If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

Xuanzheng Hall.

The midday sun shines through the tall palace gates, casting dappled light and shadow on the smooth, mirror-like gold bricks.

Inside the hall, civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time.

From initial unease to later whispers, and now to unbearable anxiety, everyone's patience is being worn down.

"Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?"

"Yes, we've been waiting since dawn, could it be about the assassination attempt...?"

"Silence! Do not speak ill of His Majesty!"

Just as a buzzing sound began to rise inside the hall, a high-pitched greeting came from outside, instantly silencing all the noise.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

All the officials straightened their expressions, quickly straightened their clothes, turned to face the palace gate, and knelt down in unison.

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

A roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami echoed within the hall.

Zhao Yu, dressed in a black dragon robe and wearing a flat-topped crown, stepped steadily into the hall.

He did not immediately walk towards the dragon throne, but stopped and looked around at the kneeling civil and military officials.

No one dared to look up.

The entire hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and an invisible pressure weighed on everyone's heart.

They could sense that the emperor today seemed somewhat different.

The oppressive force was heavier than ever before, making it hard to breathe.

Zhao Yu walked to the dragon throne, slowly sat down, and placed his hands on the armrests.

"Rise."

When the calm voice rang out, everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They carefully stood up, lowered their heads, and dared not look directly at the emperor's face.

The atmosphere was extremely tense.

Everyone sensed that today's court assembly was anything but simple.

Wei An, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed and stepped forward, flicked his whisk, and shouted:

"Speak if you have something to report, otherwise leave..."

"No need."

Zhao Yu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly interrupted Wei An.

Wei An's voice stopped abruptly, and the hall fell into an eerie silence once more.

The ministers were all on tenterhooks.

In the midst of this oppressive atmosphere, Zhao Yu suddenly laughed.

"Look how nervous you all are."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if he were having a casual chat.

"It is my fault for making everyone wait from early morning until now."

However, the reason I am doing this is to announce a major event concerning the very foundation of my Great Liang Kingdom.

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts skipped a beat, but they also breathed a sigh of relief.

It turns out there was something important to announce.

"I have decided that, effective today, the position of Chancellor will be abolished and replaced with a cabinet."

These words caused an uproar throughout the room!

Abolish the position of prime minister, which has been established since the founding of the country?

This is threatening to shake the very foundation of the nation!

Immediately, an old minister stepped forward and remonstrated in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, you must not!"

The Prime Minister leads all officials and shares the burdens of His Majesty; he is a pillar of the nation. How can he be easily abolished?

Moreover, this is a time when everything needs to be rebuilt, and memorials are pouring in. Without the Prime Minister's assistance, His Majesty would likely find it difficult to manage!

"Yes, Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Zhao Yu raised his hand and pressed it down.

The hall fell silent instantly.

"I know what you're worried about."

He looked at the old minister and said, "He is simply afraid that without the prime minister's assistance, I will be too busy with state affairs and neglect national matters."

"The cabinet I established was specifically to resolve this matter."

I will select several ministers of both virtue and talent from various ministries to join the cabinet and participate in government affairs.

All memorials were first drafted by the Cabinet, which proposed solutions, before being submitted to the Emperor for review.

In this way, we can gather wisdom from all sides, improve efficiency, and avoid the disaster of the prime minister becoming too powerful and dominating the court.

He succinctly explained the ingenuity of the cabinet system.

The more the officials in the hall listened, the brighter their eyes became.

They were all shrewd people, and they immediately understood the benefits of this system.

This is indeed far superior to the prime minister system!

Not only could it relieve the emperor's worries, but it also prevented the possibility of powerful ministers seizing power!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Someone shouted it out first, and then a chorus of praises followed.

The tense and oppressive atmosphere just moments before instantly became lively.

"Your Majesty, how should the selection of cabinet members be decided?" One of the six ministers couldn't contain himself and stepped forward to ask.

This question reflects the sentiments of everyone.

Although they were all selected by the Wang and Zhang families, and the blockade by the aristocratic families was broken, their loyalty was high.

But people are ambitious and want to climb higher.

The cabinet system, while seemingly lacking official rank promotion, is actually the core of power.

This is a tremendous opportunity!

Zhao Yu looked at their eager expressions and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"This matter is not urgent."

He interrupted everyone's excitement once again.

"It's already this late, I'm sure all of you ministers are hungry."

"I have already ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a banquet. Let us, Your Majesty and your subjects, eat and chat today."

"Serve the meal!"

With Wei An's shout, palace maids and eunuchs filed in, bringing out a stream of exquisite dishes to the tables in front of each minister.

Golden goblets and jade plates, delicacies from land and sea, and the fragrant imperial wine.

The scale of the banquet left many officials feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

"My dear ministers," Zhao Yu raised his wine cup, "just a month ago, the court of our Great Liang was at a standstill. The current prosperous situation is inseparable from your hard work."

"I, the Emperor, raise a toast to everyone!"

"We dare not! It is our duty to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Everyone quickly stood up and raised their glasses to drink together.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The atmosphere inside the hall completely relaxed, and could even be described as harmonious and joyful.

The emperor and his ministers toasted each other, discussing state affairs, as if it were truly a harmonious luncheon.

Zhao Yu watched all this, but his heart was filled with coldness.

almost.

I hope the reward is high enough and the atmosphere is comfortable enough.

Only when a person is most relaxed can a sudden thunderbolt instantly shatter their psychological defenses.

Right now!

"Report—!"

A hurried announcement came from outside the hall, breaking the tranquility inside.

Qiu Ping, dressed in a flying fish robe, strode in.

Ignoring the astonished expressions of the crowd, he walked straight to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a booming voice.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while investigating a lead in an assassination attempt, has discovered suspicious individuals hiding in a private residence!"

His behavior is suspicious; he may be connected to the assassination attempt!

boom!

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples all around.

The expressions of all the officials in the hall changed drastically!

The assassin has been found!

This matter was the talk of the town in the capital.

After all, it involved the emperor's safety and the scandalous affair of the Princess of Zhennan.

Zhao Yu immediately put on a furious expression, his killing intent radiating from him!

He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, making a loud 'bang'.

"How dare you!"

"Issue my decree! Immediately seal off the four gates of the Imperial City!"

Qiu Ping, General Meng, you two personally lead the Imperial Guards to surround that house for me!

Take down everyone inside!

Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!

"This humble general obeys the order!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

Meng Qianshan stepped forward and accepted the order along with Qiu Ping.

Neither of them were hesitant; without the slightest hesitation, they got up and turned to leave.

The entire hall was deathly silent.

The previously harmonious atmosphere vanished, leaving only a bone-chilling cold.

Zhao Yu sat on the dragon throne, observing the reactions of everyone below without making a sound.

Shock, anger, worship...

He saw all sorts of expressions, but none of them were the one he wanted to see.

Could it be that the traitor is truly not in the imperial court?

Just as Zhao Yu's mind was racing, Wei An suddenly stepped forward and bowed obsequiously to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Your Majesty is blessed by Heaven and possesses unparalleled divine power. These desperate fugitives have no chance of escape this time!"

After flattering him, he cautiously made a suggestion.

"Your Majesty, to celebrate this occasion, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared a grand finale dish called 'Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness,' which is most fitting for the occasion."

"Perhaps I should go and give the order right away, so they can prepare immediately?"

Thump!

Zhao Yu's heart skipped a beat.

His face remained calm, but he slowly turned his head to look at the eunuch who had been following him and bowing obsequiously.