English Novel
Chapter 32 - You Want Me to Issue an Edict of Repentance?
Chapter 32 You Want Me to Issue an Edict of Repentance?
Late Night.
The imperial city of the Great Zhou Dynasty was brightly lit.
Around the streets of the imperial city, fearsome black-armored soldiers and Royal Shadow Guards patrolled back and forth, exuding a murderous aura.
The wails and cries of officials echoed through the entire imperial city, lingering for a long time before fading away.
Once everything had completely quieted down, the civil and military officials of the court received the news immediately. Horrified, they looked toward the depths of the imperial palace, trembling with fear.
“This involves hundreds of officials, yet His Majesty dared to do this!”
“After tonight, the Great Zhou Dynasty is likely to undergo a drastic change!”
Countless ministers were filled with terror, feeling their scalps tingle.
They had never imagined that Gu Changsheng’s methods would be so ruthless.
Hundreds of officials, along with their entire families, were executed without mercy.
The number of people killed in this purge easily amounted to tens of thousands!
Did His Majesty not understand how serious the consequences would be for doing this?
While the court’s civil and military officials feared they might be the next to be purged by the new emperor, a wave of public opinion began to quickly spread through the imperial city, drawing the attention of the entire court.
“The new emperor has ascended the throne, but he is muddle-headed and tyrannical. In just a few short days, he has slaughtered hundreds of Great Zhou’s most loyal ministers.”
“How can such a cruel tyrant ascend to the throne and rule over Great Zhou? This is a misfortune for the dynasty, a tragedy for the people.”
…
For a time, the news that the new emperor was foolish and tyrannical, mercilessly killing hundreds of loyal officials, spread like wildfire.
Like a storm, this rumor swept through the imperial city, causing a great commotion.
Even though it was late at night, the entire imperial city, from the highest-ranking officials to the common people, received the news.
“Sigh!”
“The struggle between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager is like a battle of gods, and we mortals are the ones who suffer!”
The faces of the court officials were filled with gloom, and they all remained silent about the events of the night, deeply avoiding any discussion.
Compared to the commoners, who knew nothing, these ministers naturally understood what had happened.
Tonight, hundreds of officials were executed, their families implicated.
This was a power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the new emperor.
By the time of the morning court session, it was likely that the new emperor and the Empress Dowager would be at each other’s throats again!
…
In the palace.
Late at night.
Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, while Commander Qing Long was reporting something by his side.
“Your Majesty, tonight’s events have stirred up a great deal of public opinion.”
“Many cultivators and commoners in the imperial city are slandering and defaming you.”
“According to investigations by the Royal Shadow Guards, the mastermind behind this is the Empress Dowager.”
“Your Majesty, should we step in and stop all of this?”
Commander Qing Long spoke in a low, grave tone.
“No need.”
“If I dared to take action against these hundreds of officials, it means I have sufficient evidence in my hands.”
“By the time we convene the court session, the crisis of public opinion will naturally be resolved.”
Gu Changsheng remained calm and indifferent, completely unconcerned about the rumors circulating in the imperial city.
He knew very well that all of this was orchestrated by the Empress Dowager.
In fact, the Empress Dowager would love for him to send out enforcers to suppress the rumors and thereby lose the support of the people.
However, as long as he could present the evidence of these officials’ crimes in court, the Empress Dowager would have no grounds to challenge him.
At that point, the rumors and slanders circulating in the imperial city would collapse on their own.
…
The Next Day!
The Hour of Mao!
Tai Chi Hall.
At the head of the hall, Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe and a crown, his expression stern and dignified. His aura was commanding and awe-inspiring, intimidating all who beheld him.
To his left, the Empress Dowager sat in her chair, her demeanor noble and elegant, adorned with a splendid crown, her expression cold and lazy.
Below them, the civil and military officials stood in two lines, arranged according to their ranks.
“Morning court is in session!”
At this moment, the chief eunuch, Xia Wudao, stepped forward and called out loudly to the assembled officials.
“Hail His Majesty! Long live the emperor!”
The civil and military officials bowed slightly, their expressions respectful as they all knelt and greeted him in unison.
“Rise, my ministers.”
Gu Changsheng spoke coldly, his tone filled with authority.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The officials straightened up and expressed their gratitude in unison.
After the formalities were concluded, the chief eunuch, Xia Wudao, took a deep breath and called out,
“Those with matters to report, speak now. If you don’t, the court is dismissed.”
“Your Majesty, I have a matter to present!”
At this moment, an elderly man in black court robes, his hair white, stepped forward from the ranks of civil officials. He cupped his hands in a bow and spoke loudly.
When his voice fell, the civil and military officials glanced at the old man with changing expressions but said nothing.
This man was Zhao Ze, the Imperial Censor, a high-ranking official who had made many enemies at court.
If not for the protection of the Empress Dowager, Zhao Ze’s tomb would likely be covered in grass by now.
At this moment, Zhao Ze stepping forward was certainly a sign that he was acting under the Empress Dowager’s orders.
The civil and military officials were not fools. They could all guess that this was related to the events of the previous night.
Recalling what had happened, the officials felt a chill in their hearts, choosing to remain silent in fear.
Zhao Ze, as the Imperial Censor, might have the Empress Dowager’s backing, but by standing up at this time, was he not afraid of earning the new emperor’s enmity?
Gu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he looked at Zhao Ze with feigned curiosity and asked, “Pray tell, Imperial Censor, what do you wish to report?”
Hearing this, Zhao Ze took a deep breath, straightened his back, and, in a loud and upright voice, said, “I am here to impeach Your Majesty!”
“When a new emperor ascends, he should appoint the wise, work hard for the country, and care for the people.”
“Yet Your Majesty, just after ascending the throne, has wantonly slaughtered loyal officials, harming the backbone of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
“The imperial city is now filled with fear. Countless cultivators and commoners are discussing Your Majesty’s cruelty, calling you a tyrant, heartless and ruthless.”
“I implore Your Majesty to issue a decree acknowledging your mistakes, make an official announcement to the people, and quell the public’s resentment!”
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