I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Song immediately knelt down, his forehead pressed against the ground, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Your Majesty is virtuous!"

These few words left the ministers completely baffled.

I felt like my head was sprouting buds. Where the hell did you get the idea that he's virtuous?

Even Zhao Mengjing, who was using a non-stick pan, couldn't help but complain inwardly.

Yan Song's flattery was utterly shameless!

In fact, Yan Song didn't know why he said such a thing.

I just felt that this sentence matched the snow scene tonight.

In any case, having virtue is the most important thing.

Who would dare say that the ruler or father is without virtue?

Seeing that no one had made a move for a long time, Zhu Houcong glanced at the officials with a half-smile.

"What, do my esteemed ministers have any other objections?"

The next second, all the officials knelt down in unison.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction and continued to issue decrees.

"The Eastern Depot will investigate the murderer of Meng Zhi. Even a Grandmaster will crumble under the iron cavalry of the Great Liang."

His eyes blazed with murderous intent, and his dragon robe billowed in the cold wind like raging waves.

"It is said that a Grandmaster can fight against three thousand armored soldiers. Since three thousand cannot kill them, then we will use thirty thousand, three hundred thousand."

Everyone who saw Zhu Houcong's domineering presence couldn't help but shudder.

A feeling of heroism arose spontaneously.

They seemed to see the young and spirited Emperor Liang.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Cao Zhichun said solemnly.

"Furthermore, Prince Yu, Xiao Jingting, privately mobilized the Imperial Guards, violating the laws of the court; this crime is unforgivable."

"Effective immediately, he is stripped of his position as Grand General of the Imperial Guards!"

Prince Yu, lying on the ground, trembled all over, but he didn't even have the strength to beg for mercy.

"All officers of the rank of colonel and above who accompanied Prince Yu today will be beheaded and their heads displayed to the public."

Zhu Houcong's voice was light and airy, yet it sent chills down everyone's spines.

I want to see who will dare to covet this merit of following the emperor's rise to power.

"Ruzhen, you will temporarily assume the position of Grand General of the Imperial Guard."

Hu Ruzhen quickly stepped forward and kowtowed deeply.

"I...obey your order!"

Those who deserve punishment will not be spared, and those who deserve reward will not be overlooked.

Zhu Houcong then announced that the pensions for the fallen Imperial Guards would be paid at three times the standard rate, with the Ministry of Revenue in charge and the Eastern Depot overseeing the entire process.

All the brave soldiers of the Imperial Guard were promoted three ranks.

After all the decrees had been issued, Zhu Houcong ended the show, waving his hand wearily: "Disperse, everyone."

After saying this, he returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Seeing this, the officials had no choice but to leave in a huff.

Just as Prince Yu was being helped away by two eunuchs, Yan Song suddenly blocked his way with a smile.

"Your Highness, please wait!"

He bowed and said, "His Majesty summons you to the palace for a talk."

Xiao Jinghuan trembled, and cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back, which had just been flogged.

He forced himself to stand up and, with the help of two eunuchs, limped toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Inside the palace, Consort Yue and Consort Hui had already been sent back to the inner palace, leaving only Zhu Houcong sitting on a soft couch.

"Your subject...pays respects to Your Majesty."

Just as Prince Yu was about to kneel down, the movement aggravated the injuries in his buttocks and legs, causing him to gasp in pain.

"No need."

Zhu Houcong waved his hand.

"Since you're injured, there's no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Father Emperor..."

Prince Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but felt even more uneasy.

At this moment, Zhu Houcong suddenly asked, "I ask you, who was that woman who appeared with you in front of Xuanhua Gate today?"

Chapter 55 What a fine Qin Banruo!

Xiao Jinghuan was stunned into a blank by this sudden question.

"She...she is..."

Zhu Houcong narrowed his eyes and continued to press, "With your Prince Yu's mansion, I'm afraid you can't produce this many executioners!"

"Father, please forgive me!"

Xiao Jinghuan felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. Ignoring the excruciating pain in his buttocks and legs, he knelt down with a thud, his forehead slamming heavily against the gold brick.

"This woman's name is Qin Banruo, and she is... the owner of the Hongxiuzhao brothel in the capital."

"Indeed, some of the troops sent to defend the emperor today came from the Red Sleeve Pavilion..."

"Serving the emperor?"

Zhu Houcong sneered.

"I will tentatively assume you are acting out of loyalty to the emperor. But what is the purpose of a brothel like Hongxiuzhao keeping so many executioners? Their intentions are surely despicable!"

“Father, please understand that Hongxiu Zhao recruited guards only to protect herself. I beg you to spare her life in consideration of her initiative to serve the king.”

"You bastard."

Zhu Houcong suddenly rebuked him.

In a fit of rage, he slammed his hand on the table.

"What kind of bullshit Red Sleeve Guards are you? You're treating a courtesan from a brothel like a treasure, pleading for her on her behalf. You've completely disgraced the royal family."

"Father, please calm your anger!"

Xiao Jinghuan banged his head on the ground and hurriedly tried to explain.

"Qin Banruo sells her art, not her body; she possesses exceptional wisdom and resourcefulness. I only regard her as a strategist; there is absolutely no personal affection between us!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

After a long silence, Zhu Houcong said quietly, "Is this really true?"

"It's absolutely true!"

Prince Yu swore an oath to the heavens.

"If I have uttered even the slightest lie, I am willing to die to atone for my sins!"

"Hmph, at least that sounds human."

Zhu Houcong snorted coldly, his tone suddenly softening: "There's no need for an apology. You say she's full of clever schemes, that's quite interesting."

"I observe that this woman does indeed possess a certain charm."

Uh!

Xiao Jinghuan was taken aback upon hearing this, his eyes darting around nervously.

After pondering for a moment, he tentatively asked, "Father, shall I go and summon her to an audience?"

"Isn't this inappropriate? He's your strategist, after all."

Xiao Jinghuan immediately straightened his back and spoke righteously.

"Forget about strategists, being able to share Father Emperor's burdens is the most important thing!"

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly: "Hmm, then I'd like to see just how clever this man is."

Xiao Jinghuan was overjoyed, his eyes gleaming.

He had a clear understanding of the recent political situation at court.

With Consort Yue and Consort Hui favored in the harem, the Crown Prince's position was as secure as Mount Tai, and even the useless Prince Yu managed to become a Prince and once commanded the Imperial Guard.

And what about yourself?

Although his mother was the Empress, she was not favored by the Emperor, which caused him to be controlled in every way and suffer losses repeatedly.

If Qin Banruo were to gain the Emperor's favor, with her intelligence, she would surely be able to transmit intelligence and allow him to make arrangements in advance.

Even without intelligence, it would be enough if she whispered a few good words for him in private.

Xiao Jinghuan had great confidence in Qin Banruo's methods.

With her beauty and cunning, it would be no difficult for her to bewitch her father.

He endured the pain, quickly stood up, and said respectfully, "Father, please wait a moment, I will go right away!"

Having said that, he prepared to leave.

"etc!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly spoke up, his sharp gaze lingering on Xiao Jinghuan for a moment before he slowly said, "The year-end ceremonies are coming soon."

“In previous years, after the Crown Prince poured wine to offer sacrifices to Heaven, he would touch the ground with the sleeves of both me and your Consort Yue.”

"Now that I think about it, I feel there's something wrong with it. Go back and study it."

Xiao Jinghuan's heart skipped a beat, and a flash of wild joy appeared in his eyes.

So quickly you've already seen results!

The year-end festival of Daliang is the most solemn ceremony of the year.

According to ancestral tradition, after the emperor presided over the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, the crown prince, as the heir apparent, had to ascend the platform to sprinkle wine as a sacrifice to Heaven, and then touch the ground with his hands on his parents' clothes to show filial piety.

However, over the years, because of Yue's favor with the emperor, she, as a concubine, has always replaced Empress Yan in attending the sacrificial rites.

The dignified Empress could only kneel on the outside and watch the ceremony.

This is clearly a violation of etiquette!

However, none of the officials dared to utter a word, awed by the emperor's authority.

His father's words clearly meant that he should find a way to restore his mother's position as a secondary officiant in order to restore the hierarchy within the harem!

Xiao Jinghuan suppressed his inner elation.

He had just lost the Duke of Qing, a powerful ally. If he could take this opportunity to bring down the Minister of Rites on the Crown Prince's side as well, it would surely break the Crown Prince's heart.

"Your subject understands."

He bowed deeply, his eyes gleaming.

"Your subject will personally visit renowned scholars in the court and among the common people to inquire in detail about the origins of the rites and rituals."

Zhu Houcong gave him a meaningful look and casually waved his hand.

"Go ahead."

Zhu Houcong watched Xiao Jinghuan's hurried departure, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

The key to governing a country lies in maintaining balance.