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

"It's on time, that's for sure." Zhao Zhen nodded in satisfaction.

Being on time is a good thing!

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen casually picked up the newly presented congratulatory letter and calmly tore open the envelope.

Upon looking at him, his pupils dilated slightly, and his relaxed expression turned serious.

"Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, yet the Book of Changes says: 'A sudden illness should not be treated with medicine, for it may bring joy.'"

Advise and establish heirs!

Zhao Zhen's face darkened.

Birthday greetings are governed by strict rules and regulations, with specific guidelines for the beginning, main content, and ending.

This one.

Zhao Zhen's good mood vanished by seven-tenths in an instant.

His heart sank, yet he was irresistibly drawn in, and forced himself to read what it contained.

I looked down and glanced at it a few more times.

"Snapped!"

Huang Jing, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, had his congratulatory letter thrown violently into the air.

"In the past, Emperor Zhao of Han had no heir and chose Changyi as his fief, which was truly a blessing for the ancestral temple—" Emperor Renzong staggered to his feet, his twelve-tasseled crown and beaded curtain trembling wildly like a sudden rain.

"What a blessing for the ancestral temple!"

"I am still on the throne, are you all in such a hurry to find a [King of Changyi] for the Great Zhou?"

During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhao died without an heir. The King of Changyi, a member of the imperial clan, was supported by Huo Guang and enthroned as emperor.

When the usually benevolent emperor became enraged, all the officials in the palace prostrated themselves in fear, and even the Grand Chancellor Fu Bi was terrified.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"Your Majesty's words are truly piercing! Your Majesty is the head of the clan, and we ministers would never dare to harbor such thoughts!"

The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong emerged one after the other, their eyes filled with horror.

They are representative figures of the imperial family.

Both of them trembled with fear and unease.

The Emperor's words were truly malicious. These two were the most prestigious and powerful princes in Bianjing, and these words were clearly directed at them.

“They’ve rebelled!” Zhao Zhen said, enunciating each word clearly.

The dragon roared, and the hall fell silent!

The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong both prostrated themselves, not daring to make the slightest move.

Zhao Zhen was truly enraged.

On the one hand, it would be extremely disheartening to submit a memorial about establishing an heir on a joyous occasion like a birthday celebration.

On the other hand, the phrase "Emperor Zhao of Han had no heir and chose Changyi" really put him in a bad position.

As a monarch, he was well aware of the dangers of a monarch having no sons.

With each new emperor comes a new court, and he understood the fact that his ministers favored the King of Yan and the King of Yong.

However, knowing and understanding are one thing, but saying it bluntly is another.

The fact that He Biao said something like this was really too much for people to handle.

Zhao Zhen felt that his imperial power had been challenged!

"Li Qi!"

"This servant is here!" Li Qi immediately knelt down.

"Grasp!"

"Grab this man, don't let him get away!"

The roar echoed throughout the hall.

The emperor was angry and laid down millions of corpses.

Upon hearing this angry roar, all the civil and military officials instinctively bowed their heads and kowtowed.

It was truly terrifying when a benevolent king, who had been merciful for decades, suddenly became enraged.

On the throne, Zhao Zhen was so enraged that he could hardly sit still and quickly braced himself with one hand on the desk.

As an official, a being at the pinnacle of power, no matter how benevolent he may be on ordinary days, he still possesses an inviolable dignity and would never allow himself to show any disrespect.

"Hmph hmph hmph!" Zhao Zhen looked at the bowing civil and military officials and laughed angrily, "I know that the people of the world have been waiting for a long time, just for someone like this to come out and scold me, force me to abdicate, and unite as one, colluding with the outside world, is that it?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it sent shivers down one's spine.

In fact, Zhao Zhen was undoubtedly a first-rate benevolent ruler.

He may be kind and gentle, but when he really gets serious, he can be incredibly ruthless.

Thirty years ago, this man fought for power and dismissed countless ministers of the Six Ministries and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Twenty years ago, Han Zhang's "memorial dismissing four prime ministers" was also written by this man.

After all, without the emperor's intervention, a single memorial wouldn't even make the four Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet frown.

Twelve years ago, the four cabinet ministers who were in charge of the new policies were all dismissed.

A benevolent ruler is indeed a benevolent ruler, but that doesn't mean that Zhao Zhen wasn't ruthless when he wanted to be.

How could a subject not be afraid when an emperor who has ruled for more than thirty years is enraged?

"Your Majesty's words are truly piercing!" Grand Chancellor Fu Bi quickly pledged his loyalty: "Throughout history, a monarch without an heir has always been a major event that destabilizes the state, and it is understandable that the people are worried."

"However, no matter how concerned the people are about the country, they would never dare to tamper with the congratulatory memorial!"

Zhao Zhen did not speak, but waved his hand to signal Fu Bi to leave.

As a monarch who had experienced many political struggles, he had his own judgment.

Zhao Zhen quietly glanced at the civil and military officials, his gaze repeatedly passing over the Prince of Yan, the Prince of Yong, Han Zhang, and Liu Hang.

The Chuigong Hall was completely silent.

After a long while, Zhao Zhen withdrew his gaze.

The person who finally presented the congratulatory message appeared to be Han Zhang's disciple!

"Li Qi, what do you think?" Zhao Zhen didn't ask about the newly appointed top scholar, but instead looked at the eunuch.

At this moment, he was filled with doubt and trusted no one.

“This servant believes that someone is behind this,” Li Qi said.

Zhao Zhen stared at the chief eunuch Li Qi: "Then tell me, who instructed Huang Jing?"

If any of the civil and military officials cannot give a satisfactory answer to this matter, he might consider launching another major purge.

Now, all he has to do is see if he can find the real culprit.

“No one instructed Huang Jing,” Li Qi quickly replied.

As the emperor's eunuch, his job was to present his objective testimony.

"Who instructed Huang Jing?" Zhao Zhen asked again.

He doesn't trust anyone right now, but he wants results.

The congratulatory message arrived so suddenly that he knew nothing about it.

He needs people to constantly stand up and confront him in order to extract information.

Even if it means wronging some people, I'm willing to do it!

The monarchical power is utterly unacceptable when challenged.

"This servant does not know that anyone instructed Huang Jing!" Li Qi hurriedly stated the facts while clearing himself of any wrongdoing: "This servant went out to get the congratulatory letter, but Master Fu said that one was missing and had already sent the top scholar to get it."

At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the Emperor sent me out to urge the scholar to submit his congratulatory letter. Just then, the top scholar returned with the letter, and I immediately presented it to him without the slightest delay.

"Tell me who is behind this, and I will pardon you!"

As a monarch, Zhao Zhen had his own judgment, but at this moment all he wanted was the result.

Such a loud conversation was clearly audible to all the civil and military officials.

Everyone knows that the officials' suspicions will only intensify, not diminish.

The emperor didn't have time to find any evidence; what he wanted was the murderer and to uphold the emperor's authority.

Someone has to step forward now, otherwise it could lead to the eunuchs making baseless accusations.

If eunuchs try to frame someone, it could really lead to a major disaster.

Many officials were terrified and prostrated themselves, not daring to make the slightest move.

Even high-ranking officials in purple robes of the third rank trembled all over.

Such a scene is extremely rare.

The last time the emperor was truly enraged was probably twenty years ago!

The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet exchanged glances, their faces grave.

Breathe!

Two breaths!

Three breaths!

Zhao Zhen's patience was about to run out.

Han Zhang had already taken one step forward.

At this critical moment, a figure from the last position stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

In the Chui Gong Hall, only one person's clear voice resonated throughout the hall!

All the civil and military officials turned around, and the emperor's gaze remained fixed on them!

Jiang Zhao, the Jiang Lang of Huaizuo!

……

Chapter 43 is out in seconds! (4k)

The Chuigong Hall was completely silent, except for a clear voice that resonated throughout the hall!

A low-ranking official of the sixth grade walked forward alone, resolutely.

All the civil and military officials turned their heads, and the emperor took notice.

Jiang Zhao, the Jiang Lang of Huaizuo!

"Zhao'er!"

Han Zhang's expression changed drastically, and Jiang Zhi, though old, trembled.

Jiang Zhao paused, looked at his mentor and grandfather, and bowed deeply to them.

After the ceremony, he flicked his sleeves and strode forward.

Many officials sighed inwardly.

Everyone knows that Jiang Zhao could not be the mastermind.

What a pity!

Grand Secretary Liu Hang looked at him coldly.

He didn't believe that Jiang Zhao, who was new to the government, could maintain his composure and calmly defend himself.