Chapter 9: The Art of the Emperor—Subduing the Powerful Ministers!
The matter transpired so swiftly that the officials had yet to react before it was a settled fact.
“Your Majesty?!”
A chorus of influential courtiers cried out as if their tails had been stepped on.
“Your Majesty, this must not be!”
Like a stone cast upon still water, the uproar spread in waves. The court was thrown into a tumult of dissent, the hall abuzz with clamor.
Tang Yu shouted, “Silence!”
His voice rumbled like thunder, quelling the assembly with sheer force.
All officials, both civil and military, were struck dumb. They wished to protest, but found themselves without cause.
For these, indeed, were among the most upright of ministers, exiled for their refusal to bow to power or bend their stubborn wills—thus they were sent away from the palace.
Su Li's expression darkened to its limit. Even with his famed eloquence, he found himself without recourse.
Tang Yu, now, was acting with ruthless decisiveness, every move lethal, leaving even Su Li at a loss.
“Prime Minister, this cannot be, it cannot!”
“Prime Minister!”
The ministers nearby whispered urgently as Su Li's face flushed red with barely contained fury. He admitted defeat in this day's contest; to press further would yield nothing.
“Hmph!”
“Your Majesty, I must remind you—do not act on impulse, lest you chill the hearts of your ministers.”
“I am unwell and beg leave.”
With these words, he swept his sleeves in anger and departed, his followers likewise claiming illness to excuse themselves.
Tang Yu watched this and let out a cold laugh.
You wish to contend with me? You are still too green.
It was thanks to the ‘heroic deeds’ of his predecessor that these old foxes let down their guard, or such a maneuver could never have succeeded so smoothly.
“Prime Minister, Zhou Cheng has been thrown into the Heavenly Prison. What if he speaks out of turn?”
Along the palace road, the officials trailed behind Su Li, their faces etched with worry.
The struggle between Su Li and Tang Yu had brought only hardship to these ministers; none dared cross Su Li, for all were bound together in the same fate.
At this moment, a minister drew near to Su Li, voicing his concern in a low tone.
Su Li snorted coldly.
“Would he dare?”
Zhou Cheng had a wife and children; if not for himself, he must think of them.
Recalling Tang Yu’s imperious demeanor in court, Su Li’s anger flared anew, a glint of malice flickering in his eyes.
Little Emperor, enjoy your moment in the sun while you can.
Let’s see how you handle what comes next!
He had intended to question the matter of Imperial Consort Su, but had not foreseen how swiftly Tang Yu would resolve the court’s upheaval. Now, with the officials restored and himself defeated, Su Li was left bitter and resentful.
How hateful!
Golden Throne Hall.
Watching the officials disperse, Tang Yu felt the knot in his heart loosen. He collapsed onto the dragon throne, exhaustion written upon his face.
Rubbing his temples, he gazed at Ye Yue and smiled.
“You did well.”
Last night, he had reviewed Zhou Cheng’s past cases, barely uncovering a flaw. Further investigation revealed that recent years’ official appointments had been unusually suspicious, leading him to identify several honest ministers.
Thanks to Ye Yue’s discreet actions, they had avoided detection by that old fox Su Li.
Seeing Tang Yu thus, Ye Yue could not help but laugh, remembering the emperor’s prior commanding presence.
This was how an emperor should be—decisive, wise in outmaneuvering the Prime Minister, worthy of admiration.
Tang Yu took stock of the reinstated ministers and smiled wryly at his own past blindness—how had he failed to recognize honest officials?
Even the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, a first-rank minister, had been forced into retirement and now returned in threadbare clothing, indistinguishable from a country rustic.
He sighed and shook his head, then addressed them with a bitter smile.
“Do you still blame me?”
The ministers were momentarily stunned, their eyes betraying some grievance, yet they shook their heads.
“We do not blame Your Majesty. You are the Son of Heaven.”
Ah, but how could Tang Yu not hear the hidden reproach in their words? He was emperor, yet had failed to protect those loyal to him—his heart ached with guilt, a tumult of emotions swirling within.
“I was blinded by others and let you down; if you blame me, I understand. Now, having awoken to the truth and understood the state of the empire, I wish to set things right, yet find myself powerless. Will you aid me in restoring the glory of the Great Xia?”
His words were plain but forceful, leaving Wu Cheng and the others overcome with anxiety.
“Your Majesty, this cannot be. You are the Son of Heaven—how could you… how could you…”
As Sun Honglang spoke, his grief overwhelmed him and he could not continue; tears streamed down his aged face.
He had always revered order and propriety, so how could the emperor apologize to his ministers?
The hall filled with the sound of suppressed sobs.
Wu Cheng and Tang Zhengde knelt in silence, bodies trembling with emotion, their sorrow finally breaking free.
They were men of little influence, unable to contend with Su Li’s overwhelming power. They had fought for the emperor and for Great Xia, only to be expelled by imperial decree.
How could they not feel aggrieved?
They had believed their lives would end in obscurity, never imagining they would be summoned to the palace again.
All resentment and dissatisfaction vanished in this moment.
“Your Majesty, we—we are willing.”
“We are willing to lay down our lives for Your Majesty, to walk through fire if need be.”
“We—yes, we are willing!”
Witnessing this, Tang Yu’s heart grew heavier. They say the throne is hard to bear—yet what hardship is there?
A few words, and the grievances of years were lifted from these ministers.
All they needed was an apology.
Tang Yu spoke with earnest gravity.
“From this day, we shall be united in purpose, sovereign and ministers together, to eradicate traitors and restore order.”
Ye Yue, moved by the scene, was filled with inexpressible admiration. The emperor’s thunderous methods—this was the art of rulership!
Great Xia had hope again!
Murong Yun, suppressing his excitement, strode forward and knelt, holding out the Murong Tiger Tally with both hands.
“Your Majesty, this is the Murong Tiger Tally, passed down for five generations. Now, with Great Xia in dire peril, I am willing to present it. May Your Majesty use this tally to command the Murong Army, eliminate traitors, and restore peace to the realm!”
The Murong Tiger Tally!
Tang Yu’s eyes brightened. This tally did not belong to the court, but was a Murong family heirloom.
With it, one could command the legendary Murong Army—how much smoother his plans would go.
“Are you willing?”
Tang Yu could not help but ask.
The Murong Army would indeed grant him power, but the tally belonged to the Murong family.
Murong Yun replied with fervor, “Naturally! The Murong family’s duty, generation after generation, has been to serve the throne. What is mine is Your Majesty’s!”
Tang Yu laughed heartily, gratified by such loyalty.
“Murong Yun, hear my command: it is your foremost duty to lead the Murong Army in eradicating traitors!”
Murong Yun trembled with emotion.
The emperor—he did not accept it?!
The Murong Tiger Tally was coveted even by Su Li, who knew that with it, one could command the Murong Army.
The Murong Army recognized only the tally, not the person. Its strength was such that even the southern barbarians feared it; had it not been so, Su Li would not have schemed to keep Murong Yun at the frontier, precisely to prevent interference.
Yet the emperor not only refused the tally, but also showed utmost trust, allowing him to retain command.