The emperor passed away, and the Prince ascended the throne as the new emperor. The state held a grand funeral, and because arrangements had long been made in advance, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion without any mishaps.
At the first Grand Court Assembly, the Young Emperor sat upon the dragon throne while Chen Yan and Xue Ji led the civil and military officials in kowtowing.
"Rise!"
The Young Emperor spoke in a clear, even childish voice.
Yet no one dared underestimate the little child seated upon the Imperial Throne.
He was of legitimate birth, the late emperor's only son, and had been named Prince from the moment he was born. Moreover, he now had a powerful master, the City God. The entire City God system stood behind him.
First Chancellor Chen Yan stepped forward and declared in a resonant voice, "Your Majesty, this subject Chen Yan requests that Your Majesty rectify official administration!"
"The success or failure of official administration concerns the rise and fall of a dynasty. Corrupt officials harm the people and endanger the nation, while vile customs in officialdom emerge one after another. Officials embezzle funds, money and grain run short, the treasury stands empty, and some superiors extort their subordinates, enrich themselves through exploitation, impose harsh private levies and taxes, and squeeze the people's strength dry."
"Therefore, this subject requests that Your Majesty issue an edict to cleanse official administration and restore proper order and discipline!"
"First, inspect official silver and government treasuries. Second, inspect grain stores in every region. Third, investigate whether criminal cases contain wrongful convictions or false charges. Fourth, investigate the sale of offices and titles. Fifth, investigate corruption. Sixth, prohibit extravagance among officials. Seventh, strictly assess administrative achievements..."
Chen Yan listed eighteen points in all, every single one aimed directly at