binnovel Chapter 380 Recruitment
Chapter 380 Recruitment
Chapter 380 Recruiting
This awkward scene caused everyone's expressions to change, and then all eyes turned to Ye Ru.
"Why don't you kneel?"
The Emperor of Yanhuang Kingdom also saw Ye Ru. He turned his head and asked with a smile, though his face looked somewhat unpleasant.
After all, he was the ruler of a country, and Ye Ru had offended him in front of so many people, so he was naturally not happy.
"Your Majesty, I believe that a man's knees are worth more than gold; he should only kneel to heaven, earth, and his parents, not to this kind of etiquette."
After a moment's hesitation, Ye Ru spoke slowly.
These words caused quite a stir, and some of the old scholars even glared at them with a fierce look. Kneeling before the emperor was a very important ceremony, and Ye Ru's actions were undoubtedly a violation of these etiquettes.
"Chief Ye, this is a breach of etiquette, an act of utter disrespect!"
Finally, after a while, an academician stood up, pointed at Ye Ru, and said in a trembling voice, his face filled with extreme anger.
“I did not mean that. Propriety is the foundation of a nation. I have been taught by Confucius and naturally understand propriety. However, I would not do anything improper. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”
Ye Ru bowed to the Emperor of Yanhuang Kingdom and said apologetically.
His thoughts are rooted in his past life, yet he has been influenced by modern education; naturally, he would never kneel before someone he has no connection with.
"Alright, Chief Ye has done a great favor for the Yanhuang Kingdom, so he can be exempted from kneeling."
The Emperor of Yanhuang Kingdom nodded and then spoke.
He knew Ye Ru's talent and learning. If he forced Ye Ru to kneel, it would inevitably cause the other party's dissatisfaction. As the ruler of a country, he knew the art of managing his ministers.
As time passed, civil and military officials gradually gathered at the Star-Picking Tower. Upon the Emperor's arrival, everyone suppressed their previous thoughts, and their expressions became serious.
"Your Majesty, General Chen is so audacious as to threaten civil and military officials here. You must punish him severely."
After the matter with Ye Ru was resolved, the official surnamed Kang showed some grievance on his face, and then quickly knelt down and said.
"Lord Kang, you are mistaken. General Chen has rendered meritorious service in guarding the northern border and has maintained the first place in the defense of the four borders. What is wrong with holding a banquet to celebrate General Chen's victory?"
A soldier in armor stepped forward and said sternly.
“That’s right. Lord Chen has made great contributions. Why shouldn’t His Majesty host a banquet for him? I think it’s only right.”
However, at this moment, a voice came, and then a person walked out from the crowd. He looked at Chen Tianjian, but his smile was a little cold.
"Ah, Your Excellency, the Left Prime Minister."
At this moment, countless people saw the Left Prime Minister's expression change, and then they whispered.
Ye Ru did not look at the Left Prime Minister, but instead looked at the Emperor. The Emperor's face was not very good. Since ancient times, those with great merit have threatened the emperor, especially Chen Tianjian, who held a large army and was the center of the Northern Territory. Moreover, the Northern Territory was very close to the capital, so it was natural for him to be suspected by the emperor.
Examples include Zhu Yuanzhang's "releasing military power over a cup of wine," and countless others.
With the arrival of the Left Prime Minister, the atmosphere here suddenly became much more subtle.
Lord Kang's expression also changed slightly.
"Alright, gentlemen, let's stop arguing for now. His Majesty has hosted this banquet for three reasons: first, to welcome Ye Ru back; second, to celebrate Lord Chen's return; and third, to honor the hundreds of thousands of heroic souls who died in the Jin Kingdom."
At this moment, Wen Xiang stepped forward, picked up the pot of wine, and said with a smile.
He also knew that his achievements were too great and would threaten the master, so he put the purpose of this banquet, which was specially for Chen Tianjian, last. This made it seem natural.
"Lord Wenxiang is right. Lord Chen is not interested in fame or fortune. I think Lord Chen should have no objections to this banquet, right?"
The Emperor of Yanhuang Kingdom pondered for a moment, knowing that he had to give Chen Tianjian a way out, and then said.
“Your Majesty, I am old and naturally do not care about these banquets. However, I have one request: that Your Majesty allow me to continue fighting the enemy.”
Chen Tianjian nodded, then knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in a fist salute.
He was only focused on killing the enemy and protecting the country; as for playing power games, he neither knew how to do them nor cared about doing them.
"Lord Chen's loyalty to the country is worthy of emulation by all Chinese scholars. Now, please take your seats at the banquet."
The Emperor of Yanhuang sighed. He knew all too well that there were loyal and treacherous officials in the court, and he wanted to eliminate the treacherous ones. However, the entire country was like a machine, and removing the Left Prime Minister would probably paralyze the entire court.
"Yes."
As the words fell, the officials took their seats and began to talk amongst themselves.
Moreover, the factions here are divided into three: the Left Chancellor, the Civil Chancellor, and the Military Chancellor.
"Please have a seat, Chief Ye."
The Left Prime Minister pondered for a moment, then stretched out his palm, pointed to a seat next to him, smiled slightly, and said again, "This seat is not so easy to sit in. You can sit here."
These words caused many people's expressions to change, and even the Emperor of Yanhuang Kingdom frowned.
He knew what the Left Prime Minister's purpose was. These words were clearly meant to get Ye Ru into the Left Prime Minister's faction and then vigorously cultivate him. However, the Left Prime Minister held immense power and had renowned scholars and eclecticists as his backers. Therefore, he was helpless in the face of the Left Prime Minister's renewed recruitment.
Everyone around Ye Ru was watching. The official Kang stood up and said to Ye Ru, "Chief Ye, I apologize for my previous offense. I hope you will forgive me. The Left Prime Minister values talent, so I hope you will be sensible."
The civil and military prime ministers narrowed their eyes, a hint of coldness in them. This Kang Zhong was the descendant of a loyal and virtuous family, but unfortunately, in this generation, the family had fallen into decline, and he had shamelessly pledged allegiance to the left prime minister.
"Your Excellency, this..."
One of them lowered his head and spoke slowly to the Prime Minister, but before he could finish, he was interrupted: "Don't worry, I know what kind of person Ye Ru is. It's a pity that such a good position as the Left Prime Minister is wasted."
The soft laughter calmed some people's hearts.
Surrounded by onlookers, Ye Ru slightly raised his head, turned his gaze toward the Left Prime Minister, and finally stepped toward him.
"No way... does Ye Ru intend to pledge allegiance to the Left Prime Minister?"
"I knew it. Ye Ru is young and unwilling to work hard. There is a shortcut to success. Why should we let it go? We really overestimate him."
Seeing Ye Ru walk towards the direction of the Left Prime Minister, many people whispered among themselves.
The Left Prime Minister watched Ye Ru walk towards him with a smile, it seemed that the other party could not resist the temptation of power.
Taking three steps forward and stopping, Ye Ru bowed to the Left Prime Minister and said:
"I appreciate your kindness, Prime Minister, but unfortunately, my ambition lies elsewhere. Moreover, whether I follow you or stand by His Majesty's side, it is all for the purpose of protecting the entire Yanhuang Kingdom. I'm sure you have no objection to that, sir?"
Upon hearing this, the Left Prime Minister's smile slowly faded, but Ye Ru's next words made his face turn completely cold:
"So... I refuse."