The Taiqian Hall was where hundreds of officials discussed politics, and the Emperor Zhou Ke was in the side hall at this time, which was the Jingzhi Hall.
Jingzhi Hall can be entered from the back side of the dragon chair in Taiqian Hall, which is also where the emperor usually went to court to approve memorials.
When the young prince Zhou Yan, the chief steward of Prince You's Mansion Zhao Xiang, and the guard commander Zhang Zhuo came to Jingzhi Hall, they all felt a thump in their hearts.
The huge palace was empty except for the emperor Zhou Ke, who was sitting behind the imperial case.
You must know that no matter where the emperor goes, he will always be accompanied by a group of eunuchs. This is a standard feature. They serve tea and water, run errands, etc. They flatter the emperor when he is in a good mood and act as a punching bag when the emperor is in a bad mood.
Zhou Yan, with a sullen face, came to the middle of the hall and saluted: "My son, I would like to pay my respects to my father."
Zhao Xiang and Zhang Zhuo followed Zhou Yan, one kneeling on one knee and the other on both knees.
Zhou Ke was not wearing a dragon robe, only a black gown. The candles on both sides of the imperial desk were flickering, reflecting half of the emperor's gloomy face.
"King You..." The emperor's voice was a little hoarse, and his voice was very soft, so soft that everyone had to listen attentively: "Come to me."
Zhou Yan stood up and cautiously came to the imperial case, feeling anxious.
"Hold the lamp."
The emperor said softly again, Zhao Xiang and Zhang Zhuo quickly stood up and lit the candles on both sides of the hall.
Suddenly the lights in the palace were brightly lit, the emperor's body leaned back slightly, and his slightly bookish face was clearly visible.
Everyone in the Zhou Dynasty knew that the emperor who had just ascended the throne was a general who was immediately born. In the eyes of many people, this emperor must be a strong and muscular man, but this is not the case.
Not only is the emperor not strong, but he looks a little thin in his long gown. That's all. His handsome facial features are full of bookishness, and he looks more like a scholar. A frustrated scholar, with countless unsatisfactory features between his brows. .
It is hard to imagine that such a person, who looks more like a Confucian scholar than a general, could respond to every call in the palace at dozens of places in the Three Passes and Twelve Roads. He even gained the support of all the generals in the Ministry of War immediately after killing the former emperor.
After that, he killed the former eldest prince and quickly ascended the throne. From before to after he ascended the throne, in less than two years, he sat in the capital and used thunderous means to kill all possible "dissatisfied" voices in the various states. In the cradle.
By now, officials from various states in the Zhou Dynasty, including the imperial court, have become accustomed to the new Nine-Five Supreme Being sitting on the dragon throne and giving orders.
Zhou Ke is not that old, just in his mid-thirties.
Many people, officials in the court and people from aristocratic families couldn't figure out one thing. Zhou Ke had only been in the army for more than ten years. Because he was suppressed by his master's family, he was transferred to other posts at various times. It could take as long as a year or as short as a few months. In another place, how did he "buy" various generals in such a short period of time?
No one knows, no one can figure it out, and it is impossible for the emperor to take the initiative to explain.
But these are no longer important. What is important is that Zhou Ke has already become the master of this palace and the father of the people in the world.
Zhou Ke closed the memorial in his hand and said calmly: "Yan'er has not been to the palace for some time."
"I know my mistake." Zhou Yan saluted again, a little frightened.
"I know it's boring in the palace. Yan'er, you have a young mind and you have to behave yourself when you enter the palace. It's very annoying."
Zhou Ke showed a smile and pushed the memorial forward: "It's a coincidence. I just read a memorial and haven't approved it yet. How about Yan'er taking a look at it for me?"
Zhou Yan raised his head, his little face full of confusion: "My child doesn't understand political affairs."
"Then let me tell you that the memorial was written by Zheng Pang Runtang, the military supervisor of Xunyang Road. It said that Shu Gaoyi, the son of the magistrate of Hongcheng in Xunyang Road, took six strong bows from the military warehouse in the north of the city with his servants. , fifteen thorny shields, and twelve spears, does Yaner know why?"
"My son, I don't know."
"It turns out that Shu Gaoyi had a quarrel with the son of another high-ranking family in Hong City. He was a young man with a strong temper. The dandy from the other family left the house and had many slaves. He also supported many idle men in the city. Shu Gaoyi was humiliated and there were not many servants at home, so he took his father's seal and forcibly obtained many weapons, which almost caused a catastrophe in a fight."
Zhou Yan suddenly realized: "The governor of Hongcheng is incapable of discipline. Weapons are the most important part of military equipment and cannot be used for personal use."
"Yes, but I have heard about the governor of Hongcheng. Liangxiu Qingfeng is a rare and honest person. The Ministry of Li and Li also sent many people to Hongcheng to inquire about it. This governor can take the responsibility of loving the people like a son and for the sake of the people in the city. Due to political matters, it is common to not return to the house for three to five days."
Zhou Ke pointed to the soft cushion next to him, motioned for Zhou Yan to sit down, and then continued: "It's a bit harsh to say that Zhizhou's discipline is not good. I feel that he is negligent in discipline."
"What my father said is that the governor of the state loves the people like his son. He lives in the government office and is busy with official duties. Although he neglects his son, he puts his energy on the people in the city."
"That's right." Zhou Ke smiled slightly: "There is nothing wrong with Zhizhou. Before taking office, his son Shu Gaoyi studied in the mansion all day long. He was a little gentle, but he was not a domineering person. Yan'er knows why Shu Gaoyi changed to what he is today. So naughty?"
"Relying on his father's official authority?"
"That's not the case, but he met a gangster in a private school and went astray. The dude took Shu Gaoyi around the city all day long, going to wine shops, brothels, gambling stalls and other indecent places. Since then, his temperament has changed drastically, and he is eager to fight. He is ruthless and ignorant."
Zhou Yan was stunned for a moment, feeling that there was something in his father's words.
The emperor took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Because Shu Gaoyi used weapons privately, the military supervisor of Xunyang Road submitted a memorial to the Ministry of War. Shu Gaoyi's father was the magistrate of Hongcheng, so this memorial came to my court. Above, Yan'er, please tell me how to deal with it?"
"My son..." Zhou Yan lowered his head: "My son, I feel... I feel that if it doesn't lead to a big mistake, I can just give him a small punishment."
"Should we punish Zhizhou, punish Shu Gaoyi, or...punish Shu Gaoyi's friend?"
Zhou Yan sighed and muttered: "I knew this was the case."
"What was said in a low voice?" The emperor said with a half-smile, "I didn't hear clearly, so the voice was louder."
"Father, son and minister..."
Zhou Yan hesitated: "My child wants to say...you...can you be like before?"
"before?"
"Just like when you were in the army, you seem to have changed since you came to the throne, as if... you are like those ministers who hide a hundred twists and turns in one sentence."
"good!"
With a "pop" sound, the emperor slapped the emperor's case and cursed loudly: "Teacher of the Prince's Palace, you are the one to hire him, but you got your damn brain kicked by a wild donkey in the mountains. There are so many famous scholars and scholars in the capital, you You just want to find a guy with a hairless mouth, and I ask you if you are sincere, or if you are sincere and angry with me!"
Zhou Yan pouted: "Who said you are incapable of learning at a young age?"
"How dare you fucking talk back!"
"Father, could you please stop shouting so loudly?"
"Oh, my dear mother." The emperor suddenly stood up: "I am your father, the emperor. I can yell at whoever I want. What can you do!"
"There is no need to be incompetent and furious. If roaring is useful..." Zhou Yan sniffed: "Donkeys will rule the world."
In the main hall, both those who were silent and those who were not silent were silent and silent.
Zhao Xiang and Zhang Zhuo were frightened out of their wits.
The emperor's face was uncertain. He stared at Zhou Yan for a long time and nodded slightly: "It makes some sense."
