Zhao Huan said coldly, "Wang Zongchu, read out to me the crimes of these six thieves that you have compiled for me!"
Wang Zongchu has a rectangular face, is about forty years old, and is efficient and effective in his work.
Wang Zongchu read a long imperial edict, "Cai Jing served for decades. He changed the salt and banknote laws to harm the people. He framed Zhang Xi, the Chief Justice of Huaidong, and his brothers. He framed the censor Chen Ji and Chen Zhenghui, the son of Chen Qin, and deposed Empress Yuanyou. He was greedy and self-serving, blasphemed God, and disrespected the emperor and his father. He connived at the support of powerful figures, neglected official titles and salaries, spent lavishly, changed laws, and made arbitrary decisions. He delighted in flattery, suppressed the censors, favored his cronies, and was constantly vigilant. He acted recklessly and treasonously, and usurped power. His crimes are too numerous to list. According to the law, he should be torn to pieces by chariots. However, considering his folly, I grant him a yellow silk cloth to end his life as a token of my gratitude to the world."
Upon hearing His Highness's words, Cai Jing could no longer stand, his legs shaking like sieves. He needed two guards to hold him up.
Wang Zongchu continued to recite, "The traitor Tong Guan framed our great general Liu Fa. He undermined the imperial order, appointed people based on personal connections, and servilely treated the Jin people, bringing disgrace to our Song Dynasty. He also led 200,000 Song generals in a failed expedition against the Liao Dynasty, yet he claims no such feat. I may forgive you, but I will not forgive you for the corpses of these tens of thousands of Song soldiers. I order Tong Guan to be beheaded outside the Meridian Gate, and his body to be hung on the city gate for public display."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Even though Tong Guan was an eloquent man, he was stammering like a puddle of mud and couldn't utter a word.
"Eunuch Liang Shicheng is incredibly audacious. He dared to privately alter the imperial edict and commit illegal acts on behalf of the emperor. This offense alone warrants the execution of your entire clan. You have disrupted the imperial order, abused your power, and deceived the emperor. You deserve death. Order eunuch Liang Shicheng to be dragged out of the palace. He will be beaten to death immediately! Come, drag this eunuch out and beat him to death!"
All the ministers were delighted, some even cursed and smeared the four men. Only Cai You huddled aside and dared not utter a word.
Some ministers were indeed dissatisfied with the six thieves, and some even felt that by eliminating them, they would lose another powerful opponent in the political arena. So everyone took advantage of the situation and accused the six thieves of evil deeds.
Suddenly, a foul smell hit the hall. It turned out that Liang Shicheng was so frightened that he wet his pants. The guards dragged Liang Shicheng out of the hall like a dead dog. Soon, screams were heard from outside.
"Li Yan!" Wang Zongchu shouted.
Li Yan's eyes rolled back and he fainted.
"Li Yan, the Grand Chamberlain, has embezzled fertile farmland. He has persecuted the people, causing them to become homeless. He will be dragged out of the palace and beaten to death."
Zhao Huan stood up and said, "Listen to the screams outside the palace. I want you to hear them. I know there are many among you who are more treacherous and evil than these six thieves. I also want to give you a few words of advice. If anyone dares to deceive the emperor and harm the people again, these two people outside the palace will be your examples!"
His Highness and his ministers were trembling with fear, and no one dared to speak.
Zhao Huan was satisfied, and he used the example of a chicken to scare the monkeys. This way, the people celebrated, and the ministers were less likely to act recklessly. His position was secure.
Zhao Huan sat down again. He found that the dragon throne was obviously uncomfortable to sit on, but he just liked to sit on it. This was power.
"Wang Zongchu, have you carried out my orders to arrest Zhu Jie? Why didn't Wang Fu come today?"
"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to arrest Zhu Jie. As for Wang Fu, it seems, it seems..."
"It seems like something, but it doesn't matter."
Wang Zongfu clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, it seems Wang Fu has run away."
"Run away?" The ministers below began to whisper again.
"Your Majesty, Wang Fu did not come here because you summoned him, but because he was afraid of the Jin people. According to Wang Fu's servants, Wang Fu heard that the Jin people were marching south and had already left with his family."
"Catch him! Bring him back to me and beat him to death! Beat him hard and kill this bastard." Zhao Huan was extremely angry. As an emperor, he even used vulgar words.
This couldn't be blamed on Zhao Huan; Wang Fu was truly despicable. When Wang Fu was prime minister, he frequently advised Zhao Ji to depose the crown prince. Zhao Huan had long been at odds with him, so how could he not take this opportunity to kill him?
Wang Zongchuo swore confidently, "Your Majesty, I have already sent people after Wang Fu. I guarantee with my life that he will not escape."
Zhao Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Zong Zhuo, please read out to me the crimes of Zhu Jie and Wang Fu as well. This will prevent others from accusing me of being incompetent."
"As you command." Wang Zongchu held the long imperial edict in his hand and continued to read: "The traitorous minister Wang Fu plundered wealth, sought power and usurped the throne, and appointed corrupt officials. There's even a folk song in the capital saying: 'Three hundred strings of cash, a magistrate. Five hundred strings of cash, a direct official in the Secret Council.' That's Wang Fu. When the Jin army marched south, he retreated in the face of battle, and his entire family fled south. Although he's a veteran minister, I can't atone for his crimes. He deserves to be beaten to death!"
All officials, especially those who rose to the heights of the Purple Palace, knew how to read the emperor's words and decipher his intentions. The phrase "retreating in battle and fleeing south with the entire family" wasn't written by Zhao Huan. It was added by Wang Zongchu himself. As expected, Zhao Huan was very pleased.
"Zhu Jie, the traitor. He has wasted the people's money and wealth, and brought disaster to the people. He shall be beheaded in public."
Zhao Huan didn't elaborate on Zhu Jie's actions. After all, Zhu Jie was transporting the "Flower and Stone Gang" for Huizong. Explaining too much would have been disastrous for Huizong.
After the six thieves were executed, many ministers who were inclined to support the emperor emeritus all submitted to him. This way, there would be no power struggle between Zhao Huan and his father Zhao Ji. In fact, at this time, Zhao Ji was already the emperor emeritus in name only, with little power in his hands.
Although the Jin had crossed the Yellow River, Zhao Huan remained in high spirits. With the elimination of these six thieves, the Song Dynasty would be politically much more stable. The situation was precarious, and the court needed personnel. We must not attack too broadly.
People like Gao Qiu, Li Bangyan, and Bai Shizhong. These people are cowardly and incompetent, but they all have their own foundations. If we remove them now, it will probably trigger a chain reaction. So, for now, let's keep them.
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