Checking In for Sixty Years, From Puppet Emperor to Heavenly Emperor – Chapter 65

Ch 65: Court Dispute

“Presumptuous! Lord Zuo, are those words you should be saying to The Emperor? Purple Guard, seize him!” The Empress roared in anger, standing up and scolding.

Suddenly, a purple-clad woman appeared silently beside Lord Zuo. Before anyone could react, she subdued him with a single move, pressing his face to the ground with her left hand on the back of his head and restraining his hands behind him with her right.

Lord Zuo screamed in pain, indignantly shouting, “Empress, why are you defending this useless Emperor? Don’t forget, you are from the Shangguan Family. If it weren’t for that mysterious expert wearing the Great Ancestor Mask, this Qianyuan Empire would no longer belong to the Zhou Family!”

The Empress’s face changed with anger. She glanced at Zhou An, who remained composed, and said decisively, “Utterly rebellious! Execute him!”

Upon hearing this, the Purple Guard, with her left hand gripping Lord Zuo’s neck, snapped it with a crack. Lord Zuo’s eyes widened in disbelief as his neck was broken.

Zhou An smiled. It was more effective to have the Empress personally order the execution of someone from the Right Prime Minister’s faction than for him to do it himself. This would deter the Right Prime Minister’s faction and create a rift between the Empress and the Shangguan Family.

Of course, since the Empress gave the order herself, she wouldn’t blame Zhou An. What he wanted was for Shangguan Rong to be only his Empress, not a daughter of the Shangguan Family.

Lord Zuo, a member of the Shangguan Family’s faction, never imagined that Shangguan Rong would kill him in court.

“No…” Ministers from the Right Prime Minister’s faction exclaimed in shock, but the man had already been killed before they could finish.

Lord You, second in rank only to the Right Prime Minister, said in anger and dismay, “Mother Empress, you are truly confused! Lord Zuo, he…”

“Shouldn’t such a rebellious traitor die? Or are all the civil and military officials in this court now traitors?” Zhou An stood up and stepped down from the Dragon Throne.

“The Emperor, watch your words! Some things cannot be said carelessly, or else…” Several high-ranking ministers shouted angrily.

Zhou An ignored them and asked, “Purple Guard, what is the background of this traitor?”

The Purple Guard bowed and reported, “Reporting to The Emperor, this traitor is the second son of the Zuo Family. They are the most powerful family in Pingyang Prefecture, Qian Province. All the officials there are members of the Zuo Family, or closely related to them.

Moreover, nine gangs are managed by the Zuo Family. They also have dealings with some Immortal cultivation sects. Many retainers in their household are independent cultivators from Jianghu, and even some from the Heretical Path.”

“Ling Sha.” Zhou An called out.

“Your Subject is here.” A voice came from outside the hall. Then, 365 flying daggers flew in from outside, dancing above the court, whistling past the ears of the ministers. The speed and power of the daggers terrified all the ministers, who dared not move for fear of being cut down.

Next, Zhou Ling Sha flew in, landing before Zhou An and kneeling on one knee to salute. Simultaneously, the 365 flying daggers flew back, forming a pair of dagger wings on her back, which folded and retracted.

Seeing Zhou Ling Sha’s domineering entrance, the civil and military officials broke out in cold sweat. This skill already demonstrated that Zhou Ling Sha was an Innate Cultivator. Otherwise, how could a Houtian Martial Artist so easily control magic treasures?

The resentment in the hearts of the ministers who were just filled with anger vanished instantly, replaced by a chill down their spines.

“Thoroughly investigate the Zuo Family. If there are any illegal activities, punish them severely. If they resist, exterminate their Three Generations.” Zhou An said.

“Understood!” Zhou Ling Sha stood up and was about to fly out.

“Wait!” Lord You quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully, and said, “The Emperor, please reconsider! The Zuo Family rendered meritorious service in the founding of Great Qian. Such actions would be excessive and would be condemned by the people.”

Zhou An snorted and looked at the younger ministers below, asking, “Condemned by the people, or cheered by the people?”

Zhou An’s rebuke silenced everyone present. The ministers were naturally aware, but they didn’t know what Zhou An intended to do or to what extent. They couldn’t grasp his intentions and dared not be the first to speak out.

Zhou An sneered and looked at one young minister, asking, “You, speak.”

“It would naturally be good news for the people of Pingyang Prefecture. In Pingyang Prefecture, the Zuo Family is like the Emperor. Whether in the Jianghu sects or the officialdom, the Zuo Family has the final say.

In Pingyang Prefecture, whether one wants to become an official or conduct business, one needs the Zuo Family’s approval and must pay exorbitant taxes, double the national tax rate. The common people can barely afford to eat, let alone raise children. Therefore, it is almost impossible for children from poor families to rise in the world.

Only the Immortal Heroes can make them wary, but the Immortal Heroes almost only focus on subduing demons and monsters and would not interfere in such matters.” The young minister spoke loudly.

The surrounding ministers felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles, breaking out in cold sweat. Clearly, the families behind these ministers were in similar situations.

Zhou An scanned the ministers and asked, “Is what he said true?”

The ministers all lowered their heads, not daring to look up. One only needed to take a look to know the truth. They couldn’t hide it even if they wanted to.

Lord You said again, “The Emperor, the Great Ancestor Emperor granted the Zuo Family special privileges, allowing them to appoint officials in Pingyang Prefecture.”

Zhou An looked at Lord You and asked, “Did it say that the Zuo Family was allowed to poison my people? Did it say that the Zuo Family was allowed to disregard Imperial Authority?”

“Lord Zuo offended The Emperor and has already received due punishment. As for poisoning the people, that is likely an exaggeration.” Lord You said again.

Zhou An smiled and waved his hand, saying, “Ling Sha, did you hear that? Go gather evidence and let Lord You and the officials in court see if it is an exaggeration.”

“Yes.” Zhou Ling Sha spread her dagger wings, flapped them, and flew out of the court in the blink of an eye.

Now, many people were sweating profusely, fearing that this fire would spread to them. They never imagined that Zhou Ling Sha would have such power. If their own families faced such an attack, they might not be able to react in time.

Although those retainers were all cultivators, they were not always in the residence.

Zhou An walked to the young minister at the end and asked, “What is your name?”

“Your Subject is Cai Xianfa.” The young man clasped his fist and said.

“Do you think you have the talent to take over the traitor’s position?” Zhou An asked.

Cai Xianfa revealed a look of joy and said loudly, “Your Subject is confident in his ability to do well, but lacks prestige and a deep background. No one will listen, and no amount of ability will be of any use.”

“Hahaha, from now on, you will take over this traitor’s vacant position. If anyone is insincere or disobeys, report it to the Empress. At that time, the Brocade Guard will invite them for tea to discuss the way of being an official. If anyone defends them, I will personally handle it.” Zhou An said loudly.

“Your Subject obeys the decree and will never fail The Emperor’s expectations!” Cai Xianfa’s eyes shone brightly, his hands trembling with excitement.

This time, not a single minister dared to object, especially those from the Shangguan Family. They all lowered their heads helplessly. Lord Zuo’s position was very important. This time, it was as if an important position in their faction had been taken away, but who dared to say anything now?

Zhou An sat back on the Dragon Throne and nodded to the Empress.

The Empress immediately said, “Lord Cai, you will be responsible for the Imperial Examination reform. If anyone disobeys or obstructs, you may execute them first and report later.”

“Empress!” The ministers exclaimed in shock. They could tolerate Zhou An’s display of power earlier, plus he was the Emperor, and Zhou Ling Sha was an Innate Cultivator.

But this Imperial Examination reform harmed the family interests of all the important ministers. They had to speak out, or they would be punished by their families when they returned.

Shangguan Rong stood up firmly and said, “The Imperial Examination concerns the future of the nation and requires no further discussion. Anyone who objects to this matter will be demoted by three ranks.”

At this moment, more than a dozen ministers in the front row exchanged glances, then knelt down simultaneously and said in unison, “The Imperial Examination cannot be changed! If the Empress insists on changing it, we will resign from our positions!”

The Empress looked angry and was about to persuade them, but Zhou An continued, “Granted. Take off your official robes and leave.”

The ministers were shocked, their faces filled with anger. If the court did not have them, it would cease to function, and all work would be impossible to carry out.

They knew that once these ministers left, the Emperor would be unable to convey his decrees, effectively disconnecting the national institutions from the Emperor.

Zhou An said calmly, “Promote a batch of people from below to temporarily replace the resigning ministers. Issue a nationwide notice to recruit talented individuals, regardless of their background. Empress, you will personally oversee this.”

Zhou An then scanned the other ministers and asked, “Is there anyone else who wants to resign? I will approve them all today.”

Under the gaze of those ministers, the officials who followed them all stepped forward to request resignation. Zhou An actually approved them all, causing the Empress to break out in sweat. With this, only less than 20% of the officials in the court remained, and most of the institutions would be paralyzed.

Zhou An smiled and said, “Empress, rest assured and choose those who are truly talented. I will have the Purple Guard personally supervise all departments and institutions to promote new officials.

The Brocade Guard will investigate the resigning officials and their families. If they have violated national laws, they will be investigated immediately. If they resist, I will have the Ten Thousand Demons King and Hundred Flowers Goddess personally handle it.”

The ministers who had just taken off their official robes and were preparing to leave with resentment were all terrified upon hearing this. One resigned minister said in disbelief, “The Ten Thousand Demons King and Hundred Flowers Goddess were brought by the Great Ancestor Emperor. How could they listen to the orders of a mere useless Emperor like you?”

Zhou An laughed loudly and looked outside, calling out, “Right Prime Minister, no, Great Ancestor Emperor, did you bring the Ten Thousand Demons King and my Hundred Flowers Goddess?”

Upon hearing this, all the officials were shocked, even the Empress stood up in shock, staring wide-eyed at the entrance.