Chapter 1479: The Crown Prince in the Council Hall

"You're not wrong about that — after all, His Majesty and the Crown Prince are both watching..." Chen Hong nodded with full understanding, then clapped Shi Manqiang on the shoulder. "Old Stone, looks like we'll have to put you through the wringer one more time. But I'd say, once this battle's over, you might as well take another long leave. Stay in the capital, let us old brothers get together properly, pay each other a few visits."

"We'll talk about it when the time comes." Marshal Shi merely smiled faintly, then turned and left.

Chen Hong had spoken without any particular intent, but his words had struck exactly what was on his mind. He too felt that after this battle, he should gradually step back from the front lines of the army. And precisely because of that, he wanted to personally take command in Shandong, to put a perfect final note on all these years of military service.

Before long, the civil and military officials took their seats one after another in the council hall.

The round table had large swaths of empty seats — only the inner cabinet's heavy ministers and the army's high commanders were qualified to sit at this central round table — while the seats arrayed around the perimeter were already nearly full. Everyone held their breath in silence, awaiting His Majesty's arrival.

At that moment, a middle-aged military aide-de-camp in uniform walked slowly in with extremely precise, measured steps, then swept his gaze around the room with a deeply solemn expression. As his eyes passed over them, every person straightened their back, chest out and head high.

"His Majesty arrives!" Having confirmed that no one was in breach of decorum, the middle-aged aide-de-camp bellowed the announcement in a voice brimming with vigor.

At the same moment as his cry, the great doors at the far end of the hall were thrown open by the guards, and the Emperor of the Great Han, dressed in full military attire, strode in step by step.

His footsteps were not heavy; they made hardly a sound on the hall's carpet. His expression, too, was not stern — on the contrary, it seemed quite relaxed. Just like that, he walked to the imperial throne and sat down with an air of ease.

And yet, to the civil and military officials present, each of his steps rang like a peal of thunder. Everyone held their breath, and the moment he took his seat, they all rose as one.

"Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!" All of them rose from their seats, knelt in obeisance, and shouted at the top of their lungs.

Because everyone shouted in unison, the combined voice swelled tremendously loud — so loud that even the candleholders hanging on the walls seemed to tremble faintly.

The officials' salutation and shout were executed in a single fluid motion, their movements uniform and utterly free of hesitation, displaying a collective crispness and agility that vividly embodied the soaring spirit of a newly founded empire.

"Dispense with the formalities. All of you, be seated." His Majesty's expression did not change in the slightest; he merely waved his hand lightly, gesturing for the ministers to sit.

Then, once they were all seated, His Majesty looked to the Chancellor and the Finance Minister on his left, then to Marshal Shi Manqiang on his right. "The three of you have been resting up quite nicely lately. I take it things have slowed down with the year's end approaching?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, we have all been busily occupied with the tasks Your Majesty assigned us — there has been absolutely no slacking off!" Duke of Yong, Chancellor Wang Zhaojing, hurriedly spoke up. "It is only that we are in the depths of winter, and people rarely venture out of doors, so perhaps we have been looking a bit paler and cleaner of late..."

Chen Hong and Shi Manqiang also hastened to indicate that they had been ceaselessly busy with His Majesty's plan to conquer Japan and had absolutely not been remiss in any way.

"Ah, you're all far too serious!" His Majesty couldn't help but laugh. "I was only joking — look how badly I've frightened you! Besides, what's wrong with resting a little? A man can't work every single day, can he? You are all the key ministers I rely on. I want you to rest well. The better you rest, the happier I am. There's no need to be so nervous!"

"We thank Your Majesty..." The Chancellor smiled wryly as he expressed his thanks.

As Chancellor, he handled a myriad of affairs each day — when would he ever have the chance to rest? Still, he had to accept His Majesty's goodwill.

He was the one presiding over today's meeting.

In all past state affairs meetings, because His Majesty's position was simply too weighty and every word he spoke was final and beyond question, the assembled ministers could do nothing but obey. For this reason, His Majesty generally refrained from speaking during meetings, lest his words bring pressure to bear on the ministers' discussions. Thus, by unwritten custom, the highest-ranking court official present served as the meeting's presiding officer, responsible for controlling the pace and agenda of the topics. Among all the ministers seated here today, the foremost official was, without question, the Chancellor.

After a few words of pleasantry, attendants placed a cup of tea before each person present. Once the attendants had withdrawn from the hall, the Chancellor decided to commence the day's formal meeting.

"The main thrust of this meeting is something everyone is quite clear on, yes?" The Prime Minister swept his gaze around the room, then spoke unhurriedly. "Today is an imperial conference. What His Majesty wishes to hear is everyone's opinions. Only by pooling everyone's wisdom and efforts can His Majesty's expectations be fulfilled. Therefore, everyone should feel free to speak their minds, and not hold anything back..."

Just at that moment, His Majesty suddenly spoke. "Wait."

His Majesty very rarely interrupted the Chancellor's words. This uncommon sight startled the Great Han ministers somewhat, and their gazes all converged on His Majesty once more — though not a single person ventured to ask why.

"Your Majesty...?" The Chancellor was also somewhat puzzled, wondering if he had said something wrong.

"Let's wait a short while longer before starting. There is still one person who hasn't arrived." His Majesty smiled as he explained to the Chancellor.

"Who hasn't arrived yet?" The Chancellor still did not quite understand.

"The Crown Prince." His Majesty's answer was very simple. "The Crown Prince is getting on in years now. I think he can begin to take part in state governance. He was also involved in this campaign against Japan, so I decided to have him attend today's meeting as well. However, he is still too young, after all, and doesn't understand much yet, so this time he is only here to observe and audit. He will not interfere with your discussions. Is that acceptable to you?"

Although His Majesty's tone was extremely relaxed, a stir rippled involuntarily through the assembled ministers. The Crown Prince's first attendance at a state affairs meeting — this was an epoch-making event for the Great Han.

But then, who would voice opposition on a matter like this?

"For the Crown Prince to audit a state affairs meeting is a blessing for our dynasty — how could I possibly object!" The Chancellor hastened to express his approval.

His Majesty nodded with a smile, then waved a hand toward the attendants at the door.

Then, amid a cry of "The Crown Prince arrives!", the attendants once again opened the great doors.

And then, a youth dressed in plain cyan attire, led by a young military aide-de-camp, walked into the council hall.

The youth had a square, upright face. Though still slightly boyish, there was already a hint of spirited pride between his brows. His build was very solid, and he stood half a head taller than the average boy his age. His expression was one of great excitement; his fair, clean face was faintly flushed, and his gaze flickered restlessly.

As the Crown Prince entered the hall, the atmosphere grew somewhat strange for a moment. This was the first time the Crown Prince had participated in a state affairs meeting. Though everyone knew in their hearts that they ought to show respect and proper courtesy, they were still unsure exactly how to comport themselves, and so an air of awkwardness and hesitation hung over them.

His Majesty, however, paid no mind to the awkwardness in the room. Instead, his face wreathed in smiles, he beckoned to the Crown Prince. "Child, come. Today is the day you take part in the great affairs of state."

The Crown Prince's breathing quickened slightly. He walked briskly to the side of the imperial throne, then knelt down with perfect posture and kowtowed to his imperial father in salute.

"Your son and subject pays respects to Imperial Father!" he shouted out in a voice that was youthful yet resolute. "May Imperial Father live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

"Rise. Sit." His Majesty bade his son get up quickly, then pointed to a seat nearby. "Today you will sit here and listen carefully to the various ministers' remarks."

"I thank Imperial Father!" The Crown Prince kowtowed once more in thanks, then rose and respectfully seated himself in a chair that had long been prepared beside His Majesty's throne.

The entire hall remained silent. Everyone seemed somewhat at a loss, unsure how to treat the Crown Prince who had appeared so suddenly.

At that moment, the Chancellor, Duke of Yong Wang Zhaojing, abruptly stood up and then bowed deeply toward the Crown Prince in salute.

"Your servant pays respects to the Crown Prince. May His Highness the Crown Prince live a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years!"

In the silent hall, only the Chancellor's lone voice echoed, suddenly seeming somewhat hollow.

But that hollow feeling quickly vanished. With the Chancellor taking the lead and setting the example, the seated ministers all rose at the same time, then uniformly bowed deeply toward the Crown Prince. "Your servants pay respects to the Crown Prince. May His Highness the Crown Prince live a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years!"

For the first time, a look of bewilderment and uncertainty appeared on the Crown Prince's face. He shifted his gaze slightly and glanced uneasily at his imperial father. Clearly, this was the first time he had ever experienced such a grand display, and he had not yet prepared himself mentally for it.

His Majesty, however, remained in excellent spirits. He did not care for kneeling obeisance, so the form of salute the Chancellor had taken the lead in demonstrating suited his wishes perfectly. This bowing salute expressed respect for the Crown Prince without sacrificing the dignity of the ministers. The Chancellor truly was the Chancellor, so adept at divining his intentions.

"Crown Prince, why haven't you told them to dispense with formalities?" He smiled as he reminded the Crown Prince. "These ministers are all pillars of the Great Han. Though they are subjects of the imperial house, they are also your elders. You must show respect to the ministers."

Prompted by His Majesty, the Crown Prince reacted at once. He abruptly stood up, then bowed slightly and respectfully toward the assembled ministers. "Everyone, dispense with formalities. Please be seated!"

Having received the Crown Prince's permission, the ministers straightened their backs once more and returned to their seats, thus completing the ceremonial protocol for the Crown Prince's first attendance at a state affairs meeting.

Meanwhile, the clerks off to the side had also recorded the actions and words of both the ministers and the Crown Prince just now. From this point forward, the etiquette for the Crown Prince's attendance at state affairs meetings would take today as its model.

"Very well, Chancellor. Let us begin the meeting now — let's not waste any more time." Once the Crown Prince was seated, His Majesty gestured to the Chancellor. "There are quite a few items on the agenda today. We need to press on."