A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 122: Noble and humble
A bloody head.

It was served in the hall.

Both Chinese and foreign officials, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial family felt a strong sense of unease.

Growing up under a tyrannical political system, none of the court officials in the palace could be considered virtuous, but their mindset at that time was very delicate.

The saying "things of one kind grieve for their own kind" is no different from this.

"The news spread to the Northeast."

The young master's voice fell.

Killing is never the goal.

Using the heads of Zheng Dangshi and his entire clan was to demonstrate that the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty was determined to solve the problem of bandits.

"Your Majesty."

Upon hearing the commotion, Right Inner Historian Ji An entered the center of the hall and remonstrated, saying, "The Chief Commandant of the Imperial Guard is a high-ranking official who was once a pillar of the state. He should be allowed to remain in good health."

The officials of both dynasties remained silent.

Zheng Dangshi's death was complicated, but as a fellow minister and a colleague of many years, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Zheng Dangshi, who was to die without a complete body and be despised by the people of Guandong. He also worried about what would happen to him after his death.

Ji An's words struck a chord with them, and their perception of Zhi Chen suddenly changed somewhat.

"The Right Inner Historian is mistaken."

The Imperial Censor Zhang Tang's fate after being demoted: "Zheng was a loyal minister of Chu, not a loyal subject of Han. He was treacherous and cunning, sowing discord between our emperor and the people. Even if he were to be torn to pieces, his crimes would not be fully realized. It is only right that his head be sent to the east of the pass!"

"The Imperial Censor is already a high-ranking official, so why does he still act like a cruel official, using his cunning to control others and unwilling to respect his status? Isn't he afraid of being disgraced one day?" Ji An sighed.

The methods of ruthless officials in serving the emperor were a complete system in themselves.

Back then, Zhang Tang was promoted to Minister of Justice by handling the witchcraft case of Empress Chen. At that time, His Majesty was fond of Confucianism, so Zhang Tang pretended to admire Confucian masters, respecting Dong Zhongshu, Gongsun Hong and others. He appointed Ni Kuan from Qiancheng as the judge, striving to find Confucian and Legal evidence for all trial cases. Those whom His Majesty wanted to pardon were interpreted as minor crimes, and those whom His Majesty wanted to punish were interpreted as serious crimes. The power to interpret the laws of the Han Dynasty was obviously in Zhang Tang's hands.

In addition, Zhang Tang was truly capable of doing anything to gain fame. Whenever he had free time, regardless of the weather, he would visit the homes of high-ranking officials and ministers to offer his greetings.

They cater to His Majesty's thoughts, cater to His Majesty's preferences, and even cater to His Majesty's close advisors. How can I put it? They're like dogs.

Ji An had thought that Zhang Tang would gradually become more respectful of his status after being promoted to one of the Three Dukes, but to his surprise, he remained unchanged. Zhang Tang continued to flatter the emperor in the same way he had in the past.

They are willing to stand on the opposite side of public opinion.

Ji An did not believe that Zhang Tang would have a good ending.

Hear the words.

Zhang Tang's smile remained unchanged. He said, "You say I don't understand officialdom? I say you don't understand cruel officials. Being a cruel official is a one-way street."

"If the day the Right Inner Historian speaks of comes, I ask for nothing more than to be buried in a pile of yellow earth."

Ji An had never gained any advantage in verbal sparring with Zhang Tang, so he had no choice but to bypass Zhang Tang and continue to advise him: "I believe that it is inappropriate to send the heads of high officials to please the common people. How can the emperor, who is of the highest rank, lower himself to please the common people?"

Previously, Your Majesty implemented a policy of cruel officials, and was keen to use severe punishments to gain credit for the emperor and intimidate the officials and people, which led to the current situation in Guandong. However, since ancient times, if an emperor does not admit his mistakes, he can simply change the customs and habits. Why should he use the heads of his ministers to win the hearts of the common people?
If this continues, the common people will lose their reverence for the high officials and nobles, and how can the high officials and nobles then act as the emperor to tour the world?
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Tang shifted his foot slightly, once again blocking Ji An's gaze from the throne. "I believe Ji An's words are utter nonsense. There are too many officials in the world, like Zheng Dangshi, who deceive Your Majesty and block the channels of communication. This has led Your Majesty to make many wrong decisions, causing ignorance between the ruler and the people, and nearly plunging our dynasty into utter ruin. Now, Your Majesty has executed the treacherous minister and sent the chief traitor to Guandong, so that all the people of the world may know that the rampant banditry is not the emperor's fault, but rather the work of the treacherous minister. Only in this way can the resentment of the people be extinguished, and the ruler and the people understand each other. What is there to say about flattery?"

His Majesty's mistakes in governance were attributed to the deception of officials like Zheng Dangshi, leaving officials from both dynasties completely bewildered.

Anyone can say that. You, Zhang Tang, rose to power by relying on the persecution of others by cruel officials. What gives you the right to say that?

They really have no shame whatsoever!

Moreover, your current attempt to clear His Majesty of his mistakes is simply because you know His Majesty's southern tour is a dead end, and he can no longer return to Chang'an and return to the Xuan Room. You are trying to shift all the blame onto Zheng Dangshi and others, but His Majesty cannot clean up the mess at this time. This will only slightly salvage the face of the Han imperial family, so that when the new emperor ascends the throne, the people of the world can all praise him, saying, "The new emperor is the true Son of Heaven."

Other cruel officials only knew how to enforce the law strictly and judge cases unfairly in order to serve the emperor. How could Zhang Tang's skills in serving the emperor be so high?
Despite the envy, jealousy, and resentment of the high-ranking officials, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial family throughout the two dynasties, they had to admit that Zhang Tang's rise to the position of one of the Three Dukes was due to his intelligence and talent.

If Zhang Tang were not a legal official but a Confucian official, his status would not be lower than that of most people in the main hall.

Ji An's patience with Zhang Tang had reached its limit. He said angrily, "Your Majesty, I am old and somewhat confused, but I still know the principles of nobility and lowliness. Zhang Tang, as one of the Three Dukes, you have failed to carry forward the achievements of the late Emperor and have failed to curb the evil desires of the people. You have failed to bring peace and prosperity to the country and empty the prisons. You have accomplished nothing in either of these aspects."

On the contrary, you do wrong things with all your might, and you destroy etiquette and laws to achieve your own success. What's worse, how dare you change the rules and regulations set by Emperor Gaozu?

"A great falsehood disguised as loyalty, Zhang Tang, you will be childless and without descendants if you do this."

The sound reverberated throughout the main hall.

The assembled officials were all astonished.

“Right Inner Historian, why are you so angry?” Liu Ju said.

“What I am saying is the absolute truth,” Ji An said, his neck stiff.

Liu Ju looked at Ji An and slowly began to empathize with his father's feelings. However, unlike his father, he could not tolerate such a person barking wildly by his side. Just as Emperor Xiaowen could not be placed in front of the emperor, he did not need such a person to demonstrate his ability to accept good advice. "As the Right Inner Historian said, the court does not need to do anything about the bandits in Guandong, and the banditry will be quelled, is that right?"

"In my opinion, if officials govern the people and keep things quiet and peaceful, then thieves will not be born."

"I remember that when the Right Inner Historian was the Prefect of Donghai, he did the same thing. He delegated most of the affairs to the Prefectural Assistant and the Clerk, and supervised his subordinates to act in accordance with the law. He was not demanding about minor details, and everyone in Donghai praised him. Is that right?"

"Your Majesty is learned and has a remarkable memory; I, your subject, am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

"In that case, the Right Inner Historian might as well return to Donghai County and follow the same path as before. Can you guarantee that no bandits in the vicinity will dare to approach Donghai, that there will be order among the noble and the lowly, and that no one will pick up lost items on the road within the county?"

"Your subject is willing to give it a try!" Ji An said solemnly.

"Prime Minister".

"Your subject is here," Gongsun Hong replied.

Who is the Prefect of Donghai Commandery?

"Your Majesty, it is Marquis Li Fu of Dai."

"Switch positions."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)