The next day.
In the Imperial Palace of Da Chu, the new king came to court early.
Xiang Chong was so excited that he changed into his dragon robe and crown early, and while he was waiting for the auspicious occasion in the back hall, he asked all the officials to kowtow to him, the new king of Chu.
"Mother, do you think my son looks like an emperor?"
Xiang Chong walked around with his head held high and his chest held high.
Empress Dowager Li smiled and said: "My son is also a member of the Xiang clan and a Miao descendant of Taizu. Of course he looks like an emperor. Especially when my son puts on the dragon robe, he looks more like an emperor than anyone else."
Eunuch Chen, who was listening to the conversation between mother and son, found it unpleasant.
If the son is not smart, how come the mother is also confused?
The emperor is the emperor, not an actor, so why do we need to ask whether he looks like him or not?
But Eunuch Chen is a true slave and has never forgotten his duty as a slave.
Even if he had a problem with his master in his heart, he would never say it out loud.
"How many civil and military officials have come?" Xiang Chong asked again.
Eunuch Chen is the chief steward of the palace and has countless spies in the palace.
Eunuch Chen knew how many courtiers came to the main hall.
"Your Majesty, according to the laws of Chu, officials with an annual salary of two thousand dan or more can go to the pilgrimage every day."
"There are a total of 732 civil and military officials in the capital who meet the standards."
Xiang Chong said happily: "More than 700 people came to kowtow to me?!"
"Forehead……"
Eunuch Chen really doesn't understand.
He is obviously the emperor of Chu, but he only wants to have hundreds of people kowtow to him?
Fan still controls the power of Da Chu, but Xiang Chong seems to be completely unaware and doesn't feel nervous at all?
Eunuch Chen patiently explained: "There are more than 700 civil and military ministers who are qualified to go to court, but officials at all levels must keep people on duty, and there are also many ministers on personal leave, sick leave, and overseas ministers in Beijing..."
"Okay, okay."
Xiang Chong listened to Eunuch Chen's chatter and realized that there were not that many people kowtowing to the court, so his interest was suddenly halved.
"Just tell me directly, how many people should come today, how many people have already arrived, and how many people are still missing? I will severely punish those who should come but don't come!"
"Ah?" Eunuch Chen said in shock.
On the first day of the new king's reign, instead of extending kindness and amnesty to the world, he severely punished the ministers?
Is this appropriate?
Xiang Chong glared: "What? I can't punish my subordinates for despising their superiors? Where is the majesty of the emperor? Where is the decency of the emperor and his ministers?"
"Everything your Majesty said is right!"
Although Eunuch Chen could crush Xiang Chong to death with one finger, he immediately knelt down and agreed.
The old eunuch said helplessly: "Today, there should be at least 365 civil and military officials who are expected to go to court to pay homage to the new king. In fact, there are 364 people, and there is still one person missing..."
"Is there really anyone who dares not to come?"
Xiang Chong was so angry that he laughed instead.
"Publish a decree to remove that ungrateful guy from office, put him in jail, have his home confiscated, and then exterminate his clan!"
Eunuch Chen was surprised and said: "But your Majesty..."
Xiang Chong waved his hand to interrupt: "Destroy the nine tribes! No one is allowed to plead!"
"But that person is Fan Li..."
"Cough cough cough!!!"
Xiang Chong coughed violently, and his face turned the color of pig liver.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier!?"
Eunuch Chen smiled bitterly.
Tell me earlier?
Have you given people a chance to speak?
"Eunuch Chen, didn't I ask you to go to Fan Mansion to deliver the order? Why didn't Fan Li come?" Queen Mother Li said with a straight face.
"this……"
Eunuch Chen didn't have the shame to say it, he just turned his eyes to the sky.
What he meant was simple: it was not yet time, Fan Li just didn't come, but he was not late.
"No more waiting for Fan Li! I will go to court now!"
When Xiang Chong thought of Fan Li, he felt uncomfortable all over.
He was really afraid that Fan Li would come soon. If he refused to kneel down and kowtow to him, it would really make it impossible for him to step down.
Simply, let’s enjoy the obeisance of hundreds of officials first!
"Eunuch Chen, please drive to the Jinluan Palace." Xiang Chong said proudly.
The old eunuch was speechless for a while.
Isn't this in the back hall of Jinluan Hall? Just around the corner is the front hall, why bother?
"Yes, let's get started." Eunuch Chen said weakly.
Front hall.
All the civil and military officials looked solemn, and no one spoke, not even a whisper.
The ministers only exchanged information with their eyes, obviously knowing that today was a very special day.
"Your Majesty comes to court."
Suddenly, the ministers heard the voice of the eunuch in charge.
They moved skillfully and started to take positions according to their grades and attributes.
Xiang Chong sat down on the dragon chair and looked down at the civil and military officials of Chu.
Ah!
Is this the emperor’s perspective?
It’s so cool!
"kneel."
Eunuch Chen knew what the new emperor was expecting, so he didn't waste any time and went straight to the point.
"I, my ministers, are here to see my emperor. Long live, long live, long live."
As expected, all the officials knelt down.
Xiang Chong looked at the officials who were kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times, but felt inexplicably awkward.
Obviously they were very skilled in kneeling and kowtowing, but when more than 300 people kowtowed together, it was completely uneven.
In addition to the untidy movements of kneeling, the ministers' shouts of long live were sporadic.
"The opera troupe sings better than them." Xiang Chong said depressedly in his heart.
Perhaps, this was how it was in the previous dynasty?
Xiang Chong didn't believe that the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty dared to fool him.
But as soon as he found a place for the civil and military officials and himself to step down, he saw a stalwart figure walking towards him outside the Jinluan Hall.
"The Prime Minister is here!"
The eunuch outside the palace sang, and Xiang Chong became energetic!
No, he must be nervous.
"Prime Minister? Why don't you call out your name?" Xiang Chong said in his heart.
Fan Li smiled and walked into the Golden Palace.
Almost at the same time, all the officials in the court stood up.
All the officials acted in unison, bowing to Fan Li from both sides.
"I'll wait for you. I've met the Prime Minister."
Although there is no need to kneel down, it is just a bow.
The wording is also very simple, using 'seen' instead of 'see'.
But the movements of the officials were too neat and their voices were too loud.
In terms of momentum, it completely overwhelmed the mountain that just shouted "Long live"!
"Fuck!" Xiang Chong cursed in his heart.
It turns out that it’s not that the civil and military officials can’t do it, they just don’t want to bow down to themselves. Were they fooling someone just now? !
Fan Li walked to the front of the queue of officials and smiled slightly at Xiang Chong who was sitting on the dragon chair.
Xiang Chong was laughed at so much that he felt uncomfortable, and even saw Fan Li wearing a sword at his waist.
"Be bold!"
Xiang Chong was overly nervous and blurted out.
"Fan Li, you are a minister, and I am the king. You didn't worship the king when you went to court, and you even wore weapons. Are you going to rebel...?"
Because he was too nervous, Xiang Chong almost added, "Eunuch Chen, take him down."
Fortunately, Xiang Chong endured it. He also knew that all the money and food in Chu State were secretly controlled by Fan's Trading Company, and the most elite garrison was also obedient to Fan's orders.
Take down Fan Li?
Even he can't do such stupid things.
Fan Li smiled.
Hearing Xiang Chong question himself like this, of course he had to laugh.
"His Majesty."
Fan Li only said two words, which made Xiang Chong tremble slightly with excitement.
"He called me His Majesty? Did Fan Li admit that I was the emperor? Hahahaha!"
Xiang Chong smiled from ear to ear, and the anger and tension he felt just now were immediately thrown away.
"Um...please tell me, dear?" Xiang Chong looked like a courteous corporal.
Fan Li nodded: "Your Majesty, I have the right to enter the court without rushing, to praise and worship without being named, to go to the palace with swords and shoes, and to meet the king without kneeling. Don't you know?"
