Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 297 Di Xin Wants Reform

After returning to Chaoge, Emperor Xin immediately began to implement new policies. Following the governing strategies contained in the Jade Talisman, he announced the establishment of a cabinet in the Nine-Room Hall.

He also appointed Shang Rong as the chief minister, and Bi Gan, Wei Ziqi, Wei Ziyan and other important ministers as cabinet ministers to jointly assist in governing the country.

At the same time, a Martial Pavilion was established, and Wen Zhong was appointed as its chief minister. Martial King Huang Feihu, General Yang Jian, and other military generals assisted Wen Zhong in managing the Martial Pavilion.

This marked the initial implementation of the separation of civil and military officials within the imperial court, making the responsibilities of both civil and military officials clearer.

This move caused a stir in the court, with civil officials led by Mei Bo and Du Yuanxian immediately jumping out to oppose it.

Furthermore, it was claimed that Di Xin's actions were undermining the very foundation of the state and were a path to its downfall.

To everyone's surprise, the first to stand up in support of Emperor Xin were not Shang Rong and Wen Zhong, but Fei Zhong and You Hun.

Fei Zhongna spoke directly: "From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, the human race's system has been changed again and again, and each time it has been changed, the human race has developed better and better."

"If we follow your advice, shouldn't we still adhere to the system established before the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?"

"Or do you two believe that the reforms of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were also a path to national ruin, shaking the very foundation of our human race?"

Upon hearing Fei Zhong's words, Mei Bo and Du Yuanxian were rendered speechless. They could only curse Fei Zhong as a treacherous minister who had brought ruin to the country.

At this moment, Di Xin spoke directly, saying, "You only need to carry out my orders. Because I am not consulting with you."

"Anyone who dares to obstruct my reforms, regardless of their status, will be treated as a rebel, and in serious cases, their entire family will be exterminated."

As soon as Di Xin uttered these words, the court fell into complete silence. After a long while, Mei Bo finally stepped forward and spoke.

“Even if Your Majesty executes my entire clan, I cannot watch the Shang Dynasty, which has ruled for six hundred years, perish and die out in Your Majesty’s hands.”

Seeing Mei Bo's fearless attitude, Di Xin was enraged. He immediately ordered Mei Bo to be arrested and imprisoned in the imperial prison to await execution.

Then Di Xin spoke again, saying, "Issue an order to all the feudal lords under heaven to come to Chaoge City for pilgrimage. Those who fail to arrive within one month will be treated as traitors."

After speaking, Di Xin turned and left the Nine-Room Palace, heading straight back to his own palace, the Xiande Palace.

Only a group of civil and military officials were left looking at each other. Du Yuanxian even wanted to incite the officials to storm the palace, so that Emperor Xin would release Mei Bo and stop the nonsense.

Finally, Du Yuanxian went directly to Yang Ren, hoping that Yang Ren, as a member of the imperial family, would accompany them to storm the palace.

Faced with this situation, Yang Ren was at a loss for what to do. Just as Yang Ren was struggling with this dilemma, Huang Feihu spoke up.

"Grand Tutor Du, if you want the King to throw all the officials into the Heavenly Prison, you can lead your men to storm the Fen Palace Tower."

After saying this, Huang Feihu turned and walked out of the Nine Rooms Hall. As he walked, he kept shaking his head and sighing.

Seeing Huang Feihu's expression, the group of civil officials who had just been clamoring to storm the palace instantly lost their previous high spirits.

Because they believed Huang Feihu was right. Now that Emperor Xin had just pacified the North Sea, it was time for him to make his mark, so why would he care about a few of their lives?

So they left the Nine-Room Hall in twos and threes, afraid that if they were too slow, Du Yuanxian would catch them and make them break into the palace.

Seeing the number of people behind him dwindling, Du Yuanxian flew into a rage. At this moment, Yang Ren sighed and said, "Grand Tutor Du, this matter requires further consideration." With that, Yang Ren turned and walked out of the Nine-Room Hall, leaving Du Yuanxian and his few companions standing resentfully on the hall floor.

However, at this moment, they were just grumbling. With just a few of them, they wouldn't dare to venture into the branch palace again.

……

Inside the Xiande Hall, Emperor Xin's anger had not subsided. If it weren't for Shang Qingjun's reassurance, Emperor Xin would have torn the Xiande Hall down by now.

"Qingjun, I want to reform so that my human race can have enough to eat and wear. I want the Shang Dynasty to have long-term peace and stability. Why can't they understand my good intentions?"

"Even Mei Bo and Du Yuanxian, who have always been loyal to the Shang Dynasty, have stood up against me. Do I really intend to kill them all?"

While rubbing Di Xin's forehead, Shang Qingjun said softly, "I, a mere woman, naturally do not understand matters of the court."

"But Qingjun knows that the governance strategy that the Azure Lotus Saint passed on to the King must be implemented, because the Azure Lotus Saint would not harm our human race."

Di Xin nodded after hearing this. "I naturally know that the Azure Lotus Saint would not harm my human race. But what should I do about those old fogies who are preventing me from implementing reforms?"

“If treacherous officials stand up to oppose me, that’s fine; I can just kill them all. But Mei Bo and Du Yuanxian are both loyal ministers of my Great Shang.”

Just then, Zhu Sheng, Emperor Xin's personal eunuch, came to report, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong and General Yang Jian have something to discuss with you."

When Emperor Xin heard that Wen Zhong and Yang Jian had arrived, he immediately stood up and said, "Have my two beloved ministers go to the Longde Hall to await my arrival."

Zhu Sheng nodded and turned to leave. Di Xin, with Shang Qingjun's help, put his royal robes back on and then headed towards the Longde Palace.

Upon arriving at the Longde Hall, Wen Zhong and Yang Jian were already waiting there. Seeing Di Xin enter, they stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.

Di Xin reached out and helped the two men to their feet, then invited them to sit down. He then spoke, "Grand Tutor and General Zhenguo have come to see me, presumably about the reforms?"

Wen Zhong nodded. "Your Majesty, how do you plan to deal with the opposing opinions in the court?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xin couldn't help but sigh, "Reform is inevitable, and no one can stop it."

"But I do not want to cause bloodshed in the court because of reforms, so that the world will think that I am a cruel ruler."

No sooner had Di Xin finished speaking than Yang Jian interjected, "Your Majesty, have you considered this? Even if Your Majesty compromises with them and abandons the new policies, won't those who are destined to rebel still rebel?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xin frowned. The problem that had been troubling him for so long seemed to have been solved in an instant.

"Yes, how could I forget about this? Since that's the case, why should I care about my reputation? As long as it's beneficial to my human race, I will definitely do it."

"Even if I end up with a reputation for indiscriminately killing loyal ministers, what does that matter compared to the future of humanity?"

Seeing that Di Xin finally understood the key point, Wen Zhong and Yang Jian nodded in agreement. Yang Jian then spoke up directly.

"Your Majesty is right. Compared to the future of humanity, what does it matter if a few meritorious officials are wrongly killed?"

"Moreover, those who oppose Your Majesty's implementation of the new policies are not loyal ministers of the Great Shang. Therefore, Your Majesty naturally has no need to consider others."

(End of this chapter)