Today's court session lasted a full four hours.
From tax reform to military reports from Dongyi, from the review of noble estates to the channels by which poor-born sons could enter officialdom, King Zhou personally questioned every matter, refuting or approving each item one by one.
When he spoke, his pace was extremely fast, like a knife slicing through hemp cloth, giving almost no one any chance to cut in.
Several times, the nobles tried to argue back, but the moment they opened their mouths, he stopped them cold with, "How many private soldiers can your estate's harvest feed this year?" Their faces flushed scarlet, and they no longer dared make a sound.
Today, he had also beheaded a minister in public.
The man had merely said, "Your Majesty, is your treatment of immortals and gods not somewhat too dismissive?" Before his words had even fully fallen, King Zhou did not so much as lift an eyelid. His finger paused on the armrest, and he said, "Drag him out."
Two armored soldiers held the minister between them and carried him outside. All the way, the man shouted, "Your Majesty! This subject is utterly loyal!" until his voice vanished beyond the great hall.
After waiting a while longer, the armored soldiers returned to report the order complete. Only then did King Zhou speak again—"Next topic."
The ministers' knees went even softer.
To run into a king so bent on having his own way—what a sin upon them.
After court was dismissed, King Zhou summoned Kong Xuan alone into the Side Hall.
"Kong Xuan, I have a question for you."
King Zhou leaned back in his chair and raised a hand to rub the space between his brows.
"Am I a tyrant?"
The sharpness and pressure of the court had vanished from