National Division

Chapter 93 Shen Xian: Prime Minister in Name, Traitor in Reality! (This chapter contains 4,200 words.)
Qianyuan Hall

As Shen Xian launched his impeachment against Cui and Lu, the expressions of the prime ministers changed, and they were all very surprised, but they turned their attention to the Empress Dowager at the head of the table.

Some are also looking forward to seeing how the diva will react.

The princess turned her gaze to the young man, whose beautiful eyes sparkled beneath her delicate, dark eyebrows.

The Empress Dowager met the gazes of the ministers in the hall, her beautiful eyes flickered, and she was momentarily at a loss.

Although Liren felt quite pleased after hearing Shen Xian's fierce criticism of Cui Yan, she knew that the Cui and Lu families were backed by the Yuqing Sect, and the matter of expelling the two from the court still required careful consideration.

Before she could completely break with the Yuqing Sect, the Empress could only temporarily feign compliance with Cui and Lu.

However, after the imperial court quelled the rebellion of Prince Qing, the Empress Dowager had already begun to curb the influence of the Cui and Lu families.

Seeing that the Empress remained silent, Wei Cong's eyes flickered, and he thought he had guessed the Empress's intentions. Holding his ivory jade tablet, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Scholar Shen's words are inevitably exaggerated."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shi, the Minister of Rites, looked at Wei Cong with surprise in his aged eyes.

Yao Zhiwei looked at Wei Cong and thought to herself, "Is he going to lend a hand?"

Shen Xian looked at Wei Cong and asked, "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

Wei Cong frowned and said in a deep voice, "I am Wei Cong. Scholar Shen, Prime Minister Cui and Prime Minister Lu are both senior officials. Even if we do not consider their merits, we should consider their hard work. The suggestion to dismiss them as prime ministers is going too far."

Shen Xian asked, "What social standing?"

Wei Cong: "???"

The eldest princess understood and said softly, "Lord Wei, Scholar Shen is asking you about your family background."

Wei Cong paused for a moment, his refined face remaining calm, but his tone carried an unconscious air of self-importance: "The Wei family of Jingzhao."

At times like this, others will surely offer compliments, such as "the foremost scholar of Guanzhong," "a noble family for generations," or "the Wei and Du families of Jingzhao," or "five feet away from the heavens."

"Were your ancestors meritorious officials of the Qilin Pavilion? Did you ever serve in any local prefecture or county, Lord Wei?" Meeting Wei Cong's questioning gaze, Shen Xian said, "I mean no harm."

Wei Cong paused for a moment, then forced himself to say, "The Wei family ancestors were famous scholars of the Former Han Dynasty, who passed down their knowledge of the classics. They served in the Wei and Jin Dynasties and held important and prestigious positions in this dynasty."

Indeed, the ancestors of the Wei family were not among the meritorious officials of the Qilin Pavilion.

“That’s right.” Shen Xian nodded.

Wei Cong: "..."

No, how come it's right again?
Suddenly, he remembered this Scholar Shen from before, and a bad feeling arose in his heart.

“Scholar Shen, although I am from the Wei family of Jingzhao and have served in various positions in the central government, I am not completely ignorant of local affairs,” Wei Cong said, feeling a surge of irritation.

“That’s right.” Shen Xian nodded and sighed, “It doesn’t matter. Lord Wei’s words are all based on his own experience and stance, so it doesn’t matter what he says.”

Upon hearing this, the princess's beautiful eyes focused on the young man, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.

That familiar sarcasm...

Wei Cong, known for his meticulousness, pressed on upon hearing this, saying, "Scholar Shen, why don't you explain yourself more clearly?"

Yao Zhiwei's lips curled into a strange smile, and she deliberately asked, "Yes, Scholar Shen, how come you're right again?"

The diva gazed intently at the tall, slender young man, a sense of anticipation rising within her.

King Zhao Yang Youxing narrowed his eyes slightly.

The eldest princess also stared intently.

Facing the gazes of everyone in the hall, Shen Xian said, "The Wei family of Jingzhao is a gentry family in Guanzhong. Just now, I saw Cui and Lu bring shame upon themselves, like jumping clowns. Now, they have been dismissed from their posts due to their incompetence. It is only natural that we feel sorry for each other, like rabbits mourning the death of foxes. I can understand, I can understand."

At this moment, Shen Xian seemed calm and even looked at Wei Cong with a compassionate gaze.

Wei Cong felt a surge of unease. What kind of look was that, looking at a fool? Was it pity?
Wei Cong suddenly remembered that he seemed to have the same look in his eyes when he looked at some apathetic, stupid women and men in the countryside.

Upon recalling this, Wei Cong angrily said, "Scholar Shen, what do you mean by this? I come from a gentry family in Guanzhong. Does my background preclude me from speaking out for the two ministers, Cui and Lu?"

“The gentry are all of the same ilk, and their words are almost identical, with only minor differences. This is a limitation of your own, Prime Minister Wei,” Shen Xian said.

Upon hearing this, Wei Cong's face turned ashen. The young man's words echoed in his ears like hammer blows to his heart: "So-called limitations, you are who you are because you are who you are. Why do you say such things? It's nothing more than being born into a noble family, pampered since childhood, and then moving around in the government, unaware of the suffering of the common people. Because you are familiar with Cui and Lu, you are emotionally inclined towards them. Even if you think it is inappropriate for them to serve as prime ministers, firstly, you are swayed by your feelings, and secondly, you are like a frog in a well, seeing only the area around the well opening, unaware of the vastness of the world, the depth of the ocean, and the suffering of all living beings."

Upon hearing this, Wei Cong's face turned ashen.

People of that time were naturally insightful when discussing metaphysics and philosophical debates.

Shen Xian used a series of parallel sentences, which gradually increased the momentum, almost making people breathless.

The Imperial Advisor Murong Yue's clear eyes sparkled, dazzling the female Taoist priest. She savored the young man's words, finding them profound and endlessly meaningful.

You are who you are simply because you are you.

Faming, standing behind King Zhao Yang Youxing, also raised his droopy eyelids and looked at the young man.

Wei Cong was extremely agitated and retorted sarcastically, "And you, Scholar Shen, did you mean to speak with pure intentions just now?"

Shen Xian smiled faintly and said, "If Prime Minister Wei thinks that what I just said was out of revenge and rebuke because Prime Minister Cui said that Her Majesty should not appoint me to a fifth-rank official position, and that I proposed to dismiss him, then he is very wrong."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present subtly changed.

Is not it?
Shen Xian's gaze was calm and indifferent. Suddenly, he slowly removed the black veil from his head and offered it respectfully to the Empress, saying, "Wealth and honor are not my wish, but I wish for peace throughout the land!"

Upon seeing this, the Empress's previously calm expression suddenly changed, and she became extremely anxious, exclaiming, "Scholar Shen, what are you doing?"

The princess looked at the young man and saw sincerity in his thin, handsome face.

All the ministers and chancellors in the hall were startled.

Is this person, a fifth-rank official, going to resign and remonstrate with the emperor?

What deep-seated hatred or grudge could there be?
It can be said that after the previous argument, at least the ministers present dared not say that the Empress had made a mistake in choosing a person, because the person in front of them was indeed a man of literary talent, erudite and eloquent.

His surname is Shen, so could he be from the Shen family of Lanxi?
That would not be a country bumpkin.

The head of the Shen clan in Lanxi is the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Library, and his collection of books is vast. If some of these books were copied and passed down to his children, they would surely acquire such learning.

This era, while somewhat unequal, does indeed possess distinct characteristics of identity politics.

Even in later generations, above the self, all beings are equal; below the self, there is a strict hierarchy.

This is due to human nature.

"What I yearn for is nothing more than seeking immortality and enlightenment, sailing the rivers and lakes, riding on the wings of immortals to roam freely, and embracing the bright moon until the end of my days," Shen Xian said slowly, his expression solemn.

At this moment, beneath Murong Yue's delicate eyebrows, she scrutinized the young man, sensing his sudden surge of ambition towards the Dao.

Very strong!

It's fair to say that you wouldn't say something like "riding a flying immortal and embracing the bright moon" unless you truly have such ambition.

Yao Zhiwei and Xu Shi looked at the tall, handsome young man with serious expressions.

Because there are immortals in this world, who wouldn't want to live forever and roam freely in the world? It's just that some people lack the necessary aptitude, while others are too attached to worldly desires and cannot endure the hardships of cultivating the Tao.

Shen Xian said, "However, I cannot bear to see evil spirits causing havoc and harming the people. I know that one person's strength is limited, so I took up an official post to assist a wise ruler, hoping to save the people from suffering. If you think that I am tempted by the official position, then I ask Your Majesty to take back the position and allow me to participate in state affairs as a commoner. I do not need any official position in the court."

As he spoke, he took off his official hat, looked up, and met a pair of eyes with a complex expression.

It can be said that Shen Xian's words at this moment still carried a degree of sincerity.

Having been exhausted by his past life, in this life, upon hearing of the existence of immortals and heroes, he was more interested in seeking the path to immortality and freedom.

So, he initially just wanted to live a comfortable life, but the people around him gradually pushed him to the forefront of the times.

My father, my fiancée, and Xue Zhihua...

No wonder the Taiqing lineage seeks to sever all worldly ties and transcend emotions.

But as people live in this world, if they experience that touch of warmth, they must pay a price for it.

Murong Yue's clear, gentle eyes, shimmering like water, gazed at the young man, a strange light flickering within them.

This person originally wanted to seek immortality, but due to changes in the times, he chose to leave the world and help the people, which is very similar to the Taiqing lineage in its early years.

Xue Zhihua gazed intently at the spirited young man composing his words with unrestrained confidence; beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows, her clear eyes shone like water.

It could be said that at this moment, Shen Xian was as if he were standing in a ray of light.

The Empress Dowager looked anxious and said in a clear voice, "Mr. Shen, I know your ambition to live a carefree life and your intention to resign. Do not mention it again. I will not allow it!"

Towards the end, the diva's voice rose sharply, revealing a rare display of excitement.

This man is a national hero of our time; we must win him over and hold him tight.

"I hereby grant you the title of Academician of the Zhaowen Pavilion, to assist in state affairs," the Empress Dowager added.

"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your trust." After saying this, Shen Xian looked at Wei Cong and said, "Minister Wei, the two prime ministers, Cui and Lu, are muddle-headed and incompetent, doing nothing but mediocre things. They occupy their positions but do not do their jobs. Instead, they obstruct those who are planning things. I impeach them because of personal grudges. Now, our Great Jing is beset by internal and external troubles, and the situation is as precarious as a pile of eggs. In Guhe County, where I came from, demons and monsters are causing havoc and are rampant. I ask you all, how many Guhe Counties are there in the world?"

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression also turned as solemn as ice.

Unable to contain his anger, Lu Dezhen shouted, "You're just spreading alarmist rumors! You're just trying to stir up trouble!"

"Alarmist talk?" Shen Xian sneered and shouted, "Ambitious fools are eyeing us like beasts, causing internal strife. Enemy cavalry are stationed outside, poised to devour us like a whale!"

These were the topics discussed by the court officials just now.

"Why is that?" Shen Xian asked solemnly. "It is because in the imperial court, the two traitors Cui and Lu, as prime ministers, only stand idly by and talk nothing. In the prefectures and counties, the descendants of Cui and Lu, though enjoying the emperor's salary, are not loyal to the emperor!"

At this moment, Zhang, Cai, Xu, Yao and others were all shocked when they heard "the two traitors Cui and Lu", and Wei Xueqian stared blankly at the boy.

This is because, since the founding of the nation, there has never been anything like it!

Even the emperor never spoke of the two traitors, Cui and Lu, with such contempt!
Cui Yan's face was ashen, and he felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet.

Lu Dezhen was not as good at arguing as Cui Yan and could hardly defend himself. He could only stare at the boy with eyes wide open.

"He is called prime minister, but in reality a traitor to the country!"

Shen Xian's gaze was icy as he swept his eyes over the assembled ministers. He then uttered a deep, resonant shout, his voice, slightly tinged with internal energy, shaking the very rooftops: "Traitor Cui Lu!"

The hall fell silent abruptly, the emperor and his ministers all captivated by the young man's righteous and awe-inspiring voice.

Murong Yue looked at the young man as if he were a divine sword that had just been drawn from its sheath!
The sound of swords rang out, and a sudden battle ensued!
King Zhao Yang Youxing was also greatly shaken.

Shen Xian said in a deep voice: "The capable officials in the central government are being sidelined by the two traitors Cui and Lu, and the good people in the prefectures and counties are being boiled in hot oil! The plight of the common people is imminent!"

At this moment, the ministers stared blankly at the young man.

It can be said that Shen Xian's words at this moment were not only sharp, but also grand and magnificent, possessing the unparalleled style of ancient strategists and advisors.

King Zhao Yang Youxing looked at Shen Xian, his heart trembling.

This son...

Wei Cong was already ashen-faced. When Shen Xian shouted "traitor to the country," Wei Cong was utterly shocked.

Has the nation's situation deteriorated to such a state?

"The Cui and Lu families have rendered no great service to the state; they have seized high positions solely because of their reputation. Their sons and grandsons run rampant in the local areas, oppressing and plundering the people." Shen Xian paused for a moment, then said sternly, "The world has long resented the Cui and Lu families! We wish we could devour their flesh raw and sleep under their skin!"

The streets are littered with the bones of high-ranking officials, and the treasuries are reduced to ashes from the fire.

This was at the end of the Tang Dynasty, when Huang Chao, a failed scholar, felt indignant at the powerful clans that controlled the path to advancement.

After the Five Dynasties, the five surnames and seven prominent families were all slaughtered.

People all over the world have been unhappy with them for a long time!

Lu Dezhen's face turned ashen; he was clearly terrified by the scene Shen Xian had described. His expression was dejected, and his gaze was unfocused.

Meanwhile, Cui Yan, who was standing to the side, suddenly felt a blackout before his eyes and collapsed to the side, fainting from the shock of his anger.

"Prime Minister Cui has fainted!" Zhang Huaidao exclaimed upon seeing this, and the eunuchs standing nearby rushed forward to help him up, causing a flurry of activity in the hall.

Cai Heng looked at the boy who was "cursing Jin Luan," his brows furrowed, and a thick gloom settled over his heart.

This son is so fierce and resolute. If he assists the Empress Dowager, I fear she will become even more radical, which will be a disaster for the country.

Even the Empress, sitting upright, would be shocked by this scene.

She finally understood why Magistrate Lu had vomited blood.

This is even more incisive and sharp than Luo Shijie's "Proclamation Against the Demon Queen," with every word like a knife.

Shen Xian, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, "Your subject requests that the two traitors, Cui and Lu, be removed from their positions as prime ministers, so as to set the record straight for the people."

He didn't expect to expel Cui and Lu from the court with just his words, but he had already humiliated them today, and they would no longer dare to stand on the moral high ground and point fingers.

The Empress looked at the young man, then at Cui Yan, and asked, "Imperial Preceptor, how is Prime Minister Cui?"

Murong Yue said, "She fainted due to a sudden surge of anger. I'll go check on her."

As he spoke, he moved forward with seemingly slow but actually swift movements, and with a flick of his finger, a snow-white pill flew from his palm to Cui Yan's lips.

Gao Yanfu, who had come over, pinched Cui Yan's cheek, made him open his mouth, and put the pill into his mouth. After a short while, two red blushes appeared on Cui Yan's cheeks, and his breathing gradually became steady.

He gave a soft hum and opened his aged eyes.

"Old man, where is this?" Cui Yan's voice was old and weak.

"Qianyuan Hall." Gao Yanfu said with a forced smile, "Prime Minister Cui, it seems that his old illness has relapsed, and he fainted just now."

Cui Yan calmed himself down, stood up, held the ivory jade tablet in his hand, and said, "This old minister begs to retire. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

The empress trusts treacherous officials and bullies veteran ministers of three dynasties. He wants to see how long the court can last without the Cui family of Boling!
(End of this chapter)