"Third Uncle, Third Great Uncle!!"
Seeing the person behind him, Duan Qian's eyes widened and his entire face paled.
"Imperial Censor Duan!"
"Duan Zhongcheng!"
… …
Seeing the old imperial censor with grizzled temples walk in, the people on both sides turned solemn and bowed. This old man with grizzled temples and a thin but extremely spirited figure was none other than the old Imperial Censor, Duan Cao.
However, Duan Qian had a completely different feeling.
The old Imperial Censor Duan Cao was not only a renowned figure of virtue and prestige in the Tang dynasty, but also the head of the Duan clan. Moreover, he was an upright and outspoken man who did not fear the powerful. This had been the case since the previous dynasty. From the previous emperor to the dukes and nobles, even the low-level officials, they had all been impeached by him.
Even the grandfather of the main character this time, Wang Chong, the esteemed Duke Jiu of the Tang dynasty, had been impeached by him.
The status of the imperial censors of the Tang dynasty was inextricably linked to Duan Cao.
It was also because of him that the Duan clan of the capital was known as a clan of imperial censors.
Duan Qian had chosen to enter politics and become an imperial censor precisely because of his admiration for his Third Great Uncle. From a certain perspective, Duan Cao was also his teacher.
All the laws and regulations of the Imperial Court were taught by Duan Cao.
Duan Cao had a token bestowed by the previous emperor on him. He could enter and leave the Imperial Court as he pleased and had the right to do as he pleased. This was something that only the old Deputy Imperial Censor could do.
"Little brat, I knew that you would be used by others. You've only learned a little of the way of the imperial censor and you're already showing off. I said long ago that you have little talent and little learning and are of no use. This time, Young Master Wang Chong made great contributions in the southwest and His Majesty wants to reward him. I knew that you would be used by others, and just as I expected! "
Duan Cao's rage was unquenchable. His fingers squeezed so hard that Duan Qian's ears were almost like fried dough twists, causing Duan Qian to grimace in pain. But what Duan Qian could not endure the most was that he was being watched by so many people. He had lost all face and was so embarrassed that even his neck turned red.
However, Duan Qian couldn't fight back. The elders were respected, and the etiquette of the Tang dynasty was there. No matter how dissatisfied he was, Duan Qian couldn't fight back. Otherwise, a person who disrespected his elders would not be able to stay in the imperial court.
"Old censor, let go, let go!"
"If you continue twisting, Imperial Censor Duan's ears will fall off."
"Hmph, let him do whatever he wants. We can't teach him a lesson, but the old censor can!"
…
The imperial court was in chaos. There were those who wanted the old censor to let go, and there were also those who watched coldly from the sidelines. The Imperial Court had its own laws. Duan Cao refused to let Wang Chong go. Although they couldn't do anything to Duan Qian, Duan Cao was different.
Duan Cao was already old and highly respected. No one could say anything about him disciplining his descendants.
"Duan Cao, what are you doing? This is the Imperial Court. Do you really think this is the Duan Clan's ancestral hall? Why are you making a fuss here? Where is your sense of propriety? "
To the side, King Qi's face was ashen. Seeing Duan Qian being completely dominated, he could no longer hold back.
"That's right!"
Hearing King Qi's words, Duan Qian seemed to recall something. He struggled out of Duan Cao's grasp, his face red.
"Third Great Uncle, the Imperial Court has its own laws. As imperial censors, it is our duty to uphold those laws. The law is merciless. If the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he will be punished the same way as the commoners. From the emperor to the ministers, if anyone violates the laws of the Imperial Court, we should point them out and correct them. Isn't this what you have always taught us?"
As he said these words, Duan Qian stared straight at his Third Great Uncle, his gaze firm and unyielding.
The imperial censors had their own principles. Even his Third Great Uncle would not back down.
Pah!
Before Duan Qian could finish his words, the old censor had already slapped Duan Qian across the face.
"Old censor!"
"Old censor!"
…
The crowd gasped in shock, and even the officials who supported the Sage Emperor's decision to reward Wang Chong were shocked. Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen, who had been standing to the side, was also visibly moved. No one had expected the old censor to take such a drastic action.
"Third Great Uncle!"
Duan Qian's face reddened as he clutched his cheek. His eyes were filled with incredulity.
"Duan Cao, you old fogey. Do you think that you can act as you please in the royal court just because you are old and have the iron voucher bestowed by the previous emperor? Men, hurry up and drag him out! "
King Qi flew into a rage.
It hadn't been easy for him to convince Duan Qian to speak up for him. No matter what, he couldn't allow Duan Cao to ruin his plans.
"Hmph, Your Highness King Qi, is it wrong for me to teach my own heir a lesson since the Duan Clan's heir is disobedient? As an elder, I have the responsibility to guide him. Not even the Holy Emperor would say anything about this. Does Your Highness King Qi have any objections? "
Even when facing King Qi, a member of the royal family, Duan Cao showed no fear. He was someone who had even impeached the previous emperor of the Tang dynasty, so why would he care about a mere King Qi?
"You!"
King Qi was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
"Do you know why I hit you?"
Duan Cao ignored King Qi and turned to look at Duan Qian, who was still in shock.
"Back then, I said that you only know thirty percent of the way of censors and know nothing at all. Back then, you didn't believe me and didn't listen to my advice, insisting on entering the royal court. Now, let me ask you, why do I impeach all the officials in the royal court, including His Majesty? "
"Because we have to protect the laws of the royal court!"
Duan Qian covered his face, but he still answered quickly.
"I can only give you three points for this answer. Nobles, nobles, and ministers held great power. Their every move was watched by countless people in the world. Any random decision could cause countless people in the world to have no food to eat and no place to stay. Because of this, we have to keep a close eye on them at all times. If they go out of line, we have to impeach them. "
"Even if His Majesty, the Son of Heaven, goes out of line, we have to remonstrate and help His Majesty become a wise Son of Heaven. Upholding the laws of the royal court is only secondary. The true duty of censors is to uphold justice and do things that benefit the country! "
"If you don't understand this, you will never know the way of censors!"
"That youngest son of the Wang Clan doesn't have a single title. According to the rules of the royal court, he can't be promoted. When I was still at home, I heard that the royal court was discussing this matter. I knew that this matter would become the weakness of that youngest son of the Wang Clan in court. And you have a pedantic personality, so you will definitely be used. "
"The way of censors is to uphold justice. Impeaching that youngest son of the Wang Clan has nothing to do with the country. On the contrary, recommending that child is beneficial to the royal court, to the country, and to the Tang dynasty. Why should he be restricted by the laws? "
"At the end of the Sui Dynasty, heroes rose up. Why was the ancestor of the Tang dynasty able to stand out from the masses and establish the achievements he has today? What Holy Emperor His Majesty was able to conquer the south and expel the foreign invaders? Wasn't it because he appointed people based on merit and talent? "
The words of the old Deputy Imperial Censor were so deafening that everyone in the hall was stunned. Even Duan Qian, who had previously been unconvinced, had his mouth wide open, unable to speak.
The duty of censors was to uphold the laws of the royal court. This was a concept deeply ingrained in his mind.
But Duan Cao's words had completely overturned Duan Qian's belief in the principles of censors!
At this moment, the old censor's eyes were cold, and he no longer paid any attention to his shocked heir.
"I don't care what all of you think of that child. I, Duan Cao, say that the royal court will reward those who have rendered great service. That child has rendered such great service that no one can think of scheming against him. — I recommend that child of the Wang Clan with all my might! Even if no one supports that child, even if all of you oppose him, I will definitely support him!! "
The old censor's last words were powerful and resounding, his hair standing on end.
Ordinary court struggles and factional struggles were one thing, but that child had spent all of his family's wealth and made such a great contribution. If they still used the fact that he had no scholarly honors and no official position to control him, wouldn't that disappoint the people of the world, the common people of the southwest?
He had been an old censor for so many years that he could not allow sand to be mixed in his eyes. If anyone dared to deceive him on this matter, he would make life difficult for that person.
"Everyone here is an important official of the court. At a time like this, I believe that no one will be selfish enough to make life difficult for that child. King Qi, what say you? "
As the old censor spoke, he turned his gaze to King Qi.
Even though King Qi was usually arrogant, in the face of the old censor's overbearing and unyielding gaze, he couldn't help but feel a little diffident. He subconsciously turned his head away, not daring to meet the old censor's gaze.
"Lord Zhao?"
"Lord Sun?"
"Lord Li?"
… …
The old imperial censor's gaze swept over the officials one by one, but none of them dared to meet Duan Cao's gaze. Those who had originally opposed Wang Chong's reward began to mumble, averting their gazes as they involuntarily said, "Yes, yes, yes."
"Your Majesty, please make your divine judgment!"
The old censor watched as the officials from the Bureau of Rites and the Six Bureaus dodged. Finally, he turned around, his expression solemn. Gazing into the depths of the hall, at that figure behind the curtains, he respectfully bowed.
"Your Majesty, please make your divine judgment!"
At this moment, all the officials in the hall lowered their heads. Even King Qi and Yao Guang Yi had no choice but to follow suit.
All was quiet behind the curtains. After a few moments, a resounding and dignified voice like the blazing sun came out.
"We have already decided. In three days, summon Wang Chong to court!"
The voice rumbled like thunder!
Following the Holy Emperor's order, an imperial edict passed through the palace walls and arrived at the Wang Clan Residence.
… …
"… You have rendered an enormous service in the southwest. The officials of the court, whether it is King Qi, Yao Guang Yi, or Abusi, none of them can make an appearance. Out of fear of arousing suspicion, I and the other officials of the court cannot say anything. Thus, the opinions of those censors are the key.
"If not for the old censor Duan Cao's appearance in this court debate, who knows how many more problems would have arisen."
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