Tolling Lands Imperial Meeting Hall

Silence reign in the Imperial Court as the Emperor began to change the structures of the Imperial Court. Many officials wanted to protest, but they didn't dare. There was a time to stick your neck out, and there was a time to curl up in your shell like a turtle. This was obviously the time to mimic a turtle.

Two months ago, the Emperor had gone out in disguise on one of the many inspections that he habitual and often made. The things he witnessed among the Imperial City Patrol Guards and the Imperial City's City Gate Guards left him sorely displeased. The Commander of the Imperial City Patrol and the Commander of the Imperial City's City Gate Guards had been relieved of their duties.

They were charged with dereliction of duty and heavily punished by the Emperor. For the past two months, the various parties put up a fierce debate in court of who the positions should be assigned too. Now many felt that had there been Commanders over the Imperial City Patrol Guards and the Imperial City's City gate guards. Then perhaps the actions of the traitors wouldn't have remained undetected for so long.

No one in the Imperial Meeting Hall uttered a word as the Emperor assigned who he wanted to the positions of Commander of the Imperial City Patrol and the Commander of the Imperial City's City Gate Guards without consulting the officials who've been in debate over this matter for two months. He also assigned the positions of the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Guards. No one dared to speak as the Emperor split the power of the Prime Minister's position in half. He created a Prime Minister of the Left and a Prime Minister of the Right.

Earlier the Emperor charged the Minister of the Personal and the Minister of the Public Works with derelict of duty and stripped them of their positions as punishment. The Minister of Personal was already arrested and imprisoned early that morning before dawn. So the Emperor informed the Minister of Public Works, "Since it's such a burden for you to oversee your subordinates, I will assist you by relieving you of the duty."

None of the attending Officials, Noblemen, or Ministers dared to protest. They knew that the Emperor let the Minister of the Public Works off easily. The Minister of the Public Works himself was expecting a heavier punishment. Everyone knew the Minister of the Public Works would be punished because too many Assistant Minister's in the Public Works departments turn out to be traitors.

"I will give everyone one week to bring forth your recommendation for the positions of the Prime Minister of the Left, the Prime Minister of the Right, Minister of Personal, and the Minister of the Public Works. If in one week you cannot decide. I will assign the positions myself. I will no longer tolerate this dithering back and forth. Had you Officials and Minister's not wasted two months trying to figure out who to recommend for the duties of the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol and the Commander of the Imperial City's City Gate Guards. Then maybe things would not have reached this far." The Emperor said in a voice of deep displeasure and palpable controlled anger.

"If you officials are having that much difficulties performing the duties that the country pays you to perform, then resigned and go home. Make room for someone else who would take their duties more seriously. On your watch, you almost allowed the events of a stealthy invasion to become successful. I hold myself responsible, as well. I see where I have been much too tolerant and lenient. No longer will I be so tolerant or lenient, so beware." The Emperor strictly warned all the official and ministers present in the Imperial meeting hall.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The officials bowed in acknowledgment.

"We've already discussed the events surrounding the stealthy invasion. However, there remains one more event to discuss. I am sure many of you are aware of the arrest of the Minister of Personnel and Elder Chen. Elder Wang is in charge of this matter, and he will be explaining the rest of the matter to you." The Emperor said as he leaned back on his throne and gave way to Elder Wang.

A shudder past through the officials as Elder Wang addressed the Officials, Nobles, and Ministers of the Imperial Court, "Several days ago many documents were retrieved from the Manors of the condemned traitors. On the Emperor's command, I supervised the Imperial Clerks as they carefully reviewed each document and letter that was retrieved. In the process, we came across correspondences between four ministers that concealed the conspiracy of the real truth behind the rebellion eight years ago. The letters also revealed the truth behind the death of the previous Emperor. As well as the scheme that framed Four Martial Families for the rebellion and death of the previous Emperor." Elder Wang said in a voice heavy with emotion, although his face remained ice-cold and unapproachable.

"After the arrest of Minister Lan and Elder Chen. All documents and letters were also retrieved from the Manors of both Minister Lan and Elder Chen. The Imperial Clerks worked tirelessly since before dawn this morning. With their efforts, we were able to piece together more of the puzzle after finding more letters in the house of Minister Lan and Elder Chen."

The heart of every Official and Minister froze. Several Officials, Noblemen, and Ministers in the meeting hall began trembling in fear. These were the officials that had very close ties with the Chen Family or the Minister of Personnel. They feared being implicated due to the close relationships they had with the convicted families. Everyone knew that the Lan and Chen families would be facing extermination. The schemes of Elder Chen and the Minister of Personal brought about the death of the late Emperor. Not one member of the Lan or Chen families would be spared.

"I won't use it as an excuse. However, it must be said. At the time, emotions were very high due to the death of the late Emperor. All the evidence found pointed to the involvement and guilt of the four martial families. These four families that were pillars of the Tolling Lands overnight became pariahs and were exterminated. We now have evidence of the innocence of the four martial families. It's heartbreaking that they are now gone. That so-called evidence was a scheme concocted by Elder Chen, Minister Peng, the previous Prime Minister. The previous Minister of Justice and the previous Minister of Personal." Elder Wang said in sadness.

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The present Officials, Nobles, and Ministers felt a deep sense of horror and fear. These Four Martial Families were once pillars of the Tolling Lands. They were faithful, loyal subjects that gave their all to the country. Sadly they fell to the schemes of treasonous ministers and were all put to death by the country that they faithfully served. That could have easily been any of the official standing in the Imperial Meeting Hall. Anyone could have fallen victim to a scheme and put to death.

"The Emperor is already in the process of drafting a decree clearing the names of the four families. However, I feel as if it's too little too late. I will also sponsor a memorial for the Four Martial Families in a few days. It will take place in the square in the center of the Imperial City. We must not forget the many sacrifices of these families who stood guard over the Tolling Lands. I will now have Imperial Clerk Fu come forward and read the correspondences of the three Ministers and Elder Chen." Elder Wang announced.

It took the terrified Imperial Clerk Fu forty-five minutes to read through all the correspondences concerning the matter. The letters were plentiful, but so was Imperial Clerk Fu's fear. With each letter, the horror and detestation for Elder Chen and the three ministers grew deep in the hearts of the Officials, Nobles, and Ministers in attendance. Sweat and fear poured off the trembling Imperial Clerk Fu as he fought with all his strength to control his voice and keep it from shaking and trembling.

According to the letters read, the three scheming Ministers and Elder Chen made no pretense in concocting their schemes. Letters retrieved from Elder Chen's son's manor gave testament to the original mastermind of the schemes. The rebellion was former Prime Minister Peng's idea. To frame the Four Martial Families was both Minister Peng and Elder Chen's plan.

Letters retrieved from the former Minister of Justice gave testament to how the former Minister of Justice helped Elder Chen crafted the insidiously wicked schemes that cause the rebellion. Letters retrieved from Minister Lan, Minister Peng, and Elder Chen gave testament to how the former Prime Minister Peng triggered the rebellion. The disgust, rage, and hatred grew in all the gathered nobles, ministers, and officials when Imperial clerk Fu read the letters of how the four ministers gloated at the previous Emperors' death.

Although none of the scheming Ministers and Elder Chen set out to deliberately cause the previous Emperors death. However, none of the Ministers were repentant, regretful, or remorseful at the death of the previous Emperor, who was the Master that they served. Instead, they gloated over their success and considered the death of the Emperor a bonus.

They deliberately and intentionally carefully set up the scheme to entrap the unwavering patriotic Four Martial Families. They knew the even when accused. These four faithful families wouldn't rebel.

Their estimation proved accurate. Even at the very end, the four families didn't rebel. Some of the officials felt deep sorrow and intense rage, wrath, and fury. From the letters written, it was clear that the families managed to actually get many of their promising young children and accomplished youths out. However, the Prime Minister and Elder Chen began to hunt them down one by one, killing them off.

Some of the Generals, the retired nobles, and officials of martial families exploded in rage. When the sweat-drenched trembling Imperial Clerk Fu read letters on how Elder Chen and Minister Peng made a competition on how many of the escaped youths and young children of the Four Martial Families they can catch and kill.

The whole Imperial court exploded in fury when a letter retrieve from minister Lan manor was read. In the letter, the former Prime Minister bragged on how he allowed his warriors to defile the young girls of the four families that they caught. No one no longer felt any kindness towards Elder Chen or Minister Lan. Their bottom lines were crossed. They were all ready to go murder Elder Chen and Minister Lan themselves.

"Despicable, they dared! Utter despicable," An older retired Minister screamed at the top of his lungs in rage. His long white beard trembled as he waved his fist in the air while shouting in rage.

"Too far! Elder Chen has gone too far this time! How could he allow this!? Ah! How could he!?" Screamed one of Elder Chen's oldest allies. He was completely furious. He was a schemer that had three beautiful daughters. All he could think was that it could have been his precious little girls.

"Those treasonous bastards! To think I once admired the Prime Minister. How dare they touch the young ladies!? How dare they!?" Screamed a shocked young Assistant Minister.

"Give those beast the most torturous execution! They must pay!? Even the worse criminals don't touch the Young Ladies, yet they dared! Ah!?" A middle-aged official screamed in utter disbelief and rage.

"What madness is this, I am hearing? You mean to tell me he couldn't send his men to a brothel to take care of their needs!? They dared to defile Noble Young Ladies!? These were gentle, noble ladies we are talking about here!? How could they!?" General Yan's voice boomed through the Imperial meeting Hall in utter rage.

General Yan's voice seemed to cut through all the voices that rang out in anger. For some odd reason, general Yan's words hit the hardest. A weird silence blanket the meeting hall as General Yan's word pierced all the noble ministers and officials.

Particular those with young daughters, sisters, and young female kin. The majority of the Ministers and Officials in attendance were noblemen. Likewise, many retired old noblemen made it their business to attend court today.

Their daughters were raised in a genteel environment with extra care. An intolerable rage grew in the gathered men as the imaged their daughters, sisters, young female kin, and mothers coming to that horrible kind of end.

This could not be tolerated. It just absolutely could not be tolerated. "Your Majesty, Elder Wang, what is to be done about this matter?" General Yan's voice boomed in the Imperial Meeting Hall. General Yan was well known for his love for wine and women. He had three wives and eleven concubines.

However, strange enough, not one of his women ever complain of being neglected or mistreated, and his harem was peaceful. His women were his treasures, and he took extra care to treat each one of them as such. Many men have questioned the General on how he managed to do it. He always replied with a sly smile 'My vigor is strong, and wine in my manor is plentiful.'

"Elder Chen and the Minister of Personals' guilt is obvious. However, I still wish to interrogate them. I wish to find out if there is perhaps something we missed that is not in the letters of correspondence." Elder Wang said, announcing his intention before asking the Emperor's permission. "Will Your Majesty allow it?"

No one felt sorry for the previous Minister of Personal, Minister Lan, and Elder Chen. Their evil deeds written in their own hand stopped anyone from feeling sorry for them. They felt the unlucky Minister Lan and Elder Chen would soon regret their evil deed.

Many of the Officials, Noblemen, and Ministers nodded their heads in satisfaction at Elder Chen and Minister Lan's misfortune to fall into the hands of Elder Wang. They feel sure that Eler Wang would definitely make them pay for their evil deeds.