"Wonderful, wonderful! I never imagined physics to be so profound, containing the principles of heaven and earth. This booklet, as I see it, is not complete, and the practical aspects are veiled. Lord Chu is not being forthright enough," said Meng Yuan, the Minister of Works, stroking the booklet with continuous praise, yet with a hint of complaint.
"Haha, this study of physics is vast and profound. It's not that I'm unwilling to write it all down, but rather that time is insufficient. A booklet, a mere square inch of space, can hardly contain it all. If it were to be expanded, and I were to spend two or three years on it, I would certainly write it all out," Chu Chen said with a proud laugh.
The Empress looked at Chu Chen with astonishment. She hadn't expected this fellow Chu Chen to surprise her again. While physics might not contain cultivation methods, it held immense benefits for the nation and its people. The imperial examinations selected only a hundred or a thousand officials each year, yet the number of scholars in the land was vast. If those who failed to pass could earn a living through physics, wouldn't that be beneficial to the nation and its people? If everyone could be like Chu Chen, inventing things based on physics and increasing the national strength of the Yunyue Kingdom, wouldn't that be splendid?
With this thought, the Empress felt fortunate for her strong support of Chu Chen's proposal to implement new subjects in the imperial examinations. She then asked, "My esteemed ministers, does anyone still oppose the addition of physics to the imperial examinations and the appointment of Chu Chen as supervisor?"
Silence. What opposition could they possibly offer? The single subject of physics had rendered them speechless. Who knew what principles the subject of "National Language" held, or what lay within the seemingly agricultural subject? This had made all the civil and military officials, despite seeing familiar characters and some familiar subjects, lose their confidence.
Seeing no opposition, the Empress's decree was final: "Since there is no objection, Chu Chen, step forward to receive your appointment!"
"Your subject, Chu Chen, is here!" Chu Chen quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully and shouting.
"By imperial decree, Chu Chen is hereby promoted to the position of Second Minister of this dynasty. You shall wear the python robe and purple sash, with privileges equivalent to those of the Three Divisions establishing their own administrations. You are granted the Imperial Sword to oversee all officials. You may execute those below the third rank, and detain those above the third rank, bringing them before the court for my personal judgment."
"A department shall be established, known as the Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei). They shall be granted the privilege to monitor, detain, and investigate all officials. Those below the third rank may be detained to cooperate with investigations, and no dissent shall be tolerated!"
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard shall consist of three thousand men. The overall commander shall be known as the Commander-in-Chief, a position of the second rank. All other salaries and positions shall be arranged by you, recorded, and submitted to me and the Ministry of Revenue for review and approval."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard shall answer to you. You must ensure they are controlled and managed, and that they do not act arbitrarily!" The Empress said sternly at the end, warning Chu Chen.
Chu Chen's heart trembled, and he quickly shouted, "Your subject, Chu Chen, accepts the decree. I thank Your Majesty for your grace. I shall not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"
"???" The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Monitoring, detaining, and investigating officials? What in the world was this? Could one still be an official properly? Could one still eat, drink, play, and whore properly? Could one still happily embezzle and bully the weak? What was this contraption?
Qian Jieren, the Minister of Revenue, was the first to step forward, shouting, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not permissible, Your Majesty! You are alienating your ministers and trusting eunuchs; this is a path of national ruin! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"Your Majesty, this is contrary to propriety. In all previous dynasties, has anyone other than Your Majesty overseen the officials? We are all esteemed officials, why does Your Majesty not trust us so?" Minister of Rites, Wu Sheng, cried out in grief and indignation.
Even the military officials were getting restless. During wartime, having eunuchs as military supervisors was already annoying enough, and now another similar department? The Great General of Pacifying the State also stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty! Your subject opposes the establishment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
"Your Majesty, your subject also opposes!"
"Your subject too!"
"Your subject as well!"
At the scene, almost all officials, both civil and military, except for Chu Chen's faction, were in opposition. Even the Censorate Director was already eyeing the dragon pillars, preparing to offer his life in protest.
The Empress's face turned cold as she looked at these seemingly loyal ministers. The military officials were difficult to judge, but most of the civil officials present were not good people. They deceived superiors and misled inferiors, deceived the emperor and flattered themselves, bullied the weak and oppressed the common people, colluded with each other, engaged in corrupt practices and bribery, fawned and flattered, and sought undeserved fame. They had a plethora of flaws. If Chu Chen had not sent her a report of his investigations, the Empress would not have known that her esteemed ministers had degenerated to such a degree. With such officials, what future could the Yunyue Kingdom have? If it weren't for the fact that the imperial examinations had not yet been held and there weren't enough personnel to fill the positions, the Empress intended to have anyone present who dared to object torn apart by five horses and flayed alive to quell her anger! They received the emperor's salary and were tasked with serving the emperor, but what had these learned scholars, who had diligently studied the teachings of the sages, done?
The Empress remained silent, her gaze falling upon Chu Chen. Chu Chen understood instantly and shouted with all his might, "All of you, quiet down for this minister!" The powerful spiritual energy vibrated the ears of the civil officials, forcing them to cease their protests. Even more than half of the military officials could not withstand it, and they looked at Chu Chen in shock.
"Foundation Establishment realm? I didn't expect Lord Chu to have achieved Foundation Establishment so quietly. This is the strongest visible force in the Yunyue Kingdom. This old man is no better!" Great General of Pacifying the State, Wei Zi, exclaimed inwardly, his gaze towards Chu Chen becoming serious.
"I am tired. The remainder of the morning court shall be presided over by Second Minister Chu," the Empress said with a cold face, clenching her fists and suppressing her anger. With a flick of her hand, she uttered these words and left.
The ministers were stunned.
"Your Majesty! You cannot leave! Your subject opposes..." Wu Sheng still wanted to chatter, but before he could finish, Chu Chen grabbed him and covered his mouth. Wu Sheng, shocked, trembled violently, fearing he would suffocate, and frantically shook his head while grabbing Chu Chen's hand. Only after the Empress left did Chu Chen release his hand. Wu Sheng gasped for air, panting heavily. Chu Chen ignored him and smiled at the military officials, saying, "Esteemed military officials, you may leave the court early. This minister needs to discuss matters of the imperial examinations with the esteemed civil officials." Wei Zi nodded, waved his hand, and led the way out of the hall. The military officials exchanged glances and followed behind, leaving only the civil officials in the great hall.
"Chu Chen, how dare you do this?" the Vice Minister of Revenue sternly rebuked.
"This minister is now the Second Minister, holding a position of the first rank. How much higher is that than the Vice Minister? How much higher is it than you? Furthermore, which etiquette or law permits him to point at this minister?"
"You, you!" The Vice Minister of Revenue was speechless.
"Hmph, lacking respect and etiquette, you deserve a beating!"
"Yes!" As soon as Chu Chen finished speaking, a dark shadow darted in from outside the hall. With a series of slaps, the Vice Minister of Revenue received two blows to his face.
"Chu Chen! You dare to strike my subordinate? Who gave you the courage! And you dare to bring guards to court?" Wu Sheng was enraged, pointing at Chu Chen with trembling fingers.
"Are you deaf? I am now the Second Minister, a position of the first rank, far superior to the Vice Minister and to you. Moreover, which etiquette or law allows him to point at this minister?"
"This minister is the Second Minister. Before a full minister is appointed, this minister is the head of the civil officials, your leader, and presides over the court. If he dares to show disrespect to this minister, why can't this minister strike him?"
"Is he not a subject of His Majesty the Yunyue Kingdom? Is he not this minister's subordinate?"