My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Emperor Longqing first called for someone, and after pausing for a few breaths, he spoke with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, "Would you not like to see if you can seal some official position for ’Your Majesty’ as well?"

"Your Majesty, this servant, this servant never said such a thing!"

Mr. Gao hurried to explain, "Even if this humble official had the courage of heaven, I wouldn’t dare to utter such words. Mr. Yan has gone mad. He wants to use this kind of slanderous accusation to cover up his own corruption and malpractice!"

"Last year, just for building warships, their Ministry of Works spent over ten million taels of silver, and in the end, they only produced four ships with the excuse that they sank at sea!" Explore more stories with NovelBin.Côm

"A sinking that accounts for ten ships – isn’t that a story to fool idiots?"

"And the year before last, the repair of the Hezhou Canal, also under their supervision, ended up collapsing in less than half a year due to a flood!"

"And the silk case in the Southern region..."

"Such are the matters!"

"I dare bet! Mr. Yan’s home probably contains more silver than the treasury of our Great Sheng Dynasty!"

"You’re talking nonsense!"

Mr. Yan, not caring about propriety, cursed loudly in the court hall, "Everything you’re speaking of is clearly recorded and accounted for!"

"Yes, accounted for."

Mr. Gao snorted, "When the granaries are inspected, they catch fire, and when lands are examined, people die – how could it not add up?"

"Mr. Gao, do not spit blood, stop beating around the bush!"

Realizing the topic was straying, Mr. Yan quickly said, "Today we are discussing who attempted to assassinate and rebel!"

"Father Emperor!"

Prince Qi, the Eighth Prince, spoke up, "I suddenly thought of something frightening! Now that Father Emperor and all the civil and military officials are at Ziwei Mountain, the main forces responsible for defense are three: General Meng’s Eastern Garrison, the Hu Ben Army, and the Imperial Guard. In such a situation, Mr. Gao has been courting General Meng’s Eastern Garrison. What could his intentions be? Should Mr. Gao succeed, with just one order, wouldn’t a hundred thousand troops be able to surround Ziwei Mountain!"

"I understand clearly."

Emperor Longqing opened his eyes, his body leaning slightly forward, "Are you trying to say that ’Your Majesty’s’ son wants to kill ’Your Majesty’?"

As soon as these words were uttered,

the previously bustling Yangxin Palace suddenly fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

These words,

a group of ministers dared not say.

"Father Emperor."

Then, Prince Qi spoke up, "Actually, this matter might not be directly related to Eldest Brother. Both I and Fourth Brother believe that Eldest Brother definitely has no thoughts of rebellion!"

"Exactly, exactly."

Prince Qin chimed in, "Mr. Yan, do not be overly aggressive. The Crown Prince governs the world with kindness and filial piety; he is absolutely incapable of committing such an act against Heaven’s principles. However..."

He paused, "But Eldest Brother has many and varied persons under his command. Even if the Crown Prince has no such intentions, it’s possible that those under him do!"

"Well said, Fourth Brother!"

Prince Qi supported him in chorus, "These people have ulterior motives. To advance themselves in court, they act recklessly without the Crown Prince’s knowledge!"

"That means you, Gao Bo!"

Mr. Yan without any mincing of words, "Mr. Gao not only aspires to be the Chief Minister, but he has even drunkenly declared his wish for the Great Sheng Dynasty to restore the Prime Minister system, as he desires to become Prime Minister!"

"But who could have known..."

"His ambition would go this far, resorting even to such means!"

"This is not merely plotting rebellion, but also framing the Crown Prince as heartless, unrighteous, disloyal, unfilial – he should be cut to pieces and then quartered!"

Emperor Longqing listened to the incessant accusations, slowly flipping through the petitions impeaching Mr. Gao, until ultimately, he tossed them all forward, scattering them all over the ground.

"Your Majesty!"

"May Your Majesty quell your anger!"

The group of ministers prostrated again, their foreheads pressed tightly to the ground, only to hear a voice, dignified without anger, echoing long and mighty in their ears.

"The Ziwei Enthronement was supposed to be the foremost joyous event in a century for our Great Sheng Dynasty. How did you manage to turn it into this mess?

"One moment, it is ’Your Majesty’s’ sons wanting to kill ’Your Majesty’, the next moment, it is ’Your Majesty’s’ beloved subjects wanting to kill ’Your Majesty’ – where on earth is there so many people wanting to kill ’Your Majesty’? Or rather, is ’Your Majesty’ truly that incompetent?"

"May Your Majesty quell your anger, we definitely did not mean it!"

Mr. Yan explained, "We simply wish to eliminate the treacherous, to restore the Great Sheng Court to a bright and ordered state!"

"Your Majesty."

Gao Bo, not willing to be outdone, said, "Who the traitor is can easily be known with one search at home..."

The two continued to argue,

but as the Emperor began to speak, their voices grew quieter and quieter, not daring to loudly dispute any longer.

"Gentlemen, no more arguing."

Chamberlain Huang Hong spoke up, his tone carrying a warning, "What transpired today, His Majesty has his own sage judgment. It is not whatever you claim it to be."

Mr. Yan and Mr. Gao immediately shut their mouths.

One could see Emperor Longqing, dressed in a Taoist robe, slowly standing up from the Dragon Chair, just as a breeze blew into the hall, making his robes billow and his beard flutter. He did not hasten to deliver a verdict, instead, he began to recite a poem, "Practiced until the body is like a crane’s shape, under the pines two handfuls of sutras. I come for the Way without further discussion, clouds are in the blue sky, water resides in the jar."

"Clouds are in the blue sky, water resides in the jar!

"Some of you are water, some of you are clouds."

"Traitors?"

He waved his horsetail whisk, his gaze sweeping over the officials, continued to speak,

"Where do these traitors come from?"

"In ’Your Majesty’s’ eyes, there are no traitors, just loyal ministers, only that their deeds are different. What kind of spectacle are you making, squabbling in the court hall like this?

"’Your Majesty’s’ son wanting to kill ’Your Majesty’, I wouldn’t believe it if I were beaten to death.

"Gao Bo wanting to kill ’Your Majesty’, I don’t believe it either."

"Your Majesty, see clearly!"

Gao Bo prostrated deeply.

"However, there is one point you are right about."