Luoyang, Southern Suburb.
The ministers had all gathered here, dressed in their ceremonial robes for the sacrifice.
Armored guards stood watch both inside and out, an imposing display.
A man holding a document was chanting something aloud.
He was none other than Wang Su.
With a stern face, Wang Su expounded loudly on the principles of ritual law. He began recounting Emperor Ming's achievements, declaring that even now, the people of the realm could not forget them.
Then he changed tack and began speaking of the King of Qi.
Emperor Ming had no heir, so he had taken the King of Qi as his son, intending for him to inherit his ancestors' great undertaking and uphold the altars of soil and grain. Yet after ascending the throne, he had indeed committed numerous crimes.
Wang Su began speaking of the Empress Dowager's edict.
The Empress Dowager had deemed this young man lacking in propriety and virtue, unfit to inherit Emperor Ming's undertaking, and had therefore deposed him.
These seemingly empty words were actually extremely important. The ministers listened very attentively, for many matters were involved, even their own interests and prospects.
In this sacrifice, the account of Emperor Ming's achievements was followed immediately by a denunciation of the King of Qi's lack of virtue.
The reason given next was that the King of Qi had been unfilial and disrespectful toward the Empress Dowager.
Wang Su's words stated that the King of Qi had been deposed by the Empress Dowager, and that the reason for his deposition had nothing to do with Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, or the others.
This speech mentioned neither Sima Shi nor Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, and the others.
Yet every word expressed the emperor's attitude toward them.
In other words, from this day onward, Sima Shi could