"Your Highness, I believe that Your Highness's behavior is indeed inappropriate."
One official bluntly stated.
Gu Mu had long anticipated that his actions at the time would cause panic among the court officials.
But they're not children anymore, so why should he comfort them?
"Take a few steps forward," Gu Mu said casually through the curtain.
The official in charge of criticism gasped in surprise.
Shrinking his neck, he hesitated and dared not step forward.
His heart pounded wildly, and he broke out in a cold sweat: Did His Highness summon him to kill him?
However, His Highness has given the order, and we dare not disobey.
He took small, quick steps, inching forward.
In just a few steps, his inner shirt was completely soaked.
He began to regret it: he shouldn't have taken the initiative; after all, this wasn't the old emperor, and someone else should have spoken first.
"Why are you so nervous?" Gu Mu stroked his chin. Was he really that scary?
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." The official's hand holding the memorial trembled, and he couldn't utter the words he wanted to say for a long time.
His legs were a little weak and trembling.
"I summoned you here to ask you a question," Gu Mu said in a somewhat inhumanly intimidating tone. "Since you are dissatisfied with my actions, why don't you come forward and take this position?"
Upon hearing this, the official turned deathly pale with fright. He reflexively took a few steps back, then knelt on the ground with a thud, wailing, "Your subject dares not!"
"Aren't you dissatisfied with me?"
"I have been drinking and am speaking nonsense."
"Then don't drink next time."
"yes."
Having scared one away, Gu Mu calmly adjusted his posture: "Who else wants to sit in my seat and advise me on the affairs of the land?"
In an instant, the imperial court fell silent.
Why is Your Highness acting so unpredictably?
They only wanted to offer advice; how could they dare to give the regent any advice on governing the country?
Even the young emperor sitting on the throne didn't dare.
They wouldn't have enough lives to kill.
Gu Mu was satisfied with their reaction. He nodded and said with a smile, "Since you all have no objection to my actions, let's talk about the vacant official positions in Jiangnan."
He killed 132 officials at once, so someone still had to step in.
The list collected by the princess was in his hands. When he was in Jiangnan, he also had his assassins verify it, and the two accounts were consistent.
The assassins would never betray him, so this list is probably very accurate.
"This record lists more than sixty people who made significant contributions during this famine. I believe they deserve to be promoted."
Gu Mu read out the names on the list and announced their respective positions.
Some of them were originally insignificant figures, but because they did a lot of practical things for the people, they were promoted several ranks and became county magistrates.
Putting aside their work ability, capable people need to be trained. Those who are truly capable and willing to do practical things for the people need time to be trained and assessed.
But for a dynasty whose foundations are already rotten, promoting a mediocre talent who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people is better than promoting a parasite who is excellent in every way.
The position of Prefect of Jiangnan was filled by a top scholar from the imperial examinations who had been transferred from the capital many years ago.
This top scholar in the imperial examination possessed both knowledge and ability, and his appointment as the prefect of Jiangnan was a promotion for him.
For Gu Mu, it's better to appoint some mediocre people who care about the people in other positions, but to appoint a suitable person for important positions, so that he can feel much more at ease about the people of Jiangnan.
No one in the court dared to speak until Gu Mu finished reading the list.
When Gu Mu called for the censors to come forward a few steps, they genuinely thought he was going to kill someone.
The six officials who mysteriously disappeared from Gu Mu's study, and the 132 court officials who died in humiliating ways, undoubtedly demonstrate that this regent is not someone to be trifled with.
No one dared to cross Gu Mu.
"Since none of you ministers have any objections, then let us proceed accordingly."
Gu Mu adjourned the court session.
The imperial decree from the capital was quickly conveyed to the local authorities.
Magistrate Liu held the imperial edict appointing him as magistrate, and for a long time he could hardly believe it.
You should know that he used to be just an ordinary patrol inspector, and his family barely made ends meet. Becoming a county magistrate was something he wouldn't have dared to dream of even if his ancestors had been blessed with good fortune.
But now, the appointment document is in his hands.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" He kowtowed heavily to the ground, tears welling in his eyes.
Magistrate Liu returned home on horseback, wearing a bright red robe.
Behind him, a single soldier followed.
His original home was just an ordinary two-courtyard house, but after he became a county magistrate, the imperial court specially arranged a mansion for him.
He went back to his old home this time to move.
The original neighbors and Magistrate Liu's family members were all confused by the scene and anxiously crowded around him after he dismounted.
"Old Liu, what's going on?"
"I heard that His Highness executed 132 corrupt officials. They were all truly guilty people. I hope you weren't implicated. You're a good person!"
"Old Liu, what's going on with so many soldiers behind us?"
Although Magistrate Liu didn't look like he was imprisoned, the sight of an ordinary inspector followed by so many soldiers and such a large entourage inevitably made them uneasy.
Old Liu is a really good person!
During famines, he would rather go hungry himself than be without food and clothing, so that he could be near the poor. If he encountered even poorer people, he would help them even if he had to go without food and water himself.
Old Liu has lived a frugal and simple life all his life, so it's impossible that His Highness would blame him, right?
"We are here to escort Magistrate Liu as he moves!" A high-ranking soldier behind Magistrate Liu said respectfully, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
Magistrate Liu...?
Their county magistrate wasn't surnamed Liu.
Besides, isn't he already dead?
etc……
Whether it was Magistrate Liu's neighbors or his family, their eyes gradually began to show surprise and delight as they looked at him.
"Old Liu, you've been promoted to county magistrate?"
After receiving a positive reply from Magistrate Liu, these people could no longer contain their joy.
"Magistrate Liu... Magistrate Liu... Hahahaha!"
"Your Highness, you are indeed fair in your rewards and punishments!"
"His Highness has seen everything you have done for the people; otherwise, why would he have made an exception and promoted you to county magistrate?"
Even inside the house, Magistrate Liu's elderly father, with his white hair, walked out with faltering steps, leaning on his cane.
He knelt down at the entrance, facing the direction of the capital.
One bow,
Second bow,
Three bows.
He kowtowed three times firmly.
Tears streamed down his face as he wept with joy: "Our Liu family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!"
"My dear wife, did you see that? Our family has produced a county magistrate!"
"Even if I were to go see you now, I would have done right by our ancestors..."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
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