The Child Emperor

The status of an aristocratic family is not only reflected in its own children. Through marriage, relatives and friends, fellow villagers, classmates, and disciples, each family can form a powerful force in a wide range.

The aristocratic family, as well as the small families under the aristocratic family's wings, had the most soldiers and private slaves. When the emperor became more and more strict and really wanted to do something, they were the most dissatisfied.

Prior to this, although the officials of the DPRK and the central government offered their resignations one after another, they were all temptations, and they were not sincere. If the emperor directly issued the imperial edict, they would also abide by it.

On the morning of the last day of February, I got up early and opened the door to welcome all the officials and servants who entered the mansion. They were shocked to find that the gentlemen did not show up on time, but sent their servants to the house, saying that they were on leave.

Officials, Rites, Soldiers, Households, Punishments, and Workers, Censor Terrace, Dali Temple, Zongzheng Mansion... But all the important ministries of the imperial court, officials refused to come, only Shang Shu and Shi Lang showed up, leaving one or two guards In the yamen, the top chief went to Qinzheng Hall to report the situation.

The ministers of the Qinzheng Hall gathered together, a total of five people, the Prime Minister, the Censor of Zuo Cha, the Minister of Officials, the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of Household, without saying a few words, other adults came one after another, waiting for the order outside the hall. Get called soon.

The dozen or so officials with the highest official positions in Da Chu have basically all arrived, and only Qu Zixi, the censor of the right patrol, and Jiang Juying, the chief seal officer of the General's House, are still running around outside.

All the ministers stepped forward to explain the absence of the yamen. There were more than 500 people in total, concentrated between the fourth and seventh ranks. The higher officials did not want to be the first, and the lower ones were not qualified to participate, and they all stuck to their posts. .

No one made any demands, they just complained that they couldn't get out of bed, and had no choice but to take a few days off.

After hearing this, Han Ruzi looked at the ministers in the hall and knew very well that these people were not innocent, and officials would not dare to do such a thing without their secret permission.

The ministers are also very clear in their hearts that the emperor has seen through everything, and it is up to the emperor to abide by the rules again.

I've been busy recently, and everyone has really worked hard. I have passed my will, and all staff will take three days off. Han Ruzi got up and left.

The ministers in the hall knelt down and sent off, and as soon as the figure of the emperor disappeared, everyone immediately began to talk about it.

Han Ruzi went to Lingyun Pavilion. The consultants were still there, and no one was absent. Han Ruzi ordered them to go back to the yamen, do nothing, let alone say more, just sit in the lobby.

There are only more than 40 advisors who have been appointed to official positions, which cannot support the operation of the court.

Han Ruzi discussed current affairs with the remaining advisors as usual, and approved a few memorials when he had time. However, no one in the Zhongshu Department reported illness and was still serving the emperor normally.

In the afternoon, the situation became serious, and the rumors of illness spread to the yamen in Jingzhaoyin Mansion and other places. Some small officials of good deeds also claimed that the waist was sore and the legs were sore. Either openly or secretly, they went home to rest, and the yamen was even more empty. .

The emperor still did not move, he just passed the decree announcing a three-day vacation. However, the communication of the imperial decree required the cooperation of many officials. Now that everyone is resting, the imperial decree can only be posted on the gates of a few ministries, and then passed on by word of mouth.

On this day, the emperor remained silent, as if he had expected this to happen.

The next morning, the emperor went to Qinzheng Hall as normal, chatted a few irrelevant words with the ministers, and went to Lingyun Pavilion again.

The emperor is not in a hurry, naturally some people are in a hurry.

Cui Teng had been stripped of his title, but he remained in the Su Guard Army as a close minister to the emperor, and it was easier to see the emperor than general advisors.

Why is Your Majesty still acting like nothing? Cui Teng looked panicked, This is an obvious provocation. If you don't teach them a lesson, you won't be able to rebel in the future.

No hurry, wait until the vacation is over. Han Ruzi said.

Then it's too late. Cui Teng stepped forward and lowered his voice unnecessarily, I heard that the generals in the army are also conspiring to participate in this matter.

Both the South and North armies were outside the Great Wall, and there was only the Suwei Army in the capital. There were many children of aristocratic families in the army, so of course they would not stay out of it.

Han Ruzi raised his head, The general is also making trouble?

Yeah, that's what I heard. What they mean is that the generals guarding the palace and His Majesty perform their duties normally, take turns off and the generals outside the palace are sick, just like those civil servants.

Han Ruzi asked, How do you think I should deal with it?

Cui Teng thought for a while, I'm really not sure about this, I just think it needs to be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise, how can we fight the Huns?

Yeah, Xiongnu... I originally wanted to take advantage of the breakup of the Xiongnu to completely subdue the Huns who had not yet descended, thinking that it was a barrier to the north, but now it seems that not only the civil servants are not credible, but the military generals also have different opinions, and I need to find another way.

Don't, I think Your Majesty only needs to take a step back. Civil and military officials will still work together to support His Majesty.

Retreat? How to retreat? I'm walking on a cliff now, and I may fall into the abyss if I take a step back. You step back, I have my own ideas.

Cui Teng was helpless and had to step back. After salute, he said, Your Majesty, the Cui family has nothing to do with this matter, really, it has nothing to do with it at all.

Han Ruzi smiled and said, I know that here is your father's memorial, explaining things clearly.

Cui Teng breathed a sigh of relief and exited the room.

Han Ruzi continued to read the memorial, and Zhang Youcai, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but said, This Cui Teng is a little weird today.

Don't make another mistake. Han Ruzi said without looking up.

Zhang Youcai stuck out his tongue and hurriedly shut his mouth, not daring to talk nonsense any more.

The King of the East Sea asked to see him in the afternoon, he didn't want to see the emperor, but was urged by Cui Teng, I told him, Your Majesty must have a way to deal with it, but he was too anxious to say what I said, His Majesty would listen, let me persuade me to persuade him. Your Majesty, it's ridiculous.

What's so funny? Han Ruzi asked seriously.

The King of the East Sea gave a long uh, Your Majesty must have been prepared, Cui Teng is completely unfounded.

What preparations do I have?

The King of the East Sea smiled bitterly, How do I know this, I just think that His Majesty has always been cautious, and the abolition of private slaves is not a whim for a day or two, and there must be a response to the minister's sabotage.

I allow you to take a guess, just forgive you.

The King of the East Sea laughed dryly, Hu guessing, Your Majesty has appointed a group of officials in various ministries and departments, and they are loyal to Your Majesty. When necessary, Your Majesty can completely remove a group of leading officials who report illness and let His Majesty's people replace them. Logically, it is impossible for officials to be so united, most of them are probably bewitched, or because of human feelings, they have to participate in the trouble, once His Majesty kills chickens and monkeys, I believe they will immediately return to the yamen.

In that case, the estrangement between me and the minister will be deeper, and this plan will not be feasible until it is necessary.

The fish is dead and the net is broken. It's the best policy, so I'm just guessing.

Keep guessing.

The King of the East Sea scratched his head, Your Majesty recalled a group of generals from various places a few days ago, presumably to reorganize the old guards. As long as the soldiers still obey His Majesty, the troubles of the officials in the DPRK and China are nothing to worry about.

The generals I have recalled are only a dozen or so, and the Suwei Army is filled with children of noble families. How can they be reorganized with only these few people?

That's right, and His Majesty has already controlled the Su Wei Army. The most important Sword and Halberd Battalion is His Majesty's confidant from top to bottom, and there is a fierce general like Fan Zangshan in charge. Other battalions dare not make trouble.

Guess again.

Your Majesty, this is embarrassing me.

Rather than guessing behind your back, I would rather listen to you guessing in person.

The King of the East China Sea continued, Your Majesty recalled the generals, if it wasn't to take over the old guards... it was to set up a new army. As long as the army was complete, His Majesty could continue the war with the Huns. Other departments found themselves If it loses its importance, it will yield to His Majesty immediately.

It's getting a little closer, but the officials are slow to work. I can't take three days off. You can guess.

The King of Donghai regretted coming to see the emperor, but he was also a little excited, cheered up, and thought about it for a while, If I were the emperor... As soon as the words came out, he was startled, and he threw himself on his knees, Your Majesty forgive me, It's just an unintentional loss...

I have already said that I will forgive you your sins.

The King of the East Sea slowly got up, his face was still pale, and it took a while to return to normal, and continued: The hundred officials are so united, there must be a leading person behind him, attack the leader, and the rest of the party will disperse.

Well. Han Ruzi expressed encouragement.

The first suspicious person is Prime Minister Zhuo Ruhe. He is the head of all officials. He is heard, and... The King of the East Sea has never mentioned Princess Zhuo's family to the emperor, and now he doesn't want to, The Zhuo family is also an aristocratic family. I don't quite support His Majesty's abolition order.

Any more?

The second suspicious person is that Nan Zhijin. This time, the saboteurs are mainly officials below the fourth rank. It seems that Nan Zhijin can stir things up.

Anything else? Han Ruzi asked repeatedly.

The King of the East Sea looked up at the emperor. The first two were more suspicious, but they also had shortcomings. The prime minister was too conspicuous, and after Nan Zhijin was seen by the emperor, he had long lost his former influence.

The East Sea King finally understood what the emperor wanted to guess, and couldn't help but sighed, And the Cui family, I know Cui Hong, as long as there is still a breath, he will not give up his power, without an army, he will use various A son of a great family. This time—I am afraid that Cui Teng also participated, so he is so eager to persuade His Majesty to make concessions. This kid is still a little loyal to His Majesty, but... just think of his own family first.

Han Ruzi was silent for a long time, Just because of this loyalty, I am hesitant, what good ideas do you have?

The King of the East Sea knew that the emperor had to give himself an extremely difficult task.

Cui Teng has been following His Majesty for a long time. He is...a bit reckless, and a bit arrogant. He always thought that he could get His Majesty's forgiveness. It stands to reason that such people have to be expelled and sent to a place of bitter cold to suffer some crimes. If you can reflect on yourself, you can still recall, if you are stubborn... The East Sea King didn't say any more.

Han Ruzi sighed, feeling a little indebted to Cui Teng, Go and talk to him.

The King of Donghai knew that this time he was going to completely offend the Cui family.