The twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month, Jinghe Fourteenth Year. Clear skies.
After days of snowfall, the capital at last saw the skies clear.
Outside the Meridian Gate, in the court waiting rooms.
Among the Ministry of Revenue officials, Kou Yuan sat in a corner, a tea cup in his hands, his expression composed.
Song Jing sat among the Censorate officials, murmuring to a censor beside him. A smile touched his brows as he said,
"After nearly half a month of deliberation, this 'Arrears Investigation' will finally see the dust settle today."
Shen Duan sat at the very front of the civil officials, both hands tucked into his sleeves, resting with his eyes closed.
Fang Qi sat nearby, his gaze flicking toward the door from time to time.
Among the Hanlin Academy officials, Wei Nisheng wore a Scarlet Official Robe, a Silver Fish Pouch hanging at his waist. He held his Court Tablet, his spine straight.
He had come today by special imperial summons; his rank was ordinarily too low to attend the Regular Court Audience.
Now that he had been admitted, the eyes of the assembled civil and military officials all rested on him to some degree.
Moreover, at today's Regular Court Audience, the matter of the arrears had already been settled through deliberation.
The Grand Secretariat's Memorial Drafting had been submitted to the Imperial Presence, and His Majesty would surely issue an explicit decree.
Once today's decree was promulgated...
Someone would stir the pool of water in Suzhou Prefecture that had lain still for six years.
At the start of Mao Hour, the Jingyang Bell rang.
The officials straightened their robes and headgear, then filed into the hall according to rank.
Emperor Jing of Zhou ascended the throne, and Wang Cheng led the salutations.
The words had