Chapter 459: First Court Meeting of the Year of the Tiger

, he would have been arrested and tortured long ago. What's wrong with taking credit for this"Su Jinpa snorted softly: "So, it's much harder to be an honest official than a corrupt one throughout hist...Chapter 459: First Court Meeting of the Year of the Tiger

The second day, holiday sales break, government offices, officialdom, and businesses nationwide resumed work on this day, starting to operate according to the established procedures.

Merchants need to get a head start, after all, buyers don't have the concept of rest. When there's money to be made, they'll do business even on New Year's Eve.

But from this day on, whether it's a colleague or an official clerk, no one is allowed to skip work because of the Lunar New Year holiday.

If you are being violated, you can report it to the authorities.

And on this day, Li Chen, dressed in the robes of a crown prince, with bells jingling from his waist, began his first court session of the year of the Tiger.

This morning's court session, countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the Taihe Hall.

Before this year passed, too many things happened, and today's morning session will have some explanations for the summaries of those events, as well as the pace for the new year.

Even in a sense, it's a kind of weather vane.

After a complete set of etiquette procedures, standing beside the dragon throne and stepping on the imperial staircase, Li Chen made an opening speech while looking down at the civil and military officials.

"Today is the first court session of the Year of the Tiger, my esteemed officials. How has this year been treating you all"

A chorus of agreement rose up from below.

Li Chen waved his hand, and the Taihe Hall instantly fell silent.

"Technically, this being the first court session of the new year, I shouldn't be saying anything disheartening. But there are some things that need to be said."

His gaze swept over the cabinet and then back to Su Zhen'ting. Li Chen then continued, "Thinking about our Great Qin Empire, the divine lands of China are suffering from natural disasters, and countless people are displaced. While we enjoy peace and prosperity, every moment there are disaster victims dying in the bitter cold. Coupled with Father Emperor's frail health, which has shown no signs of improvement, whenever I think about this, I feel a heavy weight on my heart."

Xu Changqing stepped forward and said: “Your Highness is kind and cares for the world, which is a great blessing for the Qin Dynasty. But Your Highness's body is also important. Please ease your worries. Now that the country needs to be rebuilt after years of turmoil, we need the Prince to lead us in restoring people’s livelihoods.”

Li Chen gave Xu Changqing a smiling glance. Seeing that although he was still weak and hadn't fully recovered, his spirit had returned, Li Chen asked, "How is Mr. Xu's recovery going"

Xu Changqing hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. I have already recovered."

Nods, Li Chen said: "That's good. Before the Ministry of Punishment knew the law and broke the law, they disrupted my court order and legal system. Mr. Xu is not an isolated case, but he was lucky that he was not persecuted to death. What about others who weren't so lucky"

"Throughout the realm, countless issues remain unresolved. Yet our imperial court is plagued by its own scandals. I can bear it no longer. I have purged numerous officials from the Ministry of Punishments and replaced them with capable individuals. I trust you are all aware of this."

His gaze swept over Zhou Ping'an, who stood unnoticed in the crowd. Just when everyone thought Li Chen would call him forward for an introduction, Li Chen suddenly changed the subject and said, "Therefore, this palace realizes that the current court is lifeless and what needs to be addressed is not the affairs but the people! Some people have been in their positions for too long, so they have lost their sense of awe and started indulging in pleasure and extravagance."

To address these matters and deal with these individuals, this palace has invited Mr. Jingzhi to serve. It is proposed to bestow upon him the title of Grand Scholar of the Eastern Pavilion, appointing him to the Imperial Council.

Li Chen's words fell to the ground. Although the entire Taihe Hall was filled with civil and military officials, there was a deathly silence. It was so quiet that it seemed as if there were no people at all.

All held their breath, a wave of goosebumps prickling their skin. Not a single person dared to breathe, and a few brave souls discreetly peeked towards the inner cabinet, where Grand Councilor Zhao Xuanji stood.Highness!"Ge Pingyi ran to Li Chen's front and knelt down again, saying respectfully: "Your Highness, the prison of the Ministry of Justice is a damp and ominous place. Your Highness's body should not...