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

Chapter 186: Buzzing
The sun was blazing, and the blazing sun hung high in the sky.

Even with the ice and the constant breeze from the eight five-bright fans, the princes, dukes, marquises, and royal ministers of both the central and foreign dynasties still felt incredibly hot. From their foreheads to their necks, chests, and backs, their entire bodies were sweating profusely. These dignified princes looked as if they had been pulled out of the water.

The emperor actually issued an edict to suppress Confucianism?
All Confucian scholars can have their family property used by others as they please, including their collected manuscripts, books, money, grain, land, houses, and so on, for the use of all subjects under heaven.

Use your own spear against your own shield.

Never before in history has a doctrine been destroyed like this. From now on, who in the world would dare to call themselves a "Confucian"?
"My lord, this cannot be..."

A mouthful of blood welled up, silencing the words Er Kuan was about to say.

Confucianism only desired the emperor's military prowess and virtue, yet the emperor wanted to destroy Confucianism.

At this moment, Er Kuan really wanted to tell Ting that it was a "misunderstanding" and take back what he had said earlier.

Damage can't be undone.

This is the story of Zhu Maichen, the Chancellor and Director of Justice of this dynasty.

In the past, Zhu Maichen was poor and made a living by chopping wood, but he loved reading.

His wife, Cui, disliked his poverty and forced him to write a letter of divorce and remarry when Zhu Maichen was over forty years old.

Zhu Maichen was later recommended by his fellow townsman Yan Zhu and gained the emperor's favor, becoming the governor of Kuaiji.

Cui regretted her actions and tried to stop the horse to reconcile. Zhu Maichen had someone bring a basin of water and splashed it in front of the horse, ordering her to take back the water. Cui, ashamed, committed suicide.

At this moment, it also happened to Erkuan.

However, Erkuan was even less capable than a woman; he lacked the courage to commit suicide.

Dong Zhongshu, Jiang Gong of Xiaqiu, Kong Yannian, Lü Bushu... the names of many Confucian scholars flashed through Liu Ju's mind one after another, and he had never been so determined to destroy a doctrine and a group of scholars.

"Liu Piqiang".

"Your subject is here." Liu Piqiang, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, stepped forward in response.

"This edict shall be enshrined in the imperial clan system of the Han Dynasty. Any monarch who succeeds me and does not obey this edict shall be executed by all under Heaven!"

"yes?"

Liu Piqiang's heart trembled.

The emperor added a "perpetual provision" to the Han dynasty.

Just like the agreement between Emperor Gaozu and his ministers, "No one who is not of Liu rank shall be king, no one who is not meritorious shall be marquis, and anyone who violates this shall be punished by all under heaven," it became a permanent system of the Han Dynasty.

Moreover, the punishment was even more severe: if a successor ruler violated this rule, the entire world would condemn the "disobedient ruler."

This is a gamble with the fate of the nation, ensuring that Confucianism will never be able to recover.

With a "poof," to everyone's astonishment, Zhong Dafu Erkuan coughed up a mist of blood, as if he were saying something, but his incoherent speech was unintelligible to all the officials present.

The more anxious Er Kuan became, the more confused he became, and the more blood he spat out, until finally, he fainted from anger.

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy asked the palace guards to carry the person away and clean up the bloodstains, but the stench of blood lingering around the noses of the princes and nobles only intensified.

Liu Ju looked at them and said indifferently, "Are there any others who support Zhong Dafu?"

That unassuming, ethereal tone stirred up a storm in the hearts of the princes, implying that whoever supported Erkuan would be the next "fellow sufferer."

Everyone was startled, bowed, knelt, and sang praises in one smooth motion.

"Even the most enlightened ruler is no more sagacious than Your Majesty!"

"Even the most enlightened ruler is no more sagacious than Your Majesty!"

"Even the most enlightened ruler is no more sagacious than Your Majesty!"

"..."

The sound of praise to the saint.

The voices supporting the system of leniency and shared benefits were louder, wider, and more enduring than those supporting it.

No one wants to be perceived as lacking sincerity simply because their voice isn't loud enough, thus following in the footsteps of the Confucianists and the likes of Erkuan. Those who enter the Emperor's court are mostly intelligent people, including some exceptionally intelligent ones, which inevitably brings to mind the admonitions of their predecessors when they entered officialdom.

If you lack ability, you must be honest; if you want to use tricks, you must be clever—cleverer than everyone else.

If you cannot, you must bear the consequences of failure.

As a representative of Confucianism who worships the ruler, Er Kuan attempted to slay the dragon, but failed and angered it, hoping that Confucianism, which had been extinct for a thousand years, could make a comeback.

Those who tried to stop a chariot with their bare hands met their just deserts, and the prince's gaze once again fell upon Li Ju, who was kneeling in the hall, his face ashen.

The fate of the Li family in Longxi was already foreseeable.

"Your Majesty, I have no intention of disobeying you." Li Ju stubbornly raised his head and uttered his last cry.

The princes and nobles remained silent upon hearing this.

If it were said that Li Ju and the Li family of Longxi harbored rebellious intentions, few would believe that this family was loyal to His Majesty.

However, he was disloyal to his sovereign.

"Zhang Tang".

"The minister is here."

Imperial Censor Zhang Tang excitedly walked into the center of the hall. Since the emperor took office, he could finally openly and legitimately exercise his ability to "punish relatives and friends."

The scene of the witchcraft case involving the deposed Empress Chen Ajiao was recreated.

The princes were terrified. Who had released the hungry tiger?

"Hand it over to your embroidered robe so that it can be directly handed over to the censor for handling."

The superior commands the inferior.

Li Ju immediately fainted.

Zhang Tang was very satisfied with his performance, and then faced the throne and respectfully said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

He led and carried out the rebellion, and he could split every living creature in the Li family of Longxi in two.

"Your Majesty."

Gongsun Hong spoke up at the opportune moment, "The plot to rebel was also carried out by Zuo Fengyi and his troops."

The old prime minister always handled things so meticulously, never forgetting that Zuo Fengyi was the organizer of the rebellion.

"The embroidered robes were handed over directly to the censor for handling."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhang Tang's answers were always so forceful and full of murderous intent.

The princes and nobles couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. It wasn't that they were sorry for Yi Zong, the cruel official, but for his sister, Yi Shuo, a renowned female physician.

Many of the princes and ministers in the court had their wives treated by Yi Shuo when they suffered from hidden illnesses. Now that they have been implicated and died, it is hard not to feel sorry for them.

But there is nothing to do.

With the great merits of the Grand General and the General of the Guards, the Emperor has killed two chickens, the Confucianists and the Li family of Longxi. These monkeys are in danger of losing their own lives, so how can they protect others?

With the matter of Yi Zong and Li Ju's rebellion settled, Gongsun Hong, fulfilling the duties entrusted to him by the emperor, faced the princes and nobles once more, his voice tinged with a coldness, and said, "Let's continue the discussion."

Bian Tong, the Minister of Justice, moved to the center of the hall and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, before the court meeting, the Ministry of Justice received shocking news: the chaos in Dai and some other vassal states before the Xiongnu Chanyu Yizhixie led his army to launch a surprise attack on Dai was not the result of the displaced people's unconscious actions, but was actually manipulated by someone with ulterior motives!"

Bian Tong did not specify any particular chaotic kingdom, but his eyes were fixed on the feudal lords, and he locked onto several kings.

Are there any feudal lords secretly colluding with the Xiongnu?
Although many princes and nobles had guesses about the merits of the Dai region and had some expectations, they were still taken aback when the moment arrived.

Furthermore, I cannot understand the actions of that trespassing prince. Before Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor Xiaojing, and Your Majesty reduced the power of the vassal states, the Xiongnu were strong, the vassal kings were strong, and the strong could do many things by joining forces. But now, the roles of offense and defense have been reversed. What exactly do the weak want to do by joining forces with the weak?
Without even thinking, everyone turned their gaze to a certain feudal lord.

Your Highness, Prince Zhao, please answer!

(End of this chapter)