Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 113

In the dark cell, the floor is covered with filth, rat droppings scattered across the hay, and large stains mar the walls.

Zhang Rong sits in the corner, unwashed for days, his hair disheveled, greasy, and tangled, falling in strands across his chest.

A jailer eating his meal glances in Zhang Rong’s direction and mocks him, “The mighty border general, now reduced to keeping company with traitors. If I were him, I’d bash my own head in!”

Another jailer chimes in, “A scion of the Zhang family, of course he fears nothing. Thinks that even if he stirs up heaven itself, no one can touch him.”

“The traitor Zhao is already dead, and his family has been driven out of the Chen State.”

The jailer looks at Zhang Rong, then grabs a fish bone from the cauldron and flings it toward him, laughing. “General, want a taste? This is your last meal before execution.”

Zhang Rong, who has been keeping his head down and ignoring the jailers, suddenly looks up. His voice is hoarse and rough. “What last meal before execution?”

“Wow!” the jailer feigns surprise. “The general doesn’t know? His Majesty has already given the order. Tomorrow at noon, the general will be brought to the palace gates and executed by beheading in front of all the officials and the common people.”

“The first general in history to be beheaded—yep, even in death, you’re no ordinary man,” the other jailer laughs. “No wonder you’re a great general. None of us get this kind of treatment.”

“You’re lying.” Zhang Rong glares at the jailer, forcing the words through clenched teeth. “I am a son of the Zhang family. His Majesty wouldn’t dare treat me like this! My Zhang family…”

“Your Zhang family? What of it?!” the jailer stands and spits at him. “Your Zhang family is still a subject of His Majesty! You nobles! We lowborns! Bah!”

Zhang Rong suddenly stands, gripping the wooden bars with both hands. His eyes are wild as he shouts, “I want to see His Majesty! Let me see him! He can’t treat me like this!”

“Your Majesty! You cannot treat him this way!” An elderly man leans on a cane, pointing his finger at the Marquis of Chen as he speaks, enunciating each word. “You cannot cast aside all your officials just because of your whims! Zhang Rong commits a grave offense—he deserves to die! But you cannot have him executed in front of the common people!”

In the royal palace, the officials are gathered in the main hall. Though not very large, it is crammed with people, noisy and crowded.

The old man strikes the ground fiercely with his cane. “This is an insult! Poison or white silk—fine. But beheading? And in front of the masses? Unacceptable!”

“You’re tearing off the noble families’ last shred of dignity and throwing it to the ground!”

Chen Hou sits on the steps, wearing a dark suit, looking down at Ye Zhou, who stands at the head of all the officials.

Perhaps because the way of dealing with Zhang Rong is too shocking, all the officials and families haven’t yet had the time to figure out who the new prime minister is, what kind of achievements he has, or what abilities he possesses.

Chen Hou clears his throat. “Does Lord Guangxin think I’ve done wrong? Then according to you, what should be done?”

Lord Guangxin snorts. “Your Majesty is stubborn, now asking for the opinions of your ministers? In my opinion, Zhang Rong cannot be killed! Not only can he not be killed, but Your Majesty should also invite him out personally. A king who governs with benevolence can’t be so ruthless with the generals guarding the pass. Wouldn’t that frighten everyone?”

Ye Zhou, watching from the side, is astonished.

So this has become a defense of innocence? They’re even trying to morally blackmail the ruler?

Even though he’s committed a monstrous crime, they argue that in order to show your virtue, you should still forgive and embrace him with an open heart.

But compared to Ye Zhou’s shock, Chen Hou seems calm. He has likely anticipated the opposition.

He sighs and speaks to Lord Guangxin, “I too wish to govern with benevolence. But an im—someone once told me: to govern a nation, what you need is the Way of Kings, not the Way of Benevolence. The kingly way is clear in its rewards and punishments. Merit is rewarded, faults are punished, orders are enforced, and officials perform their duties. The benevolent way sounds good, but people are greedy. If they are given two inches, they want three, and if given three, they want four—endlessly. If I let him go, will he thank me for my benevolence, or will more people think the ruler of Chen can be bullied? If even blocking me from entering the pass is easily forgiven, then next time they gather men to storm the palace, will they hesitate?”

Chen Hou turns to the old man and asks, “If I were the Marquis of Wei and you were a minister there, would you dare to speak like this to the Marquis of Wei?” Chen Hou smiles and shakes his head. “You wouldn’t dare.”

But Lord Guangxin raises his head and says, “Your Majesty, don’t blame me for using my age to speak out. Zhang Rong cannot be killed! Even if I were a minister in Wei, I would still say the same! If you don’t agree, I’ll return to my fief and never come to Linzi again!” Lord Guangxin bows his hands. “Your Majesty, think twice. Don’t ruin the entire Chen State over your momentary anger.”

The officials behind him also bow, saying, “Your Majesty, think twice.”

Chen Hou observes the group of people bowing their heads, feeling conflicted.

“Isn’t it just executing a traitor?” Ye Zhou stands tall among them. His voice echoes alone through the hall. He looks at Chen Hou, who is being criticized, and says clearly, “If there’s no distinction between reward and punishment, what’s the point of talking about enriching the country and strengthening the military? If treason becomes a trivial matter, then everything is muddled.” Ye Zhou laughs. “If this is how you govern a country, I must say it really opens my eyes.”

Lord Guangxin narrows his eyes and sneers. “I thought someone was spouting nonsense, but it turns out to be the new prime minister. Do you have any advice? Which monarch doesn’t govern with benevolence?”

Ye Zhou responds, “Which monarch of a strong country governs with benevolence? Let’s not even talk about Wei—look at Lu. Shortly after Duke Lu ascends the throne, he personally leads the army to fight Zhao, recapturing the six continents of Lu. Those who make meritorious deeds are rewarded, and those who flee the battlefield are executed. In just over ten years, Lu goes from a weak country to a strong one. Are you all closing your eyes to this reality?”

Lord Guangxin shouts angrily, “How dare you! Benevolence is the way of the world! Duke Lu is confusing right and wrong and will face retribution one day!”

Ye Zhou replies, “Retribution? What retribution? For making the nation wealthy and strong? For stabilizing grain prices? Today, grain in Chen costs ten coins per dou, while Lu’s land is mostly unsuitable for farming, yet their grain only costs two coins. This is the retribution you speak of?”

Lord Guangxin turns red with anger. “You only see immediate benefits and ignore long-term consequences. How can you be worthy of being prime minister?”

Ye Zhou retorts, “I’m not worthy? Are you? If you were prime minister, Chen would soon fall to a powerful nation. After all, benevolence means giving whatever others want, even if it ruins the country. If you don’t give, you’re unkind, unjust, and will be mocked by the world.”

“When did I say I’d hand over Chen State to others?” Lord Guangxin fumes. “You… you…”

“Forget it,” Ye Zhou says coldly. “You all have selfish motives. You seek profit for your families, not for the country. You only see the short-term profits. So what if you can throw your weight around while Chen remains poor and weak? Chen State is weak and the country is in decline. What benefits can you gain from that? What benefits can your family gain?”

Ye Zhou smiles. “It’s not that you don’t understand. It’s just that walking a new path is harder than sticking to the old one. Opposing a powerful nation is difficult—but bullying your own ruler? That’s easy. After all, the monarch has a good temper. You can even point at his nose and curse him. Right, Lord Guangxin?”

Lord Guangxin freezes, then remembers pointing at Chen Hou.

Lord Guangxin says, “I was worried about the country and got too excited.”

Ye Zhou responds, “If I punched you in the face right now, claiming it was out of concern for the country—how would you take it? You berated the ruler in front of all officials, pointed your finger in his face—was that not an insult? So, the ruler can be insulted, but Zhang Rong cannot? Is the ruler even lower than a traitorous general?!”

At these words, the entire court falls silent. The officials who have just been about to argue with Ye Zhou all bow their heads and say, “We dare not.”

Lord Guangxin can only cup his hands and bow his head, “This old minister dares not.”

Thanks to Ye Zhou’s ladder, Chen Hou finally finds a way down from the ledge. Looking at the bowed officials, he feels that in front of that celestial being, his dignity has once again been trampled. Whatever pitiful scraps of pride he has left are hanging by a thread.

He draws a deep breath and declares sternly, “My decision is final. If any of you still object—try facing the Chen sword. If you want to save Zhang Rong, you’ll have to kill me first!” He stands. “This seat, take it if you want! After all, you’re always so eager to rule in my place.”

He walks out of the side door, not looking at the officials again.

Before leaving, Chen Hou tells the eunuch, “Invite the Prime Minister to the study.”

The eunuch whispers an affirmation.

As Marquis Chen leaves, Lord Guangxin prepares to attack Ye Zhou, but the eunuch approaches Ye Zhou, whispering, “Prime Minister, His Majesty requests your presence.”

Lord Guangxin sneers, “Glib-tongued opportunist!”

Ye Zhou sighs. “Better a glib tongue than your incompetence—unable to speak or act, yet holding high office without thinking of serving the nation. I’m ashamed on your behalf.”

Without waiting for the ministers to respond, Ye Zhou follows the eunuch out of the hall.

Ye Zhou won’t give them a chance to refute him—let them go home and think it over.