Emperor Liu looked at Song Qi with oppression in his eyes. Obviously, what Song Qi was about to say would not make him happy.
Song Qi still had the solemn look on her face, and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, I'd like to speak frankly. The Imperial City Secretary breaks into houses, seizes households, locks up officials and seizes people without asking for evidence. It really undermines the laws of the court and undermines your majesty's wisdom!"
After Song Qi finished speaking, she regained her composure, lowered her head slightly, and waited quietly, as if waiting for a trial.
Everyone present had different expressions, Liu Yang frowned; Wang Zhu looked calm, it was none of his business; Zhao Kuangyi was a little shocked, but there was uncontrollable excitement deep in his eyes, although he didn't know what mistake Song Qi had made. He was crazy and dared to offend the emperor with this matter.
But as soon as such advice came out, Zhao Kuangyi immediately realized the opportunity, an opportunity to remove the stumbling blocks in his career. Moreover, he didn't need to do anything more. He just needed to cheer up and watch the show quietly... …
As for Emperor Liu, his reaction was not very intense and he was not furious. He just glanced at Song Qi in surprise, and then said leisurely: "Song Qing's upright and upright words are accusing me of letting the Imperial City Division go? It's just that , What kind of principles and laws need to be taught to those who have no king or father, are lawless, ignorant and fearless?"
"Your Majesty, if someone breaks the law, there will be a division to judge and deal with it. What does it have to do with the Imperial City Division? There is no Imperial City Division in the judicial structure of the Han Dynasty.
What's more, if you don't follow the laws of the country, then what's the use of your majesty's legislation? Your majesty's emphasis on enforcing the law and having laws to follow will become empty talk, and those who died under the sword of the law in the past were not unjust..."
Hearing Song Qi say such words, Emperor Liu's face finally changed significantly. His eyes widened slightly and he looked at Song Qi, as if to confirm whether he was drunk.
After a moment of pause, Emperor Liu said: "I didn't expect that Song Qing could say such words! I always thought that you were a practical person who was serious and willing to work. When did you become a public official?" Emperor Liu said in his tone. With sarcasm:
"On the surface, they are talking about the issue of the Imperial City Division's law enforcement power, but in fact, they are pointing the finger directly at me!"
Emperor Liu's expression suddenly became serious. Even Song Qizhi's calmness was frightening. Her body tensed, Song Qi said in a deep voice: "I don't dare!"
"Don't you dare?" Emperor Liu's words were full of aggression: "I remember that Fan Zhi and Wang Pu both expressed their opinions to me regarding the matter of Wude Si. They spoke sincerely and heartbroken, as if I was using Wude Si , is the source of chaos in the world, as if the Han Dynasty will be destroyed by the use of Wude Si! At first, I thought that the two of them had a common heart and didn't care about it, so let's forget it!"
At this point, Emperor Liu paused obviously, then stared at Song Qi coldly, and said almost word by word: "Now, you are making comments about the incident of the Imperial City Secretary seizing people. Do you want to follow the example of Fan and Wang?" Are you two trying to gain loyalty by betraying your integrity? Or are you, a member of the Song family, also being demanded, so you can't sit still? It's just been a night, and the court has not yet settled down properly, so Song Qing is so impatient? "
Among the people arrested by the Imperial City Division last night was Song Qi's grandnephew.
The heart-wrenching meaning in Emperor Liu's words was unrelenting. Not to mention Song Qi, even Liu Yang and the other three were a little stunned. Emperor Liu had spoken harsh words to his ministers, scolded and cursed him, and had even directly attacked him before, but this was the first time that he had been so merciless towards a prime minister who held great power.
No matter what Song Qi had in mind, she wanted to remonstrate with the Imperial City Division about the wanton arrests last night, but from the outside, it seemed like they were at least showing loyalty to the country. Emperor Liu compared Fan Zhi and Wang Pu. While he affirmed that the former two were public-minded, he questioned Song Qi's bad intentions and secret ulterior motives.
I have to say that this is a huge humiliation for an important minister like Song Qi. No matter in private, it didn't matter whether the powerful ministers of the Han Dynasty were consistent in their words and deeds, fair and selfless, or whether they were hiding evil and evil. At least on the surface, they had to be perfect, loyal and upright.
And once this is broken, he will no longer be able to stay in a high position, and there is even the possibility of being held accountable. Moreover, when doubts came out of Emperor Liu's mouth, the situation became even more serious.
Inside the Chui Gong Hall, it was quiet, as if everyone's breathing had stopped. Song Qi also didn't expect that Emperor Liu would be able to say these words. She was stunned for a long time before boldly looking up at Emperor Liu.
However, Emperor Liu did not have any guilt or hesitation, his eyes were as cold as two black holes containing huge terror, without any ripples. Seeing this, Song Qi smiled bitterly. Her old body could no longer support her pride, and she was obviously much shorter. She slowly knelt down and said sadly: "Your Majesty spoke so highly of me, I have nothing to say."
"Ha!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu said mercilessly: "Song Qing's words are a bit desolate, and I also heard a bit of grievance. Why, I am the unprincipled king, the one who cannot bear to hear it. A foolish king with loyal advice?"
Facing the aggressive Emperor Liu, Song Qi said no more, but kowtowed vigorously in response. For Song Qi, who was nearly seventy years old, this was not easy, but it was nothing compared to Emperor Liu's expression at this time. The attitude is more dangerous.
Seeing Song Qi being so oppressed by Emperor Liu, Liu Yang couldn't help it. He had always admired Song Qi's talent and moral character, although he didn't know why he wanted to touch Emperor Liu's brow on this matter at this juncture. .
Seeing that Emperor Liu was about to "execute" Song Qi, he finally couldn't stand by and watch, so he took the initiative to say: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song's character and talent are recognized by the government and the public, otherwise you would not entrust him with state affairs. Minister. I believe that everything Prime Minister Song said was fair and outspoken, without any selfish motives. If there is any offense, I hope that with His Majesty's magnanimity, I can forgive it."
As soon as Liu Yang spoke, the almost frozen atmosphere was finally stirred up a bit. A gaze fell calmly on Liu Yang, and Emperor Liu's eyes finally became less gloomy.
Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, it was impossible for Liu Yang to say that he was not nervous at all. However, he did not show any timidity, he just faced it calmly.
After a long time, Emperor Liu looked at Song Qi who was kneeling on the ground again. In a moment, she became senile, as if she had lost her energy. Without relaxing his brows, Emperor Liu said calmly: "The floor of the Chui Gong Hall is very cold. Song Qing, please stop kneeling. You are getting older and this is not good for your health. Go home and take care of yourself!"
Hearing this, Song Qi tensed up, then bowed her hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After saying that, he stood up slowly, step by step, and slowly exited the Chui Gong Hall until he disappeared from everyone's sight. The old and hunched figure reflected in everyone's minds, as if with infinite desolation.
Song Qi retreated, and the atmosphere in the palace became a little strange. Liu Yang, Zhao Kuangyi, and Wang Zhu didn't fully react.
Recalling Song Qi's figure, Liu Yang couldn't bear it and raised his hands: "Your Majesty!"
Emperor Liu stretched out his hand to cut him off and said in a deep voice: "Song Qi's words must be out of public motives. I just said it a little too harshly."
Emperor Liu said this. Before Liu Yang could relax, he heard again: "However, Song Qi can no longer be used. She is nearly seventy years old, so she should retire."
In just a few words, the big man became another prime minister. Although he was not a legitimate prime minister like Zhao Pu, Song Qi had actually assumed the responsibility of the Prime Minister's Affairs Office in the past year.
At this time, in the palace, Zhao Kuangyi, who was still a little gloating about the misfortune, could not help but feel numb and chill in his heart when Emperor Liu dismissed Song Qi so easily.
He expected Song Qi to be unlucky, but he did not expect that Emperor Liu could dismiss the prime minister as easily as drinking water. If Song Qi was like this, what would happen to him, Zhao Kuangyi?
It's scary to think about it carefully, but when you think about it deeply, the gloating in Zhao Kuangyi's heart disappears. He keeps doing mental construction, don't learn from Song Qi, don't learn from Song Qi, don't learn from Song Qi.
At the same time of being frightened, I couldn't help but feel a bit of fire in my heart. After Song Qi's resignation, someone would always need to replace her, could it be said?
(End of chapter)
