The one who opened his mouth was an official in a purple robe, he was He Yun.
One of the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Rites.
Head of the Ministry of Rites, responsible for the court ceremonies and grand sacrifices of Daqian.
He Fengchang had considerable influence in the court and among the royal family. Beside him, King Wu Wei Xi’s expression changed slightly, and he hesitated a bit, but ultimately did not speak.
On the main seat, Zhang Jian set his gaze on He Yun, a hint of unusual color flashing in his eyes.
He smiled and said, "Oh, does He Fengchang have a more suitable candidate?"
In the hall, many civil and military officials couldn’t help but turn their gaze to He Yun.
He Yun promptly cupped his hands, saying, "Grand Scholar, please forgive my boldness. Whether it is the Eldest Prince or the Third Prince, although both are born of Your Majesty, neither is a wise ruler; they cannot save the world from chaos nor continue the legacy of our Grand Ancestor!"
Beside him, Wang Wan furrowed his brows at this time, questioning, "He Fengchang, what do you mean by this? Are you intending to choose from other vassal kings within the royal family?"
Other civil and military officials looked over, with some unusual looks in their eyes.
Faced with the gaze of many, He Yun remained unchanged in expression, only sighed magnificently, "Commandant Wang, your statement is incorrect. Though there are many vassal kings in the royal family, they are neither united nor respected, how could they suppress the masses and overpower the kings!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was puzzled!
Zhang Jian also looked over, but saw He Yun cupping his hands toward everyone and saying:
"As the Minister of Rites, I preside over ancient ceremonies, and also know a thing or two about Qi Observation!
These days, I have observed the celestial phenomena at night; I fear Daqian’s fate is exhausted, yet today, upon observing the Dragon Robe and Phoenix Attitude of Grand Scholar Zhang, surrounded by Ziwei, he bears the sign of Sheji upon him!"
Upon He Yun’s words, everyone changed their expressions, all turning their gaze to Zhang Jian. On the main seat, Zhang Jian glanced at He Yun, his eyes filled with a cold smile.
He carried the Golden Lotus Hidden Breath Technique; if he didn’t want others to know his foundation, no amount of Qi Observation would be effective.
How could He Yun, a mere mortal, see through the Qi surrounding him?
Yet he did not stop it, rather let He Yun boast.
To see what he truly intended?
Only to hear He Yun bowing again: "Grand Scholar, your merit spreads across the realm, saving millions of living beings, esteemed people of all provinces bow down. Such great virtue surpasses the Yu Saint, Duke Zhou by a long shot!
Daqian should follow the ancient saints, relinquish the throne to meet the expectations of celestial beings, Grand Scholar, you must not defy the will of Heaven and the hearts of people!"
After He Yun’s words, he unexpectedly bowed down, making a full display of the stance.
Yet in the hall, many civil and military officials suddenly fell silent; they couldn’t tell whether He Yun’s words were on Zhang Jian’s orders, or merely He Yun’s personal intention.
On the main seat, Zhang Jian’s eyes were filled with a cold smile, he looked coldly at He Yun.
Now he could indeed determine that He Yun was testing him!
This particular He Fengchang was not honest!
However, he did not prevent it; instead, he observed the civil and military officials present, how many still harbored loyalty to Daqian, or had other thoughts.
At this moment, a tranquil atmosphere flowed through the air, a dead silence surrounding the place, cold sweat gradually oozing between He Yun’s brows on the ground, as the icy gaze from above penetrated, cold and biting.
He Yun was secretly alarmed, but he still tried his best to maintain high spirits and passion on his face.
To the left, Wang Wan saw this, thoughts flashing like electricity, and in a moment, he gave a signal to an official in a red robe beside him. The red-robed official trembled slightly, hesitated for a moment, then trembled as he walked out.
Speaking out, "Fellow colleagues, Generals, He Fengchang’s words are extremely true, Grand Scholar’s great virtue is towering, surpassing the Yu Saint and Saint Zhou by a long shot!"
With him leading, other noble officials immediately spoke up loudly:
"Since ancient times, those with virtue replace those without, those without merit are superseded by those with virtue. Grand Scholar taking the realm is in perfect harmony with the will of Heaven and the people’s hearts!"
On the main seat, Zhang Jian’s expression remained cold as he sternly shouted.
"Stop your nonsense!"
As soon as his voice fell, it was like a thunderclap, instantly startling the chattering crowd!
Zhang Jian slowly rose from his seat, his gaze sharply focusing on everyone, his eyes showing a color of ’indignation’:
"In all generations under Daqian, the Emperor was diligent in governance, bringing peace and stability, our late Emperor worked hard day and night to revive the rivers and mountains. As subjects, we should perform our duties unaffected, how dare you covet the Divine Artifact, you are truly unfilial, wanting to trap me in a situation of disloyalty and injustice!"
"Someone come, drive them all out, my mansion of light tolerates no such disloyal and unfilial people!"
After speaking, he waved his sleeves, Zhang Fu and others immediately stepped forward to lift He Yun, and the hollering officials, taking them all outside.
Seeing this, He Yun’s eyes moved, a bright color flashing in his eyes, yet he continued to shout loudly.
"Grand Scholar, what I said is truly heartfelt words, Daqian’s fate has been exhausted, Grand Scholar should lightly take the realm to save countless people from fire and water..."
Zhang Jian witnessed the scene, a cold smile passing deep in his eyes.
Indeed, he wanted to take this realm and Sheji, but not in this manner before him.
Throughout history, any founding monarch at the beginning of their ascension needed a decent ’slogan’ to give those around them a target to strive for. Secondly, they needed to ensure that the banner they formed had enough ’legitimacy’ to gain the support of the people.
He who wins the people’s hearts wins the world.
In the eyes of countless people, today’s ’Daqian’ is still legitimate, at least it requires a dozen years of subtle influence to make hearts return allegiance.
Of course, during this process, one could act as a tyrant, using great force directly to subdue.
But governance would become significantly more difficult with such an approach.
He could seize the realm and Sheji through strong power today, others could do the same tomorrow.
Legitimacy is crucial.
He could wait until the young ruler becomes faint and plays to ruin, if employing treacherous ministers, lacking benevolence, but no matter what, he could not crudely seize the throne.
Beside him, Wang Huan had been coldly watching the scene, his eyes reflecting a strange light at this moment, he cupped his hands and laughed.
"Grand Scholar’s high-minded integrity, I, an old man, truly admire!"
Many civil and military officials also slightly nodded, their eyes showing some joy, including King Wu Wei Xi.
The crowd quickly agreed to welcome back the two princes promptly, letting the Eldest Imperial Prince Wei Yuan ascend the throne to retake control of the court.
The civil and military officials hurriedly left, each returning to their duties.
Wang Huan and his son mingled among the flowing crowd, and as they exited, the father and son noticed many officials were still pointing and commenting on that He Yun, among others.
Wang You sighed upon seeing this, "That He Fengchang must have gone mad, attempting flattery at this time. How come I never realized before that this He Fengchang is so two-faced?"
Wang Huan slightly flickered, shaking his head, "He is not mad, he is quite shrewd!"
"However, it’s a pity that his little farming tricks won’t deceive the Grand Scholar’s eyes!"
Upon hearing this, Wang You’s face changed.
"Father, what do you mean by this?"
He frowned, Wang Huan’s words carried profound meaning.
Wang Huan glanced at the Zhang Family Mansion, sighed, "Grand Scholar might indeed have ambitions of self-assertion!"
Wang You’s expression showed surprise upon hearing this, he looked around, unable to resist using the Sound Transmission Secret Technique to say, "Father, don’t speak recklessly!"
Wang Huan sneered, he did not hold back.
"If Scholar Zhang truly had no intention of the throne, he should have directly executed He Yun to clarify his loyalty and integrity, rather than spank them and toss them out!"
Inside the Zhang Family Mansion, Zhang Jian’s eyes casually glanced outside the mansion, not disguising his disdain for the Old Grand Commandant.
The Wang father and son were talking around the Zhang Family Mansion, as if discussing right by his ear.
This Wang Huan should also know the methods of the Primordial Spirit Master.
The longevity star drinking arsenic won’t live long, daring to criticize him?