Zhao Huan was currently sitting in the Wende Hall, legs crossed, looking at the Spring and Autumn Annals with an awkward manner. A row of palace maids and eunuchs stood beside him.
Cao Dongsheng reminded him several times to pay attention to his image as a king, but Zhao Huan refused to listen and continued to do as he pleased.
Zhao Huan was a foodie. He nibbled on a piece of candied fruit, the delicious taste lingering on his lips and teeth. The food made by the imperial chef was too delicious. If he continued to eat like this, he would probably get high blood sugar sooner or later.
"Your Majesty, Imperial Student Chen Dong pays homage to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
"Well, stand up."
"Thank you very much."
Only then did Zhao Huan clearly see the scholar-like figure kneeling there. What could one say about Chen Dong? His serious expression didn't mean he was mature, but rather a bit immature, a bit like a young, naive, angry young man.
"Chen Dong, I summoned you here to tell you something. Have any of the students at the Imperial Academy blamed me recently?"
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Academy has some complaints about your unwarranted punishment of Prime Minister Li." Chen Dong said frankly.
"Well, what do you think about this?" Zhao Huan continued to cross his legs.
"Your Majesty, I believe the people of the capital are right. Your Majesty assaulted important officials without any reason, and you are truly a dog emperor."
"You, you..." Zhao Huan was shaking with anger, pointing angrily at Chen Dong. Are these scholars so stubborn? They are so stubborn and they really don't fear death.
As expected, Chen Dong showed no fear. "Your Majesty issued an edict stating that anyone who remonstrated with you would be blameless. Do you think you can go back on your word? To be honest, the students in the Imperial College have written to your Majesty about his incompetence, and Chen Dong is among them."
Zhao Huan took a breath and said, "So, you also contributed to the memorial submitted by these scholars and officials?"
"Your Majesty, Chen Dong is the main culprit."
"Aren't you afraid that I will chop off your head?" Zhao Huan looked at him coldly.
"A wise ruler should be open to advice, while a foolish ruler should act arbitrarily. Chen is not afraid."
"You call me a tyrant?"
"Chen Dong wouldn't dare. Whether Your Majesty is a sage or not is left to history books to record."
"What a sharp tongue you have. Do you know that while you students were making your arguments, our country was being destroyed bit by bit? I punished Li Bangyan with a stick because he wanted to advocate peace. He made me use the blood and sweat of the people of the Song Dynasty to feed the golden dog." Zhao Huan was really angry.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li was just making a suggestion, and the decision is up to Your Majesty. Although I don't agree with Prime Minister Li's advice, Prime Minister Li was convicted for his words, and that is Your Majesty's fault." Chen Dong spoke eloquently.
Zhao Huan was so furious he had no place to vent his anger: "You scholars are so pedantic! You are disgusting! You oppose Li Bangyan's suggestion, but you disagree with my spanking him. This is the worst kind of pedantry among scholars."
Unexpectedly, Chen Dong was so arrogant. When he heard what Zhao Huan said, he immediately said, "Since that's the case, Chen Dong will take his leave."
Damn, these pedantic scholars! Zhao Huan couldn't help but feel furious. But he couldn't find a reason to refute them, so he slammed the table and said, "Did I let you go? Chen Dong, I'm telling you. I'm going to be the most arbitrary ruler I can be. If you want to scold me, go ahead. I might as well tell you that I'm a tyrant. I deserve the name of the Dog Emperor."
Chen Dong stood there speechless. He had never seen such a shameless emperor with such a thick skin.
Zhao Huan finished speaking and let out a long sigh. "I've been so pissed off by you that I'm lost. The country is in crisis, and you pedantic scholars are still here talking nonsense and harming the country. I didn't summon you here for this matter. I'm not that petty. Chen Dong, I want to ask you, which officials in the court, both civil and military, and even the common people, are complaining about? Find them for me."
Upon hearing this, Chen Dong sank to his knees again with a plop. "Your Majesty is wise. The students of the Imperial Academy have long been dissatisfied with certain officials in the court. They have secretly formed cliques for personal gain, oppressed the people, and deceived the emperor. The common people and even the officials in the court dared not speak out in anger."
"Now you are speaking of my wisdom again. Tomorrow morning, at court, you will bring the students of the Imperial Academy to block the palace gates. I want you to submit a joint petition exposing the crimes of all officials in the court. I will stand for you, and I will stand for the people of the world."
Chen Dong knelt on the ground and trembled. This time he was moved: "Your Majesty, Chen Dong is confused. You..."
Zhao Huan waved his hand in annoyance. "That's enough. Stop flattering me and get out of here. Remember, when it comes to accusing officials of misdeeds, you must have solid evidence. Never make groundless accusations. And don't attack too broadly. Just expose a few officials who are most resented by the people and have the worst reputations. No matter their rank, I will not let them off lightly."
"Chen Dong thanks you..."
“Roll, roll, roll, roll…”
…
"Cao Dongsheng, the weather is nice today." Zhao Huan stood up.
Cao Dongsheng lowered his head and agreed: "Your Majesty is wise. How about I accompany you for a walk?"
"Come on, let's go to the back garden. I want to see the queen."
"Chen'er, have you written anything today?" A gentle voice came over. It was the voice of Zhao Huan's queen Zhu Lian.
"Mother, look, look! Father is here." An eight or nine-year-old child pointed at Zhao Huan and said.
For a long time, a question had been lingering in Zhao Huan's mind. He was a single, code-crazed man who accidentally traveled through time and space to become a prince, and now an emperor. He had never even touched a girl's hand, and suddenly, heaven had given him a wife, and even better, a son. Did this count as becoming a father?
However, Zhao Huan really liked this child. Zhao Chen was smart, loved reading, and was kind to others at a young age.
Although the memories of this body had merged into his brain, Zhao Huan had never slept with the empress since his time traveling through time. He always excused himself by citing his busy political affairs. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he didn't have the courage, or perhaps he wasn't mentally prepared.
"Chen'er, how are you doing with your studies?" Zhao Huan touched his son's head, his face full of love.
"Father, I have finished reading Gongyang Zhuan." Zhao Chen said jumping up and down.
"Oh, my Chen'er is amazing. Then your father will test you." After saying this, Zhao Huan touched his head again, and then he remembered. I have never read the Gongyang Commentary of the Spring and Autumn Annals. How can I test you? I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Zhao Chen stared with a pair of innocent eyes: "Father, didn't you say you wanted to test me?"
Zhao Huan looked embarrassed: "Well, Cao Dongsheng, take Chen'er to play over there first. The Queen and I have something to talk about." He made an excuse.
Empress Zhu looked at Zhao Huan with a smile on her face: "Your Majesty, how did you find time to come here?"
It must be said that the queen was very beautiful and in her prime. Zhao Huan did not dare to look at her any longer: "Well, I have nothing to do and wanted to come and see Chen'er."
Unexpectedly, Empress Zhu suddenly rushed over, hugged Zhao Huan's neck, and said with a seductive look: "Why, now that you're the emperor, you're starting to act like an emperor, aren't you?"
The maids beside him all lowered their heads. Zhao Huan smiled awkwardly and gently pushed Zhu Lian away: "Well, I, I am here for state affairs."
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