Chapter 432: Good News or Bad News? ( 2 )
Chapter 432: Good News or Bad News? ( 2 )
But now, Chen Moyun’s only worry was the Emperor’s obsession with killing Lu Qianxuan and snatching military power from his hands.
If the Emperor insisted on scheming against the White Tiger Army, it was not impossible for Lu Qianxuan to join hands with the Duke of Zhenguo and rebel. When that happened, the ones who would suffer would be the ordinary people.
Seeing that he was lost in thought, Yu Wenzhou sighed and kept the rest of his words to himself.
To be honest, he was not in a position to worry about other people. If he failed to raise 100,000 taels of silver within a month, his head might roll to the ground.
The Minister of Works continued demanding money from the Minister of Revenue. No matter how much money they gave him, it was never enough.
Everyone knew that the money was being embezzled by Jin Liangkai. But without evidence, it was useless even if they reported him to the Emperor.
Under the heavy atmosphere, the first ray of light appeared on the eastern horizon.
The morning court would start at 5 o’clock in the morning, but the ministers would arrive early and wait outside the hall at 4 o’clock.
Since they had no time to have breakfast at home, they could only eat something to pad their stomachs. They would only be able to have breakfast after the morning court ended.
At this moment, most of the high-ranking officials were savoring their delicately made pastries. These snacks were not only meant to lessen their hunger but also to show off their families’ power.
They had become symbols of wealth and status.
Most of the snacks were made by famous cooks or bought from famous restaurants. Although they were expensive, they made their owners look good. So even those with lower ranks would try their best to have these snacks once in a while.
While everyone was eating, they noticed Chen Moyun’s snack.
Under normal circumstances, someone in his position should at least be able to have porridge for breakfast.
So, when they saw him eating steamed cake, they were stunned.
Although his steamed cake was not made of black flour, it was still made of coarse flour. This type of steamed cake was usually eaten by commoners and lower-ranking officials.
Chen Moyun noticed their gazes, but he ignored them.
This steamed cake was the best food served at his home right now.
When his wife, children, and grandchildren ate gruel, what right did he have to complain about eating steamed cake?
Yu Wenzhou couldn’t bear listening to those people gossip about his friend, so he sat beside him.
He was also having steamed cake for breakfast. The difference was that his cake was made of refined flour, so it looked more presentable.
They exchanged glances and ate in silence.
When it was 4:30 in the morning, the gates of the Hall of Magnificent Brilliance were finally opened. Everyone put away their snacks, tidied their clothes, and walked into the hall according to their ranks.
They waited for 40 minutes before the Head Eunuch shouted in a shrill voice, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Following his words, everyone knelt on the ground. With their foreheads touching the backs of their hands, they shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor!"
The young Emperor walked to his golden throne with unsteady steps. He stifled a yawn as he sat down. He glanced at everyone before raising his hand and saying, "My dear ministers, you may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the ministers stood up, they lowered their heads.
The Head Eunuch took a deep breath and shouted, "Ascend to court! If you have matters to present, step forward from the ranks; if you have no matters, retire from court!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Moyun stepped out from the line.
Holding his jade tablet, he bowed to the Emperor and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject wishes to present the military report from the Northeast City."
When he finished speaking, he took out the memorial delivered by the messenger the previous night from his sleeves and held it up with both hands.
The Emperor glanced at the Head Eunuch, and soon after, the eunuch took the memorial from Chen Moyun and presented it to the Emperor.
At first, Emperor Tianwu thought that this report was about a lost battle. So, despite his sleepiness, he still read the memorial carefully.
He was hoping to see a report about Lu Qianxuan’s death. But contrary to his expectations, this was actually a victory report.
The smile slowly disappeared from his haggard face, and his eyes turned cold.
Standing below, the ministers noticed the change in the Emperor’s mood and lowered their heads even more. Judging from the Emperor’s expression, this might not be good news.
The seconds passed slowly, and the atmosphere in the hall became heavier.
Those with less steady minds and hearts had long broken out in cold sweats. Only the old foxes still maintained calm expressions and looked as if nothing was happening.
After a long silence, the Emperor finally put the memorial on the dragon desk and forced a smile.
"My dear Minister Chen, when did you receive this report?" he asked.
Chen Moyun bowed before saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject received the report last night."
Taking a deep breath to control his rage, Emperor Tianwu asked again, "Since you received it last night, why didn’t you report it directly?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, when this subject received the report, it had already passed curfew. This subject didn’t dare disturb Your Majesty’s rest and decided to report it during the morning court."
Emperor Tianwu stared at him coldly, but he couldn’t vent his anger right now. Even though he was the Emperor, he still had to keep up appearances.
He clenched his fists so tightly that he almost crumpled the memorial.
Thinking that it was bad news, Jin Liangkai stepped out of the line and bowed to the young Emperor. "Your Majesty, did General Lu fail to reclaim the Northeast City?" he asked with a hint of concern.