Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"In my opinion, it may be appropriate to formally decide on the matter of deposing the empress."

Zhao Ceying raised her eyebrows, her eyes slightly narrowing with longing.

After a moment of contemplation, a hopeful look appeared on his face, and he nodded, saying, "We should take this opportunity to put the abolition of the empress on the agenda."

Even if Jiang Zhao didn't bring it up, he would bring it up on his own initiative.

Firstly, the Empress made several mistakes, showing no demeanor befitting an empress, which truly crossed his bottom line.

Given his personality, once he makes up his mind, he won't easily waver.

After all, she's just an empress, not Jiang Qing!

Secondly, once the empress is deposed, they can take the opportunity to demote one group of people and promote another.

This time, at least fifty or sixty civil officials opposed the deposition of the empress, which is about 30 to 40% of the civil officials.

In terms of scale, it is already quite large.

A purge would undoubtedly help him gain control of the government.

The border regions were pacified, the territory was expanded, and a considerable number of military generals were rewarded. Gu Tingye, Zhang Ding, and Zheng Xiao were the representatives of the three major noble families, while Wang Shao was the representative of the "wild military generals".

With these few people, he could completely seize military power.

Now, by taking advantage of the opportunity of deposing the empress, a group of people can be promoted, and the government can be seized control of the court.

Once military and political power are firmly in one's hands, the throne will be as stable as Mount Tai!

"promise."

Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully and said, "This humble subject takes his leave."

The main reason for his special trip to the palace was to resolve the issue of the "Hengqu Four Bureaus".

The abolition of the empress was already a done deal; this was just something I mentioned incidentally.

After a few breaths, Jiang Zhao left.

Zhao Ceying breathed a sigh of relief and picked up a memorial to read.

To become a great emperor throughout history, besides relying on Jiang Qing, one must also be able to handle affairs personally.

"The Yang Wu case?"

Zhao Ceying was taken aback after just one glance.

What kind of case is qualified to be presented to the Emperor?

Early June, Wende Hall.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

Standing on the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying, with his hands on his knees and looking straight ahead, slowly said:

"All internal and external departments may immediately submit their reports."

Many who opposed the abolition of the empress were about to step forward with their ceremonial tablets when a peaceful voice rang out:

"Your humble servant Jiang Zhao has a report to make."

In an instant, all the civil and military officials turned their attention to him.

Is it time for Grand Secretary Jiang to step in?

People who opposed the abolition of the empress would exchange glances and realize that something was wrong.

Wang Shiping, who was also a Privy Councilor, broke out in a cold sweat, his hands and feet trembling slightly.

Why did Jiang Zichuan suddenly leave the scene?

Didn't they even notify you?

This seems quite different from the elaborate planning of an elderly mother!

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying looked down and gazed at some of the ministers who opposed the deposition of the empress.

He remembered who was most vocal during the controversy that lasted for more than sixty days.

Jiang Zhao held his tablet, bowed deeply, and slowly said, “Your Majesty, the Empress is the head of the six palaces and should be a model of ‘feminine virtue,’ upholding the ancestral temple and serving as a mother to the world. However, the Empress now interferes in court affairs, is jealous by nature, and behaves improperly, violating ancestral rules. This is not only a loss of feminine virtue, but also disrupts the order of the harem and shakes the foundation of the country.”

"To uphold the proper rites and laws, to secure the state, and to comply with the will of Heaven, we humbly beseech Your Majesty to issue an edict to depose the Empress!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers who supported the deposition of the empress bowed down in unison.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

The voices of agreement were incessant.

In just a moment, almost 60-70% of the people bowed down.

Among them were some people who originally held opposing views, who bowed down without hesitation.

The inclusion of Grand Secretaries in the Cabinet is undoubtedly a strong political signal.

At this point, anyone who opposes it is courting death!

"I second the proposal!"

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang stepped forward and bowed with his hands clasped.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

The remaining five Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet seconded the motion.

The emperor's intention to depose the empress was almost common knowledge, so there was no point in opposing it.

In particular, several "newcomers" who had recently joined the cabinet almost unwaveringly supported the removal of the empress.

As their first major decision since joining the cabinet, they couldn't possibly go against the emperor.

All six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet supported the removal of the Empress.

The overall situation is decided!

"I second the proposal!"

Many who were still observing immediately knelt down and held their tablets in agreement.

After about ten breaths, only a few people remained standing in the main hall.

"No."

"The Empress's position in the Central Palace is ordained by the ancestral temple and is the focus of the world's attention. Her position concerns the very foundation of the nation and cannot be moved lightly," Qi Heng insisted, holding his tablet.

"Heng'er!" the Duke of Qi called out softly, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

How can we step out now?

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying looked down.

With only a few people standing, they are destined to have little impact on the overall situation.

"allow!"

Zhao Ceying waved his sleeve and said, "I hereby demote Empress Gao to the rank of Consort Hua, and have her reside permanently in Yaohua Palace with the Buddhist name 'Ansu'."

One word sealed the fate.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

All the civil and military officials bowed down.

Zhao Ceying nodded, his gaze shifting downwards.

Finally, attention was drawn to a high-ranking official in purple robes.

"Wang Shiping".

Wang Shiping looked at it and felt a great sense of panic.

Individual roll call?

Why?

"Your subject is here." Without thinking, Wang Shiping hurriedly climbed out of the column.

All the civil and military officials watched quietly.

Why was Wang Shiping singled out?

Could it be that the Emperor has taken into account Grand Tutor Wang's contributions and wants to give him special treatment?

"Grand Tutor Wang was once an important minister of the court, and I will always remember his achievements."

Zhao Ceying spoke, looking disappointed: "However, their descendants disregard the law and act recklessly, their crimes are unforgivable. Recently, there have been dozens of impeachments against the Wang family alone for their crimes."

Wang Shiping was stunned. Dozens of questions?

"The Wang family's evil deeds have damaged the imperial court and are too numerous to list, truly bringing shame upon our ancestors!"

"Snapped!"

With that, Zhao Ceying, his face contorted with anger, slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne: "Today, I will seek justice for the people of the world and vindicate our ancestors!"

"Although Grand Tutor Wang has passed away, the Wang family is so despicable, how can his memorial tablet continue to be placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple to enjoy the favors of past emperors?"

"By order, the number of those entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple shall be reduced by one."

"Effective immediately, the memorial tablet of Wang Youzhi shall be removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple!"

The moment the order was given, the entire court erupted in uproar!

"This, is it the only one of its kind in hundreds of years?"

"Would removing the ancestral temple be too harsh a punishment?"

"This is purely because someone was offended, so it's normal for the punishment to be severe."

"Removing the Imperial Ancestral Temple is extremely rare, both in ancient and modern times!"

The civil and military officials were immediately abuzz with discussion.

The reason is simply that the punishment of "removing the ancestral temple" is extremely rare.

During the Han Dynasty, the system of ancestral temples was not yet fully established. In most cases, it was the emperor who removed the ancestral temples, and no ministers were ever removed from them.

During the Tang Dynasty, among officials, only Fang Xuanling and Wu Shihuo were removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Fang Xuanling was implicated by his son, Fang Yi'ai, who conspired with Princess Gaoyang to rebel, and was therefore removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Wu Shihuo was the father of Wu Zetian. After Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she posthumously honored him as "Emperor Taizu Xiaoming Gao" and allowed him to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. However, when the Tang Dynasty was restored, Wu Shihuo's imperial title was revoked and he was removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

In addition, some unstable regimes during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period also had the practice of offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. However, without exception, the temple was removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple with the change of regime, rather than being removed under normal circumstances.

In other words, in dynasties where sacrifices were offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple for a long period, only two officials were removed from the temple.

If we consider that Wu Shiyue was posthumously honored as an emperor, then Fang Xuanling is the only one left who was posthumously honored as an emperor, which is quite rare.

The reasons for this are nothing more than two points:

Firstly, there were already few officials who were entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so the possibility of them being deposed was naturally low.

Secondly, it was generally only when the son's generation committed a serious mistake that affected the father's generation that the old father might be allowed to remove the ancestral temple. Once it came to the grandson's generation, the idea of ​​removing the ancestral temple was almost nonexistent.

After all, while the first generation can be said to have "failed to educate their children," the grandchildren's generation cannot be said to have "failed to educate their grandchildren."

Combined, and looking through historical records, only a handful of people removed the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Now, there's a second one.

Grand Tutor Wang You!

"His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Wang Shiping's face flushed red as he wept bitterly. "Your Majesty, my father followed the late Emperor, devising strategies to assist the country and govern the world. The late Emperor, mindful of his minor contributions, specially granted him the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. This is a great honor for our family and also serves as a model for the court to encourage loyalty. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to remember the late Emperor's kindness and leave my father's spirit tablet in a corner of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so as not to discourage meritorious officials."

"I beg Your Majesty's mercy to rescind the decree!" Wang Shiping kowtowed repeatedly.

Being granted a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple is the greatest honor for the Wang family.

How can we strip someone of their rights and remove them just because they chose the wrong side once?