Volume 1, Chapter 20: Reopening the Imperial Examination
The Emperor's decree on establishing the Queen was written in a very crude and simple manner, and it was obviously done on purpose, with no intention of discussing it with the ministers at all.
Moreover, the one he established was a girl from a merchant family, and he made a concubine the queen, a promotion three levels in a row. Such things were seriously against etiquette and the system.
But in the entire court, no one dared to stand up and speak out against it.
In the past few days, there were three people in the Great Sun Dynasty who were qualified to stand up and oppose: Liu Bu, Wang Teng and Qin Yu!
But now, Xiang Yun has only been on the throne for a few days, Liu Bu and Wang Teng died in accidents, and the only remaining Qin Yu was deprived of power. He was just beaten by a group of people and is still in a coma.
In addition to the military power in Xiang Yun's hands, the emperor now has the final say in the entire court, and no one dares to oppose any decision.
After the imperial edict was read, Xiang Yun deliberately waited for a while. Seeing that no one objected, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise slightly, and he waved his hand gently.
Little Guazi quickly took out another imperial edict and read it aloud: "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that I saw a fairy in my dream yesterday, who told me that the Ziwei Star from the sky has descended to the world, which is a great blessing for the country and a blessing from Heaven.
However, the imperial examination has not been held for twenty years. In order to welcome the Ziwei and support the dynasty, the imperial examination is reopened and the world is informed that all scholars in prefectures, counties, and villages, regardless of age or gender, can become officials. "
When the imperial edict came out, all the ministers were shocked, and many civil officials bowed their heads and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Minister of Rites Liu Xingjian stepped out and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, reopening the imperial examination is a matter of great importance to the country, and scholars all over the world will surely be grateful for your grace.
However, from ancient times to now, there has never been a woman serving as an official. This is against etiquette and law. It is truly a groundbreaking act. Is there something that needs to be considered?"
Others may not be aware of the pros and cons of this, but the Minister of Rites must be aware of it. If a woman passes the imperial examination one day, the status of women will be greatly improved.
Wouldn't it be a disgrace for men to serve as an official in the court with a woman?
Some ministers also felt something was wrong, and many of them knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, if I want to discuss matters with a woman, I will take off my official hat, go home and live out my days, and never become a scholar again."
"How dare you!" Xiang Yun was furious: "If Ziweixing came down to earth and was reborn as a female, would I no longer want her?
Don’t talk to me about rules and etiquette. I am the emperor and what I say is the rules!
You are trying to get me fired. Fine, you don’t have to wait until later. If you want to go home and enjoy your retirement, hand over your official hat now and place it on the throne room!”
Xiang Yun was angry, and all the ministers were silent. Xiang Yun then said, "Minister of Rites Liu Xingjian, listen to my order. You are fully responsible for the special examination. You must keep a close watch on it for me and find the Ziwei Star who has fallen into the mortal world for me!"
"Your Majesty, I obey your order." Liu Xingjian smiled bitterly. This young emperor was different from all the previous emperors. He was autocratic, had a bad temper, was unreasonable, and would not listen to any advice from his ministers.
Liu Xingjian sighed in his heart: "It's ridiculous for a woman to enter politics. Is the fate of the Great Sun Dynasty really over?"
"What kind of intellectual integrity are you talking about? They are nothing but a bunch of cowardly idiots who bully the weak and fear the strong!"
Xiang Yun was secretly sad, and changed the subject: "Everyone knows what happened a few days ago. I fell ill, and the world was in chaos. Some people even dared to mobilize soldiers to surround the palace and do such a treasonous thing!"
Xiang Yun waved his hand again, and Xiao Guazi took out another imperial edict and read: "In compliance with the will of heaven, the emperor decrees that the traitor Wang Teng has deceived the emperor and committed treason, and is guilty of killing all his clans. Considering that he has returned to the right path and has been a meritorious official for three dynasties, he shall commit suicide to apologize for his crime, and his property shall be confiscated!
The criminal minister Qin Yu, who abused his power for personal gain, privately mobilized his family soldiers and broke into the palace without permission. He shall be stripped of his official position, thrown into the Heavenly Prison, and await his fate!
The siege of the palace was a great sin for me. I have issued an edict to accuse myself and announce it to the world. For the soldiers of the three armies who died in this battle, each person and household will be rewarded with a pension of 3,000 taels of silver and be granted the title of a loyal and brave family.
For the soldiers of the Imperial Guards who died in this battle, each person and each household will be rewarded with 3,000 taels of silver, and will be posthumously awarded the title of loyal and martial general, and the title of loyal and martial family. This is decreed!"
Originally, the soldiers of the three armies would not be rewarded for such a campaign of treason, and it was considered good enough that they were not held accountable.
Xiang Yun thought about this matter for a long time last night, and considering that they were all unaware and that they died to save him, he still gave them the reward.
However, the Imperial Guards would have some complaints, but he could not care less. He had to hold the morale of the three armies in his hands.
No one dared to speak out about this imperial edict, because all the ministers now knew that the seemingly young emperor in front of them was an unreasonable person. It was pointless to say more about the things he had decided, which might even bring about fatal disaster.
The work was done and everything went smoothly. Xiang Yun felt relieved and didn't want to think about the affairs of the Sand Barbarians anymore.
He stood up from the dragon throne and walked towards the ministers. When he passed by Guo Xuan, he began to speak loudly: "After falling down, I have seen many people and many things clearly!"
"Do you all know why I fell ill at such a young age? Today I have to tell you something from the bottom of my heart. It is because under my nose, an egg dared to be sold for ten taels of silver. It is simply crazy and audacious!"
"Even palace maids and eunuchs dare to do this, let alone you high-ranking ministers!"
Xiang Yun hammered his chest and said angrily: "My heart aches. You are all rotten, sick, and decayed. You should know that if you are completely rotten here, then the entire Great Sun Dynasty will be rotten. At that time, the knives of the enemy countries and the people will be on your necks!"
Xiang Yun's tone became calm again: "I will give you one last chance, clean up yourselves, be a good person in the future.
If you don't listen to my advice, don't blame me for being merciless when my knife strikes you one day."
Xiang Yun had already walked to the entrance of the Golden Palace. Looking at the sun rising high in the sky outside the palace, he said loudly: "Today, I will give you four words."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Guazi waved his hand towards the back, and two young eunuchs came up carrying a large plaque. On the plaque were written four big characters: "Integrity and Honesty".
"Everyone in this hall, please take a good look at me. Ask yourselves some questions. Take a good look at them for two hours!" After saying this, Xiang Yun strode out of the Golden Palace and left towards the rising sun.
Inside the Golden Palace, all ministers, palace maids, eunuchs, and even Jiang Yue were looking at the four characters "Integrity and Honesty" and were quite shocked.
Everyone felt extremely ashamed, and some ministers even turned pale and couldn't help wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves.
Several eunuchs and palace maids present were so frightened that they were shaking all over, trembling, and their legs were weak.
Everyone knew that this was the Emperor's final ultimatum to them. If they did not restrain themselves, they would end up dead.
If it were before, Xiang Yun would not dare to say such threatening words, but now it is different. Holding a large number of troops means he has the power of life and death over everyone!
At the same time, Xiang Yun still felt soft-hearted. He could have killed them one by one, but he couldn't bear it and decided to give them a chance.
No matter how corrupt these ministers are, they are still veterans with many years of experience and have some experience in handling their duties. They can at least ensure the normal operation of the court.
"We're still short of people. Without talented people, we're hesitant to do things." Xiang Yun muttered and walked towards Shufangzhai.
In Shufangzhai, Zhen Rou was in a daze. Just now, her personal maid received a message telling her that the emperor had issued an edict in the court, appointing her as the current queen.
The Queen, what an important position! There were twelve concubines in the harem, including her, competing for it. She had never thought that this position would fall to her, but now it happened.
Originally, Zhen Rou was still feeling disappointed and silently resentful because Xiang Yun did not come to see her after waking up.
As soon as I received this news, I no longer had any resentment. I just wanted to see His Majesty and ask him why.
At the same time, I am still confused about the position of queen. What should I do as a queen? It seems that there are many things to take care of. Can I manage them all?
Just as she was still daydreaming, a palace maid came to report: "The emperor has arrived~"
Zhen Rou was startled and stood up hurriedly. She ran into the bronze mirror in her boudoir, quickly straightened her clothes and hair, and then ran out immediately to greet His Majesty.
But he was in such a panic that he didn't look at the road and bumped into Xiang Yun who had just entered.
The two bumped into each other, and Xiang Yunze picked her up and walked into the house, saying as he walked, "Why are you so flustered in your own palace? Did you do something bad behind my back?"
Zhen Rou blushed and said shyly, "I just want to go out and greet His Majesty as soon as possible."
"Oh, it seems I was wrong about you." Xiang Yun put Zhen Rou down with a teasing look. Then four palace maids came in with a sumptuous breakfast and placed it on the sandalwood table.
As the two of them were eating breakfast, Xiang Yun casually said, "I think you have received the news. Prepare for the enthronement ceremony. The people from the Imperial Household Department will come and prepare everything for you."
Zhen Rou was flattered and said, "Your Majesty, I am afraid that I am not qualified to be the queen..."
"You are not incompetent. Just hand it over to your subordinates. But you need to change your rash character. After all, you are the mother of a country. You need to be more stable."
Zhen Rou nodded softly, smiled at Yun, finished her breakfast and stood up to leave, saying, "I still have things to deal with, I will come to see you later."
Zhen Rou quickly stood up and escorted him: "Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off!"
In the Imperial Study, after today's morning court session, memorials have piled up like a mountain on the desk. It seems that a lot of government affairs have indeed accumulated in the past few days.
When Xiang Yun issued his edict of repentance, he made up his mind to be a good emperor and govern the world well, so being diligent in government affairs was his top priority.
If the Three Auxiliary States were still around, these memorials would definitely not be placed in his imperial study, but he was not at ease handing over the affairs of state to others.
Xiang Yun gave a bitter smile and sat down to start reading the memorials. In a blink of an eye, it was already Si time. Xiao Guazi and Jiang Yue came back from the Golden Palace. Xiang Yun immediately summoned Jiang Yue to the imperial study for a talk.
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