Chapter 1471: I Have Said My Piece

"Today, I have invited you all to this banquet. Besides this food and drink, I have also prepared some things for you to view and appreciate!" A hint of something unusual flickered in Emperor Liu's eyes, and his face carried a smile that made one's heart uneasy: "These things are enough to broaden one's horizons—truly a marvel of this age!"

On an ordinary day, when Emperor Liu teased them like this, they would probably respond with smiles and show sufficient interest. But at this moment, in this scene, everyone was merely silent, waiting for what came next.

"Someone, bring it out, let the assembled ministers take a look!" Emperor Liu returned to his seat and raised his hand in a gesture.

Soon, led by the guard Bai Yang, a dozen or so fierce guards carried the things out, displaying them openly before the assembled princes and nobles, drawing everyone's attention.

They were three large chests, tightly sealed, clearly very heavy—it took four guards to carry each one. When they were set down, the heavy thud was extremely pronounced.

Needing no help, Emperor Liu stepped forward to open them himself. But the lids were sealed rather tightly, and for a moment he could not get them open. Growing irritated, he reached out and drew the waist knife from Bai Yang's belt.

The sound of the blade leaving its sheath was rough and grating, and as it fell on the ears, it sawed across the hearts of the princes and nobles like a jagged edge. The gleaming steel blade, bright enough to reflect a person's image, flashed with cold light, especially dazzling. And indeed, from the smooth surface of the blade, many people's reflections could be seen. Somewhat mystical—look at it and it is there; look away and it is not.

Emperor Liu's actions startled everyone. This did not match the self-restraint Emperor Liu usually displayed—it was a lapse in composure. Yet the more it was so, the more alarming it was. That casually brandished steel blade was like a weapon of a Shura, its movements small, yet at any moment it could claim the lives of the common people.

Perhaps afraid that Emperor Liu might hurt himself, Bai Yang froze for a moment, then quickly stepped forward to help, only to be shoved back into a stagger by Emperor Liu, who said coldly: "I am not yet so old that I cannot lift a knife!"

Seeing this, Bai Yang dared not make any further move, standing there stiffly, only watching Emperor Liu's movements with concerned eyes.

The scene grew somewhat eerie. The north wind remained bitterly cold, and dozens of the Great Han's ministers and nobles could only watch helplessly as Emperor Liu wielded the knife to open the chests, not daring to speak, not daring to move.

Soon, the three chests were pried open by Emperor Liu, and the contents revealed their true faces. Those far away craned their necks to peer; those nearby could tell at a glance that they were memorials—each chest nearly filled to the brim.

"Open your eyes wide! Take a good look!" Handing the knife back to Bai Yang casually, Emperor Liu pointed at the chests and said without ceremony, coldly: "These are all case files submitted by the Ministry of Justice. Every single one, every single item, records in detail the unlawful deeds of the nobles over these years.

Meritorious officials! Nobles! The aristocrats I rely upon to suppress the realm! The court granted you favor, and this is how you repay the court, repay me?

Among the dozens of you seated here, including my own sons, who dares to beat his chest and tell me that you, or your brothers, sons, and nephews, are upright and aboveboard, without a single offense?"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger! Your old minister has sinned; please punish me!" The fastest to react this time was actually Fu Yanqing. His aged body moved with unusual agility as he knelt cleanly and swiftly, kowtowing in confession of guilt.

With Fu Yanqing taking the lead, everyone else—including the various princes and imperial sons—followed suit, kneeling down one after another. The movements came in sequence, the voices of confession were uneven, but in the end, all concluded in orderly submission at Emperor Liu's feet.

The banquet fell utterly silent. For a moment, besides Emperor Liu, only the surrounding guards remained standing. Even Bai Yang, being close by, subconsciously knelt down.

The scene sank into a stagnant stillness. Were it not for the fluttering dragon banners and brocade curtains, one might think time had frozen. Emperor Liu had built up and prepared for so long, probably precisely for this moment of eruption. Yet after venting, there was no sense of satisfaction whatsoever.

In the past, when these elites and nobles of the Great Han, these aristocratic ministers admired and envied by the world, prostrated themselves at his feet, Emperor Liu had enjoyed it greatly.

But this time, Emperor Liu felt a sense of disgust in his heart for the first time. And the kneeling princes and nobles, their thoughts were naturally equally complex, by no means uniform. Performing the grand kowtow to Emperor Liu did not feel humiliating, nor did it require any adjustment—but this time, they only felt exceptionally awkward.

Of course, among these people, there were certainly those who maintained personal integrity. Faced with Emperor Liu's interrogation, they likewise dared not argue, and there was no need to argue—after all, Emperor Liu's target this time was the entire noble class. As long as one held that identity, one could not shake it off, could not escape it. Keeping oneself pure, like a lotus emerging from mud—Emperor Liu would not permit it.

Seeing this display, Emperor Liu stroked his beard, which the wind was blowing wildly about, and let out a few cold chuckles. In a tone of surprise, he said: "What is the meaning of this? Do you all think that because I favor you, trust you, and still need you to uphold the court and defend the Great Han's rivers and mountains, you've figured that I don't dare to discipline you?

Earlier, you all turned yourselves in of your own accord; now you all kowtow in confession in unison. What is this supposed to be—confessing guilt? Or pressuring the throne!"

These words were extremely harsh, and immediately stirred a wave of alarm.

"Your minister would never dare such a thing!"

"Your minister truly has faults!"

"Your Majesty, punish as you see fit; your minister has no other words!"

"Your minister has failed Your Majesty's trust and willingly accepts punishment..."

"..."

Though the voices were not in unison, the emotions they revealed were all the more genuine, their attitudes sincere—not like something rehearsed.

The coldness on Emperor Liu's face had not yet thawed. Waving his hand in the air, he continued: "Today at the South Market, seventy-three noble criminals have already been executed, and among them were no small number of relatives and old acquaintances of those seated here!

They were all major offenders. The court explicitly ordered their punishment by law—death was not too good for them. Why did they dare to act so wantonly? What did they rely upon? Are you not clear in your own hearts?

Seventy-three principal offenders, nearly a thousand accomplices. Those who should be killed have been killed, those who should be exiled have been exiled. Do you think this matter is now completely settled?

Here with me, there are still three large chests. The affairs involved, the people involved—how should they be handled?

Come now, let you all speak!"

The voices of confession had long since ceased. After Emperor Liu's words, the atmosphere fell silent once more. This banquet, from start to finish, had been somber and oppressive, and as time passed, as Emperor Liu revealed his true intentions, it became increasingly suffocating.

With this move, even the dullest person understood Emperor Liu's purpose.

Every time Emperor Liu posed a question to the group, no one dared to rashly respond. This time was no different. Emperor Liu then called on Zhao Kuangyin by name: "Duke Rong, what do you think should be done about the people and affairs involved in the case files within these three chests?"

Zhao Kuangyin's face was drawn tight. Upon hearing the question, he answered resolutely: "Your Majesty's admonition strikes like a great bell, awakening the deaf and enlightening the blind. Your minister has nothing to say, nothing to argue—I await Your Majesty's judgment!"

"What a coincidence—these case files contain nothing concerning you, Duke Zhao. If I punished you as well, wouldn't that be wronging a meritorious official?" Emperor Liu looked down at Zhao Kuangyin and said lightly.

Zhao Kuangyin: "Your minister has not been without acts of favoritism. I truly dare not, and have no face to hope for Your Majesty's leniency!"

"What about the rest of you?" Emperor Liu looked toward the others: "Do you have no other thoughts?"

"We await Your Majesty's judgment!" This time, the voices became as uniform as if drilled.

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu finally laughed again. The laughter grew louder, the smile gradually more unrestrained. His finger pointed aimlessly at the assembled princes and nobles as he said: "A fine 'await judgment' indeed! Can I really punish every last one of you? And then become a solitary sovereign with no one by my side?"

"All of you, rise!" Emperor Liu sighed deeply, somewhat dejectedly returning to his seat.

But not a single person dared to rise.

"What, my words no longer carry weight?" Emperor Liu's tone shifted slightly, and it immediately took effect. Soon everyone slowly rose, but none dared to sit back down.

Looking at the ministers with their varied expressions, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, then said to Yan Tuo: "Burn them all!"

Yan Tuo did not react at first, but noticing where Emperor Liu was pointing, he could hardly believe it. After carefully confirming the order, he led his men to pour oil over the three chests of case files and set them alight.

Soon, flames leaped up. The cold wind fanned the fire, tongues of flame danced wantonly, and the firelight cast its glow upon the faces of everyone around. All watched with their own eyes as the three chests burned.

At this, some sighed with emotion, some felt relieved, some relaxed, some felt lingering fear, and some remained grave...

Emperor Liu's face was flushed red by the firelight, but his authority was undiminished as he continued: "Remember this! The court's favor is not unlimited, and this realm is not a playground for you to take and enjoy as you please.

In the past, the people of this land suffered greatly from the chaos of war and displacement. I do not wish that one day, you princes and nobles who fought for this realm and govern this realm should become the source of suffering for the common folk!

I hope you will take this as a warning and remember this lesson well. Otherwise, even if heaven and earth can tolerate you, I will not!"

"I have said my piece. Whether you listen, and how much you take to heart, is up to your own conscience!" Emperor Liu picked up his freshly refilled wine cup, extended it forward, and said: "Return to your seats! Drink!"