At the beginning of the separation of yin and yang, day and night change, a ray of light becomes green, and it turns into morning again.
Outside the gate of the imperial city, there are endless carriages, chariots and precious sedans. The officials of the capital are all waiting outside the gate, waiting for the court meeting.
Ye Ling, wearing a red official robe, stood aside and looked up at the gate of the imperial city. It was decorated with red lacquer and gold nails, solemn and thick, showing the royal style.
Officials from various ministries gathered in groups, greeting and chatting, and many people glanced at Ye Ling and pointed.
As Chen Changying said, who can enter the temple without going through hardships and years of experience. Even if you are a member of the royal family, it is difficult for you to climb the dragon gate in one leap. Only as Ye Ling is the sworn brother of Dazhu Kingdom can he have this honor. However, no one knows the danger behind it.
Not long after, there was a loud sound of gongs, drums and chimes inside the door, and the door was slowly pushed open. It was time to enter the court.
The civil and military officials were divided into two teams according to their rank, and they were arranged in order. It was Wendong and Wuxi, and Prince Baili Changkong led the team in.
Ye Ling, as the minister of household affairs, followed the six ministers and walked on the corridor.
The entire square in front of the palace is paved with bluestone, and there are three roads in the middle. In the center is the royal road, which can only be accessed by the emperor and the prince.
Further forward, there is a stone majesty with three floors and three rises, with a total of 108 steps. In the middle is a relief sculpture of a black dragon, with majestic and angry eyes, lifelike; on both sides are jade railings, carvings of Jiangnan landscapes and northern scenery, which symbolize the unification of the world.
When you get up to the stage, you are faced with a bright bluestone hall. Under the eaves on both sides are eighteen large red-painted pillars, painted with dragons and misty clouds. The roof of the hall is paved with emerald green glazed tiles made of immortal soil. , under the sun, the brilliance is brilliant and dazzling.
Above the main entrance of the main hall, there is a black lacquered gold plaque: "Fengtian Hall".
When hundreds of civil and military officials entered the main hall, they saw dragons and phoenixes playing in the hall, purple pillars and golden beams. To the north is a golden throne and a fragrant wood screen. In the two corners of the main hall, there is a sundial in the east and a Jialiang in the west. There are incense burners and bronze tripods on both sides, burning incense and blowing smoke, like clouds. Under the throne, there are futon tables for hundreds of officials to sit.
On the golden platform, Gao He held the image crystal in his hand and placed it on the throne. With a soft sound, the shadow of Baili Longteng was revealed.
Just because Baili Longteng has been practicing hard in seclusion and has not been in court for a hundred years, he has been projecting like this. However, it is said that this shadow is also made by his external incarnation, and his true body has been practicing in seclusion.
Gao He turned around and shouted to the civil and military officials: "Your Majesty has arrived, and the important ministers will come to court early!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the prince and all the civil and military officials bowed their hands and shouted in unison: "Long live my emperor!"
It's just that monks are everywhere in this world, so there are fewer scruples, and ministers rarely kneel down to worship the emperor when they see him. Long live is the life of a saint, and if you can get it, you can break the ascension, so it is appropriate to call it like this.
"No courtesy, stay on your own!"
After Baili Longteng finished speaking, all the civil and military officials moved to their seats on both sides and sat down, and the court meeting officially began.
The emperor is above, the officials are below, the celestial dynasty is prosperous and magnificent. Exactly: "
Jin Zhongyu failed to report Chu Yang, and Wu Muwen Zhao was on both sides.
The doors were covered with flowers, the road hall was opened, and the throne came out with great authority to order peace and prosperity.
The nobles of the entire dynasty hang their crowns, and their majestic majesty frightens all the frontiers.
It was announced that the imperial state was connected to Bihan, and the Yongguang Emperor's career had gone through many vicissitudes. "
After all the ministers were seated, Gao He took out the imperial edict and read out: "The emperor is entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the edict says:
Since the drought in Luzhou and the chaos in Liangzhou, I have been feeling sad and worried about the people of the two states. I now specially appoint Song Zheng, Yin of Taiyue Prefecture, as an imperial envoy to go to Luzhou to provide relief. Chen Changying, Secretary of the Ministry of War, was appointed as the Shangzhu State, and went to Liangzhou to recruit soldiers and horses to put down the rebellion. Admire this! "
Among the civil and military classes, Chen Changying and Song Zheng came out and handed over their hands to thank them: "I accept the order and thank you!"
Baili Longteng waved his hand, and Gao He ordered the eunuch to bring two trays covered with yellow cloth to the two of them. When they opened them, they saw a silver scabbard sword in front of Chen Changying and a purple gold steel whip in front of Song Zheng.
"I give you two each to hold a silver sword and a golden whip, with the right to kill first and then show off. I hope you two miss my hope by mistake!"
"Although I'm a messed up minister, it's hard to repay the emperor's favor!"
Seeing the two men each holding a silver sword and a golden whip, Zhou Qing, the left prime minister, looked gloomy, while Wang Yuanzhong, the right prime minister, looked normal; the old master Liang Jing closed his eyes to rest, as if he was asleep.
After the two of them retreated, Baili Longteng said again: "There is another matter. Has the case of Qu Yi's private release of military rations been concluded?"
As soon as these words came out, all the civil and military officials straightened up slightly and raised their eyes. This case was unprecedented and shocked both the government and the public. Therefore, when the emperor mentioned it, he naturally paid close attention to it.
At this moment, from in front of Ye Ling, a young scribe in red robe stepped forward and saw this person: "Snowy eyes are bright, graceful and graceful; his sleeves are upright and he is responsible; he is determined to reform in this life, and he will support Gao Yamen." The Hall of Punishment; don’t talk about glory and wealth, why cherish the past life and the future death.”
Ye Ling had also heard that this person was the current Minister of Punishment, Li Taiyue. He once presented "Thirteen Chapters of Peace" to the court, advocating reform and strengthening himself, and was valued by the prince Baili Changkong, but Baili Longteng did not take him very seriously.
Li Taiyue bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty, this case has been verified and verified. Qu Yi secretly released military rations, which caused a shortage of food in Dazhu State-owned Enterprises and nearly suffered a disastrous defeat."
"Now that we have found out," Baili Longteng said, "then let's convict him."
Li Taiyue said quickly: "I just think that Qu Yi is dedicated to the country and the people, so I ask your Majesty to be lenient."
"Oh?" Baili Longteng smiled slightly and said, "Li Shangshu, according to my Daqian law, what crime should Qu Yi face?"
"cut!"
"That being the case, why talk too much?" Baili Longteng looked at Li Taiyue: "Li Aiqing, you have always enforced the law impartially and without mercy. You should know that the most important thing in this law is the word "faith". If the person who breaks the law does not punish the crime according to the law, then what will happen to him? What’s the use of this empty article?”
Li Taiyue hesitated to speak. Naturally, he had a personal affair this time. If it was true as Baili Longteng said, he was bent on selfish interests and perverting the law. He was bent on reforming the law and wasted all his previous efforts.
Zhou Qing also came out and said: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. If you don't know the canonical punishment, how can you understand the law and correct people's hearts? Please decree that Qu Yi be severely punished!"
"No!" Right Prime Minister Wang Yuanzhong also stood up and said: "Your Majesty, although Qu Yi has great achievements in the country, he has made great contributions to the people. If he hadn't saved the people from this dilemma, they would have been starved to death all over the country right now, and the people would have been in chaos!"
Zhou Qing sneered and said: "Master Wang is really good at talking. According to this statement, those people are their lives, but the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers on the front line are not? How can Master Wang be so generous to one and not to others?"
"I'm talking about a lighter sentence, not no punishment. Since you have merit, why can't you deny it?"
Zhou Qing said with a smile: "If that's the case, doesn't it mean that those who have done meritorious deeds can be lawless and act recklessly? Mr. Li, it turns out that this is the reform you have been advocating for strength!"
Li Taiyue's expression changed and he said in a deep voice: "Prime Minister Zhou has misunderstood. The laws established by the lower officials are the rules of the imperial court. From the emperor to the common people, they must abide by them. Otherwise, what is the use of keeping them?"
"In that case, shouldn't Qu Yi be killed?"
"It shouldn't be!" Gu Silan, the minister of the Ministry of Rites and a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, suddenly stood up and said: "Although the law is great, there is still reason. There is nothing more valuable in heaven and earth than human life. Save billions of people from fire and water, and restore the dignity of the imperial court to all people. How could he die miserably under the ruthless sword?"
Zhou Qing sneered: "Look at it this way, you and others are going to destroy my Daqian law!"
Prince Baili Changkong frowned, but did not dare to say a word for a moment; Baili Longteng watched the argument quietly, without saying a word.
The other officials watched indifferently. For them, this matter was not as simple as killing one or two people.
After a long time, Baili Longteng finally said: "I already know what you mean by waiting. Mr. Liang Ge, what do you think?"
Liang Jingyi slowly opened his eyes, but did not stand up. He just said: "I don't know much about this case, so I dare not speak nonsense. I will leave it to Your Majesty's decision."
Baili Longteng smiled slightly: "Second Prime Minister, Assistant Prime Minister, what do you two think?"
Zuo Fengyuan said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the court is in troubled times right now. When it comes to hiring people, maybe Qu Yi can still be used to make him meritorious."
He Lanyi shook his head and said: "Even if this person is not killed, he cannot be entrusted with important tasks."
Baili Longteng suddenly turned to look at Ye Ling in the crowd: "Ye Aiqing, what do you think?"
Everyone looked at Ye Ling, especially Zhou Qing, Zuo Fengyuan and others, with a strange look in their eyes. Ye Ling, who was still a mortal body half a month ago, is now a monk in the Lingxu realm, which is really surprising.
Suddenly being touched by Baili Longteng, Ye Ling was startled. He stood up and walked forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, it is inconvenient for me to participate."
"Oh?" Baili Longteng raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's the secret?"
Ye Ling said: "When Qu Yi was putting grain in Amaterasu City, I was also present and helped Zhou to commit evil."
"Ha ha ha ha--"
When Baili Longteng heard this, he laughed loudly: "There is actually such a thing. In this case, Ye Aiqing can be regarded as an accomplice."
Hearing this, Ye Ling quickly lowered his head, sweating on his back.
"However," Baili Longteng changed the topic and sighed: "If I hadn't sent Qu Yi to Beijing, how could he have committed such a heinous crime? I am also one of the accomplices!"
Hearing this, all the civil and military officials quickly stood up, threw their hands in their hands, and blamed themselves: "I'm waiting for death!"
Baili Longteng waved his hand and said with a smile: "I really don't want to worry about Qu Yi's matter. According to my decree, Qu Yi will be demoted to the head of the household department, and he will go to Liangzhou with Chen Aiqing to quell the rebellion, and he will be punished for his crime!"
Wang Yuanzhong hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Li Taiyue and Gu Silan also echoed: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Zhou Qing looked unkind, but he couldn't disobey Baili Longteng's decision. But out of the corner of his eye, he cast his gaze at Ye Ling beside him, feeling chilled.
Liang Jing, who was sitting at the top of the table, closed his eyes again, as if he was asleep and did not care about political affairs.
The meeting lasted all morning and then ended.
"Retreat!"
Gao He shouted, and Baili Longteng's projection disappeared immediately. All civil and military officials also stood up and left.
Ye Ling walked among the crowd and took one last look back at the main hall. This was probably the last time he would sit in the Daqian court!
