Xia Palace.
Early morning.
Li Si was wearing a black robe, with a calm face, standing calmly at the head of the civil servants on the right.
As for Left Prime Minister Xiao Ping, he disappeared from the court after Li Xiaoyao and others returned. No one knows where he went.
The head of the military generals is the Minister of War, and there are several military generals in the court.
There were mostly civil servants in the hall, and there were many unfamiliar faces among them. Most of them were Legalist disciples under Li Si, and some were from various sects of the Great Xia.
For example, Fu Yanjie and others from the three major families in southern Hunan are among them.
But at this moment, everyone looked solemn, looking at Li Si, the head of the civil service, with a little respect in their eyes.
Over the past few days, Li Si has won the trust of the King of Xia, and has taken charge of the government affairs. He has made great reforms. In less than half a month, the entire court has been completely renewed.
Those who are still standing in the court today are all veterans with outstanding abilities or who are loyal to Daxia.
The original atmosphere of chaos, private parties and intrigues are no longer there, at least on the surface no one dares to do so. Now everyone is conscientious and serious about their duties.
And all of this stems from this right prime minister!
In just these few days, Li Si has gained a reputation as "selfless and unmerciful".
Because this person really can't tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes. Except for His Majesty, he treats everyone equally. As long as he breaks the law, he will be punished, killed, or dismissed. No mercy at all.
Based on this, the ministers in the DPRK respected and feared him. At this time, they probably understood why His Majesty valued Li Si so much.
Able, strong, courageous, selfless, and iron-blooded, any dynasty would have such a person in charge of all officials.
It can be said that this person is the prime minister, which can be said to be a blessing for Daxia, but it is also a hardship for all officials.
But now that Great Xia's reputation is at its peak, countless people are breaking their heads and trying to get in, but you don't see it. Even people from aristocratic families and sects who originally stayed away from the imperial court have sent people to enter the imperial court.
Therefore, although the officials were in awe of the right prime minister, they could only try their best to do things seriously and not break the law to avoid being caught in the pigtails.
Above the court, there was silence.
Soon, Qin Wuhen, wearing a black dragon robe and a crown, strode over. He sat on a high dragon chair and scanned the officials.
"Today morning, I will announce a few things!"
All the officials bowed one after another, with reserved expressions and remained silent.
After becoming the prime minister, Qin Wuhen never went to the early court, and all the affairs inside and outside the court were left to Li Si and Xiao Ping to take care of them.
Even some important memorials were delivered by Li Si. After Qin Wuhen reviewed them, they were distributed to various officials. The officials could not even see Qin Wuhen's face.
And today's sudden announcement of the morning dynasty must be something important.
Therefore, no one among the ministers dared to be distracted, and they all listened carefully.
Qin Wuhen glanced at the atmosphere in the court, with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
Appointing Li Si as prime minister is indeed the most correct thing to do. Now, the court no longer has the smoky atmosphere it once had, which is great!
Moistening his throat, Qin Wuhen spoke majestically: "You must have heard what happened in the past few days. For the better development of Daxia, I ordered the local government to reform the city lord system, but two-thirds of them were rejected. The above-mentioned local governments have jointly boycotted. I wonder, dear sirs, what do you think of this matter?"
Hearing this, the faces of the officials changed slightly.
Since ancient times, the king of Xia usually consulted the ministers for their opinions before making decisions. However, Qin Wuhen implemented the system of prefectures and counties without consulting officials. Now, officials from all over the country have boycotted the decision.
In the past, he would definitely be criticized verbally and writtenly by his ministers, but now this Xia king is different from the previous Xia kings. He is arbitrary and has a peaceful temperament, but he is extremely domineering.
Hearing Qin Wuhen's words at this time, the officials didn't know what Qin Wuhen meant. For a while, no one dared to speak, and they all remained silent.
At this moment, a figure suddenly stood out from the queue and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I believe that your Majesty did this out of proportion."
There was a sudden silence above the court hall.
Is this wrong to accuse His Majesty on the spot?
Everyone looked shocked and looked at the person who was speaking. They saw that this person was Li Weizhong, a scholar in the Central Cabinet of the DPRK!
In addition to the left and right prime ministers, this cabinet scholar also played an important role in the court. He was a veteran of three dynasties and had already been an official in the court when the tenth King of Xia was still alive.
The most important thing is that when the late king died and Dongfang Haoran and Nangong Aotian rebelled, Li Weizhong stood on Qin Wuhen's side and was a solid supporter of the Qin royal family!
But the officials didn't understand why Li Weizhong would stand up and accuse Qin Wuhen at this time.
On the dragon chair, Qin Wuhen narrowed his eyes and said calmly: "Master Li, do you have any objections?"
Li Weizhong, with gray hair and no fear on his face, said loudly: "Your Majesty, according to the laws of Daxia, all major government affairs must be discussed with all officials and can only be carried out without harming the interests of Daxia. However, your Majesty did not attend this matter." The discussions in the court have led to a joint protest by the governments from all over the country. If you are not careful, it will cause civil strife again. This matter obviously conflicts with our interests in Daxia. Therefore, the old minister believes that your majesty did not do the right thing and violated the laws of the court! "
law?
The officials looked at each other in confusion and glanced at Li Si, the head of the civil service, with strange expressions in their eyes.
The current laws of Daxia were revised and implemented by Li Si, and the decision of the King of Xia is related to the survival of the country. Therefore, the decision of the King of Xia should be discussed with all officials and placed in the first article of the law.
Li Si's face was expressionless, pretending not to see everyone's gaze.
On the dragon chair, Qin Wuhen's eyes became more profound. He looked at Li Weizhong and said calmly: "Then what do you think Mr. Li should do now?"
Li Weizhong looked serious, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that your Majesty should withdraw the imperial edict to reform the local city master system, appease local officials, and stop losses in time!"
"Stop the loss in time?"
Qin Wuhen raised the corner of his mouth slightly, "Master Li is right. Li Aiqing submitted a memorial to me three days ago, urging me to give up reforming the city master system, but I insisted on going my own way. Facts have proved that I was indeed wrong, which is why the governments from all over the country boycotted .”
Hearing this, the officials looked strange. Did your Majesty admit his mistake?
Li Weizhong's eyes flashed with joy, and he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty knows his mistakes and can correct them. It is our country's luck. It is still too late to take back his life now, and it will not cause too much loss."
"good!"
Qin Wuhen nodded and said, "Then just follow what Mr. Li said."
Li Weizhong cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Old minister, I obey the order!"
Qin Wuhen waved his hand and suddenly said: "I have one more thing, and I need Mr. Li to help me clear up my doubts."
"Your Majesty, please tell me. I will tell you everything I know." Li Weizhong said respectfully.
Qin Wuhen nodded lightly, "As far as I know, Mr. Li has no children, is an honest official, and has no political affiliations. But why did I receive news recently that Mr. Li and the lord of Huaiyang City, Li Tianluo, seem to be connected?"
"And in these years, Li Tianluo seems to have contacted Mr. Li more than once, and every time he contacted him, he would send a lot of money to Mr. Li. I wonder if Mr. Li can clear up my doubts?"
Hearing this, the officials' expressions suddenly changed and they looked at Li Weizhong.
Li Weizhong's expression also changed quickly, and then he said calmly: "Your Majesty, I am good friends with the lord of Huaiyang City, Li Tianluo, so we occasionally talk about old times. As for the money that Mr. Li Tianluo brought, I have already returned all the money, veteran." Never dare to violate the law and take bribes privately!"
"Oh, is it so?"
Qin Wuhen smiled faintly, and then looked outside the Huangji Palace.
At this time, a figure wearing a royal guard uniform walked quickly from outside the palace and saluted: "Your Majesty, my subordinates were ordered to search the home of Grand Scholar Li. A total of 600,000 top-grade spiritual stones were found. Eleven million stones, 30 million medium-grade spiritual stones, countless low-grade spiritual stones and other treasures!”
Wow!
As soon as this statement came out, the officials were shocked!
And Li Weizhong's face turned pale in an instant.
Qin Wuhen looked at Li Weizhong, "Master Li, since you don't accept bribes privately, can you tell me where you got these spiritual stones and treasures from?"
Li Weizhong knelt on the ground with a pop, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am guilty..."
"hehe."
Qin Wuhen smiled lightly and said: "Master Li, I forgot to tell you that I issued an edict yesterday that any local officials who disobey the imperial edict, fail to cooperate with the handover, or resist the imperial court will be killed without mercy!"
"If I guessed correctly, Jin Yiwei and the Eight Gates have already started to take action. I don't know if Li Tianluo, the lord of Huaiyang City, is involved in this matter. If so, haha..."
Hearing this, Li Weizhong's expression suddenly changed, his head suddenly raised, and he said with a pale face: "Your Majesty! I know the crime, that Li Tianluo is my illegitimate son, and the spiritual stone in my home was secretly sent by my son over the years. "
"I was obsessed with something for a moment, and my crime deserves death. But please, Your Majesty, please spare my son. I am willing to die to apologize!"
Above the court, there was silence.
Everyone looked at Li Weizhong in the center of the hall.
At this time, everyone understood why Li Weizhong would openly accuse Qin Wuhen at this time. That Li Tianluo turned out to be Li Weizhong's illegitimate son!
And he was pleading with His Majesty at this time. Needless to say, Li Tianluo must also be unwilling to obey the imperial edict and boycott the imperial court!
Ignoring Li Weizhong's plea for mercy, Qin Wuhen stood up from the dragon chair, looked at Li Weizhong, and said, "I still don't know something. Li Tianluo has been the lord of Huaiyang City for less than ten years. Where did he get so many spiritual stone treasures?"
Li Weizhong was silent, but his face turned even paler.
Qin Wuhen didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly.
After a long while, Li Weizhong said in a low voice: "In the past few years, Luo'er has become very close to the three major families in Huaiyang City..."
Hearing this, the officials shook their heads and sighed. They knew that Li Weizhong and Li Tianluo were all dead, and no one could save them!
After Li Weizhong finished speaking, he probably understood the consequences of this matter. He immediately turned pale and looked at Qin Wuhen and said: "Your Majesty, it is the son's fault for not teaching his father. This matter is due to the greed of the old minister and his lax discipline. I hope your Majesty will see it." For the sake of my many years of service to Daxia, I will spare my son’s life and I will bear all the responsibility alone!”
Li Weizhong's whole body was shaking like a sieve. He knew very well that since Qin Wuhen had mastered the evidence, he was determined to prepare all backup plans. Thinking of the terrifying Jin Yiwei and the Eight Gates, he could not think of any resistance.
At this moment, he only hoped that Qin Wuhen would remember his old love and spare Li Tianluo's life.
All the ministers were silent as they looked at Li Weizhong, who was so glorious just now, but now so embarrassed and begging for mercy.
After a long time, Qin Wuhen looked at His Highness Li Weizhong and said calmly: "That's all, since you have served Daxia for many years, I will give you this face."
"You rush to Huaiyang City by yourself now. If you can make it in time, your son will live. I allow you and your son to resign and return home. If you are late, then your father and son will be buried together in Huaiyang!"
Hearing this, Li Weizhong's face lit up and he quickly stood up, "Old minister, thank you for your kindness!"
After saying that, he quickly turned around and ran towards the outside of Huangji Palace.
The ministers looked at Li Weizhong's leaving figure with complicated eyes.
In the past few days, local governments have boycotted the reform of the city-lord system, and many officials in and out of the DPRK have also been very vocal about this matter.
And this Li Weizhong, although it was for selfish reasons, was the first to openly stand up and accuse Qin Wuhen, and he happened to have a bad foundation, so he ended up with such consequences.
They knew that Qin Wuhen had already prepared to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, and Li Weizhong was the chicken, so no matter what, Li Weizhong and his illegitimate son would not survive.
Baiguan knew this very well, but no one dared to say it.
At this moment, no one dared to have any other small thoughts. Even if they did, they were quickly nipped in the bud.
Accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. At this moment, they deeply understood the meaning of this sentence. A cabinet bachelor with a first-class official position can do whatever he says!
If they dare to have any small thoughts again, they know that they will definitely end up with the same fate as Li Weizhong!
On the dragon chair, Qin Wuhen looked at Li Weizhong's back with calm eyes.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, looked at the officials with complicated expressions below, and said calmly: "Is there anyone else who has any objections to this matter?"
Thinking of Li Weizhong's tragic situation just now, the ministers quickly handed over their hands and said, "I have no objections."
Qin Wuhen nodded, "If anyone has any opinions about my decision, you can tell me directly. Under normal circumstances, I am very easy to talk to."
The ministers twitched their mouths and cupped their hands: "I don't dare."
Qin Wuhen said lightly: "One more thing, I have decided to establish academic palaces in each county of Daxia and implement the imperial examination system. All my subjects in Daxia can participate in the imperial examinations or practice in the academy. I will tell you about the specific details. I’ll tell you in detail, and I hope you will cooperate with me in this matter.”
"Yes!" All officials raised their hands in unison.
Qin Wuhen nodded and was about to speak, but suddenly paused for some reason.
Then, he took a deep look into his mind, then looked at the officials and said, "Retreat from the court!"
After saying that, he turned and left directly.
…
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