If you consider General Lu Zhi’s first half of the sentence, mentioning the debate between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao, as well as the breach of trust by the Yellow Turbans of Jizhou towards the wise and virtuous teachers, it’s like dropping a bomb.

However, the latter half of his sentence is truly aimed at stirring up the court.

Yuan Wei didn’t even have time to rebut Liu Hong’s “clearly a great mistake” before he hurriedly said, “I hope Your Majesty will think carefully before bestowing the title of Marquis.”

Let’s not even mention that granting a marquisate would already be overstepping boundaries in his eyes.

And now, His Majesty is actually considering granting Qiao Yan the title of County Marquis.

This is truly unacceptable!

Even if this woman has indeed made outstanding contributions, before knowing her gender, Yuan Wei had considered wooing her from the standpoint of the Yuan family of Runan.

But it’s definitely inappropriate to directly skip several procedures and directly bestow the title of County Marquis!

The position of County Marquis, as the highest position in the current Han dynasty’s system of enfeoffment, is equivalent to establishing a state within the county, which gives even greater autonomy within the enfeoffed territory and allows for the appointment of multiple officials within the county.

“Your Majesty, please think twice!”

Amidst the restless murmurs below, Yuan Wei’s voice resonated particularly loudly in Liu Hong’s ears.

And because of this repeated suggestion to think twice, it continued to stir Liu Hong’s already hypersensitive nerves, given that three other suggestions had already set them off.

“Minister Yuan.”

As Liu Hong spoke, the hall suddenly quietened down.

Everyone could hear that although the phrase “Minister Yuan” seemed mild, it unmistakably gave a sense of an impending storm.

“Your Majesty, please speak.” Yuan Wei realized that his performance had been a bit too intense and quickly composed himself.

“You said I should think twice, but tell me, what ancestral precedent have I violated by rewarding a meritorious subject with the title of County Marquis?”

As Liu Hong uttered these words, he sat back down.

Though it didn’t seem as tense as when he had previously slammed the table and risen to his feet, Yuan Wei had once seen Liu Hong decisively approve the establishment of the Hongdu Gate School, and he couldn’t help but feel that his current demeanor was more intimidating than if he had just exploded in anger.

“Indeed, it’s not explicitly stated in the ancestral laws, but bestowing the title of County Marquis to a woman might not be appropriate.”

Yuan Wei bowed slightly with his tablet. “Qiao Yan is nothing more than a ten-year-old child. Though she has achieved merit by chance, her knowledge is still shallow.

She’s not yet capable of governing a county.

It might be better to nurture her talents further, following the example of Empress He Xi and her past record of rewarding meritorious subjects, restoring the royal family, and promoting virtue.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Liu Hong emit a cold laugh. “Lu Zigang recorded the debate between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao in his letter.

When I read it, I saw the talents of a eleven-year-old who could not only discern right from wrong but also had the courage to debate with a leader of the Yellow Turbans.”

“Brilliant talents leap off the pages, yet in your mouth, Minister Yuan, they become shallow and lacking. Very well!”

Liu Hong flung the memorial he held to the side and pressed his hand on the table, saying, “Minister Yuan, perhaps I should follow Qiao Yan and engage in three debates with you.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei immediately knelt on the ground.

Among the siblings of the Yuan family, he was the youngest, yet the first to attain the position of the Three Excellencies.

Even so, he wouldn’t dare to debate with the current emperor in the court, no matter how much courage he was given.

He hurriedly replied, “I dare not.”

“You dare not? Then listen.”

Liu Hong had seemed somewhat drowsy during the early morning court session, but now, with some boldness hidden behind his tablet, he peeked at him, revealing eyes sharper and clearer than anyone else’s.

But when they thought of Liu Hong’s outrageous actions, they didn’t harbor any expectations for each other’s seemingly virtuous appearances.

Instead, they felt sympathy for Yuan Wei.

Among them were those who were unhappy about Qiao Yan being enfeoffed, but they all knew Liu Hong’s demeanor well.

Even if he did grant the position of County Marquis, it might not entail much authority.

Unfortunately, Yuan Wei was the one who chose to challenge this, and now he would likely be targeted by Liu Hong as the scapegoat.

However, Yuan Wei was always eloquent.

If he could withstand the pressure from His Majesty and persuade against the bestowal of the county marquisate, it would be a good thing.

This was also what He Jin thought.

If a young girl was to be ranked alongside him, it would undoubtedly be displeasing to him.

He Jin didn’t realize that Liu Hong’s sudden attack was partly due to his own merits.

At this moment, he only felt the necessity of power, seeing even the prestigious Yuan family of Runan in such a sorry state in the court.

He pondered that he would indeed need to elevate his nephew to the throne.

By then, relying on his status as an imperial relative, he would have a position superior to tens of thousands in the capital.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Liu Hong speak and quickly collected his thoughts.

The emperor, seated at the head, no longer bore the demeanor of a puppet from years past but now spoke calmly and confidently, “I remember Minister Yuan’s wife comes from the Ma family of Fufeng?”

“…?” Yuan Wei, still in a daze from his prostrated position, lifted his head slightly, completely puzzled as to why Liu Hong would ask such a question at this moment.

Wasn’t it supposed to be about engaging in three debates? Why suddenly bring up his wife?

“Liu Hong glanced at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, completely ignoring Yuan Wei’s embarrassed expression when he realized what Liu Hong was about to say.

‘The Ma family of Fufeng has a lineage of skilled craftsmen and scholars.

Ma Rong, in particular, is renowned for his expertise in astronomy and calendar calculation.

His daughter inherits his talents, and she is indeed a suitable match for the Yuan family of Runan.

Minister Yuan, rather than feeling honored to marry such a woman, seems to…’

“Gentlemen, why don’t we listen to how Minister Yuan response.”

“His first question was quite sharp; he asked his wife why she brought so much dowry with her.

Although the Ma family is known for their filial piety, she replied that it was out of respect for her parents’ kindness and that she dared not disobey.

If the husband intended to emulate Bao Xuan or Liang Hong, then the wife could emulate Shaojun or Meng Guang and practice thrift.”

“The second question was even more interesting.

He mentioned how Ma Rong’s younger brother was recommended for office before him, which caused ridicule.

Similarly, his wife got married before her elder sister.

Is it proper to act before others? Minister Yuan, can such a question even be posed by a scion of the Four Sages and Three Excellencies?”

Yuan Wei’s face burned red.

But Liu Hong was determined to teach this prominent court official a lesson, a punishment for his misconduct, so he wouldn’t spare him any face.

Having gained recognition from suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he continued,

“The Ma family values sibling affection. They spoke of her sister’s difficulty in finding a suitable match, unlike her, who was willing to settle for you.” Liu Hong chuckled, “She was right! Minister Yuan, your vision is truly narrow!”

“The third question was even more bizarre, coming from someone who had just become a son-in-law.

He said his father-in-law was second to none in learning and literary talent, but when he served as an official, he was demoted for his greed. What could be the reason?” Liu Hong chuckled again.

Yuan Wei had raised his head earlier to gauge the emperor’s mood, but now he lowered it completely.

He never imagined that Liu Hong would remember these things from many years ago so clearly.

Now, with this sudden attack, not only did he feel the emperor’s evaluation like a blade, but the gazes of his colleagues around him also made him feel uncomfortable.

As for why it was uncomfortable…

He was seated in the front row as one of the Three Excellencies.

He now found this position truly unbearable.

“The Ma family indeed has great talent. Her response to the slander against her father-in-law can be likened to how Confucius, despite his greatness, still suffered from the defamation of Wu Shu; or how Zilu, though wise, faced criticism like that of Bolai.

After marriage, she has managed the household affairs for Minister Yuan and educated their children, truly embodying great virtue.

Yet, Minister Yuan couldn’t even refute his wife’s arguments. Where does he find the audacity to speak against Qiao Yan’s enfeoffment?”

“Lian Qianbo!”

“If the deeds of loyalty and filial piety performed by this girl Qiao Yan are not worthy of a marquisate to honor our Han dynasty’s recognition of the capable, then your three questions,

Minister Yuan,

reveal nothing but treachery and inferior rhetoric, unworthy of even a woman.

You might as well remove your cap and resign from your position. What use are you as a Minister?

Under Liu Hong’s relentless pressure, Yuan Wei now understood why there was no mention of the first or second debate topics.

He relied solely on the intelligence he held about his subjects, which was enough to push him into this “necessary” situation.

There was no need for the other two debates.

“I… I am terrified.”

“Terrified… Hah.” Liu Hong’s gaze swept over his back.

He knew, despite his stern rebuke of Yuan Wei, he had no intention of removing him from his position as Minister.

The Yuan family of Runan and the scholars they represented would undoubtedly be promoted and utilized by him after the Party Persecution.

People like Yuan Wei, who merely held their positions without contributing much, were of no use.

He had given Yuan Wei enough warning; all he needed to do was to add fuel to the fire for what Yuan Wei wanted to achieve.

Liu Hong grabbed the memorial on his desk and threw it at Yuan Wei. “Take a look.”

The memorial landed in front of Yuan Wei. He didn’t dare to look at Liu Hong’s expression at this moment, only reaching out to pick up the memorial.