After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 117 The Wise and Righteous Imperial Censor

When Yang Shen came out of the palace, it was already completely dark.

Liu Qing asked, "The city gates are all closed, how am I supposed to get back?"

Yang Shen casually replied, "We're already engaged, so of course you'll be staying at my place."

Liu Qing frowned: "Don't forget, we're fake!"

"Don't worry, I'll have Laifu prepare a room just for you."

The two returned to the mansion, where the gatekeeper hurriedly greeted them: "Young Master is back! Dinner is ready, and Master and Second Master are waiting for you!"

"Okay, I understand!"

Yang Shen hummed in agreement and walked towards the front hall.

Soon his father and second uncle came over and sat around the dining table.

Yang Tinghe asked, "How did the audience with the Emperor go today?"

Yang Shen remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "His Majesty has decided to order the Crown Prince to lead an expedition to Liaodong."

"Oh, an expedition to Liaodong—what? An expedition to Liaodong? The Crown Prince?"

Yang Tinghe felt his head buzzing.

Yang Shen nodded and said, "We'll probably be setting off in the next few days."

Yang Tinghe frowned, stood up and paced around the room a few times, then suddenly stopped and asked, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly make this decision?"

Yang Shen said, "His Majesty probably wants to train the Crown Prince."

After listening, Yang Tinghe remained silent for a long time, then slowly nodded: "In that case—so be it!"

"Although the Crown Prince is young, he is, after all, the heir apparent. This empire will be his in the future, and the soldiers on the border will also be his subjects. Letting him see a real battlefield and know how to defend the empire is far better than letting him read a hundred books in the palace. His Majesty's decision is farsighted."

Yang Shen listened quietly, and only after he finished speaking did he say softly, "That is indeed what His Majesty thinks."

Yang Tinghe turned his head and said, "Since the Crown Prince is going on an expedition, there's nothing for you as his study companion. You should pack up and go back to your hometown of Xindu to study. Once you've completed your studies, you can return to the capital to take the imperial examinations."

Yang Shen looked at him and said softly, "Father, I will accompany the Crown Prince."

Yang Tinghe's expression froze.

"What did you say?"

Yang Shen repeated, "I will accompany the Crown Prince on the expedition."

Yang Tinghe felt everything go black before his eyes, as if the sky had collapsed.

He grabbed Yang Shen's arm: "No! Absolutely not!"

Yang Shen was taken aback by his reaction: "Father?"

Yang Tinghe's face turned ashen, and he stamped his feet in frustration: "Do you even know where that is? Liaodong! A land of ice and snow, where swords and spears have no eyes! What are you going to do? Are you going to your death?"

Yang Shen said helplessly, "Father, didn't you just say it would be good for the Crown Prince to train? Why is it not allowed for me?"

Yang Tinghe glared at him: "How can that be the same? The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, protected by a large army! What are you? You're just a study companion, what can you do there?"

Yang Shen said, "My son is the Crown Prince's study companion. It is only natural for my son to accompany the Crown Prince on his military campaigns."

Yang Tinghe let go of her hand and paced back and forth in the room, his pace quickening.

He suddenly stopped and said, "No, I must go and argue with His Majesty!"

He started to walk out as he spoke.

Yang Tingyi quickly stopped him: "Brother! The palace gates are already closed! Even if they were still open, what would you say to His Majesty?"

Yang Tinghe said, "Shen'er is young and weak; he can't endure that hardship! Besides, his main task right now is to study and take the imperial examinations; he can't go and die!"

Yang Tingyi pursed his lips and said, "Brother, that's not what you said just now. You said it was good for the Crown Prince to go and train, and that His Majesty was farsighted. How come when it comes to Shen'er, it's considered sending him to his death? Besides, I'm about to take up my post in Dongsheng Prefecture. Isn't that also sending me to my death?"

After hesitating for a while, Yang Tinghe finally said, "That's different!"

Yang Shen said softly, "Father, if the Crown Prince went, why can't I go?"

Yang Tinghe stared at him, his chest heaving, but he didn't know how to refute him.

Yang Shen continued, "Father, rest assured, I am not going to fight. I am just accompanying the Crown Prince in his studies, and perhaps see if I can be of any help. Besides, the Crown Prince is only taking five hundred attendants with him, so I will be fine with him."

Yang Tinghe was taken aback: "You just said—the Crown Prince is only taking five hundred men with him on his expedition?"

Yang Shen nodded: "Yes, the Crown Prince said that taking too many people would lead to excessive consumption on the road and make it difficult to transport the grain. Therefore, he only took five hundred guards, plus some laborers and caravans to transport grain and medicine."

Yang Tinghe practically jumped up: "What the hell? Not leading troops? Going to war? What a load of rubbish!"

"Father, please calm down—"

Yang Shen explained in detail the situation of the border towns in Liaodong, and specifically explained why the court could not send heavy troops, but instead had to adopt a strategy of defense.

Yang Tinghe listened attentively and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What reassured him was not whether the tactic was good or not, but that the Crown Prince and his eldest son had made detailed and thorough preparations, which was enough to show that they were not acting on impulse or fooling around.

Studying and taking the imperial examinations are certainly important, but what could be more important than following the crown prince to achieve great things?

Thinking this, he slowly spoke: "Once you get to the front lines, you must learn to adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize survival. As long as you're alive, everything else is secondary, understand?"

Yang Shen nodded and said, "Father's teachings are etched in my mind! However, I need to ask Father for a favor—"

Morning next day.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the officials stood solemnly.

The Hongzhi Emperor sat upright on his throne, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

Xiao Jing stepped forward and took out the imperial edict from his sleeve.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

I, having received the Mandate of Heaven to rule over all lands, have worked tirelessly day and night to achieve perfect peace. However, the Liaodong region has recently suffered from war; the Uriyangkhai have invaded the border, killing and plundering soldiers and civilians, causing fortresses to crumble, and border reports to become increasingly urgent. Whenever I think of this, my heart aches.

Crown Prince Houzhao is exceptionally gifted and intelligent, possessing a strong sense of benevolence and filial piety. He is well-versed in literature and reason, and also knowledgeable in military strategy. I hereby appoint the Crown Prince to tour Liaodong on my behalf, to comfort the soldiers and civilians, and to strengthen border defenses. All matters concerning war and defense shall be at the Crown Prince's discretion. Any civil or military official who dares to be negligent shall be punished as if he were deceiving the Emperor.

The proclamation was made known both domestically and internationally.

So be it.

After Xiao Jing finished reading, the court fell into a deathly silence.

Immediately afterwards, there was a loud buzzing sound, as if a pot had exploded.

"What? The Crown Prince is going to war in Liaodong?"

"The crown prince is only twelve years old! How can he lead troops?"

"Liaodong is a harsh and cold land, where swords and spears have no eyes. What if something happens to the Crown Prince?"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The officials stepped forward and knelt down.

Grand Secretary Liu Jian urgently said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation; how can he be moved lightly? The Liaodong war will be handled by military generals; why must the Crown Prince personally come?"

Xie Qian then added, "The Crown Prince is young and has never experienced battle. If anything happens to him, the nation will be in jeopardy!"

The Hongzhi Emperor remained expressionless and silent.

The ministers became increasingly agitated as they spoke, as if the Crown Prince had already gone to the battlefield and would be wrapped in a horse's hide at any moment.

Just then, a loud voice rang out.

"In my opinion, the Crown Prince's expedition is timely!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Zongli, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, standing out with his head held high.

Liu Jian angrily rebuked, "Imperial Censor Wang, this expedition to Liaodong is no small matter. The Crown Prince is too young to be entrusted with this responsibility!"

Wang Zongli ignored them and spoke eloquently: "My colleagues keep saying that the Crown Prince is too young, but how old was Emperor Taizu when he raised his army? How old was Emperor Taizong when he was enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan? Great talents have always faced many hardships, while pampered sons rarely become great men! The Crown Prince was born in the deep palace; it is time for him to go out and gain experience!"

He turned to Liu Jian and said, "His Majesty's order for the Crown Prince to go to Liaodong serves three purposes: first, to boost morale; second, to allow him to understand the people's conditions; and third, to train the heir apparent. This is a triple benefit, and as his subjects, we should give it our full support!"

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him, nodded slowly, and said, "What Minister Wang says is absolutely right! I was still worried that the Crown Prince was too young and needed a capable person to assist him. Since Minister Wang is so understanding and righteous, I am relieved."

Wang Zongli was taken aback, and a bad feeling arose in his mind.

The Hongzhi Emperor continued, "Then Minister Wang will accompany the Crown Prince on this expedition, providing him with meticulous guidance and strategic advice along the way. What is Minister Wang's opinion?"

Wang Zongli's smile froze on his face.

The hall was quiet. Liu Jian gave him a meaningful look.

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly: "What? Minister Wang doesn't want to go?"

Wang Zongli hurriedly said, "No, no, no, that's not what I meant—"

"So you think we shouldn't have gone?"

"No, it's not that either—"

Wang Zongli's forehead was beaded with sweat, and his speech was becoming somewhat incoherent.

"What I mean is—actually—there's no need for the Crown Prince to go in person; just send any military officer."

The Hongzhi Emperor's face darkened: "Does Minister Wang think the Crown Prince is incompetent?"

That's a very strong statement.

Wang Zongli was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, please understand! I had no such intention! I was only worried that the Crown Prince was too young and the front lines were dangerous. If he were to be injured—I would be guilty beyond redemption!"

Yang Tinghe, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up: "Imperial Censor Wang, that's not what you just said."

Wang Zongli turned to look at him, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Yang Tinghe said calmly, "Just now, Imperial Censor Wang spoke passionately, saying that the Crown Prince needed to be tempered and praising His Majesty's wisdom. How come he suddenly became worried about the Crown Prince getting hurt? This inconsistency is hardly enough to be considered deceiving the Emperor."

Wang Zongli said urgently, "I just spoke without thinking! Yang Shaozhan, stop kicking me when I'm down!"

Your son is a tutor to the Crown Prince, why don't you let him accompany him?

Yang Tinghe smiled slightly: "Since my son is a study companion, he will naturally accompany the Crown Prince on his expedition."

Wang Zongli stood there speechless, his mouth agape.

Yang Tinghe turned to the Hongzhi Emperor, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, although I cannot personally go to the front lines, I am willing to do my part for the war in Liaodong. My family has some meager possessions, and I wish to donate five thousand cotton-padded coats and five thousand woolen sweaters to Liaodong as a free aid to the soldiers and civilians on the front lines!"

The court was immediately thrown into an uproar.

It's the dead of winter right now, and cotton-padded coats and sweaters are really expensive!

Yang Tinghe then turned halfway around, surveyed the assembled officials, and slowly said, "Yesterday, Imperial Censor Wang said that my Yang family has made money in business, and that is true. My good-for-nothing son is indeed in business and has earned some silver. Now that the court needs it, we will donate it. I wonder what my colleagues think?"

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

How should I respond to that?

What does your donation of supplies have to do with us?

Could it be that you're preparing to—

Yang Tinghe then added, "I've been thinking, there are many people here who are far wealthier than my Yang family. Shouldn't we at least offer a token of our appreciation?"

The ministers' faces darkened.

They have no business to do and live off their meager salaries.

Yang Tinghe turned his head and looked at Wang Zongli: "Imperial Censor Wang, aren't you going to donate anything?"

Wang Zongli's face turned pale, and he forced himself to say, "I—my annual salary is only two hundred taels, how can I donate?"

Yang Tinghe smiled: "Whether you donate or not is voluntary, it depends on your own wishes."

"I, I————"

Wang Zongli's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he could only say, "I will donate five hundred taels of silver!"

Yang Tinghe then said, "I've heard that the Wang family deals in medicinal herbs, including ginseng from Northeast China, Ula grass, and that ointment for treating frostbite. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital have bought from them. The frostbite ointment business alone must bring in at least tens of thousands of taels of silver a year, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense! How could there possibly be tens of thousands of taels!"

Wang Zongli's face was deathly pale, and he clearly lacked confidence in his speech.

Yang Tinghe continued, "The wind and snow at the front are so heavy, and the soldiers are suffering from severe frostbite. Shouldn't Imperial Censor Wang donate some ointment?"

""

Wang Zongli gritted his teeth and said, "I—I'll donate twenty bottles!"

In the imperial court, someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Yang Tinghe laughed as well: "Imperial Censor Wang, there are tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians at the front lines, who would use twenty bottles?"

Wang Zongli retorted, his neck stiff, "Thirty bottles are for the Crown Prince! There are so many people in Liaodong, how can I possibly manage them all?"

Yang Tinghe suddenly raised his voice and said, "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, but the soldiers and civilians are also subjects of our Great Ming. Imperial Censor Wang only thinks about sending medicine to the Crown Prince, but doesn't care about the lives of the soldiers and civilians. Isn't this putting the Crown Prince in an unrighteous and immoral position?"

Wang Zongli retorted, "I meant well, don't try to label me!"

As he spoke, he subconsciously stole a glance at the Hongzhi Emperor on the throne.

The Hongzhi Emperor's face was so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

Wang Zongli's legs went weak, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "I—I'll donate one hundred bottles!"

Yang Tinghe shook his head: "Imperial Censor Wang, your pharmacy alone has at least five hundred bottles in stock, and there are several thousand more in the storeroom. Your stinginess is inconsistent with your earlier claims of serving the country and its people with profound righteousness!"

Upon hearing this, the Hongzhi Emperor's expression darkened further.

Wang Zongli finally realized that Yang Tinghe had clearly come prepared!

Yesterday I criticized his family for running a business, and today he's retaliating by bringing up the ointment issue!

His heart was bleeding, yet he had no choice but to bow his head: "Your Majesty, I am willing to donate all my ointments to the front lines!"

Yang Tinghe quickly replied, "Imperial Censor Wang is loyal to the country; I admire him greatly!"

The Hongzhi Emperor's expression softened somewhat, and he nodded, saying, "Minister Wang is very understanding and righteous; I am greatly pleased."

Wang Zongli finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "Consider it a loss to avoid disaster!"

As long as I don't end up on the front lines, I'm willing to pay a little money.

The Hongzhi Emperor continued, "The Crown Prince needs someone to assist him on his campaign. Minister Wang is far-sighted and possesses a strong sense of righteousness. Who else could be such a person?"

Wang Zongli's mind went blank.

You just donated ointment, and now you want to donate your life?

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him: "Does Minister Wang have any objections?"

Wang Zongli opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that nothing he said would be right.

You're saying you're not going?

The words of support for the Crown Prince's expedition were still ringing in my ears.

Go tell me?

That's the frigid land of the far north, a land of ice and snow! Where swords and spears have no eyes!

Back then, he traveled thousands of miles to the capital to take the imperial examinations, and he has never returned since. He even asks his clansmen to do the ancestral worship on his behalf.

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him and said calmly, "Since Minister Wang has no objection, then it's settled."

Wang Zongli's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground: "Your subject—obeys the imperial decree!"