Chapter 7: The Honest Man "Chu Mu" Is About to Speak Up

Shen Zhao followed the civil and military officials into the grand hall.

This was her first time entering the Golden Throne Hall.

She glanced around; the emperor had not yet arrived, and the atmosphere was lively.

Groups of ministers leaned together, whispering in low voices.

Suddenly, someone jabbed her.

It was a real jab—the person used his elbow to dig hard into her chest.

A heavy blow.

“General Chu, no matter what, you must make a statement today. We are all military men, fighting for our interests. Don’t repeat yesterday’s morning court, where you didn’t utter a single word.

We martial men aren’t as glib as those civil ministers, and if you keep silent, all the treasury’s silver will end up in their pockets.

Today they’re building a poetry academy, tomorrow a study hall, reciting sour verses and seeking pleasures everywhere. Even if you don’t think for yourself, you should consider the soldiers under you.”

Shen Zhao glanced at the speaker—the third son of the Marquis of National Defense, Xie Yuheng.

At fourteen, he’d secretly joined the border army and, after five years, made a name for himself.

He should have stayed at the frontier, but the old marquis wept and pleaded for his return to the capital before the late emperor.

Now, he held a mid-level military post in the capital’s garrison, enough only for him to attend the morning court—another special arrangement by the marquis through the emperor.

Shen Zhao replied with a low “hmm.”

Xie Yuheng saw Chu Mu’s half-dead, apathetic response again.

He knew there was no hope today.

The old man had feigned illness to avoid court, and both brothers had taken sick leave to stay home.

Of the notable military commanders in court, one was stationed at the border, another was driving out pirates on the eastern sea, and the only one left was the taciturn, reticent General Chu before him.

It seemed their hope for increased military funding or winter coats for the capital’s soldiers was dashed.

They’d have to make do with last year’s stiff cotton uniforms again.

The soldiers left in the capital suffered most.

Whoever said life was sweet under the Son of Heaven’s feet deserved a beating.

The emperor and his ministers saw them drilling day after day in camp, not fighting on the battlefield, and wished they could be self-sufficient—some even cut their meals from three to two a day.

Their monthly pay was pitiful compared to the other two armies, not even half as much.

After sending some home, there was nothing left for themselves—a real headache.

“The Emperor arrives...”

At the hoarse cry of the herald, the ministers all knelt.

A chorus rang out: “We humbly welcome Your Majesty.”

Shen Zhao imitated those around her.

To avoid any mistakes, she behaved as properly as possible, keeping silent whenever she could.

After all, Chu Mu was known for his taciturn nature.

Still, Shen Zhao stole a glance at the emperor.

She had last seen him five years ago; now, there was a touch of age in his features.

Perhaps he had grown older, for he seemed much more serene.

No trace revealed that this was the man who claimed the throne after killing six princes.

A minister stepped forward, reciting some ornate phrases, then cut to the chase.

“Your Majesty, I believe the salaries of soldiers in the capital should be reduced.

First, there are no pressing wars now, no need for them to take the field. Besides training, they can be self-sufficient.

Second, this year’s harvest was poor; Your Majesty mercifully reduced taxes, leaving the treasury strained. I urge Your Majesty to prioritize and reduce the capital garrison’s pay.”

Shen Zhao frowned at these words.

She knew the court had just allocated funds to build a new poetry academy outside the city.

There was money for pleasure, but not for soldiers’ salaries—what logic was this?

Xie Yuheng could no longer hold back.

He stepped out in haste and said, “Your Majesty, the military pay simply cannot be cut further. The soldiers rely on it to live, and their families depend on them.

Any further reductions will truly chill the soldiers’ hearts.”

A civil minister stepped forward: “Young General Xie, you are mistaken. How could His Majesty chill the soldiers’ hearts?

At the start of last month, the court allocated a hundred thousand taels to reward the border troops; at the end of the month, another hundred thousand to those who repelled pirates at sea.

Meanwhile, the capital’s soldiers are idle, enjoying themselves in the camps. If the court continues to support such useless men, it is the other two armies who will be disheartened. I second the proposal to reduce the capital garrison’s pay.”

“I second the motion.”

“I second the motion.”

One after another, voices echoed.

Those speaking were all from the Crown Prince’s and Third Prince’s factions.

Shen Zhao mused—just how unpopular was Chu Mu, that the only two princes left in the capital could agree on suppressing him?

Xie Yuheng, sweating from anxiety, shot desperate glances at Shen Zhao.

Now, he no longer hoped for funds to make winter coats—he just wanted to keep the soldiers from starving.

No, from half-starving.

Seeing Shen Zhao stand there like a wooden post, unmoved, he nearly wanted to kick him.

Just as he decided to risk it all and confront the literary officials, a voice rang out.

“I object.”

Shen Zhao stepped forward.

Her father and brothers were all military men, and the man who’d first spoken was her enemy.

That man, the Crown Prince’s tutor, Pang Qingyun, was the one responsible for her family’s exile.

Back then, her father refused to take sides and was framed by the Crown Prince’s faction.

Now, Chu Mu also refused to choose a side and was being suppressed in the capital by both the Crown Prince’s and Third Prince’s men.

Everyone was stunned—no one expected the usually silent General Chu, never one to speak in court unless called upon, to rise in protest.

No matter what the ministers said earlier, the old emperor hadn’t budged.

But seeing Chu Mu step forward to object, he became energized.

“Beloved Minister Chu, why do you object?” the emperor asked.

Shen Zhao bowed deeply, her manner reverent.

“Because someone is bullying me, Your Majesty—doing their business right over my head. Naturally, I must object.”

“Who dares do their business over your head?” the emperor asked, intrigued.

He simply wanted to see what this silent gourd might say.

Shen Zhao extended her hand. “Him, him, him, and him...”

She pointed out Pang Qingyun and the ministers who’d seconded the proposal.

“They’re bullying me.”

Pang Qingyun immediately responded, “General Chu, when have we bullied you? This reduction in the capital garrison’s pay is for the good of the people.”

“Lies! You’re taking advantage because I keep quiet. You call yourself a scholar, always speaking of virtue and morality, but I’ve never seen you do anything for the common people.”

“Last time, it was you who proposed reducing the soldiers’ three meals to two, claiming the silver saved would benefit the country and the people, wasn’t it?”

Chu Mu was always regarded as a man of few words, never one to argue, let alone speak at such length.

Most assumed he’d only spoken so much because he’d been pushed too far, and that he wouldn’t have more to say.

Pang Qingyun looked at the emperor, heartbroken.

“Your Majesty, General Chu is slandering your loyal subject. I am a scholar—when have I endured such humiliation as being called a liar? My heart is wholly devoted to the people, yet General Chu questions my care for them—how is this justified?

It was for the people’s benefit that I proposed the capital’s soldiers be self-sufficient, so the savings could be used for public welfare. General Chu, you should care for the people as a general, not place your own interests above theirs, plunging the populace into hardship. Reducing your soldiers’ pay isn’t to bully you, but to bring you honor among the people. How can you so twist our good intentions?”

Shen Zhao gave Pang Qingyun a meaningful smile—the old fox still mistook her for the blockhead Chu Mu.

With a thud, she knelt before the emperor, pinched her thigh hard, and began to sob, tears and snot streaming down her face...