sovbooks Chapter 228 Extreme Contrast! Brother, you betrayed me!
Chapter 228 Extreme Contrast! Brother, you betrayed me!
Zhang Fan glanced at them and said calmly,
"Rewards and stipends can also be settled entirely in silver!"
"Every household can use silver utensils to demonstrate their status and prestige!"
That last sentence completely shattered the psychological defenses of all the civil officials!
Paying salaries in silver?
Are you using silverware at home?
What kind of scene was that?
Isn't this incredibly awesome?
suddenly!
With a "thump"!
A figure knelt down once again in the center of the hall.
Everyone stared in astonishment!
The one who knelt down was none other than Shao Fu Zong Yu, who had just spoken the most vehemently and resolutely against the opposition!
Zong Yu was seen with tears streaming down his face, his expression a mixture of excitement and regret.
He kowtowed heavily to Ying Zheng on the dragon throne, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Your Majesty! I...I am guilty!"
He beat his chest and stamped his feet, as if he was filled with extreme remorse:
"Your Majesty, I am short-sighted and narrow-minded!"
"I almost ruined the eternal foundation of my Great Qin Dynasty because of my own selfish desires!"
"I just heard what the Immortal Master said!"
"I have just been enlightened, as if struck by a sudden awakening!"
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhang Fan, his eyes filled with an unprecedented "sincerity."
"Master Zhang Fan possesses foresight and a deep concern for the nation; he is truly a blessing to our Great Qin!"
"To launch a campaign against Japan and seize its silver mountains—this is a monumental undertaking that will benefit generations to come and bring glory to countless generations!"
"This move is not a waste of manpower and resources, but rather a way to increase revenue for our Great Qin, making the country stronger and the people richer!"
"Your Majesty, I...I am foolish and ignorant, but I humbly request that you grant me permission to send troops to Japan!"
As he spoke, he kowtowed again, this time to the ground.
"Thump!"
The sound was crisp and clear!
You can tell it's a good start just by listening to it!
This smooth and effortless maneuver completely stunned all the civil and military officials in the court.
My mind is full of questions!
Especially Ding Chen, the newly appointed Imperial Censor, who had just stood on the same side as him and delivered a passionate speech.
He was staring wide-eyed, dumbfounded, at his "ally."
no……
Dude?
So... he betrayed me?
Didn't we just agree to be of one mind and share the same breath?
Are they impeaching Zhang Fan together?
Your change of expression is too fast!
Ding Chen felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at Zong Yu, who had a face full of "loyalty and courage," and then at his colleagues around him who were full of disdain, he felt utterly absurd.
Zong Yu, who was kneeling on the ground, could barely suppress the smile on his face.
He had already planned everything out clearly in his mind.
Silver Mountain!
An inexhaustible mountain of silver!
If these silver mines are mined, the silver must first go into the national treasury!
As the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, he was in charge of the taxes levied on mountains, seas, ponds, and lakes, as well as the government's handicraft industry!
In the mining, smelting, casting, and storage of these minerals, which link can be done without him?
This is clearly a gold mine tailor-made for him!
As long as this matter can be brought to fruition, the profits that can be made from it are immense!
It's simply unbelievable!
Thinking of this, Zong Yu could no longer suppress his excitement and elation.
What kind of civil official's reputation?
What about colleague ethics?
fart!
It's worthless compared to the mountains of silver!
Zong Yu's defection left Ding Chen feeling extremely isolated in the court.
He became the only one who insisted on opposing the opinion, and he was under pressure from all sides.
He could feel that all the eyes of his colleagues were on him!
Even His Majesty on the dragon throne showed a hint of impatience in his eyes.
Zhang Fan looked at Ding Chen's flushed face and shook his head slightly.
He cupped his hands in greeting to Ying Zheng and said:
"Your Majesty, it seems Lord Ding still has some concerns!"
"That's normal. After all, he didn't see it with his own eyes. As the Imperial Censor, it's his duty to be cautious!"
then.
He turned to Ding Chen and said calmly:
"How about this, Lord Ding!"
"When the fleet returns and the first ship of silver is brought back!"
"I am willing to take ten percent of my reward and give it to the Censorate!"
"What do you think of using this to reward censors like Lord Ding who are so dedicated to their duties?"
Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall looked at Ding Chen.
This proposal put Ding Chen in a dilemma.
If he agrees!
This means that his previous insistence was wrong!
Changing his stance now for personal gain damages his reputation.
If he disagrees!
This would offend other members of the Censorate and would also hinder the potential interests of everyone present!
This is a difficult question to answer.
Ding Chen's body trembled slightly.
Important matters of the court should not be measured solely by money, and Zong Yu and other officials' attitudes disappointed him!
I cannot back down!
Under immense pressure, Ding Chen made a move that surprised everyone.
He took off his official hat and threw it on the ground.
Then he walked toward the pillar in the center of the hall, his eyes filled with determination.
"Your Majesty! State affairs are being decided by wealth and money; people's hearts have lost their way!"
"I am powerless to change this; only death can prove my resolve!"
Done.
He then rammed his head against the pillar.
Just then, a figure rushed over faster than the guards and grabbed his leg.
It is the Junior Palace Attendant.
Zong Yu shouted loudly:
"Brother Ding! You can't die!"
"If you die, who will keep watch on us?"
"Who will safeguard these treasures for His Majesty?"
"We're all doing this for the Qin Dynasty, why make things like this!"
He shouted as he pulled hard on Ding Chen:
"If you die, wouldn't that satisfy those who don't want Qin to become powerful?"
Ding Chen was held tightly by Zong Yu and could not break free.
He lowered his head, looked at Zong Yu's face, and listened to his words, feeling a surge of anger and blood rushing to his chest.
He couldn't catch his breath, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
What was supposed to be a solemn remonstrance turned into a farce.
on the main hall.
Zong Yu was still clinging to Ding Chen's leg, while the other officials stood aside.
Their expressions varied, making the scene somewhat comical!
Seeing this absurd scene, Ying Zheng, sitting on the dragon throne, twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He waved his hand, his voice carrying an undeniable authority:
"Summon the Imperial Physician, Xia Wuqie!"
"Carry Dr. Ding away and take good care of him!"
Two eunuchs rushed forward and hurriedly carried the Imperial Censor out.
Zong Yu then let go of the matter, straightened his disheveled official robes, and casually returned to his position!
I noticed the disdainful looks coming from all around me!
He snorted coldly and stubbornly turned his head away.
Silence returned to the main hall once more.
Ying Zheng slowly stood up, scanned the officials below the steps, and said, word by word:
"The matter of the Eastern Expedition is hereby settled!"
He looked at Zhang Fan, and then glanced at Crown Prince Fusu standing at the front!
The voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire Qilin Hall:
"I hereby appoint Zhang Fan, the Protector of the Nation, and Crown Prince Fusu as the chief and deputy envoys for this eastern expedition!"
"Lead the fleet to the Eastern Seas, expand our territory, and display the might of our Great Qin!"
"For the Qin Dynasty, for the world, let us seek a foundation that lasts for ten thousand generations!"
Once these words were spoken, there was no room for negotiation.
At this moment, the civil officials, led by Zong Yu, no longer had the slightest intention to object.
They all knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" their voices shaking the rooftops.
"Your Majesty is wise! We obey your decree!"
"I am willing to go through fire and water for the Qin Dynasty, even unto death!"
Amidst this chorus of surrender!
A young and stubborn voice suddenly rang out once again.
"Your Majesty! I also request permission to fight!"