Chapter 12: Forcing with Death

Everyone harbored their own thoughts, but at this moment, only Chen Mu remained completely unfazed. He knew these ancients all too well. That noble resolve to sacrifice oneself for the nation had always been rare, both in the past and present; most were simply out for their own gain.

If Chen Xingtian was willing to play along, Chen Mu certainly would not fall for their tricks.

As for Master Zhang, whom Chen Mu dragged to the pillar, he was utterly petrified. What kind of situation was this? This wasn’t how things were supposed to go! He was, after all, a veteran minister of the court—how could the crown prince not be the least bit nervous? Worse yet, not only was the prince unconcerned, he was even pulling him over to bash his head against the pillar!

Seeing that Master Zhang remained motionless, Chen Mu actually urged him on. “Master Zhang, please do it quickly, all the civil and military officials are watching you now,” he said. “As a venerable minister, surely you won’t go back on your word?”

He had now left Master Zhang with no way out.

Chen Mu watched Master Zhang standing there like a wooden statue, secretly amused, though on the surface he put on a look of sudden realization. “Oh, I understand now.” Chen Mu nodded. “Master Zhang is a gentle scholar, perhaps unused to such matters. Attendants!”

At his call, the palace guards immediately rushed forward, standing beside Chen Mu.

“If Master Zhang does not wish to act himself, it wouldn’t be amiss to have Bill assist you,” Chen Mu offered.

Seeing that the summoned guards were all fully armed, Master Zhang finally lost his nerve.

Though Chen Mu wore a smile, there was not a hint of warmth in his eyes. Master Zhang now understood: if he kept insisting, the crown prince might really order these guards to press his head against the pillar.

As for the reforms, there would be opportunities to overturn them later, but if he continued to do nothing now, his life might not be spared.

“Your...Your Highness, this old minister believes the new policies are not entirely without merit. There are aspects worthy of consideration.”

This was the moment Chen Mu had been waiting for. He immediately turned to Chen Xingtian.

Though Chen Xingtian had also been startled by Chen Mu’s actions, his ability to adapt on the spot was formidable. “Master Zhang, since you see merit in the new policies, you and I can discuss them further at leisure.”

Thus, with just a few measured words, Master Zhang, who had intended to force matters with his own death, was rebuffed and had no choice but to slink back into the ranks of the officials.

The grand hall fell silent; the ministers could hear their own breathing.

The first to stand out had been dealt with mercilessly by the crown prince. Now, no matter how dissatisfied the rest were, none dared make a sound.

Chen Mu looked with satisfaction at the silent hall. It seemed his warning blow had been most effective.

He knew well: whether or not the new policies succeeded on their first presentation was crucial. If the opposition managed to shoot them down immediately, he might never have another chance. Conversely, if he won this first round, everything afterward would proceed far more smoothly.

“Is there any other minister who believes these reforms are harmful to the country? Speak freely,” Chen Mu declared, standing before the pillar with a host of armed guards behind him. “Or...is there anyone else who wishes to spill their blood in the golden hall?”

Not a sound was heard.

Who would dare risk their life at a time like this?

At this moment, Chen Xingtian seized the opportunity. “Since all my loyal subjects are in agreement, let the new policies be enacted at once and orders sent throughout the realm.” He gave the opposition no chance to renege. “Court dismissed!”

Chen Mu dismissed the guards and followed Chen Xingtian back to the study.

“What you did today was rather excessive,” Chen Xingtian said sternly once they were alone.

Though Chen Mu’s method had been effective, it was also fraught with risk. Had anything truly happened to Master Zhang in the hall, all hope for the new policies would be lost. He knew Chen Mu meant no harm, but Chen Mu had to act seamlessly in that tense moment. If Master Zhang had seen through even the slightest pretense, the act would have fallen apart.

Facing Chen Xingtian’s reproach, Chen Mu countered in a few words.

“Think about it: why does Master Zhang oppose the new policies?”

Chen Xingtian paused and answered instinctively, “His family owns hundreds of acres; if the reforms are enacted, the tenants’ rents will go to the state treasury, costing him dearly.”

“Exactly. A man so unwilling to part with a little rent would never be willing to give up his life.”

Chen Xingtian was left speechless.

Indeed—why hadn’t he realized that? The opposition was, in the end, only out for their own interests. All this posturing over life and death was merely a bargaining tactic.

Had he yielded now out of misplaced compassion, the opposition would only grow bolder and harder to control in the future.

All this had not occurred to him, but his son had already seen several moves ahead. Truly a worthy crown prince of the Great Xia, already showing the aura of an emperor.

Just then, two young eunuchs entered, looking somewhat awkward.

“What is it?” Chen Xingtian, in high spirits now, asked.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, several ministers have come to the palace gates, requesting you retract the decree.”

Chen Mu and Chen Xingtian exchanged a glance.

So the real challenge was yet to come.

“What else did they say?” Chen Xingtian asked.

“They said...if Your Majesty refuses, they will remain kneeling there.”

So, they were laying siege to the palace now!

This time, before Chen Mu could react, Chen Xingtian laughed aloud.

“Very well, do they really think I’m so easily cowed? In the court just now, I spared their dignity. If they persist in their obstinacy, I’ll show no such consideration.”

“You two, go and tell them: those who don’t wish to kneel are free to go home; those who do, I won’t stop. But these new policies are set in stone!”

The eunuchs hurried to comply.

“Wait!” Chen Mu called them back, a sly smile on his lips.

“Does Your Highness have further instructions?”

“Have the imperial kitchen send each kneeling minister a bowl of porridge. If they eat something, they’ll have the strength to kneel a bit longer.”

Let’s see who can outlast whom.

The ministers outside the palace had come with unshakable resolve, certain that their demonstration would force the emperor to yield, and the new policies would be abandoned.

They had not expected that this time, the emperor was determined to stand firm against them.