Chapter 65: 65. This side or that, or not?
Five people in the range from teen to old man bowed deeply in front of him.
''Long live Emperor!'' They all spoke in the same voice and then kneeled in front of him with deep bows.
''Stand up, stand up. Chairs!'' He waved his hand and multiple servants swiftly approached with chairs to the five people.
He looked at them and sighed. ''You all are amazing people. The young one, Yu Sheng is smart even tho he is barely over the legal border. Leng Hei you are the oldest and as well amazing s you stopped your studies to help your region and your village growth at the worst time. Then many things happened and you never had a chance to finish up. You are amazing that you finished it from fist try.''
Luo Hei stood up and bowed while Yu Sheng clumsily stood up as well and bowed. ''I had time to learn in long days but the young one must have a really good head to learn so many books so fast.''
The Emperor nodded while looking at the other three silent people. ''Lei Zhu, He Yuan and Ning Peng. Interesting. You passed the tests as well and I am overjoyed. But to make sure that I chose fairly between you five, I prepared new tests myself. I hope you are ready.''
The three men rose their heads ins surprise while the other two just waited calmly. They passed the test as they learned seriously.
The servants brought tables in front of them and paper and the Emperor started giving them various questions. they had certain amount of time to answer them but when the questions became awkward everyone stilled. ''What is the highest power in the country? Emperor's word or people's plead? Answer who and why.''
He waited and saw that all of them stilled and shook their heads. He rose his eyebrows. ''What? Fine. Don't answer on that. Then answer another question. Why did you feel reluctant to answer? I give my word I won't get angry or punish you in any way. Answer.''
The point with this Emperor is, he never brakes his word. So they sighed in relief.
He Yuan was first to answer. ''I think they are considered important both. Emperor is after all the father and head of the country. But if his actions are about to destroy it, I feel the voice of his ministers should be not only considered then listened as well.''
Ning Peng and Luo Hei nodded, but young Yu Sheng and Lei Zhu shook their heads in disagreement. Emperor sighed and let them all speak.
''Emperors's words are as the seal from heaven as he was given the right to rule this country. Ministers are there only to give him advice not ORDER him around. What is the point fo having Emperor if he is nothing but a puppet to them.'' Yu Sheng started talking but Luo Hei shook his head.
''But we had so many troublesome Emperors. they almost destroyed country. If we have such Emperors ruling we might not have any country to leave for our future generations.'' He saw so many evil deeds that he just had to say it.
''Wait, the evil deeds are not done by the Emperor himself. The ministers are his eyes, his arms, his feet. Did you hear of any EDICT that said go and kill that and that people or that and that village? Of course not! Without EDICT they went, did evil deeds and then pointed at the head of the country. If you have no proof to do so, then what is it you are trying to do? Harm Empire?'' Lei Zhu shook his hand while pointing at Luo Hei.
Ning Peng became silent and shook his head. ''Some things are done by verbal edict. How can we know...'' But stopped when Yu Sheng pointe day door where scribes wrote everything they spoke off.
''Every Emperor had scribes whenever he had an official gathering. No matter how small the official is if he gave verbal edict it WILL be written in official papers. That makes it legal. So, no matter what, pointing at Emperor without proof is like yelling at moon why is so high.'' His words echoed in the huge hall making an even bigger impact.
''You are young and fiery, you don't understand...'' He Yuan wanted to say more but saw Yu Sheng chuckling. ''You laugh?'' He suddenly became angry.
''I am indeed young and full of vigour. What is the reason, I still have a clear vision and a pure heart? To me, Emperor is second to Buddha. After that everyone else. If you as minister disrespect his words, what will those of high standing like kings from other countries think of him? They all rule as rulers without many ministers. Only our country has so many people that should HELP our Emperor handle the Empire. But you all talk about what? If he loses his right on Edict, then he is nothing more than commoner. If Ministers can look straight into his face and say he HAS to do something he is not willing or not listen to Edict... than what is the point on holding to this country. What is the point if everyone else can step on him and look at him like he is piece of dirt under this feet. Yes. I am young. But because I am young I see some things clearer than you old geezers. His word, his Edict should never be even in question. Even if he destroys the country our job is to do the best to advise him how not to. Not order, advise. Do you want to roar louder than a dragon? Then become God. Then I might look at you and bow my head. From today on I will never ever no matter what bow my head in front of any of you. You lost my respect.'' He just took his table and dragged it far away from them.
Ning Peng became red in anger. ''You little... You dare talk to me like this?''
Yu Sheng stood up and looked at him. ''I dare. Do you know why? Because you dare to do the same to the Emperor. Once people look down on him the whole card house will fall apart. He is actually the one that is holding this country together. Once we lose respect for him, no one will keep respect to other and inner turmoil and war will happen.'' He sat down and patted this chest. ''I am so angry now I do not even want to look at you all. People that have no respect for the Emperor and his words, do not wish the Empire to continue and are working against peace of common people.''
The four people suddenly paled as they realized what kind of thing they spoke about just now while Yu Sheng shook his head. ''I want this country to be strong. But if we undermine his final word, his Edict, we will lose the ground under our feet and the country will be run over by other states. You do what you mean to do, but if anyone ever in front fo my face disrespects his Edict, I will kill him with these two hands. No matter who it is...''
His eyes became cold as he looked at the four people that stood on the other side. Even Lei Zhu that tried to defend the Emperor could feel the deadly stare passing him. This youth, who is he?
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