Chapter 666: Report Any Matters

Chapter 71: Disaster Refugees Become RebelsChapter 666: Matters to be Reported

With the development of firearms on his mind, Li Chen ate a simple breakfast and, taking advantage of the brightening daylight, headed towards Taihe Palace.

Today is the day for attending the morning court.

Li Chen had a large number of matters to pass through this morning court session, forming the official resolutions of the imperial court.

For example, immediate priorities include rewarding, commending, and promoting the victorious troops.

This was not only Li Chen's praise for the soldiers who fought bravely to the death, but also an opportunity to show good faith to the military and increase the influence of the Eastern Palace within the military.

As the first rays of dawn in the east pierced through the clouds, illuminating the Golden Water Bridge in front of Taihe Palace with a dazzling glow, with a resounding and melodious chant, civil and military officials from both sides of the opened palace gate walked across the Golden Water Bridge one after another, arriving at the square.

On the steps of the Taihe Palace in the square, standing at the entrance of the Taihe Palace, an eunuch holds a ceremonial whip.

Sex... Let me know if you'd like me to translate anything else.

Nine times in succession, he cried out loudly, "Your Majesty ascends the throne..."

The civil officials were headed by Zhao Xuanji, and the military generals by Su Zhenti.

On the left and right of the hall, dozens of officials qualified to enter the palace filed into the Taihe Hall.

After they entered the Taiping Hall, Li Chen, dressed in a grand crimson dragon robe fit for a prince, entered from the side and ascended to the imperial platform. He stood beside the magnificent golden throne, behind him was a massive solid gold wall adorned with nine dragons, and above it hung a plaque inscribed with the four characters "Jian Ji Sui You" (Establishing an Era of Peace and Prosperity) penned by the Taizu Emperor himself. The scene was solemn and majestic, showcasing the imperial grandeur.

"We, your humble servants, greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince. May Your Highness live a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!"

Civil and military officials knelt down and shouted their greetings.

Li Chen raised his hand in a gesture of respect and said, "My lords, please rise."

Everything proceeded as usual, seemingly unremarkable.

But it is precisely in this ordinariness that a great danger lurks.

This danger and peculiarity immediately became apparent after the formal morning court proceedings were completed.

Because no one spoke.

Even on ordinary days, even if there was nothing urgent, civil and military officials would submit some work content to the emperor or prince as a report, and also as a notification to their colleagues in other departments.

Today, Taihe Palace is unnaturally quiet.

Li Chen's gaze swept over the crowd below, lingering for a moment on Zhao Xuanji's face, before he spoke: "My lords and ministers, is there anything you wish to bring to my attention"

Still, no one spoke.

This left Li Chen's words sounding a bit awkward and out of place.

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly bizarre, as a staunch supporter of the East Palace, Su Zhen'ting naturally couldn't stand idly by.

He winked at a general behind him.

After receiving the signal, the general strode to the center and bowed to Li Chen, saying: “Your Highness, this general has something to report.”

Li Chen nodded and said, "Sure."

Just as the general was about to speak, Shangguan Zhao, the current Minister of War, suddenly spoke out loudly, "Your Highness, I have something important to report!"

I have something important to say, and I need to get it off my chest first.

The general, robbed of his words, flushed with anger. He turned to Shangguan Zhao and said, "Shangguan sir, I was the first to step forward and report. Shouldn't there be a first come, first served basis for everything"

Shangguan Zhao said calmly, "Just now, this official didn't think of a clear way to explain it to Your Highness. Is there an opinion, General Liu"

This general gritted his teeth and said fiercely, “General Shangguan is the Minister of War, this subordinate naturally wouldn't dare to have any opinions!”

He said that, but the anger and discontent on his face were obvious.

Li Chen said lightly, "Alright, since Shangshu Shangguan claims to have important matters to report, then Shangshu Shangguan should speak first."

Shangguan Zhao bowed and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, Huaiyuan General Su Pingbei, falsely reported military intelligence, fabricated war merits, and harmed dissidents!"about this son's actions, I would have died of anger long ago."The steward's eyes rolled, and he slyly said: "Master, the magistrate of Jiangzhe sent a genuine copy of Yen Zhenqing's *Luling Collectio...