Upon hearing this, the assembled crowd erupted into an uproar.
"What is this brat saying? Did I hear him wrong?"
"This brat is truly spouting nonsense. Has he eaten too much and wants to die?"
"This brat is simply too arrogant."
"Does he think all of us here are useless?"
"To obey one's lord, isn't that the most fundamental duty of a subject? He actually refutes even this, it's utter madness."
"Does he not respect his own lord? Does he think his Empress is less important than the common people and the state?"
At this moment, Chu Chen's subordinates also had some doubts about his words, but they believed their marshal would be able to explain it well.
Chu Chen sneered, "You are all targeting me now simply because you have no valid reasons to oppose me, am I right?"
"Loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country are certainly not wrong, but you must understand that what you are truly responsible for is this realm."
"Today, one emperor defeats another, and tomorrow, another emperor defeats the first."
"If an emperor loses, must all his ministers be buried with him? The common people rely on you to ensure their peace and prosperity, and you would die with your incompetent emperor? Is it worth it?"
Hearing this, the ministers of the Wei state present all flushed, their expressions unreadable. They felt that Chu Chen's words held some truth.
However, Chu Chen did not intend to stop there. "If you ministers die, should the common people be buried with you? You can find a thousand reasons to justify this, claiming that those who do not follow are disloyal subjects."
A Wei minister stepped forward to retort, "However, the common people do not receive the ruler's salary. We ministers live by the Emperor's stipend, so the requirements for us cannot be the same as for the common people."
Chu Chen chuckled, "What's the difference? The common people also receive the Emperor's vast grace, allowing them to survive in troubled times. Those with less ability rely more on others."
"Do you still believe that your intention to follow your emperor to death is correct?"
The crowd present looked at each other awkwardly, and in the end, very few raised further objections.
Seeing this, Bi Gan became somewhat anxious.
"Nonsense, this is simply a distortion of concepts. The monarch is the foundation of a nation, and everything revolves around the monarch."
"As for ordinary people, what does it matter if there are more or fewer of them?"
Chu Chen smiled upon hearing this and said, "Since this lord is so confident, why don't we make a bet and see whose side the common people are on?"
Bi Gan paused, confused, "What bet?"
Chu Chen pointed outside the hall, "We'll bet on which side the common people stand."
"If you wish to die, I can grant you that, but only after this wager concludes. If you regret it later and no longer wish to die, but want to do something for the people, I will spare you."
Upon hearing this, Bi Gan let out a cold snort and shook his head, "Then you can save your breath. I will not be so shameless as to cling to life."
Chu Chen waved his hand and said to Wei Lixuan, "Drag him out and tie him up in the most crowded street of Daliang."
"Also, erect a sign next to him stating his attitude towards the ruler and the people, and let's see how the common people evaluate him."
Hearing this, Wei Lixuan immediately stepped forward with a smile, "Lord Bi Gan, I apologize, but our marshal has given the order, and I can only comply."
Saying this, Wei Lixuan waved his hand, and several soldiers stepped forward.
"Wait, I will not be paraded on the street. This is an insult to me."
Bi Gan said with a look of panic.
He would rather commit suicide in the hall than be dragged into the street to be humiliated.
He could guess without even thinking how the common people would mock and curse him if they knew his thoughts.
Chu Chen paused and sneered, "Lord Bi Gan, haven't you always said that what you do is righteous?"
"If that is truly the case, you can boldly go out into the street and propagate your ideas."
"Truth fears nothing, if what you say is truly the truth."
Chu Chen said with a cold smile.
"If you lack the courage to face the judgment of the world outside, then you had best abandon your so-called loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, and let those who truly wish to serve the realm step forward."
Bi Gan's eyes widened upon hearing this. He was so provoked by Chu Chen's words that he wanted to rush out, but at the critical moment, he hesitated.
If he were to die like this, it would be too meaningless. He wanted to stay and serve the people, to serve the realm!
Seeing that Bi Gan did not move, Chu Chen smiled, "Bi Gan, are you going to step forward or not? I am very much looking forward to it."
Hearing this, Bi Gan's face turned even redder, and he shook his head, "I'm not going. I think what you said might have some sense."
Chu Chen's face immediately lit up with joy, "If that's the case, then that's excellent. Although I have captured Daliang, I do not wish for this great city to become ruins. If you old officials are willing to govern well, I will certainly report to Her Majesty and ask her to continue to assign you positions."
The ministers present began to whisper amongst themselves.
"If that's the case, it's not impossible. As subjects, aren't we all striving to govern and bring peace to the country?"
"It's just that I wonder if they will discard us once we are no longer useful. The Yunyue Kingdom may not truly trust us."
"That will depend on fate. We have no say in the matter anymore."
"Yes, it's fortunate that we weren't killed and can continue to serve as officials. Those who were there before were directly thrown into prison."
Chu Chen did not make things difficult for these ministers and said to them, "Alright, everyone, please disperse. I will dispatch the Embroidered Uniform Guard to protect you and ensure your safety."
Hearing this, the ministers present, though somewhat resistant, knew that their opinions did not matter and could only reluctantly agree.
After all the ministers had left, only Chu Chen and a few others remained in the hall, and the atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed.
Li Mengdie stepped forward and asked, "What are you planning to do next? You're not actually going to stay in Daliang City, are you?"
The other generals exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a hint of fervor.