Iron Dynasty Chapter 667

The Hall of Political Deliberation was utterly silent.

After Xiao Ming's wrathful words were uttered, the officials exchanged bewildered glances, and the reformist faction, led by Pang Yukun, naturally felt utterly mortified.

Just as Xiao Ming imagined his impassioned speech would jolt these officials into reason, he saw a dozen or so officials, emerging from behind Fei Ji, kneel down in unison.

"Your Imperial Majesty, such decrees are unheard of by your humble servants! If enforced, they will surely provoke the displeasure of scholars throughout the realm. We humbly implore Your Imperial Majesty to retract your decree! " Yu Ming said with urgency.

"Retract your decree, Your Imperial Majesty! " the other ministers echoed in unison.

Seeing this, Xiao Ming was so incensed he let out a laugh. He hadn't expected a scene he often witnessed in television dramas to actually unfold before his very eyes this time.

Were these ministers attempting to coerce him by kneeling indefinitely?

"What if I insist on their implementation? " Xiao Ming said icily.

Yu Ming replied, "If Your Imperial Majesty does not retract your decree, your humble servants will remain kneeling. "

Xiao Ming then cast a glance at Fei Ji. Both Yu Ming and Chao Jun were individuals he had personally recommended to him in the past, for these two had always been renowned for their virtue among the officials in Chang'an.

At the time, these two officials had indeed proven useful to him; after all, they belonged to that rare breed of incorruptible officials. But now, the problem had surfaced: often, it was precisely the Great Yu Kingdom's traditionally virtuous officials who most fiercely opposed his decrees.

Xiao Ming grasped the essence of this issue after a brief moment of contemplation. In his view, these individuals were akin to "model students" of their era; they were excessively deferential to teachers and tradition, to the point of utter pedantry.

Thus, in their eyes, some of Xiao Ming's decrees were utterly heretical. Were Xiao Ming not the Emperor, their collective spittle would likely be enough to drown him.

After all this time, it was the first occasion Xiao Ming faced such fierce defiance from his officials. At this moment, Xiao Ming understood that this was, in essence, a struggle between imperial authority and the bureaucratic establishment.

If he were to yield this time, these officials would grow emboldened and increasingly curb his prerogatives. Anything that displeased them would inevitably be met with their fervent obstruction.

This thought only solidified Xiao Ming's resolve. He stated to Yu Ming, "Since you are so fond of kneeling, then by all means, remain kneeling. "

With that, he walked straight out of the Hall of Political Deliberation, no longer paying any heed to the officials.

Qian Dafu, seeing Xiao Ming depart, immediately bellowed, "Court dismissed! " As he passed by Yu Ming, he let out a sarcastic "Hmph. "

The assembled officials watched Xiao Ming's figure vanish from sight. It was then that Pang Yukun spoke to Yu Ming: "Minister Yu, cease your kneeling. I see that His Imperial Majesty is resolute this time; you could kneel until death and it would be for naught. "

Fei Ji sighed, a heavy sound. He asked Pang Yukun, "Grand Councilor Pang, was His Imperial Majesty always this resolute? "

Pang Yukun mused for a moment, then replied, "His Imperial Majesty's demeanor is significantly milder now. In the past, no one would have dared to defy his decrees. "

Fei Ji nodded. Ever since Xiao Ming heeded his counsel regarding the powerful clans and the marriage to Cui Xue'er, he had suddenly felt a resurgence of the familiar days spent in the company of Xiao Wenxu.

In those days, Xiao Wenxu would generally heed his recommendations. This familiar sensation had led him to believe that Xiao Ming and Xiao Wenxu still shared common ground.

However, the events of this morning's court had finally allowed him to witness another facet of Xiao Ming. Unlike the usually amiable Xiao Ming, he had just perceived the formidable majesty of an emperor emanating from Xiao Ming.

"Minister Yu, please, cease your kneeling. Rise, His Imperial Majesty has already departed. " Fei Ji also urged, and even though he too opposed Xiao Ming's decrees, his innate ability to play mediator prevented him from cornering himself.

Yu Ming had always been renowned in Chang'an for refusing to give face to anyone. He feared neither treacherous nor virtuous ministers, acting solely according to his own convictions.

"If His Imperial Majesty does not retract his decree, your humble servant shall remain kneeling in this Hall of Political Deliberation. " Yu Ming declared, looking as if he were prepared to fight to the bitter end.

Fei Ji and Pang Yukun exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of helplessness. Fei Ji sighed, "What is the point of this? We can simply exhaust His Imperial Majesty's patience slowly. Perhaps His Imperial Majesty is merely indulging a fleeting whim, and in a few days, he will surely reconsider. "

Yu Ming shook his head, still unyielding. He declared, "These decrees of His Imperial Majesty, I fear, will sow discord among the populace. If the distinction between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants is abolished, who will study to become officials? Who will toil tirelessly in the fields? Would it not be better for everyone to simply become peddlers and porters? "

Pang Yukun conceded, "Minister Yu's words do hold a measure of truth, but under His Imperial Majesty's recent admonishment, this humble official suddenly perceived that His Imperial Majesty also possesses his own logic. Prior to this, all decrees within the fiefdom were formulated by His Imperial Majesty, and it is only now that the fiefdom has achieved its current prosperity. Were it not for this, perhaps Qingzhou would no longer exist, nor this very Hall of Political Deliberation. "

"Grand Councilor Pang, you err in your statement," Fei Ji interjected. "Before, His Imperial Majesty was merely Prince Qi, and thus naturally, his concerns were limited to the Qi region. But now, His Imperial Majesty is the sovereign of the Great Yu Kingdom and must consider the populace of all other regions. What proves viable in Qingzhou may not necessarily prove viable elsewhere. "

Pang Yukun retorted, "Did it work in the Qi region from the outset? It is simply a matter of human endeavor. "

With that, he shook his head and turned to exit the Hall of Political Deliberation.

His reason for opposing this time was that the introduction of these two policies would invariably diminish the standing of civil officials in court. Regardless of his own opposition, every civil official likely harbored a degree of discomfort.

Yet, setting that aside, these two policies were profoundly beneficial to the Great Yu Kingdom. In court, he had momentarily been seized by a fit of delusion.

The thought filled him with even deeper shame, for he realized that, unknowingly, he had begun to prioritize his own interests—something he had never done before.

He clenched his jaw and let out a sigh, feeling that he ought to return and reflect upon his actions.

While the officials were still creating a stir in the Hall of Political Deliberation, Xiao Ming had already returned to his imperial residence, protected by his Imperial Guard.

"Dafu, keep a close watch on the Hall of Political Deliberation for me. Report anything that transpires to me. " Xiao Ming commanded.

Qian Dafu nodded. "That Yu Ming is utterly obstinate; he truly might continue kneeling indefinitely. "

Xiao Ming felt a headache brewing. He needed upright officials, but upright officials were, at times, a double-edged sword.

"If he wishes to kneel, let him kneel for a few days," Xiao Ming snorted, "On this matter, I shall absolutely not compromise. "

Qian Dafu nodded. "Your Imperial Majesty speaks truly. These officials are simply acting rebellious! If His Imperial Majesty were to heed them this time, who knows how many more troubles would arise in the future. This old servant will dispatch men to keep watch immediately. "

Having spoken, Qian Dafu turned and departed.

Watching Qian Dafu depart, Xiao Ming furrowed his brow. He was not, in fact, afraid of these civil officials, for the wisdom of later generations had taught him that political power stemmed from the barrel of a gun. Hence, his priority had always been the military.

The thought brought another to mind: he wondered if Niu Ben had already captured Qingzhou, and whether he had already provided comfort to the troops as instructed.

While he pondered these matters, Niu Ben and a host of generals were, at that very moment, deliberating over an imminent battle.

Lu Fei, who had been preparing to seek out courtesans to entertain the troops, suddenly received a secret message. The message informed them that Prince Zhao's forces were advancing towards Juyong Pass.

After observing in silence for so long, Prince Zhao had finally stepped into the limelight.