Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 712 Tearing Off the Fig Leaf

Now, not only Songgotu, but everyone's face turned grim. Yes, this included the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi, who had been hesitant to make a decision and was watching his ministers bickering among themselves.

Perhaps he was indeed unwilling to abandon his people, but his refusal to defy public opinion and issue an edict announcing that the court had predicted a natural disaster and ordering people near the capital to seek refuge in open areas shows that, in Kangxi's heart, those people were not that important, not important enough for Kangxi to forcefully suppress all dissenting voices.

Sainchahun's "nonsense" was like a slap in the face to Kangxi and all his ministers.

Cheng Rui stared blankly at his younger brother. It turned out that Saiyinchahun really wasn't fooling around this time. But how did he come up with such a mischievous idea?

Emperor Kangxi cleared his throat and ordered, "Alright, Saiyinchahun, I understand what you mean. Quickly remove these charcoal braziers."

The Imperial Study is now like a giant furnace, unbearably hot. Although Emperor Kangxi is young and strong, not all of his ministers are young and healthy. It would be a real joke if they died of heatstroke in the Imperial Study.

Saiyinchahun smiled and refused, saying, "After the natural disaster, who knows how many people will lose their lives? The flames that these people burned at the cost of their lives should be felt by Father Emperor and the other officials."

Saiyinchahun deliberately added the words "good" to the sentence, as if afraid that others would not notice his sarcastic tone.

Sainchahun completely ignored the ugly expressions on everyone's faces; he was determined to tear off this fig leaf.

Anyway, he's still a child and doesn't understand those unspoken rules for maintaining appearances. The facts are what they are, so don't try to find a high-sounding excuse for yourself.

Cheng Rui tried hard to suppress his laughter and mentally gave Saiyinchahun a thumbs up. However, his joy turned to sorrow when he inadvertently met his father's threatening gaze and froze instantly.

But Cheng Rui held firm, and despite his father's gesture, he still shrugged, seemingly powerless, indicating his inability to help. Even if Saiyinchahun was very likely to give him that favor, why should he?

He didn't want to embarrass Saiyinchahun, nor did he want to suffer Saiyinchahun's resentment afterward. Unless... it all depended on what his father chose.

Kangxi suddenly realized that Ji Nai had been very prescient. Children really shouldn't be spoiled too much. If he had known, he wouldn't have secretly assigned the role of the strict father to Ji Nai, which had spoiled the two children so much that they weren't afraid of him at all.

Of course, Kangxi could not admit that he actually harbored a tiny bit of pride.

If only Saiyinchahun's attacks hadn't been so widespread, and if he hadn't been among those who had caused such disgrace, Kangxi would have been very pleased to see these annoying officials suffer.

Regardless of the mixed feelings in his heart, on the surface, Kangxi gave Chengrui a cold look, indicating that he must resolve this matter, or else he would not hesitate to take drastic measures.

Cheng Rui shuddered, but still backed down and tried to smooth things over, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about! Father Emperor once said that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. How could we treat the people who are the foundation of our Great Qing as waste materials?"

The ongoing debate is simply an attempt to find a suitable solution that minimizes the losses suffered by the people while simultaneously calming their anxieties and preventing malicious individuals from causing trouble.

"Really?" Saiyinchahun's eyes clearly said, "You're kidding me!"

“Naturally, the people living near the capital are close to the imperial city. If the court can save them but doesn’t, wouldn’t that be a slap in my face?”

In any case, Kangxi did not admit that he wanted to abandon the people; those who said such nonsense were his ministers, and it had nothing to do with him.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" a courtier exclaimed. How could a decision be made so hastily because of the prince's recklessness!

Even now, there are still people who dare to court death. Cheng Rui couldn't help but take a step back, his face showing reluctance, which puzzled the ministers around him.

While no one was paying attention, Kangxi leaned back slightly.

Sainchahun grinned, moved the charcoal braziers closest to his father back, and even personally placed one of them at the feet of the minister who had just spoken up to stop him.

"Brother..."

The other person was so overwhelmed by the heat that they tried to back away, but Saiyinchahun grabbed their clothes.

"My lord, rest assured, I have made the decision. I will bestow all the charcoal from my allowance this year upon you. Rest assured, I will ensure you have charcoal available throughout the entire summer."

Having said that, ignoring the other party's angry but speechless expression, she turned to her father and said, "Judging from this official's appearance, he seems reluctant to use him. This won't do. Father, please send someone to keep an eye on him and make sure he..."

"Alright, Sainchahun, stop fooling around." Kangxi rubbed his temples, his head aching, and it took him a lot of effort to control the corners of his mouth that were involuntarily turning up.

Sainchahun lowered his head in dissatisfaction and said in a low voice that was loud enough for those around him to hear, "If Father Emperor doesn't agree, then Grandmother Emperor will do. I'll ask her to issue an imperial decree."

The group couldn't help but gasp, then looked sympathetically at their quick-tongued colleague, while also feeling fortunate that he had stepped in to defend them—better to sacrifice a friend than oneself.

The man looked at the Emperor with pleading eyes, hoping that Kangxi would reprimand Prince Saiyinchahun and stand up for him. However, upon seeing the Emperor's helpless yet indulgent expression, he despaired. Already feeling dizzy from the heat, he swayed uncontrollably.

Cheng Rui realized something was wrong, fearing the other person might faint, which would put the blame on Saiyinchahun. He quickly tried to cover it up:

“Sainchahun, don’t be ridiculous. What this lord means is… he clearly means that natural disasters are unpredictable and may come at any moment. Therefore, we cannot delay any longer and must make a plan to save people as soon as possible.”

"Is that so?" Saiyinchahun tilted his head to look at the person whose face was flushed.

The minister, still in a state of confusion, did not react for a moment until his close colleagues pleaded for him. Only then did he realize that Prince Chengrui was helping him, and he hurriedly nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."

"Oh, okay, what about the others?"

The leading minister said, "We are all naturally concerned about the people. I wonder if Your Highness could move the charcoal brazier out? Otherwise... it's too hot and not conducive to thinking. We still need to work with His Majesty to draft the plan."

Sainchahun gave a big smile. "No problem."

This time, it wasn't just Saiyinchahun huffing and puffing as he worked; Liang Jiugong directly instructed the palace servants to move the charcoal brazier away. As soon as the heat source disappeared, all the masters and servants in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.