Chapter 416: The Grand Court Assembly Begins

Soon, the three days passed in an instant, and today is also the day of the Grand Court Assembly.

Early in the morning, outside the Court Hall, many Civil and Military Officials had already gathered.

Among them were Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, who had rushed back from Chang'an.

Since receiving the Dark Guard's message, the two had galloped to Luoyang, fortunately not missing the Grand Court Assembly's time.

The crowd did not wait long before Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng stepped out of the Court Hall, glanced at the officials, and shouted loudly:

"His Majesty has issued a decree, officials, enter the court!"

Having said that, he turned and returned inside the Grand Hall.

The officials, upon hearing, then entered the Court Hall one after another.

After everyone stood at their places, Liu Bian, clad in a purple‑gold Dragon Robe and wearing the Imperial Crown, strode from behind the hall to the Dragon Throne on the Gao Tai.

He surveyed the ministers with authority and sat upon the Dragon Throne.

"We, your ministers, pay our respects, Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand years!"

"Precious Subjects, rise!"

Liu Bian raised both hands slightly toward the heavens and said authoritatively.

"We thank Your Majesty!"

After the ministers stood, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng came to the front of the Gao Tai, and his sharp voice rang in their ears.

"If you have matters, present them; if not, retire!"

Following the unchanged procedure, it was announced that Liu Bian's first Grand Court Assembly after his Emperor's Return officially began.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial!"

At this moment, Xun Yu, serving as Grand Secretary, stepped forward to report.

Originally the Grand Secretary position was held by a eunuch, but since Liu Bian seized power, that authority was abolished.

Now the highest eunuch post is that of Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng.

"Approved!"

"Returning, Your Majesty, three days ago you ordered me and Lord Jia Xu to handle the transfer of lands from the aristocratic families in Luoyang City; now the major clans have handed over the surplus land."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian was greatly pleased and said loudly to Xun Yu:

"Very good, I am deeply gratified!"

"Your Majesty, I also have a memorial to present!"

After Xun Yu finished his memorial, Jia Xu, standing behind him, also stepped forward and said respectfully to Liu Bian.

"Approved!"

Hearing this, Jia Xu adjusted his official robes and, with a solemn expression, said to Liu Bian:

"Your Majesty, according to the information the Dark Guard transmitted over the past three days, most of the aristocratic families across the realm, except for the high officials here in court, have colluded with regional lords."

"In particular, the four great families of Yangzhou's Wujun, the Cui clan of Qinghe, the Wei clan of Hedong, and others have taken part."

After hearing Jia Xu's words, the entire Court Hall fell silent at once.

The ministers had not expected that these renowned aristocratic families of the realm would be involved.

With these great clans leading, one can imagine how many smaller families would also join.

Presumably, by now over seventy to eighty percent of the realm's families have taken part.

If it were others, they might truly have no way to deal with them, but they do not realize how powerful Liu Bian is.

Even if all the Han Dynasty's families united, Liu Bian would not be afraid.

"Hmph!"

"These great clans are truly unrepentant, thinking they can manipulate me this way; they greatly underestimate me!"

"Do they really think a bunch of lowly dogs and chickens gathered together can shake the Han Dynasty?"

Hearing this, Liu Bian let out a cold snort and said disdainfully.

"Your Majesty is Sage and Mighty!"

The ministers, hearing Liu Bian, all echoed in unison.

"Your Majesty…"

"There is another matter, but I do not know how to tell Your Majesty."

At this moment, Jia Xu, with a troubled expression, said to Liu Bian.

Seeing this, Liu Bian and the ministers showed curiosity.

"Wen He, you may speak freely."

Seeing this, Jia Xu had no choice but to force himself to speak.

"Your Majesty, according to the Dark Guard's report, Inspector of Jingzhou Liu Biao may harbor rebellious thoughts."

"He is currently making extensive contacts with the Jingzhou aristocracy, and lately Liu Biao has been drawing close to the Governor of Nanyang, Yuan Shu."

Upon hearing Jia Xu, Grand Tutor Yuan Kui and Acting Commander of Yulin Army Yuan Shao both turned pale with fright.

Yuan Kui felt as if the heavens were collapsing.

He felt the world spin, but fortunately Wang Yun, standing nearby, steadied him, preventing a fall.

After wrenching free of Wang Yun's hand, Yuan Kui immediately knelt before Liu Bian and said in terror:

"Your Majesty, I am wronged! I am loyal to you, with no second thoughts!"

To be honest, Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao were both badly set up by Yuan Shu this time.

The uncle and nephew already harbored deep hatred for Yuan Shu.

Now it depends on Liu Bian's stance; if mishandled, it could become a crime of exterminating families.

At this moment, the ministers, looking at Yuan Kui and his nephew's faces, saw only complexity.

As for these two, they do know that the two would never have a second thought against Liu Bian; after all, having seen Liu Bian's greatness, no one would be foolish enough to develop rebellious intent.

This is definitely Yuan Shu's foolish idea, but unfortunately the entire Yuan Shi Jia must pay a heavy price for his actions.

Hearing this, Liu Bian's expression turned furious, and he angrily asked Jia Xu:

"Wenhe, Yuan Shu's move has no other members of Yuan Shi Jia involved, right!"

"Reporting to His Majesty, we have not discovered any, because the Dark Guard's discovery was recent; the other members of Yuan Shi Jia are still under the Dark Guard's surveillance."

Jia Xu respectfully presented the intelligence gathered by the Dark Guard to Liu Bian.

Seeing this, Liu Bian gave a slight nod, and moreover, he did not really believe that Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao would dare betray him.

After all, Yuan Shao has cultivated Martial Dao techniques; if he dared to betray, the consequences would be severe.

As for Yuan Kui, he clearly knows Liu Bian's and the Imperial Court's strength; with his wisdom, he would not commit such a reckless act.

Nevertheless, Liu Bian solemnly said to the prostrate Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao:

"Although I, the Emperor, trust that you will certainly not be like Yuan Shu, before the Dark Guard thoroughly investigates this matter, you should remain at home and wait!"

"After the Dark Guard has thoroughly cleared it up, I, the Emperor, will restore your innocence."

Seeing this, Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao had no objection and immediately expressed gratitude to Liu Bian:

"I thank Your Majesty!"

Thus, the two dared not object; this is all due to Liu Bian's generous imperial grace, otherwise rebellion would be a grave crime against the Nine Clans.

After Yuan Kui and his nephew left, Liu Bian solemnly addressed the ministers below:

"All of you, I, the Emperor, hope that after you return, you will properly restrain your own clansmen."

"I do not wish to see any of you become entangled by your own clansmen; otherwise, even I cannot protect you!"

To be honest, Yuan Shu's backstab was something Liu Bian had not anticipated.

Although in the original history Yuan Shu eventually proclaimed himself emperor, that occurred only after he obtained the Imperial Seal.

Now it appears that Yuan Shu originally harbored disloyal intentions.