Chapter 64: Autocratic!
"If anyone is dissatisfied, please stand up. I am not the kind of person who is partial. If your achievements are enough to be the Minister of Works, I will not be stingy."
As soon as Xiao Yan said this, several people stood up.
"Your Highness, all of these people have participated in disaster relief, and they have all perfectly solved the problems in the disaster areas."
"If you confer the title of Minister of Works simply because Lord Wan built this water conservancy system, then I think you are biased."
"Besides, the construction of this water conservancy project was funded by the imperial court, and Lord Wan was just in charge of it. Does that mean he has made a great contribution?"
Xiao Yan was so angry that he laughed when he heard this. This excuse was really lame.
"Master Wan, you are just in charge of water conservancy construction and you don't do anything else?"
Wan Tongfu knew that Xiao Yan wanted to promote him, so this was an opportunity that he would never have if he missed it.
"Your Highness, this water conservancy project is more than just a matter of hosting it!"
“First, we need to survey all the local water systems, and then design different channels according to different terrains.”
"I personally went to the mountains to find all the materials. If the wrong materials were used, the channel would be weathered in no time."
"If you want to take charge, then anyone can go, but they may not be able to complete the construction of the water conservancy project!"
Although Wan Tongfu is an honest person, it does not mean that he has no temper. After being targeted again and again, he naturally has to be tough.
What's more, behind him is the current crown prince, and also the regent crown prince.
"Did you hear that, my Lords? Who among you has such talent please step forward."
"If we just distribute the imperial grain, that's not disaster relief, that's relief!"
"What is disaster relief? It is to solve the problem fundamentally. According to the court's previous disaster relief methods, anyone can do it."
When these words were spoken, the people who stood up felt a little ashamed, because they had indeed been in charge of disaster relief.
But it was exactly as Xiao Yan said, all he had to do was distribute the grain so that the people had something to eat and that was it.
If there is another disaster next year, we will distribute food again.
"As the Minister of Works, one must not only be persistent, but also have the ability to build and forge."
"If you just do things according to instinct, then forget it, it's useless!"
"Master Hu, do you have any comments?"
Hu Zhenghe would naturally not give up the position of Shangshu easily.
Apart from himself, who holds the highest position as Shangshu among the six ministries, the two most important departments, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, now all obey Xiao Yan.
If he gave up the Ministry of Works again, his position in the court would be in jeopardy .
"Your Highness, as you said, judging whether a person can be a minister depends not only on his achievements, but also on his talents."
"I do not deny that Lord Wan has talents, but these are only technical talents."
"As a minister, you are responsible for the overall management of the Ministry of Industry. If you only know the technology but not the management, then the Ministry of Industry will be in chaos, right?"
Hu Zhenghe is well aware of the consequences of not being able to manage. This is indeed Wan Tongfu's shortcoming, which cannot be avoided.
"So Lord Hu means that if you can't manage, you can't hold the position?"
"Then, Lord Hu, what kind of talent do you think is needed to be the Prime Minister?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials were stunned. Is it so direct?
Hu Zhenghe just wanted to seize the position of Shangshu, but Xiao Yan wanted to seize his position of Prime Minister.
"Your Highness, we are talking about the position of Shangshu now. What does it have to do with the position of Prime Minister?"
"Don't change the subject."
Xiao Yan started laughing at this time.
"Hahaha, this is weird, Prime Minister. It's okay to talk about other people's positions, but not your own."
"Mr. Hu is indeed a double standard. I admire him very much!"
"You can question other people's abilities, but why can't others question yours? You said that if you are in a position, you must have the ability to manage it well."
"Then Lord Hu, can you tell me what kind of management skills are needed for your position as Prime Minister?"
"If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with this position, does he have to give it up?"
Hu Zhenghe knew very well that no matter what he said, Xiao Yan would deny his talents, and this would put him in a passive position.
"If Your Highness doubts my ability, you can go to His Majesty and impeach me. This is your right."
"Let's talk about the matter at hand. Don't change the subject. I oppose Wan Tongfu's appointment as Minister of Works!"
"I think what is needed in this court is a fair voice. If His Highness makes all decisions arbitrarily, then what is the point of us standing in the court?"
Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Well, what Lord Hu said makes sense. Then whoever feels that Loneliness is tyrannical, stand up!"
Immediately, all the people from Hu Zhenghe's faction stood up.
Xiao Yan looked around and saw that there were quite a lot of people. He had not known who were in Hu Zhenghe's group before, but this time he could see it clearly.
"Just now Lord Hu said that if you are so aloof and arbitrary, there is no point in you standing in the court. What do you think of this?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then said, "I second the motion!"
Xiao Yan laughed: "Okay, okay, let's be honest, I will act arbitrarily this time!"
"Since you feel that it is meaningless to be in this court, then go home!"
"Someone, blast these people out!"
Everyone was stunned, even Hu Zhenghe's people were stunned. Is His Highness so cruel?
"Your Highness!"
Just as the imperial guards came in to chase people away, Hu Zhenghe shouted loudly.
"Have you thought it over? Do you really want to act so arbitrarily?"
"Have you ever thought about the consequences if so many court officials go home?"
At this time, Xiao Yan stood up and walked in front of Hu Zhenghe.
"Consequences? I know the consequences very well. The court will be better off without these parasites."
"If you all care about the people like Wan Tongfu, I will remember even the slightest achievement."
"But look at it now!"
"Look at what you are doing. For a small position of minister, you are attacking your colleagues. You are just short of fighting!"
"Is this your way of being an official?"
These officials were all stunned. It was indeed them who were vying for a small position of Shangshu.
"The door to the court is open now. Don't you feel lonely and independent?"
"Just turn around and leave. Didn't Lord Hu ask me about the consequences? I can tell you that this court will still be the same without you!"
"Without you, the things that need to be done will not be left behind. Don't think that this court will not be able to function without you!"
"The sun will rise tomorrow as usual!"
