All of a sudden, the officials were unable to make a decision. Kneel, what if you were to be punished with Sima Guang?
This was a direct confrontation with the emperor, and defying the imperial edict was also a capital offense. Although the law did not punish the masses, it was also very risky. The current emperor was decisive in killing, so he would probably not be held hostage by the masses.
If they were to rise, then the integrity, reputation, and common conservative ideals of the scholar-bureaucrats would be reduced to ashes.
Hai Rui was the first to stand up, followed by Zhang Juzheng, Wang Anshi, Su Dongpo, and Ouyang Xiu.
Sima Guang turned around and gestured for everyone to get up. Wen Yanbo stood up hesitantly, bowed and lowered his eyes.
As Wen Yanbo stood up, more than half of the officials in the court also stood up. Those kneeling were scholars from the Imperial Academy and three imperial censors from the Imperial Censorate.
"Where are the warriors outside the hall?" Zhao Xu said loudly.
"Yes!" The imperial guards outside the palace immediately walked into the throne room and waited for Shengyu.
"Those who are kneeling, take them away and order them to starve for three days. Let them wake up and understand the hierarchy between monarch and minister. As for how to deal with them, I will talk about it in three days.”
……
When Zhao Xu returned to the Hall of Heroes, Wen Yanbo and Ouyang Xiu hurried over to ask for an edict.
"Your Majesty, forgive this old minister for being muddle-headed.”Wen Yanbo knelt down.
"Wen Yanbo, you're muddle-headed. The court is making a ruckus. I have the right to kill anyone. I don't want blood to spill in the throne room today.”
"This lowly official…This lowly official is, is here to plead for the Prime Minister Sima Guang to be spared from death.”Ouyang Xiu stammered.
Zhao Xu found it interesting. Ouyang Xiu's performance this time was not bad. He had become much smarter and more honest.
"This lowly subject also wishes to save Sima Guang from death. Sima Guang's brain is very stubborn and one-track minded, but his heart is for His Majesty and for the common people.”Wen Yanbo said.
Originally, Zhao Xu did not have the intention to kill Sima Guang. Why would he kill a pedantic old man? He just had to shut him up and his henchmen who were protecting him, and he had to receive a certain punishment.
"I know what you are thinking. Stand up. I will not reply to your request now, but everyone who kneels in the court today will be punished.”
"We thank the Lord for your kindness!" Wen Yanbo and Ouyang Xiu knew that Sima Guang wouldn't die this time, but what kind of punishment was it? The Emperor did not say.
After Wen Yanbo and Ouyang Xiu left, Wang Anshi, Su Dongpo, Zhang Juzheng, and Hai Rui followed.
Especially Wang Anshi. Such a big thing happened today. If it wasn't for the Emperor's protection, he would have been smashed to pieces today. At the very least, he would have been demoted or imprisoned.
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for saving my life!”Wang Anshi fell to the ground, tears of gratitude.
The other three also knelt down and bowed.
"Rise, Wang Anshi. I am not helping you alone, I am protecting the reform. The reform is my reform, not yours. They don't dare to target me, but you are their target.”
Zhao Xu ordered Wang Yong to bring out a stool and let the minister sit down to discuss the Dao.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister's mistake is his pedantic ways. The reform is the foundation of the Song Dynasty. If the laws remain unchanged, the Xixia Empire will be at your fingertips. The Khitans in the north will be able to restore the Song Dynasty in a few years.”Su Dongpo said.
"Su Dongpo, you are much smarter than your father. How is Su Xun now? He was the first official I punished, and it was also because of the reform.”Zhao Xu said casually.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, Father is recuperating at home. After hearing about Xixia, he wrote a letter to me that very night, praising Your Majesty's great achievements and looking down on the world like a tiger.”
"He's old. I don't need him anymore. Let him live his life in peace. Where's your brother, Su Zhe? Where is he?"
"Your Majesty, Su Zhe is still a judge in Qingzhou. I know from my letter that he is passionate about the reform and is supervising the Zhizhou's reform.”
"There are too many blockheads in the court. Bring Su Zhe to the capital. Su Dongpo, you draft the decree. Tomorrow, send him to Qingzhou.”
"I obey your orders. Thank you for your kindness!" Su Dongpo was overjoyed and hurriedly retreated to draft the decree.
" Your Majesty," Hai Rui stepped forward and bowed." How are we going to punish everyone for what happened today?"”
Zhao Xu pondered for a moment and slowly said,"
"Sima Guang is sentenced to death…"
The four ministers were shocked and their expressions changed. They wanted to remonstrate but did not dare.
He heard Zhao Xu say," Sima Guang cannot escape death. I especially consider that he has not yet completed the Zi Zhi Tong Jian, so let him spend the rest of his life in the Heaven Prison to study. The Imperial Academy can help him."”
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
"As for the others, Wang Yong, how many people are there?”
"Your Majesty, a total of twenty-one people are kneeling.”
"Behead them all. There's no need to ask for beheading after autumn. All relatives were exiled to Xingqing Prefecture to wear armor as slaves, and the womenfolk were educated as prostitutes. Those who pleaded for mercy were punished according to the crimes committed by the officials.”
Hai Rui's heart skipped a beat. This method was truly like a thunderbolt.
"This lowly subject obeys the decree!" Hai Rui accepted the order.
At this moment, the eunuch outside the Hall of Heroes shouted,""The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Instantly, the four ministers 'faces turned pale. The Empress Dowager was definitely here to plead for mercy.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。