Chapter 29: The Emperor and His Ministers Have Met with the Time (29)

There was silence in the court.

It was like the cold north wind in winter blowing through the heavy palace walls, and then it circled around the court officials, so the coldness penetrated into the bone marrow and surged out from the bottom of their hearts.

They didn't feel sorry for Xue Huai. Xue Huai's death was not a pity, but he shouldn't have died like this.

He should have been tried by the three courts in public, and all the evidence should be openly displayed in the sun, without fear of anyone reviewing it. After the dust settled, he was sent to the execution platform amid shouting and cursing.

Only in this way can it be considered that the crime is deserved, and it is very satisfying.

And...how could Shen Minghuan issue an order to kill so easily and calmly?

If it was because of hatred, there should be madness in his eyes, and if it was because of interests, there should be greed on his face. He shouldn't be so calm, as if he was doing something insignificant.

Even the late emperor, who was known for his cruelty, issued the order in a rage with a ferocious face. Even if everyone would be afraid, they would not be like now, with even their hair trembling.

Until a low sob was heard in the hall, everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a low-ranking official at the end of the queue sitting on the ground with weak legs and feet.

He seemed not to notice his inappropriate behavior, nor did he notice that everyone was looking at him. His sobs became louder and louder until he burst into tears.

The official next to him was silent for a moment, and explained softly: "Master Chen and Master Yin are from the same hometown. They have studied together since childhood and have a very good relationship. When they went to Beijing to take the exam, they were short of money, so they lived in the same room."

There has been no fresh blood in the court for a long time. In the current situation, those who can gain a foothold in the court at a young age are basically children of aristocratic families.

And those old adults who are devoted to the country and worried about the country have witnessed and accompanied the Qi Dynasty step by step towards decay and decline - even the youngest Qu Zhengcheng has been struggling for more than ten years.

So they sighed at the same time, turned their heads away with pity, and stopped looking at Chen Xin who was sitting on the ground and crying heartbreakingly.

In fact, it has been a long time since that incident, but now that it is suddenly mentioned, even if it is just a few words, they are still unable to extricate themselves from the memories.

Yin Shuhuai, a genius of his generation who amazed the audience with his art in the palace examination and a victim of political struggle;

One of their few comrades-in-arms, a political enemy eliminated by Xue Huai with dark means.

If he had been born a few years earlier and participated in the same imperial examination with Qu Zhengcheng, it is unknown who would stand out and become the top scholar in the end.

Unfortunately, he studied late into the night in a poor peasant family for decades, and once he finished his studies, the Qi Dynasty could no longer provide him with a platform to display his ambitions.

Yin Shuhuai's strength is obvious to all. He did not defeat the powerful and did not get the honor and respect of the top three, but he still won the recognition of a group of candidates with mediocre family backgrounds.

Some of those who followed him and called him "Brother Shuhuai" with a gleam in their eyes are now standing in this hall.

After Yin Shuhuai died, the other court officials seemed to be disheartened and suddenly quieted down. They no longer sent carts of memorials or made death-defying protests in the morning court.

They kept a low profile on the surface, but secretly saved the nation and did so many practical things for the people.

Sometimes they would laugh at themselves and say that when would they do things for the people and be so sneaky and careful? Even thieves are more upright than them.

They despised themselves for living in disgrace, comforted themselves that they were just dormant, and pessimistically felt that what they did was useless.

They struggled like this day after day.

Until now, Xue Huai is dead.

Chen Xin's earth-shaking cry drove away the faint horror just now. The court officials of the Xue family lowered their heads and pretended that they did not exist. The others felt the joy after realizing it belatedly.

Even though they soon broke free from their joy, they turned around and worried about the possibility and consequences of the aristocratic family's counterattack.

The elders accepted this well, and they were used to it.

Luo Xiuyuan also sighed softly. He was too young at the time and failed to save the dragon and phoenix in the master's mouth, which also made Daqi lose another wise minister.

He saw that Chen Xin had cried so hard that his voice was hoarse, and he wanted to bring him a glass of water, but when he saw the little eunuch standing aside with his head down and pretending to be dead, he thought that the other party might not listen to him.

Maybe only Shen Minghuan can be used.

Thinking of this, Luo Xiuyuan looked at Shen Minghuan again.

This man lowered his eyes, as if he was lost in thought, but he didn't know what he was thinking.

Shen Minghuan, who was fearless, was frightened by Chen Xin's crying, [Xiaojiu, what's wrong with him? ]

Although the original owner had heard of Chen Xin and Yin Shuhuai, he had never seen them in person. Shen Minghuan confidently said that he would help the second prince win the throne and regarded himself as a counselor, but he didn't even know how many ministers were qualified to attend the court.

This man's eyes are on the top of his head. When he comes out, only others can pay him a visit. The only person he looks at in his life is his former enemy.

The system was also shocked. After a quick search, it played that plot to Shen Minghuan.

The system was very happy: [Host, you didn't make me cry! ]

Shen Minghuan frowned. In his consciousness, he watched a person's short and moving life.

The scene finally stopped at the moment when Yin Shuhuai closed his eyes unwillingly. Shen Minghuan listened to the crying in his ears and realized very clearly that this was not an isolated case.

He thought, if only he could come earlier.

The omnipotent Shen Minghuan could easily save Yin Shuhuai.

So could Luo Xiuyuan in the future.

Luo Xiuyuan was hesitating whether to interrupt Shen Minghuan's "meditation". Unexpectedly, the man suddenly looked up and their eyes met. Luo Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment.

The distance made the meaning in the man's eyes blurred. Luo Xiuyuan couldn't see clearly. He only felt that the eyes cast on him were indescribably complicated.

"You've been crying for so long, haven't you cried enough?"

Shen Minghuan said coldly: "It's useless to cry. The court spends money to support you so that you can do practical things. Xue Huai is dead, and someone has to take over the imperial examination. Chen Xin, right? This matter is handed over to you. Draft the rules and hand them over to me today. Do you have any objections?"

Chen Xin's crying stopped abruptly.

Qu Zhengcheng frowned. He really didn't know what Shen Minghuan was thinking.

After Yin Shuhuai died, Chen Xin fell seriously ill and became extremely depressed. Even though Qu Zhengcheng believed in the other person's character, he couldn't help but doubt his ability.

The imperial examination is not a trivial matter. It has always been jointly responsible by several knowledgeable scholars.

Shen Minghuan killed Xue Huai, but handed the matter over to Chen Xin, who was not outstanding. Did he want to do a good job or mess it up?

Lin Zhihang Lord Lin clenched his fists and said in a deep voice: "I have objections."

Ignoring Lu Zhi's objection, he resolutely walked out of the queue and bowed deeply to Shen Minghuan, "Your Majesty, I ask to take full responsibility for the imperial examination. If there are any omissions, I am willing to be beheaded."

Shen Minghuan thought his resolute and resistant look was particularly interesting, so he really laughed out loud.

Lord Lin's face, which was not good to begin with, darkened again, but thinking about the students who were full of expectations and the future of Daqi, he could only take a deep breath and force himself to hold it back.

Chen Xin's eyes were red and swollen. He stood up and said hoarsely: "Your Majesty, I am not capable enough and I am afraid I can't do it."

He knew how much he was worth. Even though he had been reading books and never dared to fall behind in learning, he was afraid that he would not be able to talk to Brother Shuhuai after he died because he was not knowledgeable enough. But how can political affairs be handled by reading sage books? After not asking about court affairs for so many years, he had long forgotten how to be an official.

Shen Minghuan nodded, and smiled in the expectant eyes of the two people: "Well said, but I refuse. Chen Xin, this matter is handed over to you. Don't worry, I also know that you have no ability, so I asked you to draft the rules first? I will check it for you."

Chen Xin: "..."

Although I am right in saying this, why is it so annoying to hear it from this person's mouth!

Lin Zhihang and Chen Xin wanted to talk again, but Shen Minghuan did not give them the opportunity. He said word by word: "I have made up my mind."

In the eyes of others, this sentence translates to: Whoever says another word will die.

The officials who rely on the Xue family were suddenly silent, and their minds were full of the image of Xue Huai being dragged out of the hall.

Lu Zhi frantically winked at Lin Zhihang, but the man just refused to look at him. Lord Lu gritted his teeth, walked out "treasonously" by himself, and pulled the man back in the middle of the hall, in front of Shen Minghuan, in full view of everyone.

Shen Minghuan laughed out loud again, and Lord Lin's face suddenly darkened.

Chen Xin didn't care about his own life or death after his friend's revenge. He said indifferently: "My Lord, I am very grateful that you killed Xue Huai, but this does not mean that I am willing to work for you. You can kill me, but..."

He bowed to Luo Xiuyuan: "I am loyal to Daqi and Your Majesty forever."

"Unwilling?" Shen Minghuan was not infected by this tragic patriotic sentiment at all. He showed a villain's threatening smile to Chen Xin: "If I don't see the regulations you drafted today, I will cut your Majesty with a knife."

"You!" Not only Chen Xin, but other ministers loyal to Luo Xiuyuan couldn't help but speak out.

The guilty corrupt officials lowered their heads and said nothing, trying their best to reduce their presence, so for a while it seemed as if the crowd was excited, and Shen Minghuan was the enemy of everyone.

Zhuo Feichen slowly pressed his palm on his waist, where a sword was hanging.

Shen Minghuan said leisurely amid the angry stares of the crowd: "If anyone dares to scold me, I will poison Luo Xiuyuan to silence him."

Silence in an instant.

Chen Xin's face was pale: "I obey your command."

Shen Minghuan nodded expressionlessly, but there was a smug smile in his eyes.

As expected of him, this method is really useful.

Luo Xiuyuan saw that this man's face was calm, but he turned the fan lightly in his hand, and it was easy to understand what this man was thinking.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, with some unconscious smiles.

Zhuo Feichen, the only witness of this scene, put down his hand holding the weapon, looked at Shen Minghuan in confusion, and then looked at the new emperor who lowered his eyes and smiled. What's going on? Luo Xiuyuan is not afraid or angry, but is smiling happily?