Chapter 2805: Hearing the Government
Like night owls lurking in the darkness, waiting for an opportunity to strike, the Embroidered Uniform Guards dispatched hundreds of men, shuttling back and forth in the quiet and dark streets of the capital.
In the quiet night, there is a hint of danger.
The next morning was different from usual. Normally, all the ministers would get up in the middle of the night, wash up, and then take carriages and sedan chairs to the palace, waiting outside the palace gate for the morning court session.
But this time, they were in the rooms behind Wuying Palace.
Although they didn't have to get up early to prepare, everyone was unwilling to delay. They all got up early and waited in the waiting room for the announcement from the front.
Soon, Tinglu, the disciple of Eunuch Yu, came over and said to the crowd, "My lords, please come in."
All the officials looked at each other, straightened their clothes, and hurried forward.
As soon as I came out from the back of Wuying Palace, I saw a familiar figure walking in from outside. It was none other than Gu Tingqiu, who had successfully "escaped disaster" because he did not go to the banquet at Li Mansion.
He was neatly dressed and was walking slowly towards me.
When everyone saw him, they immediately surrounded him. Yan Gu said, "Master Gu, it's been a long time since we last met."
Zhang Lu also said: "Yes, Master Gu, how come you are so lucky?"
Gu Tingqiu glanced at them.
Even though he had not been imprisoned in the Xuanqiong Palace before and had not experienced that bloody scene, he had already heard about the incident as soon as he entered the palace this morning.
He bowed to the two of them and said, "My Lords, this incident has taken me by surprise. I wonder how the Emperor is doing now."
Yan Gu said, "We are planning to ask you, Master Gu, about this."
"Ask me?"
"Now, the Emperor has been assassinated and seriously injured, and has been imprisoned by the Imperial Concubine—kept in the harem, where we can't even see him. Lord Gu, you are at least a relative of the Imperial Concubine. If we don't ask you, who else can we ask?"
Gu Tingqiu said: "I have just entered the palace and I know nothing about these things."
"It's better to know nothing."
Zhang Lu laughed and said, "We all envy you, Lord Gu. How can you predict the future? It's as if you knew something was going to happen in the Li Mansion. All the officials above the fourth rank went to the banquet, but you and Lord Heyi didn't go. Now, you are the only ones who have the most trust from the Imperial Concubine. If not you, who else can the government rely on in the future?"
Gu Tingqiu said calmly: "The government naturally relies on the concerted efforts of all officials."
Yan Gu said: "United? Haha, I'm afraid it's not easy to be united."
Gu Tingqiu glanced at them and said nothing.
Soon, everyone entered the hall together.
Here, as usual, the door opened, the place was magnificent, and the polished floor could almost reflect the shadows of each of them. But this time, everyone walked in and no longer bowed their heads in silence as in the past, but instead looked up and looked forward.
There was a table and chairs placed next to the dragon throne.
Obviously, this was a temporary addition for the King of Wei to attend court. After all, he was only the King of Wei and could not sit on the dragon throne and use the imperial pen to approve things, so such an arrangement was not surprising.
But what really surprised the ministers was that a screen was set up behind the table and chairs.
What is this for?
Just as everyone was in amazement, Eunuch Yu walked into the hall and announced, "The King of Wei has arrived!"
All the civil and military officials immediately stepped aside and knelt down. The King of Wei walked in from behind. He changed into the court robes he usually wore to court and walked slowly into the hall.
Sat behind the table next to him.
As soon as he sat down, all the ministers knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei. May His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei live a thousand years."
Zhu Chengxuan raised his hand and was about to speak, but the first word was stuck.
In fact, he hasn't said a word since he got up today.
He woke up earlier than all the ministers and had hardly slept all night. He got up early in the morning, washed up, changed into court clothes, and then sat in Chengqian Palace waiting for this moment.
Just now, when he walked into the hall and saw all the ministers kneeling at his feet, the sweat on his body almost soaked his underwear.
Sensing a moment of silence, some of the ministers below raised their heads.
Zhu Chengxuan's face flushed red.
He wanted to say "stand up", but he couldn't utter these two words, as if his throat was blocked by something.
Just when he was sweating profusely with anxiety, a gentle voice came from behind the screen behind him, like a spring breeze blowing on his face, instantly sweeping away all the anxiety and timidity in his heart.
"Don't be afraid, Your Highness."
Zhu Chengxuan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said, "My dear ministers, please stand."
At this time, some of the ministers in the hall seemed to have heard the unusual noise, and they all stood up to express their gratitude with a look of surprise.
For a moment, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
At this time, Zhu Chengxuan finally came to his senses.
He said, "My dear ministers, if you have something to report, please stand up and report. If not, please leave the court."
The officials fell silent for a moment, but Gu Tingqiu was the first to step forward and say, "Your Highness, I have already submitted a memorial stating that the Yellow River flood season is approaching. I hope the court can allocate funds, grain, and supplies as soon as possible to prepare for the flood."
Zhu Chengxuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He had already thought of a solution for this matter, but he didn't expect that Gu Tingqiu would be the first to ask this.
He immediately said, "I have already issued an order to the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 300,000 dan of grain to be sent to Henan and other places first. In addition, I have sent Ouyang Xuan, the water and land transport envoy, to comfort the people on both sides of the strait and build embankments."
Gu Tingqiu said: "Your Highness is wise."
After saying that, he returned to the team.
After finishing the first task, Zhu Chengxuan became more confident. Next, he responded smoothly to several matters reported by the ministers according to what he had previously imagined, and he even had a plan for logistics.
Gu Tingqiu was standing in the crowd. Seeing him like this, he breathed a sigh of relief with satisfaction.
At this time, the Minister of War Cao Jiu stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I have something to report."
Zhu Chengxuan raised his hand and said, "My dear minister, please report something."
Cao Jiu said, "A few days ago, I reported to the court that Japanese pirates are causing trouble along the southeastern coast. They are constantly harassing coastal towns, burning, killing, and looting, causing great suffering to the people. Therefore, I would like to request an imperial decree to send troops to suppress them, in order to demonstrate the majesty of the Great Yan Dynasty!"
"this--"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chengxuan's face immediately turned pale.
The incident of Japanese pirates had indeed been reported very early, but this kind of naval warfare had never been experienced since the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty. Even Zhu Feng had no experience, and the entire court had no plan to deal with it.
So, I kept procrastinating.
I didn't expect it to be brought up again now.
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