boyutpedia Chapter 297 Imperial Power
Chapter 297 Imperial Power
Inside the Imperial Study of the Western Jing Kingdom's palace, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, mingling with the antique bookshelves and writing implements. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating the massive desk piled high with various memorials. Jiang Liushen sat before the desk, his vermilion brush occasionally making annotations on the memorials, his expression focused and serious.
"Your Majesty, a secret letter has arrived from the Nanzhao Kingdom." A guard dressed in black quietly appeared in the study, knelt on one knee, and presented a letter sealed with sealing wax with both hands.
Jiang Liushen put down his vermilion brush, took the letter, and a hint of doubt welled up in his heart. After he opened the letter and quickly read through its contents, a complex expression appeared on his face, a mixture of surprise at his brother-in-law Xiao Jingchuan's abdication and a touch of indescribable emotion.
"I didn't expect Jingchuan to pass the throne to Nanyi so quickly," Jiang Liushen muttered to himself.
He stood up, walked slowly to the window, and gazed at the blooming flowers in the Imperial Garden outside, his thoughts drifting away. Over the years, he had watched Jiang You'an and Xiao Nanyi grow up together, their friendship deepening. Now, Xiao Nanyi had ascended the throne, and You'an had grown into a capable crown prince.
"It's time to pave the way for You'an," Jiang Liushen thought to himself.
A few days later, Jiang Liushen convened a court assembly in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Golden sunlight bathed the entire hall, which was solemn and dignified. Civil and military officials stood in neat rows, their official tablets gleaming coldly in their hands.
"My beloved ministers, I have an important matter to announce today." Jiang Liushen's voice echoed in the hall, steady and powerful.
All the officials knelt down and said in unison, "Your Majesty, please speak."
Jiang Liushen's gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally landing on Crown Prince Jiang Youan, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "I have been on the throne for many years and now I feel very tired. My virtuous brother Jingchuan of Nanzhao has already passed the throne to Crown Prince Nanyi, and I have decided to follow suit and abdicate the throne to Crown Prince Jiang Youan."
These words caused an uproar in the hall. Although everyone had suspected it, they were still shocked when the news was officially announced.
"Your Majesty, you must not!" Prime Minister Li Mingde stepped forward first, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life and has rich experience in governing the country. Under Your Majesty's rule, Xijing Kingdom is becoming more and more prosperous. If you abdicate at this time, it may be detrimental to the country."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the other ministers echoed. "Although His Highness the Crown Prince is of age, he is still inexperienced and needs Your Majesty's guidance."
Jiang Youan also knelt down immediately and said, "Father, I am deeply aware that I am not capable enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country. I beg you to rescind your order."
Jiang Liushen smiled at everyone and waved his hand: "My beloved ministers need not say more. My mind is made up. I have watched You'an grow up. He is exceptionally intelligent, diligent and studious, and has the world in his heart. I believe he will become a wise and virtuous ruler."
Then, Jiang Liushen turned to Jiang Youan and said earnestly, "Youan, your father has entrusted this country to you. You must not let me down."
With tears in his eyes, Jiang Youan said firmly, "Father, rest assured, your son will do his utmost to protect the peace and prosperity of Xijing Kingdom and live up to the expectations of Father and all my beloved ministers."
Seeing this, the ministers stopped trying to dissuade him and knelt down to pay their respects: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! May the new emperor's ascension to the throne bring prosperity and strength to the Western Jing Kingdom!"
"By imperial decree, the abdication ceremony will be held three days from now!" Jiang Liushen announced loudly.
"As you command!" The eunuch's shrill voice rang out in the hall.
After the court session, Jiang Liushen left Jiang Youan alone. The father and son went to the Imperial Garden and strolled along the winding pebble path.
"You'an, from today onwards, you must prepare for your ascension to the throne," Jiang Liushen said. "In the next few days, I will impart some of my experience in governing the country to you, and you must study diligently."
Jiang Youan nodded and said, "Your subject understands and will humbly seek your guidance from Your Majesty."
The two sat down in a pavilion, where Jiang Liushen explained to Jiang Youan in detail many key points of governance, such as how to balance the power in the court, how to handle people's livelihood issues, and how to deal with foreign invasions. Jiang Youan listened attentively, occasionally raising his own questions and insights.
"Furthermore," Jiang Liushen said solemnly, looking at Jiang Youan, "after you ascend the throne, you must maintain good relations with the Nanzhao Kingdom. Nan Yi is your brother; you must support each other and jointly safeguard the peace and stability of both countries."
Jiang Youan solemnly said, "Father, rest assured, your son will definitely work hand in hand with Brother Nan Yi to ensure that Xijing Kingdom and Nanzhao Kingdom remain on good terms for generations to come."
Time flies, and the day of the abdication ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye. On this day, the palace was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a tall altar was erected, upon which were placed the jade seal, sword, and other objects symbolizing imperial power.
Jiang Youan, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe and wearing a crown, walked onto the altar surrounded by a crowd. Jiang Liushen stood to the side, his eyes filled with reluctance and relief.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The civil and military officials and common people below the stage shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.
In front of everyone, Jiang Liushen solemnly handed the Imperial Seal of the State to Jiang Youan: "Youan, from now on, the Western Jing Kingdom is in your hands."
Jiang Youan accepted the imperial seal with both hands, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your subject will certainly live up to Father Emperor's trust!"
Then, Jiang Youan stood up, faced the crowd, and loudly announced: "From this day forward, I inherit the throne! I will put the people first, work diligently to govern the country, and enable the people of Xijing Kingdom to live a prosperous and peaceful life!"
Jiang Youan's voice was firm and powerful, echoing throughout every corner of the palace.
On the first morning after Jiang Youan's ascension to the throne, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating the blue bricks of the Qin Zheng Hall. The new emperor, dressed in a black robe with dragon patterns, sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression cold and resolute. Since the end of the coronation ceremony the previous night, he had barely slept, his mind filled with thoughts of the people's livelihood and the administration of Xi Jing Kingdom.
"Summon Censor Zhao and Minister Sun of the Ministry of Personnel to an audience!" As the eunuch's shrill voice faded, the two officials hurriedly entered the hall, prostrated themselves, and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"
Jiang Youan's gaze swept over the two men: "I have summoned you two ministers here today to discuss the matter of rectifying official corruption. I have heard that corruption has been rampant in the court recently, and the people are suffering terribly. Now that I have ascended the throne, I will not allow such chaos to continue to fester."
Upon hearing this, Censor Zhao's expression hardened: "Your Majesty is wise! In my days of investigation, I have indeed found that many officials have taken advantage of their positions to line their own pockets and plunder the people's wealth."
Minister of Personnel Sun frowned slightly, looking troubled: "Your Majesty, there are many officials in the court. If we conduct a hasty investigation, it may cause turmoil in the court."
Jiang Youan snorted coldly: "The stability of the court is certainly important, but if corruption is allowed to run rampant and the people's hearts are lost, how can the country be stable? My mind is made up. Effective immediately, a special inspection team will be established, led by Minister Zhao, to thoroughly investigate corruption. Minister Sun will fully cooperate and provide information on the relevant officials."
The two ministers dared not speak further and could only obey the order: "Your Majesty, we obey!"
In the days that followed, the palace and its surroundings were abuzz with activity. Lord Zhao led his investigative team, working day and night to gather evidence. Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Sun dared not slacken his efforts, organizing personnel to compile official files.
As the investigation deepened, a series of corruption cases surfaced. Among them, the case of Zhou Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, attracted the most attention. Zhou Mingyuan abused his position of control over finances to embezzle disaster relief funds, causing many people in various places to fail to receive timely assistance and become displaced.
Upon learning of this, Jiang Youan was furious: "Issue my decree to immediately arrest Zhou Mingyuan and thoroughly investigate the evidence of his embezzlement!"
The guards acted swiftly and took Zhou Mingyuan away from the residence. When Zhou Mingyuan was escorted to the Hall of Diligent Governance, his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I was confused for a moment and made a grave mistake."
Jiang Youan looked at him coldly: "As an official of the imperial court, you do not think of seeking the well-being of the people, but instead embezzle and break the law, harming the people. If I spare you, how can I explain this to the people of the world?"
After interrogation, Zhou Mingyuan confessed to his crimes. Jiang Youan immediately ordered Zhou Mingyuan to be dismissed from his post and investigated, all his property to be confiscated, and all the disaster relief funds he had embezzled to be recovered and distributed to the disaster-stricken people.
The news caused a stir in the imperial court and was met with widespread approval from the people. However, Jiang Youan was not satisfied with this. He knew that to thoroughly eradicate corruption, a sound system had to be established.
Therefore, Jiang Youan once again convened key officials of the court to discuss and formulate a new supervisory system. At the meeting, everyone expressed their opinions, and after a heated discussion, a strict supervisory system was finally established. This system not only clarified the duties and powers of supervisory officials but also stipulated the standards for punishing corrupt officials.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the new system, Jiang Youan also selected a group of honest, upright, and incorruptible officials to enrich the supervisory team. At the same time, he encouraged the public to report corruption, offering generous rewards to those whose reports were verified.
Under Jiang Youan's vigorous reforms, the administration of Xijing Kingdom gradually became more transparent and efficient. The rampant corruption that had once prevailed was effectively curbed, and the lives of the people gradually improved.
That day, Jiang Youan was strolling in the Imperial Garden, accompanied by Su Liyue. "Your Majesty, since you ascended the throne, you have vigorously cracked down on corruption, and the people are all grateful to you," Su Liyue said with a smile.
Jiang Youan gazed at the distant palace, his expression grave: "Liyue, this is just the beginning. I still have a long way to go to ensure the long-term peace and stability of Xijing Kingdom."
Su Liyue gently held Jiang Youan's hand: "Your Majesty, I will always stay by your side and face everything with you."