Chapter 22: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

“Sir Bai, is this the kind of celebration His Majesty intends for the Moon Worship Festival? Such vulgarity and disgrace—how shameful! As the organizer of this festival, why did you not try to dissuade him?”

“Even if you couldn’t dissuade him, you should have informed me!”

Ouyang Yu’s fingers trembled with anger as he spoke.

He had initially thought the emperor’s reckless whims were merely extravagant displays.

It didn’t matter much; after all, the Great Zhou was the strongest empire in the world, and this was the new emperor’s first time hosting the Moon Worship Festival. A bit of squandered silver was no great loss, and such a grand spectacle could enhance Great Zhou’s prestige.

As for having all officials dressed in that dark, tasteless velvet...

He had tolerated that...

If only it were just to please the new emperor.

But what was the meaning of that nearly nude, lascivious dance? And performed openly before tens of thousands of citizens?

Among them were many foreigners.

How would these foreign nations now regard Great Zhou? This was unprecedented in over a century.

They would surely think that the women of Great Zhou, this kingdom of daughters, had become so disrespectful.

Bai Lian’s face was full of grievance.

“Sir, we truly did not know how His Majesty arranged this. He only told us it was a secret; how could we dare inquire further? Didn’t you have informants within the palace? How could you be completely unaware?”

At these words, Ouyang Yu’s expression shifted slightly.

Of course he was not unaware.

He simply never imagined that the emperor would suddenly concoct such music and dance performances specifically for the Moon Worship Festival.

Bai Lian continued,

“Moreover, the person actually in charge of the festival is no longer me, but the newly appointed Eastern Depot commander, He Shen.”

Ouyang Yu caught sight of He Shen’s figure in the distance.

“That man is far too bold! Does he not know the ancestral laws of Great Zhou?”

In fact, everyone knew this well.

Since the founding of Great Zhou, the Empress had set strict rules.

Every subject of Great Zhou must not engage in acts that harm morality or degrade themselves, nor may foreign lands treat Great Zhou’s people as prostitutes.

Violations would be severely punished.

It was precisely because of these century-old rules that when the people and officials saw the lewd dance, they felt a deep, visceral repulsion.

In their hearts,

This was not merely a dance; it was a desecration of Great Zhou’s daughters!

Sighing deeply, Ouyang Yu lamented.

He knew full well that He Shen would never dare such audacity; it was all the emperor’s idea.

Forget it... forget it...

He would find some excuse later, claim it was arranged privately by some minister, and thus provide a semblance of explanation to the people.

At least that might salvage some dignity in the eyes of foreign nations.

Finally, the dance that had shocked the princes and ministers came to an end.

Surely now the common folk could enjoy themselves with singing and dancing?

But no.

After the music and dance concluded, Emperor Li Chen slowly rose and walked toward the stage.

He Shen followed, handing him a megaphone.

“My subjects, are you pleased with today’s grand event?”

Silence filled the air.

No sound, but the distorted expressions on the faces of the people answered Li Chen’s question clearly enough.

Seeing their reactions, Li Chen was satisfied.

“Everyone, you have witnessed an extraordinary spectacle, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

“After all, the funds were sufficient—nearly five million taels were spent to create a Moon Worship Festival that brings me joy.”

Some of the people’s anger began to simmer.

Though the festival’s arrangement was indeed special and grand, five million taels had been spent on this?

And worst of all, there was such an indecent dance.

Damn it! Is the emperor out of his mind? Even if Great Zhou is wealthy, it’s no excuse to squander like this.

If it ended there, the people’s fury would not have reached its peak.

Then Li Chen summoned all the vassal kings and nobles of Luodu, along with their absent family members.

Everyone was puzzled.

What was this about?

Surely not that the emperor intended for the vassal kings and nobles to perform that shameful dance just now...

Amid the curious gazes, servants carried boxes and arranged them on the stage.

Li Chen, holding the megaphone, stepped forward.

“My subjects, standing behind me are the vassal kings and nobles of Great Zhou, and soon, their families as well.”

“Today, before all of you, I will do something important.”

At this, the guards opened the boxes.

They were filled entirely with silver.

“A few days ago, I specifically ordered the collection of funds from you all for the Moon Worship Festival. Why?”

“You all know that Great Zhou’s strength is inseparable from the contributions of the vassal kings and nobles. Without them, such a flourishing celebration would be impossible.”

“Therefore, I have decided to reward all the silver and gold contributed by you, my subjects, entirely to our vassal kings and nobles. Do any of you object?”

These words stirred a great uproar.

The people erupted in noise.

“Damn it, charging us was bad enough, but to give our money to the vassal kings and nobles—on what grounds?”

“Even if they have done great deeds, the court should pay them, not us!”

“Five million taels wasted on this ridiculous festival, and no funds left to reward the ministers?”

The people were outraged.

If the money had only been used for the festival, it would be one thing.

But the emperor was wealthy and yet forced the people to pay as a reward for his ministers—that was unheard of.

Not only the people.

Even the vassal kings were stunned when Li Chen finished speaking.

Their faces were full of awkwardness and displeasure.

What was this? He was blatantly pushing them into the public eye.

Why not say so from the start? Had they known, not even death would have brought them here... Using the people’s money to pay us—does the emperor have a screw loose?

Among the crowd stood the Acting King, different from the others, his face not angry but deeply thoughtful, frowning.

Was the emperor’s move deliberately designed to make the people despise us?

A cunning ruse—offering flowers to Buddha, placing us in an embarrassing position with no room for protest.

People said the emperor was foolish? This was no foolishness but supreme cleverness.

Whether commoners or nobles,

Seeing their angry faces, Li Chen was nearly bursting with joy.

Ha ha ha, get angry, yes, get angry.

This was my carefully devised two-birds-one-stone plan.

Thus, the people would see me as a foolish ruler, and the vassal kings and nobles would be filled with resentment toward me as well.

If this continues, heh heh, it wouldn’t be long before some vassal king might rebel.

But do you think this is the end?

I still have my trump card yet to reveal.