With just a word from the emperor, the Imperial Guards at the gate would rush in, and the prime ministers would be killed like chickens and ducks.

Zhao Huan glanced at the ministers: "From this day forward, all of you open your eyes and take a good look. Anyone who dares to submit a memorial criticizing the new policies or coercing the court into making compromises, whether the memorial reaches the two ministries or the Hanlin Academy, will be counted and thrown into the death row. What I want are officials who serve the country and the people; I want officials who can rescue the people from the oppressive rule that is more ferocious than a tiger; I want an army that can protect the country and its people. Those who oppress the people and only know how to drink and cause trouble all day long, I don't mind killing them all! And what nonsense about the loyalist army! There cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two rulers in the country. I am the Son of Heaven, and there is only one emperor in this world!"

The officials replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

The last shred of hope the Council of State held for the retired emperor was shattered. Xu Churen, Tang Ke, and He... went from feeling turbulent to gradually calming down. If the Council of State did not support the emperor in purging officials, it was feared that even the Council of State would be purged.

The emperor executed several prime ministers in the Council of State Affairs, but did not appoint any replacements. This clearly shows his dissatisfaction with the Council's administration. In the matter of reducing redundant officials, the Council not only failed to carry out the emperor's orders, but also secretly obstructed the process.

Without a doubt, many officials are already writing memorials and submitting them to the two ministries, some to the Hanlin Academy, and some bolder ones even submitting them to the emperor.

According to the emperor's will, anyone who dared to suggest compromise to the court in their memorials was considered a traitor and was to be imprisoned.

Indeed, as Zhao Huan said, the Council of State Affairs soon received dozens of memorials.

Just as things were getting turbulent in Jingji Road, Zong Ze, the commander-in-chief of the new army, received an order from the emperor to divide his troops into two groups and exterminate all the rebels in Jingdong Road and Jingxi Road!