Chapter 247 Indiscriminate Attack
The officials of Dayu thought this was just an ordinary court assembly.
Judging from the procedures of the morning assembly, everyone will definitely start by talking about some routine government affairs.
Wherever there is a disaster or trouble, everyone will split into camps and argue. Finally, His Majesty will step in to make a judgment. By seeing which side His Majesty favors, we can tell which people will win His Majesty's favor in the coming month.
After that, it's time for the praise.
For example, how much better this year is compared to last year, how much the Ministry of Revenue's revenue has increased compared to last year, how much the number of criminals in the Ministry of Justice has decreased compared to last year, and what miracles have been discovered in such and such places...
In short, it's almost the end of the year, so we should start bragging now, otherwise how can we accept the imperial court's rewards?
In addition, there are rumors that His Majesty will share some of the treasures he brought from the Kingdom of Biao with everyone. It is now the winter month, and there will not be many proper court assemblies.
The grand court assembly is a rare occasion, so we must flatter His Majesty to the fullest extent, praising him to the very core of his being.
Perhaps His Majesty, pleased by everyone's praise, will reward them more!
Some people in the Imperial Household Department have said that those gemstones, jade, and all sorts of exquisite trinkets... are all rare items.
As a result, no one dozed off during this court session; everyone was exceptionally alert.
When Emperor Xiao Xuan sat on the dragon throne, everyone shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times, and the shouts were particularly loud and sincere!
Emperor Xiao Xuan, even in disbelief, picked at his ear with his little finger.
...
As usual, the morning assembly began with routine reports.
For example, although the snow was heavier this winter, local governments made timely preparations, and basically no one starved or froze to death because of the heavy snow.
Furthermore, although troops were deployed at both garrisons this year, the lives of ordinary people were not affected. People in many places frequently visit temples to pray for the eternal prosperity of Chongqing.
Emperor Xiao Xuan listened and nodded, his expression revealing nothing unusual.
Apart from Prime Minister Lin, who knows what will happen today, no one knows what will happen at today's court meeting.
Everyone continued to praise and extol the peace and prosperity of the world...
As they talked, everyone realized that something was wrong with the situation.
In the past, if everyone said that, the person in charge would definitely be all smiles, and then start rewarding the relevant personnel, encouraging everyone to keep up the good work and strive for even more rewards next year...
But today...
Aside from listening to everyone's conversation, His Majesty seemed to utter not a single unnecessary word.
He didn't smile, nor did he say he would reward everyone. He just looked at everyone and listened to them say the same old things.
Gradually, everyone's voices quieted down.
Finally, there was complete silence!
Something's not right. Something's very wrong today. The happier they are talking down there, the calmer His Majesty seems to become.
It felt as if they were clowns on a stage, and His Majesty was sitting on the sidelines, fanning himself with a folding fan, enjoying their performance…
Everyone looked at each other, exchanged glances, and then immediately perked up and stood carefully in their places without saying a word.
Today is a big day, not the time to praise someone. You might accidentally praise the wrong person and end up making a fool of yourself.
Something big seems to be happening today, but it's definitely His Majesty who's going to deal with some people...
Seeing that everyone was silent, Emperor Xiao Xuan slowly spoke up.
"Why have you all fallen silent? Weren't you having a lively discussion just now?"
After he said that, the officials below dared not speak.
When Lin Xiang saw everyone like this, he sighed inwardly. It seems that His Majesty has dealt with them quite badly over the years!
They all look like little chicks now...
"Alright, if you're not going to say anything, then I'm going to say something! But what I'm going to say won't be so pleasant!" With that, Emperor Xiao Xuan stood up from his throne.
Seeing Emperor Xiao Xuan stand up from his throne, everyone quickly bowed even lower.
Although Emperor Xiao Xuan got up, he had no intention of getting down. He simply paced back and forth in front of the throne.
However, the words spoken by Emperor Xiao Xuan chilled everyone's hearts and put them on edge.
On the tenth day of the second month of the lunar calendar, Hanlin Academy scholar Mei went to Chunxiang Tower to patronize prostitutes.
Although I changed my clothes and disguised myself, I was still recognized.
A dignified Grand Secretary actually frequents brothels like those纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats), sigh... I don't even know what to say.
Similarly, Liu, a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, dined at Jiuyaolou in September.
After getting drunk, he expressed some reservations about my personal military campaign, believing that my actions were wasteful of resources and manpower, arrogant, and not the behavior of a wise ruler.
Besides the people from the Hanlin Academy, the people drinking with Grand Secretary Liu were some officials from the Ministry of Rites.
In early June, Vice Minister Jia of the Ministry of Rites became entangled with some candidates who had come to the capital for the imperial examinations.
Many candidates' first act upon arriving in the capital was to visit Vice Minister Jia. Vice Minister Jia maintained close ties with these candidates, repeatedly telling them the key points of the upcoming examinations.
"The Ministry of Rites is a very murky place!" Emperor Xiao Xuan said slowly and deliberately.
With each word he spoke, the hearts of the officials below rose a little higher.
After it was said that the people from the Ministry of Rites had been interacting too closely with the candidates, all the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy knelt down.
"Your Majesty, please have mercy!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister was wrong, this old minister accepts punishment!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister had no such intention. When those candidates came to my door, I merely offered them some guidance and had no other purpose!"
The officials whose names were called immediately kowtowed, each one weeping bitterly.
The other officials who weren't named didn't dare to plead for them, let alone say a word, for fear that they too would be named.
The once bustling court was suddenly filled with pleas for mercy.
Just when everyone thought Emperor Xiao Xuan was about to speak up and take action, they saw him sigh.
"Alas, I didn't want to talk about these things, but you've gone a bit too far."
Besides these few, there are many other people whose affairs I've been saving face for. You're all so old, have some respect for your children and grandchildren!
Don't wait until I say it, or you'll lose all face for generations to come.
As for you guys...
He'll be fined a year's salary, demoted one rank, and the rest... well, you'd better watch yourselves!
Everyone quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude.
They all breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the matter was over, and even if they had made a mistake, His Majesty would probably not bring it up again this year.
Everyone secretly wiped the sweat from their foreheads.
Since His Majesty returned, the court sessions have been held only a few times, but every time he does, he punishes a few unlucky fellows. I really miss the days when His Majesty personally led the expedition!
Back then, everyone...
"Alright, do my ministers have anything else to say? If not, I'm going to read out a few decrees!" Emperor Xiao Xuan suddenly spoke again.
Everyone, please stand still. This is the main purpose of today's court assembly...
"The former Crown Prince Xiao Huaizhan was humble and respectful, of excellent character, and served the country and its people for many years. However, he was in poor health and had petitioned ten days ago to withdraw the original decree appointing him as Crown Prince."
For the sake of Prince Xiao Huaizhan's longevity, I hereby grant his request and hereby appoint Prince Xiao Huaizhan as the Prince of Xian..."
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