King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

Asking knowingly.

There is no doubt that the two of them were in such a hurry today, coming directly to visit in their court robes without even having time to go home to change clothes. Wasn't it because of the bad things that happened at the court meeting today?

But after thinking about it carefully, I can understand and comprehend it.

The prince didn't want to talk much with them and didn't want to bring it up on his own initiative. He wanted the two of them to say it on their own initiative rather than the prince asking it himself.

This move can be regarded as the attitude that a superior should have. In the current situation, one can retreat to attack or advance to defend.

As they thought about it, Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji looked at each other, and they no longer pretended or wasted time. After simply sorting out their thoughts, Jin Zhong spoke first, breaking the quiet atmosphere, saying:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"At today's grand court meeting, His Royal Highness the King of Han was so bold and reckless that he suddenly launched an attack. So many people are involved here. I wonder if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has any plan to deal with it."

"If the King of Han really follows his will and allows His Highness to act in this way, I'm afraid that countless officials participating in the government today will be thrown into prison or even have their property confiscated and their families exterminated."

"Of course, I am not saying that I want to plead for these individuals. I also understand that the behavior of these ministers is indeed abominable, extremely disgusting and hateful, but it is indeed the truth that one thing will gain while the other will lose. I think Your Highness the Crown Prince understands this better than I do."

"I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince will think twice about this matter."

"We must not allow His Royal Highness the King of Han to do whatever he wants!"

"otherwise."

These words were said quite subtly, and he paused at a very appropriate moment.

Although Jin Zhong concealed it very well, he also made it clear in his words that he was not begging for those individuals. Instead, he directly talked about Zhu Gaochi's status, worrying that Zhu Gaochi's status would be threatened. Everything seemed so normal.

But they are both smart, and although they seem to have expressed their attitudes, how could they not taste the hidden meaning in their words, how could they not understand them? They are just being relatively reserved to save each other's face.

Of course, the most important point here is that Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji were unsure of Zhu Gaochi's thoughts due to his performance and attitude in the court, and could not be 100% sure of his true attitude.

For this reason, they had to choose the most safe way and method. In that way, even if they said something wrong or did something wrong, Zhu Gaochi would not be able to find any fault with them.

Seeing the two of them cautiously testing each other, they wanted to know the true intentions and thoughts in their hearts.

Zhu Gaochi did not answer their questions immediately, but instead stared coldly at the two people in front of him.

This situation and this scene instantly made the atmosphere in the villa, which was originally relatively harmonious, become gloomy and tense at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Noticing Zhu Gaochi's sudden change in attitude, Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji, who were standing nearby, were immediately shocked and terrified, not knowing what to do.

Seeing this, Xia Yuanji, who was standing aside, could no longer sit there and wait for death. He hurriedly bowed slightly, ready to make up for Jin Zhong's previous words, trying to smooth things over and ease the depressing atmosphere.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

But the words had just come out of his mouth and the rest of the sentence was not finished.

Zhu Gaochi, who was standing by, half-closed his eyes and instantly turned his attention away from the two of them. At the same time, he waved his hand at Xia Yuanji, who was talking on the side, and then interrupted him, saying:

"okay."

"No need to explain, no need to say more, I know it in my heart."

Having said this, Zhu Gaochi paused for a moment, then suddenly opened his narrowed eyes, looked coldly at Jin Zhong standing beside him, and said in a deep voice:
"Master Jin."

"You are also an old man in the court. You have served in the court for many years and are well-read in the books of sages."

"Here, since you mentioned this matter."

"Then I can't help but have some doubts and questions in my heart."

"Let's not talk about others. In the heart of Mr. Jin, is the interests of the country and the court more important, or is personal honor and disgrace and gains and losses more important?"

"I wonder if Mr. Jin can give me a definite and sincere answer on this question?"

That’s all I have to say.

Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji were stunned on the spot. At the same time, as they carefully savored the words of the prince's question, they couldn't help but become more and more frightened and terrified. This seemingly light sentence was like a thunderclap that instantly exploded in their minds.

Yes!

Are the interests of the country and the court more important, or are personal honor and disgrace and gains and losses more important?
no doubt
This question is quite profound and interesting.

However, it depends on many situations and many perspectives and positions. But for Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji, how others think and what they do is very important based on their status and position.

Then we must stand on the position of justice. As long as we stand on justice, the interests of the country and the court must be above everything else.

For this reason, Jin Zhong did not dare to hesitate for a moment, and hurriedly bowed and saluted respectfully and replied:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince"

"For me, the interests of the country and the court are above all else."

“As the saying goes: country, country, there is home only when there is a country.”

"If there is no country, then what is the difference between being in this world and being a wandering ghost?"

Hearing this and seeing Jin Zhong's serious answer, Xia Yuanji, who was standing nearby, also came back to his senses in an instant. He did not dare to hesitate for a moment and quickly said affirmatively:
"Return to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince"

"Mr. Jin is absolutely right. I also think and believe so."

After receiving the conclusive answers from the two, Zhu Gaochi stared at them for a long time with deep eyes, and then said quietly:
"Well"

"That sounds very nice. Gu Tingzhi feels very relieved."

"but."

Having said this, Zhu Gaochi paused for a moment. His originally calm and indifferent face darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye. His gentle eyes also became grim and gloomy at this moment. His voice suddenly rose and he said angrily:
"Since you gentlemen are so sensible and see these issues so straightforwardly."

"Then what were the reasons for all the words you said before, or what purpose did you want to achieve?" "I'm afraid you are just waving the banner of justice, but everything is just verbal words!"

"Everyone knows that the King of Han did nothing wrong. Everyone knows that the actions of those individuals, as well as the crimes and punishments they suffered, are what they deserve."

"Then you shouldn't have come to me for this matter right now."

"Your words are better than your songs. Don't think that I can't guess or imagine the purpose of your coming here, as well as your true intentions and thoughts deep in your hearts. Do you really think I can be fooled so easily?"

"Worried about me, worried about me?"

"You can even say that one side is gaining while the other is losing."

"Then according to your opinions, these bastards have made such a big mistake and done such evil things. Their behavior and actions are almost the same as those of the thieves who stole the country."

"According to the Ming laws and regulations that we all agreed upon and mutually consented to, what is wrong with dealing with and disposing of these bastards?"

"Isn't it the most reasonable thing that can be done?"

"To be honest."

"I really don't know, or I really want to know what you are thinking about."

"Why? You are the ones who made the rules, and now you are the ones who are breaking them."

"Being both a referee and a contestant, and even trying to overturn the rules I made in the past, where in this world is there such a good and comfortable thing?"

"Think about it yourself, is it possible?"

"Or if you were in my position, the King of Han, or Your Majesty, and faced with such 'extreme hypocrisy' by the nobles, what would you think and what would your thoughts and ideas be?"

What he said was extremely ruthless and straightforward. It almost stated all of Xia Yuanji and Jin Zhong's purpose of coming here without any reservation. It was simple and clear without any twists and turns.

At the same time, it also caught the two of them off guard. They had never dreamed that the usually reserved prince would change his attitude and style so drastically today.

This move made Xia Yuanji and Jin Zhong feel extremely embarrassed, and they didn't know what to say for a moment.

Have no idea!

Isn't this the purpose of their coming here?

Just as the two were silent and didn't know how to answer, the deep voice of the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi came again, continuing:
"Your Majesty."

"I am also filled with doubts and questions."

"Under normal circumstances, based on what I know and understand about what happened at today's grand court meeting, the people who should be worried and anxious, no matter what you think or say, it's not your turn!"

"Because as far as I know, those bastards did all those dirty things. It seems that the two nobles in front of me have always maintained their original intentions from beginning to end and have never participated in these things."

"Not only did he not participate in any of this, he also strictly ordered the younger generations in his family, his clan, and the nobles not to become thieves who prey on the people and steal the country."

"When something like this happens, normally, shouldn't you two just sit back and watch the fun?"

"No matter what the final result is, or what happens, it will not have any impact or problem on you two beloved ministers. For this reason, I really can't understand why those who really made mistakes didn't come to me, but you two beloved ministers who did nothing came to me."

"Is there some hidden secret here that I don't know?"

"I wonder if you two dear ministers could help me resolve the doubts and questions in my heart?"

Faced with Zhu Gaochi's questioning and doubts, as well as his gaze that was looking them over, Xia Yuanji and Jin Zhong, who were standing respectfully by the side, could not help but look at each other, and both shook their heads slightly, followed by a long sigh, their expressions full of worry and melancholy.

Yes!

They did not participate in anything and were considered relatively clean people in the court.

No matter what happens in the end, it will definitely not have any impact or harm on them.

But why did they come?
In fact, speaking from their true feelings and thoughts deep in their hearts, the two of them really didn't want to come, and didn't want to get involved in these messes and waste their time and energy. The problem was that such a big thing happened in the court, involving so many people, forcing the two of them to show up and not get mixed up!
Otherwise, what can be done?
Are we really going to watch helplessly as the court becomes a mess and the ruler and his ministers become alienated from each other?
Obviously, such a result and outcome were not what the two wanted to see.

But it's okay now, since it has been pointed out directly, the two of them will no longer hide it and just say what is in their hearts at once.

Thinking about it, Xia Yuanji took the lead and agreed:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince"

"This is definitely not what we intended."

"They are just one or two officials, scholars, students, and gentry. They are nothing in the eyes of the court, just like ants. It is as easy to crush them as it is to crush ants. It doesn't take any effort at all."

"But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"I wonder if you have ever thought about how many such people there are in the Ming Dynasty, how many people they have under their command, and how many intricate networks are involved."

"It is undeniable that these individuals are the real thieves who have stolen the country and exploited the people. They are parasites of the court. No matter how we punish and deal with them, it is not excessive and there is nothing wrong with it. It is all justified."

"The issue is"

"These individuals and relationships involve too many people. Once we go to war with these individuals and affect their collective interests, what are the chances of the court winning?"

"If we don't handle it properly, there may be a disaster where the country will be overthrown!"

"For this reason, we have no choice but to do this. We know that this matter has nothing to do with us and will not have any impact on us, but we have to stand up and not get involved."

"It's not that we have any selfish motives or other thoughts. We are truly thinking about the Ming Dynasty and the country. We don't want to see the world fall into turmoil and we don't want the people to be displaced."

“This is the real purpose of both of us.”

"We are sincere and honest, and we realize that even the slightest bit of lies is wrong. I hope Your Highness will understand!" (End of this chapter)