The dragon robe is expensive and gorgeous, and many people will never see it in their lifetime. Even in dreams, they dare not hope for such a robe, but every king wears it with a smile on his face. Etiquette is secondary, the main thing is its weight!
This suit is too heavy, especially on the shoulders and head, which feels like a stone. Si Yi still remembers the first time he wore it, when he was only eight years old, he felt so heavy that he wanted to cry. But after so many years, he has gotten used to this weight. Because the responsibility it represents is what really makes Si Yi breathless.
Most of the previous kings died early, and although Si Yi was young, he could also feel the heaviness.
When he entered the front hall, there were already hundreds of officials waiting. Si Yi sat on the dragon throne, one level higher than everyone else, but he didn't know that as an emperor, he was most afraid of his officials meddling in other people's affairs.
The locust plague in the east, the local competition, the teachers of Ningshen Academy. Even in peaceful times, there are many things to do.
"My dear ministers, please stand up!"
Si Yi was in his early twenties, a time when he was full of vigor and vitality, but he also learned to behave in a measured manner like his father, restraining his edge and showing the magnanimous demeanor of a king.
Under the steps of the dragon throne, there was a row of old men. They were not like the civil officials wearing brocade robes and fish bags. They were not like the military officers wearing tight clothes and armor. They stood in the center of the civil and military officials, in front of Si Yizheng, wearing white robes, with a relaxed look, and not even lowering their heads. Especially the old man in the lead, his hair and beard were all white, but his wrinkled face and eyes still retained the bravery of his youth.
Seeing this, General Lin Tian was quite dissatisfied, but he could only turn his face away and hold his breath. This old man was a member of the royal family, named Si Bu Wen, and he was very powerful in the current dynasty. Even though he was a general and had a distinguished status among the military commanders, he could not do anything to him.
Si Buwen looked at Si Yi sitting on the dragon throne, and a cold light flashed in his cloudy eyes. This guy's expression was becoming more and more like his father.
Si Yi noticed Si Buwen's "special care", but ignored it and just listened to the Minister of Revenue:
"After the floods in the east, the locust plague has become increasingly widespread. It has now passed the mouth of the six rivers and is heading inland. Although local disaster relief has been effective, we can ask the emperor to issue an edict to open up the national treasury."
"I beg your Majesty to show mercy!"
The Minister of Works also stepped forward, and Si Yijianzhi nodded, indicating that there would be no delay in this regard.
"In two months, the local competition will begin, and the teachers of Ningshen College will come to Wanling City outside Wanling Valley. Please approve it, Your Majesty, and let the Ministry of Rites handle it."
The words of the Minister of Rites made Si Yi glance at Si Bu Wen. In the past few years, the National Elders' Council had always been in charge of the selection, but this should have been the Ministry of Rites' business. Sure enough, Si Bu Wen spoke.
"Our old academy has presided over three competitions, and each one ended successfully. Besides, I am already familiar with the teachers of Ningshen Academy, so it would be great if I could entertain them. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Si Buwen bowed, then raised his head and smiled evilly. Si Yi saw that it was difficult to deal with. Si Buwen had sufficient reasons to entertain him and gave him a way out. If he didn't give him face, it would definitely be unpleasant. But who didn't know what Si Buwen was thinking?
Any teacher from Ningshen Academy is highly respected in the dynasty, which shows how strong they are. And Si Buwen just wants to be familiar with others and add some capital to his strength. In the past, Si Yi always gave in and didn't dare to argue, but it has been four years since the last time, and he is no longer a child. Therefore, if he doesn't give in, then he won't give in!
When the Minister of Rites sighed secretly, Si Yi said:
"Since it has been done three times, let's leave it to the Ministry of Rites this time. We can't keep bothering the elders."
When Si Bu Wen heard this, his expression suddenly changed and he glared at Si Yi. The latter did not dodge or evade, but looked at him. He was the King of Xia, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty! He should make the decision!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
When the Minister of Rites performed the salute, Si Yi's eyes left Si Bu Wen. Although the latter looked fierce, he remained motionless, as steady as a mountain!
Raising his arm slightly, Si Yi indicated the next thing to do.
This time, Zhu Heng took a step forward, bent down and said:
"Third-rank Cloud Banner General Zhu Heng requests to be transferred from the imperial capital to the east to help the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue with flood control and disaster relief. I will not return until the disaster is resolved!"
Zhu Heng's move caused a lot of discussion in the court. Everyone knew that flood control and disaster relief was tiring work. Not only did he have to run around everywhere, but it was also time-consuming and expensive. It was common for local people to misunderstand him and call him a dog official. In short, it was extremely difficult to deal with. This tsunami flooded many areas, and the locust plague was still expanding. If he volunteered now, wouldn't he be asking for trouble?
Those who didn't know were horrified and admired, while those who knew sneered. For example, the Su family and the general rolled their eyes. In the past, he had acted ruthlessly against the Xia family. If they hadn't been strong enough, they would have been trapped and killed. But now that Xia Xiao was about to return, he was thinking about escaping. How shameless.
Under normal circumstances, Si Yi would immediately agree to such a good thing and publicize it. But now the one who volunteered was the Zhu family, so he had to think about it.
Seeing that His Majesty was hesitant to make a decision, Zhu Heng said:
"It's not true that the more people there are to help with disaster relief, the better. But I hope Your Majesty will give me a chance. The local competitions in the east must go on as usual."
"Your Majesty, please consider this!"
When Si Buwen spoke, all the ministers were surprised, including Si Yi. But he still couldn't be sure that Si Buwen was the person behind Zhu Heng. He might be trying to clear himself of suspicion. Or, he was just against him because of what happened just now.
King Xia, who was known for his virtue at a young age, was in an awkward situation and needed someone to rescue him. If he wanted to capture Xia Xiao, he had to let Zhu Heng stay in the imperial capital, otherwise he and Xia Xiao would have no chance to get close.
When Zhu Heng was anxious, Su Zhongmou stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, the local competition is about to begin, and after that will be the second round of the Wanling Valley competition. We must be cautious."
Su Zhongmou's words were unclear, but Zhu Heng knew his intention and was immediately anxious. The Su family had been secretly helping the Xia family, and if he stood up at this time, he would definitely not help him leave.
Xia Xiao's growth was too fast. Zhu Heng thought that sending Zhu Da and bribing the local strongmen would be enough to kill him, but Zhu Da was gone...
As the man behind the scenes, Zhu Heng knew Xia Xiao's situation very well. The more he knew, the more surprised he was. Since he had caused the thunder to kill him, it meant that the people of the Zou Shou Church began to pay attention to this matter. Therefore, he had to escape, the farther the better. He had to get the emperor's consent, otherwise he would be unable to move forward.
"Lord Su, please explain clearly!"
Su Zhongmou of the Su family was a man of steel and integrity. He always said what he meant and never flattered others. At this moment, he acted as if no one was around and spoke immediately after paying his respects:
"During the local competitions, teachers from Ningshen Academy will enter our Great Xia Dynasty and even go to various local competition venues at will. Although the disaster in the east is severe now, it has gradually subsided. Even if we increase the manpower, it will take two months to recover. If we start a war at this time and send all the generals forward, wouldn't it mean that our dynasty has no talents? Please think twice, Your Majesty."
That's the truth, but it's also true that he doesn't want Zhu Heng to leave. Su Zhongmou glanced at Zhu Heng, who was gritting his teeth, and snorted secretly. Yesterday, Eunuch Mu had come to him to explain the situation. As long as Xia Xiao continued to practice, he would be able to wash away the humiliation of the Xia family in front of the whole world in half a year. Before that, Zhu Heng couldn't go anywhere.
Si Yi nodded, his eyes showing appreciation. During his reign, as long as Su Zhongmou was still in the court, the treacherous villains would not be able to run rampant!
"Master Su said very well, but wouldn't it be a good thing to calm it down in advance?"
Zhu Heng retorted, Si Buwen turned around and glanced at all the officials. This unintentional action was actually a warning.
"This is for His Majesty to decide."
Su Zhongmou stood straight, his black beard was as thin as a needle, and he did not give up his position at all. If other people were in this situation, they would probably be too frightened to speak, but he was full of energy, not panicked at all, and not afraid of other people's eyes.
"Both of you have your reasons. What do you think?"
Lin Tian bowed slightly, and his voice was deep, and one could tell that he was a practitioner with extremely high cultivation.
"I think it is better for you to stay in the imperial capital. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works will naturally handle the disaster."
When the Ministers of Revenue and Works heard this, their scalps went numb. How did they get involved? They thought they were honest, but they didn't want to offend Si Buwen, so they just said:
"I will control the flood and provide disaster relief, and live up to the high expectations of Your Majesty."
"State affairs come first, etiquette comes second, stand up!"
Si Yilong was slightly delighted. As long as one person spoke, he would have a reason to ask Zhu Heng to stay.
When Lin Tian turned around, one of his subordinates immediately said:
"General Zhu, please stay!"
Then, the voices gradually increased.
"That's right, stay!"
"General Zhu has worked hard for the country, he should stay."
…
The more such voices there were, the more uneasy Zhu Heng felt. Si Bu Wen also frowned and said:
"Your Majesty, please think twice."
"Think about it, stay."
"Your Majesty!"
Si Buwen's voice was sharp, as if he was scolding. Si Yi heard it and dropped his palm on the table with a loud noise. When the golden crown on his head trembled slightly, hundreds of officials knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, please calm down."
Zhu Heng finished speaking, feeling uneasy. Was His Majesty beginning to favor Xia Xiao? Si Bu Wen also stood there in a daze. This matter should not have developed this way, but no matter how he glared at Si Yi, the latter refused to yield. Finally, Si Bu Wen knelt down. Although his intentions were obvious, he still did not dare to defy the king in the court. There were too many treacherous ministers and villains who caused chaos in this sacred place, but they were all killed!
For the first time, Si Buwen felt that Si Yi had changed so much, but he didn't know that it was all because of him. His provocations made Si Yi gradually improve himself and gain confidence.
Eunuch Mu watched from the side and accompanied Si Yi to court throughout the whole process.
When the court was dismissed, half of the people were happy, thinking that the government had finally returned to normal. The other half were worried that their good days of relying on the National Elders' Council might not last long.
Si Yi murmured softly as he took off his dragon robe and changed into ordinary clothes.
"Xia Xiao, I have kept the person here for you. You must return to the capital safely!"
It was Si Yi's luck that the person who came from afar appeared in the Great Xia Dynasty. But his expulsion was also a good thing for Si Yi. The National Elders' Council was about to fall from its peak, and his regime would gradually rise. Xia Xiao was the key chess piece!
Thousands of miles away, Xia Xiao blinked and woke up, but gradually felt something was wrong.