Rebuking an emperor is no small task.
In modern society, arguing with an emperor wouldn't be that challenging, as modern values have long dismantled the "divine right of kings." If anyone tried to wield authority like an emperor today, they would likely face endless ridicule and be met with, "Who do you think you are?"
But in ancient times, things were vastly different.
The concept of divine authority gave emperors an inherent righteousness, and loyalty and filial piety were seen as the highest moral virtues. A son couldn't defy his father, and a minister couldn't defy his lord. The emperor was considered the "father" of his people, and what father would patiently listen to his child lecture him?
Getting an emperor to admit wrongdoing was nearly impossible; even a "self-reproach edict" was rare and noteworthy in historical records.
In this era, all moral standards were constructed to protect the emperor's position. Violating these norms not only warranted the emperor's wrath but also society's condemnation.
If Chu Ge could employ modern logic to tackle this trial, he could easily berate the emperor, but doing so would only lead to a swift and brutal end. He was playing as Yang Yan, and to clear this trial, he had to uphold the values and rules of this world to achieve victory.
Although he disliked these rules, he understood them.
Modern people might struggle to comprehend the blind loyalty of the past. However, as a history student, Chu Ge knew that to portray or evaluate a historical figure, one must not exceed the limitations of their era. It is crucial to avoid imposing contemporary values on historical figures or expecting them to think and act with foresight they could not possess.
So, he sought the most reasonable solution within the historical context.
After a pause, Emperor Zhao of Wei, dressed in a black robe, began to speak.
"Your memorial was reviewed by the scholars at the Hanlin Academy. Each one of them has written rebuttals against you."
He continued, "However, since so many are opposing you, I doubt you would be convinced. So, I have come in person, not to use their words, but to ask you a few questions myself."
"If you have confidence, answer me here and now. If you're not confident, take two days to think."
Chu Ge responded calmly, "Since it is the emperor's decree, I will answer to the best of my ability."
Emperor Zhao spoke as if he were magnanimous, but Chu Ge knew that this man was prideful and thin-skinned. If the emperor asked questions that he couldn't answer, it would likely be taken as a sign of defeat, causing the trial to fail.
Thus, no matter how casually Emperor Zhao phrased his questions, Chu Ge knew he had to answer boldly. He needed to render the emperor speechless, or it would not count as a success.
Moreover, the emperor's claim of "not using others' words to overwhelm one" was just a facade. He likely found the scholars' rebuttals inadequate for countering Yang Yan's memorial.
Since Yang Yan's arguments were based on the moral teachings of sages, the scholars' rebuttals failed to land a solid blow. Thus, the emperor took a different approach.
This new angle was one of statecraft.
Emperor Zhao, with over forty years of ruling experience, believed he was vastly superior to a mere minor official like Yang Yan in governance.
The emperor's opening gambit, similar to Wang Chong's previous approach, was to shift the debate to his own expertise. During Chu Ge's first attempt, this tactic had rendered him speechless.
Emperor Zhao paused briefly before continuing, "The Yangtze River waters irrigate the fields along its banks, as do the Yellow River's waters along its course."
"As the Son of Heaven, I govern all, favoring neither clear waters nor dismissing murky ones. Such has been the way since antiquity."
"Whether the river overflows or recedes, it must be managed. Thus, whether it is you, Wang Chong, or He Xueyi, those who are useful are retained, those who are not are removed."
"In your memorial, you insist that I must use the Yangtze and discard the Yellow River. What reasoning is there in this?"
He looked at Yang Yan, his eyes full of confidence.
Chu Ge did not respond immediately.
Emperor Zhao was indeed a renowned ruler in history for his shrewdness. Though it was more cunning than wisdom, it presented Chu Ge with immense difficulty in this face-to-face duel.
Compared to Wang Chong's arguments, the emperor's words were far harder to counter.
Wang Chong's assertions were tainted by personal corruption—he abused his power and allowed his faction to plunder and oppress the populace, which was ultimately indefensible.
But Emperor Zhao was different.
In this era, the empire was considered the emperor's private property. Officials were his servants, and the people were seen as his livestock.
Attacking the emperor's character wouldn't work, as it went against the moral principles of the time.
Moreover, the emperor's practice of balancing corrupt officials with honest ones, choosing capable ministers for various tasks, was not inherently wrong. Even emperors of various dynasties could not govern solely with upright officials.
Thus, the emperor's words held a deceptive logic. For a regular scholar, this line of questioning could easily leave them speechless.
Chu Ge had made several previous attempts, all ending unsuccessfully.
He knew he couldn't solely rely on loyalty-based reasoning of the time, nor could he argue from a modern standpoint. The former would lead him into a dead end the emperor had set, while the latter would cause him to breach the game's fundamental rules, resulting in failure.
After steadying himself, Chu Ge asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what you mean by 'overflowing'?"
"Would you consider water that floods mountains to be overflowing? What about water that drowns farmlands?"
"If Wang Chong's power threatened Your Majesty, then surely it would be overflowing. But what if Wang Chong simply amassed allies and extorted the people, while still remaining loyal to Your Majesty? Would that not also be considered overflowing?"
Chu Ge continued, "In Your Majesty's eyes, it seems overflow refers to a threat against your authority. As long as your power remains unchallenged, then even if the Yellow River floods vast farmlands, displacing millions, that would not be considered overflowing, correct?"
"When Wang Chong's power permeates the court, when his faction siphons relief funds and levies oppressive taxes, leaving the treasury barren and the people impoverished, yet Your Majesty does not see them as overflowing or needing restraint."
"Does this imply that Your Majesty's concern is not the well-being of the people, but merely the preservation of your own authority?"
"Perhaps the reason Your Majesty does not punish Wang Chong, yet wishes to punish me, is because of this very reason!"
Emperor Zhao's expression changed instantly. "You! Yang Yan, how dare you speak such blasphemous, unfilial words!"
Chu Ge's expression remained firm. "Your Majesty, there is an old saying: 'If one enjoys the emperor's bounty, one must serve him.' There is also a saying, 'To eat the emperor's grain is to see him as a father.'
"I, Yang Yan, have always regarded Your Majesty as my father. How can I be unfilial?"
"The people of this empire, every single one of them, see Your Majesty as their ruler, as their father. Yet, when has Your Majesty ever treated them as your children?"
"You allow Wang Chong's faction to expand unchecked and punish loyal officials who speak out against him. You even summon the scholars of the Hanlin Academy to refute a memorial filled with heartfelt pleas!"
"When has Your Majesty ever considered the suffering of the common people, who have a ruler but no father, and officials who prey upon them?"
"Have you not heard the saying, 'Where bandits go, they leave as a comb leaves hair; where soldiers go, they leave as a comb removes lice; but where officials go, they leave nothing'?"
"If Your Majesty only sees yourself as a ruler, never as a father to your people, then why should officials and citizens view you as a father figure?"