Chapter 28: You insolent brat, what utter nonsense!

With the matter of the riverways settled, Zhu Biao stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Father, I have a matter to present."

"Speak," the Emperor replied.

"I believe that given the current state of the national treasury, the only way to resolve the dilemmas facing the Great Ming is to loosen commercial policies and raise the status of merchants. Only then can the court increase tax revenue."

Whispers began to ripple through the court. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince had anticipated that such a proposal would meet with significant resistance. The murmurs of the ministers were entirely expected.

"What do you all think of the Crown Prince's proposal?" the Emperor asked.

Hu Weiyong, serving as Chancellor, was the first to object. "I believe the Crown Prince's words are ill-advised. The Great Ming has only just begun to find its footing. To relax commercial policies now would be to invite opportunists to run rampant. Agriculture will be neglected, and everyone will dream of becoming a merchant—is this not abandoning the foundation of our nation for mere trifles? I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The Emperor’s face darkened as he listened. Internally, he cursed the man as a pedantic Confucian fool. If not for Qin Feng’s advice to avoid startling the snake, the Emperor would have had this treacherous official arrested and his estate confiscated on the spot.

"Your Majesty, I disagree with Chancellor Hu," Qin Feng said with a smile. "The Crown Prince only wishes to relax trade restrictions to make it profitable for merchants; he does not intend to undermine the foundation of agriculture. The Chancellor’s argument is sophistry, devoid of any factual basis."

Hu Weiyong flushed red, pointing at Qin Feng. "You scoundrel! Your words are pure nonsense!"

The Emperor had no intention of letting the ministers argue further. He said in a deep voice, "The treasury is empty, and none of you have offered a better plan. I believe the Crown Prince’s method is worth a try."

Hu Weiyong sighed inwardly. It was clear that the Emperor and the Crown Prince had discussed this privately beforehand. This was not a consultation; it was an ultimatum. Sensing the Emperor’s resolve, the other ministers fell silent.

Seeing that there was no further major opposition, Zhu Biao pressed his advantage.

"Father, I also believe that the Great Ming should lift the maritime ban and build ships to engage in overseas trade."

As soon as these words fell, the court was stunned. No one had ever dared to propose such a radical decision. The declaration stirred a tempest among the officials.

Hu Weiyong immediately knelt, crying out in protest, "I risk death to speak! Your Majesty, you must not do this! The Japanese pirates have long cast covetous eyes upon our land. To lift the maritime ban would be digging our own graves! Our coastal people would be in danger, our maritime borders would be at risk, and the Great Ming itself would be in peril!"

The Emperor rolled his eyes unseen. *This treacherous dog Hu just loves to oppose Me, doesn't he? As long as it comes from the Crown Prince, you have to object.*

Qin Feng chuckled with disdain. "Does the Chancellor truly fear the Japanese?"

Hu Weiyong realized he had been baited and quickly denied it. "Qin Feng, do not try to deflect the issue."

"If the Great Ming wishes to grow strong, it cannot remain closed off," Qin Feng continued. "Only by strengthening trade with surrounding nations can we achieve greater development. We have never feared the war-wolves of the North; why should we fear thieves from a tiny island nation? If they dare to invade our waters, we shall crush their kingdom in an instant!"

The Minister of War, Shan Anren, stepped out alongside Hu Weiyong. "Your Majesty, this man talks nonsense! The Great Ming lacks a proper navy. If we truly come into conflict with these pirates, what then?"

Qin Feng scoffed, "Afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind—is this how you serve? Since you are so well aware of the Great Ming’s shortcomings, why not improve them instead of whining about fate?"

Shan Anren flushed, stammering, "Training a navy requires funds! With the treasury so empty, how are we to build a proper fleet?"

"That is exactly why we must open maritime trade—to fill the treasury first! By opposing the Crown Prince, are you trying to prevent the Great Ming from becoming strong?" Qin Feng’s retort left the ministers speechless.

The Emperor watched Qin Feng dominate the debate, his heart filled with joy. He had long despised these pedantic scholars, and with Qin Feng in the court, he could finally deflate their arrogance. It was as if Qin Feng were their natural nemesis; even together, they could not best him.

As the morning court drew to a close, the Emperor declared, "From this day forward, carry out the Crown Prince's plans. Loosen commercial policies, lift the maritime ban, and build ships for trade. Court dismissed!"

After the Emperor left the Fengtian Hall, many officials looked ashen. Since Qin Feng became the Crown Prince’s tutor, the policies proposed had grown increasingly radical. The Crown Prince was no longer the man he once was; under Qin Feng’s influence, he was drifting further away from the old guard.

Li Tai, Minister of Revenue, and Wang Hu, Minister of Works, gathered around Hu Weiyong in a panic. "Chancellor, what are we to do? The Emperor is acting alone, and our lives are hanging by a thread. Even the Crown Prince’s thoughts are moving against us!"

Hu Weiyong took a deep breath, his teeth gritted. "This is all due to that villain Qin Feng! Since he became the tutor, the court is no longer in our control. Even when we brought in the old Chancellor, the Emperor showed no respect, appointing the Prince of Yan as the Riverway Governor—this is a declaration of war against us!"

"In that case," Hu Weiyong continued, "to save our own necks, we must fight with everything we have."

"How?" they asked anxiously.

"Since the Emperor appointed the Prince of Yan as Riverway Governor, we shall take a desperate gamble and eliminate them both!"

Wang Hu and Li Tai gasped. The sheer ruthlessness of Hu Weiyong shocked them. He actually wanted to murder a prince?

Hu Weiyong stared at them coldly. "We are all grasshoppers on the same string now. We rise together, and we fall together!"

They nodded weakly. "Chancellor... can't we just deal with Qin Feng? Murdering the Prince of Yan is a crime punishable by the execution of nine generations!"

Hu Weiyong countered, "If the Emperor leaves us no path to survival, we must carve one out ourselves! If the Prince of Yan and Qin Feng die, we live. If it were you, what would you choose?"

Taking a shuddering breath, they whispered, "Chancellor, our lives are in your hands. Ensure it is done cleanly, without leaving a trace!"