Chapter 1050: Etiquette and Law are the Foundation of a Country
Xiao Zhan lightly brushed off the incense ash on his scarlet official robe, his voice as gentle as spring rain: "Why not enlist the young men involved in the incident into the northern border garrison? This would both demonstrate the great grace of heaven and..."
He suddenly turned to the trembling Lu Taishi and said, "I heard that your son has studied the Shui Jing Zhu very well, and the Mohe water conservancy project is in need of a supervisor."
The child on the dragon throne suddenly giggled, and the laughter reminded the civil and military officials in the court of the bloodbath at the Censorate three days ago.
Jiang Heng played with the tiger talisman and said in a childish voice, "Just follow what my cousin said, but those leaders..."
He tilted his head to look at the ashen-faced Huang Shangshu: "I heard that the third son of the Huang Qing family is good at making gunpowder?"
When Xiao Zhan unfolded the map of the northern border, Jiang Xue was leaning on the delivery bed made of black iron and reading the military newspaper.
"You are a good person."
She crossed out a few names with a red pen: "Let those playboys go to the northern border to die. This will not only cut off the foundation of the noble family, but also gain a reputation for benevolence."
"Not as good as Madam's thunderous methods."
The Prime Minister blew the abortion medicine until it was warm, and his eyes swept over her bulging belly: "In the morning court today, the way your Majesty dealt with the third son of the Huang family was quite similar to your style in the past."
Suddenly, a carrier pigeon fluttered down outside the window. Jiang Xue unfolded the secret report and sneered, "Wang Clan of Jiangnan can't sit still anymore. Send a message to the Black Armor Guards..."
Before she finished her words, she suddenly clutched the bed curtains, and the amniotic fluid had soaked through the gold-thread cushion.
"Midwife! Pass the ball quickly..."
The usually calm Prime Minister knocked over the medicine bowl and was grabbed by his sleeve by his wife.
"What are you panicking about?"
The princess's forehead was covered with sweat, but her eyes were blazing with light: "Ask Shadow Guard Commander Fu Dong to take over the defense of the Nine Gates immediately, and...ask Jiang Xiaoan to come and deliver the baby."
"How does Your Majesty intend to deal with the mastermind?"
"All nine clans should be executed."
Huang and Lu almost collapsed after hearing this.
After all, Jiang Heng is Jiang Xue's bloodline, and he is just as ruthless in his actions. A century-old family is about to be destroyed overnight.
Xiao Zhan lifted his robe and knelt down to advise: "The two old ministers Huang and Lu have served three dynasties. Although they have no merits, they have also not committed any major faults. If the whole family is implicated for this matter, the court will suddenly lose its pillars, which is a loss to the country. It is better to severely punish their sons and pardon the family members."
The two old ministers were secretly amazed, as they were just figureheads in normal times and yet the Prime Minister regarded them as the most important national treasures.
If I can save my family business now, I will worship Xiao Zhan as a god. As for those two evildoers who caused trouble, just pretend that they have never given birth.
Jiang Heng's eyebrows gathered with frost: "With such a light punishment, how can you establish your authority?"
"What if the two families' hereditary titles are revoked?" Xiao Zhan asked mysteriously.
The titles of Duke Zhenguo of the Huang family and Marquis Anping of the Lu family are the sharp swords hanging between the monarch and his subjects.
He knew very well that change always involves blood, but he remembered what Jiang Xue said when Yaoyao was one year old, that the innocent eyes of a child should not be stained with blood.
The two old ministers suddenly realized and immediately fell to the ground: "We are willing to return the red book and iron certificate, but we only ask for your grace!"
A cold voice came from the jade steps: "Considering your loyalty for generations, I will approve the Prime Minister's request. From today on, your titles will be revoked, and those involved will be exiled to the southern border and will never be allowed to return."
The sound of knocking made the golden bricks creak.
Xiao Zhan changed the subject and said, "There were still 28 people who joined the rebellion last night. What is the decision, Your Majesty?"
Jiang Heng turned his gaze to Jingzhao Yin: "Who are those people?"
Jingzhao Yin bowed and reported: "Most of those involved in the case are from noble families, and there are several people who have inherited the title."
The young emperor gripped the gilded dragon-patterned armrests until they made a sound. Jiang Heng's childish voice was filled with chilliness:
"It is absurd that a nobleman who will hold power in the future would follow the likes of Huang Lu to slander the late emperor and the eldest princess!"
He looked at the crowd of officials standing in front of him and said, "I cannot bear the thought of such a mediocre person running the government in the future."
Xiao Zhan tapped his jade tablet lightly on his palm: "As far as I know, these playboys are usually addicted to fireworks and have no real talent or knowledge.
Your Majesty, why not order him to reflect on himself in prison for three months, and then suspend his qualification to take the imperial examination for three years."
Under the purple gold crown, a gleam of light flashed across the Prime Minister's eyes - this order not only saved the royal family's face, but also freed up a three-year opportunity for promotion for the poor scholar.
Huang Shangshu and Lu Taishi looked at each other and both stepped out: "I second the motion."
Now that his title has been stripped, he will inevitably drag the other noble families down with him.
The ministers in the court exchanged glances tacitly.
The veteran officials who had been in the officialdom for a long time saw clearly that this incident, which seemed to be a punishment for the playboys, was actually a new chapter in the century-old contest between the poor and the gentry.
Among the royal procession, some were secretly stroking the quail pattern on their robes, some were caressing the luxurious Diao Chan crowns, and the ice-cracked floor tiles reflected the various forms of life.
"Listen carefully, everyone."
Jiang Heng suddenly stood up, and his robe with twelve-chapter patterns brought up a golden glow in the hall.
The child's voice is powerful:
"Since I was young, I knew that I had an aunt who was unrivaled in the world. She could lead the cavalry to repel the enemy and stabilize the court. When I was poisoned, she rode alone into the Xixia king's tent to steal the antidote..."
In the light and shadow cast by the Panlong caisson, the little emperor looked around at his ministers and said, "My aunt is so protective, and I will not tolerate any slander. From now on, if anyone talks about the princess again..."
The mutton-fat jade belt hit the green jade sceptre violently, and the sound of metal and stone shook the palace.
Jiang Xue's fingertips trembled slightly as she hid in the shadow of the pillars outside the hall.
She had long expected that Xiao Zhan would take the opportunity to reduce her power, but she never thought that her younger brother would speak out like this in front of all the officials.
Listening to the baby's oath, which is still in the baby's voice, the hard armor formed by years of battles on the battlefield began to crack.
The scene of me feeding him medicine with the medicine jar suddenly became clear, and my heart felt warm under the gilded armor.
"His Majesty!"
She looked at the small figure in the hall who was trying to stand straight, and her fingertips unconsciously touched the sword at her waist.
At the mouth of the cold iron, the arrow mark left by saving Jiang Heng that year was still there, but at this moment it was like a soft flower blooming.
As the morning light penetrated the jade steps in front of the hall, Jiang Xue walked over slowly, supporting her slightly bulging belly.
Xiao Zhan quickly stepped forward and held her wrist, the sleeves of his dark court robe brushing the bluestone floor: "Slow down, be careful of the cold feet."
The little emperor on the throne leaned forward unconsciously, and the pearls on his dragon-patterned crown tassels swayed slightly.
He pinched the gilded armrest with his fingertips, suppressing the urge to stand up, but his voice revealed a bit of urgency: "Aunt, please don't be polite! The imperial physician said that your pregnancy is unstable..."
"Etiquette and law are the foundation of a country."
Jiang Xue bent her knees smoothly, her crimson palace dress flowing like clouds and water. "If I break the rules, I will have the Censorate report me for being arrogant because of my favor."
His eyes swept over the ministers standing at the steps, and several figures in red and purple official robes moved their court tablets awkwardly.
Jiang Heng looked at his aunt's pale face, his Adam's apple rolling down his spine as he said, "The rebellious man who was in Hongxiuzhao last night..."
"I heard that someone was talking nonsense about the late emperor after drinking?"
Jiang Xue interrupted the conversation and stroked the jade pendant on her waist with her fingertips.
The Minister of Justice on duty suddenly started coughing violently, startling the old minister in the front row so much that his ivory tablet fell to the ground with a "clack".
The young emperor frowned and said, "The Huang and Lu families have been stripped of their titles and exiled. The rest of those involved will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations for three years."
He noticed that his aunt's knuckles were unconsciously rubbing the gold pattern on the hilt of the sword. That was her habitual action whenever she made a decision to kill.
"Your Majesty is wise."
The four clear and sharp words brought the entire hall into complete silence.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
