strictlysupreme Chapter 110 Rebellious Officials of the Former Dynasty 41
Chapter 110 Rebellious Officials of the Former Dynasty 41
The eunuchs orderly distributed the copied evidence to the officials, then stood behind them like puppets.
This situation gave the old men a sense of foreboding.
They glanced at the evidence briefly, and their backs were soaked with sweat.
Those two bastards, relying on the fact that the emperor is far away, dare to abuse the people to this extent!
The emperor stroked his jade thumb ring and said with a smile, "I think these common people are no good, and these border troops are even more cowardly!"
"If I were in that godforsaken place, I would have already drawn my sword and chopped those corrupt officials up in rebellion." He shook his head, as if he was particularly disappointed that there was no trouble there: "If you can't live like this, then rebel! Chop off the emperor's head and establish a new dynasty. This has been the case since ancient times. Why don't these idiots follow the history books?"
The ministers dared not look at the emperor anymore, and could only kowtow repeatedly, hurriedly admitting their guilt.
"What crime have you committed? The crime lies with the border troops," the emperor said with a smile. "Those fellows have even skipped the patrols."
"At the end of the previous dynasty, my father and I were owed so much in grain and salary, yet we were still patrolling the border, weren't we?"
"These traitors deserve to be killed!"
This emperor had always had a violent temper.
He was decisive and ruthless, and it was common for him to overturn tables when he saw injustice. But this was the first time he had ever spoken so calmly and sarcastically to an official.
"Your Majesty, the border troops are innocent, but their generals deserve to die!" The Minister of War was the first to succumb to the pressure and voice his opinion.
This was precisely the matter under his jurisdiction. Judging from the emperor's attitude, the lightest consequence for him would be being sent home to retire due to inadequate supervision; if it were more serious…
"At your age, you're still fighting and killing, it's no good." The emperor chuckled and scolded, then seemed to be lost in memories as he said, "It took two hundred years for the border armies of the previous dynasty to become so corrupt, while our dynasty has only lasted thirty years."
He slapped his thigh and exclaimed with delight, "Great news! It proves that our dynasty is far superior to the previous one. I can now hold my head high even when I see the last emperor of the previous dynasty!"
"Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
"I will not forgive you." The emperor shook his head and said with a smile, "I will give you three months to investigate this matter thoroughly. No one, whether an official outside the capital or a court official, should be let off the hook."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing that the emperor had finally issued a clear decree, the officials all showed signs of relief.
It's good that he's giving a proper order; otherwise, they'll think the emperor is going to kill people without asking any questions.
"I know that the relationships in the court are very complex. You all have your students, friends, and relatives. My order to leave no one out is a bit difficult for you."
The emperor then changed the subject: "Therefore, I have given you a choice."
He pointed to the eunuchs behind the high-ranking officials: "They will follow you out of the palace and prepare coffins according to your family genealogy. If you kill one less person, they will replace one person from your family."
"Once the coffins are full, I will exhume the graves and mutilate the corpses." Despite the sudden pallor of the officials, the emperor's voice remained calm: "Don't worry, you will be the last to be buried. If too few people are missed, they might even survive."
He pointed at the Minister of War: "I heard that your parents are both alive and are already eighty years old. Then let's start with them. The coffins bestowed by the Emperor are better than those you prepared yourself. This is my grace."
He then pointed to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review: "Since you only have one son and one grandson, let's start with them. I'll go down and scout the way for you first, so you won't be alone on your journey to the underworld."
"And you too." Looking at the Minister of Justice, who had a harem of wives and concubines and more than a dozen children with his parents gone, the emperor chuckled: "I don't know who I could kill to make you even more miserable, so how about I kill your sister first, and then adopt your good nephew to inherit your family's title?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" The high-ranking officials had never seen the emperor so ferocious, and they were trembling with fear at the prospect he described.
In particular, the Minister of Justice was targeted by the emperor, who wanted to kill his own sister and then adopt his son, a prince or nephew, as his son.
This isn't just killing him according to the family genealogy; it's killing his entire family and ruining his family's reputation for all time!
These people now understood perfectly that this lion, who was nearing the end of his life, was willing to do anything for the stability of his kingdom.
Women, sons, former officials, and friends—all will become knives in his hand, used to cut down those who dare to shake his rule!
"Go on, go on," the emperor waved his hand lazily. "Go home and check on your coffins first. Tomorrow, carry them to the Golden Palace to broaden the horizons of the court officials."
"Yes."
The adults kowtowed heavily, then rose and left with murderous intent.
Even if it were his own son who got involved, he would still have to be killed!
It's more worthwhile to lose one son than the whole family!
After everyone had left, the emperor's expression calmed down: "Order the Imperial Guards to investigate simultaneously, and do not let a single person escape."
"Yes," the head eunuch replied meekly.
"Summon Lady Yu here." After reading Xiao Yao's memorial several times, and noticing the awkward language on it, the emperor suddenly spoke.
When Lady Yu arrived, the emperor handed her the memorial and asked, "What do you think?"
Before Lady Yu could even look, she knelt down on the ground and said, "This is a matter of great importance in the previous dynasty, and I dare not look at it."
"I told you to look, so look." The emperor handed the memorial over again: "Here."
Left with no other choice, Madam Yu had to take the memorial, and her face grew paler and paler.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, Xiao Yao was truly presumptuous!" This time, she did not try to coax the emperor to get away with Xiao Yao's behavior, but immediately apologized.
Killing a minister without the emperor's permission is a serious crime, regardless of the reason!
At a time when these princes are vying for power, this is an even greater crime.
The emperor tapped the edge of the bed: "Get up, why are you kneeling? I'm asking for your real opinion."
He liked Madam Yu's intelligence, but occasionally disliked her prudent self-preservation nature.
Madam Yu's opinion is to give that little bastard a couple of punches, and he'll become bolder after going out for a while, right?
If you dare to kill officials, do you still think your father was strong and healthy?
But she knew that this was not what the emperor wanted to hear at that moment.
She glanced at the emperor and said cautiously, "I think he was too bold, but there are extenuating circumstances."
Lady Yu pursed her beautiful lips and gritted her teeth, saying, "Even I am furious at such an absurd thing. How could Jiu'er, with her pure and kind nature, tolerate such a heinous act!"
In any case, it's because her son is kind-hearted and can't stand seeing others suffer; it has absolutely nothing to do with coveting power!
"Is that so?" The emperor's expression was difficult to discern.
Madam Yu: "No... why don't you call him back and give him a beating?"
She's just a pretty woman who hasn't read many books; His Majesty wouldn't want her to offer any profound insights into important court affairs, would he?