Chapter 304 (1/2)

Zhu Junfan sat on his throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, amusedly watching his younger cousin, who was usually quiet seemingly become another person as he spoke animatedly of Yu Xiaocao. Hearing his last sentence, he rolled his eyes at Zhu Junyang, exasperatedly saying, ”Do we even need you to remind us?”

Then, he continued to ask, ”According to you, I should actually reward the ten-year-old little girl from the Yu Family instead of Yu Hai?”

However, Zhu Junyang shook his head and said, ”The Yu Family successfully grew corn, that's a contribution and should also be rewarded. However, Yu Xiaocao's contribution is the greatest, so, by right, the reward should be on her name!”

”Your Majesty, this official disagrees! A woman's virtue is in having no talent; how could a little girl become an official such as us?” Imperial Censor Yang voiced out his opposition first.

Official Zhang, the Minister of Transmission, had always been good at guessing the emperor's intentions. Since his ascendance to the throne, the emperor had been consistently trying to raise the ranks of women, and his determination could be seen clearly from his awarding of the master of embroidery, Jiang Siniang.

Imperial Censor Yang was too pedantic and didn't know how to be more flexible, so even though he was more qualified than all the first-rank officials, he was still dawdling in second-rank. Zhang Zijian felt that he was younger and more capable than the old fellow, and he knew that the emperor really needed a loyal subject that could convey his intentions. Thus, he decided to test his luck!

”Official Yang! His Majesty and the emperor emeritus always value a person by their abilities. His Majesty once said, 'Do not restrict the talented'. Now, the drought in the north is still an ongoing problem and the areas by the sea also suffered from a locust plague. Food is the basis to calm the people—the important factor for maintaining peace in the kingdom! And Yu Xiaocao so happens to have such a talent! Talented agriculturalists are hard to find, so what is wrong with making exceptions?” After receiving the emperor's praising gaze, Official Zhang became more and more confident in his speech.

Imperial Censor Yang lifted his chin and said with a frown, ”The success in growing corn didn't sp.a.w.n from only the efforts of that little girl! If her father were to be rewarded, she will also rise in ranks from a mere farmer girl to the daughter of an official, which will also be equivalent to her being rewarded. Why must we let a girl become an official and let her unsettle the court!”

”These words are not right, Official Yang! According to you, the contributions of children should be credited to the father, so doesn't that mean that in the future, if Deputy Yang made a contribution, he need not be rewarded? Instead, all the credit should go to you, so you can rise in ranks and get wealthy?”

Imperial Censor Yang's son was the current Deputy Minister of the Household, a fifth-rank official. This Deputy Yang had the ability, and wasn't as stubbornly pedantic as his father, so originally, he would've been able to reach magnificent heights in his career. However, in most dynasties, there were very few fathers and sons who were both of equal, high rank. With Imperial Censor Yang oppressing him, he had always been short of opportunities to rise through the ranks.

Hearing Official Zhang's words, Deputy Yang looked at his father with a gaze filled with dissatisfaction. His father was old and had already reached the peak of his career in the court, so it was extremely difficult for him to progress further in his career. However, Imperial Censor Yang enjoyed his high rank and dreamed of the moment when he would be promoted to a first-rank official, whereas Deputy Yang who was already more than forty years old was still a fifth-rank official because his father was oppressing him. If his father could retire earlier, he would definitely be able to achieve his father's dream of becoming a first-rank official before he, himself, retired. Such a big dream—they are indeed a father and son duo!

It is common in court to have both father and son as court officials. All the sons directed their discontented glares towards Imperial Censor Yang.

For a moment, Imperial Censor Yang felt like there were knives at his back. He was not so callous as he hurriedly explained, ”Your Majesty, this official did not mean it that way, it is Official Zhang who misinterpreted my intentions! This official simply thinks that women should not be appointed as court officials as they would unsettle the court!”

Zhu Junfan was a bit annoyed at this bunch of old officials that often took advantage of their seniority, and his expression showed his displeasure as he said, ”Beloved Official Yang, you have crossed the line! How much trouble can a mere seventh-rank official under the Ministry of Revenue cause? Or is it that beloved Official Yang thinks that we are incapable rulers like King Zhou of Shang and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang?”

”This official doesn't dare!” Alarmed, Imperial Censor Yang trembled and hurriedly dropped on his knees, lowering his entire body to the ground.

Official Zhang also kneeled, saying, ”Please cease your anger, Your Majesty! This official thinks that Imperial Censor Yang is old and muddleheaded. He takes advantage of his seniority and misinterprets Your Majesty's intentions. He is no longer suitable for the position of the censor, who inspects the impeachment of officials, discerns wrongdoing, monitors the various departments, and acts as the 'eyes and ears' of the emperor.”

Hearing this, Imperial Censor Yang felt stifled and found it difficult to breathe. He outstretched his hand, shakily pointing at Official Zhang. Official Zhang gave the others a look that said, 'See, Imperial Censor Yang is indeed old!'

The emperor pretended to scold, ”Minister Zhang, your words are not right! It is all because of the contributions of the senior officials that the Great Ming Dynasty was able to stabilize after mere decades. Without the old general following the emperor emeritus to fight battles, there would not be the Great Ming Dynasty today; and without the hard work and cooperation of the civil officials, we would not have the prosperous Great Ming Dynasty today!”

Official Zhang realized that he had been too eager, so he quickly laid p.r.o.ne on the ground and pleaded guilty, ”Your Majesty is wise! This official has been narrow-minded! I have only been discussing the facts, and did not mean to disrespect the senior officials. Please make a wise judgement!”

The emperor sighed heavily, ”Beloved Official Zhang, in court, every word that you speak must be thought through thoroughly. Since this is your first offense, your punishment will be the deduction of half a year's salary!”

The deduction of half a year's salary was akin to an itch to Official Zhang, so even though he was punished, he was still secretly gleeful. It seemed that his actions had pleased the emperor!

As expected, the emperor turned his gaze to Imperial Censor Yang, who was clutching his chest and panting heavily, and asked with concern, ”Does the imperial physician need to be summoned, beloved Official Yang?”

Imperial Censor Yang panted heavily a few more times, shaking his head, ”My utmost grat.i.tude for Your Majesty's concern, but this official is fine.”

The emperor continued to express his concern, ”Beloved Official Yang, your health should be the utmost priority. You should rest your body first in order for you to better contribute to the court! We will grant you a month's leave of convalescence from court, meanwhile the Vice Imperial Censor will take over your tasks. Are there any more issues to discuss, fellow beloved officials?”