Chapter 157 Unfilial
Zhang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his whole body was ice cold.
He was really thinking about Chongqing!
Does Prime Minister Xu, like the Crown Prince, also advocate against war?
An army marches on its stomach; how many battles can the Great Yu withstand?
"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I absolutely did not have such thoughts."
If I were to harbor such thoughts, may I die a horrible death...
As Zhang Shilang spoke, he looked around, as if searching for a paving stone or a pillar that caught his eye...
"My lord, don't think about proving your innocence with your death."
I, a woman, haven't finished speaking yet!
"After I've finished speaking, it's not too late for you to think about proving your innocence with your death," Shangguan Jin said with a sneer.
Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Zhang stopped looking for floor tiles and pillars and just glared fiercely at Shangguan Jin.
All the officials and civil servants pricked up their ears, eager to hear what other bold words this Duchess would utter.
This lady has exceptionally high standards; this is the demeanor a matriarch of our Great Yu should possess...
At this moment, Madam Shen began to regret her decision.
She came along because she was afraid her daughter-in-law would suffer.
Looking at it now, I realize my daughter-in-law is very capable. Not only is she an excellent housekeeper, but she also doesn't back down when it comes to dealing with outsiders. I don't have to worry about her at all.
Madam Shen glanced quietly at the chair behind her.
I'm starting to regret it.
I just finished playing against that old man, and I'm a bit tired. I should have just sat down earlier.
Can I sit here now? Won't it be too conspicuous...?
Forget it, I'd better not. It's more impressive to stand next to my daughter-in-law. I can't embarrass her or the Shen family.
Lord Shangguan stood up straight, looking extremely smug.
Look, these are the women from our Shangguan family. If daughters are raised well, they can be even stronger than men.
Now you know what it means for women to be just as capable as men!
“Zhang Shilang is not only disloyal, but also unfilial.”
It's one thing to be unfilial yourself, but you also expect others to be unfilial with you.
"You're vicious and malicious; you're a complete and utter scoundrel." Shangguan Jin continued her attack.
"You... you're spouting nonsense..."
"Your Majesty, I am innocent..." Zhang, the Vice Minister, had no idea how to retaliate, so he could only resort to his old tricks again.
Emperor Xiao Jing was speechless and didn't want to say a word.
Whether someone is innocent or not will be determined by others.
Minister Zhang, please let me finish speaking!
Not to mention that the Duke of Dingguo has been gone for less than a year, his body is still warm, and our household is in mourning.
Minister Zhang wanted to send my eldest daughter to marry a foreign ruler while she was in mourning.
Isn't this putting Princess Pingning in a position of filial impiety?
Perhaps, in Zhang Shilang's eyes, what did filial piety matter? Nothing was more important than his own career.
So, Minister Zhang, what else can you be but unfilial?
Furthermore, Zhang Shilang repeatedly claimed that he came up with this idea for the sake of Dayu, so that the people would not be displaced.
Have you considered what the consequences of your idea might be, Vice Minister Zhang?
Everyone will condemn you for betraying your country and selling your daughter for personal gain.
While they're cursing you, they'll also drag your parents and other close relatives into the conversation and curse them as well.
I heard that Vice Minister Zhang's mother was widowed at a young age and worked hard all her life to support his education.
He thought he could finally enjoy his retirement, but instead he's being criticized by the world for failing to raise his children properly.
"May I ask you, Minister Zhang, what is this if not your filial impiety?" Shangguan Jin pressed on relentlessly.
Zhang, the Vice Minister, had nowhere left to retreat.
"You... are talking nonsense. What does it matter if a small family is sacrificed for the good of Da Yu?"
My mother... will surely understand what I did.
Women are just eyelids...
"Oh, oh, oh! So what if we sacrifice a small family?"
With such righteous indignation, people would think you've suffered some great injustice!
Let me tell you that the Greater Chongqing region is made up of these millions of small families.
When the founding emperor established the nation, it was for the peace and tranquility of these millions of families.
I remember the Duke of Dingguo telling me that there was a fierce battle in the north, which was caused by the northern barbarians robbing about ten small families you mentioned.
But the Duke of Dingguo still led his soldiers to charge forward.
The Duke of Dingguo once said that at the beginning, in the eyes of others, it might only be the loss of a dozen or so households.
But if we don't do anything about it, we'll lose hundreds or even thousands of households next time.
Even a single household would be protected by the soldiers of Dayu.
With a single, casual remark, Vice Minister Zhang trampled the common people of Dayu underfoot.
If I remember correctly, Vice Minister Zhang was originally from a poor family!
"What? Once the dragon soars to the heavens, the mortals are left to grovel in the mud?" Shangguan Jin continued her sarcastic remarks.
Zhang, the Vice Minister, didn't know how to refute it, so he got up and was about to bang his head against a pillar.
Fortunately, Lord Shangguan understood these old guys and knew that if they couldn't win an argument, they would just kill themselves in front of everyone.
And then, even though you were initially in the right, you suddenly became unreasonable...
Lord Shangguan tripped over the pillar, sending Vice Minister Zhang, who was rushing towards it, sprawling face down.
Then he gently brushed off non-existent mud from his boots and continued to stand upright, still holding the scepter.
Shangguan Jin understood what Zhang Shilang was thinking.
She doesn't want to be burdened with any moral accusations.
"To say that Vice Minister Zhang is unfilial, Vice Minister Zhang is demonstrating this to everyone on the spot."
What? You feel guilty and like you've done something wrong, so you're resorting to sophistry?
I just don't know if Vice Minister Zhang is trying to force me, or if he's trying to force the imperial family!
This is the Zichen Hall, the place where court officials discuss matters, not your private courtyard where you can do whatever you want.
Minister Zhang, think about it, it's very simple for you to die.
There's no need to try to kill yourself in the Zichen Palace. Once you leave the palace, find a place where no one can see you. Whether you jump into the river or tie a rope to your clothes, no one will stop you.
With so many people in the Zichen Palace watching, what else could this be but a performance?
Also, is your elderly mother still alive?
Isn't this just making your elderly mother bury her son?
"Isn't this the greatest act of filial impiety?" Shangguan Jin continued her attack with a cold smile.
Vice Minister Zhang nearly choked on his breath.
"you......"
"What's wrong with me? I'm just stating the facts."
Your Majesty, such a disloyal and unfilial person is truly unfit for the court.
I would like to reiterate that if the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is needed to fight on the front lines, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion will not hesitate.
Even young children would pick up a spear.
But this practice of sending girls to marry foreign rulers is a disgrace to the country and the family, and I, your humble servant, swear to die rather than comply.
After speaking, Shangguan Jin gently pulled Old Madam Shen, signaling her to kneel down with her.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Xiao Jing realized that the drama was about to come to an end.
"What are you saying, Madam Shen?"
I summoned you here so that all the officials in the court could see what our Great Yu Kingdom was founded on.
If women know that a nation can be established through war, how much more so you men!
Madam Shen is very good!
I hereby bestow upon the Duke of Dingguo's mansion a thousand taels of gold and two boxes of pearls.
Lord Shangguan was good at educating his daughter, so he rewarded her with a thousand taels of gold and ten ancient books.
The Vice Minister of Rites... spouts nonsense, is utterly pedantic, and is unfit for the position of Vice Minister of Rites.
"Dismissed from office... Lord Zhang, you may retire and return to your hometown!"
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