Protect Our Clan Leader
Chapter 1098 - 76: Shou Zhe Overturns the Grand Assembly (Please Subscribe, Vote for Monthly Tickets)

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Even Taishi Ankang, who had always been a supporter of Wang Shouzhe, found himself twitching uneasily. Oh, Shouzhe, Shouzhe, the initial request for you to come to Shangjing City was to resolve issues.

Yet from the moment you arrived, all you did was to hole up at home. Every time we met, you would say there was no rush, that you would have a strategy soon.

Is this the result?

What kind of brilliant maneuver is this, to even dare refuse a summons from the Great Emperor…

"Your Majesty," said Prince De Xin, full of vigor, stepping forward to speak, "You have showered great favor on the Wang family, yet not only does Wang Shouzhe show no gratitude, he even dares to be willful and defy your orders. If he is not sternly punished, where will Your Majesty's dignity stand?"

"Your Majesty," Prince De De stepped forward and argued, "Since ancient times, geniuses have had their eccentricities. Shouzhe is a rare talent; if he didn't appear, perhaps he had some difficulty?"

"What difficulty? It's clear that he resents Your Majesty for not approving the new reform plan for Longzuo County, clear that he resents Your Majesty for not backing him up during the Three Departments' tax inspection," Prince De Xin said sharply, "What use is there for someone who disrespects the emperor and is so narrow-minded?"

After that, Prince De Xin and Prince De De, both shameless old ghosts, started quarreling right in the middle of Dingqian Hall, rolling up their sleeves, seemingly ready to settle the score outside if they couldn't agree.

Emperor Longchang also felt a headache coming on. In his youth, De Xin and De De had been like favored sons of the heavens, once his staunch allies in many of his campaigns.

Their relationship had been ironclad, but conflicts later arose, leading to their falling out. They have always been at odds with each other, constantly bickering. Eventually, De De, in a fury, retired to the western seaside, no longer involving himself in court and military matters.

Until today.

Emperor Longchang almost felt as if he had been transported back to those headache-filled days, with these two princes causing the most commotion among all.

"Enough, be silent," Emperor Longchang's expression was as cold as ice.

Suddenly.

There was silence within Dingqian Hall.

After all, Longchang was the Great Emperor, having lived through more than three thousand years, witnessing countless storms.

Thereupon, he looked piercingly at Little Xiangzi and said, "Do you know why Wang Shouzhe defied the edict? What did he say?"

The Emperor's imposing presence terrified Little Xiangzi into paleness. Although his rank within the official guards was not low, being one of the four Great Commanders of Auspicious Ruyi, at that moment he still felt overwhelmed by the Emperor's subtle yet oppressive force: "Replying, replying to Your Majesty. That, no, that fellow Wang Shouzhe said, 'It's all because he is too thin-skinned, truly unable to accept such a grand imperial edict'."

Too thin-skinned?

What kind of peculiar reasoning is that?

Many ministers and generals in Dingqian Hall found it baffling. Being summoned and rewarded by the Great Emperor was a rare honor; what does that have to do with being thin-skinned or thick-skinned by even half a shilling's worth?

"Your Majesty, could it be that Wang Shouzhe is not well-versed in the ways of the world, feeling alarmed and uneasy about appearing in Dingqian Hall?" Old Yao, standing beside, suggested in a hushed tone, "After all, he comes from a humble Rank Six rural family, it's normal for him to feel intimidated by such a grand occasion."

Emperor Longchang glanced at him annoyed, tsk, Old Yao, you dog, how much money did you take from the Wang family? So eager to speak up for him? However, his expression eventually relaxed somewhat as he snorted, "Besides this, did he offer any other explanation? If that's all, I still intend to punish him for his offense."

"Your Majesty, Wang Shouzhe also said, 'Ever since the founding of Da Qian by Emperor Ziwei Xuan Du, the Prominent Families have been under the protection of Da Qian, afforded a stable environment for growth and prosperity.' "

"Each Prominent Family is inherently a part of Da Qian and should assist in governing the state and maintaining public security, defending their land and protecting the nation. As for paying taxes according to regulations, it is a fundamental duty that comes with enjoying special privileges."

"If you don't pay taxes, I don't pay taxes, when will Da Qian grow stronger?"

"Today, Your Majesty wishes to summon Shouzhe at The Grand Assembly and lavishly praise him as the 'Tax Model of the Prominent Families', for merely fulfilling the trivial duty of his class. Shouzhe is too ashamed to accept Your Majesty's generous favor and does not wish to be the subject of ridicule for ages, thus he bravely defies the edict."

Little Xiangzi reported Wang Shouzhe's words verbatim, sweat dripping from his forehead. He knew that this time, inadvertently, he had become a pawn for Wang Shouzhe.

If things went wrong and he angered the Emperor, his death under a smack might well be conceivable.

A hush fell over Dingqian Hall, the faces of the ministers and generals were a study in varied expressions. Some were moved by Wang Shouzhe's words, showing expressions of shock and deep contemplation.

However, some officials were dismissive, with a mocking curl of the lip.

They had heard of Wang Shouzhe's prowess. Since the decision to support An Commandery Prince, in just a short span, he turned the situation around massively, elevating An Commandery Prince to a status comparable to that of Kang Commandery Prince.

They had thought him to be a man of noble character, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be a schemer angling for fame.

Has history ever seen such incidents before?

Of course, there were countless instances – all were mere pretexts of "reasonable defiance" to boost one's reputation and integrity. And the reasons given were so nobly articulated that even if the Emperor was enraged, he could not impose punishment for it.

Otherwise, the Emperor would "leave his mark in history"

"Hehe~ shortsighted and utterly foolish," thought a certain official who prided himself on his wisdom, sneering in his heart. Wang Shouzhe's move seemed clever, ostensibly enhancing his reputation, but in reality, it was planting seeds of endless troubles, for one, silently offending too many powerful figures.