Chapter 326: Fifty-five, Imperial Meeting

Fifty-five, Imperial Meeting

In early May, in the Great Interior of the Ziwu City of Shenjing Luoyang, green spring colors could be seen everywhere.

It was like an overturned palette, relieving a bit of the cold and solemnity of the palaces in the Great Interior.

However, the hundred officials who had just retired from the Zichen Hall and passed by were walking in a hurry, with serious faces,

No one paid attention to this touch of warm spring.

This decision-making meeting after the battle this morning was held after the morning assembly.

The location was still the Zichen Hall.

The so-called morning assembly is simply the meeting where civil officials above the fifth rank in the Divine Capital meet the Empress.

Held every day or every other day.

There are many people, it is quite formal, and the discussion is extensive.

And the decision-making meeting after the battle at the moment is the small circle of the Empress and the prime ministers and important ministers after the morning assembly and the hundred officials and honor guards have retired.

Court officials who have authority over corresponding affairs can also participate.

Used to discuss real military and state affairs.

The advantage is that there are few people, it is flexible, and it is confidential.

It is different from the political affairs hall meeting presided over by the prime minister,

Because it is in front of the imperial court, many military and state affairs, once a resolution is discussed, can be executed immediately, saving many cumbersome steps and responding quickly.

After changing Gan to Zhou and claiming the title of Empress, Empress Wei Zhao held decision-making meetings after the battle from time to time,

Quite favoring this decision-making mode of power concentration.

It gradually evolved into a court convention.

And the hundred civil and military officials all took pride in being able to be left behind after the morning assembly by the Empress and participate in the decision-making meeting after the battle.

Well, it can be understood as opening a small meeting for big things and a big meeting for small things.

Zichen Hall.

The court officials and public officials left behind by the Empress today only numbered eleven.

Wei Prince Wei Wei Jisi, Liang Prince Wei Wei Sixing.

Shen Fengge Inner History Di Di Fuzi, Censor Zhongcheng, Participating in Political Affairs Shen Shen Xisheng.

Shen Fengge Vice Minister, Tong Shen Fengge Luan Tai Ping Zhang Shi Wei Wei Zhenzai, Censor Grand Master Yao Yao Gongyu...

Empress Wei Zhao sat at the head of the palace, the imperial robe on her body had golden thread embroidered dragons and phoenixes lifelike, wearing a crown on her head, and there were twelve strings of white jade beads on the crown.

This piece of Son of Heaven's robe was pale white with light gold.

Great Zhou is of the Jin De, Jin De belongs to white, and the Son of Heaven's robe naturally follows this color. White gold is exclusively for the Wei Zhou royal family.

Wei Zhao's eyelids drooped, leaning lazily on the back of the dragon chair, with four colorful female officials standing by.

Another four colorful female officials were serving imperial tea and snacks to the dozen or so purple-clothed public officials in the hall.

Especially the "National Elder" Di Di Fuzi in the Empress's mouth, who was specially granted a seat.

In the interval before the decision-making meeting after the battle began, the old woman in the dragon robe sitting high up was playing with a round and dark green jade Maitreya Buddha in her hand.

Her eyelids drooped, staring at the sky outside the Zichen Hall gate.

This Zichen Hall is located on the central axis of the palace, facing north and south, facing the direction of the Ying Tian Gate and the Duan Gate,

And outside these two palace gates are the hundred wards and millions of people of the entire Shenjing Luoyang City.

However, at this time, a dragon-coiled copper pillar with great significance is rising from the square between the Ying Tian Gate and the Duan Gate.

The eyes of the old woman in the dragon robe are reflecting a piece of clear blue sky and the base of the dragon-coiled copper pillar with "human ants" climbing on it under the sky.

The cold wind from the Luo River blew into the hall from the open double-door hall gate, blowing up the court robe hems of this group of controllers of the highest imperial power and central power of Great Zhou.

Two colorful female officials walked up, wanting to push the door.

"Leave the door open."

Empress Wei Zhao opened her imperial mouth.

The colorful female officials in front of the hall stood with their heads down.

"It's quiet now, tell me, what should be done about the mutiny of the Guizhou border soldiers, my dear ministers."

Empress Wei Zhao withdrew her gaze,

Compared to the citing of classics and righteousness during the court assembly not long ago.

This imperial meeting at the moment no longer had so much long-winded nonsense.

Even the positive and negative sides tore off the gentle and polite mask of gentlemen.

"Saint, the Guizhou border soldiers are fierce and arrogant, daring to be lawless, killing their superiors, and leaving the border without authorization. This behavior is tantamount to rebellion, and there are villains inciting from it!"

Wei Prince Wei Wei Jisi took the lead and said righteously:

"The Saint should order the Xia official to order the Jiang Nan and Lingnan circuits to send troops nearby to suppress this rebel army and warn others."

The Xia official is the Ministry of War, because since ancient times, troops were often sent during the slack farming season in summer, so they got this name.

Di Di Fuzi shook his head:

"The old minister heard that the border soldiers did not want to rebel, but were bullied. The fault lies with the Guizhou Registrar Lan Changhao, who was derelict in his duty first, inciting the mutiny, and then derelict in his investigation, shrinking in the city, not blocking, and letting the border soldiers leave the border."

Wei Wei Jisi looked sideways:

"Who did Di Gong hear this from? Such catching shadows, facing the arrogant rebel army, Lan Registrar is a weak scholar, avoiding the edge, holding the city, what's wrong with that? At least he kept the Guizhou government city."

Di Di Fuzi didn't look at him, Shen Shen Xisheng stepped forward and reported:

"Saint, according to the memorial of Jiangzhou Registrar Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, the 1,500 border soldiers in Guizhou were actually forced to mutiny.

"Originally sent to the western border of Lingnan, after the rebellion was suppressed, they should have been heroes defending Great Zhou, but they were left to guard the border.

"Guarding the border is fine, but after one period, it was extended for another period, three years and three years. Most of the border soldiers have been guarding the border for six years. Seeing that the guard period is about to end and they are about to return home, Lan Changhao is selfish and privately connected, leading to another extension.

"The actions of the Guizhou Hall and the military officers of the Jiang Nan Circuit were too deceptive, losing faith in the border soldiers. Seeing that the return date was far away and there was no hope of returning home, the soldiers in a foreign land were instigated and stimulated, and this mutiny to return north occurred."

The hall was silent for a while.

"I have heard some reasons for the extension of the Guizhou border soldiers."

Liang Prince Wei Wei Sixing suddenly opened his mouth, his tone light:

"This kind of military secret was discussed by Lan Registrar with professional military officers such as Zhu Zhu Lingxu, Wang Wang Lengran, and several folding armies in Jiang Nan Circuit.

"This matter was also reported to the imperial court, and after discussion by the main officials in the court, it was passed before allowing the extension.

"And extending it for one year, not long or short, I think it is acceptable. This matter followed the normal process and was reasonable and compliant."

"Is it not wrong if the process is reasonable and compliant."

Shen Shen Xisheng refuted sternly:

"And whether there is dereliction of duty, abuse of power, etc., is not yet known and needs investigation."

He turned to the old woman in the dragon robe at the head and bowed:

"Saint, Jiangzhou Registrar Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan submitted a memorial, saying that there is interest transmission, requesting the imperial court to thoroughly investigate this matter, execute the main culprit Guizhou Registrar Lan Changhao, and severely punish the accomplices Hongzhou Governor Zhu Zhu Lingxu and Jiangzhou Inspector Wang Wang Lengran.

"And the high-level military officers of several folding armies who were derelict in their investigation, must return the clarity of heaven and earth to appease the border soldiers returning north and prevent the situation from expanding."

The public officials looked sideways.

The Empress was browsing a memorial in her hand, saying nothing.

"This Registrar Magistrate Ouyang's advocacy is too extreme."

Wei Wei Sixing sighed:

"If we investigate according to his standards, wouldn't it be a series of crimes and imprisonment? I'm afraid the prison won't be able to hold them all, right?

"Saint, I think we should carefully discuss how to deal with the mutiny border soldiers now, instead of wasting energy on questioning and buck-passing, and hindsight.

"Why didn't anyone stop it when the extension resolution was passed by the Xia official before, but now one by one jumps out to grab the pigtail..."

Shen Shen Xisheng sneered: "If the lower official remembers correctly, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan had submitted a memorial to firmly oppose the extension. I don't know if the Liang Prince is too busy to hear such small criticisms."

Wei Wei Sixing's originally indifferent face changed,

After a moment, he looked straight ahead and kept smiling:

"It is worthy of being recognized by the world as a gentleman who upholds justice. Everything he says is right. It seems that everyone can stop working in the future, and like Di Gong, add a chair in this hall, invite him over to sit, and ask him about everything. It must be more useful than everyone else."

Shen Shen Xisheng nodded mockingly: "Well, the Liang Prince finally said a fair word. There are indeed some useless butts in front of the Majesty that should be moved away."

Wei Wei Sixing narrowed his eyes instantly, Wei Wei Jisi suddenly interrupted:

"How did I hear people say that Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan had a gap with Wang Wang Lengran and Lan Changhao in private and parted on bad terms.

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan is not because of this, so he opposes and makes things difficult for Wang Wang Lengran and Lan Changhao in everything. I didn't expect a gentleman to hold grudges."

"Is it not that Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan has been seeking truth from facts from beginning to end?"

Shen Shen Xisheng nodded: "The person who said this to the Wei Prince is indeed using a villain's heart to measure a gentleman's belly."

In the hall, as the relatively neutral party, Wei Wei Zhenzai and Yao Yao Gongyu saw the situation clearly, their peripheral vision quietly paying attention to the unchanging face of the Empress.

As they expected, as soon as the imperial meeting started, the Wei clan and the pro-Li faction argued, one word after another, tit for tat.

The Wei clan's two princes were sarcastic, while Shen Shen Xisheng, who was a Censor, countered sharply as always.

First of all, it is very clear that among the three people involved, Lan Changhao, Wang Wang Lengran, and Zhu Zhu Lingxu, there must be people from the Wei clan.

So the Wei clan's two princes want to protect, and the pro-Li faction led by Di Di Fuzi must try their best to oppose.

As for whether anyone in this imperial meeting really cares about the life and death of the 1,500 border soldiers, who knows.

That Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan who submitted a memorial alone and raised the banner of opposition might count as one?

But, actually, no one cares.

To be honest, Wei Wei Zhenzai, Yao Yao Gongyu, and other purple-clothed ministers were somewhat surprised that Di Di Fuzi and other pro-Li faction ministers would stand out in the imperial court and intervene in this matter.

Because the mutiny of the Guizhou border soldiers actually had little impact on the pro-Li faction in the court, at most it served as a political handle to attack the Wei clan.

It's just that the mutiny happened suddenly, and no one had predicted it before, so the pro-Li faction didn't know the situation,

And didn't have a layout in advance, and didn't get the exact handle to hit the Wei clan's vital point.

Didn't you see that the Master didn't say much, and most of the time Shen Shen Xisheng was citing the handles provided by Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan.

Therefore, from a political rationality point of view, it is best for the pro-Li faction to watch the show and mock coldly,

Even the bigger the movement made by these 1,500 mutinous border soldiers in Jiang Nan Circuit, the better, letting the Wei clan and their followers do more wrong, consuming their energy.

However, it is clear that someone might have persuaded Di Di Fuzi to change his mind.

The most likely one is that Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, who could have stayed out of it...

As for the present, before the Empress spoke, what the Wei clan and the pro-Li faction were fighting for was actually just one thing.

That is the characterization.

The characterization of the Guizhou border soldier mutiny and return north incident.

After characterization, the imperial court will take corresponding measures,

Even if there is only a one-word deviation in this characterization, the impact on the subsequent actions of the imperial court is a world of difference.

That's why both sides didn't give an inch.

"Saint, I have a confusion, I feel very strange."

Wei Wei Jisi showed a puzzled expression:

"If I remember correctly, Jiangzhou Registrar Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan's duties do not involve military affairs, and the Majesty has never bestowed any military position on him. The Guizhou border soldier matter involves the military houses of Guizhou, Hongzhou, and Jiangzhou, none of which have anything to do with him.

"Not within his scope of duties, how does he have so much news that contradicts the reaction of the three state military houses

"Saint, is it possible that we don't listen to the words of the main master, but listen to the words of unrelated people?

"The officials and military officers of the three states of Gui, Hong, and Jiang all say in unison that there are villains inciting rebellion among the mutinous border soldiers, which should be taken seriously!"

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan is the Jiangzhou Registrar, located in the relevant state involved, and originally has the power to impeach officials. Why can't he exercise it? Is it to deceive the Saint?"

"Lord Shen and Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan are really managing too broadly."

Shen Shen Xisheng ignored him, turned around and bowed respectfully:

"Saint, may I ask, if this group of border soldiers returning north really wanted to rebel, why would they march so slowly? And why didn't they attack the Guizhou government city that was caught off guard on the day of the mutiny, but returned north directly?

"And on the way back north, I haven't heard of them occupying states and counties, looting government warehouses, let alone looting ships, accelerating north, and almost not offending anyone along the way.

"Forgive the lower official for being ignorant, I have never seen such a rebel army in history.

"This is not what is it to be eager to return home? I think the leading soldiers must be regretting their impulsive actions now.

"Their strange actions all the way are just trying to show the Majesty that they are not intentionally rebelling, but are forced to return home, hoping the Majesty will investigate clearly!"

Wei Wei Sixing nodded: "According to Shen, even if this group of armed border soldiers returns north all the way and comes to the foot of the Divine Capital, they don't need to be blocked, right? You can say they are coming to the capital to meet the Saint."

"Sophistry."

"It is Shen's reason that cannot stand."

Wei Wei Jisi said coldly:

"Who knows what their goal is, what if it's a confusing move? The goal is the Hongzhou and Jiangzhou in the southeast direction, and the purpose is to cut off the Yangtze River.

"It might even endanger the key states and counties in the southeast like Yangzhou. How can we let them run around? We should suppress them immediately. What is there to discuss."

Wei Wei Sixing decisively characterized:

"Mutiny is mutiny, rebel soldiers are rebel soldiers, how can it be child's play, how can it be hesitant and let go?"

Shen Shen Xisheng was righteous and didn't give in:

"The lower official didn't say to exempt and let go. The mutiny of the border soldiers is certainly responsible, but if there is an inside story, the group of people behind the scenes who forced the rebellion must not be let go, and they should be punished even more.

"Just as Jiangzhou Registrar Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan said, the Majesty should send a special envoy to investigate strictly, find out the main culprit, and execute them! The heaven and earth are clear, the military disaster will be solved, otherwise..."

Wei Wei Jisi looked sideways: "Otherwise what?"

"Otherwise the border soldiers will be cold-hearted, the scholars of the world will not be convinced, and there will be endless troubles."

This Great Zhou Wei Prince sneered:

"Is Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan threatening the Majesty and the imperial court?"

"Since when did the good words of a virtuous minister become a threat?"

Wei Wei Jisi was angry: "Bold..."

"Alright."

A small, old woman's voice rang out.

The noisy hall was instantly silent.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 327 =====