After me, only Shen can hold the chancellorship and keep the court steady!!
"Kou Fu'an."
The tide of upright officials was about to ebb, and Wei Zi was still stepping out of the ranks...
Yet just then, at the head of the civil officials, Shen Duan stepped forward with his court tablet in hand, his gaze cold.
Kou Yuan was overjoyed!!
Shen Duan, my ally.
If he steps forward now, he must mean to help me!
His heart settled at once. With a light laugh, Kou Yuan greeted him. "Chancellor Shen, do you also have a memorial to present alongside mine..."
"Kou Fu'an!" Shen Duan did not look at him, but barked instead, "Have you made enough of a scene?!"
Kou Yuan's smile froze abruptly on his face, as though sealed beneath frost and snow, unable to thaw.
Shen Duan raised his voice again. "Three men fanned the flames of the unrest at Zhang Family Market. Whose agents were they? Have you ever investigated?
"You leave that unexamined and rush to impeach Zhou Quan instead. What is your intent?
"Land Clearance is imperial policy, laid down in an Imperial Decree!"
"When you say 'halt Land Clearance,' do you mean to halt an Imperial Decree? Or are you begrudging the Ministry of Revenue its silver?!!"
"As for Wei Nisheng, His Majesty reviewed his Strategy for Pacifying the Rong, and the Heir Apparent read it aloud himself.
"If you wish to impeach him, do you mean to impeach His Majesty's sound judgment and the Heir Apparent's trust in him as well?!"
His voice thundered through the hall, draining the color from every face.
That final question was nothing less than a blade laid against the neck!
"Kou Fu'an, is this stream of upright officials you speak of a stream of clear