YWTGU -Chapter 47 Tongue-Lashing the Scholars — Am I a National Traitor?

The next day, even before the morning court had officially begun, the atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already tense and charged.

Civil and military officials lined up on either side, their faces stern and solemn.

Even those officials who hadn’t been affected by Li An’s “new imperial examinations” had their expressions tightly fixed today, looking as grave as if they were going to a funeral.

No —

It was as if they were going to send Li An to his grave.

Li An stood at the very front of the civil officials’ row, yawning comfortably and wiping the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

He had slept exceptionally well last night.

Just thinking about today — facing a barrage of attacks in court, perhaps even being dismissed from office and causing a major drop in national fortune — was enough to excite him…

Wait — no, it actually made him sleep even better.

“His Majesty approaches…”

With a shrill announcement from the eunuchs, the curtains behind the dragon throne swayed gently.

Emperor Zhao Ling’er, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright on the throne.

Her gaze swept across the ministers in the hall and finally rested on Li An, frowning slightly.

This assembly…

She had heard a few days ago that someone was organizing an impeachment against Li An, but she hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.

Before she could even say, “Rise, ministers,” the Minister of Personnel, Wang Run, stepped forward and, with a thud, fell to his knees, wailing uncontrollably.

“Your Majesty!”

Tears streamed down Wang Run’s face as he cried in utter despair.

“I have served in government for thirty years and have never seen such a lawless person!”

“This Li An is a traitor whose crimes are overwhelming!”

“Together with fifty-three colleagues, I submit this joint impeachment petition. We beg Your Majesty to punish this treacherous official and uphold the order of the court!”

He then pulled a thick scroll from his sleeve and held it high above his head.

“This is our joint memorial!”

“Ten major crimes of Li An — each one deadly!”

Zhao Ling’er furrowed her brows.

Ten major crimes?

She instinctively wanted to defend Li An.

But the sheer scale of this joint impeachment…

“Present it.”

A eunuch took the memorial and respectfully placed it on the imperial desk before the throne.

Zhao Ling’er opened it and frowned even more deeply.

“First charge: Arbitrarily altering ancestral rules, abolishing the Eight-Legged Essay, shaking the foundation of the state…”

“Second charge: Illegally appointing officials, favoring deceitful individuals, causing disorder and harming the people…”

“Third charge: Permitting commoners to enter the court, disgracing the literati…”

“Fourth charge: Supporting the destruction of tribute flowers at the Ministry of Agriculture, harming the dignity of the state…”

“Fifth charge: Allowing the blast furnace at the Ministry of Works to be destroyed, endangering military affairs…”

“Sixth charge: Taking pride in being insulted by the people, completely shameless…”

“Seventh… Eighth… Ninth…”

The longer Zhao Ling’er read, the darker her expression grew.

Not because she felt sorry for Li An.

But because she was embarrassed for the officials bringing the charges.

These accusations… each one was more absurd than the last!

What does “permitting commoners to enter the court” even mean?

All those selected by Li An had passed the court’s approval!

What does “abolishing the Eight-Legged Essay, shaking the foundation of the state” mean?

That was a civil service reform personally approved by Her Majesty!

And “harming the dignity of the state”?

Pulling flowers from the imperial gardens to plant food crops — that’s called caring for the people!

Zhao Ling’er took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her rising anger.

“Minister Wang,”

Her voice was cold.

“Does Li An have any defense against these charges?”

Wang Run hesitated, then sneered.

“Your Majesty! The evidence is ironclad. What need is there for defense?”

“Why not let Li An speak for himself?”

He turned to Li An, eyes full of smug satisfaction.

“Li An! Do you plead guilty?”

All eyes in the hall turned to Li An.

Li An strolled slowly out of the ranks, stretching leisurely.

“Minister Wang, I have a few questions for you.”

Wang Run’s face was full of disdain.

“Ask away!”

“Good.”

Li An nodded, smiling.

“First question: Minister Wang, do you know how much grain a single acre of land produces?”

“What?”

Wang Run was stunned. He had prepared a long list of rebuttals for today’s court session, but he hadn’t expected Li An to ask this.

“I’m asking you: one acre of land — how much grain can it yield?”

“This…”

Wang Run stammered, his face turning red.

“A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen and does not concern himself with farming matters! Why should I know such lowly things?”

“Lowly?”

Li An’s lips curved slightly.

“Minister Wang, every mouthful of rice you eat comes from these ‘lowly things.’”

“Without farmers planting crops, you would starve to death.”

Wang Run’s face flushed red.

“Preposterous!”

“Good. Second question.”

Li An continued calmly.

“How many steps are required to make a knife, from iron ore to finished product?”

Wang Run was completely dumbfounded.

“Steps? I am not a blacksmith. Why should I know?”

“Exactly, you are not a blacksmith,” Li An shrugged.

“But how many procurement memorials for military weapons have you approved?”

“Do you know how many of the knives and swords sent to the frontier each year are substandard or defective?”

“Because of officials like you who ‘don’t know,’ soldiers at the frontier have to fight the Northern Yan troops with broken weapons!”

At this, the hall erupted in murmurs.

Grand Marshal Sun Qian, standing among the generals, furrowed his brow.

He said nothing, but his eyes now gleamed with thoughtful consideration.

Wang Run was completely cornered, burning with humiliation and anger.

And he was laughing especially heartily.

“Minister Wang!”

Li An’s voice rang throughout the hall.

“You say I am a traitor to the nation?”

“Fine!”

“Then today, I’ll show you what it really means to bring disaster to a country and suffering to its people!”

He strode to the center of the hall, scanning the crowd.

“You bookworms, so obsessed with your studies that your brains have gone to mush!”

“Always quoting Confucius or reciting poetry!”

“You don’t know the value of hard work or even how to distinguish grains!”

“How can people like you govern a nation?”

“Feed the people?”

“Lead soldiers to victory at the border?”

“Nonsense!”

The moment he spoke, the entire hall erupted.

“Li An! You are outrageous!”

“How dare you insult all the scholars in the world!”

“Treachery! Treachery of the highest order!”

The angrier they got, the more delighted Li An became. The corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted into a grin as he laughed aloud.

Keep shouting! The more furious you get, the better!

I love the feeling of being denounced by thousands!

I want all you so-called scholars to be enraged…

The nation’s fortune is bound to decline!

“Today, I am going to tell you!”

He raised his voice.

“Studying books is worse than feeding pigs!”

The hall fell completely silent.

“Studying books is worse than… feeding pigs?”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Is this… even human speech?

“Yes!”

Li An looked utterly serious.

“Studying dead books, memorizing mindlessly—what good will it do in the end?”

“You might as well feed pigs!”

“At least pig farmers know how to fatten their pigs!”

“And what can you scholars do?”

“Argue all day!”

“The pigs you raise aren’t even as fat as the ones under my peasants’ care!”

“You… you…”

Minister Wang’s anger made him almost lose his balance. He pointed at Li An, unable to utter a word.

Moments later, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.

“Minister Wang!”

The nearby officials hurried to support him.

The scene descended into chaos.

Prime Minister Wang Fu finally stepped forward.

“Your Majesty,”

His voice was calm, measured, carrying the tone of an elder.

“Li An’s words today were indeed excessive.”

“But…”

He paused, then shifted his words.

“This humble servant believes that Li An’s intentions were good.”

“It’s only the method that was inappropriate.”

“Why not let Li An temporarily step down and reflect in private to calm the anger of the people?”

Zhao Ling’er was momentarily stunned.

That crafty old fox Wang Fu was defending Li An?

No!

This isn’t defense—it’s a setup!

Step down and reflect in private?

That’s essentially stripping Li An of his authority temporarily!

And with her having sent Li An undercover to the Prime Minister…

Could it be that this is some kind of coordination between Li An and the Prime Minister?

Zhao Ling’er pondered briefly and was about to speak up when Li An suddenly cupped his hands and expressed gratitude.

“I thank Prime Minister Wang for your consideration!”

What?

Zhao Ling’er’s confusion deepened.

Li An actually… agreed?

Could it be that they really were coordinating something?

“My words today were excessive and indeed improper.”

Li An looked sincerely remorseful.

“I am willing to reflect in private to calm the anger of the people!”

“Your Majesty, please grant your approval!”

Zhao Ling’er looked at Li An kneeling on the floor, her heart a jumble of emotions.

Whether or not this was part of a scheme with the Prime Minister, just seeing Li An’s current state…

This man…

He was clearly being forced!

Clearly wronged!

Yet he chose to yield!

How humiliated must he feel!

“Li, my minister…”

Her voice choked slightly.

“Are you truly willing?”

“I am willing.”

Li An lowered his head, his tone calm, pretending to be dejected.

In reality, he was barely containing his laughter.

Hahaha!

Today’s court debate!

Once this spreads, how could the scholars of Great Qi possibly remain silent?

And all I have to do is sit in private reflection!

The nation’s fortune will surely fall!

This is a huge win!

“Very well…”

Zhao Ling’er took a deep breath, suppressing her discomfort.

“Since that is so, I… approve.”

“Li An will suspend all duties and reflect in private.”

“Once I ascertain the truth, a final decision will be made.”

“Your Majesty’s kindness is deeply appreciated!”

Li An stood up and, with flair, cupped his hands to the court officials.

“Ministers, I take my leave!”

“I’m going home to sleep!”

With that, he laughed as he walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

His posture was utterly carefree.

It was as if he hadn’t been suspended, but granted a vacation.

The court officials exchanged bewildered looks.

Prime Minister Wang Fu squinted, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

Good.

Very good.

This dog has finally been locked in the cage.

Next, it’s time to properly train him.

Zhao Ling’er sat on the dragon throne, watching Li An’s receding figure, feeling a deep pang of guilt.

Li, my minister…

I failed to protect you…

Rest assured, I will ensure you receive justice!

…

In front of the Top Scholar’s Mansion.

Li An laughed heartily as he entered.

“Hongmei!”

He called inside.

“Prepare the food and wine!”

“Today, we celebrate properly!”

Hongmei approached, her face full of confusion.

“Master, wasn’t the morning court dangerous today?”

“Why are you back so early?”

“Dangerous?”

Li An laughed heartily.

“Nonsense! There was no danger!”

“This is called retreating to advance!”

“Suspended for reflection?”

“That’s paid vacation!”

Hongmei was stunned.

“Master, do you mean…”

“I can finally relax for a few days!”

Li An plopped into a lounge chair, crossing his legs.

“No court, no work, no dealing with those old grumps’ foul faces!”

“This life… is absolutely perfect!”

He closed his eyes and sighed contentedly, mentally adding that all he needed to do was watch the nation’s fortune plummet.

Ding!

【Detected: host impeached by ministers…】

【Verbal duel with scholars, shocking remarks “studying books is worse than feeding pigs” caused uproar…】

【Scholars enraged, Great Qi’s literary culture severely damaged… National fortune -2000】

【Prime Minister seizes the opportunity to suggest “private reflection,” actually stripping host’s authority…】

【Court in turmoil, powerful ministers gain influence… National fortune -3000】

【Current national fortune: 67,200】

Li An looked at the number, feeling ecstatic.

Dropped five thousand!

Awesome!

Dropping national fortune without doing any work!

This is the life I want!

Just lying here, watching the nation’s fortune fall day by day…

The thought alone was thrilling!

“Master.”

Hongmei came over, lowering her voice.

“Are you really going to just lie here?”

“Of course!”

Li An answered with complete confidence.

This week, everything went exactly according to his plan. The nation’s fortune continues to tumble—couldn’t feel better!

Seeing Hongmei’s slightly worried expression, Li An smiled and added:

“What’s there to worry about? If not lying down, should I go to work?”

“No! Never! I’d rather die than go!”

Hongmei looked at his deadpan, fearless expression and sighed helplessly.

“But Master, the Prime Minister… probably won’t let you off so easily.”

“Prime Minister?”

Li An snorted.

“He’d love nothing more than for me to stay quietly at home!”

“Just wait… in a few days…”

He squinted, a gleam of triumph in his eyes.

“He’ll send someone to ‘invite’ me for tea.”

“And then, the real show begins…”

…

Outside, the sun was setting.

A pigeon flapped its wings and flew into the distance.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the Hall of Supreme Harmony after court adjourned, Grand Commandant Sun Qian stood alone, deep in thought.

Li An’s words today…

About the military, the borders, the Ministry of Works’ thirty-year-old furnace…

He seemed to have some reasoning behind them.

Although that kid looked like a national traitor, and he had several times considered having him secretly eliminated…

The Grand Commandant shook his head and turned to leave.

This Li An really is not simple.

He still needs careful observation…