The first poisonous scholar in Daxia, starting from the abdication of the prime minister

"Your Majesty, Secretary Gu Jingzhi got into a fight in the street, bringing disgrace upon the court. I implore Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

An official who looked shifty and cunning tried hard to appear righteous and said:

"Since the founding of our dynasty, we have never seen such officials fighting in the streets. This is disrespectful and creates a very bad impression on the people. I believe that not punishing them severely is not enough to demonstrate the majesty of the court!"

Emperor Xia looked at the official expressionlessly and said, "Weisuo, what do you think should be done?"

"Deprive him of his official position as a warning to others!"

Wei Suo feigned righteousness and said, "Secretary Gu Jingzhi serves in the presence of Your Majesty. If he cannot control himself like this, if this gets out, it will damage Your Majesty's prestige and reputation. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

A trace of disgust flashed across Emperor Xia's eyes, and he said expressionlessly, "Secretary Gu Jingzhi will be fined for half a year..."

"Your Majesty! If you just deduct salaries, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the people!"

Emperor Xia was somewhat impatient: "Although Gu Jingzhi made a mistake, this incident also allowed the court to correct its shortcomings..."

"Your Majesty, I believe that if Gu Jingzhi is severely punished, it will not only deter all officials, but if the people know about it, it will also greatly enhance the prestige of the court!"

In his opinion, Gu Jingzhi was a close minister of the emperor. If such a person was dealt with, the people would only think that the emperor was fair. This kind of thing could greatly enhance the emperor's prestige, so the emperor would surely be tempted, right?

Unexpectedly, Emperor Xia flew into a rage: "Gu Jingzhi has made great contributions to the court, yet he is still being fined. How about Gu Xiu who has so disregarded the court's laws? Should I order his execution at the Meridian Gate?"

Damn it.

When the officials heard this, they were shocked.

Song Pu quickly said, "Your Majesty, I also think that the treatment of Secretary Lang is inappropriate. He is our dynasty's new top scholar and quite talented! Our Great Xia is open to all, and we can still tolerate young people making mistakes!"

"Moreover, the Secretary's work has been of great benefit to the country. I believe Your Majesty should promote him and make him a more important member of the staff."

Then he turned to Wei Suo and said, "Sir Wei, we, the old officials in the court, should be open-minded and accept young talents. We must not go to extremes!"

Upon seeing this, Wei Suo quickly bowed to Emperor Xia and said, "Your Majesty, I have done nothing wrong. I am simply concerned about the administration of our dynasty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"

"That's it!"

Emperor Xia said this expressionlessly, then looked at Song Pu meaningfully.

Promote and reuse?

I'm afraid that after the promotion, you, as the head of all officials, will have to take action, right?

Emperor Xia said with a dull expression, "Do you have anything else to report?"

In an instant, all the ministers looked at their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses.

After serving as an official in the court for so many years, what Emperor Xia meant by this was, you guys should stop causing trouble for me!

Now that the emperor has said so, how dare they act recklessly?

For a moment, the hall became unusually quiet. Seeing this, Emperor Xia said quietly, "Dismiss the court!"

Having said that, without waiting for the ministers to pay their respects, Emperor Xia was the first to stand up and leave the hall...

……

Hanlin Academy.

Gu Jingzhi was working silently when suddenly a eunuch shouted, "Your Majesty's oral order..."

Everyone stood up immediately and bowed politely. The eunuch said lightly, "Gu Jingzhi, your salary will be fined for half a year..."

"???"

In the Hanlin Academy, including Gu Jingzhi, everyone had big question marks on their heads.

This... is gone?

This oral order was just to fine Gu Jingzhi half a year's salary? No reason?

Everyone looked at Gu Jingzhi at once. Gu Jingzhi probably knew what was going on and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Your Majesty, Gu Jingzhi has received the order..."

Seeing this, the eunuch's face no longer looked serious. Instead, he smiled and said, "Master Gu, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Imperial Study. Will you come with us?"

Gu Jingzhi quickly said politely: "Please give it to me, sir! I'll pack up and go right away!"

The eunuch nodded and stood aside with a smile.

Gu Jingzhi returned to his seat, sorted the unfinished work into categories, and then followed the eunuch out of the Hanlin Academy.

As soon as they left, people in the Hanlin Academy immediately started to murmur.

"Master Guo, what exactly did this young Master Gu do wrong? Why did His Majesty fine him half a year's salary?"

"You ask me? How would I know?"

"My two gentlemen, there's nothing much to discuss here. Whether he's punished or not, won't our young Master Gu still be summoned before the Emperor? Let's get to work! Stop talking..."

Some people originally thought that Emperor Xia had issued an oral decree at this time and Gu Jingzhi would fall out of favor, but they did not expect that he would be brought to the imperial court to continue serving as soon as he was punished.

To be honest, this honor is really extraordinary!

……

Royal study room.

As soon as Gu Jingzhi arrived in front of the emperor, he found that the imperial study was in a solemn atmosphere.

The sound of Gu Jingzhi's arrival startled Emperor Xia. He glanced at him and said, "Why are you looking so sullen? Are you blaming me for fining you half a year's salary?"

"..."

It’s because you seem to be in a bad mood that we dare not say anything or ask anything!

Gu Jingzhi bowed and said, "Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the emperor, but..."

"Just what?"

Emperor Xia glanced over, and Gu Jingzhi immediately smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I rely on the court to make a living. You've asked for half a year's salary, and my family can hardly make ends meet!"

There are complaints, and they do exist.

Gu Jingzhi has been practicing martial arts recently, and a lot of money has been used to buy medicinal herbs. There is really not much money left at home.

"laugh……"

Emperor Xia was immediately amused when he heard this. He laughed and scolded, "If the officials knew about your unruly behavior, they would definitely report you!"

"Councilor?"

Gu Jingzhi was shocked, then said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, I have been in the court for several months and have always been cautious and humble. How could there be a minister who would be so mean to me?"

"..."

Emperor Xia gave him a displeased look.

Cautious?

Be humble and modest?

Do you think I believe it?

Thinking of Gu Jingzhi's strategies, and the fight he had with someone yesterday, he reprimanded, demoted, and dismissed seven people... from the lowest rank to the highest rank, the head of all officials.

How the hell is this low? How the hell is this small?

Thinking of the conversation between the emperor and his ministers in the court today, a flash of worry crossed Emperor Xia's eyes.

Looking at the young yet deeply beloved Gu Jingzhi, Emperor Xia couldn't help but ask, "Gu Qing, what kind of minister do you want to be in the future?"

Ok?

Why are you still asking this question?

He glanced at Emperor Xia. Based on his experience with the emperor, he knew things might not go smoothly at court today, so he couldn't help but say, "It depends on your majesty's needs. I can do whatever you want..."

"..."

Emperor Xia glanced at him helplessly and said unhappily, "Go do your thing!"

As he said this, he drove away the other people in the imperial study.

When the eunuchs saw Gu Jingzhi's leisurely look, they couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Even though they were eunuchs, they were still serving the emperor, right? How could they be inferior to this young Master Gu?

Seeing that he and the emperor had only exchanged a few simple words, the emperor's mood had obviously improved. This favor alone was enough to make others envious...