"Uncle, lock them all up in the Imperial Prison first."
Just as Yuan Xiu was about to speak, Yuan Yun interrupted, stepping forward to grab Yuan Xiu's hand.
She knew her younger brother too well; he was currently venting his anger, and if he were to deal with these people, he would surely kill them all.
Zhao Huan is right; this is bad for the emperor's reputation.
However, if it is not stopped in time, and Yuan Xiu says it out loud, then it will be a case of "a ruler's word is law."
"yes!"
Yuan Zhangxian responded first, then said, "With so many people, the imperial prison probably can't hold them all."
Yuan Yun said, "If they can't be imprisoned in the imperial prison, then they'll be stuffed into the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review."
"Your subject understands."
Seeing that Yuan Yun had spoken, Yuan Xiu did not dare to act rashly and whispered in Yuan Yun's ear, "Just kill her, it's too much trouble to keep her locked up."
Yuan Yun also lowered her voice and said, "Among them are more than half of the officials in the capital, and countless local officials. If you kill them all, who will govern the country for you?"
"But they're all here to curry favor with the Feng family."
“I know, but not everyone is sincere. The Feng family is powerful, and some people are just doing this for survival. Let's arrest them all first, and then conduct a unified investigation.”
Yuan Yun tightened her grip on Yuan Xiu's hand and said solemnly, "We have already succeeded. We need to take things slowly for the rest, or we will fail at the last minute."
"You are the emperor, you must learn how to use people."
Yuan Yun glanced at Zhao Huan not far away and said, "Let professionals handle professional matters."
"Sister is right!" Yuan Xiu exclaimed, and he also gripped Yuan Yun's hand tightly.
This day in April of the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Dajing is known to later generations as the 'Fengyuan Massacre'.
The subsequent investigations were too extensive, including malicious retaliations by ministers who were dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager's faction and Erzhuhua, resulting in numerous wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
Therefore, it is also known as the 'Fengyuan Injustice'.
However, historical records still use the "Fengyuan Massacre" as the main theme.
Afterwards, Yuan Yun fulfilled his promise and made Yuan Xiu appoint Zhao Huan as prime minister, but at the same time appointed Yuan Zhang as general.
From then on, the Jing Dynasty had one civil official and one military officer.
Taking advantage of the turmoil in Dajing, Yedan and Nanzhou began to make their moves, but Nanzhou's actions were small-scale, while Yedan's army invaded the border.
Yuan Xiu appointed Zhao Huan's subordinates as commanders, leading the Dragon Spear Warriors to deal with the Southern Zhou, and sent Yuan Zhang to lead the main force of the Jingguo army to the northern desert to fight against the Yedan.
Therefore, the heavy burden of the imperial court fell entirely on Zhao Huan's shoulders.
He used an iron fist to suppress the remaining forces of the Empress Dowager's faction and Erzhuhua, and he also strictly enforced laws to reorganize the court. His tough approach allowed the government to return to normal in a very short time.
Yuan Xiu certainly hoped for stability in the court, but the stability he envisioned was somewhat different from what he imagined.
Unable to handle the complex situation following the Fengyuan massacre, he could only rely on Zhao Huan. However, the court, after being purged by Zhao Huan, had clearly become Zhao Huan's mini-court.
Although Zhao Huan did not treat Yuan Xiu as a puppet, the ministers only recognized Zhao Huan, and the people of Changsui also only recognized Zhao Huan.
For a time, Zhao Huan's reputation reached its peak.
But Zhao Huan and Feng Bao were different from Er Zhu Hua. He was an honest and upright official who loved the people like his own children and did not cause trouble in politics.
This made Yuan Xiu even more afraid of Zhao Huan.
"By the mandate of Heaven, we bring blessings to the people."
In the main hall, Zhao Huan stood at the foot of the steps, facing the officials, and said loudly, "I propose that this hall be renamed Tianze Hall. From now on, Your Majesty and your ministers must remember that the people, the common people, are the foundation of the Great Jing!"
Yuan Xiu's cheeks twitched, but he remained silent.
The officials echoed this sentiment.
"The Prime Minister's suggestion is excellent!"
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that proposal..."
Zhao Huan looked at Yuan Xiu and asked, "What does Your Majesty think?"
Yuan Xiu immediately put on a smile, shook his sleeves, and laughed, "I also think it's wonderful! Absolutely brilliant! Tianze Palace, let's call it Tianze Palace!"
"Wen Tai," Zhao Huan suddenly called out.
Wen Tai, who was about thirty-four or thirty-five years old, stepped forward and said, "Teacher."
"Bring the items up."
"yes."
Wen Tai clapped his hands, and two eunuchs carried in a wooden box. The officials craned their necks to look and saw that it was full of letters.
Yuan Xiu asked curiously, "What is this?"
Wen Tai first bowed respectfully to Yuan Xiu, and then said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager's faction and the remnants of treacherous officials have been eliminated, but we found these letters in the homes of these remnants..."
"What letter?"
“These are all letters exchanged with… court officials.” Wen Tai stopped talking and looked at Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan looked at Yuan Xiu with a scrutinizing gaze and asked, "What does Your Majesty think should be done with these letters?"
Yuan Xiu angrily said, "Of course we should drag them out and punish them all!"
Zhao Huan sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Yuan Xiu caught a glimpse of Zhao Huan's gaze and his heart skipped a beat!
Zhao Huan said, "Wen Tai, burn all these letters."
"yes."
After Zhao Huan gave the order, Wen Tai did not hesitate and ordered his men to set the fire in full view of everyone.
Yuan Xiu stood there stunned, then suddenly understood.
Zhao Huan wasn't actually asking for his opinion; he was just testing him.
Clearly, Zhao Huan was not satisfied with his decision.
Many officials breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the fire begin to burn.
Ignoring the reactions of the officials, and without even looking at them, Zhao Huan stared at Yuan Xiu and said, "Your Majesty, do you understand why I did this?"
Yuan Xiu swallowed hard and said, "Please enlighten me, Prime Minister."
Zhao Huan then looked at the officials and said, taking his time, "Whether it was the Empress Dowager Feng or the treacherous minister Erzhu Hua, they wielded immense power at the time. Some people colluded with them for personal gain, while others did so for survival. Even His Majesty was trembling with fear back then, let alone some helpless and powerless officials."
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