After seeing this scene, the other people present probably understood what Yu Maoheng was going to do, so some of them became excited. These people were all Cui Chengxiu's people, or people who had the same idea as Cui Chengxiu.

There is a saying in this world: "He who first made clay figures for burials will have no descendants." This means that once the first person has appeared, there will definitely be others who will do the same.

Cui Chengxiu has been on a roll recently. Everyone has seen how he rose to prominence, and naturally many people want to emulate him.

Even a fool would probably know Cui Chengxiu's path to success. He started his rise by criticizing the Donglin Party, and naturally others followed his example. This is why Cui Chengxiu was able to gather a large number of people for such a long time. Everyone followed him.

Now that Yu Maoheng is gone, it means that a greater opportunity has arrived.

Of course, some people were unhappy and thought this was inappropriate. Some felt that the Donglin Party's crimes were not serious enough. Some felt that the court's factional struggles had already affected the normal order of the court. Some were simply deeply involved with the Donglin Party.

These people looked unhappy, but when they saw that everyone around them was excited, they didn't know whether they should speak or not.

But some people didn't care and just stood up with a bang.

This person was Li Mao, an imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. When everyone saw Li Mao stand up, their faces were not very good, because everyone knew Li Mao's character. Although he was not a member of the Donglin Party, he was relatively close to the Donglin Party.

Yu Maoheng also turned to look at Li Mao and said indifferently, "What do you want to say?"

"Sir, don't you think this is inappropriate? The traitors you're talking about are, in my opinion, role models for officials and scholars. What is the court doing now? They're cracking down on lectures and trying to destroy academies across the country. You're a scholar yourself, so you should understand what this means. Are you just turning a blind eye to this?"

Li Mao stood straight. He knew that no one present would speak for him. So, he could only stand up on his own!

"Lord Sun Shenxing, Lord Gao Panlong, are they doing this for themselves? They are in high positions and can completely stay out of this, so why are they doing this? They are not fighting for themselves, they are fighting for the scholars of the world!"

"At a time like this, as scholars, shouldn't we all be united in our hatred of the enemy? Shouldn't we stand together to oppose this policy? At a time like this, to kick Lord Sun and Lord Gao when they're down, to see only party struggles, I think such a person is unworthy of being a scholar, let alone an official of the Ming Dynasty!"

Although Li Mao spoke loudly, the people present did not agree with him.

Li Mao glared at Cui Chengxiu angrily, wishing he could kill him with his eyes, but his sharp gaze like a sword did not make Cui Chengxiu look ashamed, but instead brought a playful smile to his face.

In Cui Chengxiu's opinion, Li Mao was out of his mind to say such useless words at this time.

Yu Maoheng didn't say anything, but picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. His meaning was obvious. A small character like this shouldn't speak for himself, right?

Cui Chengxiu, standing nearby, knew that since Yu Maoheng wouldn't speak, he would have to speak up. So, he glanced at Li Mao and asked calmly, "When has His Majesty ever disallowed lectures? When has His Majesty ever disallowed the opening of academies? His Majesty simply forbade everyone from lecturing to open academies."

"Isn't it good for the imperial court to run academies? Isn't it good for the imperial court to preside over lectures? What are you objecting to? Do you think this is not good? It's better if anyone can teach, and if anyone can express heretical ideas?"

Cui Chengxiu's series of interrogations made Li Mao even more angry, but he couldn't say a word for a long time.

Cui Chengxiu continued, "Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong, what are they doing? Are they admonishing Your Majesty? Are they pressuring Your Majesty? Is this what a minister should do?"

"Also, don't always talk about the scholars in the world. I am also a scholar, and all the gentlemen sitting here are also scholars. We all read the books of sages, and we all believe in Confucius. We think they are forming a clique for personal gain!"

Li Mao looked at Cui Chengxiu, his eyes full of anger, and said angrily: "God is watching what you do! You will suffer retribution sooner or later for doing such things!"

"I, Li Mao, am ashamed to be associated with you and will never submit! For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the scholars of the world, I will definitely write a letter to His Majesty!"

"If that doesn't work, we will go outside the door and kneel down to make a plea. We must make His Majesty revoke his decision!" After saying this, Li Mao flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked straight out.

Looking at Li Mao's hurriedly leaving back, Yu Maoheng drank his tea without changing his expression.

Cui Chengxiu's face looked extremely ugly.

Seeing Yu Maoheng like this, Cui Chengxiu expressed his concerns with difficulty: "Sir, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for him to be like this?"

If they really make it to the Meridian Gate, His Majesty will be displeased with our Censorate. His Majesty is already very angry about this incident. The pressure from Sun Shenxing and Gao Panlong in the court has already made His Majesty take ruthless action.

If they were to do the same thing again now, how furious would His Majesty be? Who would be able to stop them then?

Although these people are taking advantage of this matter, they dare not really anger His Majesty. Once His Majesty is really angry and a major case is launched, how many people will be implicated?

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!