Chapter 116: Fang Chen, Are You Staging a Rebellion?

Chapter 116: Fang Chen, Are You Staging a Rebellion?

Imperial Duke Fang, Im afraid this is not appropriate. His Majesty has his reasons for placing people in their respective positions. You might be the imperial duke, but this is not a matter you should interfere with Li Guozhu spoke up.

He was Great Xias prime minister, after all. His standing might be beneath Fang Chen, but he had built up significant influence in Great Xia over the years. His willingness to intervene made many of the officials breathe a sigh of relief.

Xiao Shences complexion slightly improved too.

All of them thought that Fang Chen was already bordering on blasphemy.

He actually tried to replace the emperors aide with his own, and he did it so openly too This is no different from staging a rebellion!

Such a thought was on everyones mind, but no one dared to bring it out in the open. They feared that pointing it out might throw Great Xias future into uncertainty.

Prime Minister Li, Fang Chen called out. This course of action is to Great Xias benefit. Ill do whatever is beneficial to Great Xia. Great Xia belongs to the people as well, not just His Majesty. Sometimes, theres no choice but for His Majesty to take a step back.

Atrocious! How can you utter such blasphemous words! Some of the older officials couldnt tolerate it anymore and pointed a trembling finger at Fang Chen.

The generals present remained silent, though they occasionally exchanged glances.

The emperor turned livid. Years in the imperial court had taught him how to conceal his emotions and thoughts, but he struggled to maintain his poker face after hearing Fang Chens words.

Xia Yu even reddened in anger. What is Fang Chen trying to do here? Great Xia belongs to our Xia Clan! This has been a fact from the moment Great Xia was founded!

Enough, the emperor said. Xiao Shence has indeed been incompetent in his duties. I hereby dismiss him as the Valiant Defenders commander. Huang Sihai will take his place instead.

The crowd fell silent.

Tao Mingsheng had begun trembling. Xiao Shence has failed to keep his subordinate in line, but its the same for me too. Qin Dong is the Vice Minister of Rites, my direct subordinate

Imperial Duke Fang, are there any more suggestions youd like to make? the emperor asked with a smile.

Your Majesty, when do you plan on holding the Third Princes funeral? Fang Chen asked.

The Third Princes funeral? Are the rumors true?

If we double the tribute of those three states Li Guozhu murmured contemplatively before his eyes suddenly lit up. That would at least add a few million taels to our treasury each year!

The officials snapped out of the incident involving Xiao Shence, and their eyes gleamed in excitement when they realized just how wealthy their country was going to be.

Even Great Xias annual tax income was only a few million taels!

Through the tribute of their three vassal states, they would be able to slowly recover from the huge setback they had suffered five years ago. It wouldnt take long for them to revert to their previous state.

No! Well be even more prosperous than before, especially since we are now a grade-8 state!

Imperial Duke Fang, theres something Id like to ask you, the emperor suddenly spoke up.

The crowd quickly turned to the emperor.

Your Majesty, please speak your mind, Fang Chen replied.

A grade-9 state advancing to grade-8 will require not just the agreement of Chillwater but the other nearby superior states too. If the others dont agree to it, it would be in vain, the emperor said.

What reason do they have to oppose our promotion? Will they dare to oppose our promotion? Fang Chen replied.

The crowd was startled. What domineering words! Fang Chen must be confident about this!

That would be for the best. There are other matters I'd like to discuss with Imperial Duke Fang, so Ill have to ask you to follow me back to the imperial palace, the emperor said with a nod.

The emperor and the officials left under the escort of the guards. The civilians were still immersed in what had happened, and they excitedly chatted with one another while making their way back to the city.

The severely wounded Ji Lengyue hadnt been forgotten either. The Valiant Defenders threw him onto a carriage and brought him to their inner citys barracks.

In the Imperial Library, the emperor looked at Fang Chen lividly and bellowed, Fang Chen, are you trying to stage a rebellion here?!

The eunuch and maids standing outside were horrified by the bellow. Yan Beihan, who was standing at the entrance, was taken aback as well. He nearly rushed into the Imperial Library, though he held himself back in the end.

What makes you say so, Your Majesty? Id have rebelled long ago if I wanted to. Theres no need for me to wait to this day, Fang Chen calmly replied.

The emperor paced around the room while seething with rage. In the end, he stopped in front of Fang Chen and stared at him, as if to verify if he was truly blind or not. If you arent planning on staging a rebellion, why did you coerce me into dismissing Xiao Shence. Hes my aide! Why do you keep putting me in a spot before the officials of the imperial court? Fang Chen, you should remember that Im your uncle too! My empress is your aunt!