Chapter 219: Chapter 217: Ma Zhou’s Ashen Face (14th Update)
However, just as he was basking in self-satisfaction, Lin Yi’s voice once again rang out:
“Hehe, it seems that Mr. Ma Zhou understands the meaning of this phrase quite well.
Indeed, the smelting of iron is the foundation of the nation, and these iron implements are used for the nation to forge weapons, so naturally they cannot be given to the common people for forging.
Therefore, the business of iron smelting cannot be considered competing with the people for profit.”
Following this statement, the young Emperor was taken aback and couldn’t help but wonder if Lin Yi’s head had been squeezed by a door – why on earth would he speak up for Ma Zhou?
Don’t you realize that by doing so, you’re further solidifying the accusations against yourself?
Although the business is backed by just cause, if they seize upon it and don’t let go, it would put me in a difficult position indeed.
Especially when Ma Zhou, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but laugh out loud and looked at Lin Yi with an air of complacency, saying:
“Haha, it appears that you aren’t stubborn to the point of no return yet. You’re teachable, indeed very teachable.
Since you are aware of this matter, Mr. Lin, accept the charges, and when the time comes, I will ask the judiciary for a lighter punishment in light of your teachability.”
Not only Ma Zhou, but also the surrounding court officials were surprised that Lin Yi would make such a statement.
Isn’t this tantamount to admitting guilt? They had never expected Lin Yi to be so easy to deal with, and felt as though they were punching into cotton.
Had they known it would be so easy, they would’ve taken action themselves; such a great achievement had unexpectedly fallen into the hands of the minor Ma Zhou.
This made them feel somewhat indignant for a while.
Had they known earlier, by capturing this youngster themselves, wouldn’t it have been a grand display before the Fourth Prince, with considerable benefits to follow?
Not just the Civil and Military Officials but including the Fourth and the Sixth Prince also couldn’t help but turn their gaze towards Lin Yi, their eyes filled with perplexity and a slight furrow of their brows.
These two were not like Ma Zhou and in their hearts, they were beginning to harbor doubts, not believing that the other party had been so easily defeated.
After all, everything that this person had done before was not that of a simple character.
If he could be taken down so easily, then he would not have been within their consideration in the first place, not worth worrying about.
Yet now this fellow had admitted to the charges on his own, which puzzled them about what exactly Lin Yi had in mind.
The young Emperor included, who, when looking at Lin Yi, also knit his brow tightly.
The Emperor couldn’t quite understand why Lin Yi would say such a thing – wouldn’t this make things difficult for him?
However, no matter the outcome, regardless of whether Lin Yi admits guilt or not, the Emperor would intervene to save Lin Yi.
Even if it meant directly dragging Ma Zhou out to be executed, there was no way Lin Yi would be allowed to confess to the crimes.
Of course, although doing so would affect her reputation and diminish her prestige among the officials, she had no other choice in order to save Lin Yi.
However, while Ma Zhou was smug and the Civil and Military Officials looked down on Lin Yi, and while the Fourth Prince and others frowned, Lin Yi’s voice once more filled everyone’s ears, exuding a sense of such calm:
“Hehe, there’s no need for Mr. Ma Zhou to worry; although I agree with Mr. Ma Zhou on the topic of iron smelting, it does not mean that I accept his slanderous accusations against me.”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyebrows furrowed, but the brows of the Fourth Prince and the others eased slightly – they thought as much; how could it be so simple to take down this young fellow?
Hearing his disagreement was within the bounds of reason.
Not only did the brows of the Fourth Prince and others relax, but so did those of the Imperial Censor Ma Zhou, who also heaved a sigh of relief in his heart.
Although Ma Zhou was his subordinate and represented the Imperial Censorate at this moment, he had prepared many backup plans and therefore did not wish for Ma Zhou to steal the spotlight.
He wanted to be the final showstopper, to watch Lin Yi fall before him, defeated by his own hands.
If not, and such a great achievement were to credit Ma Zhou, it would be a grave regret.
Should Ma Zhou gain this vast merit and rise meteorically, perhaps one day even replacing his own position, was something he could not and would not want to see.
At this moment, however, Ma Zhou, who was initially all smiles, suddenly stiffened, his face becoming rather unsightly; this youngster was actually toying with him.
Yet, after pausing for a moment, allowing the crowd time to react, Lin Yi continued to speak:
“Since Mr. Ma Zhou and I have reached a consensus about iron smelting and agree that it’s not a matter of competing with the people for profit, let’s discuss the matter of salt.
Mr. Ma Zhou has said before that iron is fundamental to the nation, a crucial resource of the country, a necessity for the state and not a daily necessity for the people, thus, it can’t be considered competing with the people for profit.
Let me ask you, Mr. Ma Zhou, is the matter of salt a question of competing with the people for profit?
Do you dare to say that salt is not a daily necessity for the people?
Since ancient times, the control of salt has rested with the court – does this mean that all the wise and virtuous throughout history were wrong, that the court has always been wrong?”
Hearing this retort, the crowd below couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
Just as Lin Yi had said, while iron smelting is not a daily necessity for the people, salt is an indispensable commodity.
Moreover, Ma Zhou had previously assured with utmost confidence that the court would never engage in competing with the people for profit, and that had always been the case.
But with a turn of his face, Lin Yi had slapped him with the facts.
Leaving him speechless and unable to respond.
Watching this, Lin Yi did not cease speaking but instead directly addressed Ma Zhou once more:
“Apart from salt, there’s also sugar; these commodities are also controlled by the court.
Would Mr. Ma Zhou care to explain whether these too are cases of competing with the people for profit?
Are you saying that the court has always been wrong throughout history?”
Question after question left Ma Zhou speechless, his complexion shifting between blue and red.