Chapter 647: Court Debate (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Third Uncle, Third Uncle!!”
Upon seeing the person behind him, Duan Qian's eyes flew open, his face contorting in shock.
”Imperial Censor Duan!”
”Deputy Imperial Censor1 Duan!”
……
As they saw the graying imperial censor who had walked in, the people on the sides turned solemn and began to bow. This graying and thin man, energetic despite his age, was none other than Deputy Imperial Censor Duan Cao.
However, Duan Qian had a completely different feeling.
Imperial Censor Duan Cao was not merely a prestigious figure of the Great Tang renowned for his moral rectitude, he was also the head of the Duan Clan. Moreover, he had always been an upright and outspoken individual, never fearing backlash from the officials or nobles. He had been this way since the last government; the previous Emperor, the nobles, and the officials down to the most minor functionary had all suffered his censure.
Even Wang Chong's grandfather, the prestigious Duke Jiu, had been the target of his criticisms.
The current status of the Great Tang's imperial censors was inextricably linked to Duan Cao.
It was also because of him that the Duan Clan was hailed as a clan of imperial censors.
It had been out of admiration for this third uncle that Duan Qian had chosen to enter politics and become an imperial censor. From a certain perspective, Duan Cao was also his teacher. Duan Cao had taught him everything he knew about the laws of the court.
Duan Cao had been conferred a token by the previous Emperor that allowed him to enter the court whenever he pleased. Only this Deputy Imperial Censor possessed this right.
”Little brat, I knew that you would end up being used. You only learned a little about how to be an imperial censor before you began to show off. I said a long time ago that your learning was shallow and wouldn't be of much use. This time, when Young Master Wang Chong achieved such incredible merits in the southwest and His Majesty wanted to reward him, I just knew that you would be used by others, and what do I see!”
Duan Cao's rage was on full display, his fingers pinching hard on Duan Qian's ears, causing yelps of pain to issue from Duan Qian's mouth. However, the most humiliating thing to Duan Qian was that everyone was watching. His entire neck went red from the shame.
But even so, Duan Qian did not strike back. Elders needed to be respected. Such was the etiquette of the Great Tang, so no matter how dissatisfied Duan Qian was, he did not resist. Otherwise, if he disrespected his elders, he could put aside any thought of remaining in the court.
”Old censor, let him go, let him go!”
”If you continue to twist, Imperial Censor Duan's ear might be pulled off.”
”Hmph, let him continue. We can't teach him, but the old censor might!”
……
The court was in chaos. There were some in favor of having the old censor let go while there were others in favor of coldly watching on. The Imperial Court had its laws, and though they could not do anything about Duan Qian's dogged pursuit of Wang Chong, Duan Cao could.
Duan Cao was both old and respected, and no one could object to him disciplining his successor.
”Duan Cao, what are you doing? This is the Imperial Court. Have you really come to treat this place as your Duan Clan's ancestral hall? What's your purpose here by making such a racket?”
The ashen-faced King Qi could finally no longer keep watching Duan Qian being abused.
”That's right!”
Hearing King Qi's words, Duan Qian remembered where he was and broke free of Duan Cao's hands, his face red as he argued, ”Third Uncle, the Imperial Court has its laws. As imperial censors, we should uphold these laws. Laws do not tolerate personal feelings. The Son of Heaven will be punished for his crimes in the same way as the common people. Whether it is the sovereign above or the people below, anyone who defies the laws of the court should be pointed out and their wrongs redressed. Isn't this what Third Uncle taught me?”
Duan Qian looked straight at his third uncle, his gaze firm and unyielding.
Imperial censors were resolute, and not even his third uncle could make him yield.
Slap!
Before Duan Qian could continue, the old censor gave him a hefty slap.
”Old censor!”
”Old censor!”
……
Cries of alarm came from all around, even from the ministers who supported Wang Chong's side in this debate. Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen, who had remained on the sidelines so as to not appear biased, also raised his head in surprise. No one had expected the old censor to take such strong action.
”Third Uncle!”
Duan Qian's face turned red as he held his swollen cheek. He was utterly stupefied, disbelief covering his face.
”Duan Cao, you old boor, you think that with your age and the iron ticket that the previous Emperor conferred on you, you can do as you please in the court? Someone, come and take him away!”
King Qi was fuming.
It had taken him no small effort to finally convince Duan Qian to speak on his behalf. He could not permit Duan Cao to ruin his plans.
”Hmph, Your Highness King Qi, if a child of the Duan Clan won't listen, is it wrong for me to discipline someone of my own clan? As an elder, I have a duty to teach. Not even the Sage Emperor would refuse me on this. Does Your Highness King Qi have an objection?”
Even when facing a member of the imperial household, Duan Cao was fearless. He had even censured the previous Emperor of the Great Tang, so why would he care about some trifling King Qi?