Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 24 A Warning to Others

As dawn broke and the morning mist still lingered over the imperial city of Kaifeng, the sound of court boots stomping echoed in the Chongyuan Hall, accompanied by the ringing of the morning court bell.

The first batch of court officials of the new dynasty, dressed in official robes of various colors, lined up in two rows according to their rank, waiting for the emperor to arrive.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuch's high-pitched announcement rang out.

Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in a crimson imperial dragon robe and with a jade belt around his waist, stepped steadily onto the steps of the palace. The twelve symbols on the dragon throne spread out behind him, like a real dragon leaping.

His gaze swept over the assembled officials below, his eyes still showing some weariness from handling state affairs all night, yet still exuding an aura of supreme authority.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you good health and long life! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

The ministers in the hall knelt down in a thunderous roar. Only after Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand to signal them to rise did they stand up one by one, with their hands at their sides.

With the new dynasty newly established and everything in need of development, officials took turns presenting their reports.

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward last: "Your Majesty, the transfer of taxes from all the prefectures is nearing completion, except for the military governors of Lu and Yang prefectures, who are deliberately delaying the transfer..."

Upon hearing this, the gazes of many ministers sharpened slightly.

The military governors of Lu and Yang prefectures were Li Jun and Li Chongjin. If these two were not plotting to rebel, no one present would believe that they were delaying the payment of taxes.

It all depends on His Majesty's decision.

"By imperial decree, Li Chongjin and Li Jun are appointed as Grand Secretaries, and envoys are dispatched to offer them words of comfort."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers in the hall showed expressions of surprise and doubt.

Only Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi were not surprised by Zhao Kuangyin's decision.

The new dynasty was newly established, and everyone was trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice.

There were more than just Li Jun and Li Chongjin among the regional military governors.

Just the day before yesterday, at the beginning of Zhao Kuangyin's ascension to the throne, he issued an edict stating that he would not arbitrarily take action against any ministers of the previous dynasty. It was because of this edict that Zhao Kuangyin was able to quickly stabilize the central government.

The two are merely delaying the payment of taxes. If Zhao Kuangyin were to launch a military campaign against them for this reason, he would not only face the threat of fighting simultaneously in the north and south, but would also cause widespread fear among the regional military governors.

Conferring the titles of Grand Chancellor upon the two men and sending envoys to offer condolences served three purposes: first, to demonstrate the Emperor's benevolence to the world; second, to further test their intentions; and third, to...

Divide and eat them, and you'll have a legitimate reason to fight!

"As Your Majesty commands."

As the Minister of Revenue slowly withdrew, the court fell silent for a moment.

Upon seeing this, the eunuch on duty stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the ministers have finished their reports. If there is nothing else to summon, may the court adjourn?"

Zhao Kuangyin rubbed his temples, about to nod, when he saw a figure suddenly step out from the left platoon.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Chuyun, the Envoy of the Northern Court of Xuanhui and General of the Imperial Guard.

His face was solemn, he held the ivory tablet in both hands, and his sharp gaze was directed at Wang Shenqi, the commander of the palace guards, who was standing at the front of the right column.

Wang Shenqi looked bewildered, but had a bad feeling about it.

Zhao Kuangyin raised an eyebrow: "Envoy Li, please speak freely."

"Your Majesty, I wish to file a complaint against Wang Shenqi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard

Li Chuyun, never one to back down, declared: "Commander Wang has failed in his duty to educate his son, Wang Chengyan, allowing him to become arrogant and domineering, showing utter disregard for imperial authority!"

"Yesterday, while they were practicing martial arts in the palace, his son, Chengyan, took the opportunity to peep at the palace maids bathing, intending to commit indecent acts. Such a wicked deed is a disgrace to the royal family and a corruption of the court!"

"The father is to blame for the son's misbehavior; I implore Your Majesty to severely punish this man!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

The court officials all turned their heads, their eyes filled with astonishment and curiosity as they looked at Wang Shenqi.

Wang Shenqi was struck dumb, his face instantly turning bright red, then ashen.

He did receive a tearful complaint from his son yesterday, saying that he was beaten by Li Jilong at the behest of Zhao Dezhao in the palace because of a eunuch. How did it turn into a scandalous affair of peeping at palace maids overnight?

"Li Chuyun! You're slandering me!"

Wang Shenqi was furious. He stepped forward, pointed at Li Chuyun, and retorted angrily:

"My son returned yesterday, saying he was beaten by your son Li Jilong for trying to stop him from bullying the eunuchs. How could he have spied on the palace maids? You are clearly taking revenge for personal reasons and falsely accusing a loyal official!"

He certainly didn't dare to openly criticize Zhao Dezhao, so he could only shift the blame onto Li Chuyun's son.

"Framed?"

Li Chuyun sneered, "I disdain arguing with you. Right and wrong will be judged by public opinion, and there are witnesses who saw it all. How dare you try to deny it!"

"You son of a bitch! You're talking nonsense!"

The usually composed Wang Shenqi was so enraged that he even swore: "My son may be young, but he knows propriety and shame, and would never do such a despicable thing!"

"Li Chuyun, what are your true intentions? Why are you framing my son and me like this!"

"What were my intentions? If your son hadn't behaved improperly, how could he have caused such trouble?"

"..."

The two argued incessantly in the Golden Hall, and Zhao Kuangyin's originally calm expression gradually darkened.

"That's enough!"

A furious shout rang out like a thunderclap, and the hall fell silent instantly.

Li Chuyun and Wang Shenqi both froze, immediately fell silent, bowed their heads, and dared not utter another word.

Zhao Kuangyin's gaze fell on Li Chuyun, and he said expressionlessly, "Envoy Li, this matter concerns the dignity of the court. Do you have any concrete evidence?"

Li Chuyun's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly kowtowed, saying, "Every word I have said is true, without the slightest falsehood!"

"When my son Jilong returned yesterday, his face was bruised and swollen. I pressed him repeatedly before he finally told me everything that had happened in the palace."

"If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may immediately summon Han Chongyun's son, Han Chongxun, and the eunuch who led the way to the palace for a confrontation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Shenqi's face grew even more unpleasant.

He understood that Li Chuyun must have had plenty of confidence to say that.

Now, he was also starting to have doubts, unable to figure out the truth of the matter, and even suspected that his son had lied to him.

If this were true, how could he possibly save face in front of so many people? Thinking this, Wang Shenqi immediately prepared to swallow his bitterness and plead with Zhao Kuangyin for mercy, but then he heard a voice that sounded like a pardon:

"Why go to such lengths? I know the Commander Wang's character well, and I trust he won't spoil his son. Let's just drop this matter!"

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Wang Shenqi breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed deeply.

But at this moment, Li Chuyun persisted, stepping forward and saying:

"Your Majesty! A country has its laws, and a family has its rules! Wang Chengyan, as the son of a military family, has no respect for imperial authority, harassing palace maids and assaulting eunuchs. If such evil deeds are not severely punished, won't every young man in the future dare to rely on his father's favor, disregard the imperial dignity, and be disrespectful to Your Majesty?"

"We humbly request Your Majesty to execute him according to the law, as a warning to others!"

"Li Chuyun! Don't you dare to drive us to such extremes!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shenqi abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred: "My son is young and ignorant, how could he deserve to die? You clearly intend to use this matter to put my son to death!"

"I was merely acting in accordance with the law; how could you accuse me of wanting to exterminate everyone?" Li Chuyun retorted firmly.

The two began arguing again, and the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly tense.

Zhao Guangyi, who was standing to the side, glanced deeply at his elder brother who was sitting high on the dragon throne, but then fell silent and did not try to plead for Wang Shenqi.

Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, and other founding generals had solemn expressions as they exchanged glances, each sensing a different meaning in the others' expressions.

The new dynasty had just been established, and Li Chuyun was truly unscrupulous in his efforts to win the emperor's favor. His eagerness to attack Wang Shenqi was clearly tantamount to handing the emperor a knife!

When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away.

This is a question that no founding emperor could avoid, and they were naturally aware of it.

It's a pity, Li Chuyun, you tried to flatter the emperor but ended up hurting him, because His Majesty has no idea how to use this knife...

What happened next was exactly as they had predicted.

Zhao Kuangyin's face grew increasingly grim. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and roared:

"Enough! I've said this matter ends here!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Li Chuyun wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Zhao Kuangyin's sharp gaze, and could only shut his mouth in embarrassment, bowing and retreating to the side.

Zhao Kuangyin looked at Wang Shenqi kneeling on the ground and said slowly, "Wang Chengyan is young and his mind is not yet mature. Although he made a mistake this time, it does not warrant death. Considering your merits, I will let this matter go and not pursue it further."

"But if there is a next time, I will certainly not let it go so easily!"

Having said that, Zhao Kuangyin said no more, suddenly stood up, waved his sleeves, and turned to leave.

"Court adjourned!"

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty! Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!" Wang Shenqi kowtowed repeatedly, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon.

After Zhao Kuangyin left, Shi Shouxin and the other founding generals looked at each other, and when they saw Wang Shenqi, who had just gotten up from the ground, they all felt a chill.

Wang Shenqi slowly stood up, his face pale. He glared at Li Chuyun with hatred, gritting his teeth, but ultimately said nothing more and turned away.

The officials gradually withdrew from the main hall.

Only Zhao Guangyi watched this scene thoughtfully.

……