ATPnovel Chapter 18 Li Shanchang: Is this still the His Majesty we know?!
Chapter 18 Li Shanchang: Is this still the His Majesty we know?!
The outbreak of the Empty Seal Case and the arrests of officials by the Imperial Guard Commandery were like a sword hanging over the heads of all officials. No one knew who would be implicated next, and everyone was trembling with fear and walking in a hurry.
Inside the government office, officials gathered in twos and threes, whispering amongst themselves, their voices filled with fear and unease.
"Have you heard? Three more officials from the Ministry of Revenue were arrested yesterday. I heard the case is quite extensive, even affecting some local officials."
"Alas, His Majesty is serious this time. Let's hope we don't get involved, or we'll truly be doomed."
"Who would have thought that His Majesty's first act upon returning to the capital would stir up such a huge storm? This case of the blank seal will likely implicate many people."
Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong stood in a corner, their expressions gloomy, listening to the officials' discussions, their worries growing stronger.
Hu Weiyong rubbed his hands together, his voice filled with anxiety: "Teacher, the blank seal case is causing quite a stir, and many of our men have been implicated. What should we do?"
Li Shanchang closed his eyes, sighed slowly, and said in a heavy tone, "Things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more. We have no other choice but to do our best to protect the core members. As for the rest, we can only leave it to fate."
He opened his eyes, his gaze filled with weariness and determination: "The outbreak of the Empty Seal Case has enraged His Majesty and caused turmoil in the court. As the Prime Minister, I cannot shirk my responsibility."
"I intend to resign from my position as prime minister. Perhaps this will appease His Majesty's anger and give us a chance to catch our breath."
Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong was taken aback and quickly advised, "Teacher, you mustn't! If you resign from your position as Prime Minister, we will have even less support in the court, and we will be at the mercy of others!"
"My mind is made up." Li Shanchang waved his hand, his tone firm. "His Majesty's thoughts are unpredictable now. It's better for me to resign voluntarily than to be dismissed by His Majesty and end up disgraced."
After saying that, he changed the subject abruptly, asking urgently, "By the way, did you find out where His Majesty went on this incognito trip? Did you find out exactly where His Majesty went and who he met?"
Hu Weiyong quickly composed himself, his tone tinged with uncertainty: "I have sent people to investigate for a long time, and we have only found out that His Majesty seems to have gone to Chenzhou. We are still unable to determine exactly what he did in Chenzhou or who he met."
"However, I did find out that after His Majesty returned to the capital, he immediately summoned all the ministers of the Ministry of Works to the Imperial Study for a meeting, which seemed to be discussing something about 'roads'."
"Road?" Li Shanchang frowned, a look of confusion on his face. "What is a road? I've never heard of this name before. Could it be some new method of road construction?"
Hu Weiyong shook his head: "I don't know either. The people in the Ministry of Works are keeping their mouths shut and won't reveal any information. I only know that His Majesty attaches great importance to this."
Li Shanchang remained silent for a moment, a hint of melancholy on his face. He sighed softly, "So be it. It seems I am truly getting old. I can no longer keep up with His Majesty's thoughts or the new developments in the court."
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of the court assembly. The officials immediately stopped talking, straightened their court robes, and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony in turn.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, exuding an aura of majesty. His eyes were sharp as knives as he swept over the civil and military officials below. The hall fell silent instantly, and even breathing became cautious.
"Rise, my lords." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was cold and devoid of any emotion. "The main reason I have summoned you all today is to investigate the case of the blank seal. I'm sure you have all heard about the relevant case files."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became even more tense. All the officials lowered their heads, and no one dared to look Zhu Yuanzhang in the eye.
Everyone was certain that, given Zhu Yuanzhang's ruthless nature, all the officials involved in the Empty Seal Case would be executed without exception, and many officials had even prepared themselves to be implicated.
Li Shanchang stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the officials involved in the Empty Seal Case are corrupt, lawless, and deceitful of the emperor. They deserve to die. However, considering that many of them are implicated, I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."
At the same time, he presented his resignation with both hands, speaking respectfully: "As the prime minister, I failed to detect the corruption among officials and cannot escape blame. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to resign from the position of prime minister to atone for my sins to the people."
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Li Shanchang's resignation, then at the panicked officials below, and Zhu Yao's instructions flashed through his mind again, softening his tone somewhat.
"The officials involved in the Blank Seal Case have varying degrees of guilt and cannot be treated the same." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice echoed throughout the hall. "We have decided to execute only the ringleader of the corrupt officials. Those who are guilty of heinous crimes and serious embezzlement and perversion of justice will all be executed as a warning to others."
"The remaining officials involved will be handed over to the Imperial Guard Commandery and the Ministry of Justice for careful investigation. Those who are implicated and show good remorse will be demoted and punished for their crimes."
"If there is minor fraud that does not cause significant losses, the offender will be fined three months' salary and required to reform."
Upon hearing this, the Hall of Supreme Harmony erupted in uproar. All the officials raised their heads, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief.
No one expected that Zhu Yuanzhang, who was always ruthless and decisive, would handle the Empty Seal Case so gently, without exterminating everyone. This was completely different from his usual style of doing things.
Li Shanchang was also stunned. He originally thought that Zhu Yuanzhang would reject his resignation in a fit of rage or severely punish all the officials, but he did not expect this outcome.
Zhu Yuanzhang ignored the shocked expressions on everyone's faces and continued, "As for Li Shanchang's resignation, we grant it. He can focus on supervising the compilation of the History of Yuan."
"Hu Weiyong, I recognize your diligence and competence. Effective immediately, I appoint you as the Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat to assist me in handling state affairs. Do not fail my trust."
Hu Weiyong looked up abruptly, his face filled with surprise and astonishment. He quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! I will certainly devote myself to your service until my dying breath, and I will never fail Your Majesty's trust!"
After the court assembly ended, the officials gradually dispersed, all still immersed in shock, privately discussing Zhu Yuanzhang's unusual behavior that day.
Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony side by side, their expressions complex, filled with doubt and unable to understand.
Hu Weiyong frowned, his tone full of confusion: "Teacher, His Majesty is acting very strangely today. Not only did he not severely punish all the officials involved, but he also approved your resignation and appointed me as the Left Chancellor. What exactly is going on?"
Li Shanchang also looked grave and slowly said, "Yes, I can't figure it out either."
"His Majesty has always abhorred corruption and bribery. In this case of the Empty Seal, he should have been executed without mercy, but instead, he showed leniency and acted much more gently. Is this still the His Majesty we know?!"
"And then there's that 'road.' His Majesty attaches such importance to it, coupled with His Majesty's strange trip to Chenzhou and Liu Bowen's disappearance. All of this seems a bit off."