"Your Majesty, if those people find out about the abolition of fiefdoms, I fear there will be great chaos!"

Zhao Liting said solemnly.

This was no joke. Imagine a person's greatest expectation being taken away. What would he do?

It might even affect Jiang Chen's throne!

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, "I know, but I want them to know."

Zhao Liting's eyes widened, and then his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Your Majesty means... is to flush out the snakes?"

Jiang Chen glanced at Zhao Liting appreciatively, then said coldly, "That's right. I want to see just how many people are involved in the matter of bestowing kingships!"

Zhao Liting trembled all over. He completely understood Jiang Chen's intention.

After these people realized Jiang Chen's meaning, they would definitely take action.

And Jiang Chen wanted these people to take action and then wipe them out in one fell swoop!

This idea was undeniably bold.

Because Jiang Chen was using himself as a bet!

If he won, those people would be swept away.

But if he lost, not only would his throne be in jeopardy, but whether he could even save his life was another matter!

For a moment, Zhao Liting was shocked by Jiang Chen's courage.

Jiang Chen looked indifferent.

Of course, he had a certain degree of confidence in doing so.

The root of it lay in the fact that the several military forces of the Great Wei were now under his control.

Externally, the Northern Army Camp, the Western Army Camp, the Southern Army Camp, and the Jiangnan Army Camp were all in his hands.

Internally, the Capital Army Camp was also loyal to him.

These already accounted for all the fighting forces of the entire Great Wei.

Even if someone rebelled, with the strength of these forces, they could be quickly suppressed.

So it was basically impossible to stir up great waves.

The only way was to secretly attack him.

But Jiang Chen also had secret guards protecting him!

It could be said that almost none of the opponent's methods could have any effect on Jiang Chen.

In this way, Jiang Chen was almost invincible.

What did he dare not bet on?

The next morning at the imperial court, after the officials finished their routine reports, Jiang Chen said with a smile, "The day before yesterday, I received a memorial from Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites, suggesting that I bestow fiefdoms to the princes as soon as possible. What do you think, gentlemen?"

As soon as Jiang Chen's words fell, there was a sound of discussion in the hall.

Some faces were filled with joy, some were solemn, and some were full of surprise.

Minister of Personnel Yang Yongqi stood up at this time and said, "Your Majesty, I think what Minister Zhao said is very true, and this matter should be prepared as soon as possible."

As the Minister of Personnel, he was very clear about the thoughts of these officials in the court.

The officials who agreed with this matter were basically selfless.

And the officials who disagreed were basically ulterior motives.

These people often had a close relationship with one of the five princes.

The reason they disagreed was very simple. Although Jiang Chen had already established a crown prince, it had only been less than two months.

Throughout the dynasties, there were countless cases of crown princes dying young.

And once the crown prince died young, in the absence of a嫡子 (dí zǐ – son of the first wife), the other princes would have a chance.

They were waiting for this illusory opportunity.

Of course, it was normal for officials to think this way.

The most terrifying were those officials who couldn't wait for the crown prince to die and created the incident!

This was not uncommon in past dynasties.

Yang Yongqi had experienced three reigns of the Great Wei Dynasty, and he was naturally clear about the thoughts of these officials.

As long as the princes were granted fiefdoms, the "evil thoughts" in the hearts of some officials would naturally be dispelled.

With Yang Yongqi taking the lead, many officials also came out to express their approval of Minister Zhao Liting's proposal.

As more and more people agreed, some officials finally couldn't help it.

Ma Wenqi, the Director of the Department of Provisions in the Ministry of Rites, came out and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I think what Minister Zhao said is inappropriate!"

As soon as Ma Wenqi spoke, all the officials looked at him with extremely strange eyes.

The Department of Provisions belonged to the Ministry of Rites, which meant that Ma Wenqi was Zhao Liting's subordinate.

It was a bit interesting for a subordinate to oppose his superior's proposal.

Of course, this was not the strangest thing.

The most strange thing for the officials was that the Department of Provisions managed by Ma Wenqi was a department responsible for managing banquets, sacrifices, and other affairs.

In other words, it was a job to arrange banquets for various large occasions.

Although he could make money, in the final analysis, he was just a caterer!

It was extremely strange that such a character, who was usually ignored unless he spoke, would stand up to oppose a matter proposed by the Minister of Rites and agreed by the Minister of Personnel.

Jiang Chen didn't find it strange.

After making the decision to publicize this matter, he knew that many people would not be able to sit still.

Ma Wenqi was just one of them.

Jiang Chen said lightly, "Where is it inappropriate?"

Although Ma Wenqi usually dealt with food, his mind was not muddled.

He did not express his opposition from other aspects, but simply said, "I believe that the princes are still in their infancy and cannot yet eat. The matter of bestowing kingships should be discussed at least after the princes can speak."

As soon as Ma Wenqi finished speaking, Wen Youwei, the Director of the Department of Sacrifices, also stood up to express his opposition.

His reason was very unpleasant.

"Your Majesty, I believe that many princes have died young throughout the dynasties. Giving them titles before they grow up will easily incur the wrath of the heavens."

"If any prince dies as a result, it will be our fault as officials."

As soon as Wen Youwei's words fell, the hall was instantly silent.

Because these words seemed disrespectful, but in fact, they were aimed at Zhao Liting!

Zhao Liting was the first to propose the matter of bestowing kingships to the princes. According to Wen Youwei's meaning, if something happened to the princes after being granted kingships, it would be Zhao Liting's problem!

This was already a tearing of faces!

Because Wen Youwei, like Ma Wenqi, was also Zhao Liting's subordinate.

Zhao Liting was covered in sweat, and he also heard the vicious intention in Wen Youwei's words.

Jiang Chen glanced at Zhao Liting meaningfully.

Although Zhao Liting had been the Minister of Rites for some time, it was clear that many of his subordinates were not convinced.

Vice Minister of Rites Yang Xian stood up at this time, glared at Wen Youwei, and shouted, "Wen Youwei, what do you mean by this? Are you cursing the princes?"

Yang Xian was promoted after Zhao Liting took office as Minister of Rites, so he naturally stood on Zhao Liting's side.

Jiang Chen's face also turned cold at this time.

"Wen Youwei is disrespectful, eighty strokes of the staff! Demoted to Principal Clerk!"

Shi Ping immediately brought people in to drag Wen Youwei down for punishment.

In normal times, officials would definitely stand up to intercede.

But today, no one interceded.

Because Wen Youwei's words were really too unpleasant.

Although he was attacking Zhao Liting, the implication was that something would definitely happen to the princes.

Cursing the princes in front of His Majesty, he deserved to be beaten to death!

Although Wen Youwei was dragged out for punishment, the officials who opposed the bestowing of kingships did not back down.

Minister of Works Wei Zhengli stood up at this time and said, "Your Majesty, I also oppose the matter of bestowing kingships proposed by Minister Zhao!"