bookrandom Chapter 515 Reprimanding the Officer
Chapter 515 Reprimanding the Officer
In the Great Hall of Xijing, Wu Meiniang was dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, with her hair towering and her pearls and jade swaying.
She stood there with great grace. At this time, Wang Xuance's clothes were still covered with dust from the long journey. He looked tired but his determination could not be concealed.
Wu Meiniang's gaze fell on Wang Xuance, and saw that his originally fair face was now tanned, his skin was rough and cracked, and had been severely tortured by the scorching sun of India.
She couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in her heart, nodded slightly, and said softly: "You are finally back."
The road from the Tang Dynasty to India was completely different from the official roads in the Tang Dynasty that were paved with smooth cement and where carriages and horses could pass unimpeded.
This long and winding road was trampled out step by step through the wild forests, weeds, mountains and gullies by countless merchants, monks and messengers with their tenacious will and firm steps.
Day after day, year after year, as more and more people came here, this passage connecting the two countries gradually took shape.
But the journey was filled with many difficulties and dangers. Along the way, there were towering mountains, deep and unfathomable canyons, turbulent rivers, and a blazing sun hanging high in the sky.
Even wearing a thick headscarf, it is difficult to resist the needle-like sunlight. Looking around, there are only poor mountains and bad waters with no people and harsh environment.
"Xuan Ce, you've worked so hard all the way through mountains and rivers, sleeping in the open air."
Wu Meiniang looked at the Tang Dynasty envoy in front of her, her tone full of emotion.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xuance quickly shook his head respectfully, his expression solemn and his voice firm, "As a military envoy to the capital, I am grateful for your Majesty's trust. I am honored to be able to serve your Majesty and serve the Tang Dynasty as an envoy to foreign countries to spread our power. This little effort is really not worth mentioning."
"However, the matter of India attacking our Tang Dynasty delegation is of great importance. I hope that the military envoy to the capital can report this matter to His Majesty as soon as possible without delay!"
Wu Meiniang frowned slightly, anger towards Tianzhu flashing in her eyes. She asked, "Is this really true? How dare Tianzhu be so bold?"
Wang Xuance straightened his back and said firmly, "Every member of the delegation sent to the capital to India can testify that every word they said is true."
After hearing Wang Xuance's definite answer, Wu Meiniang had already made up her mind.
It is unforgivable that India is so reckless and openly challenges the dignity of the Tang Dynasty.
He then said solemnly, "Okay, this matter cannot be delayed. I will immediately write a memorial and report it to Your Majesty!"
A month passed in a flash. The Taiji Hall was solemn and dignified, but there was also an atmosphere that was so oppressive that it made people feel breathless.
Li Chengqian sat upright on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, clutching a memorial in his hand. Suddenly, he stood up, slammed the memorial to the ground, and roared, "What's wrong? No one in the court dares to speak? Have you all become mute?"
His voice echoed in the empty hall, "Come, all of you ministers who are usually good at speaking, tell me, what do you want to do?"
For a moment, the entire Taiji Hall was silent and you could hear a pin drop.
The new ministers in the court who had little experience were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they dared not even breathe.
And those elders who had served in two dynasties were also frightened by His Majesty's sudden anger and stood there like a fool.
Qi Taishi, the head of all officials who usually had the final say, now lowered his head like a silent statue, pretending to be unaware of the action of Li Wei, the Minister of Revenue, who was quietly pulling his sleeve behind him.
Li Wei was extremely anxious. He secretly and gently pulled on Master Qi's sleeve again and again, his eyes full of expectation.
I hope that this highly respected Grand Tutor can stand up and say something to ease the tense atmosphere, but Grand Tutor Qi seems unaware and remains silent.
Li Chengqian's gaze was like a sharp knife, sweeping across everyone's faces one by one, and finally fell on Xu Jingzong, who had just taken over as Minister of Rites.
"Xu Jingzong, come here! You are in charge of the Ministry of Rites. Tell me why the suggestion box I set up for the people only receives these things?"
Li Chengqian's voice was filled with disappointment. "I set up this suggestion box with the intention of listening to the people's true voices and understanding their suffering. Look, pick up the memorials lying on the ground and read them. Do the words of praise and eulogy in them sound like something ordinary people would say?"
Xu Jingzong, a veteran minister of two dynasties, was so frightened that his face turned pale as paper, his legs weakened, and he fell to his knees with a trembling voice, crying, "Your Majesty! I really don't know the inside story of this matter! There must be a misunderstanding. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"
Li Chengqian sneered, and there was a chill in his laughter that chilled people's hearts.
He glanced at the officials of His Highness again, and seeing that they all looked as if it had nothing to do with him, the anger in his heart burned even more fiercely.
"Li Jingxuan, Tang Lin, Yan Lide."
Li Chengqian read out their names aloud.
The three ministers whose names were called stiffened suddenly, a trace of fear flashed across their faces, and they hurried out of line and stood neatly in the middle of the hall, looking nervous and not daring to raise their heads.
"Each of you are ministers of the six ministries appointed by me personally!"
Li Chengqian's voice was filled with grief and sorrow. "You are also veteran ministers who have served through two dynasties. How could it be that you don't understand my thoughts and expectations?"
"If the six ministers of the Tang Dynasty all remained in their posts, doing nothing about their duties and playing dumb, wouldn't the officials below them all follow suit, and wouldn't the entire court be in chaos?"
"Since none of you are willing to speak out, I will investigate this matter myself."
"Pregnant!"
Li Chengqian suddenly shouted loudly.
"I'm here!" Zhang Xianhuai clasped his hands together, strode out, and spoke in a loud and powerful voice.
When Li Chengqian saw Zhang Xianhuai, his originally tense expression relaxed a little and his anger subsided a little.
"Investigate! Dispatch all the Imperial Guards and thoroughly investigate this matter for me. Those officials who arranged for fraud in front of the suggestion box, and those who pretended to be ordinary people and wrote flattering words to deceive their superiors and subordinates, leave no one unpunished. Investigate them all. Once proven guilty, they will all be dismissed and exiled, never to be reappointed again."
Li Chengqian's eyes revealed determination. "Remember, no matter who's behind them or how powerful they are, I will root them out. I want to see who among those present today is backing these daring officials!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Xianhuai gladly accepted the order.
Your Majesty gave Commander Zhang such straightforward orders in front of everyone.
It's obvious that he is really angry.
But these people couldn't understand why His Majesty got so angry over such a small matter. Most officials in the Tang Dynasty did the same thing. If they were exiled, how many officials would be removed?
Another big case!