16: Chapter 16 Attracting Global Attention

Is it difficult to kill these officials?

Not at all!

If Wang Chen wished, it would not be difficult to even execute their entire clans.

However, Wang Chen was also well aware.

Although these people all deserved to die, one could not deny that they were also capable individuals.

The Tianxuan Dynasty was so vast.

It could be said that there were countless talented people, but why were they the ones standing in this imperial court?

Without some ability and some methods, it would be impossible to gain a foothold in this imperial court.

Although Wang Chen looked down on them.

He had to admit.

Keeping them around for now was still somewhat useful; it would not be too late to deal with them once there were people to replace them.

Of course.

The prerequisite was that they obeyed.

If they disobeyed and tried to pull tricks behind his back, then Wang Chen would not mind sending them to reincarnate ahead of schedule.

Keeping them.

Was nothing more than utilizing waste!

Once he signed in someone who could help him handle state affairs, they would be useless...

"Quiet!"

Wang Chen spoke with the authority of the heavens.

Just by uttering those two words, all the officials were completely silenced!

Immediately after.

He pointed to the files scattered on the ground or still clutched in the hands of the officials and said.

"I presume there is no need for Me to say anything more about the contents recorded here, is there?"

"At a time when the Imperial Dynasty is in decline, I can understand the desire to seek a way out for yourselves and your families; it is only human nature!"

Wang Chen's voice betrayed no joy or anger, as if he were speaking of something insignificant.

This, at least, allowed the group of officials to relax slightly.

But good times do not last long.

However, Wang Chen's next sentence caused everyone's hearts to sink to the bottom once again.

"However!"

"Understanding does not equal indulgence, and it certainly does not equal amnesty!"

"According to the laws of the Imperial Dynasty, the crimes you have committed would not be excessive even if punished by the execution of your entire clans."

Wang Chen's voice turned only slightly colder.

Yet it made many officials tremble, so frightened they almost fainted.

If someone else had said this.

Many officials might not have taken it seriously; after all, the law does not punish the masses!

But when these words came from Wang Chen's mouth, it was different, because they believed that Wang Chen really dared to execute their entire clans.

Just as everyone was preparing to beg for mercy again.

Wang Chen suddenly changed the subject, giving them a glimmer of hope.

"However... as I have ascended the throne today, it is not appropriate to cause too much slaughter, so I can give you a chance!"

"Of course, there is only one chance; it depends on whether you can seize it..."

A chance?

Wang Chen's words made everyone suddenly raise their heads, all looking at him with hope.

One had to know.

If one could live, who would be willing to die?

Especially people like them who held high positions and great power; they cherished their lives more than anyone else.

Because they had money, power, and an endless supply of women.

Such a life.

Who would be willing to die?

Therefore.

Upon hearing that there was still a chance, everyone immediately knelt and shouted.

"Please, Your Majesty, enlighten us; your subjects will not hesitate even if it means death..."

"Please, Your Majesty, enlighten us; your subjects will not hesitate even if it means death..."

Seeing the appearance of everyone actively trying to perform in order to survive, Wang Chen could not help but nod inwardly.

This was the reason why he kept them.

Because Wang Chen knew.

Under his intimidation, while he could not guarantee that all of them would do their best to work for him.

However.

A large portion of them would definitely turn to him in order to survive.

This portion of people.

Would be enough for him to complete the transition phase of lacking talent...

"As for past matters, I can... 'temporarily'... not pursue them."

Wang Chen emphasized the word "temporarily" heavily.

The meaning was that he would not pursue them now, but whether he would pursue them in the future depended on their performance.

If their performance was poor.

Then he would settle old scores at any time...

"Listen well... do not blame Me for not giving you a chance! From this moment on, your lives and the fate of your Family will depend on your future performance!"

"First, starting immediately, within one day, compile and report all your assets to Me. Except for the residences and salaries granted to you by the Imperial Dynasty, everything else must be sent to the Imperial Dynasty's national treasury! Also, write a detailed memorial of explanation and submit it to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for review. If there is any concealment, or if you feign compliance while acting in opposition, your entire clans will be executed!!"

"Second, perform your duties diligently and do your own jobs well. Within three days, I want to see results; I want to see your capabilities! If any official feels that their ability is limited, they can stand up and tell Me at any time."

"Third, atone for your crimes through meritorious service. Since you have connections with the outside world, you naturally know quite a few inside stories! Write down everything you know, the more detailed the better; this is your chance to redeem yourselves!"

"If you can achieve these three points, I will not pursue the past, and I might even reuse you at my discretion."

"However, if you cannot do it, or do not do it well..."

"Then you, and the Family behind you, will have no need to exist! My Embroidered Uniform Guard will clean house for Me and find more suitable people to take your positions."

Combining kindness with strictness.

The carrot and the stick.

He gave them a glimmer of hope, but also hung the sharpest butcher's knife over their heads!

They wanted to live.

So they had no other choice!

This was a naked, open conspiracy, forcing them to immediately and thoroughly pick a side, and they also had to produce real "pledges of loyalty" and "performance results" to exchange for the right to survive!

After a brief silence.

Everyone began to bow and thank Wang Chen.

"Your subjects kowtow and thank Your Majesty for your heavenly grace! Your Majesty is benevolent!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the grace of rebirth; your subjects will never forget it!"

"Your subjects swear to be loyal to Your Majesty until death! We will have no second thoughts! We will definitely do our utmost to atone for our crimes through meritorious service!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured! Your subjects will definitely reveal everything we know and assist Your Majesty in sweeping clean the universe!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long, long live!!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long, long live!!"

In the shouting of the crowd this time, there was a little less hypocrisy and fear than before, but a little more relief at having survived a disaster and an urgency to perform.

Regardless of everything.

Their lives were temporarily saved!

"Alright, you may all rise."

Wang Chen finally said the words they had been longing for.

If they had to continue kneeling.

Even if they all possessed cultivation, they would soon be unable to bear it...

"Remember My words! After the court is dismissed, return to your respective offices to handle business. Tomorrow, I want to see your first 'answer sheet'!"

"Your subjects obey the decree! Thank... thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!"

Wang Chen's coronation ceremony.

Just like that, it came to an end amidst the anxiety and walking on thin ice of all the civil and military officials...

However.

The impact of this court meeting had only just begun.

Throughout the entire Tianxuan Dynasty, from the various forces above to the common people below, everyone was paying attention to this first formal court meeting after the new emperor's ascension.

One had to know.

The change of imperial power.

For the lives of the ordinary people at the bottom, the short-term impact might not be great, but in the long run, the new emperor's governing strategy would directly affect their livelihoods.

And for those various forces, the significance of today's court meeting was even more different.

This was not just a ceremony for the transfer of power, but also the first public appearance of the new emperor's will and methods.

After all, the rumors about Wang Chen were simply too exaggerated.

Although they did not believe them.

That did not mean they really did not care.

This court meeting was the key basis for them to judge whether Wang Chen was just a superficial figure, or if he truly had the ability and strength...