"Who Needs Who?"

"The noble houses of this empire do sure give theirselves a lot of importance.

Back bone of the empire? That's total nonsense"

Gu Shang turned his attention to the Fourth Rank Junior Official, '' I heard you tell my father in law to go and swing swords or something, did I hear it right?" Gu Shang asked with a calm voice.

"My..ma.my lord, please forgive me, I.. I was wrong" The officials stammered as he knelt on the ground.

How could he be so unlucky. He had managed to hold all his grievances within himself this past few days and avoided old master Liu and the other military officials because he was afraid that offending them might anger the prince, but to their delight, Gu Shang had refused to attend court meetings since his arrival.

Just when he thought today was the day he could vent his frustration on the military officials, since he knew old master Liu won't be a cry baby and go and report him to Gu Shang, he actually showed up today and just in time to hear him.

Was he really that unlucky?

Gu Shang ignored him and looked at the military officials, "All of you have served in the military, right?" He asked.

"I served as commander of the western frontier seven years ago"

"I served as general in the battle against the Wei empire, half a century ago''

"I served as the admiral of the southern frontier a decade ago"

All the military officials clasped their hands and reported their services in proud and loud voices, they were proud to be able to serve and bleed for their country in this life time.

"Very good! Very good! You're all brave men, the empire would remember your service"

Gu Shang turned and faced Han Li, "This are men who have fought and bleed for the country, so that the likes of you and everyone here, can comfortably sit in theirs manors enjoying food and wine with their wives and concubines.

It's because of this men that you are able to comfortably sleep in the night and wake up to see and enjoy the sunrise,

It's because of their sacrifices and services, that your offsprings can join all this big sects and cultivate in peace Without disturbances.

It's thanks to that swinging of swords" Gu Shang paused and looked at the Fourth Rank Junior Official, the officials immediately bowed his head in shame when their eyes met.

Gu Shang took his eyes of him and concentrated it on the first prince tutor... "That your wives and daughters are not being sold as slaves.

It's thanks to that swinging of swords, that your manors haven't been burnt down and your wives and daughters raped Infront of your eyes.

I've seen the cruelty of war... Non of you have, this empire stands not because of you, but it only stands because of the brave soldiers of this land giving their everything, including their lives, on the frontline,

Without them, the empire would fall and there would be no noble houses.

Do you know the true owners of this empire?" Gu Shang asked

"Surely you can't be possibly suggesting that the army of the nation are the true owners of the land. That's ridiculous" Han Li retorted.

He had been shell shocked by Gu Shang explanation. His made more sense than him, if we were being honest, without the protection of the military the empire would have long fallen down and they would have lost their noble titles like Gu Shang said, but he was still unwillingly to back down, but Gu Shang answer threw him completely off.

"And who said anything about the empire belonging to the military?

The true owners of this land are neither you, me, the nobles, aristocrats or even the emperor. The true owners of this empire are the people which you refer to as the commoners" Gu Shang declared.

Loud collective gasped of disapproval broke the silence in the place. They would have been willing to listen to him if he had said the soldiers of the country, but the people?

That was total bullshit, the people could not even survive on their own, they needed the nobles to survive, how could such a group be called 'True owners of the land'. Did they even have a land of their own?

"My lord, don't you think you are taking this too far, the commoners are simple people with nothing to their names, they are only able to survive because we provide them land and give them jobs to do,

Without us they cannon survive, how could you say they are the owners of the land?" Han Li asked looking very displeased.

Gu Shang shook his head, "I thought you people were smart, but you are pretty dumb to not notice this.

Between the commoners and the nobles, who so you think needs who?" Gu Shang asked.

The officials were initially enraged by Gu Shang's first words but after hearing his next words they were stunned.

If it was any other day, they wouldn't need to even think before answering, but strangely today, they found theirselves pondering on this question.

"Who needs who?"

"You people have been going on about providing lands for the commoners to survive, but in actuality you take eighty percent of their harvest.

And with that twenty percent they are left with, they still have to pay tax to the imperial court.

This means you actually get the biggest benefits in this, so don't make it seem as if you're doing them a favor.

Without them your fields and lands would bear no harvest, which means no percentage for you,

I highly doubt that your spoilt offsprings would be able to work on your fields for you.

Besides they also pay you, don't they? The money the imperial court pays you, comes from the taxes payed by the people.

Every feast you hold, every banquet you attend, every hunting campaign you embark on, are all fully sponsored by the people.

So tell me who really needs who? Gu Shang said as he took a step forward towards Han Li.

Han Li and all the officials present were speechless, they tried to defend their stance but they couldn't even find their voice because they had nothing to really say in their defense.

Gu Shang was totally right.

"Tell me an empire made of only nobles and no commoners, I'll admit defeat if you can find any'' Gu Shang voice was heard again.

Today was really a big blow for them all. They had been knocked off their high horses and brought down to earth.

"Now tell me, do you still believe you are the back bone of the nation?" Gu Shang glanced at the kneeling official who had said that.

At this point, even Han Li the first prince tutor didn't dare to say such a thing, he bowed to Gu Shang in defeat and retreated into the crowd as he allowed Gu Shang words to ring through his ears 'Who needs who?'

"Your highness, please please forgive me I was wrong!" The official graveled at Gu Shang feet.

"For saying that, I'll forgive you of course....But I'll never tolerate anyone disrespecting my father in law" Gu Shang said coldly.

"Guards, take him away and flog him two hundred times" Gu Shang ordered emotionslessly.

"No..no..no.... Please your highnes." Four Golden Imperial guards came and dragged the Fourth Rank Junior Official away after Gu Shang gave his order.

The place feel silent, it was another day to remind themselves that Gu Shang was not to be messed with. The officials noted this In their heads.

"Decisive and ruthless'' The Grand Governor muttered.

"The emperor has entered the Hall Of Might, All Officials should File In!!"

Two eunuch announced loudly.