I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 761: The Princess of the Zhong Clan is punished and takes the stage. Everything is under Su Yao's control (5k chapters)

Luoyang City, Beigong Court Hall.

Princess Wannian came forward to plead for mercy, and this scene was obviously beyond the expectations of all the officials.

No one expected that Princess Wannian would stand up and plead for Zhong Fu at this time.

In their view, Princess Wannian was a complete puppet. Everything she had was given by Su Yao, including the power of regent and her future ascension to the throne. All of these were preparations made by the traitor Su Yao to usurp the throne in the future.

However, at this moment, she was standing in the court, kneeling down to plead for Zhong Fu, an important court official who was sentenced to death by Su Yao. This shocked and puzzled everyone.

After all, she is a woman.

Doesn’t he know how Huo Guang deposed those disobedient emperors?

Even the young emperor Liu Xie did not dare to say a bad word about Dong Zhuo in the court.

This Wannian Princess, she actually dared to stand up and plead for Zhong Fu? She was simply playing with her own status and life!

The ministers looked at each other and shook their heads in their hearts. They were moved by Princess Wannian's kindness and bravery, but they also felt that this girl was too naive.

You dare to oppose Su Yao's opinion even though you haven't ascended the throne yet. What will happen after you ascend the throne?

I'm afraid that one day after the wedding, I will suddenly die inexplicably.

The ministers shook their heads, and many of them had already sentenced the young princess to death in their hearts.

However, Princess Wannian still seemed unaware of her mistake. She stood up from the dragon throne, walked slowly down to Su Yao's side, bowed and begged for mercy.

In the court, which had been silent earlier, there was a sudden sound of inhalation, and everyone stared at Su Yao to see how he would respond.

Although the imperial power of the Han Dynasty was not as strong as that of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the ministers were as humble as slaves, after Emperor Wu of Han promoted Confucianism alone and revised the ritual system, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers was no longer equal as before.

There is a difference between the emperor and his subjects, and the imperial power is noble. Although the Han Dynasty still has the tradition of respecting ministers, everyone just sits in the court and discusses things.

Speaking of ceremonies, the emperor would only perform ceremonies to the Three Dukes, the Imperial Preceptor, and a few special ministers, and those were mostly during the New Year's Day court ceremony or when conferring titles on kings and marquises. He would only return the ceremony after receiving the ceremonies and expressing his gratitude.

Now, although the princess is not the emperor, she is already the regent. Princess Wannian's bow instantly made the atmosphere in the court become subtle.

All the officials were silent, holding their breath, observing how Su Yao would respond to the princess's sudden request.

Su Yao still had his usual poker face, with no expression on his face, and just looked at the princess coldly.

Princess Wannian was nervous. She met Su Yao's scrutinizing gaze with her heart pounding. She even had the illusion that she was going to suffocate.

However, this pressure did not last long. Su Yao retracted his aura, nodded slowly, returned the greeting, and helped the princess sit back on the dragon throne:

"I deeply admire your kindness, Princess. However, the evidence of Zhongfu's crime is irrefutable. If we don't punish him severely, how can we convince the public?"

When Princess Wannian heard this, her heart tightened and she closed her eyes.

She actually doesn't care about life or death.

She knew that Su Yao was devoted to the Han Dynasty and the country. If he was besieged by the ministers like this because of a rebellion, it was really not what she wanted to see.

Princess Wannian moved her lips, wanting to speak but not knowing how to start.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on Su Yao's cold face, and he nodded:

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I know what to do."

After saying this, Su Yao turned to face the ministers:
"I find it hard to believe your intentions for you to plead for a traitor like this."

"However, since the princess has come forward to plead for mercy, I, Su Yao, am not an unreasonable person."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers showed joy on their faces and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, the situation was at a stalemate just now and everyone was in a dilemma.

If they give in, their dignity as officials will be gone, and few will have the face to continue to serve as officials here. They can only resign and return home to preserve their reputations.

At that time, the imperial court will surely face a wave of resignations that is even more severe than when Dong Zhuo was in power.

Therefore, all officials will not retreat, and cannot retreat.

And it is absolutely impossible to ask Su Yao to give in and compromise.

The evidence against Sikong Zhongfu was irrefutable, as he was the leader of the opposition against him.

If he let this man off easily, his series of reform measures, such as abolishing the three highest officials and promoting the imperial examination system, would lose all credibility and would be difficult to convince the public.

Now that the princess has stepped forward to mediate, it has given everyone a way out.

After a pause, Su Yao immediately proposed:
"The princess is the regent. This is such a great honor to me. I will listen to your opinion."

"However, the sin of Zhong Fu is difficult to forgive."

Su Yao changed the subject, his tone revealing an unquestionable determination:

"However, considering his past contributions in the fight against Dong, and the princess's intercession, I, Su Yao, will make an exception for once and give him a lighter sentence."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers became excited and waited nervously for Su Yao's decision.

Su Yao looked at the people in the court with a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice:

"Zhong Fu was one of the Three Dukes, but he colluded with the princes to rebel and incited the people to riot. His crime was so serious that it was punishable by the extermination of his entire clan."

"Now he can be spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape the punishment of life, so I have decided to deprive Zhongfu and his clan members of all their official positions and titles, confiscate their property, and exile their entire clan to the Liaodong border, never to return to the interior of the country."

"Liaodong Frontier?!"

As soon as Su Yao finished speaking, a burst of discussion broke out in the court.

The ministers looked at each other, with surprise and relief in their eyes.

They didn't expect that Su Yao would make such a decision.

Zhong Fu was one of the Three Dukes, holding a high position and great power. Although he committed a serious crime, according to common sense, even if it was a death sentence, he would often be given a certain degree of leniency, especially severe punishments such as confiscation of property and extermination of the clan, which were rarely imposed on high-ranking officials like the Three Dukes.

However, Su Yao chose to deprive Zhong Fu and his clansmen of their official positions and titles, confiscate their property, and exile their entire clan to the Liaodong border. Such punishment was both severe and extremely humiliating.

Such a result was undoubtedly a torture worse than death for Zhong Fu.

Exiled to Liaodong, that wild land with harsh climate and difficult environment.

There was no need for Su Yao's trusted chief officer in Liaodong to have any bad intentions to harm him along the way. Just this journey and environment were tantamount to a death sentence for the already elderly Zhong Fu.

The confiscation of his property and the exile of the entire family made his family fall into despair and they completely lost the chance of making a comeback.

All the ministers sighed in their hearts, and at the same time they felt a little afraid of Su Yao's determination and ruthlessness.

They knew very well that although the general was young, he was extremely decisive and swift in his actions and would never allow anyone to challenge his authority.

"The general is wise!"

"Your Highness, please be merciful!"

Soon, someone shouted the first sentence, and then there was a chorus of echoes in the court, with all the ministers expressing their admiration and gratitude to Su Yao and Princess Wannian.

They knew that Su Yao had already made the biggest concession, and if they continued to be unreasonable, it would really be unjustifiable.

Taiwei Zhao Qian and Si Tu Yang Biao looked at each other and couldn't help shaking their heads and sighing.

However, this is the best result they can strive for.

At the same time, Princess Wannian also showed a relieved smile.

Just when she was about to announce her withdrawal from the court and tell Su Yao something from her heart, Su Yao, who had always avoided court meetings like a tiger, seemed to have no end in sight and continued:

"The matter of Zhongfu has been resolved, but this general still has something to announce."

Su Yao's words made the ministers' hearts rise to their throats. They were afraid that he would say something explosive again, and they all looked at Su Yao nervously.

"New Deal reforms are the general trend and are imperative."

"For the rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty and for the well-being of the people, this general will never give up reforms because of anyone's opposition."

"Today, I reiterate that the system of three dukes and nine ministers will be abolished and replaced with three provinces and six ministries; the imperial examination will be established to select the best talents in the world. These policies will be implemented unswervingly, and anyone who dares to hinder the reform will be severely punished!"

After Su Yao's declaration, he quickly used the Zhongfu rebellion to announce the abolition of the Minister of Works, the replacement of the Imperial Censor, and the reorganization of the Imperial Censorate to purge the Imperial Censors who had previously been in cahoots with the Minister of Works Zhongfu and raised opposition to him. Among them, the Minister of the Chancellery Wang Yun was selected as the new Imperial Censor in a heated discussion, and his position as Minister of the Chancellery was taken over by Lu Zhi, who was promoted to Grand Tutor after his meritorious service in the fight against Dong.

At the same time, there is another big thing.

That was the ceremony of the princess's coronation, and the time was finally set.

Su Yao stood in the court, his eyes like torches, scanning the ministers, his tone firm and powerful:
"The princess's coronation ceremony will be held in ten days."

"At that time, all the people in the world will come together to witness the new chapter of our Han Dynasty."

In 190, spring came and flowers blossomed in the imperial capital.

"I, I'm going to be the emperor?"

"Is this really okay?"

In the imperial garden, Princess Wannian paced back and forth, unable to hide her uneasiness.

At this time, there are still three days until the princess's coronation ceremony.

However, as the date approached, Princess Wannian became increasingly uneasy.

Even though Liu Xie, Dong Yong and others around her encouraged her every day, Princess Wannian still found it difficult to suppress her inner anxiety.

Surrounded by a garden full of blooming flowers, Princess Wannian tried to find a little spiritual comfort in this colorful beauty, but the anxiety in her heart grew like weeds and took a long time to calm down.

"Your Highness, you don't need to worry too much."

Dong Yong stepped forward and said softly,

"Now that the opposition has died down and General Su Yao is in charge of the capital, you only need to prepare for the coronation ceremony."

After Dong Yong, Liu Xie also stood up to comfort him:
“It’s not difficult to be an emperor.”

"You just need to maintain your dignity and show your royal demeanor at the ceremony. Su Yao and the court officials will take care of the rest for you."

Upon hearing this, Princess Wannian forced a smile, but the worry in her eyes did not disappear.

If she was just a vase listening to government affairs, she wouldn't worry about it for thousands of years.

But the problem is that it is obvious that my goal is not limited to this.

This is what she is really worried about.

"You've done a great job."

Princess Wannian was in a trance when a cold yet familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Brother Yao, the great general."

Princess Wannian looked back in surprise, only to see Su Yao wearing silver armor and a red robe, standing heroically on the edge of the flowers. The sunlight shining on his body gave him a layer of light golden glow, which was dazzling.

The other people in the garden seemed to have gotten used to Su Yao's mysterious appearances in various places. They bowed and stepped away, leaving the two of them some time alone.

Su Yao held Princess Wannian's hand, and they strolled among the flowers together. Princess Wannian stared at Su Yao's profile, and the anxiety in her heart seemed to have found an outlet, and she was eager to get her lover's affirmation.

Su Yao just chuckled, squeezed the princess's palm, and praised:

"Don't worry, I'm here, don't worry."

"Didn't you do a good job in dealing with Sikong Zhongfu at the last court meeting?"

"Now many of those ministers have recognized you."

"From now on, just prepare for the coronation ceremony and you will be the legitimate empress of the Han Dynasty."

Su Yao's words were not meant to be sarcastic.

It turned out that the last time Sikong Zhongfu was dealt with, it was a performance by the two of them singing in unison.

Su Yao, who had received a good basic education in later generations, knew very well that reform would inevitably be accompanied by huge resistance.

It would have been fine if a female ruler had been in power, but the princess ascended the throne directly, which could be said to be a challenge to the values ​​of the scholars at that time.

Su Yao's proposal to abolish the system of three dukes and nine ministers, to establish three provinces and six ministries, and to establish the imperial examination system directly touched upon the fundamental interests of the aristocratic families and would inevitably be met with their fierce opposition.

Once all the civil and military officials united, they certainly had no weapons to oppose Su Yao, but methods such as dismissal from office and court and engaging in non-violent non-cooperation would definitely be enough to deal a fatal blow to the Eastern Han court, which was still in chaos.

Even in later generations, as powerful as the despotic emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, did not dare to stand in opposition to all officials.

Now, in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, when the aristocratic families controlled the local human resources and economic foundation, the best way to deal with the situation was to learn from the story of Cao Cao burning the letter, turning a blind eye to these troublesome families and letting everyone get by.

However, Su Yao obviously did not want to make such concessions, so how to simultaneously promote two resolutions that were unbearable to all officials would be his top priority.

After discussing with Jia Xu, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, Lu Zhi, Wang Yun and others, their strategy was to lure out the snake from its hole as before, force out the most stubborn opposition behind the scenes, and then Su Yao and the princess would perform a double act.

That’s right, Wang Yun had already stood on Su Yao’s side.

How could Su Yao, who started his career in Taiyuan, Bingzhou and had established close ties with the Wang family, fail to gain Wang Yun's support?

And through Shangshu Ling Wang Yun, they leaked the reform plan, which naturally forced Sikong Zhongfu to do something desperate.

Finally, Su Yao acted like an unreasonable person and intimidated the ministers in the court. After everyone was deadlocked, the Princess Regent came forward in person to persuade Su Yao, and in an instant he won the goodwill and support of the ministers.

After the court meeting, Wang Yun, who was promoted to Imperial Censor, sat at the main table at home and praised the princess in public when thanking all the officials for their recommendation:

"The general is stubborn and arbitrary, cruel and brutal, while Princess Wannian is kind-hearted and sympathetic to the people."

"It is a blessing for the world and the Han Dynasty that she was able to persuade the general to stop this time!"

At the banquet, all the ministers and officials were angry and afraid when they thought of Su Yao's domineering behavior. But now that they saw Princess Wannian was able to reconcile the conflict, their opinion of her changed drastically and they all followed suit.

"That's right!"

"I originally thought that the princess was just a rubber stamp, but I didn't expect that she actually had some of the characteristics of a benevolent monarch. But this time she publicly opposed that Su thief, I wonder if she will be retaliated against in the future!"

"No need to worry in the short term!"

Wang Yun raised his glass and calmly analyzed:
"Princess Wannian is the general's fiancée, and they will be getting married soon."

"Unless Su Yao really dares to risk the world's condemnation and kill the king to claim the throne, Princess Wannian will not have to worry about her life as long as she has no problems with principles."

Wang Yun's words were like a reassurance pill, causing all the officials present to nod in agreement, and their worries were slightly dispelled.

Through this incident, they began to re-examine the young princess and found that if they could not confront Su Yao directly, then by influencing the princess, they might be able to control the severity of Su Yao's atrocities to a certain extent.

"Su Yao is like a wild horse, and the princess is like the reins. If we don't want to be trampled to death by that wild horse, we must protect Princess Wannian!"

"That's right, we can't let that thief Su take her life no matter what!"

And so, after this incident, a new royalist party was quietly established.

Most members of the Royalist Party were conservative forces in the court, officials who had reservations about Su Yao's reforms, and some children of aristocratic families who had a certain influence in the local area.

Their most public purpose was naturally to protect Princess Wannian, ensure her safety and status, and protect the Liu family's country.

At the same time, in secret, they will also look for opportunities to restrict Su Yao's power by influencing the princess and prevent his overly radical reform measures from causing irreparable damage to the fundamental interests of the aristocratic families.

They knew very well that directly confronting Su Yao was like hitting a rock with an egg, but if they could get through the "soft barrier" of Princess Wannian, they might be able to gain a chance to breathe under Su Yao's tough tactics.

However, these officials did not know that everything about them had already been seen by Su Yao.

Since the opposition cannot be eliminated, it is better to keep these people in view.

At the same time, putting Wannian in the foreground was actually exactly what Su Yao wanted.

The reason why he did not appoint a prime minister and monopolize power like Cao Cao, but instead set up three provinces and six ministries, separated the military and politics, and only took the title of regent, was naturally that Su Yao had no interest in those anxious internal affairs.

To use Su Yao’s words: I’m not here to play the Zhu Yuanzhang simulator!

Therefore, Su Yao was actually only responsible for setting up the framework and grasping the military power. He had planned from the beginning to outsource the rest of the internal affairs directly, set task objectives, and then wait and see how the situation developed remotely.

Just like that, Princess Wannian officially came to the fore, and a political structure that satisfied all three parties was officially formed.

The princess's coronation to the throne, which had been postponed for various reasons, was naturally held smoothly.

(End of this chapter)