Chapter 103 Before the Rain
At five quarters past three in the morning, before daybreak, officials began to attend court one after another.
The palace has three gates, and court officials should dismount in front of the first gate.
The Prime Minister Jiang Yuanqing was already old, and Emperor Tongxu granted him permission to enter the palace by carriage, but Jiang Yuanqing was a meticulous person who regarded etiquette and laws as his life. He never enjoyed any special treatment and walked to Xuanhui Hall with other court officials every day.
Jiang Lianzhi personally helped Jiang Yuanqing get off the carriage.
Jiang Yuanqing looked up and saw a dark crowd kneeling in front of the palace gate.
These students have been kneeling since yesterday when they attended court until now. Some of them could not hold on any longer and fell down. They have been helped down by others, leaving some small gaps in between.
Jiang Yuanqing had advised them yesterday before leaving the court, but they didn't listen.
Jiang Yuanqing shook his head, broke away from Jiang Lianzhi's hand, and walked towards the palace gate with his back straight.
"Master Prime Minister!"
Suddenly a shout came from the crowd.
Jiang Yuanqing turned around and raised his hand to stop Jiang Lianzhi who was about to speak. His eyes were steady and majestic as he swept across the crowd.
A man in the crowd got up from the ground. His legs were numb from kneeling for too long. He staggered over, picked up his robe and knelt down again three feet away from Jiang Yuanqing.
"Master Prime Minister." The student straightened his back and raised his head and said, "The Great Zhou has stood for hundreds of years and has produced countless heroic generals. They shed blood on the border and built the iron wall of the Great Zhou with their bones and blood."
"Yanliang Pass was defeated several months ago, and 100,000 heroic souls cannot rest in peace. Students are under their protection. If the treacherous officials are not cleaned up, students will not be able to sleep at night."
"Now, the students are kneeling here to ask the emperor to give justice to the 100,000 heroic souls."
Jiang Yuanqing said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty will investigate this case thoroughly. You are forcing His Majesty by being here now."
The student raised his head and said, "Since it is a thorough investigation and the traitor has been in prison for more than a month, why is there no action yet?"
Jiang Yuanqing was silent. He had mentioned this matter during the cabinet meeting, but the emperor did not respond. The emperor's mind was unpredictable, and even the old ministers who had followed him for many years could not figure out what Emperor Tongxu was thinking.
The student said angrily: "Please open your eyes and look at the crumbling state of the Great Zhou."
“Be careful with your words!
"Jiang Yuanqing scolded.
"If we don't punish the treacherous and corrupt officials who are in power, how can the country's laws survive?"
The students behind him were filled with indignation: "Where is the law of the country!"
Jiang Yuanqing scolded coldly, "Do you know what crime it is to try to influence the emperor's decision?"
“Students know!”
Jiang Yuanqing frowned and saw the student slowly stand up. He suddenly felt something was wrong.
"Wu died fighting, General Shen is the pioneer, and students are willing to use their blood and flesh to awaken the thousands of sleeping people!"
Jiang Yuanqing's eyes widened with anger: "Stop him!"
…
As the sky gradually brightened, a man came hurriedly outside Qingpu Residence.
"Is Your Highness awake?" the visitor asked.
The guard followed him into the room and said, "Your Highness slept late last night. I wonder if you have woken up yet."
When they reached the courtyard, Xifeng, who was standing under the eaves, exchanged glances with the visitor, then turned around and knocked lightly on the door.
"Your Highness, there is news from the palace."
Xie Tingzhou's lazy voice came from inside the room, "Come in."
Xie Tingzhou had just woken up and was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his outer robe.
The secret guards are also divided into different posts, some are responsible for protecting safety, and some are responsible for collecting intelligence. The person who came was the secret guard in charge of intelligence.
The secret guard knelt on one knee and said, "Those students stayed together all night last night. This morning, when they were attending court, one student stopped the Prime Minister Jiang Yuanqing outside the palace gate. After a passionate speech, he ran into a wall and died outside the palace gate."
Xie Tingzhou's hand that was pinching his brows suddenly stopped, "And then?"
The secret guard continued, "When entering the second gate, another student from the Imperial College was killed."
Xie Tingzhou's breathing became heavy and he didn't speak for a long time.
The secret guard said, "Your Majesty was so angry that he collapsed. He summoned the imperial physician, cancelled the morning court today, and ordered the trial to be held in the palace tomorrow morning."
Palace trial means that the case is brought to the Fengtian Hall for trial, with the emperor and all court officials attending the trial together.
It means that Emperor Tongxu compromised with thousands of scholars.
The sound of several people talking could be heard in the courtyard. Xie Tingzhou heard one of the voices, frowned and said, "Let her in."
When Chen Yu stepped into the room, Xie Tingzhou had already stood up.
She came out from behind the screen, holding her clothes together.
"Come to the palace for questioning tomorrow morning."
Chen Yu opened her eyes wide, "The emperor just compromised like that? What happened?"
Xie Tingzhou looked at her, "Two students died for their admonition, and their blood was spilled at Chengtian Gate."
Shen Yu was stunned for a moment, and her eyelashes slowly drooped.
Xie Tingzhou stared at her face and waved his hand. Xifeng and the secret guards immediately retreated.
Xie Tingzhou said leisurely, "You don't have to blame yourself for this. The foundation of the Great Zhou has been rotten for hundreds of years. Corrupt officials are rampant and there are tens of thousands of refugees everywhere. Don't you think that students don't know this? The Yanliang Pass case was just an introduction. Those students died admonishing not only Yanliang Pass, but also loyalty and righteousness."
Chen Yu turned her head to look at Xie Tingzhou. In fact, she was calmer than she thought.
"The case has been delayed until now. Is it because the investigation is unclear or impossible? Or is it because the results of the investigation cannot be made public?"
Xie Tingzhou's eyes moved and he turned to look at her. The two of them saw a tacit understanding in each other's eyes.
Chen Yu walked over and looked up and said, "Since Emperor Tongxu has ordered a palace trial tomorrow, the case has already come to a conclusion. But why has it been delayed until now? What is the result that has made him delay it until now despite the public's opposition?"
"We'll know the result tomorrow." Xie Tingzhou consoled him, "It's useless to guess any more now."
Chen Yu nodded, her thoughts calmed down a little, and she thought of the two students who died for their advice.
"I want to give some compensation to the families of those two students."
"I said, it was their choice to die for their advice, you don't need to blame yourself," said Xie Tingzhou.
Chen Yu shook her head and said, "I don't blame myself. Everyone has their own aspirations. I just told the truth about the border without exaggerating. They are willing to serve the country with their kindness, and I admire them in my heart, so I am willing to do my part to take care of their families."
Xie Tingzhou nodded slowly, walked to the window and looked at the lush greenery in the yard.
The strong wind blew through the forest, bringing with it a murderous aura.
"Just wait and see." Xie Tingzhou's eyes were gloomy. "Today's death is just the beginning. The fig leaf of the Great Zhou will soon be torn apart."
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