After the imperial edict was read aloud, the court officials were in an uproar.
Immediately, someone stepped forward and knelt down, begging the emperor to rescind his order.
But many more people were overjoyed.
The emperor relied heavily on eunuchs and frequently targeted court officials, causing widespread fear and resentment.
After Eunuch Wang was killed, they were overjoyed and couldn't wait to celebrate.
But deep down, he knew that even if Eunuch Wang was gone, there was still Eunuch Li, Eunuch Zhang…
As long as the emperor doesn't abolish the Southern Depot, the court will never have peace.
Unexpectedly, the emperor would abdicate the throne to Yi Shuihan.
Although Yi Shuihan was not easy to deal with, he was much better than the emperor. He had a grudge against the Southern Depot and would definitely not allow it to continue to exist.
Therefore, they all stood still.
The emperor, sitting on his dragon throne, felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head when he saw this scene; he was chilled to the bone.
It turns out that these people had been hoping for him to step down and make way for Yi Shuihan.
He failed to win over any of the people's hearts.
What a failure.
After a series of blows, the emperor no longer even had the thought of revenge.
Yi Shuihan was also in the court. After receiving the imperial edict to pass on the throne, he immediately made arrangements for the aftermath.
The Empress Dowager and all the imperial concubines who wish to accompany the Emperor to the temporary palace may do so.
Those who are unwilling can return to their maternal home or go to the Dafosi Temple for spiritual practice.
All eunuchs, after being interrogated, shall be dealt with according to the law if they have committed any illegal acts.
Those who have not committed any illegal acts will have their reproductive organs transplanted by doctors, their civilian status restored, and will be free to decide their own future.
The palace will provide some compensation.
The palace maids would also be compensated. Those who wanted to go home could go home, and those who did not could either open a female household or get married, all according to their own wishes.
In other words, as soon as Yi Shuihan took power, he dismissed everyone in the palace.
The courtiers were naturally taken aback by this arrangement.
"Your Majesty, if you dismiss all the palace servants, who will serve you, the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Dowager, and the concubines?"
Yi Shuihan replied, "I only have a wife, not concubines, so I don't need so many people."
The courtiers were even more astonished.
He only stays with one woman?
Wouldn't that mean they wouldn't have the chance to send their daughters or granddaughters into the palace?
No, they didn't think that way.
Their concern is the royal offspring.
"Your Majesty, if you don't expand your harem, how will your family prosper..."
Yi Shuihan retorted, "Does opening up the harem necessarily solve the problem of having offspring? Even if it does, what's the point of having so many offspring? Are they just going to fight to the death for the throne?"
The courtiers were speechless.
But it would be very troublesome if we didn't have any children.
The imperial court and the nation would be in turmoil.
They tried to persuade him further, but Yi Shuihan said, "I plan to adjust the functions of the cabinet and various departments, and abolish eunuch institutions such as the Southern Depot."
Upon hearing this, the court officials immediately put aside the matter of taking a concubine and began to discuss it enthusiastically.
That day, Yi Shuihan was busy until late at night before leaving the palace.
He really wanted to go to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence to find Xiao Qingyin, but considering that he had already claimed to have regained his senses, he couldn't linger there with her, so he had to give up the idea.
She secretly made up her mind that she must get married as soon as possible.
Otherwise, how unbearable it would be to sleep alone on a long, cold night.
Incidentally, he changed the time of the morning court session, no longer attending at midnight, but at 7:00 AM.
While his courtiers criticized his other policies, they wholeheartedly supported this one.
Nobody wants to get up in the middle of the night and go to court in the dark and hungry.
If you go at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), you'll have enough time to eat breakfast before you go.
So Yi Shuihan went to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence for breakfast the next day.
I want to meet with Xiao Qingyin and have a chat.
Xiao Qingyin asked him, "How do you plan to govern Da Xi? Like Nan Dan?"
Yi Shuihan shook his head: "Da Xi's foundation is different from Nan Dan's, so we can't just copy the national policies. I plan to take it slowly, first develop people's livelihood, and then plan for reform."
Xiao Qingyin nodded in agreement.
"You can't get fat in one bite; you have to take it one step at a time."
A national policy without supporting social foundations and productivity will offend all interest groups and classes, just like Wang Mang's New Deal, and become the target of nationwide resistance.
She couldn't help with national affairs, she could only offer some technical support.
For example, teaching medical professionals how to transplant reproductive systems into fathers-in-law.
After having breakfast, Yi Shuihan left reluctantly.
As he went out, he saw Bai Yanzhang leading Tianci in practicing the Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard, looking quite relaxed. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
How can such promising talents be buried here?
Upon attending court, he ordered a re-examination of all cases handled by the Southern Depot, and quickly overturned Bai Yanzhang's case, restoring him to his original position.
When Yi Wu came to deliver the imperial decree, Bai Yanzhang had just finished teaching Tianci.
He calmly accepted the imperial decree and replied, "Your subject will report to the Dali Temple tomorrow."
Tianci was very reluctant to part with it.
"We won't be able to hear Mr. Bai's lectures anymore..."
Although he had only spent a short time with Bai Yanzhang, he had already grown fond of this learned and exceptionally wise uncle.
It's a pity that my uncle is going back to become an official.
Bai Yanzhang patted his little head and smiled, "I can also give you lessons on my days off."
Tianci's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"real."
"Very good!"
He happily hugged Bai Yanzhang's arm tightly.
Qin Wenjun came over and overheard the conversation. She glared at Tianci and scolded him, "Nonsense! Lord Bai is busy with official duties and rarely gets a day off. How could you bother him to teach you?"
Tianci's eyes immediately drooped.
"This was my suggestion."
Bai Yanzhang explained.
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