Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 293 - 282: Assigning Blame Isn’t Important, What’s Important is Solving the Problem!

Chapter 293: Chapter 282: Assigning Blame Isn’t Important, What’s Important is Solving the Problem!

As Emperor Kaihuang angrily slapped the dragon chair, all civil and military officials of the full court were scared to shiver and shake.

Almost everyone bowed their heads, not daring to lift their eyes, let alone speak.

Only Zhang San, with an indifferent face, paid his respects to Emperor Kaihuang with cupped hands, appearing completely unconcerned.

"Your humble servant believes, whether the task is completed or not, it is a matter of capability, not attitude," he stated.

"In the battle of Fengdu County City, although we of the Town Martial Office, united in earnest effort, failed to rescue those officials who exploited the people, we did save thousands of civilians from the jaws of ghosts and monsters. This fact is sufficient to prove that, in facing those ghosts and monsters, it was entirely because the enemy was too powerful, not because we were unwilling to exert our full efforts for your Imperial Majesty."

Zhang San knew that making excuses was permissible, but your excuses must always contain loyalty.

Indeed, after saying these words, Zhang San noticed that Emperor Kaihuang’s expression seemed to soften somewhat.

"Moreover, now that the incident has occurred, at this point, pursuing accountability is meaningless. What’s more important is that we, the people of the Town Martial Office, have brought back important intelligence and are looking for ways to solve the problem!"

Upon hearing Zhang San’s words, many officials present, especially Shen Wei, the Minister of Punishment, really wanted to curse.

Accountability isn’t important? The important thing is to solve the problem?

You really should listen to what you’re saying.

Is our Ministry of Punishment just for show?

Zhang San continued to speak confidently: "The reason this situation occurred, the reason it had such severe consequences, at its core, is because the Great Sui’s territory is vast. However, we previously did not focus on the matters of demons and devils wreaking havoc. I request that within the Town Martial Office we establish a distinct branch called the Town Yin Hall, specifically tasked with suppressing ghosts and monsters throughout the lands!"

"Once the Town Yin Hall is established, I will personally lead a team back to Fengdu County City, charge into the Yin Underworld, and bring back the souls of those officials to present before your Imperial Majesty!"

Zhang San’s speech was passionate and resounding, with each word striking a chord. If one did not listen carefully to the content, they might really think this was a heartfelt speech from a loyal and stalwart minister.

At this moment on the dragon throne, Emperor Kaihuang looked at Zhang San, his expression full of amazement.

He was not amazed by Zhang San’s idea or his attitude.

But rather, he was astonished at how shameless Zhang San could be.

Clearly it was your damn task that wasn’t accomplished, and now you’re turning around and asking me for positions, power, and troops.

On the surface, it seems like you’re wholeheartedly doing it for the Great Sui, but on closer thought, it’s all for your own advantage!

However, looking at it from another angle, someone as cunning as Zhang San, if used properly, could also become a significant asset underone’s command.

If he doesn’t lose out in your presence, how could your enemies get the better of him when he’s set to act?

Although somewhat mischievous, one can’t deny that this Zhang San is talented.

With this thought, Emperor Kaihuang glanced at the Crown Prince, who was still kneeling on the ground.

He mentally admonished: Crown Prince, you must truly treasure him!

Thus, Emperor Kaihuang smiled contentedly and then asked the Crown Prince, "Regarding this matter, Crown Prince, as the heir, what do you think?"

Emperor Kaihuang thought, I’ve pointed you out with the words "heir," at this time, you surely can’t still misunderstand my intentions, right?

And the Crown Prince, upon hearing this, understood.

The Emperor had always been someone who wouldn’t openly express his thoughts, choosing instead to let others speak first. His laughter now might not be genuine happiness, but perhaps merely a façade.

And mentioning the Crown Prince?

Understood!

The Crown Prince instantly realized that Emperor Kaihuang wanted him to consider the entire matter from the perspective of a future emperor.

Over the years, the Town Martial Office had grown increasingly powerful, while the Town Demon Office, which used to be on par with it, had been left behind. Although both were directly under the Emperor’s command, the imbalance of one being strong and the other weak indeed needed to be addressed through the monarch’s strategy.

Plus, this incident was related to ghosts and monsters... There could only be one purpose for his father’s intention!

Having thought through everything, the Crown Prince stood up with confidence and said, "In my opinion, the Town Martial Office has always been responsible for suppressing the Martial Artists of Great Sui; whereas the Town Demon Office is in charge of the demons and devils of the All Things Path. Therefore, I believe that even these ghosts and monsters from the Path of Life and Death should fall under the jurisdiction of the Town Demon Office. Why not allocate more forces to the Town Demon Office and let them be fully responsible for suppressing the ghosts and monsters across the land, safeguarding Great Sui."

Town Demon Office Chief Qian Shanxiu immediately stood up, excitedly saying, "Indeed, this matter should fall under the responsibility of our Town Demon Office. Emperor Kaihuang, rest assured, Crown Prince, rest assured, our Town Demon Office will immediately prepare and capture the souls of those officials back sooner and better than the Town Martial Office has done!"

Emperor Kaihuang was actually very angry because the Crown Prince was just too...

Is your head filled with sewage?

But in that moment, Emperor Kaihuang felt somewhat at a loss.

Sorrow arose within him, and for a moment, he even laughed in frustration.

Emperor Kaihuang’s gaze swept over the somewhat proud Crown Prince, then to a very happy Town Demon Office Chief Qian Shanxiu, and finally resting on the calm face of Zhang San.

This kid was up to mischief.

Even though Zhang San’s face was almost expressionless at that moment, Emperor Kaihuang could tell from his eyes that the kid was plotting something.

"Zhang San, you have something to say, right?"

Zhang San quickly stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Highness, the ringleader behind the issues in Fengdu County City has been found."

"Oh!?" The extremely irritated Emperor Kaihuang began to play along with Zhang San’s performance, "Let’s hear it."

"Your Majesty, just now the Chief of the Town Demon Office mentioned that capturing ghosts and monsters is the duty of their office. Yet, on that day inside Fengdu County City, our Town Martial Office, the Ministry of Punishment, and the soldiers from Sword South Path who came to support us encountered endless ghosts and monsters. With no noble person to help us from the front and no reinforcements coming from behind, we fought alone to the death without regret. Despite saving thousands of citizens and earning great merits, the officials who were supposed to be escorted to the Capital, corrupt and lawless, were all devoured by the enraged ghosts and monsters! The root cause was the negligence of the Town Demon Office!"

After finishing, Zhang San bowed to Emperor Kaihuang and said, "I ask Your Majesty to administer punishment!"

At that moment, some ministers in the court with poor relations with the Town Demon Office and some ministers from King Jin’s faction immediately seized the opportunity, standing up and shouting together, "We ask Your Majesty to administer punishment!"

In an instant, Qian Shanxiu was dumbfounded.

He thought he had finally caught an opportunity to catch up with the Town Martial Office, but how had it turned into this?

However, just as Qian Shanxiu was sweating profusely and about to defend himself, he suddenly remembered the words Zhang San had said before.

Right, assigning blame is not important, solving the problem is!

He thought it would be better to be perceived as having worked for nothing this time rather than to be punished.

Yet, just as Qian Shanxiu figured out how to respond, Zhang San spoke up first.

"Your Majesty, solving the problem is indeed important, but if the person responsible for causing the problem is not held accountable, no matter how many issues are resolved, it will all be in vain, and the root of the problem cannot be eradicated!"

At that moment, even though no one had slapped Qian Shanxiu across the face, he felt his head buzzing.

Weren’t you just saying the opposite!