Chapter 3618 Great Shock
Three days later, Zhu Feng announced in the cabinet the decision to use military force against the State of Dian.
This decision naturally caused a huge response, especially from the chief minister of the cabinet, Gu Tingqiu. He did not even wait to discuss it with other cabinet ministers, and expressed his strong opposition as soon as Zhu Feng finished speaking.
For him, although no large-scale war broke out in the country after the emperor ascended the throne, fighting had been going on at the border. Especially in the past few years, in order to deal with the Kingdom of Yue, the invisible losses in the country were extremely serious. It was only after the Kingdom of Yue was pacified and trade with overseas countries became more frequent that the country slowly recovered a little.
In this situation, we should seize the period of peace and allow the people to recuperate.
If we use military force against the State of Dian again, we will be dragged into the war again, and the peaceful lives of the people will be disrupted, and they will suffer terribly.
Looking at the old minister kneeling before him and making an earnest plea, Zhu Feng was very calm. He simply raised his hand and said, "Gu Qing, please stand up first before you speak."
Gu Tingqiu knelt on the ground and refused to get up.
Zhu Feng frowned slightly, but he wasn't angry. He just sighed and said, "I understand Gu Qing's concerns. However, I have something to say, and you should all listen. The people do need to recuperate, but abolishing military power will not bring peace to the country."
Hearing this, the other ministers who had already stood up looked at each other.
Everyone quieted down.
Zhu Feng continued, "From the day the Neng Kingdom and the Great Yan Dynasty coexisted, he has been a major threat to our country, a sword hanging over the head of the Great Yan Dynasty. As long as he stays, the Great Yan Dynasty will not have peace."
Gu Tingqiu knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's words are of course reasonable, but the people of this country have just recuperated in the past few years and really can't withstand such a war."
“…”
At this time, a hint of impatience appeared on Zhu Feng's face.
He said calmly, "Gu Qing, whether the common people can withstand this is not something you can tell with just one sentence. I have my own opinions on national affairs."
"His Majesty!"
Gu Tingqiu kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to revoke your order."
Zhu Feng frowned.
The ministers standing around looked at each other, their faces changing.
They could clearly feel that the emperor and the cabinet minister were at odds, and neither side was willing to back down. However, a minister is a minister, so how could they possibly defeat the emperor?
Several people advised: "Master Gu, some things should be said slowly."
"Yeah, take your time if you have something to say."
"This is a major matter, so we still need to consider it in the long run."
Gu Tingqiu insisted on kneeling on the ground, repeatedly pleading with His Majesty to reconsider. Zhu Feng looked at him coldly for a moment, then stood up and said, "Announceing this matter is the result of my careful consideration. But you, you urged me to think twice, have you ever thought twice? I'll give you one day, go back and think about it."
After saying that, he turned away.
The tit-for-tat between the emperor and the cabinet ministers was a big deal, but it was limited to the cabinet. Except for Nan Yan who noticed some clues in Zhu Feng's unhappy expression, other people were unaware of it. Only a few ministers knew about it and went to Gu's house to ask to see Gu Tingqiu, hoping to mediate and reconcile. However, no one could knock on the door of Gu's house. The only news from inside was that he was ill and would not see guests.
Seeing this, everyone thought that he was really "reflecting on his mistakes behind closed doors" and would think twice before acting.
However, the next morning at court, Gu Tingqiu took sick leave.
Upon hearing the news, Zhu Feng's face turned grim, while the other cabinet ministers looked at each other, some of them even had cold sweat dripping from their foreheads.
Everyone understood that at Gu Tingqiu's age, it was not unusual for him to take sick leave. However, he had just been in the cabinet with the emperor yesterday, and today he took sick leave and did not attend court. It was clearly a sign of giving up his responsibility and a silent protest.
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
After an unknown amount of time, a soft laugh was heard from the emperor sitting on the dragon throne. Someone dared to look up and saw that Zhu Feng's face was calm, not even angry. He said, "Gu Qing is old and sick, and he really should be allowed to rest more. Someone, go to his house and tell him that I want him to rest as long as he can. He doesn't need to worry about the affairs of the court anymore."
“……!”
All the ministers in the hall couldn't help but gasp.
Xiao Shunzi did not dare to hesitate. He responded and immediately led his men out of the palace and hurried to Gu's mansion.
Zhu Feng looked down at the silent ministers in the hall. His face remained calm, without a trace of anger. He said calmly, "My dear ministers, think about it. If anyone is sick and needs sick leave, please tell me sooner so I can make arrangements. If you are not sick, then go back and do your own things."
No one dared to say anything more. They all said that they were in good health and would devote themselves to the Emperor and the court until their death.
Then the ministers withdrew.
If the conflict between two people in the cabinet the day before was just a small one, then by this day, Zhu Feng had completely sidelined Gu Tingqiu. Although he still had the title of cabinet minister, he had completely lost his power, and his sick leave was extended indefinitely at the emperor's instruction.
This matter soon spread throughout the court and the harem.
Even Concubine Yi, who was always very well-behaved and never discussed state affairs lightly, couldn't help but stay behind after everyone had paid their respects to the Imperial Concubine and left. She asked Nan Yan worriedly, "Will this incident have any impact on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
No one else in the harem has a son, and everyone loves the prince very much. Although His Majesty the Emperor is still alive, everyone knows very well that they will live under the prince's rule for the next few decades.
Therefore, everyone was very worried about this matter.
The Emperor's neglect of the Crown Prince's father-in-law will have any impact on the Crown Prince's status?
Nan Yan was trimming the branches of a potted plant on the table with a pair of scissors. Upon hearing this, she glanced at the worried Concubine Yi and said with a faint smile, "Master Gu is Master Gu, and the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. You can't marry your daughter to him and tie her life and property to his, right?"
Concubine Yi frowned slightly.
Isn’t it?
Although under the Emperor's nose, the court dared not form factions for personal gain, let alone the emergence of the Prince's Party, but the prince is the future emperor, so of course he must have his own capable confidants. Isn't it for this reason that the emperor found such a father-in-law for him?
Now, the highly respected Lord Gu has been suppressed with just a few words. How can people not be worried?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com