Chapter 61

Hearing Zhu Heyu's sudden interjection, Emperor Deqing's smile instantly vanished.

It wasn't that he didn't want Zhu Heyu to impeach Zhao Junchen. Emperor Deqing had anticipated this. The moment of victory or defeat today would inevitably lead to a backlash from Zhu Heyu.

However, Zhu Heyu's sudden interruption was an affront to Emperor Deqing's dignity.

On the other side, Zhao Junchen stood at the back, looking at the back of Crown Prince Zhu Heyu. Imagining Zhu Heyu's resolute expression, he sighed inwardly. Although Zhu Heyu was his enemy, sometimes Zhao Junchen would feel a sense of frustration, thinking that the Crown Prince was too rigid and prone to breaking. Why did the Crown Prince always choose to provoke Emperor Deqing to demonstrate his integrity?

While Zhao Junchen was sighing, the officials were all shocked by the Crown Prince's impeachment.

Three capital offenses! This was no small matter.

As the officials were shocked, Emperor Deqing also suppressed his displeasure and slowly said, "Oh? Three capital offenses? I didn't know that Minister Zhao had such great abilities. Crown Prince, tell me more."

"Your Majesty, although Zhao Junchen has indeed increased the court's revenue with the soap, his methods are despicable and ruthless," Zhu Heyu said, taking out a memorial from his sleeve and reading it aloud. "Zhao Junchen has committed three capital offenses. First, he has deliberately tarnished the reputation of the court and the emperor, committing a grave disrespect! In recent days, Zhao Junchen has used the brothels to promote the soap. Now, when the common people talk about soap, they think of brothels. Since the soap is now exclusively produced and sold by the inner treasury, how will the common people view Your Majesty and the court? Zhao Junchen's actions have tarnished the reputation of the emperor and the court, which is a grave disrespect."

Hearing this, the officials were all taken aback. They had more or less known about Zhao Junchen using brothels to promote the soap. Now, hearing Zhu Heyu's words, they all thought it made sense.

Even Emperor Deqing's expression changed. He was a ruler who cherished his reputation, and the Crown Prince's words could not be ignored.

However, Zhao Junchen sighed inwardly. The charges Zhu Heyu raised were indeed capital offenses and not without reason, but it would be easy for Zhao Junchen to refute them.

So, before Zhu Heyu could mention the second charge, Zhao Junchen stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Zhu Heyu glared at Zhao Junchen, clearly displeased that he had interrupted his "indictment," but Emperor Deqing said, "Speak."

Zhao Junchen said loudly, "Your Majesty, I cannot accept the charges the Crown Prince has raised. I have never intended to use brothels to promote the soap. The brothels in the capital indeed used the soap first, but it was a fair transaction. Although brothels are dirty places, they still pay taxes to the court. If they come to buy, can we refuse to sell?"

Pausing, Zhao Junchen continued, "As for the Crown Prince's claim that the soap's association with brothels will tarnish the court's reputation, I cannot agree. I firmly believe that under Your Majesty's guidance, our people are simple and honest, and there are more gentlemen than small-minded people among the scholars. Those who frequent brothels are few, and even if some people associate the soap with brothels and maliciously speculate about the emperor and the court, they are merely those who often visit brothels and have small-minded thoughts. For such people, any matter can be a cause for malicious speculation. Why should we consider their thoughts? Although I dare not call myself a gentleman, I have been using the soap daily since it was made, and I have never associated it with the dirty places of brothels."

At this point, Zhao Junchen turned to the officials and asked, "May I ask my colleagues, now that the soap is popular in the capital, most of you have used it. Even if you haven't, you must have heard about it. Has anyone ever associated the soap with the dirty places of brothels?"

After his words, Zhao Junchen's question was equivalent to asking the officials if they often visited brothels and had small-minded thoughts.

Even if it were true, who would admit it in front of Emperor Deqing?

Thus, including the Crown Prince's faction, the officials all remained silent, and some even shook their heads.

Seeing this, Zhao Junchen smiled lightly and asked, "Of course, with Your Majesty's wisdom, the officials under Your Majesty are all gentlemen and would not have such small-minded thoughts. So, may I ask my colleagues, have any of your relatives, friends, or servants ever associated the soap with brothels?"

Hearing this, the officials again either remained silent or shook their heads.

People tend to associate with those of similar character, and the officials would not admit that they had such people around them.

Seeing this, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu's face grew even colder. Although he believed that most of the officials in the Hall of Supreme Harmony knew about the soap's effectiveness through brothels and would associate the soap with brothels, he could not force them to admit it, as it would certainly lead to a backlash.

Seeing Emperor Deqing's expression soften, Zhu Heyu sighed inwardly, knowing that this charge would not bring down Zhao Junchen.

Although he thought Zhao Junchen was being sophistical, Zhu Heyu had no other choice. After a cold snort, he prepared to mention the second charge.

However, although Zhu Heyu had given up on this charge, Zhao Junchen did not let him off.

Seeing the officials either remain silent or shake their heads, Zhao Junchen looked at Crown Prince Zhu Heyu and asked, "So, only the Crown Prince holds this view? May I ask why the Crown Prince associates the soap with the dirty places of brothels?"

Zhao Junchen's face was full of sincere smiles, seemingly without any ill intent, but his words were a direct attack on the heart.

Crown Prince Zhu Heyu was naturally furious, glaring at Zhao Junchen and restraining the urge to strike, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Minister Zhao, are you suggesting that this Crown Prince has a small-minded heart? Or that I frequent brothels?"

As soon as the Crown Prince spoke, Left Minister of Rites Bao Wenjie stepped forward, his face full of anger, and loudly said, "Your Majesty, I impeach Minister Zhao for defaming the Crown Prince and having disloyal intentions."

As soon as Bao Wenjie finished speaking, Right Minister of Rites Zhan Shan Chang also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I impeach Bao Wenjie for defaming the officials and harboring ill intentions. I heard Minister Zhao's words clearly. How could he have defamed the Crown Prince?"

Zhao Junchen also said, "Your Majesty, I have always been respectful to the Crown Prince. How could I dare to defame him? The Crown Prince's virtue is known throughout the court and the country. I often hear that the Crown Prince will be a wise and virtuous ruler in the future. I respect the Crown Prince so much that I would never dare to defame him. In my view, the Crown Prince would never associate the soap with brothels. His words must have been influenced by others, so I asked. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen glanced at Bao Wenjie, clearly implying that Bao Wenjie was the small-minded person influencing the Crown Prince.

Seeing this, both Zhu Heyu and Bao Wenjie were furious.

On the other side, when Emperor Deqing heard Zhao Junchen say, "I often hear that the Crown Prince will be a wise and virtuous ruler in the future," he frowned slightly and finally spoke.

"Enough, Minister Zhao, the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince. You must be careful with your words in the future to avoid misunderstandings."

As he spoke, he glossed over Zhao Junchen's direct attack on the heart.

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen bowed to Emperor Deqing and said, "Your Majesty, I have learned my lesson. I know I was wrong."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen bowed to Zhu Heyu and apologized, "I hope the Crown Prince will forgive my indiscreet words."

Seeing this, Zhu Heyu gritted his teeth and did not say much, but the anger in his eyes was evident to all.

Emperor Deqing continued, "However, Minister Zhao's words have some merit. The charge of tarnishing the reputation of the emperor and the court, and grave disrespect, is an overstatement. The Crown Prince's judgment was flawed."

Hearing this, the officials naturally agreed, and Bao Wenjie and Zhan Shan Chang also bowed and returned to their positions.

Only Zhao Junchen remained standing, clearly indicating that he was ready to challenge the Crown Prince.

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