The first day of the twelfth month of the first year of Jianning.
At the third quarter of Chen hour, hundreds of officials gathered in front of Chongzheng Hall. The civil officials, led by the Grand Tutor and the Three Dukes, stood on the left side of the hall.
The military officers, led by General Dou Wu, stood on the right.
After Liu Hong came to power, he received many petitions from civil officials requesting that he be removed from the position of Grand General, but Liu Hong refused them all on the grounds that the border was unstable.
Although Dou Wu's position as Grand General is currently just a nominal one, he is still the Empress Dowager's father, and he should be given the status he deserves!
A cold wind blew past the palace gates, and everyone except the old ministers dressed in cotton-padded clothes couldn't help but shiver. They all stared longingly at the gates of Deyang Palace, hoping that the court session would start soon so they could go inside and warm up.
December is the coldest time of year, and even Luoyang is no better off.
Ever since they experienced the warmth of the coal stoves in the government office and Chongzheng Hall, almost all the officials wished they could live and eat in the government office. At the same time, they tried every means to get some coal and coal stoves from Yuan Feng and Lü Qiang, but they were all turned down.
Those two guys have now acquired some of Cao Song's flair; they only take and never give, demanding exorbitant sums and refusing to act unless the profit is right, which makes all the officials grit their teeth in hatred.
Because this was the last grand court assembly after the emperor ascended the throne, all officials in the capital would come to attend.
At this time, in front of Chongzheng Hall, besides officials of all levels in the capital, there were many officials returning to the capital to report on their duties, as well as some relatives, such as Liu Dai, Liu Yu, Liu Biao, Liu Pu, Liu Yao, and so on.
Furthermore, the heads and doctors of the three academies, as well as the chief scholars and doctors of the Imperial Academy, such as Zhang Bozu, Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, Mo Shang, Gongshu Lian, Cai Yong, Qiao Xuan, etc., were all present.
"The time has come! All officials, enter the hall!"
With a loud shout from Song Dian, the gates of Chongzheng Hall finally opened slowly under the eagerly awaited gazes of the officials.
Led by Chen Fan and Dou Wu, the civil and military officials on either side entered the Chongzheng Hall with respectful expressions. After the last person entered the hall, the hall door slowly closed.
Inside the warm Chongzheng Hall, the officials were once again huddled together, chest to back, and the scene became chaotic once more.
Suddenly, everyone had the same feeling: wasn't the Chongzheng Hall a bit too small?
Liu Shu, Cao Song, and Yang Ci were also huddled together.
Liu Shu looked at Cao Song beside him and said, "I say, Grand Minister of Agriculture, the national treasury must be quite full by now, right?"
"What are you doing?! The national treasury is so empty it's practically overflowing with rats, there's no money...!"
Cao Song's expression shifted, and he looked at Liu Shu warily. He then shrank to the side, thinking of keeping his distance from Liu Shu.
"Uh~!"
Liu Shu stared at Cao Song in astonishment, then took advantage of the gap to approach Cao Song.
"Hey, Grand Minister of Agriculture, look how diligent His Majesty is, never missing a court assembly, big or small. This... I didn't notice it before, but now doesn't the Chongzheng Hall seem a bit small?"
"Is it small? I don't think it's small at all! It's so cold, people huddled together will keep them warmer!"
Although Cao Song spoke in a low voice, it was clearly heard by some officials behind him.
Those people all glanced at Cao Song's back with displeasure.
Seeing Cao Song's unyielding attitude, Liu Shu was speechless and shook his head, ignoring him completely.
Seeing this, Yang Ci couldn't help but reach out and gently touch Liu Shu.
Liu Shu turned his head and saw Yang Ci's mouth opening and closing, as if he were lip-reading: "Impeach him...the Empress Dowager!!"
Liu Shu immediately understood Yang Ci's meaning.
The emperor favored Cao Song and indulged him in everything, but the empress dowager would not tolerate his bad habits. She would definitely attend this grand court assembly today.
As a member of the imperial clan, it was most appropriate for him to complain to the Empress Dowager.
Then Liu Shu grinned and nodded at Yang Ci, who smiled and nodded in response.
"Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are holding court; all officials, please be silent!"
With Zhao Zhong's shout, the chaotic Chongzheng Hall immediately fell silent.
Before long, Liu Hong and Dou Miao emerged from the rear hall, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs.
"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
"Gentlemen, you may dispense with the formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager!"
After the emperor and his ministers finished their greetings, Chen Fan was the first to stand up and report to Liu Hong and Dou Miao on the positive news brought about by the various government policies implemented throughout the year.
In short, since the emperor ascended the throne, everything in the Han Dynasty has been developing in a positive direction, and a prosperous future is expected.
Immediately afterwards, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers began to report to the Emperor and Empress Dowager on the various achievements they had made in the past year.
The last grand court assembly of the first year of Jianning can be described as a summary meeting. Although there are still many problems, everyone tacitly reported good news and not bad news!
But there are always a few mavericks who insist on ruining this harmonious and beautiful atmosphere.
When it was Cao Song's turn, he trembled as he took out a document and reluctantly began to report the balance of the national treasury to the emperor, empress dowager, and all the officials.
"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, from the spring planting season, the trade fairs, the autumn harvest... until now, after deducting all expenses, the national treasury has a temporary surplus of 50 million shi of grain and 12.7 billion coins..."
"so much??"
"Yeah!! I thought that even if it wasn't negative this year, there wouldn't be much left!"
"The Grand Minister of Agriculture is indeed extraordinary. He has saved so much for the national treasury in just one year. Amazing!"
The figures reported by Cao Song immediately caused an uproar. While the officials praised Cao Song, they overlooked the word "temporary" in his words and began to think about how to spend the money.
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