How was this possible?
Qin Qi's eyes seemed to burst with fire as he looked at the cavalry in disbelief. The leader was in his forties or fifties and his square face was tightly clenched. He raised his bow and shot at the people approaching Qin Feng.
He shouted," Help is late!" while shooting arrows.
It was Liu Tan, who had already been sent to be the governor of Yundong County!
Why did he rush back? How did he get the news?
Qin Qi narrowed his eyes and looked at the sudden change in the situation.
Liu Tan and his men arrived in time and saved Qin Feng. The assassins were stopped by Liu Tan's men. The chaotic situation stabilized.
Qin Feng thought he would die for sure, but when he saw Liu Tan save him, he asked in surprise,"Liu General, why are you here?"”
Liu Tan helped Qin Feng up and nodded solemnly. I will explain this matter to His Majesty in detail later. Now, allow me to deal with these bastards!”
Liu Tan tilted his head and glared at the captured assassin.”
One of the men in black saw that the situation was hopeless. He moved his finger and put poison into his mouth to commit suicide.
The assassin fell to the ground and died. He seemed to have thought of something. He pushed Liu Tan and the others aside and walked to the front. Facing the officials, he straightened his face and looked dignified without anger. "A bunch of trash!" Qin Feng's voice wasn't loud but everyone heard it.
The crowd fell silent as they listened to Qin Feng's furious expression. "Such a thing actually happened in this Heaven Worshipping Ceremony! Who was in charge of this operation? He was actually so careless that he let the assassin sneak in!”"Your Majesty, this old minister is in charge.”One of the officials knelt down in fear. "So it's Minister Li, the highest ranking official in the Ministry of War. Looks like he's getting old and can't do his job well! "You've been in charge of protecting the ceremony for so many years, but this happened on my first worship. It seems you're very unhappy with me…" Qin Feng coldly looked at an old official kneeling.
When Minister Li heard this, he hurriedly kowtowed." Your Majesty is wise. I have no second thoughts about Your Majesty. I'm afraid of you. Who would have thought of today's matter? I'm willing to accept punishment for my negligence in my duties, but you can't say that I have second thoughts, Your Majesty!”
As he spoke, he kowtowed again. If he had known earlier, negligence and dissatisfaction with the emperor were completely different concepts. The former's heaviest punishment was dismissal, while the latter was a major matter of losing one's life.
Li Yanlian had lived to be sixty years old, but this was the first time he had encountered such a life-threatening situation. He was secretly complaining in his heart. Why was this little Emperor suddenly making things difficult for him? And in front of all the officials and commoners. If he said a wrong word, he would be beheaded. He prostrated on the ground and pressed his hands on the ground. The ground that had just snowed was bone-chilling, but he did not dare to move, afraid of angering the emperor's dignity.
Qin Feng coldly harrumphed."Minister Li is old and muddle-headed, but those young people who hold important positions, what kind of sh * tty things did you do in this ceremony?!" You guys are getting old and your minds are not clear?!”
He changed the topic and looked at the rich disciples who had become high-ranking officials without passing the test because of their powerful families. Before they could react, they saw their fathers, uncles, and older officials kneel. The old man had been in the court for many years, so how could he not understand what Qin Feng meant?
He had long been dissatisfied with the descendants of these high-ranking officials and nobles who easily climbed to important positions with the help of their fathers 'power and did not have real talent. Previously, he wanted to eliminate the court personnel, but he had to give up because of their joint obstruction. Now, he wanted to bring up the old matter again. He wanted to use today's assassination to do what he could not do back then. He wiped the sweat in his heart. It was impossible to tell that he still had such a scheme.
Qin Feng's cold eyes continued to scan the crowd. The juniors that the old guys were trying to stop him from protecting were still standing there. They didn't know why their fathers and uncles all knelt down after he said that.
The Minister of Rites, He Zhijiang, looked up at his son who was still standing there in a daze. He was anxious and angry. He shouted in a low voice," Shen 'er, kneel down!"”
He Shen wanted to ask his father why he was kneeling, but he heard the gaze of the King of Qin, who had just been assassinated, sweep over him.”
He Shen was shocked when his name was suddenly called. He said,"Let me ask you, are you fully responsible for the offerings in this ceremony?"”Qin Feng asked emotionlessly. "I'm responsible!"
He Shen replied loudly, his heart filled with dissatisfaction. He was just in a sorry state in everyone's eyes, being chased by assassins all over the stage, and now he was so mighty in the blink of an eye. An ignorant kid who was not even older than him, what was he pretending to be a king for…
Before he could finish slandering him in his heart, he saw his old man's expression change drastically. He quickly prostrated himself and said with a trembling voice," Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Shen 'er is still young and doesn't know the rules..."
He Shen didn't understand what was wrong with his old man, but Qin Feng didn't even turn his head. He looked at him and said to Liu Tan,"General Liu, you've been fighting with the Marquis all year round, so I'm afraid you don't understand the rules that Minister He is talking about. Let me ask you, what crime did Minister He commit?"”
Liu Tan had been living with him for a few months and had developed a tacit understanding with him. When he heard this, he understood and cupped his hands." Your Majesty, Assistant Minister He has committed a crime of disrespect to the Emperor. He did not address the Emperor respectfully or modestly. He should have replied,'Your Majesty, I am in charge,' but instead, he simply said,'I am in charge' and did not bow. He stood up straight and looked into Your Majesty's eyes. This is really against the Emperor's authority…"
His words made Minister He's forehead sweat in this winter weather. "Your Majesty…" He wanted to say something but was stopped by Qin Feng. Qin Feng looked at He Shen and nodded."It seems that General Liu, who isn't in the capital, knows more about the rules than Assistant Minister He, who is always waiting for the court. What do you think, Minister He?"”After he finished speaking, he looked at He Zhijiang, who was sweating profusely.
He Zhijiang was in a dilemma. No matter how he answered, it was useless. He simply had nothing to say and lowered his body that was already prostrating on the ground.
He was so humble, he only hoped that he would not make things too difficult for his only son.
Qin Feng acted as if he didn't see it. He nodded and continued Liu Tan's words,"Such a disrespectful act, it seems…someone come, tie up Assistant Minister He!"”
Liu Tanyi nodded." Yes!"
He turned around and waved his hand to get people to hold He Shen. When Liu Tan turned around, he accidentally glanced at the ground and saw a pool of blood at Qin Feng's feet. He focused and saw that it was indeed Qin Feng's blood!
Liu Tan was shocked. He suddenly remembered that when he rushed over to save him, he had already been stabbed. At that time, he was focused on the assassin and had forgotten this. After taking down the assassin, Qin Feng started interrogating the officials below. Where was Qin Feng stabbed? Was the wound big? Shouldn't he immediately get the imperial physician to come over and treat him? Many questions flashed through Liu Tan's mind. Qin Feng was wearing a pure black robe today, so he couldn't see where the red blood was coming from.
Liu Tan felt uneasy, but he knew that he couldn't interrupt him in this situation.
He Shen was quickly detained by two armored chariots. His hands were tied behind his back. He struggled with all his might." Why did you tie me up?!" I just didn't address you properly!" He Shen, who had always cared about his face, felt very uncomfortable being detained in front of everyone. He looked at He Zhijiang, trying to seek protection. "Why did I kidnap you?" Qin Feng seemed to be asking himself, but in the next second, he pointed at the burning sacrifice and raised his voice. What exactly is the sacrifice that you are responsible for? Someone come! Bring the rest of the offerings to Assistant Minister He and let him understand why!”
Soon, someone carried the remaining unburned offerings to He Shen, who was being escorted out of the crowd. He Shen's expression was ugly. He didn't need to look to know that these were the offerings that should have been chosen from the best livestock to be slaughtered the day before the Heaven Worship Ceremony, but they had become discarded waste from the imperial kitchen. He had privately sold all kinds of offerings that he had prepared outside the palace for money, using useless things to make up the numbers.
He Shen stopped struggling because he heard the people below the stage whispering and criticizing his actions. "What else do you have to say? Assistant Minister He?" Qin Feng emphasized the words assistant minister. " The last thing to be thrown into the furnace, why did you prepare it so well…" He Shen still wanted to defend himself.
However, as soon as he said this, the whispers immediately amplified countless times. "Heavens! He actually said such disgraceful words!”"The Emperor God will punish the Qin country! Fortunately, the ceremony is over!" "This is too despicable! The tributes that we have painstakingly prepared for this Heaven Worshipping Ceremony for a whole year have been misused by him!”"The King of Qin must not forgive his actions!!”
The commoners below the stage saw with their own eyes that what should have been a rich offering had become something that was not presentable, and they discussed it animatedly.
Qin Feng coldly snorted. Dharma and Logos could not tolerate this! Men, escort him to the Imperial Platform Department and wait for a day to interrogate him!”
He Zhijiang suddenly looked up and Qin Feng's eyes swept over coldly.”
He Zhijiang's teeth trembled. He looked at his son who was being escorted away and shouted. Then, he looked at the huge crowd and finally endured it.”
Qin Feng nodded with satisfaction." Minister Xiang Bi, you know that I'm covering up for a crime…This is the first time I've been on the throne, so its significance can't be underestimated. However, someone deliberately violated the rules…The assassination, the sacrifice, and who was in charge of repairing the sacrificial grounds?" And who was in charge of the matters of the service station? Such a solemn ceremony was treated so carelessly by you!？”
Hearing this, the assistant ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works knelt down. "We know our mistakes and are willing to accept our punishment."
Gritting their teeth, the people who knelt down lowered their heads and said in unison.
They naturally knew what kind of loopholes and weaknesses the various areas they were responsible for could be grasped by others. Instead of being detained like He Shen just now, it was better to take the initiative to apologize. What the person on the stage wanted was an opportunity to establish his authority. The hateful thing was that in just one morning, he had actually paid attention to every place and used it as an excuse to make a fuss. Qin Feng slowed down and said to the people below the stage,"It snowed last night and this morning the ground was covered in ice and snow, but the people were not afraid of the cold wind and rushed here early to participate in the annual Heaven Worship Ceremony. Look at what you are wearing!" And what were the commoners wearing? There were even some commoners who lived far away and rushed here without having time to eat breakfast. They only wanted to pray to the Emperor Gods and former emperors to bless our West Qin with a year of good weather and rain, allowing us to live a stable life. I didn't expect that a Heaven Worshipping Ceremony would be ruined by you! If General Liu had not arrived in time, I would not have been able to save my life! A bunch of trash!"
The people on the stage were sonorous and powerful, and the hearts of the people below the stage surged. Such a wise ruler cared about them to such an extent.
The commoners were moved, but they were even more resentful of those high and mighty officials who did not sympathize with the hearts of the people. "Today's sacrifice to the heavens has just sent the Emperor God to heaven, and such a thing has happened. We can't underestimate it! After the ceremony, I will personally conduct a comprehensive judgment on all the officials! People like Liu Tan should be heavily rewarded, while He Shen and his generation should be severely punished! Does anyone below the stage have any objections?" Qin Feng saw the expressions of the people and asked.
The officials kneeling on the ground looked at each other and knew that the situation had been decided. If they dared to say anything, the anger of the people would drown them. Therefore, he had no choice but to say,"We will obey the emperor's words."”
Qin Feng nodded,"Today's matter will not be sealed, the people can spread it to the entire West Qin!" He wanted to take this opportunity to announce to the world that after the purge of the officials, there would definitely be many vacancies. Next spring, there would be a nationwide civil and martial examination. Those with true talent and knowledge could participate regardless of age or family background! Give your strength to my West Qin and display your ambition!”
There was a moment of silence below the stage, and the cheers instantly drowned out the world.
Countless officials were surprised, countless citizens cheered, and countless people were shocked by this earth-shattering news.
All kinds of thoughts and expressions.
The Prime Minister looked back at Qin Qi worriedly, only to see that the latter's gaze was fixed on something and his face was covered in a thick layer of frost. He was obviously not expecting such a situation and was resentful in his heart.
The prime minister sighed and turned his head. He saw Qin Feng standing on the stage like a pine tree with a faint joy on his face.
He had finally found an opportunity to complete what he had been wanting to do for many days. He even had to thank those assassins. If it hadn't been for this " assassination ", he probably wouldn't have been able to find the opportunity to carry on with everything that had happened. To be able to obtain such a change, even if he was stabbed by a sword and almost lost his life, it was worth it.
Ah Bei was right. As a king, the last thing he needed was kindness.
He didn't need to be merciful to others, nor did he need to be merciful to himself…
Qin Feng quietly enjoyed this moment of peace. Behind him, there was a pair of eyes staring at him.
Liu Tan, who was standing behind him, looked at the ground again and again. The pool of blood was getting bigger and bigger. He felt that something was wrong, but he could only watch the situation develop. Because he knew that it was not over yet.
Sure enough, after a while, Qin Feng raised his hand to interrupt the commotion. The crowd held their breaths and waited for his next words. "After the ceremony ends, the commoners who have gone through the trouble to come here can wait a little longer and receive a bowl of ginger soup and a winter coat to keep out the cold. All the ministries have received the order. In fifteen minutes, I want to see the people start to receive their clothes. If they don't do their best, they will all be dismissed and assigned to the border!”
As soon as he said that, cheers that were even more intense than before erupted.
What was the root of the people? Nothing more than those four words, clothing, food, housing, transportation.
Now that Qin Feng's words focused on food and clothing, how could they not be excited?
Although it was just a bowl of insignificant ginger soup and a cold coat, and although there were many rich families living in the capital who did not lack food and clothing, it was not a big deal.
However, since this action came from the mouth of the King of Qin, its significance was magnified. It was no longer just a bowl of ginger soup and a piece of cold clothes. It meant that the supreme ruler of Western Qin cared for the people who were ruled by Western Qin.
The Winter Solstice Worship Ceremony was held every year, but after the ceremony, Qin Feng was the first to give a bowl of hot ginger soup and winter clothes.
This day would be the beginning of Qin Feng's new identity as the king of Qin. He would be remembered by the people of Qin as a wise ruler.
Countless blue-clothed people who studied hard at the cold window would be grateful to him, because the national scientific examination that he said would be held next spring would provide them with a bright future.
Countless poor people would be grateful to have such a king who put himself in the shoes of the people. Their lives would definitely be better!
As for those officials who were resentful, after he said this, they were forced to join the team that prepared the ginger soup and winter clothes before they could think of a countermeasure.
The number of people attending the ceremony had to be roughly counted. They had to prepare ginger soup, winter clothes, and organize personnel to maintain order. They couldn't be careless..." Chief, you see, send a team of guards to maintain order. If there are too many people, I'm afraid it will be crowded..." Minister of Revenue Yan Si rushed over and said to Qin Qi, who was motionless.
Qin Qi's eyes flashed with killing intent when he saw Yan Si's anxious face. Yan Si didn't notice it and looked at the cold commander. He didn't understand why the commander didn't answer him and just stood there.
Yan Si also looked over and saw that the king of Qin had already come down from the Burning Platform accompanied by General Liu.
General Liu was really amazing. He had rushed over at the most critical moment. It was just like those dramas where the innocent officials were about to be beheaded. Just as the executioner was about to behead them, a messenger on a horse raised the imperial edict and shouted,"”Then, the good official was saved…
Yan Si looked at Qin Feng and Liu Tan with admiration. In his heart, Qin Wang was really impressive today and his martial arts weren't bad either. He dodged three swords at the beginning, but there were too many assassins and the guards were useless…Thinking of the guards, Yan Si secretly glanced at Qin Qi. It seemed like he was in charge of the Feather Guards, but it was strange. Why didn't he have anything to do with Qin Wang's question?
When Yan Si thought of this, he suddenly heard Qin Qi, who was watching the King of Qin leave, say,"I understand."”
Then, this mysterious and cold Mayor left. Yansi shook his head and walked a few steps before suddenly stopping. When Mayor Du answered just now, his expression was smiling?
Qin Qi's eyes were like a bottomless lake. As he walked, he thought back. If he wasn't wrong, Qin Feng was unsteady on the last step and was supported by Liu Tan.
Liu Tan seemed to have ordered a few armored cavalry to guard the Burning Platform and not let anyone get close.
Although the Eight Elements Sword was dead, it was not completely useless.
Qin Qi's lips curled into a cruel smile. Since you managed to escape this time, then next time...
He wasn't so lucky!
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