Water Margin: My 108 Heroes Come from All Heavens

"It's the rule..."

Han Zhong pondered for a moment and replied, "Actually, there's nothing special about it, just three points."

"Which three points?"

Liang Shan listened attentively.

"First, positioning."

Han Zhong held up his finger and said seriously, "Civil officials are in the east and military officials are in the west. Our Dali Temple belongs to the civil official sequence, so we stand on the east side."

"You are a newly promoted third-rank official, and your seat is in the third row of the main hall. To your left is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and to your right is the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, which is me."

"So, we're sitting next to each other?"

Liang Shan's eyes lit up.

It's good to have someone you know.

Otherwise, you wouldn't even know where you're standing.

It would be awkward if they took another official's position.

"Yes, we are next to each other."

Han Zhong nodded and added, "Please don't stand on the wrong side. Last year, a newly arrived Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices got excited and stood on the side of the military officers. He was then ganged up on and beaten to death by the military officers."

"Is it that serious?"

Liangshan was shocked.

Close-quarters combat could actually take place in the imperial court of the Song Dynasty?

Indistinctly.

He seemed to understand why the people of Kaifeng were so simple and honest.

So...

This trend originated from the imperial court.

"The second point is the time for responding to the emperor."

Han Zhong raised his second finger and instructed, "When His Majesty asks a question, you must answer while kneeling. Your voice must be loud but not too loud, clear but not too slow..."

Liang Shan silently noted it down.

"Third, and most importantly."

Han Zhong's expression turned serious: "There are three major forces in the court: the Dragon Guard Manor led by Zhu Wushi, the Western Depot led by Yu Huatian, and the Eastern Depot led by Cao Zhengchun. Your Excellency must not offend them."

"Moreover, all three of them are Grandmaster-level experts with unfathomable strength."

"Thank you for the reminder, Han Shaoqing."

After hearing this, Liang Shan bowed to Han Zhong.

This imperial court.

It was more dangerous than he had imagined.

I have neither the ability nor the status right now, so I'm afraid it won't be easy for me to get by.

"Sir, you don't really need to worry too much."

Seeing Liang Shan deep in thought, Han Zhong quickly comforted him, saying, "You are now deeply favored by the Emperor. As long as you don't make any serious mistakes, no one will dare to touch you."

"Deeply favored by the emperor?"

Liang Shan's lips twitched a few times.

He had never even met Zhao Gou, so how could he have gained the emperor's favor?

……

The next day.

It was the fourth watch of the night.

It was still dark.

Liang Shan was dragged out of bed by Zhou Ming.

"My lord, it's time for court!"

"What time is it?"

Liang Shan glanced out the window, still half asleep. The moon was still hanging in the dark sky.

"It's past four in the morning! If we don't get up soon, we'll be late!"

Zhou Ming hurriedly helped him put on his official robes, muttering, "Sir, this is your first time attending court. You can't be late. I heard that officials who are late will be fined three months' salary and made to kneel at the entrance of the main hall for an hour..."

"That ruthless?"

Liang Shan yawned, instantly waking up from most of his sleepiness.

After tidying up.

He took Zhou Ming out the door.

The Dali Temple is not far from the palace; it's only a quarter of an hour's walk.

But along the way.

Liang Shan left with a heart full of fear.

because……

There were already quite a few people on the street.

Although it was still dark, the people of Kaifeng had already begun their busy day.

People were selling breakfast, carrying loads on shoulder poles, and driving donkey carts; it was a lively scene.

"My lord, perhaps we should wear masks and avoid trouble?"

Zhou Ming hunched his shoulders and cautiously looked around.

"What are you trying to fool?"

Liang Shan glared at him: "I am now a third-rank official, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Avoid their sharp edge? Why don't they avoid mine?!"

The voice just fell.

"Snap—"

An egg hit him squarely on the forehead, the yolk dripping down his cheek.

"You shameless scoundrel!"

A woman in a floral dress stood by the roadside, hands on her hips, shouting, "Yesterday I was listening to a storyteller in the teahouse, and they said you'd defiled all the sows in the Jia family mansion! Are you even human?!"

Liang Shan: "???"

He wiped the egg wash off his face, and his expression immediately darkened.

These troublemakers.

They believe everything they hear.

They couldn't even tell that it was such an obvious rumor.

And those who spread rumors behind the scenes.

Don't let him catch you.

Otherwise, they will definitely regret being born!

"Sir, perhaps we should remain masked?"

Zhou Ming made the suggestion again, having already pulled out a black cloth from his hand.

Liang Shan readily agreed and stopped being stubborn. He took the black cloth, covered his face with it, and quickened his pace toward the palace.

along the way.

Then seven or eight eggs, three rotten tomatoes, and a broken shoe were thrown at him.

Fortunately, it is early morning.

There aren't many ordinary people.

He still managed to reach the palace gates safely.

"Oh no, my official robes are completely stained, and my hair ornaments are all messed up. Will I be punished for disrespect in front of the emperor?"

Liang Shan looked down at his disheveled appearance, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

at the same time.

Many officials had already gathered outside the palace gates, chatting in twos and threes.

It exists in everyone.

more or less.

There was some egg liquid, rotten vegetables, and the like.

"Have officials in the Song Dynasty fallen to this level?"

His eyelids twitched.

Judging from their official robes, some of them were of the third or fourth rank, but none of them escaped the beatings from the common people.

"what?"

"My lord, how many people have served you?"

Just then.

An official in his fifties, dressed in a purple robe, approached and looked Liang Shan up and down with astonishment in his eyes.

Liang Shan looked down at himself.

Egg yolk was splattered all over his official robes, his hair ornament was askew, and there were a few rotten vegetable leaves on his face. He looked like he had crawled out of a garbage dump.

"Not much, just seven or eight eggs, three tomatoes, and a worn-out shoe."

Liang Shan answered casually, while tidying his appearance.

"hiss--"

The other person gasped, then gave a thumbs-up: "You are truly a genius, sir!"

"???"

Liang Shan was completely bewildered.

He subconsciously looked around and realized that everyone else seemed to be looking at him.

In those eyes.

All I felt was amazement and admiration.

He scratched his head, somewhat confused about the situation.

"I am Liangshan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

Liang Shan had no choice but to bow and introduce himself.

The voice just fell.

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

All the officials turned to look at him, their eyes shifting from admiration to worship.

"???"

Liang Shan was stunned.

He was already prepared to be despised and scorned by everyone.

After all, that's who I am now.

Its reputation is already tarnished.

result……

These people actually regard themselves as idols?

"You must be... Lord Liang?!"

The middle-aged man in the purple official robe said excitedly, "I've heard so much about you! I am Cai Jing, and I've often heard of you lately."

"Cai Jing?!"

Liang Shan's pupils contracted slightly.

Who would have thought that this unassuming official in purple robes was actually the number one treacherous minister in the history of the Song Dynasty?!

"My name is Wang Fu, currently serving as Junior Chancellor. I have long admired Lord Liang's illustrious reputation!"

An official in his thirties, with a fair complexion, no beard, and quite handsome appearance, squeezed forward, his face full of flattery.

Wang Fu?

Yet another treacherous official.

in history.

He was ranked alongside Cai Jing as one of the Six Traitors.

He rose to power through the "Flower and Stone Tribute" and plundered the people's wealth, eventually being executed by order of Emperor Qinzong.