Zhu Houzhao's actions had truly frightened all the ministers. Death, I believe that many people are not afraid of death.
However, for these " Qingliu " people who had passed down their poems and books, the worst thing was that they would never be able to participate in the imperial examinations. As officials, they knew very well how miserable it was for the people who did not have any achievements.
They could die on their own, but they definitely could not let their families lose hope of obtaining fame. Otherwise, their tomorrow would be the people's today.
"His Majesty's verbal order is giving the ministers a chance. If they leave now, His Majesty will let bygones be bygones. If there were still people kneeling outside the palace gates, the same rules would apply.”
After the young eunuch finished speaking, he did not care about the reactions of the officials and directly left with the young eunuchs under him. The Brocade Guards went directly to Shi Wang's house to arrest him.
" This…I still have to stay alive and pass on the teachings of the saints. I have to remonstrate with His Majesty in court and speak for the people…" A minister found a good excuse for himself. Then, he stood up and walked away with his head held high, ignoring everyone's contemptuous gazes.
"Hmph, you're really afraid of death and despised by others!”Another official said disdainfully. However, just as everyone thought that he was a gentleman with an " iron backbone ", he stood up and patted the dust off his clothes.
"However, I have something to do at home, so I'll take my leave first!”Then, under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, he left righteously.
"F * ck! This person was even more shameless. At least the first one had a legitimate reason. Why did you say that you had family matters?”Many people cursed in their hearts, but they were tempted.
Perhaps it was because these two had started, but many people found all kinds of reasons to leave one after another. Only four people stayed behind.
Among them, Li Dongyang, the second assistant of the cabinet, Yang Tinghe, the junior minister of Zhan Shi Fu, Ma Wendong, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Xu Jin, the minister of the Ministry of War.
Li Dongyang wanted to leave as well, but as the assistant minister of the cabinet, all the officials and scholars in the world were looking at him. If he left, his reputation would be ruined.
Yang Tinghe, on the other hand, relied on his position as the Zhan Shi Manor's Young Zhan and Zhu Houzhao's lecturer. He thought that Zhu Houzhao wouldn't dare to kill him, so he had nothing to fear.
As for the Minister of War, Xu Jin, and the Minister of Personnel, Ma Wendong, they believed that they were in charge of the appointment, dismissal, and promotion of officials, as well as the military power of the world, so they had nothing to fear.
However, it turned out that Zhu Houzhao's blade was harder than their necks!
"Liu Jin, go to Nanjing immediately and summon the officials of the Nanjing cabinet and the six ministries. If you don't obey, you'll be killed on the spot! In another two months, it wouldn't matter if they were there or not.”Zhu Houzhao said indifferently.
"Yes, this servant will immediately head to Nanjing!”Liu Jin immediately took Zhu Houzhao's imperial edict and rushed to Nanjing with his men.
In fact, Zhu Houzhao was a little anxious this time. Originally, he had planned to kill them after the imperial examination and after he had selected enough scholars.
However, Wang Ao had missed this opportunity. It would be difficult for him to find an excuse next time.
Thus, he decided to go all out and capture Wang Ao. However, he was not afraid because the Ming Dynasty was different from other dynasties. There were two sets of cabinets in Beijing and Nanjing.
Even if the entire Beijing cabinet was killed, they could still be replenished immediately.
Even if the Nanjing cabinet was unwilling to take office, and even if all the officials in the world resigned, Zhu Houzhao was not afraid. As long as he held the military power in his hands, no one could cause much trouble.
As for being an official? Zhu Houzhao believed that there were many people in the world who wanted to be an official.
"Father, you asked the civil officials to abolish the death penalty for corruption through the Punishment Regulations. However, I believe that they will give me a reason to reinstate the death penalty!”Zhu Houzhao laughed coldly.
Zhu Houzhao's father, I am Zhu Youtang, Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty. In history, civil officials had a good evaluation of him, calling him the emperor of the Ming Dynasty's revival.
However, Zhu Houzhao knew that this was because Zhu Youtang, Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty, was in line with the interests of the literati, so he was called the King of Resurrection. For example, the Criminal Investigation Regulations abolished the death penalty for corruption.
Even without the death penalty, corruption still had a deterrent effect? And who could be corrupt? Only the officials of the world. It was conceivable that Zhu Youtang was tolerant to officials to the point of indulgence.
"The criminal laws left behind by Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu should be restored one by one.”Zhu Houzhao looked at the sky and said coldly.
"Right, I believe that my Imperial Uncle Zhu ignored me. It's about time for him to show his presence and save the officials from fire and water to gain their gratitude.”Zhu Houzhao returned to the dragon throne and sat on it.
Zhu Houzhao's guess was right. Zhu Budian was currently rushing to the palace with the alchemy book, iron coupon, and imperial sword at the request of all the " righteous gentlemen " in the court.
Originally, there were officials who had come to invite Zhu Bujue, but he thought that it was not the right time, so he pretended not to be there. By now, the officials were already scared of Zhu Houzhao's killing, so he came out to 'plead' for them.
"Your Majesty, I, Tiedan Deity Marquis Zhu Bujian, request an audience!”
Zhu Bujue held the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword in his hands, so the young eunuchs did not dare to stop him. Therefore, Zhu ignored him and went straight to the door of the study.
"Oh? It's Imperial Uncle. You can skip the ceremony.”
"This official thanks the emperor!"
Zhu Houzhao pretended to be surprised when he saw Zhu Bujue, who was holding the pill book and the imperial sword, walking in with his head held high!
"Imperial Uncle, why did you bring the Alchemy Book, Iron Stamp, and Imperial Treasure Sword here today?”Zhu Houzhao pretended to be surprised, but in reality, he did not care at all.
"Emperor, this subject requests the late emperor to bestow the Imperial Sword and the Pill Book Iron Stamp to persuade the emperor to retract his orders!”Zhu Budian slowly knelt down, but he raised his head and puffed out his chest.
"Imperial uncle, zhen thought you were here to return the pill book, iron coupon and imperial sword. I didn't expect it to be advice!" Zhu Houzhao's words made Zhu Bujue's heart skip a beat. He suddenly felt that something was wrong.
"The emperor is wrong, and a loyal official is remonstrating. This is a sign that the monarch and his subjects are compatible. If the emperor made a mistake and no one dared to remonstrate, it would be the root of national subjugation.”Zhu Budian said righteously.
"Imperial Uncle is right. Zhen will naturally listen to your advice. But Imperial Uncle used the pill book, iron coupon, and imperial sword to persuade me. Could it be that he was threatening me?”Zhu Houzhao nodded with a smile, then his expression suddenly turned cold.
"Imperial Uncle, loyal officials are naturally welcome to speak out, but are you sure they are all loyal officials? Wang Ao seized land by trickery and had no regard for human lives. Yet, he forced me to release him. Is this what a loyal official does?”
"The emperor once said that everyone is equal before the law. Even if a prince broke the law, he would be punished, not to mention a small Wang Ao.”
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