SFS Chapter 270 All Five Flavors
Chapter 270 All Five Flavors
Chapter 270 A Feast for the Eyes
Wang Wenzhou drank the bitter melon juice in his cup in one gulp. He also felt a bit cold. He pulled his left hand out of Chen Yuanyuan's arms and put his icy right hand inside.
Chen Yuanyuan blushed and dared not make eye contact with anyone. With civil and military officials present, she was witnessing this madwoman acting recklessly without any restraint.
"My lords, drink up! There are still three more drinks left," Zhu Youjian urged, seeing that many people hadn't finished.
Wen Tiren finally finished the winter melon juice. He was so cold that he was shivering all over, so he quickly started jogging. He glanced at Wang Wenzhou, completely baffled as to what Wang Wenzhou was up to.
"This is orange juice. I just tasted it; it's sour and tastes good," Zhu Youjian said, holding up the orange juice in his hand.
Wang Wenzhou picked up the orange juice and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please lead your colleagues and drink it together."
Zhu Youjian nodded, raised his cup, and said, "Cheers, my beloved ministers!"
"Still want to drink?" Wen Tiren asked with a mournful face. He was so cold that he felt cold all over his body.
Everyone looked aggrieved. It was so cold. They really didn't understand what the Emperor and Wang Wenzhou were trying to do.
Only a few strong and robust military officers drank it all down with smiles on their faces.
The fourth drink was colorless and crystal clear. Zhu Youjian picked up the cup and said, "I've guessed pretty well. Wang Wenzhou probably wants everyone to taste the flavors of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. Wang Wenzhou, is this one salty?"
Wang Wenzhou nodded and flattered, "Your Majesty is wise; this is a salt water beverage."
Zhu Youjian raised his cup and said, "My beloved ministers, drink up!"
At this moment, the civil and military officials were cursing Wang Wenzhou in their hearts. "You newcomer to the court, causing such trouble for your colleagues on your very first day? Don't think that just because you come from the newly established Marquisate, no one will dare to do anything to you. Wang Wenzhou, you have incurred the wrath of the masses; you won't stay in the court for long!"
There was only one cup left, and everyone already knew that it would definitely be spicy. Regardless of what it was, the Emperor drank it, so everyone else had no choice but to drink it too.
After finishing the last drink, the officials, who had been shivering from the cold, were now all sweating profusely. It was too spicy! The last drink was chili sauce.
Zhu Youjian winked at Wang Wenzhou and said, "Wang Wenzhou, what is the deeper meaning behind your invitation for everyone to taste the five flavors?"
Wang Wenzhou cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I believe that life is not always smooth sailing. There will always be times of disappointment. Life is a mixture of all flavors, sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty."
Minister of War Yang Sichang was not in a good mood. He said angrily, "Wang Wenzhou, speak quickly if you have something to say. The court is a place to discuss important national affairs, not a place for you to lament about life."
"Lord Yang's words are wise." Wang Wenzhou nodded and continued, "A country, like a person, will not always have smooth sailing. Right now, our Great Ming Dynasty is on the verge of collapse..."
Before Wang Wenzhou could finish speaking, Kong Zhenyun, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said impatiently, "Lord Wang, what do you mean by this? Our Great Ming Dynasty is in its golden age, with all nations coming to offer their congratulations. How could it be in imminent danger? Your Majesty, please punish Wang Wenzhou for spreading heresies and misleading the public!"
"We second that!" Immediately, a large number of officials stood up to support Kong Zhenyun. Wang Wenzhou's five drinks had offended too many officials.
Wang Wenzhou glanced at Kong Zhenyun and thought to himself, "I'll remember you. You dare to be the first to criticize me? I'll teach you a lesson."
Wang Wenzhou cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't finished speaking yet. How can you accuse me of spreading rumors and misleading the public? Our Great Ming Dynasty has always been open to free speech. How can anyone be punished for speaking out?"
"I forgive you, Wang Wenzhou, please continue." Zhu Youjian and Wang Wenzhou were putting on a show.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty. Let me explain why the Ming Dynasty is in such dire straits. The banditry in the northwest is escalating, and our army has suffered repeated defeats and lost vast territories in the past few months. The Tartars in Liaodong are even more rampant, and our Ming forces in Liaodong are only capable of defense. If we do not quell the bandits soon, our Ming Dynasty may perish," Wang Wenzhou said solemnly.
Kong Zhenyun jumped out again, pointing at Wang Wenzhou and cursing, "Wang Wenzhou, you little brat, you're spouting nonsense! You're just a petty thief, not worth mentioning! Our Great Ming Dynasty is prosperous, how could it perish?"
Wang Wenzhou completely ignored Kong Zhenyun. These civil officials were like mad dogs; if you tried to reason with them, they would keep attacking you.
Wang Wenzhou looked at Hou Xun, the Minister of Revenue, and asked, "May I inquire about your important role? Is this year's military expenditure secured?"
"Hmm..." Hou Xun shook his head with a wry smile.
Wang Wenzhou continued, “The total amount of the Liaodong tax, the suppression tax (used to quell peasant uprisings), and the training tax (used to train local armed forces) has exceeded twice the regular taxes of our Great Ming Dynasty. The people are going bankrupt and still can’t pay all these imperial taxes. Because of this, more and more people have lost their land, or become tenants, slaves, or displaced people and starving people. This is why the more we suppress the bandits, the more they multiply. I wonder if my colleagues agree?”
What Wang Wenzhou said was indeed true, and everyone knew it. But without levying the three taxes, there would be no money to fight the war. However, levying the three taxes only led to more and more rioters, creating a vicious cycle that was impossible to cure.
Zhu Youjian nodded solemnly to Wang Wenzhou, signaling him to continue.
"Sigh..." Wang Wenzhou sighed. After I finish saying what I'm about to say, from now on, the name Wang Wenzhou will be synonymous with traitor and sellout!
"Since ancient times, internal strife must precede external resistance. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you temporarily yield to the situation and negotiate peace with the Liaodong Tartars, and mobilize the entire nation to quell the rebellion," Wang Wenzhou said passionately.
"Buzz!" As soon as Wang Wenzhou finished speaking, the crowd immediately erupted into chaos.
"Wang Wenzhou, you traitorous scoundrel, you cowardly coward!"
"You scoundrel Wang Wenzhou, as long as I live, I will not allow you to betray your country for personal gain!"
"Our Ming Dynasty's ancestral precepts dictate no marriage alliances, no indemnities, no ceding of territory, and no tribute! Wang Wenzhou, you scoundrel, you truly deserve to die!"
Kong Zhenyun immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I implore you to execute Wang Wenzhou to uphold the dignity of the nation!"
"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou cursed inwardly. "You're all supposed to be upright and incorruptible big shots, but after the Manchus entered the pass, most of the high-ranking officials here surrendered to them. Who exactly were the surrenderers? Who were the traitors? You're all so good with words, but in the end, very few of you were truly loyal and devoted to the cause."
"Lord Kong, on what grounds are you going to kill me?" Wang Wenzhou asked coldly.
"You scoundrel! Traitor, colluding with the Tartars! How can you not kill me?" Kong Zhenyun cursed viciously.
Wang Wenzhou stepped forward and kicked Kong Zhenyun, knocking him to the ground.
Wang Wenzhou cursed and said, "Who are you calling a traitor? How did I betray the country? The country isn't mine, why would I have the ability to sell it? I just repelled the rebel army and beheaded more than 30,000. I am a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty. You bunch of bastards, how dare you curse me?"
Wang Wenzhou pointed at the crowd and shouted angrily, "I am skilled in both literature and martial arts, and I have personally killed bandits! Who the hell dares to insult me again? Whoever insults me, I will beat them up!"