I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 268 Jiao Nu: "I went to Da Qian."

The official in charge of the seal, Chen Zhian, gave the order.

The forty people imprisoned for their crimes included He Guan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, two figures from the Bureau of Crafts and the Imperial Academy, and more than thirty scions of prominent families, all of whom were beheaded!
The memorial for execution had already been copied by Chen Zhian and reviewed by the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice. The crime was determined according to the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, and the legal provisions were approved before being submitted to the Cabinet.

Finally, after being reviewed and approved by Prime Minister Song, the document was sent to the Taiyuan Hall of the Heavenly Palace for the Emperor's personal judgment. After that, it was sent back to the Three Departments for execution of the wanted criminal.

This seems to have many rules and regulations.

In fact, the imperial court has its own rules.

The emperor rarely refused to approve legal provisions jointly submitted by the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice.

After all, the interests of all parties are intertwined, and the fact that these three government departments jointly submitted a memorial actually represents the interests of the majority in the court.

At least, that's how it has always been.

However... for the six families of the Great Yu Dynasty, and for the noble families of the world, the current court is different from before.

Because there's one more person in charge of the seal!
The position of holding the seal of office allows one to punish members of aristocratic families, investigate the evils of their scions, hold them accountable, and determine their crimes!
With this authority, the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice would all be at Chen Zhi'an's command in dealing with the misdeeds committed by scions of powerful families.

In other words, since it involved prominent families, once the Inspectorate confirmed their crimes, Chen Zhian stamped his Lu Wujian on the legal document and signed his name.

The other three government offices could only submit a joint memorial to the throne.

That is why... such an absurd scene has occurred in the court today.

When Chen Zhian imprisoned people, the three judicial departments jointly handled the case. Even the name of He Guan, the son-in-law of the Shangyuan Lu family and the current Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, appeared in the memorial.

The court and the public were shaken. Countless people awaited the emperor's judgment, wanting to see if Chen Zhian's position as the seal holder truly held such power.

Especially the six surnames of Dayu...

In Longxi Prefecture, Shangyuan Prefecture, Fuye Prefecture, and many other places, countless eyes were fixed on Xuantian Capital and the palace, eager to see how the Emperor would decide and what level of support he would give to Chen Zhian.

-

A few days later, Chen Zhian was focused on cultivating elixirs in his residence in Qinglian County when suddenly a red-robed sable-clad monk came to summon him to the palace.

Chen Zhian seemed to have been prepared. He handed over the hundreds of Zen Life Pills he had refined to Yun Ting, then bathed and changed his clothes. He put on the [Mountain and River Stars Robe] before riding in the red-clothed sable palace carriage and entering the palace!

Today, Chen Zhi'an's entry into the palace is different from the past, especially since he has been summoned by the emperor.

The carriage drove smoothly into the imperial city, then into the Xuantian Palace, and finally straight to the emperor's study—the Zhantian Palace.

The palace was simple and elegant. The current emperor, Zhaofu, was sitting at his desk, holding a pen in his hand, looking down at the memorials in front of him.

As Chen Zhian stepped into the palace, Emperor Zhaofu finally raised his head.

At this moment, in the Zhantian Palace, Emperor Zhaofu's eyes were calm, and the weariness that often appeared in his eyes seemed to have diminished considerably.

Chen Zhian stepped into the palace and bowed to Emperor Zhaofu.

Zhao Fuhuang stared intently at Chen Zhian, allowing Chen Zhian to bow, but did not allow him to stand up, and just watched Chen Zhian standing in the hall with his back bent!
Chen Zhian remained calm and composed, showing no signs of impatience.

After a dozen or so breaths had passed, Emperor Zhaofu finally put down his pen and said, "Rise, and take a seat."

Immediately, an eunuch standing behind the Chinese table in the hall brought over a chair.

Chen Zhian bowed to Emperor Zhaofu to express his gratitude, and then sat down in the chair.

“Chen Zhi’an, you have only recently assumed the position of Seal of Authority, yet you have already arrested forty prominent families and even submitted a memorial with legal provisions, demanding that they all beheaded…”

Emperor Zhaofu's voice was low and deep, with a hint of anger in his tone, as if he were questioning Chen Zhian: "You have put me in a difficult position. The position of the seal holder was established with my approval, and I personally appointed you, Chen Zhian, as the current seal holder. This is my decree."

You've only been in this position for two months, yet you're already taking so many heads.

If I do not agree, then this position of holding the seal will be looked down upon, and I will lose the authority to rebuke the powerful families of the world.

If I agree to this, and kill too many people in one go, the powerful families in the country will inevitably harbor resentment towards the court.

Just then, the world was in chaos, and the Great Yu Dynasty could no longer withstand the storm.

When he said these words, Emperor Zhaofu's tone remained calm, yet it seemed to carry a hint of inquiry.

His gaze remained fixed on Chen Zhian's face, meeting Chen Zhian's eyes as if trying to see right through him.

"That's why... your rash arrest of people has put me in a difficult position."

At the very least, you shouldn't have taken He Guan, Xie Huiqing, and Xie Hongqi.

Chen Zhi listened quietly until Emperor Zhaofu finished speaking, then he stood up and said, "The sage has made a wise judgment. These people are the parasites and demons that threaten the fate of the dynasty and the nation."

Of these forty people, not one of them was innocent and deserved his fate!
These people are of little use to the Great Yu Dynasty, but cutting off their heads will serve to intimidate all the powerful families in the land!

Chen Zhian spoke frankly, showing surprisingly little fear.

Upon hearing Chen Zhian's words, Emperor Zhaofu's previously calm eyes suddenly flashed with anger.

He gently patted the table and said, "Chen Zhian, if you cannot share my burdens and instead cause me trouble, then you will be in trouble."

Then what is the point of your position as the seal-bearer?

The sage's voice carried a hint of coldness.

Chen Zhian keenly sensed that when he uttered these words, the flow of energy in the surrounding void suddenly changed and became even colder.

His primordial spirit seemed to sense something, and the light of his primordial spirit that had been permeating the Heavenly Gate suddenly dimmed.

In an instant, Chen Zhian felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of foreboding washing over him, as if a great terror was about to befall him!
"But I wonder what the cultivation level of the supreme being of the Great Yu world is?"

Chen Zhian was not a reckless, arrogant young man who knew that a person of high status was angry but did not know how to adapt.

He bowed respectfully, still performing the salute, and finally a hint of fear appeared in his eyes as he said, "Your Majesty, you have bestowed such authority upon Chen Zhi'an!"

Zhi'an's actions may indeed have been too reckless! We beseech the Sage to punish him!

As he spoke, he sensed the airflow and temperature around him, trying to discern Emperor Zhaofu's current emotions.

Just as he had imagined... the surroundings remained icy cold, and even the hairs on his body were trembling slightly.

He sensed that Emperor Zhaofu was sitting at his desk, gazing at him.

Chen Zhian continued to bow respectfully without raising his head.

Another dozen or so breaths passed, and Emperor Zhaofu's gaze remained unchanged, but his tone became intriguing: "Chen Zhian, you are different from the vast majority of young people in my Great Yu."

You are exceptionally talented and have a deep mind; you must harbor some ambitions.

That's why you corresponded with Wen Lichu of Wohuangqiu, and why you went to great lengths to create your own army.

Chen Zhian's expression changed again.

Emperor Zhaofu slowly stood up, stepped down from the jade platform, and came to Chen Zhian: "Instead of any of the other six great powers or dozens of small powers in the world..."

A young genius like you, secretly gathering an army, is bound to lose his head eventually.

"But I can turn a blind eye... Chen Zhi'an, do you think this was all Song Xiang's idea?"

Chen Zhian remained silent.

Emperor Zhaofu gently flicked his sleeve: "I originally had other plans regarding the power of holding the seal. But in the past ten days... I have seen you cultivate elixirs, your Xuan fire is extraordinary, your methods are profound, and you have a decent lineage, so I have suddenly changed my mind."

Chen Zhian lowered his head and listened quietly.

Emperor Zhaofu returned to the Jade Terrace and sat back down at the table: "You want to use these forty lives to see just how great or small the power of your position as the seal-holder really is..."

I will give you a chance, and even... I will turn a blind eye to your private affairs.

"Go ahead, I will watch you from this Suspended Palace, and see how far you can go!"

Chen Zhian took a deep breath and expressed his gratitude.

Emperor Zhaofu smiled slightly: "But at the same time... you are still the Seal of the Great Yu! In addition to supervising the noble families and powerful clans of the world, you also need to gather connections among the people of the world... Do you understand?"

Chen Zhian respectfully agreed.

Emperor Zhaofu glanced down at the memorials on the table, then picked up his vermilion brush and wrote a few lines.

"You have a plan in mind, and I will give you a chance... However... those who plot too big will surely suffer the consequences."

"These powerful families of the Great Yu will surely try to take your head if they get the chance... Chen Zhi'an, you mustn't die! I still want to see if you can ascend to the top of the Young Tiger Stele, or perhaps, like your father, ascend to the top of the Riding Whale Stele."

After speaking, Emperor Zhaofu picked up the memorial on the table and handed it to the purple-clad sable maid beside him.

Zi Yi Diao Si bowed and presented the memorial to Chen Zhi'an for his review.

After reading the memorial, Chen Zhian left the Xuantian Palace.

Night has fallen, and the night sky will be clear tonight with the bright moon hanging high.

Emperor Zhaofu stood with his hands behind his back and asked the purple-clad sable monk beside him, "Where do you think Chen Zhian's opportunities and inheritance came from? The Heavenly Luo Dragon Binding Battle Formation, as well as that extraordinary Xuan Fire and alchemy method, are all quite precious."

Chen Zhian has been in Xuantianjing for a long time; where did he obtain such an opportunity?

Ziyi Diaosi thought for a moment and respectfully replied, "Those who possess extraordinary talent are always favored by Heaven and Earth, and opportunities will come naturally."

Chen Zhian is an extraordinary prodigy. His father and mother also possessed unparalleled opportunities, and Prime Minister Song... highly valued him. It's not surprising that he inherited these qualities.

A smile appeared on Emperor Zhaofu's rather plump face.

"His ability to activate the Sword Soul Beacon Tower in the Daoist Immortal Palace at the foot of Xiuba Mountain... is enough to prove his extraordinary nature..."

As for those traditions, that's fine too.

Emperor Zhaofu looked up at the moon, as if he saw a Guanghan Palace in it.

“He is the son of the Dao Fruit, and the opportunities and inheritances he receives are of good use to me.”

Emperor Zhaofu seemed to be deep in thought, then looked towards the distant Chitian Tower.

Inside the Chitian Tower, Duke Anguo stood with his hands behind his back, also gazing at the moon in the sky.

He seemed unaware that Emperor Zhaofu was watching him, and instead gazed into the distance, his eyes landing on Chen Zhian.

The moonlight was clear and bright, making it look quite beautiful.

But the capital city is so vast that the moonlight cannot reach all the dark corners.

-

A storm is brewing in the capital!

Previously, Chen Zhian had swiftly arrested forty prominent figures and imprisoned them, shocking the court and the public.

Later, Chen Zhian submitted legal provisions, and the emperor made a wise judgment... allowing these forty prominent figures to be dealt with according to the law.

These people often committed serious crimes, and according to the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, they would inevitably face execution.

Therefore... these forty prominent family figures will have their heads rolled before the New Year!
In the past ten years or so, nothing so absurd has ever happened in Xuantianjing, or even in the entire Dayu.

The fact that he killed forty nobles in one fell swoop was simply unbelievable to many officials.

But that's exactly what happened. Not to mention the ordinary noble families who were imprisoned, even someone like He Guan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was to be beheaded.

December 19th.

Chen Zhian stood in front of the Censorate's black prison, looking down at He Guan, whose hair was disheveled.

He Guan's eyes were vacant and his breathing was disordered.

A soul-snatching needle was driven into his brow, pinning down his primordial spirit and his inner palace.

"She is just a mere woman from Guanmin, who has never cultivated and is of no help to the Great Yu or the world!"

Even if I die, what then?

"I am a cultivator from the Jade Palace Mystic Mansion, and the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a fourth-rank official! How could I possibly die for a mere woman from Guanzhong!"

He Guan's eyes were lifeless, and he seemed somewhat at a loss, muttering to himself.

Chen Zhian stood in front of the prison, watching He Guan.

After a long silence, he slowly shook his head: "When you decided that woman's life or death, it was as if you were stepping on an ant..."

Little did you know, to so many powerful figures in the court, you were like an ant.

As Chen Zhian spoke, he leaned closer.

His voice was calm, but he stared at He Guan: "When I was in charge of Lu Wujian, I imprisoned you, and the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate never asked a question. The Minister of Justice and I have many disagreements, but he still applied the law."

Song Xiang didn't even inquire about the names of these forty people, let alone you.

The emperor also wrote the character "斩" (meaning "to execute") on the memorial.

"That's how things are in this world. You gave the order for the clerks of the capital's prefectural office to secretly harm Lin Yu, and no one asked what Lin Yu had done wrong."

Now, I want you dead... and no one cares who you killed, they only know that I, Chen Zhi'an—the current Imperial Seal Holder—want to kill you.

Chen Zhian straightened up and saw He Guan trembling, his eyes filled with despair.

“But I can tell you clearly… He Guan, you are paying with your life.”

He Guan's primordial spirit was shaken, and the Soul-Seizing Needle between his eyebrows trembled incessantly, causing him immense pain.

Just as Chen Zhian was about to turn and leave, he seemed to suddenly sense something, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

One wisp of his consciousness fell into Baiyujing and transformed into a guest in Chang'an.

In the Kunlun Marsh, Jiao Nu was barefoot, gazing into the distance at the seemingly endless Kunlun Marsh.

"Jiao Nu," Chen Zhian said softly.

Jiao Nu, who hadn't visited Baiyujing for months, turned around with a look of joy on her face.

Chen Zhian breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but ask her why she hadn't come to Baiyujing.

Jiao Nu answered earnestly, "Because I was taken to the Great Qian Dynasty."

(End of this chapter)