The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 158 The Great Court Meeting

"Boom!"

The morning drums have sounded, and the interpreters should now guide the officials into the palace square in their assigned ranks.

Xiao Yi learned the etiquette very carefully, but he quickly thought it through and decided that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be taken.

If we follow the usual practice, the intelligence would be sent to the Inner Palace for handover, and by the time the eunuchs have verified it, it would be long past its expiration date.

Opportunities must be created by oneself.

"Brother Wang, I'm leaving this place to you."

"I said, after the Grand Assembly..."

Before Wang Chengxun could finish speaking, Xiao Yi turned and ran into the left side gate.

"Boom!"

After the last two morning drumbeats sounded, the guards lined up on the stone steps ahead, and one of the young generals blocked Xiao Yi's way.

"General Xiao, this humble general is Ma Renyu. I have long admired you. What are you doing, General?"

"I must see His Majesty before the court assembly."

"What brings you here, General? May I have this audience after the court session?"

Xiao Yi leaned close to Ma Renyu's ear and whispered, "Liu Chong has declared himself emperor. It would be best if we could issue an edict to rebuke Liu Chong at the court meeting today, but the usual procedures are too slow."

"Please follow me."

The two quickly bypassed Guangzheng Hall and ran directly to Zichen Hall, where they saw Murong Yanzhao guarding the place.

Ma Renyu stepped forward to report, and Murong Yanzhao immediately went inside and returned quickly, saying, "Summon Xiao Yi to an audience."

Xiao Yi strode in.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from the city gates."

After saying that, he looked at Guo Wei.

Guo Wei stood with his arms outstretched, dressed in a dragon robe by an eunuch. He glanced at him indifferently and said, "Read it."

"The minister obeys the order."

Xiao Yi took out a copied document and quickly glanced at it.

"On the day of Guiyou in the first month of the fourth year of Qianyou, Liu Chong, the military governor of Hedong and the prefect of Taiyuan, respectfully received the mandate of Heaven and proclaimed to the world: In the past, our great-grandfather Emperor Xiaowen rose from Jinyang, soared to the northern deserts, established his capital in the Central Plains, and founded the Han dynasty."

"Keep reading."

"Guo Wei, a lowly man, rose from humble beginnings, but through the grace of the state, he rose to the highest ranks of general and minister. Harboring treacherous intentions, he committed acts of usurpation, seizing the title and establishing himself as emperor..."

Seeing that Guo Wei's expression was calm and he showed no intention of stopping, Xiao Yi continued reading, "I believe that the Han lineage cannot be broken and the state cannot be without a ruler. Therefore, in accordance with public opinion, I hereby ascend the throne."

Guo Wei then spoke, saying, "Just as I expected."

Xiao Yi then took out other documents from the leather pouch, all containing similar content.

"What time is it?"

"Your Majesty, at 2:45 AM, the whips will be driven away immediately."

Guo Wei looked around and said, "Xiao Yi, you write the imperial edict."

"I... obey your order."

With no time to refuse, Xiao Yi simply walked up to the imperial desk.

An eunuch who was rolling up the edict to be issued that day on suppressing Buddhism stopped and took out a blank edict.

"Your Majesty, there is no time to get the three provinces to stamp the document."

"No need. I said, Xiao Yi, write it according to my wishes."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi ground the ink, picked up his brush, and listened intently.

"Liu Chong is of despicable character and a scoundrel; he cannot last long. I raised an army not for wealth and power, but because the court is full of treacherous officials who persecute loyal and good people. The people's hearts are with me. Considering Emperor Gaozu's brotherly affection for Liu Chong and out of pity for the people of Hedong, I will give Liu Chong three months to surrender. I will order the border towns along the north to defend their own borders and not to enter the northern border to plunder."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment.

He couldn't just write it like that; usually, when a Hanlin scholar drafted an imperial edict, he would have to polish it.

After thinking for a moment and glancing at the format of the "Edict to Suppress Buddhism," he finally put pen to paper.

A calligraphy brush is much harder to control than a sword, and the handwriting is so ugly it's unbearable to look at.

After finally finishing writing, Murong Yanzhao came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, it's time to depart."

"read."

Holding the imperial edict, Xiao Yi followed the imperial carriage out, reading it aloud as he went.

Guo Wei wasn't dissatisfied, but he glanced at the imperial edict and said, "The handwriting is ugly. You will read the edict in a moment."

"Yes."

With three sharp cracks of the whip, officials entered the Guangzheng Hall in order of rank and stood solemnly beneath the red steps.

Xiao Yi had come with the emperor. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he walked past the officials and stopped at the palace gate. He walked to the west side and saw Fan Zhi beckoning him to stand with him in the position of the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.

Although both were called "Sheren" (舍人), there was a significant difference in rank between "Tongshi" (通事) and "Zhongshu" (中书), much like the difference between a gatekeeper and a staff member. Fortunately, the new dynasty had just been established, and apart from Wang Chengxun overseeing etiquette, no one cared about such things.

Long live the mountain.

"Speak if you have something to report; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

The dialogue between the emperor and his ministers proceeded in an orderly manner, discussing matters that seemed important but were actually quite trivial.

Taking the opportunity, Xiao Yi whispered something to Fan Zhi.

He kept his lips as still as possible and said in an almost inaudible voice, "Liu Chong proclaimed himself emperor, how can you criticize him?"

I didn't expect Fan Zhi to answer.

Fan Zhi probably guessed what had happened and said in a low voice, "The scolding doesn't have to be harsh. Just point out that 'they are only interested in profit and are not fit for great responsibilities'."

In such a solemn setting, there is little opportunity to speak.

After the senior officials finished their reports, Guo Wei said calmly, "Summon the Secretariat and the Chancellery to issue an imperial edict."

Fan Zhi stepped forward, took the imperial edict presented by the eunuch, unfolded it, and read it aloud.

"I hereby decree to all prefectures and counties, civil and military officials, and monks, nuns, and Taoist priests throughout the realm. The foundation of a nation lies in its people; the basis of governance and education lies in practicality. In recent years, the followers of Buddhism have proliferated excessively, indiscriminately ordaining monks and nuns..."

Xiao Yi listened very attentively.

Compared to criticizing Liu Chong, this is what he truly worked hard to achieve.

The edict clearly and concretely put forward five measures: to merge and abolish temples and control the number of imperial edicts; to regulate monks and nuns and restrict the issuance of ordination certificates; to prohibit bad habits and rectify the religious atmosphere; to confiscate copperware and mint coins for financial support; and to purchase land and settle displaced people.

Finally, Guo Wei said something heartfelt at the end of the edict.

“I hope you will not worry about destroying the Buddha. The bronze statue is not the Buddha. The Buddha is the one who benefits people. The Buddha heals the mind, and I am the shepherd of all people. If my body can save the world, then my body can also be melted down.”

Xiao Yi had expected that the officials would do everything they could to obstruct him.

However, after the imperial edict was read, there was only silence in the Guangzheng Hall.

Looking back, one could see some elderly Buddhist ministers with tears streaming down their faces, who eventually stepped forward and knelt on the ground.

"The Buddha sacrificed himself to feed the eagle; Your Majesty has thoroughly understood the Dharma. You are truly virtuous!"

"The birth of a benevolent ruler is a blessing for all people!"

Amidst a chorus of praise, the officials received the imperial decree.

If Liu Chong hadn't jumped in and spoiled the mood, we could be enjoying this stage of progress right now.

Xiao Yi took two deep breaths.

He stepped forward, took the second imperial edict presented by the eunuch, and walked steadily to the center of the steps.

He unfolded the imperial edict, read it aloud, his voice clear and resonant, powerful and resounding.

"The traitor Liu Chong is greedy and incapable of shouldering great responsibilities. He has been granted the privilege of living in Hebei by the legacy of the Han Dynasty, yet he shows no gratitude and has usurped the throne. I am mindful that the nation has long suffered turmoil and the people have endured much hardship, and I cannot bear to send troops. I hereby grant Liu Chong three months to surrender and surrender, thus preserving his clan. If he remains obstinate, I will surely march straight to Taiyuan and wipe him out! By then, it will be too late for regrets. I hereby order the northern border towns and prefectures to guard the borders carefully, strengthen their armor and weapons, and refrain from trespassing into the northern border to plunder, in order to appease the people. This is my decree."

After reading it, Xiao Yi felt it was alright; at least he had performed at his best.

He returned the imperial edict to his seat and saw Fan Zhi nod to him without making a sound.

Xiao Yi had done the job of a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and he considered himself to have done it barely.

Then it was time to see how the officials reacted.

Now is the time for Guo Wei and Liu Chong to exchange harsh words. He doesn't seek to humiliate Liu Chong, but only to gain the upper hand before most officials and common people receive the news, demonstrating that Guo Wei is fully aware of the situation and thus stabilizing public sentiment.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Wang Jun stepped forward first and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent; we accept your decree."

"Your Majesty is benevolent; we accept your decree."

The officials were once again full of praise, which was probably not entirely out of flattery, but rather because they sensed the difference between Guo Wei and the emperors of the past chaotic times.

The morning assembly thus came to an end.

After leaving the main hall, standing on the stone steps and looking around, one could see officials whispering among themselves, discussing either the edict to suppress Buddhism or Liu Chong's ascension to the throne.

He believed that the two things were not in conflict: to improve domestic affairs and guard against foreign enemies, and to collect taxes and grain while reducing the burden on the people and to reorganize the army, so as to pacify Hedong as soon as possible.

Before he even left the palace, he was suddenly stopped by Li Chongjin.

"Ayi, let's go back to camp."

"Is there something I need to do?"

"Hehe, finally I can stretch my arms and legs."

Now that the decree has been issued, it is time to take action to suppress Buddhism.

After the civil officials finished their duties, the military officers had theirs to do next.

Xiao Yi's mindset was actually not as relaxed as it was yesterday.

With the passing of January and Liu Chong's ascension to the throne, the Great Zhou Dynasty will likely soon face various trials and tribulations.

Only by weathering this storm can a nation truly be established.

(End of this chapter)