, sipped, found the temperature just right, his mood slightly calmed; he deliberately skipped over Pan Yun and asked in detail about the silver mine's location and the power controlling it.

Chen Liutao produced a map they had drawn and presented it; as for the issue of Japanese pirate forces, they had gathered much intelligence, but the one who understood best was surely Xue Shao.

Xue Shao glanced at them in surprise, then lowered his eyes to answer.

The more precisely he answered, the more agitated and complex the court officials' emotions became.

When he finished, a craftsman arrived, beaming, carrying a basin to report.

Inside the basin were crushed and washed ore fragments; gray-white silver could be seen in the broken surfaces. The craftsman said: "This is the largest silver deposit I've ever seen—just a little refining is needed to extract the silver."

The Emperor stood up, staring excitedly at the basin.

He couldn't help pacing twice along the steps, then asked Xue Shao eagerly: "What do you think we should do, Xue Qing?"

Xue Shao said: "Your Majesty, I believe we should seal off the coast, forbid civilians from entering the sea, strictly prohibit military personnel from sailing, prevent collusion with sea bandits, and order all of Pan Yun's people in Japan to withdraw immediately, forbidding any further interference in Japanese affairs."

The Emperor froze, turning to glare at him: "What did you say?"

Xue Shao's face was solemn: "Your Majesty, Great Ming is a land of propriety—we shall never act like bandits!"

The Emperor: …

Wang Zhen, who had prepared a full arsenal of words to crush Xue Shao, fell silent for a moment, then said: "Xue Yushi, that is incorrect…"

Wang Ji: "What banditry? Xue Yushi, have you drowned in the sea and lost your wits? The Japanese pirates have already reached our doorstep—Great Ming must punish them!"

Cao Nai: "Japan's name is Nihon, bestowed by our Central Plains—it is a vassal state of Great Ming. A subject must respect his lord, but since the Zhengtong Fourth Year, Japan has repeatedly rebelled and must be exterminated!"

Wang Wen, face righteous and stern, bowed: "Your Majesty, I petition to train a naval force to launch an expedition against Japan and exact justice."

At that moment, whether civil or military officials, whether Wang Zhen's faction or Qingliuyi Sect, they all had one thought: fight!

How could they fear a mere Japan?

Even some Ministry of Rites officials who had intended to oppose now swallowed their guilt and said: "Yes—how can our mighty empire allow a tiny island nation to repeatedly invade us?"

At that moment, all court officials stood united against Xue Shao.

Xue Shao said coldly: "During the previous dynasty, when our military was strong, we once launched an expedition against Japan—but before reaching the coast, we encountered a massive storm and nearly lost the entire army. This recent heavy rain and gales in Jiangnan were also caused by storms at sea."

"To hesitate before even fighting—civil officials are nothing but cowards!"

The civil officials protested: "This is merely Xue Shao's personal view—what does it have to do with us? We support launching the expedition. But Xue Yushi raises a valid point—what if we encounter a storm?"

"Just ask the Imperial Astronomical Bureau!"

"Or failing that, ask Zhang Zhenren of the Celestial Master's Mansion."

Xue Shao added: "But our expedition would face severe logistical difficulties—supply lines cannot sustain prolonged warfare. Even if we win, we cannot control the territory."

Yang Pu stroked his beard and said calmly: "Use the Japanese to govern the Japanese. Throughout history, the Central Plains have always employed minority groups to govern minority regions—thus, southern barbarians govern the south, northern barbarians govern the north."

Japan, to Great Ming, is merely another ethnic group.

The court officials deeply agreed, feeling Yang Fu's wisdom was unmatched.

Among the officials, only Yu Qian quickly glanced at Xue Shao, stepped forward, and said: "Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu originally imposed the sea ban because the southeast coast suffered constant Japanese pirate raids. Now, with Great Ming's strength rising and the seas at peace, we have the capacity to confront them—we should lift the sea ban, proclaim our might, and make all seas submit."

Xue Shao exhaled—he finally came to the real issue.

Upon hearing the call to lift the sea ban, half the court fell silent.

Yu Qian continued: "If we lift the sea ban and allow merchants and civilians to travel freely between the two lands, we can suppress sea bandits and provide logistical support for our expeditionary forces."

Cao Nai's eyes flashed with brilliant light; he immediately stepped forward: "I second this! We must lift the sea ban!"

One after another, officials stepped out, declaring: "I second this! We must lift the sea ban!"

In moments, most of the court had risen—civil and military alike.

Some knew the stakes well but still stood up; others were clueless, merely eager to fight the Japanese.

They stared blankly, thinking: as long as we can fight Japan, avenge our dead, and seize the silver mine, what does it matter what we open?

Jiang Gui jumped out excitedly too, shouting especially loudly, drawing a furious glare from Wang Ji.

Jiang Gui froze; seeing the old general glaring at him, he immediately shrank back, silent.

The Emperor's fervent heart cooled. He remained silent, then said: "We'll discuss this later."

Yu Qian frowned, stepped forward, and shouted: "Your Majesty!"

That single "Your Majesty" ignited the Emperor's fury—he roared back: "I said we'll discuss it later—dismissed!"

Wang Zhen immediately cried: "Court is adjourned!"

The Emperor swept out, his sleeves flaring.

Jiang Gui and a few other military officers were bewildered; as soon as court ended, they rushed after Wang Ji.

Though sixty-six, Wang Ji walked with the stride of a dragon and tiger, moving swiftly.

He strode to a quiet spot, stopping before the palace wall. Jiang Gui and the others rushed up, barely halting, staring at him with unspoken words.

Wang Ji pointed a trembling finger at them, exasperated: "You fools!"

Jiang Gui, aggrieved: "Old General, the Emperor clearly wanted to fight Japan at first—why suddenly 'discuss later'?"

"Did Xue Shao's soft words remind him, and now he cares about reputation?"

"Nonsense! Japan has harassed Great Ming repeatedly, killed our people—our retaliation is righteous!" Wang Ji glared at them, lowering his voice: "The Emperor wants to delay because Yu Qian proposed lifting the sea ban."

Wang Ji thought of Yu Qian and winced: "He's from our Ministry of War—now the Ministry can't escape blame."

"Just lift it then…" Jiang Gui's words died in his throat; he fell silent.

Wang Ji said, "Do you know who handles the Great Ming's maritime trade? Do you know who loses the most once maritime trade is opened?"

A few foolishly naive generals asked, "Who?"

Wang Ji then pointed up at the sky. (End of chapter)