Chapter 100

The censors, who had been enjoying the spectacle moments earlier, were now speechless.

Though they knew Meng Shuping was trying to sow discord, they were genuinely furious. Who was he calling useless?

The Minister of Works was so enraged by Meng Shuping's words he nearly coughed up blood. "Don't you dare sow discord! When did I ever say the censors were useless?"

Meng Shuping muttered under his breath, "Then why are you usurping their role? Anyway, right now I think they're not as capable as you."

Jiang Cihe shook his head and sighed. "The censors were indeed a bit slow on the uptake this time."

Other princes chimed in, "Now that you mention it, it's true. How did Lord Shi manage to beat them to it? They’re usually the first to speak up."

"Could it be that after that censor who impeached Vice Director Meng was punished, they got scared?"

"But how can censors back down so easily? If they do, doesn’t that mean they lack integrity?"

The censors had been holding back, but upon hearing these remarks, they could no longer contain themselves. They pushed up their sleeves and stepped forward.

"Lord Shi! If you didn’t mean it that way, then what did you mean?"

"None of us noticed any issues with Vice Director Meng. How did you find out? Are your sources more well-informed than ours?"

"That’s strange. Lord Shi isn’t even from the Ministry of Justice. How does he know so much about their affairs? If he hasn’t been watching Vice Director Meng just waiting for a chance to retaliate, then he must be colluding with someone from the Ministry of Justice?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but speculate, "Could it be that he’s been stalking me like some kind of deviant to dig up dirt on me? Yikes, that’s terrifying!"

The Minister of Works was furious. "Can’t you tell he’s egging you on? I just happened to hear about this and decided to report him. Don’t let him manipulate you!"

Who would stalk Meng Shuping all day? It’s not like he had nothing better to do!

Meng Shuping wisely ducked into the crowd. "Oho, he’s saying, 'You fools! Can’t even see such an obvious attempt to sow discord!'"

"But to be fair, he did take over their job. Why can’t we talk about it? Is mentioning it considered sowing discord?"

Minister of Revenue Chen laughed heartily, gloating. "He’s calling you stupid! Being used as a weapon!"

Minister of Justice Cao was also excited. "But Vice Director Meng isn’t wrong. Fellow censors, you indeed dropped the ball this time! Why didn’t you impeach him earlier?"

Other officials who had been impeached by censors in the past sneered, "Hmph! In my opinion, after Imperial Censor Cai was punished and nearly dragged into it, they got scared!"

"Cowards! Absolute cowards! As censors, how can they be so hesitant? It’s disgraceful to watch! Shame on you! You don’t deserve to be censors!"

"Perhaps Vice Director Meng has been impeached several times and emerged unscathed each time. They know he’s a tough opponent and don’t dare anymore!"

"Ah! I get it. Impeaching a minor official like Vice Director Meng doesn’t prove their mettle, so they’d rather not bother!"

The censors clenched their fists, fuming and feeling wronged. This time, they truly hadn’t gotten the news—how could they have impeached him?

But admitting their incompetence was out of the question. It must be that the Minister of Works was settling a personal score under the guise of duty, fabricating charges against Vice Director Meng. Otherwise, how could they have missed it?

The only way to clear their names now was to firmly pin the blame on the Minister of Works. So, they unleashed their full fury.

"Then I must ask Lord Shi: His Majesty granted us the power to impeach based on rumor. Do you have that power, Lord Shi? Impeaching Vice Director Meng without any solid evidence—isn’t that acting out of personal spite?"

"Hmph, if everyone were like Lord Shi, impeaching anyone they dislike, wouldn’t the court fall into utter chaos?"

"Exactly, exactly! You, Lord Shi, impeach people without evidence or witnesses. You outright accused Vice Director Meng of taking bribes. What were you thinking?"

"Although we have the power to report based on hearsay, we don’t abuse it. Hmph, I didn’t know Lord Shi dared to misuse it. Isn’t Lord Shi overreaching?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but agree. "Exactly, exactly! If they do all the censors' work, what are the censors supposed to do? Sit around and be useless? Might as well disband!"

Cai Feng, who hadn’t planned to speak, couldn’t hold back anymore. "Hmph, if Lord Shi enjoys impeaching people so much, I think he shouldn’t be the Minister of Works. He should become a censor instead! That way, he can really flex his skills! Is Lord Shi complaining that Emperor Qianyou isn’t giving him a chance to show what he can do?"

Another censor turned to Emperor Qianyou and said, "Your Majesty, although I don’t know how Vice Director Meng offended Lord Shi, I once witnessed Lord Shi mocking and belittling Vice Director Meng. This shows that Lord Shi indeed has a motive for personal revenge!"

Hearing this, other officials recalled, "I remember too. Now that you mention it, Vice Director Meng has incredible composure. He didn’t even get angry after being insulted like that."

"Hmph, a man with one foot in the grave still has the nerve to pick on his junior. Does he have no shame?"

"Vicious! Absolutely vicious! Bullying others isn’t enough—he even frames them! How did I end up serving in the same court as someone like this?"

The Minister of Works was seeing red. Why resort to personal attacks when stating your case?

Emperor Qianyou was surprised. When did the Minister of Works mock Meng Shuping? How come he didn’t know? If he had, he would’ve rushed to see the show!

Just as he felt regret, he heard Meng Shuping’s puzzled voice. "Huh? When did he mock me? Oh, right, I remember now. That time he mocked me for my poor scholarship and said I wasn’t fit to be an official. Basically, he was implying that Your Majesty is blind?"

"If he’s dissatisfied, he should take it up with Your Majesty. Too scared to confront the Emperor, so he takes it out on me instead?"

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

How did this get turned back on him? Although Meng Shuping’s scholarship might be lacking, he is competent. How does that make him blind?

Could it be that the Minister of Works takes issue with whom he promotes? Does he think only he is capable, only he has good judgment? Initially, Emperor Qianyou thought Meng Shuping was talking nonsense about the Minister of Works seeking personal revenge, but now he wondered if there might be some truth to it.

The Minister of Works’ face turned ashen. When did he mock this kid for his poor scholarship and unfitness for office? He was mocking him for his lack of manners! Could he please stop twisting his words?

He took a deep breath. "Your Majesty! I didn’t think that much about it. As one of your officials, when I heard Vice Director Meng was suspected of taking bribes, I felt it was my duty to report it to you. Since it’s now proven to be a misunderstanding, it’s a happy outcome for all."

Meng Shuping suddenly understood. "So *this* is an official's duty!"

He immediately turned to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, then I, too, must fulfill my duty. I wish to report that Minister of Works Lord Shi for embezzling public funds during construction projects! He used shoddy materials and cut corners, passing them off as quality goods. I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

"Tsk, if it’s personal revenge, just call it personal revenge. Why put a noble spin on it? Honestly, there’s plenty of corruption and bribery in this court. The Ministry of Works alone probably has many cases. I refuse to believe he knew nothing about them. Why didn’t he report those?"

"Plain and simple, he’s targeting me deliberately! Don’t think I don’t know—the Ministry of Works is the most susceptible to investigation. I refuse to believe he hasn’t embezzled at all during his years in office! He’s just good at falsifying the accounts and deceiving superiors and subordinates alike!"

The court officials: "Wow!"

Clearly, Lord Shi was the one impeaching Vice Director Meng, yet Lord Shi’s charges kept growing. This Vice Director Meng sure knows how to turn the tables!

The Minister of Works was fit to be tied. "Stop twisting this around! We’re discussing your matter right now!"

Meng Shuping stiffened. "Then don’t you change the subject! Are you afraid of being investigated?"

"I’m not exaggerating—the Ministry of Works is guaranteed to find something. The only question is how much they’ve embezzled. If he’s so confident, let him allow an investigation! Refusing to be investigated means he’s guilty!"

The Minister of Works’ face flushed red. "Without evidence, this is a false accusation!"

Before Meng Shuping could respond, Jiang Cihe spoke up. "Did Lord Shi have evidence when he impeached Vice Director Meng?"

Meng Shuping chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! When impeaching me, it was all baseless accusations. But when it’s his turn, he demands evidence and witnesses. Why is he so hypocritical? So principles don’t matter—only what benefits him?"

The Minister of Works was speechless. After a long pause, he blustered, "That’s not the same thing! I impeached Vice Director Meng because I genuinely heard he took bribes. But what Vice Director Meng said just now is a blatant lie! I know he’s angry because I impeached him, but that doesn’t give him the right to pin false charges on me!"

No wonder the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and Dong Lide all fell into this kid’s hands. He’s truly treacherous!

Meng Shuping was utterly speechless, "Emperor Qianyou, I too have indeed heard that Lord Shi embezzled funds. If you don’t believe me, let’s just investigate the Ministry of Works! I dare to stake my official position on it—the Ministry of Works definitely has issues. If the Ministry of Works turns out to be clean, then Your Majesty may dismiss me from my post!"

"Trying to one-up me in accusations? I’ll bury him with accusations! I can guarantee my innocence—can he guarantee his and the Ministry of Works’? If they truly have nothing to hide, then just investigate!"

"Hehe, if their books are really that flawless, then I’d be more than happy to lose my official position!"

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

Why hasn’t he given up on getting dismissed yet?

The court officials: "Whoa, whoa!"

Is the bet really that high? Vice Director Meng speaks with such conviction—does he actually have some evidence?

Some officials from the Ministry of Works felt a chill down their spines. Lord Shi too—why did he have to provoke Vice Director Meng? And now, the fire has spread to them?

Despite it being winter, the Minister of Works broke out in a cold sweat. He never expected Meng Shuping to go this far. Now he was caught in a dilemma: if Emperor Qianyou really investigated the Ministry of Works, many would be implicated. Even if he himself wasn’t found guilty, he’d still be faulted for lax supervision.

But if he admitted to acting out of personal spite, wouldn’t that directly imply he had something to hide?

Fortunately, Emperor Qianyou wasn’t planning to pursue the matter further for now. He said, "Enough, both of you need not argue any further. Beloved Minister."

The Minister of Works quickly responded, "Here."

Emperor Qianyou stared at him, "Do you still insist you weren’t acting out of personal spite?"

The Minister of Works felt both relieved and deeply aggrieved. But since Emperor Qianyou had made his stance clear, he couldn’t very well argue. So he plopped to his knees, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Emperor Qianyou snorted, "Considering your usual diligence in handling affairs, I will punish you with six months' pay deduction. Do you accept this?"

Meng Shuping, disappointed, muttered, "Tch, tch, tch, only six months? That’s too light! I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries again!"

The Minister of Works tried hard to ignore Meng Shuping’s grumbling and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Meng Shuping shook his head, "What’s there to thank? He’s being fined—I bet he’s cursing Your Majesty’s name under his breath!"