Shen Bi glanced at Chen Fanfu without a word, but Censor-in-Chief Yang seemed to recall something and said, "Grand Tutor Shen, are you referring to the sale of noble titles?"
"Precisely," Emperor Zhengde suddenly realized the plausibility of this and said affirmatively, "Proposing the sale of noble titles is truly a brilliant scheme. First, it brings in silver to increase the imperial court's revenue—since they came up with the idea, they reap both fame and profit. Second, it breeds discontent among the military commanders, stripping them of the will to fight to the death for the country and weakening our combat strength. Third, it undermines my authority by implying my succession cannot win the hearts of the realm. Are they trying to force me to abdicate? Killing three birds with one stone—what a masterstroke."
Emperor Zhengde's face darkened as he spoke with bitter resentment.
Chapter 62