In the main hall, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
After Sun Xiji closed his eyes and passed away, Tang Shi became the most senior official in Da Chu's court. This old man had always chosen to stand by and watch during the previous farce. The Huai Yin Tang family was not one of the ten great clans of the Spring and Autumn Period. They rose during the founding of Da Chu, flourished during the golden age of Da Chu, and declined during the last years of Da Chu. It could be said that the Huai Yin Tang family was the one that truly shared weal and woe with the Jiang family of Da Chu. After the fall of Da Chu, no one from the Tang family entered the Li Yang officialdom. After the restoration of West Chu, the Tang family was one of the first families to respond to Cao Changqing. Although everyone knew that Tang Shi and Sun Xiji did not have the same political views, it was a true dispute between gentlemen. They each had their own cliques, and there had never been any internal strife. Tang Shi was probably the first official to notice that Sun Xiji's light was about to be extinguished. At that time, Tang Shi did not feel happy at all. Instead, it was as if he had a bad neighbor who had quarreled with him for a lifetime but had never fought with him.
The old man did not look at the emperor. He stared at the legendary young vassal king and asked calmly, "The King of Beiliang did not leave Da Chu's capital yesterday? Did you come here today to kill people and obtain the merit of quelling the rebellion? "
Without waiting for Hsu Fengnian to answer, the old man raised his arm and pointed at his head with a jade tablet. He smiled and said, "If that is the case, why don't you start with me, Tang Shi? Da Chu's Huai Yin Tang is in charge of political affairs, secondary first rank. I think my head has some weight. "
Soon, a military official stepped forward. It was the burly man who had asked "May I ask where Cao Changqing is?" He laughed loudly and said, "Everyone says that the King of Beiliang's martial arts are top-notch. Then, Da Chu's military officials will start with me, Zhao Yunhao! I hope that the King of Beiliang will not despise me, Da Chu's Zhennan General, for not having a prominent official position! "
Da Chu could be destroyed, or it could be destroyed by the Li Yang army. The only thing they couldn't do was to fall into the hands of the Xu family again!
Hsu Fengnian's hand pressed down on Jiang Ni's head slightly increased in strength, indicating that she should not speak. He looked at the civil and military figures, one in front and one behind, and then raised his gaze to look even further into the distance. With a smile, he said, "Okay, Teacher Tang, Zhao Yunhao, This King will remember the two of you. Wait a moment. Two was too little. If This King wanted to kill them, he would kill them both. Then who would be willing to give up their heads as a gift? General Zhao was right. Cao Changqing wasn't in the capital, so they couldn't think of anyone who could stop This King from killing people. The Minister of Appointments, Gu Yang, Hanlin Academy Scholar, Li Changji, Cheng Wenyu, Assistant Minister of Rites, Su Yang, why aren't you all standing out? Or are you saying that you've found a way out and can't bear to die? If This King didn't remember wrongly, your families all had people who died for the country after the Battle of the Western Wall. "
Among the four, only the elderly Gu Yang walked out silently to Teacher Tang's side. The other three didn't move, especially Cheng Wenyu and Li Changji, the two great literary figures of the time. They were so scared that their faces were pale.
Following Old Minister Gu's resolute decision to die, the civil and military officials gradually moved from the left and right to the middle. There were people who were in their thirties, in their forties, in their ears, and in their seventies.
In the main hall, there were more than fifty high-ranking officials and dignitaries who were loved by the people. They were the pillars of Da Chu's country. In the end, half of them chose to be loyal officials who would die without a doubt. The other half were naturally fence-sitters other than the strong wind and the strong grass.
The heroic stupidity, the intelligent humility.
At this moment, there was a clear distinction.
Jiang Ni turned her head away and didn't let him put his hand on her head.
Hsu Fengnian didn't argue with her and didn't seem to have any intention of killing people in the main hall. He smiled and said, "My Beiliang cavalry is going south to Guangling Road. Whether or not we're going to quell the rebellion depends on everyone's attitude. Your Emperor is personally leading the troops at the frontlines. The one standing beside This King right now is just a silly daughter who ran away from home. As long as you're willing to take a step back, This King will pretend that nothing happened. On the Western Wall battlefield, the West Chu Emperor can continue to boost the morale of the army. You bunch of civil and military officials can continue to point out the country or find your own way out. How about it? If there's anyone who doesn't want to take a step back, This King will really go on a killing spree today and throw all your heads to Wu Zhongxuan or Xu Gong. As for whether you believe me or not, that's up to you. I'll give you the time it takes to burn a stick of incense to weigh the pros and cons. No, only the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. "
When he said the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Hsu Fengnian casually glanced at the long imperial road outside the main hall. For some reason, he changed it to the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.
Hsu Fengnian's thumb slowly pushed the knife out of its sheath an inch or so. The small bit of light was particularly dazzling.
Hsu Fengnian continued, "It's not important whether Da Chu has Jiang Ni or not. As long as there's Jiang Si on the Western Front, it's enough. Isn't that right? "
Hsu Fengnian looked at Hanlin Academy Scholar Li Changji, who didn't have a jade tablet in his hands, and emphasized, "Scholar Li, isn't that right?"
Li Changji, who no longer had his previous strength of character, nodded and said, "Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness is right. "
In the main hall, some of the officials who hadn't walked out of their ranks started to look at their colleagues. Some people started to softly persuade their family friends or relatives, using emotion and reason. Some people even secretly ran over and tried to pull back the officials standing in the middle of the main hall.
At the same time, some people pretended not to see, some turned a deaf ear, and some even angrily rebuked. Only a few officials returned to their positions with faces full of shame.
Seeing this scene, Hsu Fengnian, who had a calm expression, actually had mixed feelings.
Da Chu used to be the backbone of the Central Plains.
Therefore, when Da Chu fell, the Central Plains sank.
One could only imagine how tragic the soul-stirring Battle of the Western Wall was.
When someone noticed that Hsu Fengnian's expression was becoming more and more serious, someone finally had a mental breakdown. Assistant Minister of Rites Su Yang, who had been secretly colluding with the Li Yang military, suddenly shivered. As if he suddenly had an epiphany, he quickly walked to the position behind Minister Tang and smiled flatteringly at Hsu Fengnian. "Your Highness, I am Su Yang from West Chu's Ministry of Rites. When will Your Highness' cavalry from the border arrive outside the capital of West Chu?"
Instead of being dragged to the grave by a group of idiots, he, Su Yang, might as well choose the lesser of two evils. Although relying on the Northern Liang would definitely cause him to suffer in the future, and it was far from being able to directly connect with General Li Yang, it was still better than not being able to see the sun outside the hall.
Da Chu's Assistant Minister of Rites, kept saying "West Chu".
Hsu Fengnian clicked his tongue and said, "It seems that Assistant Minister Su's position is not too high, but you are the smartest person in this big house. It's a pity that you are only an assistant minister. If This King was the Li Yang Emperor, he would let you be the Minister of Rites in charge of the imperial court. "
Su Yang, who was sweating profusely, was able to become an assistant minister. After all, he was not really that stupid. How could he not hear the ridicule in the young king's words? He said resentfully, "Your Highness, you are overpraising me."
Hsu Fengnian moved his thumb away and the cold blade quickly returned to its scabbard.
Su Yang was immediately delighted.
Hsu Fengnian turned his head and stared at Jiang Ni. He softly teased, "Yesterday, I didn't insist that you immediately leave the capital because I was afraid that you would be unable to think clearly. Today is different. If you still don't understand, then I will have to knock you out and carry you away."
She blinked and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Hsu Fengnian did not turn his head. He reached out and casually pointed at the civil and military officials, "There are people like Master Tang, Gu Yang, and Zhao Yunhao. It means that your trip to West Chu was not in vain. But there are also people like Su Yang, Li Changji, and Cheng Wenyu. It means that you have no reason to stay in West Chu and wait for death. You are a stupid girl. Don't think that you are an emperor after being an empress for a few days. Da Chu's people in West Chu are like what I told you yesterday. They have a choice. Most people are not destined to die. Now, they are in a situation where those who wish to die can die, and those who wish to live can live. Now, tell me, when will you leave with me? "
She subconsciously wanted to turn around. If something happened, she would hide first!
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