Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Morning Court Assembly
Imperial City, early 5 a.m., Junhou Street.
The wide avenue was already filled with carriages and horses moving like a dragon, lanterns lighting the path, stretching forward all the way to the red walls at the end.
Today was the Great Court Assembly, and all officials qualified to attend were required to arrive at the Ten Thousand People’s Palace by 7 a.m.; unless in special circumstances, otherwise the Star Officer of the Day would consult the roster and demand accountability for those who hadn’t arrived or were late—at best a demotion and docking of salary, at worst dismissal from office and loss of title.
So even though it was only early 5 a.m., Junhou Street was already filled with officials heading for court.
The palace gates would only open at early 7 a.m., just half an hour before the assembly began; those who arrived early could only wait outside. Today’s weather was fairly pleasant, but in the depths of winter it would be unbearable for most to wait here at this hour. Being an official wasn’t always comfortable.
There were some who did not need to queue and wait. Third-Grade Officials could enter early through a side gate, body checks weren’t too excessive, and afterward they could proceed via a soft sedan to the tea room at Ten Thousand People’s Palace to wait. The comfort was much greater than for other officials.
Those waiting outside could only gather in small groups, chatting as they waited for the gates to open.
"Lord Zhao, you’re very early today."
"Heh heh, Lord Zhang, you’re early too. You look radiant today, is there good news?"
"No special news, but yesterday my grandson spoke for the first time and called me ’Grandfather’—an old man’s heart greatly gratified, hahaha..."
"Oh, this is truly joyful, Lord Zhang’s house blessed—so there’ll be heirs continuing on now!"
After a few exchanges, two more joined in, all familiar and of similar ranks, none being Chief Officers. During the Great Court Assembly, most only listened and rarely spoke, so it was easy for them to chat together.
This group stood near the front, and each time a high-ranking official entered through the side gate, they would turn and slightly bow in greeting.
"Looks like something’s bound to happen today," one said, watching a figure in black robes enter through the side gate, sighing meaningfully.
"Why do you say so?"
"Lord Zhao, there’s a big commotion in Jingxi—you can’t pretend you don’t know. In today’s Assembly, who knows how many are gearing up to confront that Pang fellow."
"Pang fellow? Tsk tsk, Lord Wang, do you dislike Lord Pang? That sounds a bit improper."
"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue, ah haha."
"But seriously, today’s assembly looks like a storm is coming. Don’t you notice those lords arrived much earlier than usual?"
The "lords" mentioned were not just their usual address among themselves, but referred to those who could enter the palace ahead of time through the side gate. In previous days, such officials never came so early; entering, they could travel by sedan chair and the security check was quick, no need to arrive this soon.
"That’s true; quite a few have already gone in. Seems they’re preparing ahead of time?"
"Alright, these are things we shouldn’t talk about. Do they really concern us?"
"Right, right, Lord Zhao speaks truly..."
Normally, Third Grade was another hurdle in the official career; after Third Grade, one could "deliberate state affairs," whereas below Third Grade, even attending the Great Court Assembly meant only "reporting matters," or stepping forward to explain certain issues if "called out." Hence their self-mockery that it didn’t concern them.
But did it really not concern them?
On closer observation, all those gathered outside the palace in small groups carried a weight of solemnity never seen before on their faces. Yet everyone kept quiet, sharing a tacit understanding.
At early 7 a.m., the palace gates opened, and the officials who had waited outside began entering for inspection.
Mainly checking for any magical artifacts or dangerous items, as well as verifying identity.
It was actually quite swift—there were five checkpoints inside the gate, and each person took no more than ten breaths; there was certainly enough time for orderly passage and timely arrival at Ten Thousand People’s Palace.
Through the palace gates and onward, a straight path crossed the vast Yongsheng Square, then two gate towers came into view, and between them rose a grand hall—the largest in the Jing Ancient Dynasty Imperial Palace: Ten Thousand People’s Palace.
The name "Ten Thousand People’s Palace" supposedly came from the national treasury’s money and grain originating from the people; even each brick and tile was the same. Thus, "Ten Thousand People" was the name, so Emperor and ministers entering would not forget their foundation.
General court assemblies were actually not held in Ten Thousand People’s Palace but in the Chengde Hall to its left. Only Great Court Assemblies or major festivals were hosted here.
In front of Ten Thousand People’s Palace lay two flights of steps, with a cloud-carved path in the center. Civil and military officials lined up left and right, according to rank, waiting before the hall. At the top, a Star Official wielded a whip; only at the sound of the whip could one enter.
The left was for civil officials, the right for military. In the Jing Ancient Dynasty, the left was held in reverence; for the same rank, civil positions stood and ranked slightly higher than military, just as their line-up implied.
The first among the civil ranks was Left Minister Ye Lansheng, possessing Cultivation at the Gathering Spirit Realm Perfection.
First among the military ranks, standing alongside Ye Lansheng, was National Pillar General Yang Yansi.
Civil and military court attire also differed. Civil officials wore dark green robes, embroidery changed according to rank. Military officials wore bright red robes, with similar differences in embroidered patterns.
Everyone stood left-green, right-red below Ten Thousand People’s Palace; from afar, it was quite a sight.
However, the black patch on the right was glaring to the eye.
Pang Ban belonged to the military rank, as a Senior Third Grade; his position was fairly prominent. He held his wand, looking meek and low-eyed as if inconspicuous, but those ahead and behind deliberately kept their distance from him—leaving two empty spaces fore and aft.
a.m. arrived.
"Crack! Assemble for court..."
"Crack! Assemble for court..."
...
The Star Officer of the Day stood atop the steps, suddenly swung his long whip, its crack ringing out in the air, then shouted loudly. At the same moment, the doors of Ten Thousand People’s Palace swung open, and officials began to enter for the Great Court Assembly.
Entering the hall, the scent of sandalwood relaxed the body; each hurried to find their place and stood, not daring to utter a sound.
The grand hall was not so much gilded or dazzling; its tone was cold, with few decorations, other than a few massive beast-carved stone pillars—it was emptiness itself that overwhelmed the senses.
Directly ahead stood a triple-tiered platform, rising nine feet above the ground, atop which sat the hall’s only chair.
Civil and military officials took their places, silent as the grave; the gravity of the hall reached its peak when the Star Officer of the Day announced, "Your Majesty arrives!" Then in unison, the officials’ voices rose and released that tension.
"Greetings to Your Majesty!"
Civil officials bowed deeply, the military knelt on one knee.
The Emperor wore bright yellow brocade robe, his head crowned with the Tongtian coronet. Hands clasped behind his back, he swiftly climbed the platform and took his seat. With a wave of his hand, he spoke gently: "Rise. It’s been many days since we last met—is there anything to report?"
The Emperor smiled, appearing in good spirits, yet the gray at his temples and the crow’s feet at his eyes made clear to his elder ministers that he was aging. Only the blade-sharp gaze remained unchanged, making none dare meet his eyes.
