Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1067 - 116: Are the Common People More Important, or the Scholarly Families? (Part 2)

Zheng Qian listened attentively while Zhao Yao shared his thoughts on "Benevolent Governance." "Master, is governing the world just with benevolence sufficient?" he countered. "Does the Emperor depend only on benevolent governance? Why doesn't the Emperor apply 'benevolence' against those aristocratic families?"

Zhao Yao fell silent briefly after hearing this, then admitted: "Governing the world purely by 'benevolence' isn't sufficient."

Zheng Qian followed up: "Master, apart from benevolent governance, what else does the Emperor use to control the world?"

Zhao Yao answered: "Legal governance."

"Master, these days the Emperor employs not just Confucianism's 'benevolence' to rule the world, but also the School of Legalism's 'law' for administration."

Zhao Yao nodded, concurring with Zheng Qian's words, "Indeed, but how does this connect to Fourth Brother?"

"Master, you've always scorned Confucianism's morals, yet Prince Chu differs from you."

Zhao Yao inquired puzzledly: "In what way does he differ?"

"Prince Chu has been profoundly shaped by the Li Family, viewing Confucianism as his core guide." Zheng Qian shares disdain for Confucianism too, yet he doesn't elevate Legalism above all. "Master, this marks the greatest distinction between Prince Chu and yourself."

Zhao Yao grasped Zheng Qian's intent at last. Yet, merely for this reason, should the Emperor and Grand Commandant Zheng so readily discard Fourth Brother?

"Confucianism's methods aren't entirely without merit. Today, the Emperor's policies largely draw from Confucian benevolence, letting common folk enjoy stability and growing prosperity, with lives improving steadily."

"Then why can't Fourth Brother keep advancing Confucian benevolent governance?"

"Master, right after the realm stabilized, everything lay in devastation and the people endured great hardship, so benevolent governance was essential then. But Great Zhou has evolved beyond its founding days, and blind benevolent governance no longer fits." Zheng Qian pressed on, "Furthermore, aristocratic families linger uneradicated, still endangering realm and people alike. Prince Chu possesses righteousness, yet lacks a ruthless resolve."

"A ruthless heart?"

"Master, recall how the Emperor crushed those Yangzhou families—were his tactics ruthless?"

"To me, hardly ruthless." Zhao Yao believed those Yangzhou families earned their doom.

"Still, to countless eyes, including many court ministers, the Emperor's actions seemed brutally excessive." Zheng Qian gazed at Zhao Yao, questioning, "Master, placed in that position, would you mirror the Emperor's deeds?"

Without pause, Zhao Yao affirmed: "Absolutely."

"Should ministers beg repeatedly for mercy, warning that wiping out the Yangzhou families would terrify every aristocratic family across the realm, would you relent and spare them fully?"

"Never." The Yangzhou families demanded total annihilation, lest they resurgence and threaten realm and people anew. Besides, the Emperor aimed to cow all aristocratic families into submission.

"Would Prince Chu resolutely destroy them utterly?"

This query left Zhao Yao speechless. He realized Fourth Brother's nature wouldn't spare grown men from those Yangzhou families, but he'd surely pity women and children. Amid persistent ministerial pleas, Fourth Brother might well grant clemency for redemption.

"Master, His Highness Prince Chu lacks the resolve for complete eradication," Zheng Qian declared firmly. "Previously, when tasked with quelling Shu rebels, His Highness Prince Chu failed to eliminate them entirely, even interceding to spare their lives from the Emperor."

"Fourth Brother believed not every Han family member deserved utter condemnation. Some had long embedded in Shu, so retaining certain Han members could secure the region's calm." Zhao Yao stood up for Prince Chu, "The Emperor never planned their total demise anyway. Fourth Brother discerned this intent, hence his plea. You can't fault Fourth Brother here; his actions were justified."

"Master, would you have interceded for the Han family?"

Zhao Yao paused briefly before responding: "No, I wouldn't permit the Han family to remain in Shu."

Zheng Qian showed no astonishment at Zhao Yao's reply.

"My refusal doesn't prove me correct."

"Master, deep down you know Shu faces future unrest."

"That's uncertain." Zhao Yao voiced doubt, though inwardly he concurred. "Father's acceptance of Fourth Brother's request signals approval for him."

"Master, the Emperor permitted the Han family's continuance in Shu management not merely due to Prince Chu's plea, but for profounder motives."

"What profound motive? Better to soothe than suppress." Zhao Yao explained, "Soothing prevents more bloodshed and comforts Shu's populace."

"Master, I journeyed to Shu and resided there awhile. Shu appears tranquil now, folk content, Han family subdued and dutifully governing, yet rebellion looms inevitable." Accustomed to imperial-like dominion in Shu with vast power and riches, how could the Han family endure subordination, scrutiny, and petty posts?

"Master, the Emperor reserved Shu for you."

Stunned, Zhao Yao echoed: "For me?"

"Upon enthronement, a new emperor needs swift authority, and Shu offers the fastest path," Zheng Qian asserted assuredly, "this underlies the Emperor's consent to Prince Chu's plea."

Zhao Yao rejected it outright: "Impossible." The Shu suppression occurred years past; how could Father foresee this? "I concede Father might leave Shu for the new emperor's prestige, but not specifically for me. Later, Fourth Brother could claim the throne and crush Shu's revolt decisively, withholding mercy from the Han family next time."

Zheng Qian shifted away from debating Shu with Zhao Yao, introducing fresh grounds.

"Master, Prince Chu and you diverge sharply in another key aspect: his mother's kin are the scholarly Li Family. Yours are merchants."

"And what's the issue there?"

"Master, your maternal line, tracing three generations back, were farmers, correct?"

"Correct."

"During the prior dynasty's turmoil, your maternal Liang family exhausted riches, lands, and stores to succor the masses, whereas the Li family withdrew to remote hills and woods for study, aloof from worldly chaos and folk suffering." Zheng Qian grew gravely earnest, "Master, Prince Chu values the people, yet scholarly lineage weighs heavier in his soul. Faced with people versus scholars, Prince Chu instinctively favors the latter."

Zheng Qian's closing words silenced Zhao Yao's rebuttal.

"Master, this explains the Emperor and my father's selection of you over His Highness Prince Chu." Truthfully, across numerous fields His Highness Prince Chu lags far behind Master, especially in these two crucial ways.