SWNOVELXO Chapter 372: Patrolling the Area_2
Speaking of which, most of the officials in the court have to address him as Mr.
The two Prime Ministers hold power in the court, and a single decree can influence millions in Daxia. They were early promoted to Great Scholar.
Mr. Su has distanced himself from the court, traveled all across Daxia on foot, taught the Six Arts to students in areas with poor educational resources, instructed children in remote mountains to read and write, and actively promoted Confucianism. Recently, he successfully entered the Fifth Realm.
During the past two days since his return to Chang'an, the entrance of Su Mansion has been filled with carriages, and countless officials from the court have visited to offer their congratulations.
Within a certain prestigious residence in Chang'an, an elegant old man with white hair and beard stroked his beard, furrowing his brows.
"What, the Emperor, in pursuit of immortality, has slaughtered Daxia's nobility?"
"I haven't returned to Chang'an for years, and his favoritism towards Li Xuanjing has reached such an extent."
"The country faces internal and external troubles, yet he not only delays appointing a Crown Prince but becomes more obsessed with the pursuit of the Path of Immortality, absurd, simply absurd!"
"Since he doesn't care about state affairs, why does he cling to the imperial throne? Wouldn't passing it on early extend his lifespan by a few years?"
...
Upon learning about the situation in Chang'an over the past two years, his brow furrowed even deeper.
In the past two years, he had been secluded in a remote mountain village, isolated from the world, unaware of external news. Upon his breakthrough return, he realized the outside world had drastically changed.
Daxia faces a crisis not seen for hundreds of years, yet as the Emperor, he still retreats in seclusion searching for the ethereal immortality, truly a fool!
After a moment of contemplation, he personally wrote two invitations and instructed, "Send these two invitations to Cui Jian and Pei Hao's residences."
A servant took the invitations and bowed in agreement.
Cui Jian and Pei Hao are precisely the names of the Left and Right Prime Ministers.
In Daxia, the only one who could directly address the two Prime Ministers by their names is none other than Mr. Su.
Half a day later, in front of Su Mansion.
Two sedan chairs almost simultaneously stopped at the entrance of Su Mansion.
The Left and Right Prime Ministers each emerged from a sedan chair, exchanged glances, only slightly nodded, without saying much, and walked into Su Mansion side by side.
A moment later, inside the main hall of Su Mansion.
The Right Prime Minister walked in first, cupped his hands towards an old man, and said, "Congratulations, Brother Su."
The Left Prime Minister also smiled and said, "It has been many years..."
The two sat down separately, the elderly man calmly said, "You two, as Prime Ministers, have the responsibility to advise the Emperor, yet for more than ten years you have stood by as the Emperor acted recklessly. Are you worthy of the people of the world and the official robes you wear?"
Upon hearing this, the Left Prime Minister lowered his head slightly, unable to refute.
The Right Prime Minister remained composed, sipping a cup of tea.
However, the elder did not continue to question them but said, "Daxia needs a diligent and wise Emperor, not one who only desires immortality and ignores state affairs. The Emperor has been in this position for too long, obsessed with immortality and imperial power tactics, unable to lead Daxia through the upcoming changes..."
He paused for a moment and said, "Daxia... should change its era name."
The Right Prime Minister put down his teacup and asked, "You want to force the Emperor?"
The elder replied, "The Emperor's greed for power harms both the country and the people. Daxia does not need an Emperor who does not attend court."
The Right Prime Minister asked, "Whom do you want the Emperor to pass the throne to?"
The elder replied, "King Han and King You are rebellious, King Rui, King Xuan, and King Ji are still young; only King Chun, King Gong, and King Rui are options. King Chun is nearing forty but still indulges in pleasure, spending his days fishing and cooking, lacking imperial capability. King Gong is calm and steady, often achieving feats as Regent. Although King Rui previously indulged in revelry, it is said he has changed in recent years, diligently studying, always with a book in hand. He might be able to handle significant responsibility. Between the two, the Emperor can choose one to be made Crown Prince. What do you think?"
The Right Prime Minister shook his head and said, "Whether to establish a Crown Prince and who shall be the Crown Prince is the Emperor's family matter; as his subjects, we should not interfere in imperial family affairs."
The elder looked at him in disbelief and asked, "Pei Hao, you opposed the Emperor numerous times in court back then, yet now you are indecisive regarding the important matter of succession. Are you reluctant to lose your position as Prime Minister?"
The Right Prime Minister slowly stood up and said, "Our conversation is futile. I take my leave."
With that, he turned and left directly.
Watching him leave, the elder leaned against his chair and said disappointedly, "I never thought that the resolute Pei Hao of those days would turn into what he is today."
The Left Prime Minister also stood up and said, "Intervening in the establishment of a successor is the most taboo affair for a minister. I advise Brother Su to think twice, over the years many Confucian officials have died because of it..."
The elder heard this and merely smiled faintly, saying, "In the past two days, I have heard from academy students a saying, 'Death is inevitable, but it can be weightier than Tai Mountain, or lighter than a feather.' If I were to die for advising the foolish Emperor on succession, it could be said to be weightier than Tai Mountain..."
...
In the thirty-sixth year of Zhisheng, just after the Lantern Festival, Chang'an was stirred up with some disturbances.
Mr. Su, returning with the status of a Great Scholar, did the first thing—submit a proposal to the Emperor to establish a successor.
Officials in Chang'an all know this is the Emperor's taboo.
Since the death of the Crown Prince, countless individuals have suggested establishing a successor, all ignored by the Emperor.
Many Confucian officials, dissatisfied with the Emperor's pursuit of immortality and neglect of state affairs, wrote poems and books to subtly criticize the Emperor for his greed for power and foolishness, harming the country and people, all ultimately captured by the Ministry of Justice or Spiegel Bureau. Suffering torture was mild, others have even lost their lives.
Among them was even a disciple of the Right Prime Minister.
The Right Prime Minister, as the current Prime Minister, could not protect them.
The only one suspected of defaming the Emperor who ultimately escaped unharmed is the current Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice and Scheeren of the Secretariat, Li Nuo.
His "Phoenix Seeking His Mate" was widely perceived as alluding to the Emperor not being a wise ruler, but since his father oversaw such matters, he faced no consequences.
This time, Great Scholar Su did not only propose establishing a successor.
He intended for the Emperor to directly abdicate.
If it were anyone else, they would probably already be languishing in the Spiegel Bureau's dungeon.
However, the status of a Fifth Realm Great Scholar is special, with only three in all of Daxia, not exceeding ten across the continent, being respected figures no matter where, killing Great Scholar Su would indeed taint the Emperor's reputation for eternity.
As the storm in Chang'an was brewing.
In Qin State.
Though Qin State isn't far from Chang'an, it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Capital Road.
Due to its proximity to the center, famous families struggle to gain influence there, and because it is outside of Capital Road, the court does not pay special attention. Above a Governor of a state, there is no one to govern, leaving Qin State's local officials with absolute authority, more comfortable than most local officials.
In a certain street of Qin State, many people gathered together, discussing animatedly.
"It's too unfair!"
"Those girls are merely performing art on the street. How can it be morally deviant?"
"It's because they offended the Assistant Governor's Miss, with just a word from the little lady, they can't perform here anymore. It's cutting off people's livelihood. If they had other options, they wouldn't choose this path..."
"But this reason is too bullying. The Assistant Governor himself runs a brothel, where women expose their chests and thighs to attract customers on the street, yet they are not declared morally deviant, picking on these few girls whose earnings are used to help homeless orphans..."
"It's said that the Assistant Governor's Miss is jealous of their beauty. Ugh, the Miss's appearance is short, stout, and ugly. If true, she'll envy all the women in the city..."
"Believe it or not, earlier there was a beautiful woman whose face was secretly marred by those she hired..."
"Shh, stop talking, stop talking, or we'll end up in trouble too."
Just as the crowd was discussing, a voice came from the side.
"Everyone, what were you talking about just now?"
Someone turned and saw an old man and a young man standing behind them, the elder with white hair and beard, somewhat languid in demeanor, the young man handsome, tall, and robust, with a strange golden long sword strapped to his back...