The next day, the morning court session began.
In the past, Xiao Heye attended court as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, but this time was different.
He was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and sat upright on the dragon throne in the hall.
The court officials submitted a memorial today to discuss only four matters.
The first issue concerns the subsequent reconstruction of Yong'an City.
Secondly, regarding the matter of capturing Zhou Lin after he fled to Youzhou.
Thirdly, there is the question of how to deal with Jiang Zhun, the Minister of War.
Fourthly, there is a discussion about how to arrange Xiao Heye's enthronement ceremony.
Xiao Heye listened to the advice of the court officials on the first two matters.
The reconstruction of Yong'an City was entrusted to the Vice Minister of Works, while Zhou Lin, the Prince of Huainan, ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to continue the pursuit.
As for Jiang Zhun...
Xiao Heye looked at the court officials below and said, "Minister of War Jiang Zhun has colluded with foreign invaders and plotted a rebellion. His entire family should be executed. Gentlemen... have no objections?"
"this……"
"..."
The people below looked at each other, not that they wanted to plead for Jiang Zhun, but... that's not how the laws of Northern Liang are written.
Having served in the court for so many years, Xiao Heye certainly wouldn't have misremembered this. But now that he's said this, his intention is clear: to eradicate the entire Jiang family.
Although he became emperor, Xiao Heye's ruthless and decisive nature inevitably instilled fear in his subordinates.
It's understandable for a new emperor to set off a fire upon taking the throne, but Xiao Heye's fire was clearly a bit too much.
Just as those below dared not speak out and were merely hesitant and submissive, Su Sui, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward.
He walked slowly to the center of the hall, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and spoke in a steady and forceful tone, enunciating clearly: "Your Majesty, Minister of War Jiang Zhun has indeed colluded with foreign enemies and intended to rebel. According to the laws of Northern Liang, Jiang Zhun should be beheaded... As for how to deal with the rest of Jiang's family, it is clearly written in the law."
Su Sui paused for a moment, then continued, "They should be exiled to a harsh, cold place, rather than their entire families being executed."
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what's written in the law..."
"Actually, being exiled to such a place is worse than death..."
"..."
After Su Sui finished speaking, the people below began to whisper among themselves again.
Xiao Heye sat on the throne in the main hall, looking down at Su Sui with an inscrutable expression in his eyes.
It seems that Su Sui has always enjoyed making things difficult for him.
Previously, Xiao Heye was the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs. Su Sui disapproved of his various practices and impeached Xiao Heye several times.
Now that Xiao Heye has become emperor, Su Sui still speaks boldly and shows him no mercy.
Of course, Xiao Heye did indeed go too far in this matter.
After some deliberation, Xiao Heye finally relented: "Since Lord Su has brought up the laws and regulations, let's do it that way."
"Gentlemen, is there anything else?" Xiao Heye asked casually, twirling the thumb ring on his thumb.
"Your Majesty, there are also matters concerning your enthronement ceremony," said Wei Guang, Minister of Rites, bowing respectfully.
"This enthronement ceremony is a good thing. Although the war in Northern Liang has just ended, it is not appropriate to spend a lot of money and manpower to prepare for His Majesty's enthronement ceremony at this time. However, I believe that this ceremony should still be grand. Firstly, His Majesty can take this opportunity to pray for the people and the country. Secondly, Northern Liang has suffered one disaster after another in the past six months, and the people are in a state of panic. His Majesty can take this opportunity to let the people of Northern Liang share in the joy and grant a general amnesty to spread His Majesty's benevolence."
“That makes sense.” Xiao Heye smiled slightly. “However, Lord Wei… compared to the coronation ceremony, I am more concerned about how the empress's investiture ceremony should be organized.”
Wei Guang paused, clearly not having considered the matter: "Your Majesty, shouldn't we discuss the Empress's coronation ceremony after the Empress has been chosen?"
"Oh? Lord Wei is unaware of my chosen Empress?"
"What... you don't know either?" Xiao Heye pointed casually at the crowd below.
No one dared to reply.
In fact, they knew better than anyone else that on the day Xiao Heye returned to the capital in triumph, he rode Su Tiyue back to the palace in full view of everyone.
Everyone in the city knew what Xiao Heye was thinking.
These ministers are always the best at guessing the emperor's thoughts, how could they not know?
Xiao Heye clicked his tongue. “Since you don’t know, then I will issue an imperial edict to be read aloud three times a day in the city, until… everyone in Beiliang knows that Su Tiyue is my empress.”
"how?"
You must understand, this imperial edict required these people to kneel and listen to it.
Kneeling three times a day, who could stand that?
Upon hearing this, Wei Guangbang trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, this is probably inappropriate. The daughter of the Minister of Revenue is the widow of the late Emperor. How... how can she be Empress? It's not proper, neither in terms of sentiment nor reason..."
"Even if the Emperor truly favors her, you may summon her to the harem and bestow upon her the title of Consort. However, making her Empress is absolutely out of the question..."
Xiao Heye snorted coldly, his voice louder than before: "What's wrong with that? What about the late emperor's widow? I will not only marry her, but also make her empress. Besides... I only want her. This harem is enough with her."
Regarding Jiang Zhun's matter, Su Sui used the laws of Beiliang to persuade Xiao Heye.
Wei Guang thought about this matter and brought up the laws of Beiliang, hoping that Xiao Heye might listen to his advice. So he said, "Your Majesty, according to the laws of Beiliang, the position of Empress is the head of the harem, and only virtuous and talented young ladies from noble families are qualified to compete for it."
"Bullshit laws! Bullshit rules! Do I have to defer to you guys to decide who I marry or who I make empress?"
Wei Guang pressed his forehead to the ground and whispered, "Your humble servant dares not."
Xiao Heye stood up angrily from the dragon throne and said sternly, "From now on, my words are the rules and the law! People can curse me if they want... Anyway, I've gotten used to hearing those unpleasant words over the years."
"Lord Wei, I will only give you three days. If you dare to neglect the coronation ceremony three days from now, I will replace you with someone else."
Finally, Xiao Heye added three words in a sinister tone: "Understand?"
Wei Guang quickly replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
From then on, no one dared to make any further comments about the Empress.
Perhaps Xiao Heye can back down and compromise on the matter of Jiang Zhun.
However, on the matter of establishing an empress, Xiao Heye was unwilling to wrong Su Tiyue in the slightest.
He didn't care about the coronation ceremony, but he cared a lot about the empress's coronation ceremony. He had fantasized more than once about giving Su Tiyue an unprecedented wedding and marrying her in a grand and glorious way.
Xiao Heye could bear the infamy and doubts, but he was unwilling to let Su Tiyue suffer even the slightest grievance.
Those in high positions should use all their strength to protect her for life.
Isn't that right?
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