Han Shizu

Chapter 1093 Bad mood Emperor Liu

The Long Live Hall is still the same as before, restrained and solemn, and the mighty Ouchi guards are still standing around the hall like sculptures, but the waiting palace people seem to be more careful, and even the patrolling guards who pass by deliberately slow down. Reduce the movement, the atmosphere is obviously wrong.

For a long time, Emperor Liu delegated state affairs to the prime ministers. Wei Renpu took the lead and was responsible for the implementation of various measures of the Kaibao New Deal, while he himself retired behind the scenes to cultivate his moral character.At the same time, he silently observed the operation of the empire. This time, it was probably the most free and easy time for Emperor Liu.

As a result, the frequency of Emperor Liu's visits to the Chongzheng Hall was greatly reduced compared to before. If something happened, the ministers would take the initiative to report to the Long Live Hall.In addition, the minister in charge of Chongzheng Hall affairs has now become Shi Xizai. Lu Yin died because of his mother, and Ding You went. Lu Yin went to fulfill his filial piety.

It was the end of the year and winter, and outside the hall dotted with frost, Shi Xizai, who had been promoted to a scholar of the Chongzheng Palace, walked slowly along the obviously cleaned corridor, holding a stack of memorials in his hand as usual.

As the top leader of the Chongzheng Palace, his life has not been easy these past few months, mainly because he is not used to it.Once upon a time, the Chongzheng Hall stood side by side with the Guangzheng Hall. Although it cannot be compared in terms of real power, its actual influence is not weak at all. After all, it is a secretarial institution that assists the emperor in handling affairs.

From Zhao Wei to Zhao Pu, they are all humble and powerful representatives. When Wang Pu was a scholar of Chongzhengdian, he was even able to overwhelm the head of Zhengshitang. The name of "hidden phase".

However, when Lu Yin temporarily left the imperial palace because of his mother's funeral, and Shi Xizai came to power, he found that the emperor had started to live in the Long Live Hall and ran away to the Chongzheng Hall.Although the time was not long and there was no special expression, Shi Xizai felt an inexplicable pressure.

Facts have proved that the power and influence of the Chongzheng Palace ultimately depend on the emperor's attitude. If the emperor doesn't pay attention to it, it may be no different from other palaces in the palace. At most, it has raised some consultants and talents.

Similarly, the powers of the prime ministers in the Zhengshitang are similar. Needless to say, Wei Renpu’s status is more representative. Wang Pu and Lei Dexiang are more representative. It is because of Emperor Liu’s emphasis. However, the Minister of the Ministry can dominate the three divisions in all aspects, and he is an important member who presides over the policy of opening treasures.

Of course, Emperor Liu still attached great importance to the Chongzheng Hall, and some official documents from the Zhengshitang would still be reported to the Chongzheng Hall, and he himself would check it out from time to time, read the memorials, and listen to reports.It's just that compared with before, everything has been done in his hands, and now all ministers of important affairs can directly report to the Long Live Hall. The difference between before and after is still relatively large for the people in the Chongzheng Hall.

That is to say, Shi Xizai's tolerance is large, and he doesn't have too much ambition for power. He is still safe, but he is only slightly influenced by other colleagues.

Outside the Long Live Hall, I accidentally ran into a man in his fifties, Hu Meng, the servant of the household department.He was a Jinshi in the late Jin Dynasty. He was a local official close to the people and was famous for his literary talent. He was an uncle and brother of the "pen" Hu Zai who died young in the same year as Emperor Liu. He also served as a member of Zhongshushe and was in charge for a period patent-making work.

But at this time, the old minister seemed to be out of his mind, standing outside the hall, looking around from time to time, and seemed hesitant to ask for an audience several times.Shi Xizai came forward to say hello, and asked, "Since the minister has arrived at the bedroom, why is he hesitating?"

Looking at Shi Xizai, Hu Meng's vicissitudes of the old face showed a look of unnaturalness, and he replied bitterly: "I just want to apologize to His Majesty!"

Hearing this, Shi Xizai finally came to his senses.The matter is not complicated, but Hu Meng recognized a servant among his servants, named Hu Jiyuan, and this servant committed a crime, and the crime was not minor, stealing and selling official salt, seeking personal gain, and was imprisoned.

Salt interest can be a major source of the imperial court's financial revenue, and the control is strict, especially against the salt lords. The formulation of the salt law has been much gentler than in the early years, but some red lines will be killed if they touch it.And that Hu Jiyuan actually started the business of stealing and selling official salt, the imminent end can be imagined, and as his backer, Hu Meng, the servant of the household department, how can he not be frightened.

Normally, this kind of case does not need Emperor Liu to intervene in person, but because of Hu Meng's identity, it still reached his ears.However, with regard to this matter, only the Secretary dealt with it according to law, but did not say anything about Hu Meng.However, Hu Meng himself couldn't sit still. During this period of time, he was unwilling to eat, couldn't sleep at night, and was very anxious.

Looking at Hu Meng, looking pitiful, Shi Xizai has always advocated observance of etiquette and law, so he naturally dislikes his servant's behavior.But seeing his appearance, he sighed softly and reminded: "Your Majesty should know that His Majesty is in a bad mood recently!"

There was a flash of hesitation on his face, and he finally sighed: "You should pay homage to Your Majesty!"

The reason why Emperor Liu is in a bad mood recently is of course not because of Hu Jiyuan, a little unknown person, but because Gao Fang, the Governor of Kaifeng, died of illness not long ago and died in office.

This matter made Emperor Liu feel very sad, so that he was in a bad mood.To say that there are quite a few ministers who have passed away in recent years, Emperor Liu should have gotten used to it, and it is true, but those who died in the early years were old ministers, but in the past two years, they have been ashamed, old, and meritorious, no matter how hard-hearted Like iron, it is inevitable to feel regret and regret.

At the same time, it also made Emperor Liu feel a little more emotional and understand that many of the generals who followed him to conquer the world and establish their foundations have now become veterans, and there is nothing they can do about it.

From Ma Quanyi to Wang Pu, to today's Gaofang, in the past two years, old friends have withered one after another, and will continue.

Among the 24 heroes, Murong Yanzhao, Li Gu, and Wang Jing are all recuperating from illness. Murong Yanzhao's long-term chronic illness cannot be cured, and his health has not improved.Li Gu's wind paralysis also worsened after the Pingnan battle, that is to say, he became famous and recuperated, so he did not continue to deteriorate.As for Wang Jing, this man is really old, and Xi Tuo seems to have exhausted his vitality.
It was precisely because of these thoughts that this winter, Emperor Liu felt inexplicably depressed, and everyone around him served him cautiously. Fortunately, Emperor Liu has always been relatively restrained, otherwise, he might have blamed others for his emotions.

In the hall, Emperor Liu was reading a book, so naturally he also received Hu Meng and Shi Xizai.Hu Meng was a little at a loss. Seeing Emperor Liu bow down directly, he spoke agitatedly and explained why he came.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu seemed very calm in his reaction. He sized up the old minister's eyes, turned his eyes away and asked Shi Xizai: "How is the investigation of Hu Jiyuan's case going? Is there any result?"

Shi Xizai replied: "After being examined by the Ministry of Criminal Justice and reviewed by Dali, they have already been sentenced to death. The last batch of winter executions this year will be abandoned in Nanshi!"

Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou looked at Hu Meng, smiled lightly and said, "Since the case has been concluded, what is the purpose of Hu Qing coming here to plead guilty?"

Hearing what the emperor said, Hu Meng said: "It's always because the criminal officials didn't know who they were before, and then they didn't discipline them effectively, so that such crimes occurred below the door, violating the national law, and the criminal officials thought about it.

"I don't intend to question my father's guilt for breaking the law. What do you mean by your behavior?" Liu Chengyou's smile faded.

Hu Meng kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty's heart is like a sea, and you forgive me for my mistakes. However, I am not at ease. I don't think about it now. I only hope that Your Majesty will ask the crime to redeem this mistake!"

"Heh!" After listening to his words, Emperor Liu understood that he wanted to seek peace of mind.

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou patted the case with little force, but the sound made Hu Meng shudder.Emperor Liu said in a tone of impatience: "You ministers usually advise me not to get involved, why, when it's your turn, you can't feel at ease?"

These words were a little harsh and serious. Looking at Hu Meng who was a little shocked, Emperor Liu waved his hand, and his demeanor regained his composure, and said indifferently: "You should go back to the Ministry of Accounts to run errands, if it delays your official duties , Neglect state affairs, then I really want to ask the crime!"

Seeing what the emperor said, Hu Meng fell down safely with his heart hanging high, and hurriedly kowtowed, and said in a grateful tone: "Yes! Your Majesty is tolerant, thank you!"

After Hu Meng stepped down, Shi Xizai directly expressed a different view on the treatment of Emperor Liu. He felt that Hu Meng should be punished together for questioning the crime. , Hu Meng's status as the servant of the household department also gave him confidence.

Regarding his words, Emperor Liu also showed a little hesitation, because he also had an ambivalence.If Hu Meng is not dealt with, does it mean that he is indulging the powerful children? After all, according to this standard, as long as he does not violate the death penalty, things can be done. After all, the emperor is tolerant and wise, and will not implicate his elders.
Therefore, Emperor Liu regretted it a little, but if he had already promised to go out, it was not easy to change it.At the same time, I also reminded myself that something like this should be implicated and punished, otherwise I am afraid that the whole party will not take it as a warning.

In the aftermath of this incident, Hu Meng was still exempted from office and questioned, but it was not because his son committed a crime, but after the incident, Hu Meng secretly found Li Ye, the uncle in charge of the Ministry of Punishment, hoping to be accommodating and intending to do favoritism. In order to cover up the facts, the matter was exposed.

After understanding, Emperor Liu was very disgusted with Hu Meng's behavior in front of Emperor Liu. Originally, it was only a matter of demotion, but it was directly upgraded to dismissal, abolished as a commoner, kicked out of the court, and almost sent to prison and exiled.

(End of this chapter)