The court meeting system had existed since ancient times. It was a regular meeting between the emperor and his ministers to discuss military affairs.
As for the specific rules, the rules varied from dynasty to dynasty.
In terms of time, there were some that lasted for three days, some that lasted for five days, and some that lasted for ten days.
In terms of the number of people, there were those who had to be present, those who didn't need to come, and those who wanted to sleep in.
Two years ago, during the Great War of Tianyuan, the current emperor boasted that he was a wise son of heaven. The Sky Demon was in the heart of the empire, so the court meeting was naturally changed to a tragic day. From the emperor to the ministers, everyone had to wake up at three in the morning. Sleep your * ss, go to court together and stink. Even ninth-rank officials had to come as background.
The people's outcry grew louder and louder. A benevolent and righteous brother finally wrote a letter saying that the war was over and everything was settled. There was no need to have court meetings every day. Since there was nothing to do, let's have court meetings every three days. We can sleep with concubines at home, and Your Majesty can also sleep with an imperial concubine. It was a win-win situation.
Actually, the emperor couldn't stand it, but he was the one who suggested the morning court meeting. He had to finish his act even if he had to hold back his tears. Otherwise, there would be subordinates who would give him a way out.
Oh, it's you guys who want to slack off. Alright, I'll be considerate. Three days it is. I'm being considerate towards my subjects, not that I want to slack off. Do you know what I'm doing?
It was approved.
Thus, the court meeting became once every three days.
It was today.
The morning court session was around Maoshi, which was between five and seven in the morning. This meant that the ministers basically had to wait outside the palace gate around three or four in the morning. As a result, many of the court officials were f * cking cultivators and had to get up at three in the morning at the latest. This was only if their homes were close to the Imperial City. If they could not afford a house in the Third or Third Ring Road, they would have to get up at two in the morning.
They had to enter the palace at five o 'clock sharp to clock in. Before that, they had to line up in a strict and orderly manner according to their official rank. Those who didn't show up for no reason would be cursed by the imperial censors. Those who had too much fun last night and walked in an improper manner would also be cursed by the imperial censors. Even those who coughed loudly and spat on the ground would be cursed by the imperial censors. In short, the imperial censors were rubbing their fists and rubbing their palms together, ready to cursed by the imperial censors. The mad dogs were on standby the entire time. They had the power to supervise all the officials. Anything that was unpleasant to the eye during the morning court would be recorded in the imperial censors' little notebooks.
After that, the officials from the Censorate would naturally decide whether or not to f * ck your entire family.
After all, an imperial censor who did not incur the hatred of others was not a good imperial censor. That was his duty. If the officials from the Censorate got along well with the other officials of the court, then he would not be far from death.
Due to the nature of the imperial censors and the seriousness of the court meeting, the atmosphere in the line outside the palace gates before each morning court session was silent and stiff. With the imperial censors eyeing them covetously, even if it was not yet time for the palace gates to open and the court to begin, the officials did not dare to talk loudly or laugh loudly.
But today was an exception.
At three or four o 'clock in the morning, officials had already begun to gather outside the Gate of Heaven Influence. The situation this time was a little different from the past. Because today, many people came especially early.
Yes, especially early.
After all, it was not the first time that they had attended court. For them, the court meeting was just a formality. They were not as excited as they were when they were young and treated it as the most sacred thing in the world. For court at five o 'clock, there was no need to come too early. It was fine as long as they could get as much sleep as possible.
As a result, many officials would only come after four o 'clock.
Those who came early were usually officials who came to the capital to report on their work or hot-blooded young people who had just joined the ranks.
But today was different.
Even the troublemakers and wily old foxes came especially early.
Even those old officials and nobles who had been permitted by His Majesty not to attend court regularly had come.
There was a subtle atmosphere outside the Gate of Heaven Influence.
Many people had bright eyes and expectant expressions as they looked left and right, as if waiting for Gado.
Those who were familiar with each other gathered together, but they did not talk much. Most of the time, they exchanged meaningful glances. Some people pointed at the Gate of Heaven Influence and said mysteriously, "It's here. I heard that two days ago, he pressed Prince Zhongshun against the palace gates here, but the gates did not open …"
Some of the more daring ones even opened bets.
"What time do you think he'll come?"
"Half past five o 'clock?
Three o 'clock?
Or will he come at five o 'clock? "
"I bet he'll be late."
"There's going to be a good show today."
They were here to watch the show.
But those who dared to open bets like this were all famous and important officials. They stood in the front row and had the highest rank and status. They had accumulated many meritorious deeds and were extremely famous.
As for the officials below rank three or four, they were somewhat at a loss but also somewhat enlightened.
They already knew about that person. They already knew that person's name.
No matter what, the events of the past two days had truly alarmed the political circle of the capital. Even those transcendent people and factions felt the shock of the aftermath.
That person had privately mobilized soldiers and challenged the Copper Sparrow Pavilion. Putting aside the shares of the Emperor and many important officials of the court, even if it was just an ordinary property, privately summoning one's subordinates was a capital offense. A general mobilizing his soldiers without orders had always been a great taboo for a sovereign. You fucking dared to play this game in the capital, right under the feet of the Son of Heaven?
Dared.
And dared to chase the Emperor's son all the way to the Gate of Heaven Influence.
And even dared to fight his way into the home of the Emperor's daughter and beat her up.
And even dared to hang up the royalist officials of the Copper Sparrow Pavilion and whip them.
It really was one goddamn pleasant surprise after another.
And even more pleasant surprise was yet to come. One night later, before anyone could recover from their shock, they heard the news of the death of the newly promoted Fire Radiance Sword Saint. It was said that the younger brother of the previous Fire Radiance Sword Saint had tried to pick a fight on the street and was rebuked so badly that he began to doubt himself. Soon after, he burned himself into a giant torch. No one dared to delve into the details of what had happened.
In just two days, the Commander Of War, who had disappeared for two years, had caused the countless old Tianyuan officials of the capital to remember their past. Even though time had passed and things had remained the same, people had changed, his lord was still his lord.
Quite a few people were secretly delighted by this news.
How could a monarch and his subjects be of one mind? The imperial court was even more divided. From the nature of their functions, they were divided into civil, military, and nobles. From the political standpoint, they were divided into the branches of the aristocratic families that protected the royal family. From the perspective of their respective bosses, they were divided into Tensei and many others. Their forces were intertwined, and each of them had their own political demands and interests. How could they be of one mind with the monarch?
So when the Commander Of War's two powerful and friendly punches hit the Emperor's face, many people cheered loudly in their hearts. The enemy of an enemy was not necessarily a friend, but the enemy of an enemy beating up an enemy was definitely something they would like to see.
And today, in the morning court session, an even bigger show was about to take place.
Although these officials of the Empire looked righteous, one could know a person's face but not his heart. Who knew what they were thinking? Perhaps many people were looking forward to the battle between the Commander Of War and the Emperor during the morning court session. It would be even better if one of them lost his mind and started a fight on the spot.
Someone said in his heart, "I heard that person had forced Chi Lianyan into a corner yesterday and almost dragged him to the golden palace to force a meeting. He summoned all the officials, invited the Emperor, and explained the inside story of the Great Barren Mountain on the spot to make a final conclusion … Humph, it's a pity that the Emperor was so decisive that he killed Chi Lianyan directly and took half a step back from the Commander Of War. What a pity …"
The capital governor, Lord Bao, was standing in the crowd with a gloomy face. His whole body was emitting a gloomy aura, and he ignored everyone. His senior brother, Di Huaiying, was standing beside him, asking and consoling him in a low voice. He only received a bitter shake of his junior brother's head … Lord Di sighed in his heart. He found that his junior brother seemed to be in a bad state.
Unfortunately, now was not the time to talk.
Even more people looked at the royalist monarchs with mocking gazes.
The loyal officials of the Emperor, who liked to go to the Copper Sparrow Terrace to discuss grand plans, had recently been dealt with one after another. First, they were wiped out by Sun Lang and forced to sign humiliating terms. But this was far from over. Just yesterday afternoon, a terrible evil guest had come to their door again.
Yes, General Shentse had come to visit in person. This famous general, who surpassed the nobles and was comparable to Tensei, had come to visit and apologized for the matter of the Copper Sparrow Terrace. Did the Emperor dare to not open the door?
Another mouthful of fresh hot shit was poured into his mouth.
It was a completely aboveboard stab into the Emperor's heart.
It was too shameful. It was a failure. It was a complete failure.
There were also people from the Heavenly Policy Manor. The Empress Concubine and the officials of the Heavenly Policy Manor had arrived a long time ago. As the highest-ranking general in the imperial court and the most respected member of the imperial family, she stood at the very front. Her female court attire outlined her valiant and formidable figure. The Heavenly Policy General stood upright like a javelin and remained silent. Meanwhile, the generals of the Heavenly Policy Manor were like stars surrounding and protecting her, blocking off all gazes and disturbances.
But everyone knew that a good show was bound to happen.
First, Tensei Province and the so-called Shinto Province had similar ranks and privileges, so there was a natural competitive advantage. Second, Empress Tensei wanted the throne, so she had to share her father's worries and was bound to go against that person. Third, it was said that the two of them had become enemies.
So … they were looking forward to it.
But, where was the male lead?
The spectators who wanted to watch a good show were looking forward to it.
Also looking forward to Sun Lang's appearance were the eyes hidden in the dark.
They were even more eager for Sun Lang to appear here. They were waiting. They were waiting for an opportunity. No matter how strong a person was, he could not be in two places at the same time.
Once he appeared in court, once he had to answer the questions of the officials and the Son of Heaven, he would not be able to care about other things … and this was their chance.
No matter how strong he was, he was only one person.