Chinese architecture has always been about facing south.
Therefore, the royal palace is usually located in the north of the capital, or in the north of the city.
But the imperial palace of the Southern Song Dynasty was different from that of previous dynasties. It was located in the southernmost part of Lin'an City.
An imperial street running from north to south runs through the entire Lin'an, and the southernmost end is the north gate of the imperial city, 'Hening Gate'.
Some breakfast shops on both sides of Imperial Street are brightly lit at the beginning of the fifth watch, that is, from three o'clock in the morning.
Many officials carrying lanterns bought some snacks such as sesame cakes and fried dough sticks, stuffed them into their mouths, and hurried to the imperial city.
From time to time, there would be carriages and horses, accompanied by dozens of followers holding open fires, shouting in front and behind each other. Such a grand scene would naturally be for a high-ranking official of Zaizhi's level.
When you arrive outside Hening Gate, it doesn't matter if you arrive early and the city gate is not open. There is a waiting courtyard here for the court officials to gather and wait, as well as to order their meal.
If you don't have time to buy breakfast on the way, it doesn't matter. There are many mobile vendors outside the courtyard, providing food of various tastes, and there will be no official officials to drive them away. This can be regarded as a characteristic of the Song Dynasty.
Some officials even deliberately arrived early, took a good seat in the courtyard, and sat against the wall to catch up on their sleep.
At this time, the morning dynasty is divided into four types: sun ginseng, six ginseng, shuo ginseng and wang ginseng. Generally speaking, it is required every day, every five days, six times a month, on the first day of the lunar month and on the 15th day of the lunar month. According to officials, Qualifications are divided into levels.
Today was just a day trip, so there were relatively few people. The courtyard was not so crowded, and some officials who had not caught up on their sleep were chatting in twos and threes.
"Have you heard? The Silly King is not stupid anymore!"
"I'm afraid you haven't woken up yet. What nonsense are you talking about? You might as well just say that the sun will come out in the west later."
"Haha, you must have received the benefits and said such words with ulterior motives."
"That's right, we all agreed that today we have to finish what we failed to do yesterday. Don't disturb the morale of the army here!"
At this time, an official who was chewing mutton buns squeezed in, "Hey, I heard what Brother Fengnian said. I heard that after King Zhong woke up yesterday, not only did he stop being stupid, he also did something big!"
At this time, several officials showed curiosity, "What's the big deal?"
This dear man finished the buns slowly and whetted everyone's appetite. Then the old man said, "Prince Zhong beat Concubine Yan Guifei until her nose was bruised and her face was swollen!"
"Is this happening!? It's impossible..." Everyone couldn't believe it, this fact was too unbelievable.
"Haha, I don't know if it's true or not, it's just a rumor!" Brother Baozi immediately ran away after saying this.
Next to it is the small circle of Yushitai. They are very close, and after hearing this, their minds immediately became smarter.
"The prince beat up the noble concubine! This is unprecedented, we must impeach him! It just gives a boost to today's big event!"
"This is not credible, right? Would it be too hasty to impeach him on this basis?"
"It doesn't matter. It's not necessary to report something based on rumors. It is our bounden duty to remonstrate with others..."
"Ahem!" Shi Ding Daquan, the imperial censor in the palace, interrupted, "It's better to discuss this matter in the long term. We should be fearless when we act, and we should have solid evidence for what we say."
Ding Daquan did have some status in the Yushitai. As soon as he said this, several people agreed, but why he did this was only known to him.
Immediately, everyone changed the topic, "Hey, you guys think, are the officials taking a break from court today and avoiding us?"
"It's not impossible. Officials have used this trick a lot in the past."
"Hmph! You can hide from the first grade of junior high school, but you can't hide from the fifteenth grade. Even if you don't go to court, we will continue to play. We must not let a fool inherit the throne, otherwise I will lose the face of the Song Dynasty!"
Many officials also thought that Zhao Guan's family had finally taken the opportunity to escape yesterday, and they would not dare to face the officials today. Maybe the order to avoid the court would be sent out later.
But to their surprise, when the first watch drum sounded, there was no such intention. Zhao Guanjia actually dared to hold court!
There will be three tong drums in total. After the sound, it is exactly five o'clock in the morning. All officials must arrive at Chongzheng Hall and stand ready for their shift, otherwise they will have to wait for the censor's picket.
On the way, Yang Dong from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ye Mengding, the minister from the Ministry of Quan and Rites, walked together. They had a good personal relationship and were both teachers of King Zhong, so they had a close relationship.
Ye Mengding asked softly, "Yuanji, do you think that news is credible?"
The news he mentioned naturally meant that King Zhong was no longer stupid. It can only be said that the court of the Song Dynasty was like a sieve. Even if the officials issued a gag order, the news still spread faster than the wind.
Yang Dong shook his head, "You and I see King Zhong almost every day, do you think it is possible? In fact, I don't think it is important whether King Zhong is wise or not. It is knowing that the king is at ease above, and the ministers are at work below, and the law is as high as heaven. . It is good for the officials to be quiet and do nothing. The governance of the country still depends on me and other ministers. I think the loyal king has a mellow temper and will be very suitable to be the emperor."
Ye Mengding was a little silent and sighed softly, "I don't agree with Yuanji's theory that the emperor should do nothing. However, if he really chooses another clan to be the successor, I think it is very inappropriate. That will definitely cause a big disturbance. Now With the current situation, it’s better to be more stable.”
"The crowd is fierce and we are weak, so I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."
"But! Just do your best. Okay, it's time to join the class. We will act accordingly later."
Soon, under the supervision of the censor, all the officials took their positions.
The whip sounded faintly three times, and the civil and military teams at all levels were in unison.
Zhao Guan's family ascended to the throne, and all the officials bowed to greet him.
The officials were suspicious and wanted to see some clues from Zhao Guanjia's face, but they saw that he was neither happy nor sad, and his expression was very dull.
Dong Songchen, who was waiting at the side, shook his fly whisk and said, "Please ask the officials to do something."
The officials did not raise the issue from the beginning, but followed the procedures and reported daily government affairs one by one.
More than a dozen government affairs were reported one after another, and it was the turn of an old man in purple robe to step out.
This is an important minister. He is also the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the pacifier of Lin'an Prefecture and Western Zhejiang Province. "I have reported to Ma Guangzu that last year Taihu Lake flooded and the lakeside was severely affected. Many fertile fields were submerged. The landless people lost their source of livelihood and many people were scattered. When we arrive near Lin'an, I plan to set aside a boundary in Dongtucheng for accommodation, and I would like your Majesty's permission."
"Yes!" Zhao Guanjia nodded, "Leave it to the executive government for negotiation and implementation as soon as possible."
Then Dong Huai, the political officer of the Council, went out to ask for the report, "Your Majesty, I know that Li Tingzhi of Haozhou wants to build a city in Jingshan to prepare for Huainan. I think that Jingshan is located at the intersection of four rivers and is relatively prominent, which is strategic It is an important place, so please follow Li Tingzhi’s instructions.”
"I have no objections. You and the prime ministers will discuss it and analyze the pros and cons and deal with it appropriately." Zhao Guanjia nodded again.
In fact, the ministers have actually communicated and discussed these matters, and reporting them is just a matter of process. Zhao Guan's family is used to letting things go, so as long as it doesn't involve him, they basically just nod and let things go.
After finishing the daily government affairs, the next step is the main event.
Seeing the official's calm expression, the officials thought of how they had worked so hard yesterday but failed in the end, so they secretly swore that they would not give up until the goal was achieved today.
In the court, if there is a contentious issue, it is usually the younger brother who takes the lead, and then gradually escalates, and finally the boss who has the upper hand makes the final decision.
Although today is not a struggle between hundreds of officials, but a struggle between hundreds of officials and the emperor, it also follows this traditional process.
Therefore, Wu Yan, the censor, received this task gloriously, transformed into a little brick, stood up full of fighting spirit, and said impassionedly, "Your Majesty, Wu Yan please report!"
A major event that determines the foundation of the country, started by oneself, will not only be recorded in history, but will also affect the government and the public. It is exciting to think about it.
This is why many low-level officials are willing to take huge risks of being punished and always come forward like moths to a flame.
Zhao Guanjia was still very calm, looking at his nose and his nose, as if he didn't hear anything.
Dong Songchen fulfilled his role as a tool, "Come on!"
Wu Yan had a serious look on his face, straightened his clothes with a solemn expression, knelt down solemnly in the middle of the court, held the wat board flat with both hands, and played loudly,
"I have heard that if the ruler is wise, the people will be safe; if the ruler is wise, the country will be prosperous. In the past, the Qin Dynasty had the first emperor, and Fang encircled the universe and encompassed the four seas. In the Han Dynasty, there was Emperor Wu, and Fang Wen governed martial arts, and the barbarians respected him. In the Tang Dynasty, there was Taizong, and Fang Long governed In the prosperous times, all nations came to court. When it came to our dynasty, Taizu Taizong restored our country, Jin Ou, and built civilization to the extreme. All the emperors who came and went were also wise and wise. Even your majesty, there was peace and prosperity, and the Song Dynasty was preserved for decades. Peace! However, now the throne is vacant and the country has no foundation, which makes the subjects uneasy and the country is unrest! Although I have a humble position, I dare not or forget my concern for the country. I boldly ask Your Majesty to carefully choose the successor to the throne to carry on the past and the future. , continue the glory of the prosperous age!"
After the performance is over, the body is spread out, the five limbs are thrown to the ground, and the body is prostrated deeply.
This gesture, this heartfelt concern for the country and the people, he is simply the most loyal minister throughout the ages!
The civil servants couldn't help but look sideways. They really didn't see it. This guy who usually doesn't stand out very much took an opportunity today and showed off his skills.
However, no matter how loud the flattery is, no matter how sincere the reasons are, after all, they are just little shrimps and cannot put any pressure on the officials. The real achievements must be made by those of us with real abilities.
At this time, most of the officials were gearing up, preparing to roll up their sleeves and rush out after the official spoke, showing off the style of a true loyal minister, even thinking about what to write in the history books.
"In the third year of Baoyou, on February 3rd, someone made an impassioned speech in the palace, scolding the Song Emperor for being negligent in choosing a heir. The emperor felt his loyalty, repented, and changed his words to appoint a new heir!"
What a pleasure!
Everyone was staring closely at Zhao Guanjia's lips, waiting for him to make a sound and issue the clarion call for attack.
Zhao Guanjia's face flashed with anger.
Yes, that's it. The angrier we are, the more we can show our selflessness and fearlessness!
It would be best to throw a few more things like yesterday, so that more words can be recorded in the history books.
Officials, come on, what are you waiting for, come on!
Zhao Guanjia jumped up from the throne.
Get mad, get mad!
The ministers were overjoyed, the opportunity to be famous forever and to be remembered forever was right in front of them!
Everyone suppressed their movements and did not allow themselves to make any sound. The entire hall was quiet, waiting for the moment they were looking forward to.
Zhao Guanjia's face was beating wildly, and he seemed to be gnashing his teeth, but he slowly spoke,
"Can!"
The sound was not loud, but it was extremely clear, echoing continuously in the hall.
The ministers seemed to be petrified, staring with dull expressions on their faces.
No! wrong!
Your Majesty, this is wrong!
