They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

The next day, there will be a court meeting.

After yesterday's incident in the Imperial Study where Zhao Ji called a deer a horse, and announced the establishment of the Supervisory Commission, although there were still some dissenting voices in the court, they were mostly from insignificant officials, and most of the important officials in the court chose to remain silent.

Thus, the establishment of the Supervisory Department was quickly finalized.

The important officials in the court had their reasons for agreeing.

One concern was Zhao Ji's reckless purge, but more importantly, they believed that given Zhao Ji's incompetent rule and the current political situation, while the Censorate was a potential threat, they did not think Zhao Ji could build a force capable of threatening them in the short term.

Moreover, the establishment of the Censorate will inevitably involve selecting officials from the court. If they manage to place their own people in the Censorate, this so-called Censorate, which is supposed to oversee the entire country, will become a joke.

Self-monitoring? What a joke.

Therefore, everyone felt that although Zhao Ji was somewhat clever, he wasn't very clever.

How could an emperor who had been obsessed with Taoist cultivation for many years possibly be a match for these shrewd people?

Just as everyone was secretly pleased with themselves, a familiar yet unfamiliar person suddenly walked into the Golden Palace.

When the officials saw this man, their expressions changed.

Some astute officials quickly realized what was happening and inwardly cried out in alarm.

"Young Master Qi, you currently hold no official position or rank; how dare you enter the Imperial Palace without authorization?"

One minister immediately questioned him, even though he had guessed that this was most likely at His Majesty's behest.

After all, the Empress's return to the Duke of Qi's mansion yesterday was a well-known event in the capital.

Although no one knew why His Majesty would once again favor the Empress, who had been banished to the Cold Palace for many years, everyone knew very well that the Empress's return to power in the harem meant that the Qi family would once again enter the court.

"I sent the Imperial Brother-in-law, do you have a problem with that?" Zhao Ji said coldly.

"Your humble servant dares not."

The official quickly shut his mouth.

"Your humble servant Qi Yuanqing pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Qi Yuanqing stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed, neither humble nor arrogant.

After several years away from the imperial palace, he finally returned.

"Rise."

After Zhao Ji finished speaking, without giving the officials any chance to react, he immediately had Eunuch Hai announce the imperial edict appointing Qi Yuanqing as the Director-General of the Censorate.

Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, the court officials were in uproar.

Meanwhile, the ministers who believed they had everything under control were visibly shaken.

They had experienced Qi Yuanqing's methods firsthand.

Most importantly, this guy has many followers, including some eccentric and wicked individuals.

If Qi Yuanqing were appointed as the Director-General of the Inspectorate, given his methods and connections, he might be able to quickly assemble a team capable of threatening them.

Thinking of this, all the civil and military officials felt a chill run down their spines.

"Your subject Qi Yuanqing thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Qi Yuanqing hurriedly stepped forward to receive the imperial edict.

"Your Majesty, there may be something inappropriate about this matter."

At this moment, the Minister of Personnel stepped forward and spoke.

"Oh? Is there something wrong with it?"

Zhao Ji was somewhat surprised; he sensed that these ministers seemed quite afraid of Qi Yuanqing.

The Minister of Personnel said righteously, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, the imperial family has been most wary of relatives of the empress holding power. The Censorate has too much power. If the emperor's brother-in-law were to take charge, I'm afraid..."

The Minister of Personnel did not continue speaking, nor did he dare to say anything more, but the meaning was already self-evident.

"Lord Liu is right. It is a great taboo for relatives of the empress to hold power. Moreover, His Majesty has no heir yet, so it is even more unacceptable to allow relatives of the empress to hold such an important position."

"I second that opinion."

"I second that opinion."

The court officials immediately united in their opposition to the matter.

These guys are so afraid of Qi Yuanqing, it seems I chose the right person… Zhao Ji was secretly delighted, but outwardly remained calm as he looked at Qi Yuanqing:

"Your Excellency, the ministers say you will rebel against me. Will you rebel against me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume to do so. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Qi Yuanqing immediately knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation.

He never expected that these ministers would be so depraved as to directly accuse him of having rebellious intentions.

"My esteemed ministers have also heard this: the Emperor's brother-in-law has no intention of rebellion, and moreover..."

At this point, Zhao Ji paused, his tone suddenly turning icy:

"I am in the prime of my life, and you're already bringing up the issue of the empress's relatives wielding power. Are you hoping I'll die sooner?"

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, the officials' expressions changed drastically, and they were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, crying out that they were wronged.

Just kidding, cursing the emperor is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

Qi Yuanqing lowered his head, secretly alarmed. This emperor was completely different from the emperor he knew before in terms of methods and cunning.

This series of actions, seemingly aimed at protecting him and reprimanding the officials, actually served as a warning to him as well.

"Your Majesty, we had no such intention. However, it is inappropriate for the position of the Chief Inspector to be held by the Emperor's brother-in-law. We beg Your Majesty to rescind your order."

At this moment, the Grand Secretary, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

He was also somewhat bewildered at this moment, not expecting that His Majesty would bypass the Secretariat and issue an imperial edict directly this time.

"My words are law, the imperial edict has been issued, how can you simply take it back?"

Zhao Ji said coldly.

This purge of the emperor's inner circle has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage was that Zhao Ji could temporarily act as a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, but the disadvantage was that he lost all imperial authority and could only rely on killing to maintain control of the court.

However, this was not a long-term solution, which is why Zhao Ji established the Supervisory Commission to completely reclaim imperial power.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider," the Grand Secretary advised.

Seeing this, the other ministers also shouted: "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

But Zhao Ji, being a modern person and currently portrayed as a tyrant, would never fall for that.

Zhao Ji ignored everyone and looked at Qi Yuanqing: "Imperial brother-in-law, aren't you all worried that you have too much power? Then I will now grant you another power."

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials immediately stopped.

Qi Yuanqing was also somewhat taken aback. The Supervisory Department already had enough power; why was it going to delegate more?

Zhao Ji's lips curled into a cold smile: "Execute first, report later—a privilege granted by imperial authority!"

Wow!

Upon hearing this, not only the officials, but even Qi Yuanqing was so shocked that he was speechless.

With this privilege, if Qi Yuanqing wanted to target someone in the future, wouldn't that person be doomed?

Which official who can enter the Golden Palace to attend court doesn't have some kind of scandal?

They'll kill you first, then pour dirty water on you, and no matter how much you scream, it won't do any good.

"Your Majesty, I thank you. I will certainly not let you down."

Qi Yuanqing quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, his heart filled with immense excitement.

My impression of Zhao Ji as a foolish ruler changed somewhat.

Such methods are not something a foolish ruler would resort to.

Although Zhao Ji's decision seems absurd and will anger the court officials, Dali is currently facing internal and external troubles, and the people in the court are restless. It is necessary to take drastic measures.

"Dismiss the court."

Zhao Ji, too lazy to listen to the ministers' rambling, flicked his sleeves and left.

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!!!"

The courtiers shouted, but it was too late.

The overall situation is now settled.

Qi Yuanqing stood up, glanced at everyone, and said with a smile:

"My lords, I have been away from officialdom for many years. If I do anything wrong in the future, I hope you will give me your guidance. His Majesty has other matters to discuss with me, so I will take my leave now."

After saying that, Qi Yuanqing sneered and strode out of the Golden Palace.

Now serving as the Director-General of the Censorate, a sword hanging over the heads of all officials, Qi Yuanqing has placed himself on the opposite side of all the nobles. Apart from His Majesty, he no longer needs to consider anyone's feelings.