kvmb Chapter 191 The Imperial Advisor Promises the Empress
Chapter 191 The Imperial Advisor Promises the Empress
Yu Yang, dressed in the Taoist robe of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, arrived with Xia Li, Nangong Sheng, and Xing Beiluo through the snow and landed on the high platform.
He announced loudly: "The Imperial Preceptor has decreed: Zhao Jihua possesses both virtue and talent, and is suitable to be Emperor."
Everyone: !!!
The ministers were so shocked that their jaws almost dropped to the ground.
Xia Li quietly moved to Zhao Jihua's side.
Xia Li (with a smug look on her face): How about that? Wasn't I a good friend?
Zhao Jihua (in response): You're amazing! How did you do that?
Xia Li looked at Xing Beiluo and said, "I told her to beg him."
Zhao Jihua: ...
The eldest prince, Nangong Sheng, said, "All the officials directly involved in the previous plot to rebel have been executed. However, the traitorous Third Prince's faction is too implicated, therefore..."
Those ministers who had more or less contact with the Third Prince were uneasy, but they quickly calmed down.
Apart from the neutral faction loyal to the emperor and those who follow the Ninth Prince, everyone else in the court has participated, whether willingly or unwillingly. If a purge were to be carried out, at least 60% of the people in the court would be gone!
The eldest prince could tell at a glance what the people below the stage were thinking.
Is it true that the law does not punish the masses?
Crown Prince: Impossible!
"Those who have participated or wavered in their resolve, go home."
At his command, guards came in and escorted most of them away.
Now only 40% remain in the imperial court.
Zhao Jihua was also somewhat anxious: "Such a quick purge, but I haven't found that many talented people yet..."
Xing Beiluo smiled and handed a booklet to Zhao Jihua: "These past few days, the Crown Prince and I have been gathering many talented people from the common people for you. Their information and suitable positions are all written in this booklet. I present it to you both as a congratulatory gift and wish you a happy marriage!"
Zhao Jihua immediately accepted it: "Thank you!"
This gift really touched my heart!
For the court officials, from this day forward, the fate of the Azure Dragon Empire is about to change.
In the Vast Ocean Continent, the Imperial Preceptor represents the Heavenly Dao.
He's already spoken, so everyone has no choice but to accept it.
The die-hard conservatives still refused to accept it: "What's the difference between letting outsiders handle politics and changing dynasties?"
Elder Zong pointed at Nangong Jing and roared, "You actually handed over the country to others! You are a sinner of the Nangong family!"
Nangong Jing responded sternly: "Elder, be careful with your words! My marriage to Her Majesty the Empress and the children we have, regardless of gender, will still be of royal blood. They will inherit the throne in the future. How can you call me a sinner?"
"But women are different after all..."
Zhao Jihua said, "How is it different? The child that comes out of my belly is definitely my child, my bloodline, but are all the children in your household your own?"
Elder Zong was struck as if by a heavy blow: "..."
He had a history of scandals, and of his seven children, only two were his biological offspring, and he even caused their deaths.
Zhao Jihua made these statements after conducting his own investigation.
It was already noon, and she no longer had the patience to waste time with this group of people.
"If any official is still dissatisfied with me, they can go back immediately."
You won't accept it?
Just take him home and let him enjoy his retirement!
Upon hearing this, the court fell silent.
But some people scoffed and said, "If the new emperor is like this, why don't we just retire and go home?"
He no longer even addressed himself as "subject."
The Grand Secretary of the Academy was Lu Hetang, the patriarch of the Lu family (the maternal clan of the late Empress Lu). Although the Lu family had fallen from grace, the position of Grand Secretary was a nominal one, as the head of the Academy was responsible for serving as a tutor and lecturer. In addition, the selection of candidates for the Sacred Academy had always been fixed in the Academy, so he was not touched.
Today, it was Lu Hetang who spearheaded the conflict between the emperor and his ministers.
Even now, he still maintains his status, believing that as a veteran of two dynasties, the new emperor should respect him and not speak harshly to him.
He made a move to turn around and leave.
Zhao Jihua retorted, "If you want to leave, then leave!"
An old minister sarcastically remarked that the new emperor was still too young.
He will definitely take a group of veterans with him when he leaves.
There are hardly any people left in the court. I want to see how she, a new emperor, can control the court without me.
Then they'll have to obediently go and beg me to come back, won't they?
With that thought in mind, he led a group of veteran officials directly out of the Golden Palace.
"Alright, is anyone else leaving?" Zhao Jihua asked.
At this moment, Yu Yang, who had been silently observing from the side, spoke up: "Your Majesty is wise. This action is in accordance with the will of Heaven and is also for the better development of the Azure Dragon Empire. You should all understand that times are changing, and those who are complacent and refuse to change will only perish."
Zhao Jihua nodded in satisfaction and handed the booklet to the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial: "In that case, I hereby declare that there will be no discussion of political affairs today. All departments shall cooperate fully to fill in the gaps in the list of officials. Officials of the Court of State Ceremonial, remember to read out the changes in officials and other important information tomorrow. The first priority tomorrow is to reform the imperial examination system and select truly talented people to serve in the court."
Those officials who had been hesitant lowered their heads and dared not voice any further objections.
Looking at the spirited Zhao Jihua, Nangong Jing smiled gently.
From this moment on, he only needs to stay by his lover's side and no longer needs to be burdened by heavy state affairs.
Zhao Jihua, filled with ambition, began her glorious reign over the Azure Dragon Empire.
After the court session ended, Zhao Jihua returned to the Imperial Study, followed closely by Nangong Jing.
"Ah Jing, I'm sorry I put you in such a difficult position today," Zhao Jihua said with a guilty expression.
Nangong Jing waved his hand, indicating that she shouldn't feel guilty: "I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Zhao Jihua: "I'm sorry... Ah?!!"
Nangong Jing finally seized the opportunity and pulled Zhao Jihua aside to demand compensation from the other party.
"In the past, I relied on my talent and thought that governing a country was not difficult. I could do it too. But when the emperor changed, my father would just walk away. The imperial study was piled up with memorials, which gave me a huge headache. That's when I realized why everyone called me a dashing young man. A dashing young man is someone who is free and unrestrained, drifting around without any pressure, occasionally showing off his talent, paying attention to whoever he wants, and being as indifferent as a chrysanthemum if he doesn't pay attention."
Zhao Jihua then entered the Memorial Hall Mountain.
Nangong Jing glanced at the batch of memorials, his face contorted in a grimace. "But these memorials are many times more numerous than the lessons my teacher gave me in school, and I have to be extremely careful with every word I write. If I make a mistake, the consequences will be enormous. Just looking at them gives me a headache! I suddenly feel that I am really not cut out to be a monarch!"
Looking at his wife, he smiled again, "Fortunately, I'm getting married soon, so I called all my older brothers and sisters to handle the memorials, and I can focus on preparing for our wedding."
Zhao Jihua suddenly realized: "Oh, so that's why they were all so anxious to make excuses today, it was because of you."
"Of course!"
Zhao Jihua asked curiously, "Isn't it said that the struggle for succession among the royal family is very cruel?"
Nangong Jing waved his hand: "Ha! If it weren't for the fear that his other brothers would kill him after ascending the throne, do you think anyone would be willing to participate in the struggle for the throne? Just to compete for this job that requires working from dawn till dusk?"