A group of people spoke until their mouths were dry, only then did they realize that high-ranking officials like Si Fengwu and Prime Minister Nan had not said a word.
The officials who had been mindlessly agreeing with Sun Zichang suddenly felt guilty, standing there, neither knowing whether to continue speaking or not.
It was at this moment that Si Fengwu spoke.
He didn't talk about taking concubines or not, but simply asked, "Do you all remember what you answered when the temporary inspector asked you why you entered officialdom and why you ran for your current positions?"
With the new dynasty facing a shortage of officials and no time to organize a new imperial examination, the method of assessing officials was to have the Ministry of Personnel select a group of worthy individuals and choose those whose abilities met the standards.
Then, an inspection team composed of veteran court elders such as Prime Minister Nan, Elder Wen, and Elder Chi would conduct interviews.
It could be said that everyone who could stand in the imperial court and converse directly with Si Fengwu had been interviewed by these elders.
Even important officials of the third rank and above were handpicked by Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan remotely.
Therefore, regardless of what these people thought in their hearts, their answers at the time were undoubtedly ambitious and concerned about the nation and its people.
Thus, when Si Fengwu asked this question, those officials, without any guilt, repeated their original answers.
And Si Fengwu was waiting for this moment, "What about now?
I ask you, which of your words and deeds are related to the grand ambitions you expressed back then?
Ask yourselves, is letting me fill my harem and have many descendants truly for the sake of the empire and its people, or is it for you to become so-called imperial relatives and pass down glory to your descendants?"
The civil and military officials were all startled. Lian Yu almost couldn't help but laugh.
There were many reasons why court ministers urged the emperor to take concubines. Some old fogeys believed it was an ancestral rule, that the emperor's favor should not be concentrated on one person, as it would lead to him being swayed by favoritism and mismanaging state affairs.
Others, as Si Fengwu had said, used the guise of considering the empire and its people to elevate their own status.
Everyone understood the hidden agenda, but no one would have stated it as directly as Si Fengwu.
The censors, who made a living with their words, were rendered speechless by Si Fengwu's retort and couldn't speak for a long time.
Si Fengwu, however, seemed to think it wasn't enough, "This is the first time, and I hope it will be the last.
I reiterate, court ministers only need to do their jobs. You do not need to worry about my affairs.
If anyone continues to neglect their duties, there are still plenty of capable individuals at Songshan Academy waiting for positions. You are welcome to make way for them!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers were all startled. This was a blatant threat!
Anyone who continued to pester him to take concubines would be directly replaced.
These censors dared to be so forceful with Si Fengwu on their first encounter, partly out of arrogance in their own talents.
After all, the new dynasty had just been established and there was a shortage of officials, so they were confident that Si Fengwu would not make personnel changes in the court over minor matters.
Who knew that just as they were planning to play their little games, Si Fengwu was even more resolute. He had already prepared a reserve team, waiting for them to cross him so that he could replace them!
It had to be said that Si Fengwu's move was ruthless. These people were indeed capable to be standing in the imperial court.
But there were many capable people in the world. They had spent countless efforts to stand before Si Fengwu when the new dynasty was just established.
To be dismissed entirely for something as minor as urging Si Fengwu to take concubines would be too much of a loss.
Ultimately, placing female family members next to Si Fengwu was merely adding a flourish.
Unless their female family members gave birth to a prince and became the crown prince, that little flourish would be no different from not having it at all.
Moreover, Si Fengwu didn't even have any children yet. Even if his child were to become the crown prince, it would be at least ten years later.
No one could predict what would happen in these ten years. Who knew if they would still be alive after ten years?
No one would be foolish enough to jeopardize their brilliant future for such an uncertain matter. Thus, this group of clever individuals who had caused trouble early in the morning finally shut up knowingly.
The chief eunuch of the Imperial Household announced loudly, "If there are any matters, present them. If not, the court is dismissed!"
No one responded, so Si Fengwu left the Hall of Heavenly Purity as planned.
Although no substantial matters were resolved, the first court session lasted longer than Si Fengwu had anticipated.
It was already past noon when he walked out of the main hall of the Hall of Heavenly Purity. The sky had been a bit overcast when they came out, and now it started to rain heavily with thunder, startling the officials leaving the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
Seeing this, Si Fengwu ordered his chief eunuch, "This rain came suddenly, and the ministers probably didn't bring umbrellas. Please invite them to the side hall to take shelter from the rain, and have the kitchen prepare some simple lunches to send over as soon as possible."
As soon as he finished speaking, another clap of thunder sounded, swift and sudden, as if the sky had been split in two by a shining giant axe.
Si Fengwu quickly asked Li Yang, "Has the Princess Consort woken up?"
Lu Qingwan did not have a fear of thunder, but if she encountered such a clap of thunder while asleep, she would tremble into a nightmare.
Li Yang shook his head blankly, "This subordinate also just came out of the main hall and has not had time to..."
Before he could finish, Si Fengwu had already run out into the rain. Li Yang quickly chased after him with an umbrella, "Your Highness, wait for this subordinate. The Princess Consort will be angry if you get wet..."
The master and servant ran out in a hurry, leaving behind Li Qing and the six heads of departments including Chen Jianzhang, who looked at each other in dismay.
After a while, Li Qing said awkwardly, "Your Highness has asked the eunuch to prepare lunch for the ministers. Why don't the ministers have lunch and then discuss state affairs with His Highness in the Imperial Study?"
Chen Jianzhang, who had just received good news from Lu Qingwan yesterday and knew Si Fengwu was going to Lu Qingwan, had no temper at all.
He chuckled and said, "Since that's the case, we will take shelter from the rain in the side hall first, and then look for His Highness later!"
Among the Six Ministers, only he and the Minister of Justice, Han Guang, were personally appointed by Si Fengwu. Coupled with Chen Jianzhang's advanced age and the Chen family's extraordinary status among scholars, the other officials followed Chen Jianzhang.
The chief eunuch beside them breathed a sigh of relief, "That's great. Fortunately, we have you, Guard Li Qing, otherwise, if those adults wanted to see His Highness, this humble servant really wouldn't know how to deal with it!"
Li Qing smiled, "Chief Eunuch, you watched His Highness grow up. Why are you so afraid of His Highness?"
That's right, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household and the head eunuch appointed by Si Fengwu was the eunuch who served the former Empress Dowager of the Great Qian when he was young.
The former Empress Dowager was gentle and wanted him to be happy with the people serving Si Fengwu, so the eunuchs chosen at the time were not very old, and now they were less than forty.
He was now the only eunuch by Si Fengwu's side.