The recent events have been turbulent and unpredictable. The Confucius Mansion incident not only implicated the Confucian scholar case, but also imprisoned the Grand Chancellor and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who will be executed in the autumn.

If the emperor's order to thoroughly investigate the Confucian scholar case was the fuse that ignited a massive resistance from local forces, then the "Legitimate Defense" law jointly issued by the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice was like adding fuel to the fire, thoroughly enraging the local forces.

During the Song Dynasty, a very strict hierarchical system still existed. For example, according to the criminal law of the Song Dynasty, if a member of the Confucius family killed Xu Asan, he would not be guilty of treason because Xu Asan was a soldier. Soldiers had a very low social status in the Song Dynasty, and he was just a garrison soldier. Even if he worked hard for a hundred lifetimes, he would never be able to touch a single finger of the Confucius family.

But now the situation is completely different. Not only did Xu Asan not get punished for killing Kong Xiang, but the Kong family was also raided. Just because it was a Confucian scholar's rampage, the court completely disregarded the Confucian scholar's rampage, fined them all, and exiled them to Lingnan and the southwest regardless of their wealth or poverty. Isn't this a slap in the face?

Whose face is being slapped? It's the face of the scholar-officials who hold a superior position in the Song Dynasty, of course!

Even the Junior Minister and the Minister of Justice lost their lives because of this. The court wasn't satisfied with just slapping them in the face, so they simply took a radical step: the "Self-Defense Law" means that you guys are not allowed to bully civilians in the future. Otherwise, if someone fights back and attacks you or even threatens your life, it is not illegal to kill you!

This law was widely recognized by the public in later generations as a fundamental law protecting the interests of the people. However, in a society like the Song Dynasty, with its strict hierarchy and the miserable plight of ordinary people, the court created this law precisely to provide a protective umbrella for them.

The local tyrants, who were already on the verge of a rampage, became even more reckless.

If I don't make a scene, will the Zhao family really think the world belongs to them?

What did our ancestors say? What did Minister Wen say?

The emperor and the scholar-officials govern the country together! Not the people! You think this is just a joke?

Emperor, we're going to teach you a lesson today!

Within just two days, dozens of counties and prefectures in western Beijing, eastern Beijing, Hebei, eastern Hebei, Shaanxi, and Jinghu experienced violent incidents caused by local tyrants. These people were wealthy and powerful in their localities, and some local officials, dissatisfied with the imperial decrees, turned a blind eye and deliberately allowed the situation to escalate, while simultaneously sending urgent memorials to the imperial court.

Because of this incident, high-ranking officials of the State Affairs Hall went to the palace overnight to meet with the emperor, demanding that he abolish the "Law on Justifiable Defense" and attempting to persuade the emperor to properly handle the Confucian scholar case and adopt a conciliatory policy towards various regions to quell public anger.

As soon as the prime ministers entered the emperor's study, they met Xie Dahai, the head of the secret service, who had just finished reporting the current situation to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

"No need for formalities," Zhao Huan said calmly. "Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I wish to thank Dahai to discuss some matters."

After speaking, Zhao Huan emphasized to Xie Dahai, "Are the number of guards in the imperial cities of various regions sufficient?"

"Your Majesty, we have two thousand men stationed in the prefectural city, one thousand in the state capital, and five hundred in the county. They are all top-notch fighters. As long as Your Majesty gives the order, these men will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Very good! Xie Dahai, convey my order: anyone who dares to disobey the court shall be executed without mercy. Go ahead and kill them all until there is no one left to object!"

The ministers on the side turned pale upon hearing this, and were about to speak up to dissuade the emperor, but the emperor said: "Report the situation at any time. If any place needs support, I can have Zong Ze mobilize the new army to enter the city. I only want one result: anyone who dares to oppose the court shall die! Whether it is a prince, a prime minister, or a local tyrant, do you understand!"

"Yes, sir! I understand!"

"Okay, go do it!"

Xie Dahai had just left, and before the ministers could speak, a young eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty, Commander Zong and Marquis Yongwu have arrived."

"Okay, let them in quickly!"

The Prime Minister of the East Mansion was completely bewildered, but then he saw Zong Ze leading Han Shizhong into the Emperor's study.

"Your subject kowtows to the Emperor!"

Zhao Huan was very enthusiastic. He stepped forward and took Zong Ze's hands in his own, his face full of concern: "How are you feeling today, Lord Zong? I have some thousand-year-old snow ginseng from the Western Regions here. I was just about to have someone send it to you."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine."

"Good! If you feel unwell, please let me know. Although military affairs are important, in my eyes, you are the most important."

Upon hearing this, Zong Ze was so moved that he was speechless.

The gentlemen on the side were filled with jealousy and envy, never expecting that the emperor would have such an approachable side!

When did the Song Dynasty become like this?! In the past, the emperor only treated civil officials this way, but now it's the other way around.

"Lord Zong, to be honest, I now need the new army to clear away the obstacles to my new policies. Are you willing to lead the charge for me?"

"The emperor is like a father to his subjects, having bestowed upon them the grace of being reborn. Even if the emperor were to send his subjects to climb mountains of knives or plunge into seas of fire, they would not hesitate to do so!"

Zhao Huan looked at Han Shizhong, who quickly replied, "As long as Your Majesty gives the order, I will give my life!"

"Recently, many rebels have attempted to assassinate me. I intend to eliminate them. You should follow me to establish a lasting legacy!" Zhao Huan solemnly said. "Lord Zong, you will lead a new army to the west of the capital. Marquis Yongwu, you will lead a new army into the eastern part of the capital to assist the imperial guards in suppressing the rioters! You two have the authority to execute first and report later!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The officials on the side stopped, their faces turning green. What was the emperor trying to do? Was the emperor going to use force to suppress them?

This is outrageous! If this continues, the Song Dynasty will be thrown into chaos!

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