The prince is more stable

Chapter 898 Suppressing Momentum
After Zhao Xiaoqian ascended the throne, the Song Dynasty's court assemblies basically became a battlefield for power struggles between the emperor and his ministers.

Since the establishment of the Censorate, the relationship between Zhao Xiaoqian and the court officials was tense. Every court meeting was filled with a sense of impending conflict between the emperor and his ministers.

Zhao Xiaoqian knew that this was a confrontation between two powers: the power of the monarch and the power of the minister.

It is also a clash of interests: the interests of the nation and the interests of the individual courtiers.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't know when this confrontation would end. He only knew that he couldn't back down. If he showed the slightest sign of weakness or compromise, these court officials would pounce on him and force him to make even greater compromises.

Therefore, from his ascension to the throne until now, Zhao Xiaoqian has always maintained a very tough stance towards the outside world, so tough that some officials in the court have already criticized him as a cruel ruler in their memorials.

It's alright, just consider it everyone's praise for him, Zhao Xiaoqian accepted with a smile.

At the beginning of its founding, the Song Dynasty regarded "treating scholars and officials well" as a basic national policy. After all, Emperor Taizu's acquisition of the country was illegitimate, and he had to please these civil officials in order not to leave a bad reputation.

However, that's the matter of the founding emperor; what does it have to do with me?

It was precisely because they were treated too kindly that these civil officials were spoiled. Zhao Xiaoqian did not want to indulge them, and he would deal with them according to the rules no matter who made a mistake.

A stable and long-term system is the cornerstone of national development. Among these systems, the most important is to manage the power of officials and prevent them from abusing it.

The atmosphere at today's court assembly was strange. The hundreds of court officials in the Daqing Hall seemed to have suddenly become introverted and taciturn, and no one spoke for a long time.

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow.

So, what's the current game format?

Create tension by using a depressing atmosphere to make the emperor lose his composure and expose his weaknesses.
Ha, how naive.

Only my wife can see my broken buttocks.

So Zhao Xiaoqian broke the silence, saying, "You've spoiled me, thinking I'm afraid if I don't speak?"

"Mr. Zihou, is there something you need? If the Great Song Dynasty is at peace and the people are living in contentment, then today's court session can be adjourned. I don't have time to sit here with you all."

Zhao Xiaoqian yawned, got up, and prepared to leave.

The courtiers below were immediately startled, and then became anxious.

Why not play by the rules?

We're silent because we're preparing something big!
At this moment, Your Majesty should be solemn and on high alert, thinking about how to deal with our challenge, instead of just packing up and announcing the adjournment of the court!

"Wait! Your Majesty, I have something to report!" An official in the court stood up and said in a deep voice.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood in front of the dragon throne, watching the official with a smile.

"You are……?"

"Your subject is He Chaoxian, a Supervising Secretary."

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile widened: "Finally, someone to lead the charge has arrived. Speak, what is it you wish to report?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the officials in the hall changed.

It seems the Emperor is very familiar with the routines of the court, and knows that court disputes are usually started by cannon fodder who go first, and then the heavyweights take the stage one by one.

Of course, that's quite normal. After all, the Emperor was once a courtier, so he's naturally very familiar with the ways of the court.

He Chaoxian was also startled, but quickly adjusted his expression and put on a righteous and stern look.

"Your Majesty is cruel, the Censorate is abusing its power, and the Imperial City Guard is acting as an accomplice to the tyrant!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the palace.

The assembled officials stared in disbelief at He Chaoxian's retreating figure, secretly admiring him.

Dude, you're a true warrior!
Before going to court today, you must have taken care of all the funeral arrangements at home, right?

During today's court assembly, all the officials knew that someone would inevitably impeach the Emperor, and they all guessed that the person making the impeachment would use harsh or even rude language.

But they didn't expect that He Chaoxian, who was leading the charge, would be so vehement in his words.

How is this any different from cursing an official?
As expected, after He Chaoxian uttered his startling words, Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them, and a suffocating atmosphere instantly filled the hall.

"Is He Chaoxian, the Censor?" Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly.

"Yes." He Chaoxian sensed the murderous intent in his tone and suddenly felt a pang of regret. He should have been more gentle with his words. Reflecting on his earlier statement, he realized he had indeed gone too far.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared at He Chaoxian's face and slowly said, "You just said that I am 'cruel' and that the Imperial City Guard is 'a henchman of the tyrant.' I ask you, who is the 'tiger' and who is the 'henchman'?"

"When did it become possible for a courtier to publicly insult the emperor? He Chaoxian, in your eyes, is the emperor so weak that he allows you to berate him to his face? And you, you are so smug, thinking that you are on a moral high ground and can insult even the emperor at will?"

These words were a bit too serious. The courtiers in the hall fell silent immediately, and no one dared to speak.

He Chaoxian's eyelids twitched violently, and his face turned pale. Sure enough, his words had gone too far and had angered the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." He Chaoxian opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say a few words of admitting his mistakes and softening his stance. However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, if he were to take the initiative to soften his stance at this moment, his momentum would collapse completely, and the plan that his colleagues had devised today to impeach the Emperor and bring down the Censorate would all fall through.

He Chao hesitated for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence. His face turned pale and then flushed, and he looked around at his colleagues in the hall with pleading eyes, as if silently asking someone to step in and smooth things over. However, the officials all avoided his gaze, lowered their heads, and pretended not to hear.

At this moment, the Emperor was in a bad mood, and no one dared to offend him, not even the Prime Minister Zhang Dun.

Zhao Xiaoqian closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, he asked, "Where is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"

After a moment of silence in the court, a man stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject is Duan Shouyi, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said coldly, "What should be the punishment for a court official who behaves improperly in front of the emperor and publicly insults him?"

Duan Shouyi remained silent for a moment, but finally could not withstand the pressure from the emperor and said in a low voice, "According to the law, he should be dismissed from his post and exiled a thousand miles away."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned.

Is the punishment for a subject insulting the emperor so lenient?

According to legend, the crime of insulting or slandering the emperor should at least warrant beheading and public display of one's head, right?

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed in disappointment and said, "Then let's do it according to the rules. Remove He Chaoxian from his post as a censor, strip him of his official robes, throw him into the Dali Temple prison, and exile him to Lingnan on a chosen day, never to be released again."

The officials in the hall immediately paled, and He Chaoxian was especially terrified. He disregarded the decorum of a civil official, kneeling abruptly in the hall and stammering, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I misspoke just now. I had no intention of slandering you, Your Majesty..."

Zhao Xiaoqian waved his sleeve and said, "Palace guards, take him out!"

Several imperial guards entered from outside the hall, and amidst He Chaoxian's terrified pleas for mercy, they grabbed his arms and led him outside.

A moment later, He Chaoxian's voice disappeared outside the hall, and inside the hall, a deathly silence fell once again.

Many court officials turned pale, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads. They were all secretly relieved that they hadn't been the ones to lead the charge.

Who could have predicted that the official would have such a volatile temper, unable to tolerate even the slightest anger?

He Chaoxian was undoubtedly cannon fodder, but unfortunately, he didn't play any role at all. He didn't say a word about anything important, and he was eliminated as soon as he opened his mouth.

The atmosphere inside the hall was even more somber and oppressive than before.

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression softened slightly. He looked around at the assembled officials and said, "Speak properly, speak like a human being, and be polite. Don't try to 'make startling remarks' in front of me."

"You are all well-read people, and you should all have basic manners and cultivation, right? Let alone speaking to the Emperor, even when speaking to ordinary people, you should know how to be humble, polite, gentle, and refined. I will never tolerate those who curse as soon as they open their mouths!"

After he finished speaking, the hall remained silent, but many people's faces showed deep fear.

Today, He Chaoxian's negative example has taught the court officials a harsh lesson in how to behave.

Now they all understand that this official is different from the previous ones. He really can't stand the slightest anger, and if anyone dares to scold him with a righteous air, the consequences will be severe.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around the hall and smiled, "Alright, let's put what happened earlier behind us and start again. You guys push out another cannon fodder... Hmm, the one who's going to lead the charge. Remember, speak properly."

Among the court officials, Zhang Dun's face was grim. He knew very well that the Emperor's sudden attack on He Chaoxian and his severe punishment were not only to vent his anger.

More importantly, by using this as an excuse to suppress the morale of the officials, and to instill in them a sense of awe and fear towards the emperor, the officials would be in a passive position when the Censorate impeached them, lacking both the right to speak and the confidence to act.

This emperor is truly far more capable than the late Emperor Zhezong…

He Chaoxian was punished, and the officials could not exonerate him because He Chaoxian had indeed insulted the emperor.

The phrase "acting as an accomplice to a tiger" is a very serious term used in the imperial court; it carries an extremely derogatory connotation.

Regardless of who is the "tiger" or who is the "courier," both are insults to the emperor.

In the past, if an official was scolded, he would not be too angry and would usually pretend to be magnanimous and laugh it off. But if an official took it seriously, it would be perfectly reasonable to punish He Chaoxian.

what's next?

If a couple's spirits falter, they can still put on a brave face and say, "I'm too tired today," or "I'm not feeling well today." Even if their wives complain a bit, they can always try again another day.

But if the power struggle between the emperor and his ministers falters, they can't very well tell the emperor that they're not in good shape today, can they?

The tense and oppressive atmosphere in the main hall lasted for a long time, and the officials were almost ready to give up on impeaching the Censorate today.

However, among the hundreds of court officials, there were ultimately those who did not believe in superstition.

The main problem is that the actions of the Censorate have genuinely affected the interests of officials. If the Censorate cannot be brought down, how can officials across the country have a good life?

After a long silence, someone finally stepped forward.

"Your subject, Liu Zhongdao, the Supervising Censor, has something to report!"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled at him and said, "Censor-in-Chief? Hmm, go ahead and speak."

Censors, commonly known as "speaking officials" or "mouth officials," were people in the imperial court who were always nitpicking and finding fault with everything. Impeaching the emperor and his ministers was their job. Like a teddy bear, they were always criticizing everything and everyone.

"Your Majesty, I accuse the Censorate of abusing its power, arresting and questioning officials in Chenzhou without cause, fabricating false accusations, and chilling the hearts of officials and scholars throughout the land. I request Your Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation!"

(End of this chapter)