Demon Emperor

Chapter 35 The Deposed Prime Minister

Ruan Hu was practicing calligraphy when a sound suddenly came from outside.

Ruan Hu had excellent hearing; he could hear sounds outside even through several doors, which was why the others in the hall tried to remain silent.

"Miss!"

"Miss!"

"His Majesty is busy with state affairs, now..."

Ruan Hu raised his head and looked outside. Although he only heard the eunuch's voice trying to stop him, he seemed to already know who was outside.

"Let her in!"

As soon as she entered, Consort Li knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

"His Majesty!"

Ruan Hu raised his hand so that the palace maid beside him could help her up, and then asked her to come forward.

At the same time, he covered up the words he had just written and walked out from behind the desk.

"What's going on here?"

Why are you crying like this?

Consort Li tearfully recounted, "I heard that someone in the court is falsely accusing my father, saying that he conspired with Ruan Heng to rebel, and His Majesty has already sent people to arrest him..."

Ever since Ruan Hu let slip that he preferred Li Hongdao to be prime minister.

Subsequently.

Li Hongdao's faction is extremely excited and has been making frequent moves recently.

It seems that even before assuming the position of prime minister, he has already begun to openly announce his intentions to the world.

However, how could the other two factions tolerate Li Hongdao becoming the prime minister? Especially the local powerful faction, which was originally a disorganized mess, was instantly united by Li Hongdao.

Li Hongdao, as the emperor's father-in-law, held a very special position.

The same imperial relatives and officials who followed them and cheered them on were none other than the same group of people Ruan Heng had previously worked for.

If he were to ascend to this position, it would immediately remind people of Ruan Heng's imposing presence.

This person had previously suppressed them to the point of being unable to raise their heads, so how could they not feel fear and apprehension?

and.

The two sides have recently completely broken off relations, and if Li Hongdao becomes prime minister, the first thing he will do is to deal with them.

Even if we don't become the prime minister, we certainly can't let Li Hongdao become the prime minister.

then.

The entire court was attacking Li Hongdao, and they even dug up a lot of evidence against him.

Li Hongdao was originally a member of Ruan Heng's staff. If they really wanted to dig him out, how could they not have any connections?

As a result, Li Hongdao has been in a very difficult position in the court recently. One memorial after another criticizing him has been sent to Ruan Hu. Some of these memorials not only have witnesses, but also physical evidence.

After listening to the concubines' tearful complaints, Ruan Hu sighed and pointed to the table beside him.

"Look at what's piled up there, it's all related to the Emperor's father-in-law."

"There are some things I don't believe, but there are some things that I have no choice but to believe because the evidence is conclusive."

In an instant, Consort Li's face turned deathly pale.

Among the things she heard was the serious crime of treason.

Moreover, although the past actions of Ruan Heng are now behind us, the people in the court are still very clear about what he did.

The beautiful concubine's body had already gone limp.

But at this moment, Ruan Hu changed his tone and comforted her.

"However, despite his selfish motives, the father-in-law of the emperor still retains his public-spiritedness."

"The Emperor's father-in-law is well aware that there are some things that must never be touched."

Consort Li grasped at a straw: "Your Majesty, my father would never do anything to betray Your Majesty. He's just a bit senile and can't distinguish between what's important and what's not."

Ruan Hu nodded: "After all, we are family. You should go back first. I will think about the matter of the Imperial Father-in-law and see how to make the most appropriate arrangements."

Consort Li, with tears streaming down her face, pleaded repeatedly.

They dared not mention the position of prime minister again, and even dared not try to subtly probe Ruan Hu's thoughts.

Ruan Hu: "If my beloved concubine has nothing else to do, please go back first. I will come to see you after I finish my official duties."

Consort Li dared not linger: "This concubine takes her leave." Consort Li led her entourage away, while Ruan Hu put away all the memorials.

With these things, Ruan Hu could find an excuse to demote Li Hongdao at any time.

It was late at night when Ruan Hu finally finished his official duties and came to the inner palace.

It was already past midnight, but the lights inside and outside the courtyard were still on, as if they were waiting for something.

Upon seeing the procession from afar, the palace maids in the courtyard immediately went in to inform the restless concubine.

"Miss!"

"His Majesty has arrived."

Compared to the previous few days, Consort Li has undergone some changes.

Not only were they more obedient, but they also served Ruan Hu with even greater diligence.

She no longer dared to display the airs of a noble concubine or the arrogance of a high-born lady from a prestigious family; in fact, she appeared somewhat submissive.

The sounds coming from inside the tent grew louder and louder, almost uncontrollable.

The palace maids outside dared not move, but their faces turned red.
-
Day two.

When the court held a meeting to discuss state affairs, the meeting began with the ministers attacking Li Hongdao, while Li Hongdao's side was unwilling to be defeated and fought back fiercely.

"Your Majesty, Li Hongdao is no good minister and cannot be entrusted with anything!"

"The calamity of Ruan Heng in the past is still fresh in our minds. Although Your Majesty is compassionate, such a wolf in sheep's clothing cannot be forgiven."

"This Li Hongdao and that Ruan Heng..."

This man was utterly reckless in his attempt to bring Li Hongdao down from his horse.

Ruan Heng has already been definitively proven not to have committed treason, yet this is being brought up again and again. Although these people haven't explicitly mentioned treason, every word they utter implies that Li Hongdao was involved in it.

Finally, Ruan Hu pulled the situation back from the brink of collapse.

"All right."

"Today we are not discussing anything else, but rather who should serve as the Prime Minister of our Great Sheng Dynasty."

Ruan Hu looked down at Li Hongdao, who was in a terrible state, and then sighed.

"It seems that Minister Li is not suited for the position of Prime Minister. In that case, let's find someone else!"

At this, Li Hongdao's faction below immediately panicked, and even their eyes turned red.

Li Hongdao didn't say anything, seemingly having anticipated this, and felt that he was already lucky not to be convicted of treason and die without a burial place.

Before Ruan Hu could finish saying the next name, a group of people in the court knelt down and shouted.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't..."

Ruan Hu named several names in succession, each of which sparked fierce debate in the court. Some supported the move, while many others opposed it.

Ruan Hu sighed one last time and uttered an even more improbable name.

"In that case, would it be suitable for the Pillar General to serve as the Prime Minister?"

At that moment, everyone's expression changed.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider..."

Finally, having no other choice, Ruan Hu reluctantly agreed.

"In that case, you all believe that no one is fit to be the prime minister."

“Then let us establish the three departments of Zhongshu, Menxia, ​​and Shangshu, with Li Hongdao as Zhongshu Ling, Huang Hui as Menxia Ling, and Pei Yuanxiao as Shangshu Ling.”

"That's it."

Everyone looked at each other, caught off guard by Ruan Hu's words.

What does it mean?
Is the position of prime minister no longer being established?

Li Hongdao reacted the fastest, being the first to step forward, kneel down, and accept the imperial decree to express his gratitude.

"The minister accepts the order!"

He was the first to respond, and another Huang Hui also stepped out from the crowd to receive the decree.

The matter has come to this point, and everything is set in stone.

Ruan Hu didn't say anything more and simply announced the end of the court session.

"Dismiss the dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)