Chapter 246: Courtroom Dispute

The next day, early morning.

Although the main fires within Bianliangcheng had been extinguished, and most of the rebellious Iron Crow Army's die-hards had been wiped out or scattered, the air still lingered with a faint smell of scorched ruin and a faint trace of blood.

Imperial Palace, Xuanzheng Hall.

This was the first formal grand court audience since the new dynasty's founding, yet the atmosphere clashed with the era name 'Dingding', being so solemn it seemed almost able to drip water.

Chen Wen sat high upon the throne, wearing a dark black-and-red embroidered robe, the crown's beads hanging down, covering part of his face but not hiding the sharp, hawk-like gaze with which he surveyed the officials.

The vast Fortune Momentum vortex within his body, after a night of turbulence and settling, seemed to have become more refined, like a dormant dragon; though not yet showing its might, it already filled the hall with an invisible pressure.

"All officials, rise."

Chen Wen's voice was calm, yet carried an indisputable dignity, clearly reaching every corner of the hall.

Civil and military officials rose according to ritual, lining up on both sides.

Many still bore on their faces the lingering panic from last night that had not faded, or the exhaustion of sleeplessness; their eyes darted, daring not to meet the gaze of the new ruler on the throne.

"If there is business, present it early; if not, withdraw from court."

The Director of Ceremonies Eunuch standing nearby announced loudly.

After a brief silence, an official wearing a purple robe, about fifty years old, with a gaunt face, stepped forward first.

He was the former Vice Minister of Rites of the Later Zhou, and now in the Chen dynasty still held a similar post, Cui Wenji.

He held a jade tablet, bowed, and said:

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

"Speak."

"Last night's disturbance in Bian Liang saw the rebels run rampant, fires breaking out in many places, the populace terrified; though casualties have not yet been fully ascertained, they must be severe."

Cui Wenji's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor.

"Furthermore, reports from Hebei say that Generals Han and Zhang suffered an initial setback, losing troops and commanders; the northern front at Jin Prefecture is in dire peril, with pleas for aid arriving daily."

"Moreover, the Southern Tang has deployed troops at the border, eyeing us covetously."

He drew a deep breath, as if having made up his mind, and raised his voice:

"Your Majesty! Though the new dynasty has just been established, we already face a dire situation of being besieged on all sides, with internal and external troubles coming one after another."

"I... I dare to suggest that after this turmoil, Bian Liang's populace is unsettled and its defenses damaged; it may not be a completely safe place."

"For the sake of the state and Your Majesty's safety, might we... might we temporarily move the imperial carriage westward on a tour to Luoyang, or southward to Zheng and Bian, to temporarily avoid the sharp edge, awaiting the arrival of loyalist troops from across the land?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Xuanzheng Hall filled with a suppressed buzz of discussion.

"Relocate the capital!"

These two words were like a stone dropped into a still lake, instantly stirring huge ripples in the hearts of many officials who were already anxious.

Immediately, several more officials stepped forward to echo the sentiment.

"Your Majesty, what Minister Cui said is the counsel of an experienced statesman!"

"Bian Liang is too big a target, now becoming the focus of everyone's hatred; the Iron Crow Army's monsters lurk in the shadows, impossible to guard against."

"To temporarily retreat for a time, to solidify our foundations, is the best strategy!"

"Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!"

The voices advocating relocation to avoid disaster, for a moment, actually grew somewhat arrogant.

These officials, for the most part not secret agents of the Iron Crow Army, were genuinely frightened.

Last night's turmoil, the defeat in Hebei, Northern Han's fierce assault, the Southern Tang's threat—like a series of heavy mountains—pressed upon them until they could barely breathe.

Accustomed to peace, when suddenly faced with such perilous circumstances, their first thought was to retreat to seek self-preservation.

Upon the throne, Chen Wen's visage was obscured by the hanging beads of his crown, his expression unreadable.

Yet the aura surrounding him suddenly turned icy cold.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, and others standing nearby furrowed their brows, showing disapproval, yet did not immediately speak out in opposition.

They were waiting, waiting for the Emperor's attitude.

Just as the discussion grew louder and more officials began to stir restlessly,

"Pa!"

A clear, crisp sound of jade shattering suddenly rang out, drowning out all the clamor!

Only to see the white mutton-fat jade paperweight he had been playing with in his hand being crushed to pieces by his own grip!

Jade powder fell from between his fingers in a soft patter.

The entire Xuanzheng Hall instantly fell silent as the grave.

All the officials, frightened, shut their mouths and turned their gazes in unison toward the throne.

Chen Wen slowly raised his hand, casually scattering the jade powder upon the imperial desk.

His motion was deliberate and unhurried, yet it carried a power that made hearts race.

He did not look at the officials advocating relocation, but turned his gaze toward the outside of the hall, as if piercing through layer upon layer of palace walls to see the scarred yet still standing city of Bian Liang.

"Cui Wenji."

Chen Wen spoke, his voice not loud, yet each word struck like ice beads falling on a jade plate, crystal clear.

"Would you have me abandon the millions of soldiers and civilians of Bian Liang to their fate?"

"Would you have me hand over this ancestral foundation, the heartland of Zhongyuan, to the bandits with folded hands?"

"Would you have me, like a bereft dog, be chased into disgraceful flight by the Iron Crow Army, by Liu Yanzuo, by Liu Jun, by Li Jing?"

His voice remained calm, yet each question struck like a heavy hammer, slamming hard into the hearts of Cui Wenji and all those who had echoed him.

Cui Wenji's face instantly turned ashen; he thudded to his knees, cold sweat pouring down.

"I... I dare not! I harbor no such intention! I merely... merely sought Your Majesty's safety and the continuation of the state..."

"The continuation of the state?"

Chen Wen interrupted him, finally withdrawing his gaze, which fell on Cui Wenji's trembling back.

That gaze, icy as substance.

The state is won by fighting! It is defended by guarding! Not by fleeing!

I, rising from the ranks, from Jiao Tu Zhen with sword and spear, have fought to this day!

Having endured over a hundred battles big and small, when have I ever retreated half a step?

At the Battle of High Flat, facing Khitan cavalry, I have never retreated!

At Chen Bridge, facing internal and external troubles, I have never retreated!

Now, I have already ruled the world, wielding the Divine Artifact; how could I then learn from Shi Jing Tang, lightly giving away our magnificent rivers and mountains?

His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap, exploding in the air above the Hall of Propounding Governance!

It contained supreme dignity and resolute will!

All officials inside the hall were greatly shaken in mind and spirit, instinctively lowering their heads.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, and others, their eyes burst with exhilarated light.

You who eat the ruler's stipend bear the ruler's worries.

Chen Wen's gaze slowly swept over the officials below whose faces showed fear.

At this time of national crisis, not thinking how to defeat the enemy and pacify the people, but instead bewitching the ruler's heart and shaking the foundation of the state!

What use are you?

The final four words, like a thunderbolt of immense force!

Come here!

Chen Wen shouted sternly.

The Imperial Guard Warriors on duty outside the hall responded, entering with clanking armor and fierce killing intent.

Take Cui Wenji, together with those who just agreed to move the capital, a total of seven people!

Chen Wen's voice had no emotion at all.

Strip them of their official robes, remove their hats, and escort them to outside the Gate of Receiving Heaven!

At once……

He paused slightly, but the words he uttered made everyone feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

Execute them and display their heads!

Confiscate their property, exile the males, and consign the females to the Imperial Music Bureau!

To warn others!

This order shocked Shi Potian!

Even Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu slightly changed color, not expecting Your Majesty's methods to be so cruel.

But they deeply knew that this was no time for mercy and leniency.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare my life!

I know I was wrong! I dare not again!

Cui Wenji and the others were terrified out of their wits, kowtowing like pounding garlic, tears and snot streaming, wailing and begging for mercy.

However, Chen Wen's face was like iron, unmoving.

Wolf-like and tiger-like Imperial Guard Warriors stepped forward, mercilessly dragging these seven officials out; their miserable pleas for mercy faded away and finally disappeared.

The entire Hall of Propounding Governance was deathly silent.

A falling pin could be heard.

The remaining officials, each with an ashen face, legs trembling, not daring to take a breath.

They finally clearly realized that this new ruler on the throne was by no means an easily shaken indecisive master.

His will was like steel.

His methods were sharp as a blade.

Chen Wen slowly rose, the patterns on his dragon robe seeming to come alive as well, emitting a dignity that one dare not glare at.

All ministers, listen.

His voice echoed in the great hall.

Bian Liang is the linchpin of the state, the hope of the people.

I, together with Bian Liang, share weal and woe!

From today onward, whoever dares to speak of moving the capital, of compromise, of retreat...

His gaze like lightning, sweeping over every subject's face.

Just like this case!

Saying this, he fiercely slapped his palm onto the hard zitan wood imperial desk!

Boom!

A muffled sound.

That heavy imperial desk was actually split open by his single palm! Wood chips flew everywhere!

The officials were horrified, all kneeling on the ground, shouting long live.

We subjects solemnly obey the imperial edict!

We swear to defend Bian Liang together with Your Majesty! To support and restore the state altar!

Chen Wen looked at the kneeling officials below, feeling within himself that the Fortune Momentum qi vortex, due to his firm will and thunderous methods, seemed to have condensed and become a bit more active.

He knew that the internal noise had been temporarily suppressed.

But the true storm has only just begun.

What he needs to face is the Iron Crow Army still lurking outside the palace, the stalemate in Hebei, the perilous Jinzhou, and the eyeing Southern Tang.

"Court dismissed."

He lightly uttered the two words, turned, and with firm steps left Xuanzheng Hall.

He left the assembled civil and military officials a bearing as steady as a mountain, yet brimming with lethal resolve.