Chapter 77: The First Imperial EdictChapter 773: Discontented

And that middle-aged official didn't expect Li Chen's punishment to be so severe. He immediately struggled and shouted: "Prince! You don't consider the national situation, you act recklessly, this is going to harm the country!"

"National dignity and the well-being of future generations are not something that can be obtained out of thin air with just blood and passion. With 600,000 Liaodong troops eyeing us hungrily, and internal strife coupled with external threats, if you continue to wage war relentlessly, it will only lead to greater disaster. Now even more so, you refuse to listen to my blunt advice for the sake of your own ears. This dynasty, sooner or later, will fall apart in your hands!"

"As your loyal subjects, we receive salaries from the imperial court and devote our lives to serving the country. We are willing to give everything for its prosperity, even our lives. It is unbearable to see you squander the ancestral legacy of our forefathers!"

As he spoke, the two guards had reached him and were about to take him away.

Yet he didn't know where he found the strength, but in this desperate situation, he actually pushed away the two strong guards.

Knowing this situation, begging for mercy was absolutely impossible to survive. But if I could incite public outrage, maybe there would be a glimmer of hope for me.

This middle-aged official, his heart hardened with resolve, pointed at Li Chen and roared, "Since the Crown Prince assumed regency, how many court officials have been murdered You blindly trust the eunuchs of the Dongchang, yet you don't realize that for their own power, these eunuchs are capable of anything."

"Now, not only among the court and officials but also among the common people, there are widespread complaints!"

"Being an official means living in constant fear. You're afraid of the Dongchang coming to get you, or saying something wrong and angering the Prince, who might have you killed. Who would want to work under such conditions"

"Not only that, as the Crown Prince, you have set a terrible precedent by accepting bribes openly in the East Palace. Throughout history, there has never been a prince as greedy as you!"

"As for vying for profit with the common people, as the Crown Prince, you should be focusing on governing properly. Instead, you set up a money lending establishment and allowed commerce to run rampant, even collaborating with merchants. Such an outlandish act is only something you could do. Do you know that the common people already regard you as a laughingstock"

After that, there was complete silence. Not a single sound.

Everyone looked at the middle-aged official with admiration.

These words are not that no one wants to say, but that no one dares to say.

But now, he said it all alone.

Since Li Chen's regency, apart from those he had executed, most edicts issued during his time in power were considered unorthodox by others.

Especially the matter of the money house, Li Chen had used means to suppress Zhao Xuanji at the time, but he didn't consider how the imperial court's involvement in commerce would have such a huge impact on the scholar-officials of this feudal era.

The pressure has just been simmering below the surface this whole time, but today, someone finally pried it open.

Its impact is huge and obvious.

After a brief moment of silence, the Taihe Palace suddenly erupted in a flurry of discussion.

Apart from the die-hard supporters of the East Palace, who were already reformists and in favor of Li Chen's edicts, the vast majority, including officials from the cabinet and moderate factions, were opposed.

The murmurs grew louder and louder, a hint of relief flashing across the middle-aged official's eyes.

He felt that his plan had been successful for the most part, as long as he could get off to a good start, then even Li Chen wouldn't be able to kill him.

"Well said."

Li Chen looked at him, and said indifferently: "This, not just you, many people present, have long wanted to say it"

Every official who was swept by Li Chen's gaze subconsciously lowered their heads, afraid to meet his eyes.

But that look, it was a defiant one.ucted"Yuan Shidao paused for a moment, then said, "My senior brother did indeed say that if we could kill the prince of the Qin Dynasty, even if all six hundred thousand iron cavalry were buried here,...