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Lu Songli discovered in the materials Chen Rong sent back that there was also the topic for the next round of debates. She was not surprised by this. After all, the more time given to the contestants for preparation, the more exciting the back and forth exchanges during the competition, resulting in a greater impact. And upon seeing this debate topic, she had a strong premonition that this was it, the perfect opportunity to target her father.
Since Fan Quan was being prepared by the Xie and Zhao families as a new blade for Emperor Kang Cheng, he must personally review it. In this way, they would definitely find a reason to invite him out of the palace. After all, this play was meant for Emperor Kang Cheng to watch, and without him, the play would not be complete.
Lu Desheng also saw this and confidently said, “Rest assured, when it comes to arguing with people, no, when it comes to debating with people, I have never lost.” In his own field of expertise, he was that confident!
Lu Songli waved her hand and praised her father, “Dad, I naturally believe in you. When it comes to reasoning with people, no one can compare to you. Persuading with reason is your strong suit.”
Well said! Lu Desheng touched his sparse beard and nodded inwardly. His daughter’s words were so pleasing to hear. Yes, that’s right. He was a very reasonable person! When faced with someone who disagreed, he always persuaded with reason.
“Yes, the Xie and Zhao families can never use Fan Quan to replace me. He is still too inexperienced!”
Haha! Lu Mingzhi almost burst out laughing on the side. How funny his father and second sister were speaking. When facing enemies, his father was clearly someone who wouldn’t relent when in the right and would cause trouble when unreasonable. Did his second sister really believe their father was that ideal?
Madam Jiang rolled her eyes on the side. The father and daughter were truly a pair, one daring to speak and the other willing to listen.
Lu Desheng and Lu Songli both looked at Lu Mingzhi, their faces clearly showing, what’s your opinion? It forced him to suppress the smile on his face.
After Lu Mingzhi surrendered, Lu Songli said, “Dad, we can’t fall into someone else’s rhythm and be led by the nose.” Having her father argue with Fan Quan would only lower his worth. As the great debater of the Da Li Dynasty, winning an argument with Fan Quan would be expected and losing would be embarrassing.
Daughter’s words make sense. Why should they let others dictate the situation?
“So daughter, what do you suggest?”
“I have a better idea.”
“What idea?” To be honest, Lu Desheng was a little curious now.
Lu Desheng easily accepted his daughter’s suggestion and followed along with her words.
If people from the future were here, they would surely exclaim, “Lu Desheng, your daughter used the sandwich technique on you!”
Fan Quan was trying to overreach, stepping on her father’s body to perform in front of the Emperor. Such ambition, such appetite! Dealing with him would be giving him face, but they wouldn’t give him that opportunity! They wouldn’t let him get away with it!
Trying to follow in her father’s footsteps and leave him no way out? Little guy, keep practicing for another five hundred years.
“So… ” Lu Songli moved a few steps towards Lu Desheng and whispered her idea.
In fact, this plan was similar to the entertainment industry. If someone had a unique style and showed signs of popularity right after their debut, but refused to sign with a company, the company would find someone similar to compete for resources and try to replace them. If the main person ended up fighting with the imitator, it would be too undignified.
Madam Jiang watched as her husband and daughter huddled together, whispering to each other. Her daughter kept talking, and her husband nodded from time to time. She shook her head and smiled. It was rare to see such a good relationship between father and daughter.
That day was another grand court session.
Lu Desheng arrived not too early. When he arrived, Zhou Chengzhong was already in the side hall, unifying the will of the various imperial censors.
When he entered, Zhou Chengzhong looked him up and down, his eyes lingering on his old official robes for quite a while.
Lu Desheng ignored him and sat as usual on the far end.
When Zhou Chengzhong mobilized the officials below him, he glanced at them twice with a look of pity, like a frog in lukewarm water, unaware of the boiling water beneath it.
Lu Desheng raised his eyelids and stared back! Don’t think he didn’t notice, he was waiting to see his own joke.
After Zhou Chengzhong and the officials below reached a consensus, they walked towards Lu Desheng. “Lord Lu, why haven’t we seen you wearing the ceremonial robe specially bestowed by the emperor recently?”
Lu Desheng rolled his eyes, “What I wear is none of your business.” Would he tell them that he wore the new ceremonial robe given by the emperor! Just worn underneath? Would he tell them that he wore two sets of ceremonial robes today, one inside and one outside?!
This was his lucky ceremonial robe, how could he not wear it! If it weren’t for his daughter reminding him to keep a low profile, to act like a pig eating a tiger, not to startle the grass, he would have proudly shown off the new ceremonial robe long ago, hmph!
Lu Desheng, are you a volcano? Always ready to erupt? He sneered at him, just as the court bell rang, Zhou Chengzhong could only shake his head and lightly point at him, “You—Lu Desheng, you!”
As the court bell rang, regardless of what these officials were doing just now, they all stopped and began to tidy up their clothes and appearances, waiting to enter the grand hall for court.
As soon as they stood in place, they heard a sharp voice shout, “The emperor arrives, all officials kneel in greeting!”
Emperor Kang Cheng sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face. Because he had been immersed in cultivation last night and didn’t rest well, he had intended to skip court today, but was persuaded to get up, feeling very unhappy.
The courtiers knelt down and shouted, “Long live the emperor.”
“Rise.” Emperor Kang Cheng’s voice was stern, without any fluctuations, clearly telling the courtiers that his mood was very bad today, and they had to handle the matters themselves!
Wei Zili shouted the second sentence, “Ministers, present your reports if you have any, otherwise, leave the court!”
The courtiers:…
The ministers qualified to attend the grand court were all astute individuals, not fools. So, of course, the courtiers noticed that the emperor was in a bad mood, but in recent years, he rarely had good moods when attending court, and they had gotten used to it. But today was different, as soon as he sat on the dragon throne, he already wanted to leave the court, how could this be allowed?
Among them, the ministers led by the Xie and Zhao families looked at each other, feeling a bit hesitant. They had planned to jointly recommend Lu Desheng for promotion today, but should they proceed as planned now? Well, let’s see how the Xie family reacts first.
If the Xie family took the lead, it would indicate that they should proceed as planned, so they would have to nervously present their case. And since this was a joint recommendation, asking the emperor to promote his favorite courtier, he should be willing to do so, at least he wouldn’t vent his anger on them.
“I have something to report.” The first to step forward was the official from the Xie family, Ji Yongqing.
Emperor Kang Cheng was already in a bad mood, and when he saw Ji Yongqing, with his old face bearing the mark of the Xie family, stepping forward first, his mood worsened.
“What is it, Minister?”
Everyone lowered their heads, knowing that if the emperor called a minister “Minister” with the surname, it meant his mood was still okay, but if he didn’t use the surname, it meant he was displeased with that person at the moment.
Ji Yongqing seemed unaware of this, slightly bowed, and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, as I am getting older, in recent years, I have often felt weak and unwell. The other day, I fainted at home and called for a doctor. After the doctor examined me, he said that due to overwork in official duties, my body was severely depleted, and he warned that if I don’t take good care of myself, it may affect my longevity. Therefore, I humbly request to resign from the position of Minister of Justice and return home for recuperation, hoping Your Majesty will grant permission.”
Ji Yongqing’s resignation was like a drop of water splashing into a hot oil pan! It left almost all the ministers stunned.