If the group of old fellows from the Censorate didn't bark at the morning court in Liyang, it wouldn't have led to chaos among the various factions. The various ministries had always been concise and to the point when announcing matters in court. Because the Emperor was extremely diligent and often worked through the night to approve matters, as officials, they had to be more understanding. All kinds of matters would receive the Emperor's nod or rejection in the central government of the dynasty. The policies passed would then be disseminated to the world and benefit the North and South. Today's morning court was unusually smooth. The Minister of Revenue, Wang Xionggui, reported to the Emperor about last year's land measurement and tax collection in Jiangnan and Guangling, as well as the audit of the various storehouses and granaries. As the next helmsman of the Zhang Faction, Wang Xionggui's knowledge and achievements were outstanding. When he reported, his voice was mellow. Not to mention that the content was a good thing, just Wang Xionggui's calm demeanor was enough to subdue the younger generation in the hall. The Minister of Appointments, Zhao Youling, also gave an old-fashioned and suspicious report of victory. He concluded last year's "Capital Examination" of the achievements of the various officials in the capital. The Emperor also took advantage of the situation to have Minister Zhao, who was born of a concubine, preside over this year's "Great Evaluation" of the world's officials. Yin Maochun, who was "number one among the Prime Ministers," would no longer assist him. Last year's Capital Examination was the Emperor's intention to have Zhao Yousong "kill a chicken with a butcher's knife." In reality, it was to pave the way for "Prime Minister Yin." Everyone in the main hall was well aware that if the Minister of Rites, Lu Daolin, wasn't present in the hall, today, they would have announced that Yin Maochun would be presiding over this year's imperial examination. The so-called disciples spread all over the world, but the number of pillars of the imperial court who could be said to be the mainstay of the imperial court could actually be counted on one's fingers. Old Master Song, Grand Secretary Zhang. It was very simple. Soon after, Chen Zhibao, who rarely spoke in court, opened his eyes. When he took a step to the side and entered the field of vision of all the civil and military officials, a purple-robed official who had been secretly moistening his throat immediately shrank back. Chen Zhibao's words were cold. He spoke about the two Liao Guard Stations and the disbanding of the military towns in Ji Province. He also spoke about the rebellion of the sixteen clans in Nanzhao and Huai Province over the imperial wood. This immediately cooled the festive atmosphere in the palace. However, the important officials in the front row quickly glanced at the Emperor's face and still maintained their smiles. They were not in a hurry to speak. They only smiled and warmly asked Minister Chen to go with them to the Ceremonial Pavilion to discuss slowly with the scholars. Naturally, there would be a few clerks recording and archiving things on the side. Afterwards, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Han Lin, who had a conflict with Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue last year, reported on the matter. There were also two Grand Secretaries of the Ministry of Justice who filled in the gaps and said some irrelevant things.
Then, when the Left Servant Huan Wen finally slowly withdrew his gaze and coughed, everyone immediately became alert. A good show was about to begin.
The blue-eyed, purple-bearded Zhang Julu was standing right next to Tantanon, but he turned a deaf ear to this. He only looked towards an empty space not far from Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan. Two years ago, there was still a chair set up for West Chu's Grand Preceptor Sun Xiji. Only, ever since the old man entered the Ministry of Justice and resigned from his position as the Left Servant, he was' demoted 'to a mere second rank Guangling Dao Scripture Envoy. Now, there was no one left. Grand Secretary Zhang then turned around to look behind him. His student Wang Xionggui and many other ministers were all looking towards Jiang Yongle. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Personnel Zhao Youling who was standing next to him just happened to be looking behind Grand Secretary Zhang. Caught red-handed, Zhao Youling who emerged from Eternal Hui's Spring immediately turned his head. From Eternal Hui First Year to Eternal Hui Fourth Year, it was precisely the beginning of the current emperor's ascension to the throne. Zhang Julu also became the current Grand Secretary at that time, continuously ruling the imperial examinations for four years. He, Zhao Youling, his fellow countryman Yuan Guo, as well as Yin Maochun, Wang Xionggui, and Han Lin, these three were all carps that jumped over the dragon's gate, could be considered fellow disciples of the same master, all of them Grand Secretary Zhang's disciples. However, in the end, it was first Ministry of Works Yuan Guo who left Zhang Dang in dismay, then Yin Maochun who entered Hanlin Academy, establishing his own school. Immediately afterwards, Han Lin was also expelled from Zhang Dang by Grand Secretary Zhang, never stepping foot into that Zhang Dang again. The Ministry of Personnel, which had great authority among the Six Ministries, had always been viewed as Grand Secretary Zhang's own residence. Unfortunately, during these years, they also seemed to be united on the outside, but actually broke apart. Zhao Youling felt a bit of guilt towards this, but it couldn't be said to be regretful. He, Zhao Youling, wasn't willing to submit to others. Being under Grand Secretary Zhang was still fine, but who did that Wang Xionggui think he was? Back then, in the imperial examinations, he only obtained third place. Why was it that Wang Xionggui was the one who was able to enter the eyes of Grand Secretary Zhang and the Imperial Academy's Left Chancellor Huan Wen? And not him, Zhao Youling?! Now that General Gu had left the Ministry of War, the Six Ministries had returned to normal, and the Ministry of Personnel in his hands was in charge, Zhao Youling really wanted to know if the Grand Secretary regretted choosing Wang Xionggui as the future leader of the Zhang Faction!
A trembling voice in the Great Hall interrupted the Minister of Personnel's reverie. Jiang Yongle of the Department for Purging Officials of the Ministry of Rites braced himself and walked out of the ranks. He slowly knelt down and said, "Minister Jiang Yongle has something to report."
When Jiang Yongle gritted his teeth and proposed the posthumous title of the King of Beiliang, the Imperial Court was in an uproar. The meritorious generals even let out undisguised mocking sneers, while the civil officials all had strange expressions.
Zhang Julu frowned, and Tantanon began to stare blankly at the beam of the Great Hall again.
Yang Shenxing, who wore a second-rank lion official robe, was a famous general of the current era who had "made a name for himself" in the Spring and Autumn Period. He had been granted the title of General of An Kingdom. He was already in his eighties, but several generals who were seven or eight years younger than him had lived longer than him. After those old fellows died and were granted posthumous titles, there were few descendants in their families who could hold up the position. As for those who inherited the titles of General of An Kingdom, there was a gap in age between them. Moreover, because their military achievements and reputation were insufficient, it was very difficult for them to be mentioned in the same breath as Yang Shenxing. It could be said that among the military officials of Liyang, other than Gu Jiantang and two other old generals, no one dared to not listen to Yang Shenxing, who was in charge of the military defense of Jingji. The old but sturdy Yang Shenxing saw that no one in the Great Hall was responding, so he casually walked out. When old people entered the Great Hall, they had to kneel, but there was no need for them to do so. Yang Shenxing first cupped his fists and saluted toward the Dragon Throne. He then looked at Jiang Yongle and sneered, "Xu Xiao has committed grave sins. When he was alive, he was the King of Beiliang and even received the title of Pillar of the State. He was already immensely benevolent. Now that he's dead, how can he be worthy of Wu Shiba? Casually pick one of the first few posthumous titles, and the Imperial Court will already be treating Xu Xiao well! "
When the old general said this, Jiang Yongle didn't even dare to breathe loudly. His head was so low that it almost touched the ground. The fourth-rank skylark official patch on his back was clearly soaked with sweat.
The Zhao Family's son leaned back against the Dragon Throne with a faint smile.
The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Lu Shengxiang, stepped out and said calmly, "I think Xu Xiao should be posthumous."
The Imperial Court was in an uproar.
This posthumous title was one of the last few in the list of posthumous titles. Betraying one's superiors and rebelling against one's superiors was almost the same as defining Xu Xiao as a traitor of the Liyang Dynasty.
Many people looked toward the Minister of War, Chen Zhibao, who was in front of Lu Shengxiang. Unfortunately, his tall and straight back was as steady as Mount Tai, and they couldn't see any clues.
Zhao Youling seemed to see the shoulders of the Grand Secretary at the front of the line move slightly.
Then, the former Beiliang official, who was now a relative of the Imperial Court, Yan Jiexi, stepped out. Last year, Sir Yan, who had been appointed as the Grand Secretary of the Cave Abyss Pavilion, shook his sleeves and knelt down. He said in a low voice, "I think the words of the Great General of An Guo are more appropriate."
This disappointed many of the officials who hoped that this fellow would stubbornly insist on giving Xu Xiao a posthumous posthumous title.
However, very quickly, the disappointed officials and generals smiled knowingly. The Right Chancellor of the Imperial College, Jin Lanting, stepped out of the line and said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, I agree with Assistant Minister Lu's suggestion. Xu Xiao has stolen Beiliang, and his treacherous actions are too numerous to be recorded. Only by giving him the posthumous title of 'Military Resistance' can we pacify the people of the world!"
The corner of the Zhao Family's Emperor's mouth curled up, but he still didn't say anything.
The Left Chancellor, Yao Baifeng, snorted. Not only did he step out of the line, but he also intentionally or unintentionally used his shoulder to push Jin Lanting. Only then did he say, "Great General Xu Xiao's contributions to the Imperial Court cannot go unnoticed, and no one can compare to him. The posthumous title that corresponds to his military merits can be either the two words' Resolute 'or' Huan ', which is the most appropriate!"
As a result, there was an uproar all around. No matter how good the officials' mental fortitude was, they also began to whisper to their colleagues beside them.
Jin Lanting sneered, "Xu Xiao has military merits, but they are all opportunities bestowed upon him by the Imperial Court. It is only the trend of the times, but he doesn't know how to be grateful. How can such an ignorant person be worthy of Huan Yilie's posthumous title?! What a joke! Official Yao, aren't you afraid that once this posthumous title is given, the people of the world will be disappointed? "
With Jin Lanting being the first evil person to shed all pretenses of cordiality, the three Grand Secretaries of the Imperial Court, who had already discussed this beforehand, quickly stepped out of the line and agreed with Lu Shengxiang and Jin Lanting's posthumous title.
The big shots of the Imperial Censorate also responded one after another.
The public mood immediately surged, many sarcastic and ear-piercing words appearing. Xiongzhou's great scholar, Yao Baifeng, was so angry his face turned pale.
From start to finish, the Minister of War who should be speaking out against Lame Xu the most didn't open his mouth, and Grand Secretary Zhang who should be adding fuel to the fire also remained silent. During this time, the Ministry of Appointments' Zhao Youling and Ministry of Revenue's Wang Xionggui seemed to have a tacit understanding, both of them wishing to step out at the same time. In the end, Tantanon turned around and glared at them, both of them pulling back their steps with bitter smiles.
In the end, after the emperor stood up, he expressionlessly looked down on the civil and military officials of the Imperial Court, lightly saying this before withdrawing from the court.
"Merits and demerits offset, Xu Xiao's posthumous title is Wu Li."
The civil and military officials, each harboring their own thoughts, filed out of the hall. Many of the important officials' gazes towards the Ministry of Rites' Department for Purging Officials' Jiang Yongle became a bit warmer. This brat was clearly going to run into dog shit luck. Who would have thought that such a great disaster would actually forcefully turn into an enormous blessing for him?
Huan Wen surprisingly didn't leave the hall together with his good friend Zhang Julu, instead quickening his steps, crossing over the threshold early on, walking with all smiles behind Jin Saban who was just about to walk down the white jade steps. He patted his shoulder, telling this refined Right Chancellor that he had something to discuss. Soon after, a robust young man walked to the corner of the corridor outside the hall. Jin Lanting thought that this was his suggestion from the morning court and that it was accepted by the Zhang faction behind Tantanon. He was a bit secretly delighted, feeling that he was most likely going to become Zhang Lu's new noble. In the end, the result was that old man Huan smashed a fist into Jin Lanting's face with all his strength, cursing, "How many knives did I take from you in the past? Later, I'll pay you back according to the amount of silver, you dog thing!"
The Right Chancellor covered his face, staring blankly at the old man's departing figure, as if the sky had collapsed.
On the steps, the Left Chancellor Yao Baifeng and Zhang Julu, who had rarely interacted with each other, were unexpectedly standing side by side today. Huan Wen walked over, and the three elders looked at the imperial road outside the palace gate together. Among the majestic figures of the officials, Chen Zhibao was the most eye-catching.
The civil and military officials of the pillars of the dynasty were all discussing spiritedly. Without exception, they were all waiting to see the new king of Beiliang make a fool of himself. When they thought of the comical scene of the young man receiving the imperial edict, they couldn't stop laughing.
Before Chen Zhibao walked out of the palace gate, he turned his head to look at the roof of the main hall.
On this side of the steps, Huan Wen was still angry, saying, "What a wonderful season of hibernation!"
Zhang Julu sneered softly, "All living things are shaken when they come out, and hibernating insects are startled away."
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