Chapter Four: The Bane of the Ministry of Justice

In the imperial court.

Gao Changsheng angrily rebuked Minister of Justice Duan Yan.

Since the founding of the Great Yong Dynasty, nothing like this had ever occurred.

Although Duan Yan was only a second-rank official, everyone in Jinyong City knew that behind the Minister of Justice stood the powerful Crown Prince.

Moreover, more than half of the officials in the court sided with Duan Yan.

Though Gao Changsheng was confronting Duan Yan, he was really offending the Crown Prince and many officials.

“Fool!” the Crown Prince Gao Changling sneered coldly.

Anyone who had dealt with the court for years understood that the most dangerous group to offend was the collective scholar-officials.

Even the emperor himself could not make decisions lightly because these officials would band together in opposition.

They would pressure the emperor as a group and even kneel at the palace gates, demonstrating a readiness to risk death to remonstrate.

If the emperor did not heed them, he was branded a tyrant, while these officials were hailed as loyal ministers unafraid of death.

Now that Gao Changsheng dared to slap the faces of the ministers in court, there was no place left for him in the government.

Even if Crown Prince Gao Changling chose not to trouble him, the ministers would not let him off.

“This sixth prince is quite interesting,” the second and third princes laughed gleefully.

To them, Gao Changsheng was merely a reckless fool.

He had offended the Crown Prince and now alienated the entire group of ministers.

Yet even fools have their advantages.

With the Crown Prince’s power overwhelming, if Gao Changsheng could humble the Crown Prince’s prestige or topple some of his supporters, it would be an unexpected boon for the second and third princes.

“Sixth prince, there is no need to accuse me so hastily,” Duan Yan said fiercely.

“Your Majesty only asked for my opinion, and I merely expressed it according to your wishes.”

“Where is the impropriety in that, in both reason and sentiment?”

Backed by the Crown Prince, Duan Yan was fearless before a so-called useless prince.

The more resolute his stance, the more he would gain favor with the Crown Prince.

“Oh?”

“But Minister Duan, you did not say that just now,” Gao Changsheng replied sharply.

“If I recall correctly, your first words were that this was slander.”

“Perhaps others might say such things without intent, but you are the head of the Ministry of Justice; to label this matter outright as slander is serious.”

“Though I may be inadequate and often worry the emperor, I am still a prince.”

“As head of the Ministry of Justice, you surely know what punishment is due for framing a prince, do you not?”

Gao Changsheng seized upon Duan Yan’s slip and launched a relentless barrage of attacks.

The court was stunned by Gao Changsheng’s eloquence.

No one expected the most useless prince of Jinyong City to possess such sharp rhetoric.

Duan Yan was now flustered.

As Gao Changsheng said, no matter how useless he was, he was still a prince.

How could an outsider speak so freely, especially in front of his own father?

If Emperor Shenwu’s face was lost, Duan Yan could lose his head.

What a blunder!

“Hmph!”

“To make such a basic mistake as Minister of Justice,” Emperor Shenwu said expressionlessly.

“Duan Yan is demoted two ranks to Deputy Minister of Justice.”

“Order former deputy minister Zhang Youzhen to act as interim Minister of Justice until I appoint a new minister.”

After all, Gao Changsheng was royal blood.

Even if Emperor Shenwu did not favor him, he had to consider the dignity of the royal family.

If Duan Yan were proven guilty of framing a prince, his fate would be far worse than a simple demotion.

This decree also spared Duan Yan’s life.

In a single sentence, two troublesome issues were resolved.

Truly, the leader of the Great Yong Dynasty possessed methods that even Gao Changsheng admired.

“Your Majesty, Zhang Youzhen is currently convalescing at home due to a fainting spell caused by emotional distress,” Duan Yan spoke again, glancing at Gao Changsheng, hinting that Zhang’s condition was connected to him.

“I remember now,” a minister said.

“Half an hour ago, I saw Deputy Minister Zhang on the street, and I wondered why he was running behind a sedan chair.”

“Could it be that the sixth prince was inside?”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Gao Changsheng with curiosity.

A fainting spell caused by emotional distress—simply put, he had passed out.

By the looks of it, Prince Liu had clashed with the Ministry of Justice!

He had offended not only the former Minister but also the acting Minister.

“Haha, our sixth brother is getting more interesting by the day,” the second prince Gao Changwen laughed broadly.

He did not believe Gao Changsheng’s offense to the Ministry was accidental.

After all, Gao Changsheng had even provoked the Crown Prince.

In the second prince’s eyes, Gao Changsheng was deliberately targeting the Crown Prince.

“Without Duan Yan, the Crown Prince has lost an arm,” the third prince Gao Changfei sneered.

“The Crown Prince must be furious now!”

Indeed, Crown Prince Gao Changling believed Gao Changsheng was deliberately opposing him.

But with Emperor Shenwu present, he dared not lose his temper.

Though killing a prince in Jinyong City was unacceptable, maiming Gao Changsheng might be tolerated.

“It is only a fainting spell. After court, have the palace physicians examine Zhang Youzhen,” Emperor Shenwu said decisively.

“If there is no threat to life, have him manage the Ministry of Justice for a few days.”

The emperor swiftly moved past the matter in a few words.

“Today, I have summoned the ministers to discuss the Northern Qi’s incursions on our northern borders.”

“Last night, reports arrived from the front: Northern Qi deployed 100,000 troops to launch a surprise attack on our northern frontiers. Our garrison was caught unprepared, and we have lost three cities in succession.”

“Our soldiers can barely hold the strategic Loumen Pass for a few more days, but with shortages of provisions and insufficient troops, if Loumen Pass falls, the enemy will threaten the Central Plains directly.”

“I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to urgently dispatch supplies, and the Ministry of War is mobilizing troops.”

“Now, the only thing missing is a commander. Which of you do you think is suitable for this role?”

Emperor Shenwu scanned the ministers.

Silence fell over the hall.

If the civil officials remained quiet, it was understandable, but even the military generals were listless.

Usually, Duke Liang had commanded the northern border and led battles against Northern Qi.

No one knew Northern Qi better than Duke Liang.

His death was precisely why Northern Qi dared to launch this massive raid.

“Hmph!”

“In this time of national crisis, as ministers of the court, to be afraid of death is shameful.”

“Gentlemen may be cowardly, but I am not,” declared the second prince Gao Changwen righteously as he stood.

“Father, I ask to be commander. I will lead the troops to drive the Northern Qi barbarians from the northern border!”

“Father, I will assist my elder brother,” said the third prince Gao Changfei, patting his chest.

“I have experience transporting provisions and supplies; I guarantee no worries for my brother.”

The two brothers were clearly cooperating.

Seeing this, Gao Changsheng and Crown Prince Gao Changling both furrowed their brows.

One feared their plans might be disrupted.

The other feared losing the spotlight.

Just as the Crown Prince was about to speak, Gao Changsheng suddenly jumped up and shouted:

“I object!”