Chapter 521 Abdication
A palace coup came unexpectedly.
They left without a sound.
Officials who were supposed to be transferred out of the capital were all doing their jobs in an orderly manner.
The so-called murder case was nothing more than bait to lure everyone away from the capital.
The people only learned of this news after everything was settled.
The people knew, and the people were shocked.
However, the most shocking person was the one who quelled the palace coup, the long-deceased Crown Princess Zhaoming.
More than being shocked by the palace coup, they were shocked that the hero the people spoke of had returned.
Upon hearing the news that Qin Shi'an had been brought back to life, the officials became excited.
They flocked to the Prince of Zhenbei's residence to request an audience.
However, after Qin Shi'an quelled the palace coup, he returned to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
The Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion closed its doors to visitors.
Even the court officials under Qin Shi'an's command could not be seen.
No one knows what Princess Zhaoming is doing.
Qin Shi'an returned to the capital.
The first heavy snow fell in the capital.
The first snowfall of the year is usually not very heavy.
But this year's snowfall transformed Beijing into a silver-clad city overnight.
The people are saying that Princess Zhaoming is a lucky star for the State of Jin.
As the saying goes, a timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest.
The second year's planting will surely yield a bumper harvest.
The first imperial examination after the revision of the laws of the Great Jin Dynasty was also launched.
Minister of Personnel Wu Wenguang presided over the imperial examinations.
While inspecting the examination hall, he said firmly:
"I, Wu Wenguang, Minister of Personnel, have been ordered to preside over this imperial examination."
I hope that you will live up to your ten years of hard work and give yourselves a satisfactory result.
I wish all students a bright future after the imperial examinations.
However, let's be clear about the unpleasant aspects upfront.
Knowledge can be accumulated over time, but poor character makes it difficult to be a good person.
Favoritism and cheating are strictly prohibited in examinations, whether for students or officials.
Once discovered, they will be severely punished!
This is said to those students with impure motives.
It was also meant for officials who wanted to do something.
Everyone knows that he is under the command of Princess Zhaoming.
Now that Princess Zhaoming has returned to the capital, his promise of severe punishment is no joke!
But there are always some who don't believe in superstition.
The imperial examinations were jointly administered by the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Imperial Examination Authority.
Students caught cheating were disqualified from the exam on the spot.
He was expelled from the capital and barred from participating in the imperial examinations again.
Officials involved in the favoritism and corruption were immediately dismissed and imprisoned.
This action deterred the villains.
This also boosted the students' confidence.
This imperial examination was fair.
The imperial examinations were to continue until the following spring.
The year-end is approaching.
Qin Shi'an received a letter from Shou Zong.
Wei Ziming was captured alive.
Their forces were completely wiped out.
The bandits who colluded with him were also completely wiped out.
The Cangzhou canal gang deserves the most credit for taking the helm this time.
Soon after, Wei Xuan accompanied the army to escort Wei Ziming back to the capital.
After returning to the capital, Emperor Shouzong went into hiding in Cangzhou to await an opportunity.
They were just waiting for Qin Shi'an's order.
This palace coup was an outcome Qin Shi'an had anticipated long ago.
Even if they don't have the will or the courage.
Her people won't let them accept this subconsciously.
These people were all surrounded by Qin Shi'an's men.
It's not just these people who have Qin Shi'an's men around them.
The troops she left in Cangzhou were in preparation for building a naval force.
Now, the state of Jin is entirely under her control.
Qin Shi'an stood in the ancestral hall.
Qin Ye's memorial tablet was placed in front of her.
Qin Shi'an opened a jar of Xiaoyao Zui.
There was a knock on the door of the ancestral hall.
Li Jin's voice came through, "Your Highness, Eunuch Hong has arrived."
Qin Shi'an lifted his foot and left.
Then he turned around and returned to Qin Ye's memorial tablet.
The mischievous boy smiled at the memorial tablet.
He covered the wine jar of Xiaoyaozui.
He then turned and left the ancestral hall.
Hong Gonggong was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing Qin Shi'an.
"This old servant greets Your Highness."
Qin Shi'an smiled and said, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Eunuch Hong has become quite reserved."
Eunuch Hong smiled and said, "This old servant is happy that you have finally returned."
Qin Shi'an looked at Eunuch Hong, "What business does Eunuch Hong have with me?"
Hong Gonggong said, "Your Highness, His Majesty and the Empress have summoned you to the palace to discuss important matters."
Qin Shi'an nodded. "Let's go."
Li Jin brought a large fur coat and draped it over Qin Shi'an.
"I'll escort you there and wait for you at the palace gate."
Qin Shi'an arrived at the Imperial Study after a long absence.
There was only the emperor inside.
Qin Shi'an looked around.
The emperor coughed twice and looked up when he heard the noise at the door.
“My dear grandson, you’ve arrived. I’ve summoned you to the palace; your grandmother doesn’t know.”
"Come and see how Grandpa's drawings are doing!"
Qin Shi'an raised an eyebrow and walked up to the emperor, his eyes fixed on the blueprint.
"This is... a garden? Are they building a garden?"
The emperor pointed to the garden and said, "It has mountains and water. I'll expand the area behind your grandmother's fishpond so it's suitable for your grandmother and me to live out our retirement."
At this moment, Eunuch Hong came over carrying a scroll of imperial edict.
The imperial edict was delivered to Qin Shi'an.
Qin Shi'an opened the imperial edict, on which the words "abdication" were clearly written.
She tossed the imperial edict aside, looked up at the emperor, and asked, "Is this compensation?"
The emperor smiled and said, "Hong Dequan, you may step down now."
"yes!"
Eunuch Hong immediately retreated outside the door.
The emperor's gaze toward Qin Shi'an was no longer that of a loving gaze toward a junior.
Instead, they were watching a formidable opponent.
"I've said it before, you're like me, you'll stop at nothing to achieve your goals and you don't care what other people think."
If you want the throne, you can get it even if you rebel.
All the princes still alive in the capital combined couldn't compete with you.
Why waste time?
Qin Shi'an curled the corners of his mouth, "Grandfather still has bloodlines that can take over."
The emperor chuckled, "If it weren't for Xiao Run, how could you have deceived the world?"
Everyone thinks you're contributing your flesh and blood to me, to your grandmother, and to our bloodline.
But everyone in the world guessed wrong.
Even your grandmother and I thought all you wanted was power.
But what you've always wanted is this throne.
The Emperor and Empress gave Qin Shi'an a new, large safety lock.
It was all to hide that key.
The imperial edict hidden in the roof beam.
It was the power of regent granted to Qin Shi'an by the emperor and empress.
Regardless of who ascends the throne in the future.
Qin Shi'an's power will not be reduced in the slightest.
Qin Shi'an sat down opposite the emperor and said with a smile:
"That's right, what I've wanted from beginning to end is this throne."
I matured too early and witnessed the ugliness of this world at a very young age.
Therefore, I deeply understand that what those in power need to possess is absolute power.
Everyone thought that only those aristocratic families were corrupt and depraved.
But this world is inherently a breeding ground for filth and evil.
This world binds you with this kindness.
But the rules of this world cannot restrain me, Qin Shi'an.
Then the world must be governed by my rules, Qin Shi'an's rules.
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