Chapter 1329 - 1270: Settling the Discussion_3
After discussing these matters, Ji Yuan finally asked, "How does the Great General plan to deal with Qiu Zhi and Xun Zu?"
Zhao Hanzhang snorted coldly, "For Xun Fan’s sake, I’ll spare Xun Zu this time. As for Qiu Zhi, send him to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow morning to be punished for insulting a superior."
At the moment, severely punishing Xun Zu and Qiu Zhi would only cause panic among the old ministers’ faction, potentially causing disruptions to established affairs.
Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang did not make things difficult for Qiu Zhi and specifically handed him over to Zeng Yue instead of Yuan Li.
Zeng Yue indeed did not make things difficult for Qiu Zhi, only locking him in a small dark room overnight. When brought out the next day, they found him severely frightened and had to carry him to the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice’s officials heard some wildly circulating rumors today, and before they could discern the truth, they received Qiu Zhi and were somewhat dazed at the time.
So they crowded into Qiu Zhi’s cell and asked him, "What exactly happened at the Grand Tutor Mansion yesterday?"
After just one night, Qiu Zhi was so scared that his face turned pale, and he appeared aged by more than just ten years; his limbs were still weak.
The Ministry of Justice officials, seeing his vacant eyes, checked him thoroughly inside and out, frowned, and said, "No injuries, neither external nor internal."
"Looks like he’s been frightened."
"Frightened by Yuan Li?"
"Possibly."
"So have you heard the rumor, that His Majesty..." The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but their eyes conveyed everything.
After all, there weren’t many officials at the Xun Mansion yesterday. Although they leaked the news afterward, most people were skeptical.
Even when their colleagues, who worked closely day by day, vouched for the authenticity of the information, they still wore a face of doubt.
However, perceptive officials noticed something unusual: the city gates closed early last night, the number of imperial guard patrols seemed increased during the curfew, and while lying down, they faintly heard the unified marching sounds of the imperial guard—particularly dense.
Moreover, despite today being a day of rest, the restaurants and inns frequented by officials and noble families had unusually few guests; not many went to dine or drink.
So...is the rumor true?
The rumor spread increasingly, with more people affirming, "It’s said that Imperial Censor Xun forced His Majesty to agree to abdicate with a knife."
"You’ve got it reversed; it was His Majesty who forced Imperial Censor Xun with a knife?"
These officials know all too well how the Little Emperor neglects his duties.
They also understand the Little Emperor; he’s only twelve years old. If he were ten years older, he might have ambitions for power. But at twelve, without the premise of ambition, how could he not loathe studying and working?
They even often don’t want to work themselves; they just want days off.
So they understand it.
"Regardless of who forced whom, yesterday His Majesty indeed publicly expressed the wish to abdicate to the Great General; only the Great General refused."
"She surely had to refuse, but who knows when it will be brought up next?"
Everyone exchanged glances, both expectant and anxious.
Actually, the current situation is fine; the Great General is acting as regent, and everyone just follows her lead.
But if she ascends the throne, wouldn’t it be easier for us officials to get rewarded for our efforts?
After all, there are still occasionally factional struggles now, which are quite bothersome.
If...old ministers, neutrals, Zhao Family, all were her subordinates.
Many are eagerly looking forward to it, yet they can’t do anything about it.
The Little Emperor spent a day in turmoil inside the palace, observing the strengthened defenses around; however, the people close to him were no different from usual. Eunuch Dong also comforted him, "Why worry, Your Majesty? You’ve already said such words; the Great General wouldn’t be angry over a dagger, or she wouldn’t have gifted you the very dagger she uses herself."
Eunuch Dong laughed and said, "I’ve heard that this dagger is actually a birthday gift from Minister Fu to the Great General."
Under his consolation, the Little Emperor relaxed a bit but still remained anxious, "I wonder how my third uncle is doing; will my second uncle get implicated?"
Eunuch Dong couldn’t assure him; he didn’t even dare to inquire about the news, so the master and the servant could only silently wait for the officials to return from their holiday and attend the morning court.
The Little Emperor himself hadn’t expected Xun Fan to visit him in the palace before the morning court.
"Write an edict of abdication?" The Little Emperor hurriedly took two steps and asked, "Am I supposed to write it?"
"No, I will," Xun Fan said, "I’ll write this edict. Once the Great General refuses, next time Your Majesty will write it, and the time after that, when you hand her the national seal personally, she’ll agree."
The Little Emperor hasn’t read enough books nor is old enough to quite grasp the adults’ hypocrisy, "Have you asked the Great General if she truly wishes to ascend the throne? That day she disdained my offer..."
Xun Fan sighed and said, "She will agree; I’ve sent Ji Shizhong to persuade her."
The Little Emperor relaxed, "Well then, that’s good, that’s good." Finally, he could pass on this hot potato and heavy burden.