I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 658 Power Strategies! A Court Filled with Righteous Officials! The Sage Ruler Ji Yin!

This bloody purge, which lasted nearly a month, almost wiped out the Nine Ministers.

Countless officials, both high and low, under his jurisdiction were also implicated.

The new prime minister, whom Ji Yin had casually chosen, was merely a minor official under the Court of Justice, and his cultivation level was only at the seventh realm.

"Your Majesty, I... oh no, Your Majesty..."

The former minor official in charge of justice was completely bewildered, never expecting such a huge windfall to fall into his lap.

But he quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly said with a look of fear.

"I am of low rank and lack virtue, and I fear I am not up to the weighty responsibility!"

If virtue is not matched, there will be disasters.

It is clear that this person has some self-awareness and has not been blinded by this immense wealth and power.

However, he forgot that there is a saying in this world: "If you do not take what Heaven gives you, you will suffer the consequences."

In the capital city right now, in the Golden Palace, Ji Yin is the 'heaven'!
"What? You have a problem with my arrangements?"

His gaze was sinister, like a malevolent dragon looking down from above, ready to devour its prey.

The terrifying imperial might poured down, and the minor official in charge of the court was drenched in sweat, his whole body as if he had been soaked in water.

He only managed to hold on for a moment before his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground.

"Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

In fact, according to the Dayong etiquette system, all officials were subjects, and even when facing the emperor, they did not need to kneel.

At this moment, the new prime minister was bowing and crawling like a palace eunuch with no leverage.

Such servile behavior naturally aroused contempt among the officials in the palace.

But ultimately, no one dared to show it.

Seeing this, Ji Yin, who was sitting high on the imperial throne, couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile in his eyes.

A compliance test is a test that uses an obviously unreasonable action to verify and observe the subject's reaction.

When everyone chooses to accept the default option, the goal of domestication is achieved.

Therefore, Ji Yin's actions today are remarkably similar to the "calling a deer a horse" tactic employed by the former Qin Dynasty's Chief Chariot Officer.

However, after being appointed as the prime minister, Ji Yin did not choose to continue to act 'willfully' when it came to the next of the Nine Ministers.

Instead, these positions were given to aristocratic families and powerful clans that were not affected by the calamity in the capital.

The benefits of doing so are obvious.

Firstly, it can prevent these good-for-nothing bastards from secretly conspiring to cause trouble for you out of resentment.

Secondly, the strength of these aristocratic families is actually quite formidable.

However, in the imperial court, there has always been a situation where each person has their own designated position.

In the past, Shangguan Ding and his group held high positions, so that despite their strength, they were unable to advance further.

Now, faced with Ji Yin's offer, they were surprised and delighted, but they couldn't help but feel grateful and supportive of Ji Yin as the new ruler.

Based on this, the conflict between the two sides was immediately resolved, and they no longer insisted on fighting each other as ruler and subject.

They might even spontaneously gather around Ji Yin, the new ruler, thus forming a new interest group.

However, during this process, Ji Yin still managed to plant a time bomb for them.

That is, there are ultimately only nine positions for the Nine Ministers.

Ji Yin did not concern himself with how to determine the final candidates for the Nine Ministers positions, but instead let them compete and fight among themselves.

"Ah, our new ruler... his methods are truly brilliant!"

Those who are able to ascend to this golden palace are often blinded by greed, leading them to frequently make decisions that are incomprehensible to ordinary people.

While there are certainly some truly foolish people, they are extremely rare.

They certainly understood Ji Yin's actions in the main hall today.

They may understand it, but faced with such a blatant scheme, they can only choose to acquiesce, or even accept it willingly.

After all, the wealth and power before them were real, and the enormous benefits were real as well.

No one can close their eyes and choose to ignore it, nor can anyone willingly refuse it.

Just like in the main hall at this moment, even though everyone knew that the Nine Ministers positions that Ji Yin was throwing out were full of malice and scheming, the eyes of the people looking at each other were still outwardly harmonious.

However, the underlying tensions are growing stronger.

Yes, let heroes fight heroes, let good men fight good men.

This is the art of power!
At this moment, some of the more rational courtiers suddenly felt an indescribable awe towards the supreme imperial throne hanging high above the hall and the new emperor.

This sense of awe was unprecedented when he faced Emperor Taikang.

"In terms of cunning and scheming alone, this boy far surpasses Ji Taikang!"

Several veteran officials from various dynasties privately offered their assessments of Ji Yin at this time.

And it subsequently gained the unanimous approval of several familiar veteran officials.

"It seems... the capital city is about to descend into chaos again for a while..."

An old minister sighed with emotion.

But another senior minister suddenly spoke up.

"Destruction before construction is not necessarily a bad thing."

The glorious Da Yong Dynasty lasted for over two thousand years.

Given that their own interests are guaranteed, or even enhanced, some people will ultimately have feelings for Dayong.

……

As these veteran officials had predicted, things turned out exactly as they had.

In the period that followed, the bloody storm that had just subsided in the capital city of Haojing was replaced by a new round of fierce struggle over the vacant power positions held by Shangguan Ding's faction.

However, this struggle is different from the previous struggles between the Southern Palace and the Northern Palace, or between the emperor and his ministers.

Instead, it happened within those aristocratic and high-ranking families.

It even affected the various prefectures and counties where these aristocratic families were truly rooted.

Fortunately, the interests of these powerful clans and noble families have been intertwined for countless years, and even when they fight fiercely, they have maintained certain bottom lines and tacit understandings.

So after a period of negotiation and compromise, a reconciliation and final distribution of benefits were finally reached.

The candidates for the Nine Ministers have been decided.

Even the officials, both high and low, in his subordinate government offices were all divided up by other powerful aristocratic families.

So, during the grand court assembly at the end of August, the temple halls, which had been mostly empty before, were filled up once again.

Before my eyes, the entire hall was filled with officials dressed in brand-new, beast-like court robes, most of them revealing the joy of being promoted and ennobled.

They couldn't see the horror and bloodshed of the catastrophe that had occurred two months earlier.

It's hard to believe that these people have been secretly fighting tooth and nail for positions for the past month.

Of course, this is only the outward appearance of harmony.

In reality, this struggle, which lasted for more than a month, ultimately created irreparable rifts in these once-unified aristocratic families.

"His Majesty is holding court; all the officials are in attendance to welcome him!"

Hearing this sharp reminder, the court officials turned their gazes away from each other and instead looked at the eunuchs who had appeared in the hall at some unknown time.

With their cultivation level, they could naturally see through these eunuchs at a glance; they appeared respectable on the surface, but in reality, they were ugly inside.

Even the strong fishy smell emanating from his body couldn't escape their notice.

But so what?

As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to him, and he who eats another man's food is bound to him." As long as these sea monsters don't cause too much trouble and make a scene, at least until the three holy lands step forward, we should pretend to be confused.

Moreover, to go back a bit further, the ancient Emperor Yu even formally established the Tushan woman as his queen.

Compared to that, it seems nothing at all.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The main hall is spacious and has a unique structure.

This unified shout shook the heavens and was quite imposing.

As Ji Yin's figure gradually solidified on the imperial throne, he glanced at the crowd of people below and smiled with narrowed eyes.

"A righteous and upright official is present in the court; this is a cause for celebration."

"It seems that my restoration of the Great Yong Dynasty is just around the corner." Upon hearing this, the newly appointed prime minister immediately offered a string of flattering words.

The courtiers present were all horrified, but no one chose to jump out and criticize them at this inopportune moment.

On the contrary, some people, seeing this person rise to the top in one step, seemed to have found some kind of shortcut to success and shamelessly echoed him.

For a time, the imperial court was filled with the sycophantic voices of these people.

As for Ji Yin, who was being praised to the skies by these people and even given the title of 'sage ruler', he casually propped his head up on the throne and leaned back, smiling as he looked at them, seemingly enjoying it all.

This caused some of the older ministers, who had initially held some hope for Ji Yin's actions in recent days, to frown slightly, their eyes filled with disappointment.

However, at that moment, Ji Yin's voice suddenly came.

"Is it all over?"

Those who harbored ambitions for advancement were interrupted and immediately fell silent, taken aback.

At this moment, Ji Yin waved his hand and said.

"Alright, now that you've finished speaking, it's my turn to talk."

"I observe that you are all eloquent and know how to please people."

"How about this--"

As he spoke, Ji Yin looked at them with a mocking expression.

"The late emperor's coffin will soon be returned to his mausoleum. He must be feeling very lonely. As his son, I feel a deep sadness whenever I think of this."

"Why don't you go and amuse the late emperor on my behalf, so that you can show me your filial piety? What do you say?"

Upon hearing Ji Yin's words, those who had already realized something was wrong instantly turned pale.

However, before they could even beg for mercy, Ji Yin had already silenced them and then waved his hand to signal.

"Guards, take them to the late emperor's memorial tablet, and then... behead them all."

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of armored imperial guards filed into the hall and dragged them out of the main hall.

The court officials who witnessed this scene were all dumbfounded by Ji Yin's sudden change of heart.

Then, in the gradually cooling autumn weather of August, I felt a chill throughout my body.

Especially those veteran officials who had served through several dynasties, at this moment they finally rediscovered a long-lost feeling.

That is—serving a ruler is like serving a tiger!

What do you think of my decision?

Upon hearing Ji Yin chuckle and say this, the court officials present were terrified, and then hurriedly clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

"Your Majesty is virtuous and filial!"

"Filial piety?"

Ji Yin repeated the two words to himself, his eyes filled with amusement.

Finally, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"I like to hear that!"

Father, can you see this?
They are praising their son for being filial!
No one knows what Ji Yin is laughing about, just as no one knows that the mausoleums of the previous emperors of the Dayong Dynasty, including the coffin of Emperor Taikang, are actually empty at this moment.

Yes, they were all 'eaten' by Ji Yin.

……

Once Ji Yin finished laughing, the little episode during the break in the court session was considered over.

As for those few fools who dared to try to advance, who would care?
Not only did they not care, the courtiers in the main hall were already planning how to have their own people fill the vacancies that had just been created.

After all, since ancient times, the world has lacked everything except ambitious people who want to do everything they can to squeeze into the halls of power!
As for Ji Yin, the instigator, he was too lazy to bother with the calculations of the interests of the court officials below him.

Killing a few useless dogs on a whim not only makes me feel better, but also puts me in a good mood.

They could even use their corpses and flesh to feed the dogs, and in the end, everyone was happy.

Why not?
Next, after everyone suppressed their restless thoughts, Ji Yin finally began to formally discuss state affairs with the court officials.

Although the Nine Ministers were newly appointed and unfamiliar with many things, their interactions with the emperor and his ministers were somewhat hesitant, and sometimes even resulted in embarrassing situations where the ministers were completely clueless.

Ji Yin, however, still appeared extremely satisfied.

After all, this is the first time he has truly taken personal control of the government!
It's normal to feel awkward and encounter obstacles at the beginning, isn't it?

Seeing that Ji Yin had put aside his recent tyranny and madness and appeared so gentle and benevolent, the apprehensive courtiers present felt reassured and developed even greater awe for the new emperor.

So much so that Ji Yin later asked, "Where is Gongye Jin?"

No one noticed anything was wrong.

It wasn't until a figure clad in full armor strode into the hall that the court officials looked at the newcomer with some surprise.

It took them a moment to realize what was happening.

Isn't this the same general who lost 100,000 elite imperial guards in a single battle on the banks of the Ji River?
In fact, on his way into the main hall, Gongye Jin felt like he was being pricked by thorns as he faced those pairs of eyes filled with disdain and contempt.

Regardless of the process or the reasons, he ultimately lost that battle.

For the past ten years, he has been imprisoned in the capital, burdened by immense shame and blood feud, and every day has been filled with unbearable anguish.

Not a single night passed without being awakened in the middle of the night by the endless corpses and rivers of blood.

And those hundreds of elite soldiers who barely managed to follow him back to the capital alive, only to be branded as deserters and die unjustly at Xuanwu Gate!
So when Ji Yin suddenly appeared in the prison one day and asked him if he wanted revenge, he agreed without hesitation.

Thus, he also became a crucial tool for Ji Yin to secretly control the Imperial Guards before he turned against Shangguan Ding!
"Your Majesty, your subject Gongye Jin is here!"

The voice was powerful and resonant, carrying the air of war.

It must be said that this was after the disastrous defeat at Jishui ten years ago.

This man, once described by others as a scholar-general, now possessed a more stern and cold demeanor, making him seem more like a pure warrior.

This caused the assembled court officials to subconsciously frown, feeling displeased.

Ji Yin, however, disregarded what the court officials thought and spoke directly.

"The Yellow Emperor's rebellion is still raging. I wish to grant you another 100,000 elite imperial guards. Are you willing to help me quell the rebellion?"

Upon hearing this, many of the court officials present immediately changed color and disregarded everything else.

"Your Majesty! No!"

"How can such a defeated general be reused?"

What a joke!
Gongye Jin lost 100,000 imperial guards back then, and now he wants to give him another 100,000?

If we lose again, not only will the central authority of the court be completely lost, but we will also become a huge laughing stock.
do not forget!
This Great Yong doesn't just belong to you, Ji Yin; it belongs to all of us!
Faced with the obstruction of these court officials, Ji Yin waved his imperial robe and resolutely said.

"My mind is made up! Anyone who dares to speak out again and obstruct my grand plan will not be considered heartless!"

Under the emperor's majesty, the entire hall fell silent.

At this moment, Ji Yin turned his gaze to Gongye Jin, but his tone became gentler.

"Don't worry!"

"I know all the causes and consequences of the Battle of Jishui. The fault does not lie with you!"

"In this battle, I grant you full authority!"

At this point, Ji Yin's gaze swept coldly across the assembled officials like a poisonous dragon, and he spoke in a sinister tone.

"Anyone who secretly colludes with rebels and undermines the foundation of our Great Yong Dynasty may be dealt with at your own discretion!"

"If you cannot handle this, you may report back to me!"

"I will exterminate their entire family!"

After he finished speaking, Gongye Jin's eyes turned red, and then tears streamed down his face as he kowtowed and prostrated himself.

"Your Majesty's grace is immeasurable! Even if I were to die ten thousand times, I could not repay even a fraction of it!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured! If I fail to defeat the rebels in this battle, please behead me!"

Having signed the pledge, Gongye Jin kowtowed repeatedly.

Upon seeing this, Ji Yin's figure on the imperial throne vanished and appeared before Gongye Jin, personally helping him to his feet.

He offered another round of gentle words of comfort.

This scene left the old ministers among the assembled officials with complex expressions.

"This young man is so capable, could he truly... revive the Great Yong Dynasty?"

An old minister remarked with emotion.

"If this is truly the case, then Heaven is favoring Dayong, and another sage ruler will emerge..."

(End of this chapter)