You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

The following day, inside the Daqing Hall.

Just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), before dawn, the Daqing Hall was already brightly lit.

However, unlike the bustling and lively scene of the past, the court was unusually empty and quiet today.

The civil and military officials stood according to their rank, many of them with undisguised surprise and unease on their faces.

Their eyes occasionally swept over the empty spots.

My colleague who was standing here talking at length just a few days ago.

Examples include: Qin Hui, the powerful prime minister who held immense influence in the court; Zhang Jun, the deputy privy councilor; Wan Qixie, the censor-in-chief; and Wang Ciweng, the vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel...

Now he is a prisoner!

Nearly a quarter of the entire hall was now empty!

An invisible sense of oppression and fear, like a cold mist, permeated the enormous palace.

The officials exchanged glances but dared not speak loudly, only whispering in very low voices.

"Brother Zhang, look at this...this is truly..."

An elderly vice minister of the Ministry of Rites whispered to an official from the Ministry of Revenue beside him, his voice trembling: "In just a few days, everything has changed dramatically!"

"Hush...be careful!"

The Ministry of Revenue official, his face grave, shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty's action is truly thunderous!"

"Who would have thought that someone who usually keeps a low profile would make such a stunning move once they take action!"

"It's more than just earth-shattering!"

A nearby official from the Censorate lowered his voice and said, "Qin Hui's faction, deeply entrenched, has been uprooted!"

"But... I wonder who else will be affected by this fire?"

"yes."

Zhao Ding glanced worriedly at the empty spaces: "The implications are so far-reaching, I'm afraid... this is just the beginning."

"If it's like this even within Yingtian Prefecture, what must it be like in other places..."

"I wonder how many more people are Qin Hui's henchmen."

"Next, there's likely to be an even bigger storm to come."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

They felt a sense of satisfaction at the elimination of the treacherous villain, but were also deeply alarmed by the young emperor's ruthless and unassuming methods.

His Majesty, who usually appears gentle and even somewhat forbearing, once he bares his fangs...

It's so terrifying!

The political landscape of the imperial court has truly changed.

Amidst the suppressed whispers, the high-pitched, drawn-out announcement of the master of ceremonies shattered the silence of the hall:

"His Majesty has arrived!"

In an instant, all whispers ceased. The civil and military officials quickly composed themselves, straightened their robes, and knelt in unison, shouting a deafening roar:

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound of steady footsteps came from behind the throne. Lu Zuo, dressed in a crimson gauze robe and wearing a crown, slowly walked up the steps and sat on the dragon throne.

His gaze calmly swept over the kneeling officials below, over the glaring vacancies, his face showing neither joy nor anger, yet exuding an undeniable majesty.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The officials rose, stood with their hands at their sides, and dared not utter a sound, awaiting the continuation of the storm.

Lu Zuo remained silent for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone before he spoke. His voice was steady, yet clearly reached everyone's ears:

"I'm sure you've all heard about what happened in the palace yesterday."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"The traitor Qin Hui formed cliques for personal gain, controlled the court, deceived the emperor, embezzled state funds, sold official positions, and oppressed the people."

"Even worse, they secretly colluded with the Jurchens, intending to kidnap me and disrupt the court."

With each crime mentioned, the officials lowered their heads further, their undergarments soaked with cold sweat.

Although there had been suspicions, the fact that the emperor himself said "secretly colluding with the Jurchens and holding me hostage" still sent a chill down everyone's spine!

This is a heinous crime of treason!

"Such treacherous villains who bring disaster to the country are abhorrent to both gods and men, and cannot be tolerated by heaven and earth!"

Lu Zuo's voice carried a chilling killing intent: "I have ordered the capture and severe punishment of all his core followers!"

"However, I also know that most of the ministers in the court are still loyal to the king and devoted to the country."

"From this day forward, I hope all of you will take this as a lesson, cleanse yourselves of any impurities, diligently perform your duties, and work together to support the nation."

"Anyone who forms cliques for personal gain, abuses their power, or even colludes with the enemy and betrays the country..."

"The fate of Qin Hui serves as a cautionary tale!"

Just as everyone was filled with trepidation, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, holding a yellow silk imperial edict, stepped forward, stood before the steps, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud in his distinctively shrill voice:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"The nation is facing many difficulties and urgently needs loyal and virtuous officials. I have personally reviewed the conduct of my ministers and sought out capable individuals. Therefore, I have specially promoted the following officials to fill vacant positions and jointly assist in the affairs of the nation."

"Zhang Xiaoxiang was promoted to the position of Imperial Diarist and entered the palace to assist in confidential matters."

A young official stepped forward excitedly and bowed deeply: "Your subject, Zhang Xiaoxiang, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

"Chen Liang was promoted to the position of Imperial Academy Instructor and then appointed Palace Attendant Censor to supervise all officials and maintain order in the court."

"Ye Mengde was promoted to Chengfenglang and appointed Prefect of Jiangyin Army. He was then appointed as the Chief Administrator of the Privy Council, assisting in military affairs and participating in the deliberation of matters concerning the northern border defense."

The list of names read out included mostly young officials who were originally of low rank but had a reputation for talent or were vocal in their support for war, as well as a few senior officials like Ye Mengde who were marginalized for opposing Qin Hui.

Among them were many people on Li Qingzhao's list. Many people then realized that His Majesty was not blindly purging, but had already selected replacements while purging.

These newly promoted officials have relatively simple backgrounds, few ties to Qin Hui's faction, and, more importantly, they all possess a sharp edge.

"By special decree, Lu You, the registrar of Ningde County in Fuzhou, is promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the Ministry of Personnel. He is to be summoned to the capital for an audience with the Emperor and entrusted with important responsibilities."

When the eunuch read out the name "Lu You," a slight commotion arose in the hall.

Many officials were unfamiliar with the name of this young registrar from Fujian, but "Libu Langzhong" was a prestigious position of the sixth rank.

To be promoted directly from a mere county clerk to this position is undoubtedly an exceptional promotion, demonstrating His Majesty's favor towards this person and his boldness in employing talent.

However, even after the promotions were completed, the number of vacancies in the palace was still alarming. Qin Hui had cultivated his influence for many years, and his cronies were spread throughout important positions. No matter how long Li Qingzhao's list was, it was impossible to fill all the gaps in an instant.

As the sounds of gratitude from Lu Zuo and the others subsided, his gaze swept across the area below again, and he slowly spoke: "Qin Hui's faction has left many vacancies."

"The promotion I just made is only a temporary solution to the immediate crisis."

He paused slightly, giving his officials ample time to react, before continuing, "I have just assumed power, and there may be instances where I fail to discern the wisdom or folly of my officials."

"You have been in the court for a long time and should have some knowledge of your colleagues' abilities."

"Today, all officials of the fifth rank and above may recommend virtuous and talented individuals to fill vacancies in various departments, offices, and localities."

"Regardless of their current position or background, only their talent matters."

Recommendation?

This is both an opportunity and a trap!

If the recommendation is correct, Jian will naturally win the emperor's favor, and perhaps even allow him to place his own people in the emperor's camp.

However, if the person who made the recommendation gets into trouble in the future, the recommender will inevitably be implicated!

Especially at this critical juncture, who knows if His Majesty is using the recommendation process to check who else has formed a faction?

But the vacancy is there, and if no one is recommended, should the court be allowed to become paralyzed?

Moreover, this is also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate loyalty to the new emperor and showcase one's ability to "judge people."

After a brief hesitation and deliberation, some people began to step forward.

"His Majesty!"

An elderly minister with gray hair was the first to bow: "This old minister recommends Zhang Hao. He is a wise and experienced statesman, familiar with the defense of the Jianghuai region, and can be promoted to..."

"I recommend Chen Xiang, whose literary talent is outstanding and who is knowledgeable in administrative affairs; he is suitable for the position..."

"In my opinion, the current ruler..."

For a moment, the main hall was filled with a lively atmosphere.

Some recommended their protégés and old friends, some recommended capable officials with a good reputation, and some cautiously recommended officials who were recognized as capable but were not from their own faction.

Lu Zuo sat high on the dragon throne, listening quietly. Occasionally his gaze would linger for a moment on a certain official who stepped forward, but he neither interrupted nor commented.

When the sounds gradually subsided, Lu Zuo nodded slightly.

"I have heard of the recommendations made by you all."

"Talented people are the pillars of the nation, and their selection must be done with utmost care."

He looked at the Minister of Personnel: "Compile all the people recommended today, along with their current positions and past performance evaluations, and have your Ministry of Personnel, together with the Censorate and the Secretariat, conduct a review and evaluation."

"What I want are people who are truly capable, willing to work, and loyal to the country."

"The assessment must be fair. You have ten days to submit a list of candidates for promotion."

"Anyone found to be unqualified or to have engaged in favoritism or fraud, whether the person being recommended or the person who recommended them, will be severely punished!"

Minister of Personnel: "Your subject obeys the imperial decree!"

"We will do our utmost to live up to His Majesty's expectations!"

"Very good."

Lu Zuo waved his hand: "Today's court assembly is adjourned."

"I hope that all of you will remain in your positions and perform your duties."

"Dismiss the court."

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies immediately announced loudly, "Court is adjourned!"

"Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

……

South of Yingtianfu City, outside Xuande Gate, the once empty drill ground is now packed with people.

The sky was overcast and the north wind was biting, but it couldn't blow away the sea of ​​black heads of onlookers, nor could it suppress the boiling murmur of their discussions.

In the center of the drill ground, on a makeshift platform, dozens of once arrogant officials, clad in purple robes and jade belts, now wore only filthy prison uniforms, their hands bound behind their backs, and knelt on the cold wooden platform.

Their faces were ashen, and they trembled with fear. Some of them were even lying in a filthy mess, with a foul stench spreading in the wind.

At the very front of the platform, an exceptionally thick wooden stake stands out prominently.

Qin Hui, the prime minister who held immense power and instilled fear in countless people, was bound tightly to a wooden stake with even thicker iron chains.

His hair was disheveled, his once sharp eyes were now empty and lifeless, and his lips were dry and cracked, moving but unable to utter a sound.

Only the intermittent, wheezing sounds from his throat, like those of a broken bellows, proved that he was still alive.

Below the stage, elite Imperial Guards soldiers, fully armored and armed with spears and swords half-drawn, formed several human walls to keep the enraged crowd at bay, their faces stern as they maintained order.

But their existence was almost drowned out by the voices of the people.

"Look! That's Qin Hui! You old scoundrel! You've finally met your match!" An old woman carrying a vegetable basket jumped up and down, her voice shrill and filled with long-suppressed hatred.

"And Zhang Jun! Wan Qixie! These treacherous officials who deserve a thousand cuts! Jackals who drink the blood and eat the flesh of the people!" A man waved his fist, his eyes red-rimmed. His son had died in a wrongful imprisonment framed by Qin Hui's faction.

"Heaven has eyes! Your Majesty is wise! These corrupt officials who brought disaster to the country have finally gotten their comeuppance!" A young man who looked like a scholar bowed excitedly towards the direction of the palace, his face wet with tears of almost ecstatic joy.

"I heard that just confiscating their property yielded several million taels of silver!"

"Several million taels! That's the blood and sweat of countless generations of ordinary people!" A man dressed as a merchant gestured to the people next to him, causing a gasp and even stronger curses.

"Kill them! Kill them!"

It's unclear who shouted first, but it instantly turned into a deafening roar like a tsunami.

Rotten vegetable leaves, clods of earth, and even stones rained down on the high platform, forcing the imperial guards to fight back with all their might, their shouts echoing throughout the area.

Just as the crowd was at its most agitated, a deep and majestic bugle call sounded.

"The executioner has arrived!"

The clamor subsided.

Liu Qi, the commander of the Palace Guard, dressed in military uniform and with a solemn expression, strode up the high platform under the protection of several generals.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the thousands of people below the stage, and finally landing on the row of prisoners waiting to die in front of him.

Liu Qi stopped, took a scroll of bright yellow silk imperial edict from the scribe beside him, unfurled it abruptly, and, with a powerful voice, boomed and resounded throughout the entire drill ground:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"The former prime minister Qin Hui, who was deeply indebted to the country and held the highest position among officials, did not think of repaying the favor but instead formed cliques and pursued personal gain."

"He controls the court, deceives the emperor, embezzles vast sums of money, sells official positions, corrupts the government and the country, and even secretly colludes with the Jurchens, plotting to seize the emperor and bring chaos to the empire!"

"The evidence is irrefutable, the crimes are heinous, they are an outrage to both gods and men, and they will not be tolerated by Heaven and Earth!"

With each crime read aloud, the people below the stage breathed more rapidly, and their eyes burned with even greater rage.

Liu Qi's voice suddenly rose, filled with chilling murderous intent: "According to the 'Great Song Criminal Code,' treason and collusion with the enemy are unforgivable crimes!"

"Qin Hui shall be executed by slow slicing, and his entire family shall be exterminated!"

"The remaining forty-three key traitors, including Zhang Jun, Wan Qixie, and Wang Ciweng, shall be executed immediately!"

"His family property will be confiscated, and his relatives will be exiled three thousand miles away, with no possibility of pardon!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience before finally settling on Qin Hui's face, contorted with extreme fear. He spoke each word with unwavering resolve:

"Execute!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

As soon as Liu Qi finished speaking, a brief silence was followed by cheers that erupted like a volcano!

The people waved their arms, tears streaming down their faces, cheers, shouts of approval, and cries of anguish mingled together, soaring into the sky!

"Well done!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Retribution! This is retribution!"

Amidst deafening cheers and curses, the executioners strode heavily onto the platform. Their executioner's blades were raised, their gleaming light tracing a chilling arc against the grey sky.

One by one, the heads of the once illustrious fell, their blood staining the high platform.

And the even longer form of execution, slow slicing, for Qin Hui also officially began.

The screams were drowned out by the cheers of the people, as if a belated justice was washing away the shame and pain that the empire had suffered in the most cruel way.