Naturally, there could be no problem with the identities of Chen Hong and others. Soon, the officials from the Ministry of Rites verified their identities and confirmed that Chen Hong and others were correct. They respectfully returned the command tokens and official documents to Chen Hong and other eunuchs who announced the imperial decree.
"Haha, thank you very much. Now we are legitimate." Chen Hong smiled and bowed to thank the official from the Ministry of Rites.
"You're too polite, sir." The official from the Ministry of Rites who returned the order bowed hurriedly, his tone respectful and flattering.
"We have made all the arrangements in Chaotian Palace, and we invite all the angels to move to Chaotian Palace." Zhang Jing, together with a group of officials, extended their hands to invite Chen Hong and others.
"Thank you, Lord Zhang, thank you all, please..." Chen Hong and a group of eunuchs and factory guards followed suit.
The officials led the way in front and drove away the onlookers. A group of officials led Chen Hong and other angels to Chaotian Palace in a mighty manner.
On the way to Chaotian Palace, Zhu Ping'an discovered a familiar figure among the factory guards escorting Chen Hong and other eunuchs. It was Zhang Guyi, the Bloody Sword. The scarlet scabbard around his waist was extremely eye-catching, and it was hard not to be noticed.
Zhu Ping'an smiled and nodded to Zhang Guyi of the Bleeding Sword. Zhang Guyi of the Bleeding Sword also saw Zhu Ping'an, or rather, he had noticed Zhu Ping'an a long time ago. Seeing Zhu Ping'an taking the lead, he also nodded slightly in return.
Not sure whether it was intentional or unintentional, Zhu Ping'an noticed that Chen Hong looked at him twice without leaving a trace during the journey.
If Zhu Pingan hadn't felt that he was not an ordinary person and hadn't sounded the alarm about him, he might not have discovered it. I have never met Chen Hong before, this is the first time we meet. If Chen Hong hadn't introduced himself, I wouldn't have known he was Chen Hong; but, before I even introduced myself, Chen Hong actually recognized me, it seems like he has done a lot of research on me in secret...
Suddenly, Zhu Pingan became more alert.
When they arrived at Chaotian Palace, there was another complete set of etiquette for receiving the imperial edict, including setting up the table, burning incense, and kowtowing, kowtowing, and kowtowing again... After going through the whole process, Zhu Ping'an's knees were aching slightly. If Hua'er hadn't made a pair of knee braces for him, his knees would have suffered a lot today, and he might even have their skin peeled off from kneeling.
Finally the whole process was completed, and it was time for everyone to enter the most tense, anxious and exciting part - the announcement of the decree.
"My Lords, please forgive my intrusion. This decree involves many people. Before I announce it, I would like to identify some of the people so that I can match them up with the names when I announce it later." Chen Hong said to everyone with a smile before announcing the decree.
Chen Hong's request was very legitimate and reasonable. There were too many officials involved in this announcement. It would be better to identify the right people in advance so as to avoid rewarding or punishing the wrong people when announcing rewards and punishments later, especially some rewards and punishments that had to be paid on the spot.
"The angel's words make sense. We will introduce each of the government offices one by one so that the angel can get to know them."
Zhang Jing nodded and gave arrangements to everyone.
"How dare we disobey your command?" everyone responded.
Then, all the officials gave a brief introduction according to the yamen, starting with the Ministry of War.
Zhu Ping'an is no exception.
While everyone was introducing themselves, Chen Hong and other eunuchs who announced the decree, as well as the accompanying guards, all carefully confirmed each one.
After everyone finished introducing themselves, Chen Hong smiled and thanked everyone, then said with a serious face, "My lords, I'm sure you all know the purpose of my coming here. However, I still want to say a few more words. The Japanese pirates from Shangyu, less than a hundred people, actually roamed thousands of miles in our Ming Dynasty, captured many cities, and killed a censor, a county magistrate, a county magistrate, two commanders, two captains, more than 3,000 officers and soldiers, and more than 2,000 innocent civilians. In total, more than 5,000 soldiers and civilians of our Ming Dynasty were killed, and the number of injured was countless. The number of houses and farms that were damaged and burned was incalculable! From the landing of the Japanese pirates from Shangyu to their annihilation, it took you a total of 85 days!"
Upon hearing this, all the officials lowered their heads, except for a few officials such as Zhu Ping'an, Duke of Wei, and Marquis of Linhuai.
Chen Hong glanced at everyone and continued, "When the report of 57 Japanese pirates besieging Yingtian reached the palace, His Majesty was very angry. To be honest, when His Majesty received the report, he was having breakfast. After just one look, His Majesty overturned the table, smashed the bowl, and could no longer eat breakfast... You gentlemen have failed His Majesty's trust in you and his good intentions."
"We are ashamed..." The officials lowered their heads even more.
"Fortunately, the Japanese pirates besieged Yingtian for less than a day before they were wiped out by Zhu Ping'an, the assistant judge of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Otherwise, we don't know when the emperor's wrath will subside." Chen Hong said with emotion.
A group of officials were disgruntled.
"In general, your performance disappointed His Majesty. His Majesty ordered the Cabinet to take the lead, and the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War and other government offices to evaluate your performance in dealing with the Japanese pirates, and to determine rewards and punishments. After His Majesty's approval, an imperial edict was formed. There are two copies of the imperial edict, one for thunder and one for rain.
Thunder punishes those who have done wrong, and rain rewards those who have done good deeds." Chen Hong said slowly, holding up his orchid finger.
The highlight is here!
Everyone became extremely nervous.
"According to astronomical phenomena, thunder comes first, followed by rain and dew. I will first read out the imperial decree of thunder punishment, and then read out the imperial decree of rain and dew reward."
Chen Hong said slowly.
The officials naturally had no objection. Even if Chen Hong read the reward edict first and the punishment edict later, the officials would not have any objection. It made no difference to the officials which one came first, and they had no say.
The eunuch behind carefully took out a thick imperial edict from the imperial edict box and handed it to Chen Hong.
"My Lords, please accept my order." Chen Hong opened the imperial edict with a serious face.
"We, your servants, receive your order. Long live the emperor..." All the officials knelt down again and said in unison.
"In compliance with the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Japanese pirates from Shangyu suddenly invaded Kuaiji County, looted Hangzhou, invaded She County in Huizhou, and went to Jixi and Jingde, slaughtered and plundered Jing County, went to Nanling, went to Wuhu, burned the South Bank, went to Taiping Prefecture, invaded Jiangning Town, and went straight to Yingtian. Many officials along the way were cowardly and incompetent. I am very angry and cannot contain my rage. All officials along the way and related officials, regardless of civil or military, regardless of rank, who have committed crimes will be severely punished. The punishments approved by the Cabinet and relevant officials are as follows:..." Chen Hong unfolded the imperial edict and read it slowly, pausing slightly when he read this.
Everyone's heart was in their throat and they were extremely nervous.
After a few seconds of pause, Chen Hong continued to read out in a stern voice: "Shaoxing prefect Liu Xi failed to prevent the Japanese pirates, which led to the Japanese pirates landing in the territory and killing all the people in the town. He and the captain Xu Ziyi failed to suppress the Japanese pirates, resulting in heavy casualties on their side. They were also careless and allowed the Japanese pirates to escape across the river, resulting in the death of the returning censor Qian Jing. He failed to live up to the emperor's grace and was demoted to a commoner..."
"I obey your order. I feel ashamed towards His Majesty and the people..." Shaoxing prefect Liu Xi knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
The factory guards stepped forward immediately, took off Liu Xi's black gauze hat, took off his official uniform, dragged him by the arm, and pulled him out of the hall.