55 Decrees - Part 1 (1/2)

It had been more than half a year since His Majesty took over the governance of the dynasty.

Time was fleeting and everybody watched agape as the monarch moved silently but swiftly to implement his ideas without any input from anybody else. He wouldn't even take into consideration the advice, recommendation, issues or concerns raised by the ministers in his court.

All the more, he wouldn't leave them any face while deriding them if they opposed his ideas. The most notable example was a conversation that happened when one of the high-ranking ministers of The Chancellery had raised an objection to the monarch's ideas.

The minister had implored, ”Your Majesty, you cannot abolish long standing traditions of your forefathers. They are the basis and foundation on which the nation stands...”

The Emperor hadn't even let the aforesaid person finish his words and questioned him with a smile, ”Beloved official, what is the difference between Zhen's position and yours?”

It seemed as if the monarch had made an idyllic remark. As if he was talking about something inconsequential. However, everyone present knew that it was a precursor to His Majesty's rising anger and that the next course of action would be him taking a layer or two out of the hide of the person who had enraged him.

Now, someone could question, how did all the ministers know or grasp the mind of the monarch? Wasn't there a common saying that nobody could fathom the mind of the dragon?

Let the ministers answer that doubt:

Whenever His Majesty called you 'beloved official' with a twinkle in his eye, get ready to lose a verbal sparring contest. Everyone knew that for a person in such a predicament, it would have been better to go to the yellow springs than be flayed by the callous words His Majesty would say to you within the next couple of minutes.

The minister also came to the same realisation but the arrow had already left the bow with his words, what could he do? It was all over for him but he still gathered his meagre courage and replied, ”Your Majesty, is the Son of Heavens while this one is a lowly official.”

His Majesty had nodded his head like he was very pleased with his answer and said, ”Beloved official, it seems you aren't ignorant of our positions so, why is it that when am doing something, you have the heart to question my decisions or even force me to retract my thoughts?”

The minister replied haltingly, ”Your Majesty, it's not that this lowly one doesn't see where you are coming from. This lowly one just wants you to be cautious. This decree will have far-reaching consequences. Your Majesty, this official begs you to stay your hand”

The next words from the monarch's mouth made him and everyone else present tremble at their knees, ”Beloved official, why don't we do it this way? Zhen will let you sit on this throne in The Heavenly Hall and then you can take care of matters as you deem fit.”

How could the old minister take such words from His Majesty?

Weren't the monarch's words implying that he had designs on the throne?

Wouldn't this push him towards familial extermination?

He couldn't let such an accusation stand or there would a blade hanging over his head at all times and would chop him without a moment's notice.

The official was so frightened and afraid that he had fallen to his knees and said, ”This official doesn't dare.”

The temperature within The Heavenly Hall had dropped to a freezing point.

His Majesty acted as if he didn't notice the fearful atmosphere in the hall and with a wooden expression continued, ”If it is as such then Zhen would tell you to refrain from speaking further.”

Meanwhile, Su Li was tired of hearing 'this won't do' and 'that won't do' from all these civil officials. All they knew was to eat and drink to their heart's content and to safeguard their wealth. When it came to doing their actual jobs, they were inclined to let it all slide and distribute their own work to others.

Moreover, whenever she tried to do something for the betterment of the people at large, this group of old bones would stoop low in front of her and quote the sages to her, all the while trying to stifle her to death. They wouldn't let her do away with anything that infringed upon what they believed to be their birthright.

Why couldn't they accord her the respect her position demanded?

Were they looking down on her?

Just because she was in her mid-teens?

She'll show them the door if they won't toe the line. She was THE EMPEROR. Therefore, this time she openly threw the proverbial gauntlet. Let her see if any of these old fogies had the guts to pick it up.

Already she couldn't find anything about Zhou Shen. Since she wasn't living happily she wouldn't allow all these idiots to go scot-free if they interrupted her one more time.

In this manner, the First Decree of the Son Of Heaven had been passed since his enthronement.

His Majesty had abolished slavery.

For the slaves, this edict was like a ray of light in their dark worlds. Slaves were humans as well and which human didn't have hopes to reach the pinnacle of success and shine?

Which slave didn't want themselves or their future generations to break the shuttles of slavery and emerge as an independent people?

At least, this decision paved the way for them and their offspring's.

The word in the streets was that His Majesty was very generous and magnanimous to the commoners and lower class people. It could be seen that his own harsh experiences had made him more benevolent.

If Su Li heard that, she would have laughed at the people's misconception. She wasn't altruistic enough to care about every person under heavens. She had just done away with slavery because she still didn't know about the primary task.

If the system told her to leave behind a shining, long lasting country, wouldn't she be caught unawares?

Therefore, she had started making changes here and there to prepare for any eventuality. More importantly, since she had taken over this job, she had to do it well and not let anyone find faults with her.

If the first decree let the commoners run out and shout in joy and the old ministers were even more wary of the monarch.

The second decree, that was still to come was even worse. It all started due to a few well-meaning ministers. Later on, they all would think back to this point of time and curse the people who laid down the groundwork for the second one.

Everyone was discussing national matters in the imperial court. A few ministers had noticed that the emperor's harem was empty - devoid of even a single concubine. Therefore, they quickly submitted a request for a harem draft.

When it reached His Majesty's table, Su Li pretended to ponder for a moment, then said in a gloomy tone, ”I'll comment on this matter later, the court is dismissed.”

In her heart, she was shouting at the top of her lungs.

Enough with the harem, you all.

I really don't want any beauties.

Please spare me.

When His Majesty's casual dismissal of such an important matter reached Empress Dowager's ears, she was even more worried.

All those months ago her son had declined her niece and now, he had again declined the proposal for a harem draft.