The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 267 - 132: Please Execute Xu Qing (Subscription Requested)

Chapter 267: Chapter 132: Please Execute Xu Qing (Subscription Requested)

Forbidden City, outside the Great Ming Gate, the officials had already gathered.

Today was the Grand Court Council, a rare opportunity for the officials to partake in the nation’s major affairs. On normal days, whether it be state affairs or military secrets, it was the Cabinet that took the lead, convening a small meeting with the non-Cabinet Six Ministers and Imperial Censors to settle matters.

Regarding the appointment and dismissal of high-ranking officials, a court recommendation would suffice.

Especially with the current Emperor, who has delegated the big and small affairs to the Cabinet, often only showing his hand when there are personnel changes within the Cabinet itself.

However, not a single civil and military official in the entire court dared to underestimate this old Emperor, who has held authority for several decades.

For example, the Emperor would, from time to time in the dead of night, issue decrees inquiring about a certain official’s opinion on a particular state affair. To the one questioned, it would cause a shock of cold sweat, then realizing that though the Emperor was dedicated to seeking the Dao in the Longevity Palace outside of the Imperial City, he remained thoroughly informed about the major state politics.

How could the ministers not be trembling with fear?

Of course, only the Emperor’s close eunuchs were a bit clearer that, since his youth, the old Emperor had the habit of staying up late to review petitions and then during the day he appeared detached like a casual crane, profound and inscrutable, unconcerned about national affairs.

In reality, it was all due to the tremendous effort spent during the night.

It might be due to the growing complexity of state affairs, coupled with the Grand Secretary’s effectiveness, and the Emperor’s advancing age and waning energy, that he no longer had the endurance for late nights. Therefore, the close eunuchs also found a chance to breathe.

Under the guidance of the Imperial Censors and the Ministry of Rites officials, the Grand Secretary reached the very front of the assembled officials.

With the slow chiming of the Jinyang Bell, the Grand Secretary’s carriage stopped in front of the Great Ming Palace.

The officials lined the path, bowing and saluting towards the carriage.

This was a unique honor reserved for the Grand Secretary.

The officials all had to walk into the palace on foot, while the Grand Secretary could ride his carriage within the palace.

In the history of the country, the power of the Prime Minister has never been greater than it is today.

With regards to the Grand Secretary’s special honor, the officials were a mix of jealousy and admiration, and few would comment on it. After all, the position of Grand Secretary wasn’t hereditary.

Among the officials of the Capital, there were plenty who had come in first or second rank in the Imperial Examination, all hoping to enter the Cabinet and someday rise to the highest positions among subjects. Even if the hope was slim, who could stop dreaming?

If today the Grand Secretary’s honors were reduced, what if one were to attain that position in the coming days? By then one might be in their seventies or eighties, having to walk into the palace in the dead of winter, which could quickly lead to retirement.

Hence, the enhancement of civil servant honors and treatment was in the common interest of all, one could only wish for more.

In short order, the Great Ming Gate was opened.

The Grand Secretary’s carriage entered the palace first, while the left and right civil and military officials entered from the side doors, with a thousand household officials checking their identification plaques.

Following this, they entered the various palace gates according to ritual procedures, finally reaching the forecourt of the Golden Throne Hall, finding their respective places according to their ranks, standing below the imperial steps.

The Grand Secretary naturally stood in the very front row of the civil servants.

At that moment, smoke began to rise from the eighteen bronze incense burners on the platform.

Beneath the swirling mist, the hall seemed like the Penglai Immortal Pavilion.

Suddenly, a massive sound of a whip cracked through the air.

In the mist, the officials saw a whip, snaking like a giant serpent.

After three cracks of the whip, the long whip came to rest quietly on the ground.

At the cessation of the whip’s sound, the officials fell silent.

Then came the Imperial music for the Emperor’s entrance, a background exclusive for his arrival, lasting till the end of the Imperial procession and after His Majesty took his seat on the throne.

The music ceased.

An official from the Honglu Temple chanted, "Formation complete."

The officials then shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor."

After the shout, the Ritual Officer said, "Bow."

The officials performed a bowing and kowtow ritual three times.

The whole process was monitored by designated personnel, and any misconduct would definitely affect one’s career.

This is also why the Grand Court Council was not held frequently.

It was an intricate and taxing procedure.

What the middle and lower officials sought was the power to participate in the nation’s major affairs, not to seek punishment.

Human beings, if they are willing to endure hardships, then there are endless hardships to endure.

They knew it better than anyone!

On the throne, the Emperor was clad in a crimson dragon robe, his eyes bright and commanding, resembling an old dragon overlooking his subjects.

"Proceed with the discussion."

Subsequently, a designated official began the process, announcing the topic of today’s Grand Court Council.

Mainly, the Cabinet Ministers, Six Ministers, Imperial Censors, Nine Ministers, and Assistant Ministers from various departments would speak, and the other middle and lower officials were responsible for expressing agreement or dissent, as well as cheering and rallying.

Even so, it was a rare opportunity for them to be involved in the nation’s major affairs.

After all, on usual days, the officials were merely tools; the upper echelons set the tone, and they did the work. Of course, how they did their work mattered as well.

At this time, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Chen Fu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I request to bring charges against the Grand Secretary for embezzling Taicang silver to fund the military expenses in Liao Dong."

His words caused an uproar among the crowd.

Nobody expected a courageous one today.

The officials appeared eager and ready.

To think the Great Yu Dynasty actually had loyal officials.

Some clever officials pondered, was this some new tactic?

As the products of the Imperial Examination, they were wise; they might not understand how to go about things, but they certainly understood self-preservation. Under the Grand Court Council’s agenda to "survey land measurements," the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue unexpectedly launched an attack directly at the Grand Secretary.

To say Chen Fu had no backers, nobody would believe that to death.

But the Minister of Revenue was the Grand Secretary’s man; surely he wouldn’t order his own subordinate to attack the Grand Secretary.

Yet, it was difficult to say.

If the Grand Secretary falls, the Minister of Revenue could move up a step.

The old Emperor heard this without surprise or anger, and spoke indifferently, "Elder Zhang, is there any truth to this?"

In the Great Yu Dynasty, there was actually no official designation of the "Grand Secretary," in practice, it was the Chief Scholar of the Cabinet. But that did not prevent everyone from commonly referring to the role as the "Grand Secretary" or respectfully, "Prime Minister."