"Your Majesty, High Eunuch Gao is here, requesting an audience outside the hall at this very moment!"
Zhao Ji, who had finally managed to fall asleep, was abruptly awakened by the eunuch's voice.
"He's the Commander of the Palace Guard, can't he even handle such a small matter at this hour?"
After hearing the eunuch's words, Zhao Ji was furious. He had been bothered all day and had even foregone dallying with his beloved concubine, wishing only for a good night's sleep.
It was one thing to be disturbed by those unruly commoners, but to be woken up again by Gao Qiu at this hour! His morning temper was truly formidable.
"High Eunuch Gao claims it's a matter of utmost urgency and cannot be delayed..."
Seeing the rage on Zhao Ji's face, the little eunuch quickly prostrated himself on the ground.
The Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty was indeed benevolent, but that was towards the literati and scholars. It was entirely different for these eunuchs.
They were the emperor's servants. Even if many of them held official positions, they could not escape their status as slaves.
If those scholar-officials committed offenses, they were protected by the imperial decree left by Emperor Taizu, ensuring they could at least save their lives. Even during the most intense conflicts between the new and old factions, when their key figures shouted threats and curses at each other in court,
When it came down to it, not a single civil official was ever executed!
After all, scholars were united. Neither the new faction nor the old faction wished to see the court execute people for their words!
But these eunuchs were different. Even the most benevolent Emperor Renzong executed a considerable number of them, let alone the current Zhao Ji!
"Let him in!"
Upon hearing the eunuch's explanation, Zhao Ji finally managed to suppress his anger. Gao Qiu had been by his side for many years and, to some extent, understood the gravity of certain matters.
The phrase "utmost urgency" was not to be used lightly!
"Your subject, Gao Qiu, Commander of the Palace Guard, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
No sooner had he entered than Gao Qiu knelt on the ground.
This was one of the secrets of his steady rise. Even now, as Grand Eunuch, he always performed the full kowtow when no outer court officials were present.
According to his own words, the Emperor had promoted him from humble beginnings, so the Emperor was not just the Emperor, but also his benefactor.
Although Zhao Ji knew this was flattery, his mood improved considerably.
While they all spoke of liking ministers who dared to speak frankly, emperors were still human. Who would truly enjoy those who constantly confronted them for no reason?
Especially an incompetent ruler like Zhao Ji!
"Rise, then. What has happened to wake me so late? Can't you even resolve the matters outside?"
Although no longer as angry, Zhao Ji still glared at him.
"Your Majesty..."
As Gao Qiu spoke, he glanced at the eunuch standing beside him. Although he didn't explicitly state the next words, Zhao Ji clearly understood and immediately waved his hand at several eunuchs.
Following his instructions, the palace maids and eunuchs standing in the side and rear quickly withdrew. Soon, only Gao Qiu and Zhao Ji remained in the grand hall.
"I report to Your Majesty, this humble servant has just received news that Chancellor Cai committed suicide by poison in his carriage. This is the memorial he wrote to Your Majesty before his death!"
"What did you say?"
As soon as Gao Qiu finished speaking, Zhao Ji sprang to his feet.
"Chancellor Cai committed suicide by poison in his carriage. By the time his family discovered him, his body was already cold..."
Seeing the shock on Zhao Ji's face, Gao Qiu quickly handed him the memorial.
"This is impossible! How could he have poisoned himself?"
The suicide of a Grand Chancellor was no trivial matter.
The Prime Minister was the teacher of all officials, the pinnacle of civil officials in the realm. If this incident could not be explained clearly, the blame would fall upon him, the Emperor!
Cai Jing was already over seventy years old and was still managing state affairs. No matter what flaws he might have had, if this accusation were to be pinned on the Emperor, Zhao Ji would truly be known as a tyrant like Jie or Zhou!
Although he knew in his heart that his reputation would not be good after his death, there had never been an instance of "killing the donkey after it had served its purpose" since the founding of Song.
Even in the early days of the dynasty, those generals who held immense military power ultimately relinquished their authority through a toast of wine!
Even the Chai family was living well at this time, weren't they?
With trembling hands, Zhao Ji took the memorial from Gao Qiu and quickly scanned it. His expression grew increasingly grim.
"Absurd! Absurd!"
Zhao Ji exclaimed, kicking a nearby table with great force.
However, in his agitated state, he had forgotten that this was no ordinary table!
This was a birthday gift from Zhao Kai. The entire table was cast from pure gold. When it was moved here, sixteen strong men were selected from the army to barely manage to transport it.
With his body already weakened by wine and women, how could he possibly move this table with a single kick?
As soon as he kicked it, the table remained unmoved, but he himself hopped on one foot, clutching it.
"Your Majesty, are you alright, Your Majesty!"
Seeing the pain on Zhao Ji's face, Gao Qiu quickly stepped forward to help the Emperor sit down and knelt to remove his boot. However, as soon as the boot was off, he saw that the toenail on Zhao Ji's left big toe had been completely torn off!
"Summon the imperial physician at once!"
In his panic, Gao Qiu shouted.
"What imperial physician! All of you, get out! Get out!"
The eunuchs who had just entered were immediately scolded out by Zhao Ji.
Seeing his face as black as the bottom of a pot, Gao Qiu quickly prostrated himself on the ground. Although he knew this memorial was of great significance, he had not expected it to anger Zhao Ji to this extent.
"I ask you, who else has seen this memorial? Where is the person who delivered it? How many people in the Cai family know about this?"
After taking several deep breaths, Zhao Ji finally regained his composure and asked Gao Qiu with murderous intent.
"This..."