In the field.
Seeing Zhu Gaoxu, he was not angry, but looked at them with a smile on his face, and even applauded their current behavior. This uncharacteristic behavior shocked all the ministers in the scene, and they couldn't help but feel cold on their backs and sweat.
This also made everyone in the field lower their heads even more, not daring to look him in the face.
Looking at the appearance of everyone in the field, Zhu Gaoxu's expression suddenly withdrew, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked around with a cold look in his eyes, and continued:
“Today.”
"What if I, the king, were to punish them according to the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty?"
"What about you?"
"Do you still want to rebel right now?"
After hearing this, the ministers in the field keenly sensed the determination in Zhu Gaoxu's words. They couldn't help but feel startled in their hearts, and their eyelids began to twitch wildly. Many people's faces also changed drastically at that moment.
Rebellion!
These two words seem plain but are extremely heavy.
It is also a hat that makes people feel suffocated.
The already almost frozen atmosphere in the field became even more solemn and depressing. The bone-chilling coldness spread silently throughout the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony. Many people couldn't help but get goose bumps and their breathing became disordered.
Do these people dare?
They dare to take on such a big hat and such a serious crime. Can these individuals bear it?
Just kidding!
Once the word "rebellion" is really used on you, you will definitely be doomed!
Who can bear it? Who is willing to bear it?
It's simply life-threatening.
For this reason, after a brief silence, the ministers in the field came back to their senses in an instant, and their expressions became extremely excited and nervous. They waved their hands repeatedly and shook their heads uncontrollably, saying:
“No, no, no”
"Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the King of Han will understand."
"We have absolutely no such intention, absolutely no such intention!"
"Even if we were given a hundred courages, we would never dare to have such an idea."
"minister"
Seeing the ministers expressing their feelings one by one and denying at the same time, Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince looked at each other, then Zhu Gaoxu snorted coldly, narrowed his eyes and looked coldly at the ministers in the field, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't you dare?"
"Are you really afraid?"
"Why does this king feel that you are very courageous?"
"Is there anything in this world that you dare not do?"
"We clearly knew that these people had seriously violated the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty, and we clearly knew that these people had done so again and again, and there was irrefutable evidence."
"I only dealt with and punished according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, without any bias or overstepping the mark."
"But what's the result?"
"What has it become when it reaches you, when it reaches you?"
"They all banded together to keep each other warm and confronted me head-on, as if they were determined to save their lives."
"To put it nicely, your actions are a challenge to me. To put it bluntly, they are a challenge to the imperial power, the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty."
"I would like to ask you, gentlemen, what is the difference between 'rebellion' and the behavior of defying the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty?"
"Isn't this kind of behavior, in a sense, a rebellion?"
"Moreover, you guys can't tell right from wrong. You choose to turn a blind eye to things you see clearly, and you choose to overturn them. Tell me, what kind of behavior is this?"
The ministers: “!!!!!!!!!”
These words became more severe and serious.
However, the ministers present were completely at a loss for words to refute or respond to Zhu Gaoxu's questions.
It’s not that they don’t want to, but that they are unwilling to do so.
In fact, facing what is happening now, based on what they are doing, in a sense, there is indeed such suspicion.
to this end.
Since things have come to this, and Zhu Gaoxu has also shown his determination to deal with the matter, those who stood up to plead for mercy also know that the trend is irreversible. If they stand up and speak at this time, it would be tantamount to confirming the charges that Zhu Gaoxu has put on them.
Then the best way and method is to choose to play deaf and dumb, pretend that you heard nothing, and let Zhu Gaoxu deal with these individuals as he wishes. This is the safest way and method to preserve yourself for the time being.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Gaoxu was able to vent his resentment and anger, and they could also use the excuse that they were worried about the turmoil in the court and the situation to get away with it. After all, although they were united, they did not act too aggressively, but chose to stop when they had enough.
Then no matter what their thoughts and ideas are, it is all understandable, and it is impossible to really delve into their problems.
As for what they were worried about before.
They are afraid that these people will expose them, and they are afraid that these people will have something to hold against them.
at this point.
Does it really still matter?
Judging from the situation just now, the accusation that King of Han Zhu Gaoxu put on their heads was many times more serious than all the dirty things they had done over the years combined.
For this reason, are they still afraid of being bitten?
One is immediate death with absolutely no room for maneuver, the other is room for maneuver and there are remedial measures.
Comparing the two, choose the lesser of two things!
As long as you are not a fool, you know how to make a choice and which path to choose.
That's it.
The atmosphere in the field, after Zhu Gaoxu finished his questioning, fell into an extremely strange atmosphere. After a long while, seeing that no one in the field was talking, Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the high platform with his hands behind his back, observed the changes in the expressions of the ministers in the field. He could probably guess what they were thinking, and couldn't help but whispered in his heart:
"Old fox."
"It's really a loach. Don't be too cunning."
The atmosphere here changed, and Zhu Gaoxu was not the only one who felt the difference.
Those who violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty and regarded the laws of the Ming Dynasty as nothing also keenly noticed the subtle changes in their colleagues around them. They had finally put their minds at ease, and at this moment, they were in suspense again. They couldn't help but shout in their hearts, saying:
"It's over."
"It's really over now. It's completely over."
Just like this, those people who originally had some look of having survived a disaster, suddenly became like eggplants hit by frost. All their energy was drained away. Some even collapsed to the ground in panic.
After a brief pause and understanding these people's thoughts, Zhu Gaoxu was too lazy to waste time on them. He didn't want to waste too much time on these things, so he said:
"Somebody come!"
"Ji Gang, the commander of the Jinyiwei, called out the names. Everyone whose names are called out, get these traitors out for me."
"At the same time, the Imperial Guards complicated the confiscation of these individuals' property."
"Anyone who participated in these dirty things, or anyone who had any connection with them, will be arrested by this king, thrown into prison, and punished according to the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty."
"Do you have any objections or opinions?"
After saying this, Zhu Gaoxu half-closed his eyes and looked around at the ministers in the field meaningfully.
Hearing this and feeling the gazes scanning them, all the officials were trembling with fear. How could they dare to have any opinions or ideas? It would be more important for the Taoist friend to die than for the Taoist himself to die. Who wouldn't know which is more important?
At the same time, the people present were not fools. They were all smart people and could naturally hear the warning and threat contained in the seemingly light words of Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu.
Let me put it more bluntly.
Ask these people who are asking for mercy whether they have any objections.
This statement can also be understood as a final ultimatum to them. If they can stop in this matter, Zhu Gaoxu can choose to turn a blind eye to their previous pleas, let bygones be bygones, turn the page on this matter, and not hold them accountable.
But if people like them still dare to be so stupid and ignorant about this matter.
So in this matter, I am afraid it is not as simple as just dealing with those people whose names are read out, but to arrest all of them and investigate whether they are clean or not.
Again, the question is, which official can be 100% clear-headed?
For this reason, the ministers who were questioned did not dare to hesitate for a moment, and shook their heads frantically, saying:
"I have no objection."
"Everything depends on His Highness the King of Han."
Seeing that everyone was unusually tactful and did not take advantage of the incident, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction, which was also a recognition of their current performance.
After that, Zhu Gaoxu did not waste any more time. He looked for the imperial guards and Jinyiwei commander Ji Gang who were already on high alert. He waved his hands and said,
"Since all the ministers have already agreed."
"What are you guys still standing there for?"
"Take these bastards down for me."
"Looking at these bastards and thinking about what they did, I feel sick and disgusted."
That’s all I have to say.
The imperial guards who received the imperial order, as well as the Embroidered Uniform Guards and others, cooperated extremely tacitly. It didn't take long before they captured the ministers listed in the book one by one.
The ministers, seeing the Imperial Guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guards rushing towards them, were instantly frightened and turned pale. It was not until the Imperial Guards came forward and carried them to the palace gate that they came back to their senses from their daze and fear, and they all struggled at the top of their lungs, crying and begging for mercy.
Seeing his ministers struggling, looking embarrassed, and wailing miserably, Zhu Gaoxu's expression did not show the slightest change of emotion. Everything seemed so calm and indifferent, as if he did not take the people and things at hand seriously at all.
After the ministers were dragged out one by one, and seeing the remaining ministers in the hall with different expressions and in silence, Zhu Gaoxu pulled his thoughts back after a long while. His calm face showed a long-lost smile. He looked at the remaining ministers with a smile, and took the initiative to speak to break the weird atmosphere and silence, and said in a deep voice:
"Well"
"Not bad, not bad. With fewer flies and termites, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony is much quieter and more comfortable."
"correct."
"My Lords, I have completed all the matters that needed to be done for today's grand court meeting."
"I wonder if you have anything to report to me right now?"
"Or, there is something important that needs to be discussed with the prince and me!"
After hearing the words of the King of Han and looking around the somewhat empty Hall of Supreme Harmony, the remaining court officials couldn't help but change their expressions, swallowed subconsciously a few times, and their eyelids twitched.
Is there anything else you want to report?
The situation has come to this point, how dare these people submit anything?
Isn't this absolutely correct? Holding a lantern in the toilet is simply seeking death.
Please!
As for what happened today, every word and every sentence would be enough for them to digest and kill half a day. In a sense, it might take half a day to digest it all. It is afraid that before this matter is over, these officials who are attending the grand court meeting today, according to normal logic, should find it difficult to have a good sleep. Or to put it more bluntly, it should be said that they can't even sleep.
Because what happened today was truly beyond their expectations. They never thought that something like this would happen.
to this end.
How dare these people say anything else? How dare they use any language?
Who among them doesn't understand the truth that the more you say, the more mistakes you make. Who among them doesn't understand this?
Under the current circumstances, being able to protect oneself is already the best possible outcome. Unless one is confused and unable to think straight, he would speak for it and make himself uncomfortable about the current situation!
As they thought about it, the ministers who were kneeling on the ground and trembling slightly could not help but look at each other. They all understood each other's thoughts and state of mind from each other's expressions and faces.
After a brief moment of daze, they came back to their senses one by one, and suddenly opened their half-closed eyes. Without any hesitation or slowness, they all bowed solemnly, and respectfully saluted the Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi on the high platform, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the King of Han."
"Regarding the current situation, we, the ministers, have no intention to make any memorials or objections. Everything is entirely up to the Crown Prince and the Prince." (End of this chapter)
Seeing Zhu Gaoxu, he was not angry, but looked at them with a smile on his face, and even applauded their current behavior. This uncharacteristic behavior shocked all the ministers in the scene, and they couldn't help but feel cold on their backs and sweat.
This also made everyone in the field lower their heads even more, not daring to look him in the face.
Looking at the appearance of everyone in the field, Zhu Gaoxu's expression suddenly withdrew, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked around with a cold look in his eyes, and continued:
“Today.”
"What if I, the king, were to punish them according to the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty?"
"What about you?"
"Do you still want to rebel right now?"
After hearing this, the ministers in the field keenly sensed the determination in Zhu Gaoxu's words. They couldn't help but feel startled in their hearts, and their eyelids began to twitch wildly. Many people's faces also changed drastically at that moment.
Rebellion!
These two words seem plain but are extremely heavy.
It is also a hat that makes people feel suffocated.
The already almost frozen atmosphere in the field became even more solemn and depressing. The bone-chilling coldness spread silently throughout the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony. Many people couldn't help but get goose bumps and their breathing became disordered.
Do these people dare?
They dare to take on such a big hat and such a serious crime. Can these individuals bear it?
Just kidding!
Once the word "rebellion" is really used on you, you will definitely be doomed!
Who can bear it? Who is willing to bear it?
It's simply life-threatening.
For this reason, after a brief silence, the ministers in the field came back to their senses in an instant, and their expressions became extremely excited and nervous. They waved their hands repeatedly and shook their heads uncontrollably, saying:
“No, no, no”
"Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the King of Han will understand."
"We have absolutely no such intention, absolutely no such intention!"
"Even if we were given a hundred courages, we would never dare to have such an idea."
"minister"
Seeing the ministers expressing their feelings one by one and denying at the same time, Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince looked at each other, then Zhu Gaoxu snorted coldly, narrowed his eyes and looked coldly at the ministers in the field, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't you dare?"
"Are you really afraid?"
"Why does this king feel that you are very courageous?"
"Is there anything in this world that you dare not do?"
"We clearly knew that these people had seriously violated the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty, and we clearly knew that these people had done so again and again, and there was irrefutable evidence."
"I only dealt with and punished according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, without any bias or overstepping the mark."
"But what's the result?"
"What has it become when it reaches you, when it reaches you?"
"They all banded together to keep each other warm and confronted me head-on, as if they were determined to save their lives."
"To put it nicely, your actions are a challenge to me. To put it bluntly, they are a challenge to the imperial power, the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty."
"I would like to ask you, gentlemen, what is the difference between 'rebellion' and the behavior of defying the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty?"
"Isn't this kind of behavior, in a sense, a rebellion?"
"Moreover, you guys can't tell right from wrong. You choose to turn a blind eye to things you see clearly, and you choose to overturn them. Tell me, what kind of behavior is this?"
The ministers: “!!!!!!!!!”
These words became more severe and serious.
However, the ministers present were completely at a loss for words to refute or respond to Zhu Gaoxu's questions.
It’s not that they don’t want to, but that they are unwilling to do so.
In fact, facing what is happening now, based on what they are doing, in a sense, there is indeed such suspicion.
to this end.
Since things have come to this, and Zhu Gaoxu has also shown his determination to deal with the matter, those who stood up to plead for mercy also know that the trend is irreversible. If they stand up and speak at this time, it would be tantamount to confirming the charges that Zhu Gaoxu has put on them.
Then the best way and method is to choose to play deaf and dumb, pretend that you heard nothing, and let Zhu Gaoxu deal with these individuals as he wishes. This is the safest way and method to preserve yourself for the time being.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Gaoxu was able to vent his resentment and anger, and they could also use the excuse that they were worried about the turmoil in the court and the situation to get away with it. After all, although they were united, they did not act too aggressively, but chose to stop when they had enough.
Then no matter what their thoughts and ideas are, it is all understandable, and it is impossible to really delve into their problems.
As for what they were worried about before.
They are afraid that these people will expose them, and they are afraid that these people will have something to hold against them.
at this point.
Does it really still matter?
Judging from the situation just now, the accusation that King of Han Zhu Gaoxu put on their heads was many times more serious than all the dirty things they had done over the years combined.
For this reason, are they still afraid of being bitten?
One is immediate death with absolutely no room for maneuver, the other is room for maneuver and there are remedial measures.
Comparing the two, choose the lesser of two things!
As long as you are not a fool, you know how to make a choice and which path to choose.
That's it.
The atmosphere in the field, after Zhu Gaoxu finished his questioning, fell into an extremely strange atmosphere. After a long while, seeing that no one in the field was talking, Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the high platform with his hands behind his back, observed the changes in the expressions of the ministers in the field. He could probably guess what they were thinking, and couldn't help but whispered in his heart:
"Old fox."
"It's really a loach. Don't be too cunning."
The atmosphere here changed, and Zhu Gaoxu was not the only one who felt the difference.
Those who violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty and regarded the laws of the Ming Dynasty as nothing also keenly noticed the subtle changes in their colleagues around them. They had finally put their minds at ease, and at this moment, they were in suspense again. They couldn't help but shout in their hearts, saying:
"It's over."
"It's really over now. It's completely over."
Just like this, those people who originally had some look of having survived a disaster, suddenly became like eggplants hit by frost. All their energy was drained away. Some even collapsed to the ground in panic.
After a brief pause and understanding these people's thoughts, Zhu Gaoxu was too lazy to waste time on them. He didn't want to waste too much time on these things, so he said:
"Somebody come!"
"Ji Gang, the commander of the Jinyiwei, called out the names. Everyone whose names are called out, get these traitors out for me."
"At the same time, the Imperial Guards complicated the confiscation of these individuals' property."
"Anyone who participated in these dirty things, or anyone who had any connection with them, will be arrested by this king, thrown into prison, and punished according to the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty."
"Do you have any objections or opinions?"
After saying this, Zhu Gaoxu half-closed his eyes and looked around at the ministers in the field meaningfully.
Hearing this and feeling the gazes scanning them, all the officials were trembling with fear. How could they dare to have any opinions or ideas? It would be more important for the Taoist friend to die than for the Taoist himself to die. Who wouldn't know which is more important?
At the same time, the people present were not fools. They were all smart people and could naturally hear the warning and threat contained in the seemingly light words of Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu.
Let me put it more bluntly.
Ask these people who are asking for mercy whether they have any objections.
This statement can also be understood as a final ultimatum to them. If they can stop in this matter, Zhu Gaoxu can choose to turn a blind eye to their previous pleas, let bygones be bygones, turn the page on this matter, and not hold them accountable.
But if people like them still dare to be so stupid and ignorant about this matter.
So in this matter, I am afraid it is not as simple as just dealing with those people whose names are read out, but to arrest all of them and investigate whether they are clean or not.
Again, the question is, which official can be 100% clear-headed?
For this reason, the ministers who were questioned did not dare to hesitate for a moment, and shook their heads frantically, saying:
"I have no objection."
"Everything depends on His Highness the King of Han."
Seeing that everyone was unusually tactful and did not take advantage of the incident, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction, which was also a recognition of their current performance.
After that, Zhu Gaoxu did not waste any more time. He looked for the imperial guards and Jinyiwei commander Ji Gang who were already on high alert. He waved his hands and said,
"Since all the ministers have already agreed."
"What are you guys still standing there for?"
"Take these bastards down for me."
"Looking at these bastards and thinking about what they did, I feel sick and disgusted."
That’s all I have to say.
The imperial guards who received the imperial order, as well as the Embroidered Uniform Guards and others, cooperated extremely tacitly. It didn't take long before they captured the ministers listed in the book one by one.
The ministers, seeing the Imperial Guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guards rushing towards them, were instantly frightened and turned pale. It was not until the Imperial Guards came forward and carried them to the palace gate that they came back to their senses from their daze and fear, and they all struggled at the top of their lungs, crying and begging for mercy.
Seeing his ministers struggling, looking embarrassed, and wailing miserably, Zhu Gaoxu's expression did not show the slightest change of emotion. Everything seemed so calm and indifferent, as if he did not take the people and things at hand seriously at all.
After the ministers were dragged out one by one, and seeing the remaining ministers in the hall with different expressions and in silence, Zhu Gaoxu pulled his thoughts back after a long while. His calm face showed a long-lost smile. He looked at the remaining ministers with a smile, and took the initiative to speak to break the weird atmosphere and silence, and said in a deep voice:
"Well"
"Not bad, not bad. With fewer flies and termites, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony is much quieter and more comfortable."
"correct."
"My Lords, I have completed all the matters that needed to be done for today's grand court meeting."
"I wonder if you have anything to report to me right now?"
"Or, there is something important that needs to be discussed with the prince and me!"
After hearing the words of the King of Han and looking around the somewhat empty Hall of Supreme Harmony, the remaining court officials couldn't help but change their expressions, swallowed subconsciously a few times, and their eyelids twitched.
Is there anything else you want to report?
The situation has come to this point, how dare these people submit anything?
Isn't this absolutely correct? Holding a lantern in the toilet is simply seeking death.
Please!
As for what happened today, every word and every sentence would be enough for them to digest and kill half a day. In a sense, it might take half a day to digest it all. It is afraid that before this matter is over, these officials who are attending the grand court meeting today, according to normal logic, should find it difficult to have a good sleep. Or to put it more bluntly, it should be said that they can't even sleep.
Because what happened today was truly beyond their expectations. They never thought that something like this would happen.
to this end.
How dare these people say anything else? How dare they use any language?
Who among them doesn't understand the truth that the more you say, the more mistakes you make. Who among them doesn't understand this?
Under the current circumstances, being able to protect oneself is already the best possible outcome. Unless one is confused and unable to think straight, he would speak for it and make himself uncomfortable about the current situation!
As they thought about it, the ministers who were kneeling on the ground and trembling slightly could not help but look at each other. They all understood each other's thoughts and state of mind from each other's expressions and faces.
After a brief moment of daze, they came back to their senses one by one, and suddenly opened their half-closed eyes. Without any hesitation or slowness, they all bowed solemnly, and respectfully saluted the Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi on the high platform, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the King of Han."
"Regarding the current situation, we, the ministers, have no intention to make any memorials or objections. Everything is entirely up to the Crown Prince and the Prince." (End of this chapter)
