Chapter 12 Court Meeting
Xiuguogong Mansion
"Hahaha~"
Sitting on a throne chair made of fine huanghuali wood and finely carved, an elderly man with a weathered face and sparkling eyes laughed.
"Wonderful, wonderful."
From beneath the wide sleeves of his gorgeous robe, a hand as hunched as a chicken's claw stretched out and gently stroked his sparse gray beard.
In the hall, Yang Li, who was kneeling on the ground, felt confused.
It turned out that the kid from the Ye family severely criticized these children of military honors... Wonderful?
"grandfather…"
"That was... in the 46th year of the BC era. Taizu was ambitious and brave. He led my father and his people to fight east and west, established the Qing Kingdom, and built the capital here. A group of people were conferred the titles of dukes and princes, and they were in the limelight for a time."
"In the first year of the era, Emperor Taizong ascended the throne. Every time there was a festival, he would give out gifts. But when it came to the time to subdue the Western Hu, all the people he used were former subordinates of my father and other dukes and princes. If it weren't for the small force of the Northern Wei army that invaded, I would not have had the opportunity to fight on the battlefield and defend my country."
"In the 28th year of the reign of Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong abdicated and sent a large army to attack the Western Hu. In this battle, they seized many cities and lands. It was also in this battle that the Qin family began to extend its hand into the military."
"In the 39th year of the era, in the struggle for the throne, two princes who were expected to succeed the throne died inexplicably, allowing an idle prince, Prince Cheng, to take the throne and make the current emperor the crown prince. The current emperor is brave and resourceful. He has launched three northern expeditions, fought against the barbarians in the west, and resisted the Northern Qi. However... we, the founding military heroes, have become the foils of the Qin family!"
He spoke for a long time without interruption, which brought back memories and made Yang Jin, the Duke of Xiu, a little out of breath.
He leaned his back, which was difficult to straighten, against the back of the chair, let out a long sigh, and looked at the magnificent and exquisite carved beams and painted buildings above. Duke Xiu's eyes suddenly became sharp, as if he was back in the battle to resist the invasion of the Northern Wei Dynasty, full of murderous intent!
"At this time, who in the army still remembers our Yang Family Silver Robe Army?"
"Your uncle was devoted to serving the country. We donated money for him to become a lieutenant in the Beijing Camp, but the Ministry of Personnel always had no vacancies. Your uncle was unwilling to donate money anyway, so he joined the border army to guard the border. What happened? Within half a year, news of his death came."
"I spent more than half a year, spent so much money, and used so many favors. In the end, all I got was a sentence of 'the arrows are ruthless'. Your third uncle, your father, your eldest brother, and your second cousin were furious. They all joined the border army, vowing to find out the cause of your uncle's death. Unexpectedly..."
The straightforward Yang Li finally realized something. His eyes were filled with horror, disbelief, anger... He lowered his head, and his sight of the gold brick on the ground gradually blurred.
Duke Xiuguo slowly closed his eyes, and after a few breaths, he opened them again, his eyes red. "That day, I wanted countless times to take the red seal and iron certificate from the family ancestral hall, submit a letter to the palace, and ask that person a question..."
"Why are you so heartless and ungrateful?"
Veins bulged on Duke Shanguo's forehead as he shouted in restraint, then he slapped his subordinate's hand hard, and the tall chair broke into several pieces instantly!
Liu Ji, the son of the Duke of Shan, was stunned. "Then, then my elder brother..."
Liu Gu sneered twice, "Your elder brother is eating empty salary, visiting prostitutes in the military camp, and spending his days in debauchery. Isn't that exactly what that man wants? How could he be liquidated?"
Instantly, Liu Ji felt cold all over, and his lips trembled slightly, "This, this is going to..."
"Grind us, the founding military heroes, to death." Liu Gu took over the conversation, thinking of something, and sneered, "Although the Qin family is now extremely powerful and has only one voice in the army, our situation today will be their future!"
"Oh!"
After Qin Ye sorted out the affairs of the Privy Council, he inspected the camp before returning home. After listening to his second son Qin Heng's story, he did not drink a sip of the teacup in his hand, but smashed it heavily on the tea tray.
Qin Heng leaned forward slightly and cursed in a low voice, "Father, this kid from the Ye family is really not a good son!"
He then worriedly said, "I'm afraid there will be changes in the Privy Council after this."
"What are you panicking about?" Qin Ye glared and scolded, then narrowed his eyes and murmured, "As long as your father is alive, the Privy Council and the Qing army will not be able to make trouble."
Qin Heng frowned, "Father, why don't we take this opportunity to rush forward..."
"What are you retreating for?" Qin Ye opened his eyes and looked at him. There was a hint of determination in his indifferent eyes.
Qin Heng was stunned.
Without waiting for him to ask, Qin Ye shook his head and sighed meaningfully, "My Qin family can't retreat even a little bit."
……
The next day, the court meeting
There are several types of court meetings in the Qing Dynasty. There are regular court meetings (once every five days), regular daily meetings (the prime minister leads the Privy Council and other military troupes to pay their respects, just for casual chats), and grand court meetings, which are held on New Year's Day, the first day of May, and the winter solstice. There are also court meetings held to receive foreign envoys. Today is the regular court meeting.
The Qing Kingdom's court meetings were originally supposed to be held in the Zichen Hall, but the emperor later moved it to the slightly smaller Ruihua Hall.
Reason: It was too empty and the report could not be heard clearly.
Well...very fair.
The dragon throne was also casually replaced with a small couch. In the words of the current emperor, what matters is not where you sit, but who sits on it.
Shows how conceited you are!
After the bell rang with a 'Dang' sound, all the officials who were testing and communicating with each other bowed their heads and stood in silence waiting.
Not long after, a middle-aged man who was not wearing court robes and was wearing loose clothes and wide belt came out with the gait of a dragon and a tiger.
When approaching the throne, a eunuch trotted and pushed aside the bamboo curtain in front of the throne. "You have all heard about what happened in Nanshi, right?" When handling court affairs, the emperor never dragged his feet and was always neat and direct.
"Tell me, where is the governor of Kyoto?" Emperor Qing asked after sitting down.
A man walked out from the literary class, wearing a neat official uniform.
"Your Majesty, I am here to report to Your Majesty that the relevant criminal Wu Xi has been imprisoned and will be transferred to the three courts for trial today."
"Does this matter need to be handed over to the three departments?" Emperor Qing chuckled.
Mei Zhili lowered his head even more and did not answer.
Lin Ruofu, the prime minister at the head of the literary class, stepped out and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, according to the laws of Qing, Wu Xi is the son of the Ningyuan Marquis and a son of a noble family. He should be handed over to the three courts for trial."
On the throne, through the bamboo curtain, Emperor Qing looked at the head of the officials, his expression was still calm, and a smile suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Okay."
He glanced at all the officials again and asked, "Do you have anything else to report?"
When Lin Ruofu and Mei Zhili returned to the order, a man from the literary class walked out, saluted, and said, "Your servant, Hong Ying, impeaches Wu Xi and other noble sons for disregarding the law, disrupting the streets, and bringing disaster to the village. They have been favored by the emperor for generations, but they have committed such evil deeds. I request that you investigate them and punish them according to the law."
In the liberal arts class, many people rolled their eyes inwardly.
Deal with according to law.
It's quite polite to her mother.
If it were any other censor, he would have shouted for war and killing long ago!
He deserves to be the Censor after all these years.
Emperor Qing nodded slowly.
Just as he was about to speak, an old man from the front of the martial arts class trembled and walked out, knelt down on the ground with great respect, and said in sorrow and fear, "Your Majesty, Yang Jin, is too old to teach his children and grandchildren, and I have failed the grace of the emperor."
"Hey, old Duke, why is it so? Come, help the old Duke up."
As soon as Emperor Qing finished speaking, two eunuchs walked over and helped Yang Jin up.
"Old Duke, as a young man, you should correct your mistakes as soon as you realize them." Emperor Qing said with a smile, with a look of 'a kind and gracious monarch, and a close friend to his elders'.
Yang Jin wiped the tears from his eyes, bowed and thanked him, "Your Majesty is so generous and kind, I wish I could repay you with my own death."
Emperor Qing waved his hand and said, "With the old Duke in charge of the court, I feel at ease. Why should I die for the sake of reporting?"
There's no need to use '朕' at all, just use '我' directly.
The corners of Yang Jin's eyes twitched.
Sitting in the court, is there any place for him?
He straightened up with difficulty, turned around staggeringly, and bowed to the back, "I, this old minister, would like to thank Commander Ye."
Ye Zhong sighed inwardly, it finally came down to him.
Brat...
He must be beaten!
He returned the greeting, "I don't deserve the old Duke's courtesy."
Yang Jin laughed twice, his wrinkled face blooming like a chrysanthemum, and he happily reported to the person on the throne, "Your Majesty may not know that Commander Ye's son has given my inferior grandson a second life."
"Oh, how do you say that?" Emperor Qing asked with a puzzled smile.
They are all the top reserve members of the Southern Opera Troupe, and they performed really well!
He had clearly asked about "matters concerning South City" before.
"Yesterday..."
Yang Jin recounted the words of Ye Zheng in the South Market yesterday in a leisurely and emotional manner, and bowed to the throne, saying, "The Third Young Master's stern words and rebuke are like a revelation. My inferior grandson has come to his senses and feels deeply that his past actions have brought shame to the family. He has failed the kindness of His Majesty and the people. He has decided to participate in the selection of the garrison and the Beijing camp soon to repay the great grace of the Emperor!"
"Your Majesty, I am looking forward to..."
"Your Majesty, your subject Liu..."
"His Majesty…"
Duke Shanguo, Marquis Ningyuan and others spoke up one after another.
Two points about the cases heard by the three courts: major and difficult
(End of this chapter)