PNB Chapter 456 The Way of Decisiveness
Chapter 456 The Way of Decisiveness
Emperor Qianwu looked at the reactions of his ministers in the court coldly, his mind unpredictable.
After a while, the court officials realized that they had gone too far in arguing, and they all shrank back like quails and stopped talking.
Emperor Qianwu sneered: "Why don't you quarrel?"
"Do you think it's unpleasant? Do you think it's harsh? Do you feel ashamed? You've lost all your dignity! The imperial court spent seven years on flood control, spending eight million taels of silver. Now the flood control is going badly, and it's getting worse every year! If you're not good-for-nothings, then what are you! If you're not incompetent, then what are you!!!"
Emperor Qianwu cursed angrily, and it was obvious that the flood in the south of the Yangtze River had become a major concern for him.
"Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
All the court officials knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
Emperor Qianwu let out a sigh of relief and said in a deep voice: "What this person said is meaningful. He is indeed a useful person. Find him for me!"
"Yes."
*
After the court was dismissed, everyone looked at Xiao Tingshan with a bit of sympathy.
Song Huazhang, the youngest son of Duke Cheng, stepped forward and said respectfully, "Brother, don't be discouraged. I think it's just bad luck. Maybe His Majesty can't find this person. Brother, you still have a chance."
His words seemed sincere, but his eyes were filled with undisguised gloating.
Xiao Tingshan smiled at him and still behaved like a gentleman: "Thank you for your good words, brother."
Song Huazhang smiled and said, "I think it's unnecessary for my mother to prepare a celebration banquet for my eldest brother. If my brother doesn't mind, we can treat it as a family banquet."
Xiao Tingshan said again: "Mother, thank you for your concern. It is Tingshan who is not doing well. I will trouble my brother to explain to mother."
"Brother, don't worry."
The two of them exchanged a few words in a lukewarm manner. After Song Huazhang left, the smile on Xiao Tingshan's face faded.
But along the way, many people looked at him and shook their heads and sighed, as if they felt sorry for his bad luck.
Xiao Heyu glanced at him and walked past him without saying a word.
Until returning to the Third Prince's Mansion.
Xiao Heyu threw the teacup in his hand at Xiao Tingshan. Xiao Tingshan was unable to dodge and a bloody mark appeared on his forehead.
"Didn't you say that you were determined to get the position of Deputy Capital Secretary? I have worked hard to push you to the position, but you, what have you given me in return?" Xiao Heyu had a pair of peach blossom eyes, feminine and unpredictable.
He has been having a lot of bad luck lately. Originally, the floods in the south of the Yangtze River were just an old issue that came up every year and were not worth making a fuss about.
Now, just because of Song Tingshan, a couple was hanged in front of the palace gate, and because of Taifu Wang's article "On Water Control" that came from nowhere, everyone's attention was shifted to the officialdom in the south of the Yangtze River!
If his father really wanted to conduct a thorough investigation in Jiangnan, Xiao Heyu was not sure that something would not be found out about him.
Xiao Tingshan felt bitter in his mouth. He knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, please forgive me. Someone must have secretly fanned the flames..."
"Song Tingshan! You really disappoint me. I shouldn't have gone against everyone's opinion and chosen someone like you who was born with a disease as my confidant. You can prolong your life, but you shouldn't have left any clues to implicate me!" Xiao Heyu's brows were gloomy, and there was a hint of murderous intent in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Tingshan.
Xiao Tingshan's heart tightened, and he said, "Your Highness, please calm down. This matter... was indeed my negligence..."
Xiao Tingshan never imagined that two people whom he never took seriously would become stumbling blocks in his official career.
If he had known earlier, he would have wiped out the root of the problem and would never have let the two of them live to this day!
And now, after this incident, there was another book called "On Water Control". With some intuition, Xiao Tingshan felt that his transfer this time... was completely hopeless!
Xiao Heyu's brows were grim, and he said slowly: "Father has sent Xie Jingchi to investigate this matter. He will give you a reply within five days. You'd better think about how to excuse yourself."
"Yes!"
*
On the other side, Shen Shuyi was studying "On Water Control" written by his brother at the table.
At first glance, she felt that her brother was indeed a man of great talent, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that her brother was a natural politician.
When Xiao Tingshan wrote an article entitled "On Water Control", her brother followed up with another article entitled "On Water Control", without wasting any of the momentum she had created for Xiao Tingshan.
What’s even more interesting is that my brother did not write in detail many of the measures in “On Water Control”, so it may be difficult to implement them.
Furthermore, his brother did not sign his name but only left words on it, which not only aroused the curiosity of all officials, but also aroused the attention of Emperor Qianwu.
A talent that is hard to find is far more valuable than someone who offers advice right to your doorstep.
What's more, my brother's illness is a legitimate reason not to show up in public.
"Sister Yi..." Lian Qiao ran in from outside with redness in the corners of her eyes.
Shen Shuyi turned to look at her and asked with concern: "What's wrong?"
Lian Qiao choked up a little, tears welling up in her eyes: "Huang Ying's parents hanged themselves in front of the palace gate."
The paper in Shen Shuyi's hand fell to the ground. She was in a trance for a moment and whispered, "How could it be?"
In a moment, Shen Shuyi thought a lot, and wondered if it was because he had created momentum and fame for Xiao Tingshan that the two wanted revenge.
Lian Qiao trembled and said, "After they left that day, they first went to the government office to write a complaint, and then they kept asking for news about Song Tingshan, waiting for the opportunity..."
Later, Huang Ying's parents were guarding in front of the palace gate, listening to the officials going in and out of the court chatting, and learned the news that Xiao Tingshan would be appointed. They then chose to hang themselves in front of the palace gate during the morning court session that day, hoping to seek justice for Huang Ying.
Lian Qiao said again: "They have never given up on seeking justice for Huang Ying, but... they know that they can't beat Xiao Tingshan, so they chose this decisive way."
Shen Shuyi fell silent for a while, then said softly, "Jinzhu, go ask your uncle to come over. After the caning is over, ask your uncle to bury them with Huang Ying."
"Yes."
That’s right, if someone attempted suicide in front of the palace gate, he would be flogged according to the laws of Daqian, regardless of whether he was dead or alive.
Without waiting for Shen Shuyi to come back to his senses, Shen Jingchuan, who had just returned from court, sent someone to invite Shen Shuyi over.
Shen Shuyi calmed down and went to Shen Jingchuan's study.
"Sister Yi, what you said last time has always been in mind. The Qin family has invited several teachers from the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy for Brother Han, but... whether we can keep these teachers depends on Brother Han's own ability." Shen Jingchuan looked happy.
Shen Shuyi smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, father. I wonder which gentlemen you invited?"
Shen Jingchuan said, "Lady Qin will bring someone here soon. Uncle Qin took a lot of effort to invite them here, and he hopes that Brother Han can seize this opportunity."
Shen Shuyi looked at Shen Jingchuan and said with a smile: "Brother will do his best."
Shen Jingchuan sighed and said, "Brother Han's meridians are all broken, so it's a waste of time for him to learn all this. People with some reputation are unwilling to accept a student like him. If it doesn't work out... I'm afraid he will be hit..."