Xu Churen immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is virtuous and wise. Both rebel armies have been quelled. I believe that the southwestern border is in dire need of manpower. We can send the rebel prisoners to the southwest to repair the city and defend against Jiaozhi."
Li Gang also stepped forward and said, "I agree with what Minister Xu said."
Seeing that both powerful figures had stepped forward to express their opinions, Qin Hui immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that we should eliminate them completely!"
Some time ago, during a discussion about the situation in the south, Qin Hui made his final remarks, playing the good guy and offending neither side.
After this incident, Liu Yanzong spoke privately with Qin Hui.
It was pointed out that if Qin Hui continued on this path, he was courting death.
Qin Hui was somewhat confused at the time. The emperor had now brought him into the Eastern Palace, which could be considered a formal entry into the power center of the Song Dynasty. How could this be considered courting death?
Liu Yanzong reminded him that they were all promoted by the emperor, bypassing the usual ranks.
You, Qin Hui, were just an official in charge of remonstrance. Now your rank is the same as your former superior, He Ye. Think about it, is there such a good thing in this world?
Why did the emperor promote you so exceptionally? It was so that you could do what he wanted to do.
But the emperor had to save face!
Don't be fooled by the fact that the emperor killed so many ministers and acted like a tyrant in court every day during his first year on the throne.
There was no other way; at that time, the emperor had no one else to rely on, so he had to come in person.
But now that the emperor has promoted you, me, and a group of people like Shi Xun, if you keep letting the emperor play the "bad guy" every day, he'll think we're useless.
Once we're no longer useful, we'll naturally be replaced, and someone willing to be the "bad guy" will take our place.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hui immediately understood.
Qin Hui was not unaware of the reasons behind this; he was simply overwhelmed by the sense of accomplishment after being suddenly promoted to the Eastern Palace.
Reminded by Liu Yanzong, he felt a chill run down his spine and quickly thanked Liu Yanzong.
So when the emperor raised the question of how to deal with the southern rebels, this time, Qin Hui stepped forward without any hesitation: "Your Majesty, whatever you want to do, I will do."
The excitement in Zhao Huan's eyes flashed briefly, and he calmly asked, "Qin Qing, what makes you say that?"
"Your Majesty, the rebellion has harmed the people and damaged the foundation of the nation. If it is not severely punished, some will surely take chances. To nip this in the bud, I believe they should all be executed!"
Xu Churen said, "Qin Hui, you are talking nonsense. The Wang army is advancing like a whirlwind, and the imperial court's power is at its zenith. Who would dare to harbor any illusions?"
Li Gang also said, "Your Majesty, war is about to break out in the southwest. We need manpower to repair the city walls and transport supplies. It would be a real pity to kill them all."
The Imperial Censor He Ye immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Chancellor Li!"
Zhao Huan was slightly surprised: "Imperial Censor He, what crime has Prime Minister Li committed?"
"Your Majesty, the new policy stipulates that all grain and fodder transportation shall be carried out by merchant caravans recruited from the private sector, and the court shall pay wages in accordance with the regulations. Minister Li's words are an attempt to reinstate corvée labor! This is an act of rebellion!"
As soon as He Ye said this, the atmosphere in the court froze.
Holy crap! He Jianren truly lives up to her reputation; she either doesn't speak at all, or when she does, she's determined to destroy you!
Li Gang quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise; I had no such intention!"
Zhao Huan remained silent for a moment before saying, "Imperial Censor He, you flatter me."
He bowed, stepped aside, and said no more.
The emperor's meaning was simple: Well done! Now go back obediently.
Zhao Huan, adopting the demeanor of a wise ruler, said, "My ministers, please speak freely. I will not punish you for your words."
I don't believe your nonsense!
Your Majesty, don't you feel any remorse for saying such things?
How many people have been punished for their words?
Have you ever dreamed about them?
The ministers were discussing this amongst themselves, but they all praised the emperor as a sage emperor.
Right now, if you don't speak up, you're disrespecting the emperor. The emperor has already said that no one will be punished for their words, so don't just stand there like dumb chickens. Speak up and share your thoughts.
However, if you all stand on Xu Churen's side, then Qin Hui and Liu Yanzong will definitely come to criticize you!
After He Ye silenced Li Gang, who was known for his uprightness, in one fell swoop, the other officials also realized the direction of the political winds.
Zhao Huan glanced at Liu Yanzong, and seeing that Liu Yanzong's expression and demeanor were at their best, he asked, "Imperial Censor Liu, do you have something to say?"
Liu Yanzong immediately stepped forward, his tone quite sorrowful: "Your Majesty, yesterday I met an old woman at the gate of the Censorate. Upon inquiring about her, I was overcome with grief, unable to eat, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, and my mind was in a daze."
Zhao Huan was slightly startled: "Liu Yusi, tell me, what has kept you up at night?"
Liu Yanzong said, "That old woman was from Liujia Village, Qinghe County, Jiangnan West Road. Two months ago, her son was captured by the rebel army to be forced into labor. When he refused, he was beaten to death in public. The old woman was heartbroken and wanted to drown herself. However, she heard that the current emperor was wise and the court officials were upright, so she and her husband packed their belongings and, after two months of wandering, arrived in Dongjing City. Exhausted from the journey, her husband had already passed away, leaving her alone. She wandered around Dongjing City for several days, unable to find enough to eat. After inquiring around, she heard that the Censorate was upholding the law for the emperor and protecting the people, so she went to the gate of the Censorate to file a complaint..."
At this point, Liu Yanzong was almost speechless, his voice choked with emotion, his eyes moistened, and he let out another sigh.
He made all the ministers around him want to punch him. Damn, Liu Yusi, your story is too touching. If I hadn't seen you talking about life with a young girl at the Fengyue Pavilion last night, I would have almost believed it!
Just as someone was about to expose Liu Yusi's performance, Liu Yanzong suddenly knelt on the ground and burst into tears: "Your Majesty! Although the rebels have been quelled by the royal army, blood is still flowing in both regions! In my dreams, I heard the cries of countless people! If the court does not execute the rebels, how can we, the ministers of the state, have the face to speak in court again about sharing the emperor's burdens and seeking happiness for the people!"
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