Chapter 67: Xiao Yanci's Debate with the Ministers
Xiao Yanci glanced around and looked at the Imperial Censor Ge.
"Lord Ge, I just overheard your impassioned speech. It's indeed reasonable. Great Qi is in trouble, and as citizens of Great Qi, we should donate generously to help Great Qi overcome the difficulties. I heard that the Longrui Trading Company on Qingque Street is your family's property. How much did your company donate this time? Why not tell us so that the emperor can reward you generously?"
Lord Ge's old face turned red and he stammered, unable to speak.
"Oh—I understand. Lord Ge didn't donate."
He dragged out the last syllable of his words, and Lord Ge became increasingly embarrassed.
Xiao Yanci turned his gaze and looked at another fat adult.
"Master Jia, I haven't seen you for a few days. You seem to be getting richer. I guess the food has been very good lately. The people outside the city are struggling and can only eat half a meal. How much did your family donate this time?"
Lord Jia's expression froze, and sweat began to drip down his face.
Xiao Yanci glanced at the several adults who had just reported to the emperor, and asked them one by one about the amount of their donations. He asked them so many questions that their faces turned red and they wished they could find a hole to crawl into.
Xiao Yanci smiled, "It seems that none of you gentlemen have helped the court solve its problems. This is strange. You haven't even contributed money yourselves, so why can you so confidently accuse others? What does it have to do with you whether others donate or not?"
The crowd, who had been speaking eloquently and passionately just now, were completely speechless.
Lu Guanxuan was so moved that he almost cried.
The Seventh Prince is simply the best man in the world. I misunderstood him before!
Xiao Yanqing disagreed, "Xiao Qi, you're being too aggressive. You gentlemen are all honest officials. Their salaries are substantial for ordinary families, but it's hard enough to cover the expenses of their mansions. How can they possibly donate any extra money? The merchants are different. They're already incredibly wealthy, and with the national crisis at hand, there's no reason for them to sit idly by."
Lord Ge and the others seemed to have finally found a backer and nodded repeatedly.
That's the reason.
"According to what Sixth Brother said, whoever has money deserves to be treated like a fat sheep to be slaughtered?"
Xiao Yanqing choked, "That's not what I meant!"
Xiao Yanci said lazily, "I heard that this is what my brother meant. Otherwise, why would he keep harassing a merchant company? Besides, the Lu family is not a merchant family. Lord Lu is just like you, a good official with clean hands."
Lu Guanxuan immediately straightened his back and stood up to defend himself loudly.
"Seventh Prince is wise! I am also an official in the court, and my salary is not even as high as yours. You are willing but unable to afford it, so where would I get the money? You are forcing me so hard, are you asking me to give up all my belongings in exchange for fame?"
Lord Ge stiffened his neck. "Everyone knows that Lord Lu's first wife was the daughter of a wealthy merchant in Suzhou. Your daughter's dowry was as generous as a princess's. Why is Lord Lu crying poor in front of us?"
The other adults echoed, "Your daughter is hoarding goods, completely disregarding the lives of ordinary people, and only thinking about making a fortune in the national crisis. Shouldn't such behavior be condemned?"
Lu Guanxuan was speechless for a moment.
Xiao Yanci looked at Lord Yu who was speaking, "Who told you that Miss Lu was hoarding goods? Do you have any evidence?"
Lord Yu paused, then answered stubbornly, "It's already spread among the people..."
Xiao Yanci sneered, "So the wanton slander of a mob can actually serve as evidence. Then tomorrow, I'll have someone accuse Lord Yu of neglecting his duties and enriching himself. The Ministry of Justice won't even need to find evidence; they can just send you to jail."
Lord Yu's face suddenly turned pale and he broke out in a cold sweat.
Xiao Yanqing was furious. "Seventh brother, how can this be serious? You are simply being unreasonable."
Xiao Yanci raised an eyebrow. "Even if we're just discussing the matter at hand, Miss Lu has no obligation to donate silver or charcoal. Not to mention that the court has already overcome its difficulties and doesn't need to raise more money. Even if the court is still in trouble, there's no point in forcing others to donate. How is such behavior any different from that of a bandit?"
Xiao Yanqing was speechless.
After a long while, he finally managed to utter a word.
"It is precisely because of people like her who are blinded by greed that the reputation of merchants has been brought to this point."
Xiao Yanci looked at the other party and said, "Sixth Brother, don't jump to conclusions without seeing the whole picture. Otherwise, you will be slapped in the face later, which will not be a good look."
"Seventh Brother seems to be very protective of this Miss Lu. Is it because you and Miss Lu are old friends?"
These words were filled with malicious speculation, and a hint of coldness flashed in Xiao Yanci's eyes.
"I've always stood up for what's right, not for my relatives. I'll help whoever is right. Unlike some people who use the banner of fairness and justice but actually resort to coercion, they're truly hypocritical."
"you……"
Emperor Defeng said in a deep voice, "Alright!"
Xiao Yanqing originally thought that his father would definitely stand on his side, but unexpectedly, he slowly said, "Xiao Qi's words make sense."
Xiao Yanqing: ???
"You keep saying that Miss Lu is hoarding goods and profiting from the national crisis. Do you have any evidence? You're so naive that you can convict people with just a few words. How easy is that!"
He glanced at everyone coldly, the majesty of an emperor overwhelming them, and it was clear that he was angry.
Xiao Yanqing, Lord Ge and others immediately knelt down and confessed their crimes.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I believe that empty words cannot bring about wind..."
Emperor Defeng interrupted him directly, "Are you easily fooled by a mob? In the past, you have always acted calmly and prudently, but this time you just followed the crowd and were easily blinded by external things. I am truly disappointed."
"And you, the Censorate is responsible for investigations. I gave you the power of impeachment so that you can oversee criminal cases, rectify court rituals, and uphold discipline, not so that you can abuse your power and indiscriminately impeach innocent citizens! If this is how you are exercising your power, then I don't mind replacing you. If you can't do your job well, there are plenty of people who can do it!"
Emperor Defeng's stern voice echoed in the hall. The atmosphere was tense and no one dared to breathe.
Xiao Yanqing's face looked grim. He really couldn't understand why his father would be so furious.
It must be Xiao Yanci, he is indeed his nemesis!
Among the ministers, Chu Dingfeng and Chu Yian both bowed their heads deeply. Emperor Defeng's reaction made them even more certain of their original guess.
Lu Zhiran is indeed the emperor's favorite!
Chu Yian clenched his fists, his eyes filled with blood.
Lu Zhiran is really talented, even the emperor is bewitched by her.
The Sixth Prince had always been highly respected, but this time he was reprimanded because of her.
They say beautiful women are the root of all troubles, and this is indeed true!
A court meeting ended in Emperor Defeng's anger, and Lord Ge and others were still frightened.
Xiao Yanqing watched Xiao Yanci swaggering towards the imperial study, gritting his teeth in hatred.
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