The Great Yin initially adopted the preceding dynasty's system. To facilitate anonymous reporting to the emperor, official matters were written on memorials, regardless of size or format, serving as a form of denunciation document.
Later, the ancestors expanded the use of memorials. All officials could submit secret memorials for "confidential matters" or "urgent reports." In subsequent periods of political chaos, when power was monopolized by ministers, they began to fill memorials with trivial matters to keep the emperor occupied with annotations.
These were even categorized: memorials for reporting matters, memorials for paying respects, memorials for expressing gratitude, and congratulatory memorials.
During the Changwu era, Emperor Changwu twice, in the 29th and 33rd years of Changwu, forcefully abolished the memorials for gratitude and congratulatory memorials. Since then, only those for reporting matters and paying respects remained in use.
When Situ Yan grew tired of writing them, he once asked Emperor Changwu why the memorials for paying respects were not also abolished.
Emperor Changwu replied, "Nothing can be achieved overnight. I am old and too lazy to stir things up further, so I will leave it to you."
Lu Nianfu listened carefully to the history of the memorial's evolution and asked, "Don't you want to abolish the memorials for paying respects?"
"I dream of it every day. Aren't we progressing step by step?"
"I initially thought you preferred the 'new official's three fires' approach." Since when did her husband become so patient? When he took over the Dali Temple, he was far from this mild-mannered.
Situ Yan said, "One move can affect the whole body. My father repeatedly instructed me before leaving for the imperial villa to plan thoroughly before acting. Ultimately, the matter of the memorials for paying respects is minor, but for those who wish to seize upon me and make a fuss, they could inflate it to be more significant than the ancestral enterprise."
Lu Nianfu was taken aback. "Are you referring to the former crown prince?"
Situ Yan did not hide it from her. "He visited Prince Yong's mansion yesterday."
"Fourth Brother?"
"Yes, Fourth Brother controls the Ministry of War, holding military power. He likely wants to rely on Fourth Brother to make a comeback."
"Is he insane? Setting aside the animosity between the Empress Dowager and Concubine Hui, and even considering Fourth Brother's scar, on what basis does the former crown prince believe Fourth Brother would help him?"
Situ Yan shrugged. "He's exhausted all his tricks. I don't mind him causing a bit of a stir. However, my father has already sent away Situ Jue, and sending away another might be too much for him to bear."
Lu Nianfu, considering Emperor Changwu's health, nodded in agreement.
"So, we will just watch Second Brother stir up trouble like this?"
"Hmph, tomorrow I will find an excuse to deal with his people."
If he couldn't touch the former crown prince, he could still deal with his lackeys. "Wife, tell me, I have already ascended the throne, what else does he have to fuss about?"
"He is simply unwilling to accept it."
The next day, at the morning court, Situ Yan issued a decree requiring memorials for paying respects to be separated from those for reporting matters, then transferred the handling of memorials for paying respects to the Grand Secretariat, and instructed Grand Academician Cao to compile a report for him.
Grand Academician Cao stiffened. The Emperor's vindictiveness seemed too strong.
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. Although this was a very small stone, the stubborn old officials naturally could not agree.
"The Emperor is already of an age to govern independently; how can such an important matter as memorials be entrusted to the Grand Secretariat?"
Situ Yan immediately had Li Wang bring a bamboo basket, turned it upside down, and with a clatter, hundreds of memorials scattered on the floor. He pointed to the pile and said, "Yesterday alone, we received so many memorials for paying respects. All day, I have done nothing but read these things. Are you all responsible for the affairs of state?"
In reality, it was the end of the year, and the number of people paying respects to the emperor had suddenly increased. It was not usually this many.
Naturally, no one dared to take responsibility.
However, the hundred officials were also dissatisfied. The Emperor's words were too direct and impolite. Compared to the refined and gentle Emperor Emeritus, his style was entirely different, often leaving them speechless with a single sentence.
Were they still allowed to offer sincere advice?
Crown Prince Jue seized the opportunity to stir up trouble, accusing Situ Yan of delegating his duties to the Grand Secretariat.
Some even boldly speculated whether the Emperor had some hidden ailment, causing him to rush to lighten his burden barely a month after his enthronement.
They even insinuated that his refusal to select consorts yesterday was for a reason.
Indeed, these people were formidable.
Of course, there were still many who defended Situ Yan. Cheng Beiyu jumped out before Ouyang Wen, quoting classics and beginning to argue with that group. Due to the severe decline of the Crown Prince's faction, they were ultimately defeated.
Situ Yan, in a good mood, noted down the names of these individuals and then instructed his secret guards to investigate the people on the list.
How many officials could withstand scrutiny? Moreover, these people had allied themselves with the former crown prince, believing their backing was strong enough, and acted with utter disregard for the law. Within three days, Meng Changdong received a pile of evidence, and thirteen officials in the court were immediately imprisoned.
Eight of them were disciples of Fu Lingyun.
The former crown prince was bewildered, and Fu Lingyun was dumbfounded. That night, the Duke of Cao's mansion received a stream of guests, precisely the families of those eight disciples.
Since they had all followed you, and now they are imprisoned, you naturally must help.
But Fu Lingyun no longer possessed such great power.
His era of ruling the feudal lords by controlling the emperor had long passed. After Situ Yan's enthronement, he had lived with his tail between his legs.
The New Year was approaching, but Situ Yan had no intention of letting them have a peaceful one. After the Dali Temple investigated their crimes, he decreed a ruthless punishment, and the thirteen ringleaders were beheaded in the marketplace before the year's end.
Even their families were implicated to varying degrees.
Four households had their property confiscated.