After nearly everyone had left, Wisdom Shield stayed behind.
Once the others were gone, Wisdom Shield hurried up to Chen Cheng. He dispensed with formalities, caught Chen Cheng by the sleeve, and said:
"Why did you bring this up now? Do you have any idea how much of an impact your words will have once they spread?
"Don't forget, those kingdoms are still standing, and the cancer that is the Church hasn't been cut out yet."
Chen Cheng took no offense at Wisdom Shield's questioning tone. He smiled and explained:
"I've told you why. I'm no great saint willing to work like an ox or a horse for everyone under heaven. But I'm not so shameless that I'd use your loyalty to satisfy my own desires, either.
"And since this concerns the country's future form of government, of course I had to raise it beforehand and give everyone time to think.
"Besides, I took your feelings into account, didn't I? I haven't abolished the emperor."
Wisdom Shield spoke anxiously:
"No. Absolutely not. Do you remember the plans you laid out for Holmes and me? At the very least, you have to follow those. You can't just wash your hands of everything."
Of course Chen Cheng remembered what he had said to sway Holmes back then. It had been a constitutional monarchy too, except that the monarch in that version gave up political power while retaining military power, which he could then use to influence Parliament.
In plain terms, it was a military government.
"Wouldn't that be taking off my pants just to fart? I'd still have to keep working like an ox or a horse for everyone under heaven."
Chen Cheng was getting worked up.
Wisdom Shield shook his head.
"No. I can guess what you're thinking. You want to