Chapter 479 Utter Chaos

The next day.

It was time for the morning assembly again.

While waiting to attend court, Wei Shuyu was once again isolated.

"Wei Shuyu, you're dead this time."

As Wei Ting passed by, he couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

"Did you eat shit last night? Your mouth smells so bad this morning." Wei Shuyu retorted mercilessly.

"You bastard!"

Wei Ting was furious.

But the thought that Wei Shuyu would soon be finished cheered him up.

He snorted coldly and turned away.

"Attend court!"

As the censor's voice rang out, the officials entered the hall.

"My beloved ministers, do you have anything to report?"

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne and surveyed the crowd.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Wei Ting hurriedly stepped forward.

Impeaching Wei Shuyu is everyone's responsibility!

As Imperial Censor.

Shouldn't we set an example for everyone first?

"Wei Shuyu neglected his duties, abused his power, and was an ineffective leader..."

"I believe he is no longer suitable to lead the Ministry of Commerce."

"What exactly is it..." Li Shimin asked.

"His Majesty."

Wei Ting carefully considered his words: "Recently, Wei Shuyu has been traveling around and has arrested and imprisoned more than twenty officials."

"The crimes convicted were all related to merchants."

"I believe..."

"This is due to Wei Shuyu's poor leadership."

See?

They've impeached Xiao Wei, haven't they?

"What's it to me!"

Wei Shuyu scoffed, "If officials break the law, go ask those officials!"

Wei Ting was full of confidence.

He turned around, his intense gaze fixed on Wei Shuyu…

"Those officials were detained because they colluded with merchants."

"Does that mean..."

"Your Ministry of Commerce's policies have serious problems!"

"Before the Ministry of Commerce was established, they didn't embezzle. Why are there so many people embezzling after the Ministry of Commerce was established?"

"This is a result of your incompetent leadership."

Wei Shuyu frowned.

The blame has been placed on the Ministry of Commerce; there's no way to defend themselves.

If one or two officials collude with merchants, it's because the officials themselves are greedy and unable to resist temptation.

A large group of officials colluded...

Even if it's not shit, it's still shit, and it will definitely be pinned on the Ministry of Commerce.

"His Majesty."

Wei Ting bowed again and pleaded, "Wei Shuyu may be exceptionally talented, but he is still young and lacks experience in managing his subordinates."

"It's not too late to make amends before things escalate into a major mistake."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that Wei Shuyu be dismissed or demoted!"

Wow.

The assembled officials were all taken aback.

That's ruthless.

They struck directly at Wei Shuyu's vitals.

A glint of light flashed in the eyes of many officials…

What a great opportunity!

"Your Majesty, I also believe that Wei Shuyu has failed in his duty."

Gao Shilian chimed in, "Merchants only care about their own development and don't care about the lives of ordinary people."

"Merchants like this are nothing but parasites on the Tang Dynasty!"

"I second that proposal."

"I second that proposal."

The ministers spoke one by one.

The pent-up resentment, coupled with their covetousness towards the Ministry of Commerce.

The court officials put in a tremendous effort to impeach him.

"Shuyu, do you have anything to say?"

Li Shimin turned his gaze to Wei Shuyu.

The courtiers launched an attack.

One answer was not good.

Wei Shuyu might actually be dismissed.

"Your Majesty."

Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "I would like to ask Doctor Wei a question."

"allow."

Li Shimin waved his hand.

Do as you please.

Anyway, I'm just here to watch the show today.

Even if Xiao Wei gets fired, there's still Lao Wei, right?

Moreover, I even bestowed upon him a golden rattan cane…

When it's Xiao Wei's turn to put in the effort, you still have to step up!

If you don't comply, I'll have Old Wei beat you up!

well.

My damned strategic vision... is simply terrifying!

"May I ask, Doctor Wei, is it only me who you are impeaching?" Wei Shuyu asked.

"nature."

Wei Ting smiled and said, "The main reason for this is your lack of leadership skills; the other officials in the Ministry of Commerce are quite good."

Wei Ting praised him a few times.

We're not that stupid to offend your entire Ministry of Commerce.

"How dare you!"

Wei Shuyu suddenly let out a sharp shout, his voice reaching straight to the top of the palace.

Here we go again, here we go again...

Li Shimin rolled his eyes.

If you're going to debate, then debate! Why do you keep shouting?

It's ruining my mood for watching the play.

"Wei Shuyu, stop yelling."

Wei Ting rebuked, "This is the imperial court, where facts matter, not just the loudest voice."

Oh……

Wei Shuyu merely gave a cold laugh.

"Wei Ting, oh Wei Ting."

"I think you've done a terrible job as an imperial censor."

"Collusion between officials and businessmen."

"The first to commit crimes are the officials."

"Even if you were to impeach someone, shouldn't you impeach the Ministry of Personnel first?"

Holy crap.

The courtiers were suddenly awakened.

The Ministry of Personnel was in charge of promoting officials, and performance evaluation was the most important part of the process.

Officials embezzled on a large scale.

It really is the Ministry of Personnel's primary responsibility.

"you……"

Wei Ting's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He's fallen into Wei Shuyu's trap again...

"Wei Ting, you are unfair, indiscriminate, unable to distinguish right from wrong, narrow-minded, and deliberately targeting my Ministry of Commerce..."

Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Wei Ting is no longer suitable to serve as the Imperial Censor. I humbly request Your Majesty to dismiss him."

"..."

Li Shimin was speechless.

Wei Ting lost in just one round again?

Can't you be a little more competitive?

"Wei Shuyu, this time it was my oversight."

Wei Ting immediately changed his tune, saying, "But your Ministry of Commerce cannot escape this responsibility either."

"Don't rush, I haven't finished impeaching him yet."

Wei Shuyu smiled and bowed to Li Shimin again: "Your Majesty, I hereby impeach the Ministry of Personnel for dereliction of duty, nepotism, and lax vetting..."

"Gao Shilian, the Minister of Personnel, is an even more senile old fool."

"They can't even manage their own officials, and they're trying to shift the blame to my Ministry of Commerce."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you also dismiss him."

You're eyeing the Ministry of Commerce, aren't you?

Come on.

It's mutual harm!

The ministers' eyes flickered, and each of them began to have their own thoughts.

The Censorate: in charge of public opinion and impeaching officials at all levels, it is the position with the fastest promotion!

The Ministry of Personnel (吏部) was in charge of the promotion of officials and was a vital department of the Tang Dynasty.

At first, the ministers were united and determined to take down Wei Shuyu.

My mind changed instantly.

"Your Majesty, I agree with Wei Shuyu's statement."

Cui Yixuan immediately stepped forward and said, "Doctor Wei has accomplished nothing in the past year; all he knows is to bite people indiscriminately."

"Minister Gao is getting on in years and has reached the point where he can enjoy his retirement."

"I believe that neither of them is suitable for the position!"

As Cui Yixuan stepped forward, the five clans and seven noble families all came forward to echo his sentiments.

"I second that proposal."

"I second that proposal."

These three positions are incredibly sought-after!

No matter which one you manage to grab.

All of these can significantly enhance their influence in the imperial court.

In the Tang Dynasty, the third rank was the pinnacle of official power.

First rank: Prince, Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, Grand Protector...

Second Rank: Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince...

Except for a few specific positions, most of them are nominal.

"His Majesty."

"The main problem with officials colluding with merchants is that the merchants are the ones who bribe officials."

Changsun Wuji became anxious.

Gao Shilian was his uncle, and his ability to remain firmly in the top position among the officials was inseparable from Gao Shilian's support.

Now, the five surnames and seven prominent families have joined forces.

You could easily get taken down by them if you're not careful.

"Father."

"Doctor Wei is utterly loyal to the Tang Dynasty, though he may not have rendered any great service..."

"But he was good at managing his subordinates..."

“Ma Zhou, who was under his command, has made many great contributions in the past two years.”

Li Tai also became anxious.

Wei Ting was the father of Wei Daijia, his trusted confidant, and he couldn't just stand by and watch his position as Imperial Censor be taken away.

Cheng Yaojin took a look.

How could I, Yao Jin, be absent at a time like this?

"His Majesty."

Cheng Yaojin stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have recently studied the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly and believe I am qualified to serve as Minister of Personnel. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Doulu Kuan took a look.

Everyone's here, right?

Xiao Wei keeps taking over my work from the Ministry of Rites, I have to take his place.

"His Majesty."

Doulu Kuan stepped forward: "Wei Shuyu lacks experience in managing his subordinates. I do have a candidate in mind. I recommend Linghu Defen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He has served three dynasties and is mature and steady, making him suitable to lead the Ministry of Commerce."

As more and more people joined, voices rose and fell in the court...

It's in chaos, utter chaos.

The entire imperial court turned into a marketplace over the sake of three official positions.

Wei Zheng saw everything.

A bunch of scum, they can't even withstand a few words of provocation from my son.

Then he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe I am quite eloquent and could also serve as the Imperial Censor. I hope Your Majesty will grant me this request."

"..."

Li Shimin was dumbfounded.

What's going on?

What happened to the show?

Why is all the pressure suddenly being placed on me?