OBS Chapter 376 Okay, okay, this is how you play, right?
Chapter 376 Okay, okay, this is how you play, right?
The next day, the Minister of Revenue Liu Shouren hurried to the Prince of Chu's Palace.
But he came out in a hurry after less than three quarters of an hour.
Naturally, this matter did not escape the emperor's eyes.
Inside the Yingwu Hall.
After listening to the report from the shadow guard, the emperor showed a calm expression on his face: "It is right for him to meet Liu Shouren at this time. Guarding the Ministry of Revenue is what he should do most now.
As long as he doesn't cause trouble in the marriage, then let him be. I just confined him to his room, not to prevent him from seeing anyone."
"I understand!" The shadow guard responded and went down immediately to continue monitoring Chu Ning's every move.
At this moment, the emperor did not know the seriousness of the matter. He felt that Chu Ning could only passively defend himself and could no longer control anything in the court.
As for the imperial examination...
Now the Ministry of Revenue has already filled some positions as officials. If the imperial examination cannot be held as scheduled, we can use the recommendation method to fill the positions with some people from aristocratic families.
The emperor was very satisfied with his balancing act this time. Looking at the shadow guard's departing back, he showed a satisfied look.
The court is my court, no one can break the balance!
The country belongs to me, and no one can escape my control!
But before the emperor could be happy for even an hour, a large group of officials arrived at the Yingwu Hall.
The leader was wearing a red official uniform, an official hat, and had a serious look on his face. Who else could it be but Liu Shouren?
And behind him were all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue.
Seeing so many officials coming, Zhao Ming couldn't help but stepped forward and said with a smile: "Master Liu, why did you bring so many officials from the Ministry of Revenue here?"
Liu Shouren ignored Zhao Ming completely, lifted the hem of his official uniform with his right hand, and knelt down on the ground.
All the Ministry of Revenue officials behind him also knelt down at this moment.
In Zhao Ming's surprised eyes, Liu Shouren said loudly: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and have caused the people in the city to slander the court. I am here with all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue to resign!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Ming's face changed drastically.
The sky is falling! The sky is about to fall!
All officials in the Ministry of Revenue resigned, which was difficult to accept for the Great Chu Dynasty, which had just completed the summer harvest.
Frightened, Zhao Ming did not dare to neglect it, and rushed into the Yingwu Palace and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, it's bad, all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue kneel outside the palace and resign!"
The emperor's face changed drastically when he heard this. He stood up suddenly and ran out of the hall quickly.
After leaving the hall, what came into view was a group of officials kneeling on the ground.
At this moment, the emperor's face became completely gloomy.
"You guys, are you going to rebel?"
The emperor's eyes flashed with cold light, his whole body was full of mighty power, he stared at everyone and said in a cold voice:
"You want to resign collectively and force me to do this?"
"Who taught you that?"
"speak out!"
At this moment the emperor was trembling with anger.
In the decades since the founding of the Chu Dynasty, there has never been a collective resignation. If the news gets out, where will the emperor save his face? Where will the royal dignity be?
Although they knew that Chu Ning was the one who ordered this, they couldn't do anything to Chu Ning without any evidence, so they could only let this group of people speak.
However, Liu Shouren, the leader, said sternly, "Your Majesty, no one ordered me to do this. I am ashamed of your trust and let the rumors spread in the city.
In order to preserve your majesty's reputation and the dignity of the royal family, I have decided to resign with my men!"
Rumors?
The emperor frowned: "Tell me clearly, what happened?"
Liu Shouren looked upright and said, "Your Majesty investigated the Ministry of Revenue regarding the registration of refugees from Bingzhou. The people in the city felt that Your Majesty was ungrateful and was abandoning the donkey after it had served its purpose, and..."
Having said this, Liu Shouren pretended to pause, looking hesitant.
The emperor's face was extremely gloomy: "And what? Tell me!"
Liu Shouren sighed and said, "And I don't know when a nursery rhyme appeared in the city: When the birds are gone, the good bows are hidden; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked."
This made Zhao Ming anxious. He stamped his feet and shouted in a shrill voice: "How dare you talk about your Majesty like this!"
The emperor glared at Zhao Ming fiercely, which frightened Zhao Ming so much that his neck shrank, his face changed slightly, and he quickly retreated.
At this time, Liu Shouren explained: "The people think that Bingzhou's victory is not enough for Zhao, but Your Majesty is afraid that Bingzhou has a 100,000-man army, so he deliberately picked a fight with the Ministry of Revenue, because most of the officials in the Ministry of Revenue are from Bingzhou!
Moreover, registering refugees is the responsibility of the Ministry of Households. Now that Your Majesty wants to use this matter as an excuse to conduct an investigation, it really makes people think.
Now the news has spread throughout the city, saying that His Majesty is worried that the King of Chu will become too powerful, so he is deliberately suppressing him and even confining him to his home.
But I understand that Your Majesty must have a deep meaning in doing this. In order to prevent Your Majesty from being misunderstood, all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue are willing to resign. I hope Your Majesty will approve it!"
The official from the Ministry of Revenue behind him stood up and shouted, "I hope Your Majesty will allow us to resign!"
The emperor was shocked by the huge momentum.
It turns out that no one can replace Chu Ning in these people's hearts.
Even with just one word from Chu Ning, these people were willing to resign.
Good boy, you are forcing me!
What nursery rhymes, what rumors, that was clearly the news that you, Chu Ning, deliberately spread.
Okay, okay, this is how you play, right?
I won’t let you have your way!
The emperor narrowed his eyes and a cold look flashed across his face: "I don't care about rumors, and don't mention your resignation anymore!
However, regarding the issue of registering the refugees, this was proposed by the Crown Prince. At that time, Chu Ning issued a military order not to allow the Ministry of Revenue to help Bingzhou. If you register the refugees, you are helping Bingzhou!"
Liu Shouren was stunned: "Your Majesty, where did you get this from?"
The emperor sneered: "Did the refugees transport food and supplies to the Bingzhou battle?"
"This..." Liu Shouren frowned and dared not answer.
The emperor then said, "Since the refugees helped the Bingzhou troops in this battle, it violated the military order. Shouldn't the prince investigate the Ministry of Revenue based on this matter?"
He directly put the blame on the prince.
Liu Shouren sighed and said, "Your Majesty, the refugees did not have household registration. Once they went to Bingzhou, they became Bingzhou residents. The Ministry of Household Registration only gave them household registration, but it did not provide any substantial help to Bingzhou.
Strictly speaking, the King of Chu did not violate the military order. Of course, if Your Majesty insists on doing so, I can only plead guilty."
After saying this, Liu Shouren took off his official hat on his head.
The officials from the Ministry of Revenue behind him also took off their official hats.
The meaning is self-evident.
Since the emperor's order could not be changed and they were unwilling to suffer such humiliation, they could only resign.
The emperor glanced at everyone coldly and snorted, "Are you threatening me?"
Liu Shouren shook his head: "Your Majesty listened to the words of the Crown Prince and insisted on investigating the Ministry of Revenue. We are willing to resign to show our determination!"
Seeing Liu Shouren's stubborn attitude, the emperor was furious: "How dare you!"
Everyone lowered their heads. The scene was completely silent, with only the emperor's rapid breathing being the sound.
Everyone knew that the emperor was really angry this time.
"Okay, okay," the emperor laughed in anger, "You want to resign? I won't allow it!"
"Someone, go get Chu Ning!"
The emperor knew very well that it must be Chu Ning who was behind this. As long as Chu Ning was dealt with, the matter could be settled.