"My dear ministers, we will discuss trivial matters later. The Jin army has now crossed the Yellow River. Do you have any plan to repel them?"
At this time, the left prime minister Bai Shizhong stood up again. After the lesson of Li Bangyan, this old fellow no longer proposed peace, but instead repeatedly threatened to fight a decisive battle with Jin.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Li Gang can oversee the anti-Jin campaign. There is no need for our assistance."
Zhao Huan suppressed his anger and said, "Oh, it's good to have Li Gang lead the anti-Jin campaign. If that's the case, then why do I need you old ministers?"
"Your Majesty, we have many officials from various regions whose achievements and tax revenues need to be compiled and reported to Your Majesty. We are simply unable to do this."
Zhao Huan sneered: "Then I'll have to trouble Bai Zuocheng."
"This is my duty."
Zhao Huan was almost furious. He had just ascended the throne. These ministers secretly did not trust him, especially after he fell into Li Bangyan's trap, the ministers were even more disloyal to him.
The only thing to do now is to establish prestige and let all officials know what the supremacy of imperial power is.
"Okay, I won't mention this matter for now. I'll leave it entirely to Li Gang to handle. I have something else to do today." Zhao Huan threw a pile of memorials to the ground.
"This is a joint memorial submitted by students from the Imperial Academy, impugning the ministers. Loyal ministers and capable generals are scarce in the Song Dynasty, but treacherous and rebellious officials are plentiful. Only today do I realize how many filthy deeds you ministers have done behind my back!"
The emperor was furious and his ministers trembled with fear.
A man stood up tremblingly. It was Cai Jing. Cai Jing, with his dim eyesight, looked kind and benevolent, but he was actually vicious and sinister inside.
Also entering the court at the same time were Tong Guan, eunuch Liang Shicheng, and Li Yan. These people were specially recruited into the palace by Zhao Huan today.
"Oh, isn't this Cai Jing, the old minister of the retired emperor? Don't fall to death because of your blurry eyes. What do you want to say to me?" Zhao Huan had a malicious look on his face. Cai Jing was the most hateful among the six thieves.
"Your Majesty, I have a word of advice. These students always like to stir up trouble and disrupt the government. Your Majesty must not listen to their sour words."
"Your Majesty, I second the motion." A shrill voice came, even sharper than Cao Dongsheng's, and it made one feel uncomfortable. I don't know why Zhao Ji, this old softie, likes Tong Guan, a eunuch.
Tong Guan had a pointed face and monkey cheeks, but his eyes were sinister. He continued in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty. I have commanded the army for over twenty years and know that students across the land are arrogant. A few days ago, they dared to write a letter slandering Your Majesty. I believe these students should be severely punished."
Zhao Huan remained calm, but his tone was filled with hostility towards Tong Guan: "Privy Councilor Tong Guan, Duke of Lu Cai Jing. You two are old ministers of the retired emperor, and you are loyal to our great Song Dynasty. The students called me a dog emperor, and I dare to take responsibility for it. I admit it. But I wonder if you dare to admit your own actions?"
Cai Jing and Tong Guan sensed Zhao Huan's unkind tone and exchanged glances. Cai Jing asked, "I wonder what your Majesty means by this. Please forgive my drowsiness."
"Your Majesty!" At this time, a man walked in from outside the hall.
The ministers turned around in surprise. Commander Wu Ge was a tall, burly man with a full beard. He had the demeanor of a military commander.
Wu Geyi clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, the students of the Imperial Academy are causing trouble outside the palace gates. They are asking Your Majesty to punish the traitors in the court."
Zhao Huan found a reason to get angry: "Listen, all of you ministers, listen to me. This is what you ministers do. Cao Dongsheng, read it to them."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Cao Dongsheng picked up the memorial Zhao Huan had thrown to the ground. "Student Chen Dong has made this suggestion: Today's events are the product of Cai Jing's chaos in the front, Liang Shicheng's conspiracy in the back, Li Yan's enmity with the northwest, Zhu Jie's enmity with the southeast, and Wang Fu and Tong Guan's enmity with the Liao and Jin, creating border conflicts. The six thieves should be executed and their heads sent to all directions as a token of our gratitude to the world."
Cai Jing and Tong Guan both shuddered when they heard this. Cai Jing, who was already shaky, collapsed to the ground.
Liang Shicheng and Li Yan were already puzzled. The Emperor had never summoned them since he ascended the throne, yet today they were summoned to the morning court. Upon hearing the memorial, they were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and kowtowed profusely.
"Your Majesty, it's unfair. Your Majesty, it's unfair. I have always been loyal to the Emperor and would never have any other thoughts."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty cannot listen to the slander of villains."
Tong Guan burst into tears, sobbing, "Your Majesty, please do not be deceived by these men with ill intentions. I followed the Emperor to recapture Yanyun and fight against the Liao, serving the Song Dynasty with all my heart. Although I have made no contributions, I have served with great diligence. I am deeply saddened and angry by these slanderous words. I beg Your Majesty to help me."
"Your Majesty, please make the decision for me."
"Your Majesty!" At this moment, another minister stood up. This man had a square face and a righteous look between his brows. This man was He Li, the Minister of the Central Secretariat.
He Li pointed at Cai Jing and the others and said, "Your Majesty, what the Imperial Student Chen Dong and the others said is true. These six people are extremely resentful. There was once a children's rhyme passed down from generation to generation: 'Break the bucket, spill the vegetables, and the world will be a better place.' It refers to Cai Jing and Tong Guan. Your Majesty, if these six people are not executed, it will not be enough to thank the world."
Tong Guan was shaking with anger, perhaps out of fear. He pointed at He Li and said, "You, you, He Li. I didn't expect you to be such a shameless villain, so despicable!"
Cai Jing, sitting on the ground, also pointed at He Li and said, "He Li, you are kicking someone when he's down. You are talking nonsense. How come I didn't notice you earlier?"
He Li didn't even look at him: "I have long been dissatisfied with you six thieves, but my voice is weak and my opinion is not taken seriously. Today's letter from the students of the Imperial College is exactly what I want. You six are bringing disaster to the country and the people, and your crimes deserve to be executed."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
