Killing to Warn
The rows of civil and military officials fell silent in an instant, with only the soft, melodious voices echoing in the Hall of Reverence to Heaven.
As the lingering sound faded, the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
However, more than awe, the silence within the hall was actually one of astonishment and bewilderment.
His Majesty has not attended court for more than ten years, and during these ten years, the court has been in turmoil and the struggles have been extremely fierce.
The high-ranking officials of the Five Ministries and Six Departments, as well as the nobles and relatives of the emperor, had all experienced ups and downs. Apart from a dozen or so evergreen officials, a large number of officials had never even seen what the emperor looked like.
Why are they suddenly attending court?
However, despite the doubts, those who could rise to the position of ministers and enter the palace to discuss matters were basically those who had mastered the skill of political acumen.
While a glimpse of a part may not reveal the whole picture, it can at least give you a general idea.
The emperor's sudden attendance at court after such a long hiatus must have had a profound meaning. First, he performed the state ceremony for Prime Minister Xu and opened the Meridian Gate to welcome him. Then, he added the words of remonstrance that General Huaiyuan had just submitted.
No one spoke, no one exchanged whispers, but they did communicate through their eyes.
Officials in the same office and friends of the same faction exchanged glances, each discerning a deeper meaning in the eyes of another.
Some people looked on with schadenfreude at the Crown Prince behind the low table with python horns below the palace.
Some people are filled with worry.
Some people, however, remain indifferent to matters that don't concern them.
In contrast to the varied expressions of the officials below, Li Yucheng, seated behind a low table with python-shaped corners, showed no unusual expression; in fact, there was even a hint of joy in his eyes.
In the silent hall, Li Yucheng stood up from behind the desk, straightened his python robe, and then moved to the head row of nobles to await the arrival of his father, the emperor.
suddenly,
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
Three sharp cracks of whips came from behind the screen in the hall, signifying the performance of the ritual.
Splash--
With the Crown Prince leading the way, all the officials in the hall knelt down.
"Clatter"
"Clatter"
"Clatter"
Red walls and green tiles support towering pillars, white jade railings grace the ground.
The hall was silent and solemn. All the officials knelt on the ground, no one uttered a sound, no one raised their heads, only the sound of soft footsteps echoed.
final,
Their steps halted before the golden throne.
They did not follow the Great Yan etiquette by having a large retinue.
Standing alone in the hall,
Li Yaoxuan's cloudy, indifferent gaze swept over the officials below, finally settling on the only person standing there, clad in a black dragon robe.
"."
Their gazes met briefly beneath the Hall of Reverence to Heaven.
A smile flickered in Li Yaoxuan's eyes, and the corners of his lips curled slightly upwards.
What, aren't you going to observe the proper etiquette?
Upon hearing this, Xu Yinhe lowered his gaze, did not reply, and bowed with his hands clasped.
Seeing this, Li Yaoxuan shook his head in boredom and leaned back on the golden throne.
As he sat down, a light cough from the censor rang out.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The civil and military officials kneeling on the ground shouted in unison, and the sound reached the circular area Hall of Reverence to Heaven. Hundreds of officials attending court and imperial guards with swords also knelt and shouted.
A thunderous roar of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed through the heavens!
Leaning back on the dragon throne, Li Yaoxuan looked down at the familiar yet unfamiliar scene below, realizing that he had almost forgotten what it felt like to sit on this throne.
Unbeknownst to them, their hands, now covered in wrinkles, were gently stroking the unchanging carvings on the dragon throne.
Li Yaoxuan suddenly laughed, his voice tinged with regret:
[Prime Minister Xu, as dusk approaches, I suddenly feel a pang of nostalgia for the days when we stood together beneath this hall, treading on thin ice, each step fraught with trepidation. Haha.]
"."
Hearing the telepathic message Xu Yinhe slowly raised his eyes and looked at the once spirited young man who had now aged. His expression was somewhat complicated.
Be quiet for a while.
He sighed softly:
[Your subject also cherishes the memory.]
When Li Yaoxuan heard that the other party actually answered, a smile appeared on his old, wrinkled face:
[Do you miss it? If it happened again, I wouldn't allow you to become so powerful.]
Xu Yinhe shook his head, didn't answer, and reminded him:
[Your Majesty, you have not come to this court to reminisce with me. It is time to rise and discuss matters.]
Li Yaoxuan's hand, which was caressing the dragon throne, paused slightly. The turbidity in his eyes vanished instantly. He gave the other person a deep look and said loudly:
"My beloved subjects, rise."
The voice was strong and powerful, resounding throughout the palace and beyond, showing no sign of decline.
Splash--
After all the civil and military officials rose, Li Yaoxuan glanced at the Crown Prince, who stood at the head of the ranks of nobles, and said calmly:
"Yucheng, I have endured many years of hardship living deep within the palace."
Upon hearing this, Li Yucheng immediately stepped to the side, bowed meticulously, and replied:
"Father, it is my duty to share your burdens."
Li Yaoxuan leaned back on the dragon throne, looking down at his eldest son, and let out a cryptic chuckle:
"Very nice."
As he spoke, he raised a finger and pointed to the low table with python horns placed below the palace steps:
"What are you standing for? Sit back down."
"."
Li Yucheng's eyes widened slightly, and his words were hesitant:
"Father, you..."
A smile appeared on Li Yaoxuan's aged face:
"I am exhausted and have no heart for handling state affairs. I just came to check on things. Please continue."
Without paying any more attention to the hesitation in the Crown Prince's eyes, Li Yaoxuan turned to the chief eunuch standing beside him and asked:
"Mingyou, where were we in the discussion just now?"
Upon hearing this, the chief eunuch in the palace, dressed in a python robe, immediately bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, just now General Huaiyuan submitted a memorial requesting that the Second Prince be ordered to lead the troops."
"Oh?"
Li Yaoxuan raised his droopy eyelids slightly. "Does my son not know that once he establishes his own residence and military command, he cannot lead troops? This is a major taboo."
As he spoke,
He looked at His Highness Xu Yinhe and asked with a smile:
"Prime Minister Xu, what's your opinion on this matter?"
Xu Yinhe's expression remained unchanged. He glanced at the other person and said in a deep voice:
"His Majesty must have his own thoughts on this matter, so I cannot say more."
Upon hearing this reply, Li Yaoxuan lightly tapped the dragon throne twice with his fingertips, slightly displeased, and said:
"I simply want to hear Prime Minister Xu's opinion. There's no need for reservations; speak frankly."
"According to the law, the Second Prince's actions should result in the stripping of his princely status."
"."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Since the world of sects evolved into the world of dynasties, there have occasionally been struggles between the emperor and his ministers for power. But in this generation, it has essentially become a struggle between two emperors.
It's just that an emperor is wearing the skin of Prime Minister.
Therefore, what may seem like mere suggestions between the emperor and the Prime Minister can be interpreted differently by the high-ranking officials in the court.
Each person was interpreting the meaning behind these few words.
Given His Majesty's current cultivation level, it's impossible for him to be unaware of the court proceedings. Choosing to emerge at this particular time, and making his first remarks about the Second Prince after taking his seat, already speaks volumes about his stance.
Xu Xiang, who had initially maintained a neutral stance, suddenly changed his attitude on this matter.
What does this mean?
Should we stick to the facts, or use this as an excuse to make a fuss?
Different political instincts led many high-ranking officials to have different plans and schemes.
"What Prime Minister Xu said makes sense."
After a brief silence, Li Yaoxuan spoke up in agreement, but then abruptly changed the subject. "But Prime Minister Xu, how should high-ranking officials in the court be dealt with according to the Great Yan Law for harboring and raising private armies?"
Xu Yinhe replied directly in a deep voice:
"According to the Great Yan Law, their entire family should be executed."
After a moment's pause, Xu Yinhe raised his eyes and looked directly into Li Yaoxuan's eyes:
"I wonder who this important minister Your Majesty is referring to is?"
"."
Upon hearing this, almost all the officials present, including Crown Prince Li Yucheng, lowered their heads.
However, before Li Yaoxuan speak, a middle-aged Confucian scholar dressed in the official robes of a Censor-in-Chief stepped forward, his voice filled with anger:
"You scoundrel Xu, what are you pretending to be? Those hundreds of thousands of Black Scale..."
As he spoke
Time suddenly slowed down at that moment.
Amidst the Imperial Censor's angry shouts, Li Yaoxuan and Xu Yinhe's gazes clashed once more.
Then,
Bang!!
The Imperial Censor's head exploded without any warning the moment he spoke.
Crimson blood splattered on the dark, solemn vermilion pillars and floor tiles. The headless corpse stood for a moment before collapsing to the ground, crimson blood gushing from its uneven neck and flowing across the floor.
Who did it?
Most of the high-ranking officials in the imperial court have been dispatched to other posts. The highest-ranking official in Hall of Reverence to Heaven is now only Origin Beginning, but they have no way of finding out who made the move.
Although it cannot be determined who it is, this method that can deceive Origin Beginning can be locked onto the only two people.
The emperor and the Prime Minister.
The blood-stained Hall of Reverence to Heaven instantly became extremely tense, and most of the people present were silent as if trembling with fear.
Except for some evergreen trees, who are already used to it.
So what if they kill someone in front of the palace? These two masters have done it plenty of times before, even frying people into minced meat and smearing it all over their faces.
Li Yaoxuan looked at the headless Imperial Censor with pity in his eyes and said calmly:
"Someone, find out who did this."
After saying that,
The Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards appeared silently Hall of Reverence to Heaven, his cold gaze locking onto the back of the figure in the black dragon robe. He slowly walked towards the figure, his hand on his sword.
Sensing the Qi lock, Xu Yinhe remained expressionless, standing there quietly.
In silence,
The rustling sound of the Imperial Guard Commander's armor as he walked was particularly noticeable.
bass--
A cold glint suddenly flashed, and the blade was drawn from its sheath, carrying a ghostly blue aura.
Pfft!
The Imperial Guard Commander's blade pierced directly through the chest of a young official in the Ministry of Personnel.
Insert, pull out, return to its sheath.
Having done all this, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards bowed respectfully, his face expressionless.
"Your Majesty, the murderer has been executed."
"Go down."
Li Yaoxuan looked at the two corpses in the hall and sighed softly:
"We're all colleagues, so why resort to underhanded tactics? What do you say, Prime Minister Xu?"
Xu Yinhe's voice was indifferent:
"Your Majesty is absolutely right."
The loss of two lives meant the matter was over. With a wave of his hand, the Commander of the Imperial Guards vanished without a trace, along with the spilled blood.
Having done all this, he walked out of Revering Heaven Gate expressionlessly, leaving only a group of court officials speechless with fear.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, let alone having two rulers in the court.
Li Yaoxuan suddenly glanced sideways at the Crown Prince below:
"Yucheng, what are you standing there for?"
"Your second brother is still waiting for your decision on handling government affairs."
"."
Li Yucheng glanced at his father above, then at Prime Minister Xu below, took a deep breath, his fingertips trembling slightly beneath his sleeves, and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Father."
Having said that, he slowly walked towards his low table with python horns, which was the only remaining feature below the steps.
His steps were slow, and his expression was indifferent.
The deaths of the Imperial Censor and the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, though seemingly victims of the conflict between his father and teacher, were actually just an accident.
Although the emperor was asking his teacher about Li Zhaoyuan's desire for military power, he was actually targeting him.
Although Li Zhaoyuan claimed to be recruiting soldiers from the common people, how exactly were soldiers recruited from the common people?
Or were they commoners with no cultivation? Or just a motley crew of martial arts practitioners?
The only way to quickly form an army is through a sect.
And to allow sects' private armies to openly enter the Northern Border with an imperial decree?
Whether out of personal motives or for the sake of the teacher's ideals and righteousness, he could not possibly agree.
The teacher refused; as a member of the royal family, he naturally could not stand on the same side as him, at least not in front of his father, the emperor.
This father was forcing him to watch helplessly as his second brother grew powerful in the Northern Border.
A type of striking or tapping.
It seems that his private contact with the princess had indeed displeased his father.
While pondering,
Li Yucheng calmly sat back down at the low table with python horns and said in a low voice:
"General Huaiyuan."
The middle-aged man in martial arts robes immediately bowed respectfully.
"Your subject is present."
Li Yucheng looked at the other person and took a deep breath:
"My second brother has already established his own government and commanded troops in the field. Although this is not in accordance with ancestral rules, it is necessary to act expediently in times of emergency. Barbarian calamities and natural disasters have swept across the Three Northern Prefectures, causing great suffering to the common people. Since my second brother has such a sincere heart, we cannot let him down. I wonder if the general knows what kind of organization he wants?"
General Huaiyuan lowered his eyes upon hearing this:
"Your Highness, since the Second Prince is new to the battlefield, even with a large army, only two garrisons are needed."
As soon as the words were spoken,
Xu Yinhe raised his eyes to look at Li Yaoxuan on the golden throne, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Two towns, 100,000 people.
By allowing an army of 100,000 sect members to enter the Northern Border, Li Yaoxuan, what are you trying to do?
Li Yaoxuan nodded Xu Yinhe, his cloudy eyes calm and indifferent, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
Li Yucheng, who was sitting behind the low table, naturally noticed the teacher's change, so he did not answer immediately.
He wanted to wait until the members of the Prime Minister Faction voiced their opposition.
While they cannot refuse, they should be able to reduce the number of people allowed.
Unfortunately, the Hall of Reverence to Heaven was completely silent, and no officials discussed the matter.
Seeing this, Li Yucheng sighed inwardly:
"Since all of you have no objections, let this matter be settled. Grant the two garrisons troops, with the military name Abyss-Sealing."
General Huaiyuan's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this. He knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and accepted the Fate Dao:
"Your subject obeys."
Li Yucheng smiled gently:
"Although my second brother has military experience, he is still far less experienced than my sister. I hope General Huaiyuan will protect him well on his journey north."
General Huaiyuan replied in a deep voice:
"Your subject will serve with his life."
After saying this, General Huaiyuan returned to his ranks.
Seeing this, the chief eunuch in charge of the palace pointed to the last person who had coughed softly:
"Minister Jiu, what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, a minister whispered:
Everything is alright now.
Upon hearing this, Li Yaoxuan suddenly spoke up:
"In that case, Yucheng, you shall continue to preside over state affairs. I am weary."
Having said that, he stood up from the dragon throne and walked towards the side hall.
However, halfway through his journey, Li Yaoxuan suddenly stopped, turned back to look at his old friend below the stage, and whispered:
"Prime Minister Xu, come with me. I have something to tell you."