Great Yan's Emperor: "You're Not Allowed to Attend the Final Screening of *The Great Yan Dynasty*" / Hai Rui Takes Down Zhao Zhenji Alone, and the "Blameless One" Crashes and Burns

"Your Majesty... I am neither a hero nor a righteous man, nor do I have any allies."

"I was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the twenty-first year of the Jiajing 1542), and a disciple of the Emperor. If we speak of a mentor, Your Majesty is my mentor!"

"In the twenty-fourth year of the Jiajing, I was appointed as an Inspector in the Hanlin Academy, and later promoted to Reader-in-Waiting, then to Governor, then to Minister of Ministry of Revenue, and finally, just two months ago, to a position in the Grand Secretariat. Every step of the way was thanks to His Majesty's promotion!"

"If we're talking about a powerful backer, Your Majesty is my strongest backer."

"If we're talking about allies... I can only be one of Your Majesty's allies!"

"If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers. What Your Majesty just said is not the way a ruler should judge his ministers. I humbly request Your Majesty to retract your words."

Well, Zhao Zhenji's blunder has turned into Jiajing rebelling against himself. According to Zhao Zhenji's logic, since everyone Jiajing now suspects of rebellion is someone Jiajing himself promoted, if he says his subjects are plotting a rebellion, wouldn't that mean he's instigating them to rebel against him?

Zhao Zhenji's words finally silenced Jiajing. Jiajing only regretted that he was not twenty years younger. If he had not been weakened by seclusion and taking elixirs, then no matter how reasonable Zhao Zhenji's words were, it would have been a repeat of the "Great Rites Controversy" of that year, and he would have been dragged out and executed.

The "non-stick" characteristic of Zhao Zhenji was fully demonstrated in this debate. As for whether anyone will imitate Zhao Zhenji in the future... I believe that once people see Zhao Zhenji's fate, no one will think that way anymore.

PS: Chapter 3 today! (The Great Ming Dynasty is almost finished... Thank you all for your support! Please subscribe! I'm going to take a short break now... slumps)

Volume 1: Chapter 327: The Emperor of Great Yan: You are not allowed to attend the final performance of "The Great Yan Dynasty"

"They say honest advice is hard to swallow... but now he won't listen to Zhao Zhenji's explanation, which isn't exactly honest advice, but it's definitely pleasing to the ear. This Jiajing has completely gone mad."

When Kal'tsit on Rhodes Island witnessed this scene, she clearly knew that Jiajing's fate was probably coming to an end. Although she had traveled this land for so many years, this was the first time she had seen an emperor like Jiajing. He was clearly extremely talented and could have restored the Great Yan Dynasty with his own abilities. At that time, he would have been remembered in history as a wise and virtuous ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty.

But he squandered his talent, going around in circles, using lies and sacrificing ministers to maintain peace, unwilling to do anything practical, only investing everything in his illusory fantasies, yet not wanting to be scolded by the people and officials again.

"This person... is truly complex, so complex that he shouldn't be featured in a TV drama for analysis, but rather recorded in history books for future generations to judge his merits and demerits."

"I was somewhat skeptical before about the rumors circulating in the Great Yan Imperial Palace about Director Chen Qi's powers being related to predicting the future, but now it seems that they are not entirely Mr. Nothing."

Kal'tsit was also watching the screen, where Wei Yenwu was playing the role of Jiajing. She herself was not someone who would combine "acting skills" and "actor" together, but she admired Wei Yenwu for being able to bring the character of Jiajing to life.

Even though there was never an emperor with the reign title "Jiajing" on this land, Wei Yenwu's performance and Chen Qi's script vividly portrayed everything about this monarch who did not yet exist on this land.

"Clearly, Director Chen Qi does know many things we haven't touched upon." Kal'tsit was now certain of this, but since Kal'tsit already knew of Chen Qi's existence—he was obviously at some level outside of Terra —she wasn't too surprised. She said:

"Whether or not this Jiajing will ever appear in the future, his complexity is destined to serve as an important reference for the royal families of various countries in Terra... The complexity of human nature and the complexity of monarchs are both reflected in him."

"This will be one of the most successfully created characters on this land; he may be fictional, but he is more real than a real person, more like a 'god' than a real Feranmut."

"But he couldn't escape his fate; this was probably his last act of madness."

Kal'tsit watched the scene unfold. The dragon scales spreading across Jiajing's body as he went mad, and his increasingly beast-like form, all proved that his path to godhood was destined to fail.

Now, the Jiajing in the drama is unaware of his fate. He is desperately defending his dignity as a monarch. He is only one step away from becoming a god, and he must not be intimidated at this moment, nor can he let his ministers think that his imperial power has lost its authority.

He understood these officials who were easily pleased with themselves. If he really gave them power, not only him, but his descendants would probably change the very name of the Great Yan Dynasty!

This was something Jiajing absolutely could not allow; he would not allow any action by himself that could become Feranmut to be obstructed by these officials. Therefore, he had to investigate this matter thoroughly!

"Chen Hong, this Zhao Zhenji insists that you take back what you said, and he also wants me to take back what I said—will you take it back or not?"

"Your Majesty, I will never retract my promise." Clearly, Chen Hong was well aware of his position. Although he didn't understand Jiajing's mind as well as Lü Fang and Huang Jin, Jiajing relied on his ruthlessness and vindictiveness. Therefore, Chen Hong's response greatly pleased Jiajing.

"What happened today is unprecedented not only in our Great Yan Dynasty since the time of Emperor Taizu Gao, but also in all the dynasties of history!"

"This Zhao Zhenji is clearly a smooth talker, a treacherous villain disguised as a loyal minister. I implore you, my lord, not to be deceived by him, and even more so by the people behind him."

"That Hai Rui must be arrested immediately, and this Zhao Zhenji must also be arrested immediately. Everyone who has had connections with Hai Rui in the past must be arrested and thoroughly investigated! I will be in charge of the investigation!"

Chen Hong knew that this was not only an opportunity for her to establish her authority in front of the Imperial Guards and the Pacification Office, but also a good opportunity to make the officials fear her. She was a person who was blinded by greed and would do anything for power, which was why she had always been disliked in the palace.

But now, she has undoubtedly become the blade that Jiajing desires to use to harm others. Jiajing, speaking coldly to Zhao Zhenji, played by Ling, whose face was ashen, said:

"Is Chen Hong's statement really that treasonous?"

Knowing that he could not change Jiajing's mind, Zhao Zhenji, seemingly giving up yet making a final struggle, said, "... Since Your Majesty has listened to Lord Chen's words, then I will go to the imperial prison immediately."

"I will not listen to anyone!!"

However, Zhao Zhenji's words triggered another shock to Jiajing was already on the verge of collapse. Under another wave of imperial might, everyone on and off screen cowered in fear.

Now, Jiajing, solely focused on upholding his imperial power, could not tolerate any slight that might infringe upon his authority. He immediately fixed his gaze on Zhao Zhenji, his eyes nearly bloodshot, and roared rapidly, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Didn't you just say you were my disciple? My subject?! Whether you were or not, I will neither acknowledge nor deny it now! I will only acknowledge you as a hero—and I will never take back that statement!"

"Let heroes investigate heroes, let good men investigate good men!"

"Yes! Let heroes investigate heroes! Let good men investigate good men!" However, Jiajing's own words seemed to have given him a sudden insight. He kept repeating the words, but his eyes were beginning to look unfocused.

Jiajing's sharp eyes constantly and warily scanned his surroundings. Even in places where there was no one, he remained suspicious and tense, as if searching for an assassin, while muttering to himself:

"Chen Hong!"

"Your subordinate is..." Even Chen Hong now showed fear towards Jiajing, while the deranged Jiajing mumbled incoherently:

"One for you, one for Zhao Zhenji, one for the Ministry of Justice, one for Censorate Court of Judicial Review, one for the Court of Judicial Review, one for the Imperial Guards, one for the Pacification Office..."

Jiajing read aloud almost all the supervisory departments he had in charge of, his face growing paler with each reading. "Investigate Hai Rui, investigate his backers, his accomplices, investigate them all!"

"... Your Majesty." However, Chen Hong, who was now completely bewildered and had no idea what was wrong with his emperor, inadvertently asked the most important question:

"Sir, who should we start with? Who should we arrest first?"

However, Chen Hong's casual question became the final straw that broke Jiajing's spirit. Even though Jiajing believed he had information about all the officials of the Great Yan, he was unable to analyze from the information he had received who was Hai Rui's accomplice and who was Hai Rui's backer.

This seems to subtly prove that Hai Rui's actions were truly not instigated by anyone. Jiajing realized this, and he also realized that he was about to face a truly "upright minister willing to serve the people"—something he had never encountered in his forty-one years of rule.

"Who should we investigate first... who should we investigate first— Lü Fang?!"

As Jiajing muttered to himself, his last desperate cry shattered his last shred of energy. Jiajing, who believed himself only one step away from becoming a god, was so stunned by Hai Rui's memorial that he nearly fainted.

After that, Jiajing, who could no longer distinguish who was good and who was bad, issued his first decree to arrest Huang Jin. Undoubtedly, Huang Jin would be severely tortured by the vengeful Chen Hong, but Jiajing was indeed protecting Huang Jin in the process.

At least, no matter how the investigation into Hai Rui's case goes, or whether Huang Jin was involved or not, he wouldn't get involved. As Jiajing gradually regained his composure, he understood that Huang Jin wouldn't betray him, but the situation was different now.

Hai Rui's Memorial on Public Order is a matter of lifelong reputation. He must now abandon his human side and act solely as a monarch, making Hai Rui admit his mistake in order to salvage his reputation.

As for Zhao Zhenji, he interrogated Hai Rui together with Chen Hong. Jiajing wanted to know just how capable this mere sixth-rank Hai Rui really was. If even Zhao Zhenji and Chen Hong, one a sworn enemy and the other ruthless, couldn't deal with Hai Rui, then Jiajing would have to consider taking matters into his own hands.

As for episode 41 of "The Great Yan Dynasty 1566," it officially came to an end. Accompanied by the familiar, grand, and majestic closing theme, the officials of the Great Yan Dynasty were all taken aback, and immediately exclaimed with lingering satisfaction:

"How did it end? What happened next? What about the debate between Hai Rui and those hypocrites?"

"How am I supposed to go back and sleep?! Do you expect me and a few old friends to simulate what it would be like to debate with Hai Rui if we were in his shoes?"

"Where is Jiajing? I want to see the debate between Jiajing and Hai Rui, why was it stopped now?"

However, the anxious officials were already eager to see how Hai Rui would perform next. After watching several episodes, the officials had developed a great fondness for this upright and incorruptible minister who, despite the corrupt and oppressive environment of the Great Yan Dynasty, still maintained his integrity and spoke frankly to the emperor.

Putting aside the historical context of the drama, even in the real-life Great Yan, how many officials would dare to speak out against their superiors as frankly as Hai Rui?

Although Emperor Great Yan was a wise ruler to begin with, and they didn't need to risk their lives by remonstrating to the death, Great Yan officials did indeed try to prove their loyalty by remonstrating to the death. However, this could easily be interpreted by the emperor as a coup, and then all their efforts would have been in vain.

However, it must be said that Hai Rui is the ideal figure in the hearts of many officials who still retain their lofty ambitions and dream of making their mark in the court. He single-handedly shook the court and the country, making all the civil officials and even the emperor himself have to compete with him.

Regardless of the outcome, whether Hai Rui lived or died, his name will be remembered in history, which would be the highest pursuit for a civil official throughout his life.

If Jiajing could truly change his mind and create a beautiful story of ruler and minister with Hai Rui, and together they could usher in a prosperous era—that would be something I dare not even dream of.

It can be said that many officials of the Great Yan today regard Hai Rui as the embodiment of their aspirations, hoping that Hai Rui can forge ahead and rectify the atmosphere of the court!

"Ladies and gentlemen, Director Chen Qi is currently at Western Garden! What we are seeing now is all footage that Director Chen Qi has already filmed, so they must have already filmed the subsequent scenes."

At this moment, one of the slightly younger officials suddenly spoke up, immediately attracting everyone's attention. The young official immediately said:

"Gentlemen, is there anyone willing to come with me? Someone who's willing to wait until Director Chen Qi finishes filming the rest of the scenes before going home? Just want a good night's sleep, come with me!"

"Let's go!" XN

However, the young official was the first to walk out of the hall, and almost immediately all the officials followed in his footsteps, until a furious shout rang out behind them:

"Insolence! Do you think I'm dead?!"

Suddenly, the voice of the Great Yan Emperor, accompanied by the might of a True Lung, swept over them, immediately reminding the officials that they had the Emperor himself behind them. This was a breach of decorum and a serious breach of etiquette.

Therefore, the moment the might of the True Lung struck again, all the officials, understanding the gravity of the situation, offered no resistance and immediately turned to kneel deeply before the Great Yan Emperor, shouting in unison, "We have been disrespectful; we deserve death!"

"Hmph, so you know it's a capital offense, huh?" The Emperor of Great Yan slowly descended from his throne and, upon reaching his officials, said irritably:

"When we were watching the show earlier, some of you made some biased remarks. I only kept quiet because I didn't want to spoil the fun. Did you really think I wouldn't care?"

"I know some of you have said that I am narrow-minded? Fine, I'll be narrow-minded this once and punish a few of you."

After saying this, the Emperor of Great Yan immediately read out several names. These officials were the ones who had made extreme remarks while watching the drama, saying things like "kill Jiajing" or "why don't you rebel?" These officials all lowered their heads even further.

I didn't think too much when I was in the heat of the moment, but now that reason has returned, I realize how outrageous my words were.

"These gentlemen, step forward and confess your crimes."

After reading out several names, the Emperor of Great Yan looked at the officials who were emerging from among the assembled officials, a smile appearing on his lips. He then said:

"You have all spoken inappropriately, and I might even sentence you to death for treason. However, I will not let you die; instead, I will send you home."

"Director Chen Qi's Great Yan Dynasty will be finished filming in about six months. I hereby punish you all to work from home for the next six months and you must not slack off."

"For the next six months, you are absolutely not allowed to go to Beijing unless it is an urgent official business. Just stay at home and wait for the premiere of 'The Great Yan Great Yan Dynasty'."

"Your Majesty! Please forgive us!"

However, upon hearing the Emperor of Great Yan's words, the officials, who had already mentally prepared themselves to lose their official positions, were stunned for a moment before bursting into wailing and pleading for the Great Yan's forgiveness.

Half a year! It took half a year to finish filming. Let alone whether "The Great Yan Dynasty 1566" can be released smoothly, even if it is released, at a rate of four episodes a week, it will take several more episodes to reach the part they want to see.

During this period, we can't watch anything. If the other ministers could, they probably wouldn't be able to sleep well for the next few months!

However, the Emperor of Great Yan paid no attention to the officials' wails and walked out of the hall himself—he was also going to find Chen Qi. He couldn't wait to see the grand drama of Hai Rui debating with the officials and Jiajing!

PS: First chapter today!

Volume 1: Chapter 328: Hai Rui's Solo Kill of Zhao Zhenji, the "Non-stick Pan" Failure

"Gentlemen... what is the purpose of your gathering around our film crew?"

A moment later, the film crew where Chen Qi was located was completely surrounded by the Great Yan Emperor and his officials. Chen Qi could only see pairs of dragon horns of various shapes, while the Great Yan Emperor and Wei Yenwu, at the head of the group, replied helplessly:

"These are all ministers who came with us. It seems that if Director Chen Qi doesn't finish filming Hai Rui's debate, none of these ministers will want to go back."

Upon hearing this from the Emperor of Great Yan, the highly respected Grand Tutor, representing all the officials, stepped forward and spoke gently to Chen Qi:

"Director Chen Qi and his colleagues all have great respect for Hai Rui, played by Lady Chen. No one wants to see such an upright and loyal minister die an untimely death. They are eager to hear this debate and see how this outspoken minister changes the atmosphere of the officialdom of the Great Yan in the drama."

"For us writers, this is the pursuit of leaving a mark on history. We urge Director Chen Qi to fulfill the wishes of us colleagues and let them have their fill so they can go back and sleep peacefully."

Since the Grand Tutor had spoken, the officials of the Great Yan behind him echoed his sentiments. In an instant, almost half of the entire crew gathered around. Faced with the officials of the Great Yan Dynasty's earnest pleas for them to film a few more episodes, they all felt a unique sense of pride.

Although the script was written by Chen Qi, and the lead and supporting roles had nothing to do with most of the members of the Art Troupe, the thought that the TV series "The Great Yan Dynasty" would require even high-ranking officials to beg and plead to work overtime to produce it was still quite a shock.

It's hard to imagine, isn't it? Just a few years ago, they were a team of Infected struggling to survive on the Ursus Snowfield, universally disliked in this land. Now, not only do they no longer have to worry about survival, they've even gained a level of "dignity" they never even dreamed of before.

For a time, many members of the crew, including the Executioner and Mephisto, felt a strange sense of pride and a feeling of triumph.

"--Chen Qi, since the Emperor of Great Yan, Wei Yenwu, and so many officials have all made this request, let's agree."

Meanwhile, before Chen Qi could even discuss the matter with the rest of the crew, Talulah, accompanied by Chen Huijie who was already made up, walked up to everyone and accepted the decision on behalf of the entire crew.

"Chen Qi, don't worry about me. I've memorized all my lines now, and I'm in great form right now. I'll try my best to do it in one take!" Chen Huijie, the lead actress, stepped forward at this moment. Judging from her righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, she was clearly eager to film the next scene as well.

With the support of Talulah and Chen Huijie, Chen Qi naturally had no more worries. After hearing everyone in the crew express their agreement, Chen Qi turned to the officials of the Great Yan Dynasty and said:

"Since you gentlemen are so kind as to attend, we will gladly accept your invitation."

"However, the lounge isn't large enough to accommodate all the ministers. Perhaps you could take my advice: Hai Rui will have a debate with his ministers later on, and I hope you can all cooperate and act as his recorders."

"At that time, everyone will be able to appear on camera and watch the scene in a reasonable way. What do you all think?"

The officials of the Great Yan were immediately excited about Chen Qi's arrangement. How could they possibly refuse? In fact, the opportunity to make a cameo appearance in this drama that was destined to go down in history was one that they, as ministers, could only dream of.

The thought that their names would be passed down through the ages along with the broadcast of this drama, and that they could truly immerse themselves in watching Hai Rui's debate, filled every official of the Great Yan with a surge of excitement!

"Let alone being a recorder, even playing a minor official wouldn't be out of the question!"

"To be able to witness Hai Rui's dialectical thinking up close is already an immense privilege; please allow me to do my part!"

Therefore, after the officials of the Great Yan expressed their opinions, the filming of the Great Yan Dynasty scenes resumed under Chen Qi's arrangement, and the ensuing debate was undoubtedly the real stage for Hai Rui, played by Chen Huijie.

After Hai Rui submitted his Memorial on Public Order to Jiajing began to mobilize all the elite teams he could muster, determined to make Hai Rui submit. Only by thoroughly refuting Hai Rui's arguments could he make Hai Rui regain and restore his dignity Jiajing.

Moreover, after this period of investigation, Jiajing could basically confirm that Hai Rui was indeed petitioning for the people and had nothing to do with others. Jiajing then gave the officials a way out.

When Jiajing's grandson came to pay Jiajing respects, Jiajing asked him about the debate surrounding the officials' desire to distance themselves from Hai Rui, and how to resolve the issue. The grandson's answer did not disappoint Jiajing; the innocent child, upon hearing that it was something his grandfather didn't want to see, answered without hesitation:

Burn it!