First of all, some of the officials in the six departments wrote to Emperor Zhao Xu to attack Wang Anshi's character.
After Zhao Xu read it, he did not send it. This kind of censor had to send many such memorials every day. It was their duty to supervise the officials.
At first, the tone of these memorials was relatively mild. They only attacked some of Wang Anshi's small details of life, such as poor etiquette in the court and improper clothes.
Following that, the head of the Ministry of Justice, Yu Erun, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, Yang Mingsheng, the head of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Shihao, the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Fu Dianju, and the head of the Ministry of War, Xu Raofeng, joined the battle and focused on attacking Wang Anshi's reform.
Zhao Xu took it seriously this time. Although the censors of the Song Dynasty were not as abnormal as the censors of the Ming Dynasty, if they focused their attacks on one person, their firepower would be very large.
In the past, Zhenzong, Renzong, Yingzong, and Taizong had all experienced the power of the censor.
"It's a pity that you met me! I'll let you know how powerful Tian Zi is.”After Zhao Xu received the memorial, he immediately wrote and read it.
"Have the royal guards capture the above people and send them to the imperial prison to investigate if there are any accomplices! Respect this!"
All of a sudden, the six managers were captured and tortured.
Those officials who had submitted the petition did not escape either. Instead, they were placed under house arrest, awaiting punishment.
The Conservatives were anxious, but it also stimulated their fighting spirit. Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang were originally at odds, but they immediately formed a united front in the current emergency.
……
In the court.
Zhao Xu sat on the throne, civil and military officials standing on both sides.
At this moment, the royal court was filled with killing intent. Wang Anshi, Zhang Juzheng, and Hai Rui stood out because the other ministers had deliberately separated from them.
After the ceremony, the eunuch beside Zhao Xu shouted,""If there's anything, report it. If there's nothing, withdraw!"
Prime Minister Sima Guang walked out of the line. The ivory board in his hand trembled slightly as he said in a deep voice,""I have something to report."
"Yes." Zhao Xu said slowly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Reporting to Your Majesty, what crimes did the six managers commit? They were arrested by the Royal Guards within a day and, according to what I know, they were tortured.”
"Those six people were arrested by my decree. They spread rumors to confuse the public, formed cliques, and destroyed the reform.”Zhao Xu looked at the officials below after he finished speaking.
At this moment, the throne room was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard. Because of the nervousness, the sound of breathing was very heavy, rising and falling.
Sima Guang knew that the Emperor wanted Qian Gang to be arbitrary, so he steeled his heart and said,"
"As far as I know, the six masters only said that they disagreed with Wang Anshi's political views. Their words were sharp, but they did not look down on the king, nor did they attack him. These memorials were established by this dynasty.”
Zhao Xu looked at Sima Guang, who was dressed in purple court clothes. The beard on his emaciated face was trembling slightly. His face was ashen, his eyes were stubborn, and his body was bent.
"Prime Minister, according to what you're saying, it's my fault?”
As soon as Zhao Xu finished speaking, Sima Guang immediately knelt down and repeatedly said that he didn't dare to, and that he would forgive him.
"Sima Guang, how did you know the opinions of the censors? This matter did not go through the cabinet. If they told you privately in advance, they would be leaking secrets and you would be overstepping your authority. If you guessed and pryed into my heart, it would be disrespectful.”
After Zhao Xu finished speaking, the entire court was shocked.
Regardless of whether it was overstepping one's authority or being disrespectful, it was a capital crime. It was not too much to exterminate the entire clan.
This was to…execute Sima Guang!
The officials immediately knelt down and pleaded for Sima Guang. They never thought that the Emperor would be so calm, but every word was so reasonable.
Sima Guang knelt on the ground and broke out in a cold sweat. He regretted saying the wrong thing. Those managers had indeed told him the general idea beforehand, but he had never seen the memorial.
However, what was the use of saying all this? If it was Renzong and Yingzong, this matter would not be considered a problem at all.
However, the emperor in front of him was a ruthless person. Ever since he ascended the throne, he had never softened. He was always arbitrary.
The ministers were just chess pieces in his hands, not rulers who could advise him.
Sima Guang's forehead was already broken, and fresh blood dripped from his forehead onto his face.
"This lowly subject is sentenced to death! I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Zhao Xu's expression was very relaxed. There was no expression of anger or excitement. Instead, he was as calm as water. His hands were resting on the armrests on both sides of the throne.
All the officials had already knelt down, including Wang Anshi, Zhang Juzheng, and Hai Rui, who were pleading for Sima Guang.
Wen Yanbo, an elder of the three dynasties, knelt down and said," Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is only dedicated to the country. He has not done anything disrespectful to Your Majesty. His words are inappropriate. I beg Your Majesty to be lenient and let Sima Guang off the death penalty. I am willing to demote Sima Guang to offset his crimes."”
The other officials also voiced their support for Sima Guang.
Zhao Xu said in a deep voice,"Are you trying to add guilt to the Prime Minister?" I will not be manipulated by anyone, nor will I be kidnapped by anyone. If you want to kneel, then kneel. If you don't want to kneel, you can stand up.”
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