Chapter 393: Sinner’s Edict

When Emperor Zhengde moved to the side palace, Yang Tinghe also found out the cause of the fire in the Qianqing Palace.

After learning about the Zhengde Emperor's outrageous actions, even a calm and composed person like Lao Yang was so angry that he laughed.

Fortunately, Emperor Zhengde’s martial arts skills were not in vain. At the critical moment, he rushed out of the fire holding Queen Xia.

Queen Xia was a little frightened but not injured.

Emperor Zhengde himself had half of his dragon robe burned, but fortunately he took it off quickly and avoided getting burned.

While Ou Zanghua was still directing the guards to put out the fire, Yang Tinghe had already rushed outside the side hall. Zhang Yong stopped the aggressive Yang Tinghe with a wry smile on his face and persuaded him, "Lord Yang, calm down, calm down. Your Majesty is the king, and we are the subjects. The king is the king and the subject is the subject. This is unbreakable!"

"Hmph, a ruler should treat his ministers with courtesy and a minister should serve his ruler with loyalty. Deyan, are you just busy endorsing?" Yang Tinghe rarely spoke harshly to Zhang Yong, directly rendering the prime minister speechless and forcing him to allow the chief minister of the cabinet to enter.

When Emperor Zhengde saw Yang Tinghe walk in with a sullen face, he smiled awkwardly and said, "Mr. Yang, it's getting late. Why don't you go back and rest first?"

Yang Tinghe bowed and saluted, and said earnestly: "Your Majesty, I cannot rest until the great affairs of the country are completed. How can I rest?"

"Your Majesty, you know that the Qianqing Palace is the first of the three palaces behind the harem. Qian means heaven and Qing means thoroughness."

"First, it is likened to the clear sky, which is pure and unclouded, showing the peace and tranquility of the country. Second, it is likened to the behavior of the monarch, which is as open as the clear sky, selfless and without secrets, and has nothing to hide."

"The sudden disaster that befell the Qianqing Palace today is an unprecedented event in our dynasty. It is bound to shock the world and cause widespread criticism!"

Zhang Yong was slightly stunned, feeling that Lao Yang was exaggerating.

After hearing this, Emperor Zhengde said somewhat embarrassedly: "It's not that serious, right?"

Yang Tinghe shook his head and said solemnly, "It is true that if one person spreads lies, ten thousand people will spread the truth. Those who slander, praise, curse, bless, throw stones, set baits, write poems praising Xiang, and defend the state of Lu, the world is full of people, and it is difficult to stop them from talking."

When Emperor Zhengde heard this, his expression became more serious and he asked, "Then according to Mr. Yang's opinion, how should I deal with it?"

Yang Tinghe bowed and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, it is better to ease the situation than to block it. I have two suggestions to solve the current difficulties. First, I sincerely ask Your Majesty to open up the channels for communication and allow all officials to speak freely, so as to pool their wisdom and make the government clear and the people loyal."

"Secondly, this matter was caused by your Majesty. If your Majesty can have a broad mind, have the courage to admit mistakes, and show the determination to correct them, this will truly be a great good for the world."

"Qing Yang wants me to issue a confession of guilt?" Emperor Zhengde frowned immediately, with some dissatisfaction in his words.

Yang Tinghe reminded him, “After the newly built Forbidden City was struck by lightning and caught fire, Emperor Taizong of our dynasty also went to the ancestral temple to repair the temple and issued an edict of self-blame. In the eighth year of Zhengtong, lightning struck the Fengtian Hall and Chiwen, and Emperor Yingzong also issued an edict of self-blame.”

When Emperor Zhengde heard this, he immediately stopped talking.

It was one thing that the Emperor Taizong, whom he admired the most, issued an edict of repentance for the fire caused by lightning in the Forbidden City. Even Emperor Yingzong had issued an edict of repentance for this matter. If he was too concerned about saving face, wouldn't it mean that he didn't even have the magnanimity of Emperor Yingzong?
This is intolerable!
"I understand, Yang Qing, please leave!" Emperor Zhengde waved his hand, signaling Yang Tinghe to leave.

This time, Lao Yang did not stay, but bowed and slowly retreated.

Under Ou Zanghua's command, the fire in the Qianqing Palace was finally stopped. He looked at the palace that was burned to a frame and couldn't help but sigh.

Fortunately, only the main part of the Qianqing Palace was burned and the fire did not spread to other palaces.

If it is rebuilt in the future, all we need to do is demolish the Qianqing Palace.

Lu Fang came over, handed the kettle to Ou Zanghua, and said softly, "Master Ou, have a drink of water!"

"Thank you, Eunuch Lu." Ou Zanghua took the kettle, raised his head and drank several sips, and then he felt his throat was much better. The two looked at the ruins that were still smoking in front of them, and they sighed.

Ou Zanghua It’s a pity that such a big palace was burned down. It will cost a lot of money just to rebuild it. Money is hard to make now!
What made Lu Fang sigh was that the head of the three palaces in the back was burned. There was no need to wait until tomorrow. Rumors would be flying all over the capital tonight. After another four or five days, they would probably spread to the south of the Yellow River.

At this time, Zhang Yong walked over, looked at the mottled scorched earth and broken walls, and couldn't help but sigh.

Then, the internal minister looked at Ou Zanghua, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Minister Ou, for your help. Only then did we control the fire and prevent it from spreading."

"You are too polite, Minister Zhang," Ou Zanghua said after returning the greeting, "This is the result of cooperation among many parties, and it is definitely not the work of one person. Eunuch Lu knows who assisted in this."

"In any case, I will report Minister Ou's achievements to Your Majesty." Zhang Yong forced a smile, obviously very satisfied with Ou Zanghua's answer.

"I wonder how the two Majesties are doing?" Ou Zanghua asked immediately.

"Don't worry, Minister Ou, both of your majesties are fine."

After chatting with Zhang Yong for a few more words, Ou Zanghua bowed and left when he saw that Emperor Zhengde did not summon him.

The New Year's court meeting a few days later was the same as usual, the only difference was that Liu Qing was promoted to a fifth-rank lady, and when she went to meet the Empress Dowager and the Queen, she stood much closer to the front.

Queen Xia noticed her and specially chatted with Liu Qing to show the royal family's attention.

When Liu Qing returned home, he boasted to his mother that he had spoken several words to the Queen.
On the 28th day of the first lunar month in the ninth year of the Zhengde reign, the first morning court session of the new year was held in the Fengtian Hall.

Emperor Zhengde sat on the dragon throne. After the whole process was completed, he looked at the ministers below and signaled Zhang Yong to start the performance.

Zhang Yong understood what he meant, and walked forward with the imperial edict in both hands, saying loudly:

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: I, respectfully accepting the mandate of Heaven, rule over the people, and work tirelessly day and night, following the teachings of my ancestors, with respecting Heaven and serving the people as my primary duty."

"Heaven gave a warning, and on the 16th day of the first month of the ninth year of Zhengde, there was another disaster in the Qianqing Palace. All the efforts of the past dynasties were ruined in a flash. I frowned when I saw it, and I was sad when I spoke of it. The nine temples were shocked, and the two palaces were worried. All my subjects were suspicious and afraid."

"We have reviewed the old rules and used them to spread new grace, to benefit the people, to consolidate the foundation of our country, and to prolong the prosperity of our clan society for thousands of years."

"All matters of leniency are listed below: Before dawn on the 28th day of the first month of the ninth year of the Zhengde reign, officials, soldiers and civilians who committed crimes, except for those who plotted treason, descendants who murdered their grandparents or parents, wives and concubines who killed their husbands, and slaves who killed their masters, will be pardoned regardless of whether they were found out or not, whether they were convicted or not, regardless of whether their crimes were great or small. Anyone who dared to report the crimes before the amnesty would be punished according to their crimes."

"All civil and military officials inside and outside the country who have been convicted of crimes will be exempted from punishment and will continue to work as usual."

"Oh! Heaven is thoughtful and benevolent, and its love is truly reflected in its warnings. The people will also stop at nothing. Your kindness must come first to those who are in need. Only by improving virtuous policies can Heaven and man work together. I will instruct all the ministers to improve themselves together. Let the news spread throughout the country and abroad, so that everyone will know."

As Zhang Yong's voice fell, civil and military officials knelt on the ground one after another, saying "Our emperor is wise".

Emperor Zhengde said calmly: "I am now opening the way for everyone to express their opinions. If you have any suggestions or feelings in your heart, you can speak freely."

When everyone heard this, they were all eager to try, because they knew that the emperor in front of them had a lot of room for improvement!

So at the morning court, officials from all walks of life were like chicken blood, rushing forward one after another:

What about advising the emperor to attend morning courts diligently, to respect the two empress dowagers, and to study scriptures diligently every day.

Such measures included withdrawing excessive troops from the border areas, abolishing the palace markets that harmed the people, closing the imperial farms and shops, releasing the monks from the palace, reducing construction projects, cutting back on weaving projects, and so on.

Ou Zanghua stood aside and listened attentively. He found that although many people stood up to speak, they kept repeating the same ten or so points. The most important one was to close the Huangzhuang store and return the Huangzhuang land to the people.
After realizing this, Ou Zanghua couldn't help but look at Yang Tinghe who was standing in the front row. It turned out that this old guy was waiting here!
(End of this chapter)