Chapter 63

Seeing the gaze of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen had already come up with a way to refute the accusations. However, on his face, Zhao Junchen still frowned, seemingly struggling to find a way to counter the charges. Competing with the people for profit is indeed a major taboo for the court. Historically, all rulers who competed with the people for profit ultimately did not end well. It was natural for Emperor Deqing to find it difficult. However, precisely because Emperor Deqing found it difficult, Zhao Junchen could not easily resolve it. As a minister, one must never appear more intelligent than the emperor. In Zhao Junchen's view, this was a matter of common sense. After all, there are only a few emperors who can tolerate others. On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen frown and remain silent for a long time, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu could not help but feel frustrated. He raised the folded paper in his hand again, just about to state the last charge, when Zhao Junchen finally spoke.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment, I still have something to say."

Zhu Heyu was taken aback, looking at Zhao Junchen coldly, he said, "What? Can you still deny that the soap is exclusively produced and sold by the inner treasury, and that this is not competing with the people for profit?"

This time, Zhao Junchen did not pay attention to Zhu Heyu, but instead said to Emperor Deqing, "Your Majesty is wise and surely understands better than I do that everything in the world has two sides. Every decision made by the court has its pros and cons. As long as the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, it is a good decision that benefits the country and the people. If the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, it is a bad decision that harms the country and the people. In my view, the exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury is a decision where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Otherwise, how could Your Majesty, so wise and sagacious, allow it?"

Seeing Emperor Deqing nod, Zhao Junchen continued, "The drawback of the exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury, as the Crown Prince mentioned, is that it might make the people think the court is competing with them for profit, causing unrest. In my view, while this is true, it is somewhat exaggerated."

Zhu Heyu sneered, "If it is true, how can it be exaggerated?"

Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and explained, "The exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury will indeed harm some of the people, but not all the soap merchants and craftsmen in our great Ming. Currently, the inner treasury is in need of skilled workers. Those soap craftsmen with real skills will naturally be hired by the inner treasury, and their wages will increase. In this way, they will only be grateful to the court, not resentful. Ultimately, those who will be harmed by this decree are only the soap merchants and some unskilled soap craftsmen who cannot be employed by the court. These soap merchants are all wealthy, and even if they lose their livelihood, they will still live comfortably for a while. As for the unskilled soap craftsmen, they can only blame themselves. Moreover, the total number of these people, combined, is no more than two or three thousand. Even if they are resentful of the court, how can it affect the overall situation?"

Zhu Heyu shouted angrily, "Fallacy! A dike can be breached by an ant's hole. Public resentment is public resentment, and it cannot be ignored just because it is small."

Zhao Junchen shook his head, "I have not ignored it. I have already said that while the Crown Prince's words are somewhat exaggerated, they are true. However, as I mentioned earlier, every policy of the court has its pros and cons. Now that I have spoken of the drawbacks, I should also speak of the benefits."

Pausing, Zhao Junchen then said to Emperor Deqing, "Your Majesty, while the exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury will harm a few people, it will benefit the majority. First, the increased revenue from soap will be used for land reclamation, dike construction, and military expenses, which are things that benefit every citizen. Taking from the people and using it for the people, that is exactly what it means. Second, although the soap is exclusively produced by the inner treasury, it is sold by merchants from various regions. In this way, the merchants who sell it, the laborers who transport it, and the shop assistants will all have a livelihood. The number of these people far exceeds the number of soap merchants and craftsmen who are harmed, and the benefits and drawbacks should be weighed and chosen accordingly. Third, after the exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury, the court can supervise the process, reduce costs, and lower prices, allowing the people to buy soap at the price of soap nuts, ultimately benefiting all the people."

At this point, Zhao Junchen's voice grew louder, and he continued, "From this, it is clear that Your Majesty's decree for the exclusive production and sale of soap by the inner treasury is well-considered. Although a few people will be harmed, many more will benefit. This is a manifestation of Your Majesty's wisdom and sagacity, and it is not competing with the people for profit. The Crown Prince's words are a misunderstanding of Your Majesty."

Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, who was clearly impeaching Zhao Junchen, had, through Zhao Junchen's words, turned into a misunderstanding of Emperor Deqing. Many officials in the court, upon hearing this, either secretly rejoiced or frowned.

Crown Prince Zhu Heyu naturally understood that Zhao Junchen was being fallacious. Otherwise, according to Zhao Junchen's words, all goods in the world could be exclusively operated by the court.

However, although Zhu Heyu wanted to refute, he was helpless because Emperor Deqing favored Zhao Junchen and was unwilling to give up the profits from soap. Before Zhu Heyu could speak, Emperor Deqing nodded and said, "What Zhao Junchen said is exactly what I was thinking. It seems that among all the officials, only Zhao Junchen understands my thoughts."

As he spoke, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhu Heyu and slowly said, "Your words, Crown Prince, are not well-considered. In the future, you must think more comprehensively and not jump to conclusions. 'Competing with the people for profit' is not something to be said lightly. Let's end this matter here. I think the second charge is also weak. State the last charge against Zhao Junchen."

Hearing Emperor Deqing say this, Zhu Heyu felt his chest about to burst with anger, but he did not dare to refute.

In the past, Zhu Heyu only disliked Zhao Junchen because he was a corrupt official and was rumored to be Emperor Deqing's illegitimate son. But after today's confrontation, Zhu Heyu's feelings towards Zhao Junchen had turned into hatred.

Seeing the look in Zhu Heyu's eyes when he looked at him, Zhao Junchen naturally understood Zhu Heyu's thoughts.

But Zhao Junchen was not concerned.

Because, whether Zhu Heyu hated or despised him, it made no difference. They were ultimately enemies, not friends.

After glaring at Zhao Junchen for a moment, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu finally calmed down and continued, "The third charge, Zhao Junchen uses his power for personal gain, profits from the state, and is corrupt. Father, according to my knowledge, the soap is now exclusively produced and sold by the inner treasury, and the supply for the next year has all been auctioned to merchants from various regions. However, 'Yue Rong Fang,' which belongs to Zhao Junchen, has not obtained any supply through the auction, yet it continues to sell various soaps without any shortage. After a thorough investigation, I found that 'Yue Rong Fang' has already sold all its stock, and the soaps it is now selling are all produced by the inner treasury. Father, Zhao Junchen's corruption is a fact, the evidence is clear, and there is no room for denial. Please investigate clearly, Father!"

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ps: Fourth update, one more update before midnight!

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