Chapter 984 992: 3rd Layer of the Spirit Platform

From ancient times to the present, in every dynasty, there have been emperors who left the palace for east, south, or north tours, which is not surprising as it is a means for the ruling class to consolidate power.

But these emperors, whenever they traveled, generally stayed for one or two days, maybe four or five days at most. It is quite rare for someone like Chen Mo to stay in Chaoping County for over two months.

This is not an east tour at all; it is entirely for leisure.

The key is that Chen Mo brought all the concubines from the harem.

After listening to Wu Mi's words, Chen Mo fell into silence, unsure of how to respond to the ministers' advice.

Of course, the most crucial point is that he still wants to be a wise and capable ruler.

If he were to be a foolish ruler, it would be simple: indulge in pleasure all day, ignore state affairs, disregard officials' advice, and exile those who annoy him with their advice directly.

But he certainly cannot do that.

So, Chen Mo asked Wu Mi if there was any legitimate reason to decline.

"Yes, Ms. Mi, please think of a way. I don't want to return so soon. It's so much fun here," Yi Shiyin had already grown fond of the place.

"Well..." Wu Mi showed a bit of reluctance on her face.

After all, if she did this, and it happened to reach the ears of those ministers, they would surely label her as the "Demon Queen" who misleads Your Majesty into neglecting affairs and indulging in pleasure.

Wu Mi pondered slightly, and asked, "How long does Your Majesty plan to stay here?"

Chen Mo paused for a moment, calculating in his heart, and said, "Half a year... perhaps."

Since he's here, he at least wants to break through to the 3rd Layer of the Spirit Platform.

Moreover, the matters concerning the Nangong Family and Immortal Island have not been thoroughly investigated yet.

"Half a year..."

Wu Mi thought a bit; ordinary methods surely wouldn't work. She suddenly thought of an idea and said, "How about Your Majesty pretends to be ill?"

"Pretend to be ill?" Chen Mo frowned.

"That probably won't work, will it? The officials all know that Your Majesty is an Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist, and they also know that both the Empress and I are skilled in medicine. Simply pretending to be ill seems too false, and the officials probably won't believe it," Nalan Yiren mused.

Wu Mi chuckled and said, "Whether the officials believe it or not is irrelevant, Your Majesty only needs a reason to continue staying here. Without this pretense, if Your Majesty forcibly stays, the ministers will accuse Your Majesty of neglecting governance and indulging in pleasure. But with this pretense, at least on the surface, the ministers won't say this, though the annals may record that Your Majesty is unwell.

Moreover, with Yiren's skills, it shouldn't be difficult to make Your Majesty appear to have a 'minor illness' to deceive those accompanying ministers, correct?"

"Of course." Nalan Yiren replied confidently, yet she still did not fully understand Wu Mi's words.

What does it mean when Wu Mi says it's irrelevant whether the officials believe it or not?

If it's irrelevant, why bother with this extra effort?

Xia Zhiqing, Liang Ji, Xu Ying, Xiao Yunxi understood.

The so-called pretended illness is merely a 'fig leaf'.

As long as it's not revealed directly, it can deceive others.

…

The next day, in the government office hall.

The officials accompanying the east tour had all gathered together.

They were speaking one after another, creating a somewhat noisy scene.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me for a moment. His Majesty has already been in Chaoping County for over two months. Apart from inspecting the harbor in the first few days, he has been spending the rest of the time on the seaside with the concubines, oblivious of time and date. We cannot let His Majesty continue this way. As ministers, we should follow Zhou Wenjian's example, speak frankly, and persuade His Majesty to return from waywardness."

A Right Imperial Censor surnamed Cui spoke passionately.

In his eyes, Chen Mo is the greatest emperor in nearly a thousand years.

He pacified the chaotic world, restored the imperial examination system, repelled foreign enemies, established Great Wei, implemented new policies, expanded the territory, and lamented the hardships of the people, repeatedly reducing taxes. Recently, he even performed Fengshan, which prompted celestial manifestations.

In his view, Chen Mo was on the path to becoming an emperor for eternity, so he was extremely heartbroken by Chen Mo's recent behavior, thinking it was a sign of transitioning from wise to foolish.

He must find a way to persuade Chen Mo to return from waywardness. If successful, he might also become a renowned minister like Zhou Wenjian.

Zhou Wenjian, a historically famous outspoken minister, known for his candid advice, was posthumously honored with the title "Wenjian."

After him, nearly all advising ministers took him as an example.

"Lord Cui speaks well. It is said, 'A country with honest ministers will not perish.' As long as we can persuade His Majesty to desist from indulging in pleasure, even if it means sacrificing our lives, it is a duty we must fulfill."

"Indeed, count me in."

"Good."

Censor Cui prepared to unite with the officials to directly advise His Majesty.

At this moment, a female official approached, and said, "Who is Censor Cui, Lord Cui?"

"I am."

"Lord Cui, His Majesty and the Empress request your presence," the female official said.

As the words were spoken, the faces of the gathered officials changed slightly.

In the past few days, Censor Cui had been advising intensely. He might have upset His Majesty, and therefore provoked his anger, thus facing blame.

Censor Cui's heart skipped a beat, but in front of his colleagues, he couldn't show weakness.

Not only did he not show fear, but he also presented a resolute demeanor, accompanying the female official to Chen Mo's residence.

Less than half an hour later, Censor Cui returned.

The officials in the government office had not yet left. Seeing Censor Cui return safely, they hurriedly asked how things went.

"His Majesty is unwell, and the State Preceptor and the Empress say His Majesty needs rest and cannot bear long travels," Censor Cui sighed.