Han Shizu

Chapter 1562 Disputes in the court
"Master, Liu Xigu, the imperial censor of Zuodu, has been waiting for a long time!" Fang entered the slaughter hall, and Zhao Pu received a report from his subordinates.

Hearing this, Zhao Pu showed a look of anxiety on his face, and asked, "Where is the man?"

"Master Hui, serving tea in the side hall!"

"Quick, see you!"

Soon, Liu Xigu, the censor of Zuodu with silver hair and a twilight face, walked slowly into the hall. Seeing his old appearance, Zhao Pu was very enthusiastic, stepped forward to help him sit down, and kept pleading guilty : "It's my fault for making Mr. Liu wait so long!"

"Xiang Zhao's words are serious!" Liu Xi's ancient and clear face was full of indifference, and he responded with a light smile: "Zhao Xianggui is the respected prime minister, presides over the state affairs, and takes care of all kinds of opportunities every day. Is it because I wait for the ministers to see each other as soon as they say it?"

"Mr. Liu's words make me so ashamed!" Hearing this, Zhao Pu said, "It's fine if someone else has neglected Mr. Liu. If it spreads out, people will accuse me of disrespecting the veteran!"

Liu Xigu had a high reputation in the imperial court, no matter whether he was talented or virtuous, he couldn't be picky. His ancestor was Liu Rengui, a famous official in the Tang Dynasty. He had been an official for more than 20 years, and he never made any serious mistakes in making decisions.

What's more, the position is as high as the chancellor's, dignified and prosperous, but willing to live in poverty. This kind of quality is extremely rare in the environment where the atmosphere in the Han Dynasty is becoming more and more impetuous.

The year before last, because the attic where the couch was located was in disrepair for a long time, his family persuaded him to repair it so as not to fall into danger, but Liu Xigu sternly refused. He just moved out of the dilapidated building and found a shabby room to live in, contentedly.

Somehow, this matter got to the ears of Emperor Liu, so he ordered that the Shaofu pay for it, and ask Lu Mengzheng to help Liu Xigu renovate the attic.

In terms of poverty and simplicity, there are many important ministers in the court, such as Fan Zhi in his early years, and the late Minister of Rites Liu Wensou, especially Liu Wensou, who even returned the rewards of Emperor Liu for a clear reputation. figure.

As far as the current situation is concerned, Liu Xigu is obviously the head of the Qingliu in the court, especially a year ago, when Emperor Liu was transferred to Zuodu Censor and took charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he was even more worthy of the name of Qingliu.

Moreover, Liu Xigu was also retained by Emperor Liu. Originally, because of his old age and frailty, he resigned from office early, but Emperor Liu retained the letter of resignation, and talked to him personally, saying that It was necessary for a respected old man like him to continue to play a role, so he reluctantly agreed to continue to shine in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Veteran officials like Liu Xigu, who are over the ages, are indifferent to fame and fortune, can be strong without desire, and in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, let alone anyone who dares to offend him.

It was the same for Zhao Pu, such an old official could only offer sacrifices. Of course, the most important reason was that Liu Xigu did not pose a threat to his status. After all, he was at the end of his political career and could retire at any time.

After exchanging a few words of pleasantries, Zhao Pu took the initiative to ask, "I don't know why, Mr. Liu, please come here in person?"

Speaking of this, Liu Xigu no longer relied on the old to sell the old, his expression became serious, and his tone became a little more solemn. He took out a memorial from the sleeve of his robe, handed it to Zhao Pu, and said: "There is a report in the Huaidong Supervisory History. Minister Zhao, please have a look at the impeachment chapter. According to the memorial, Hou Zhi, the magistrate of Yangzhou, is suspected of serious corruption!"

"Huh?" Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately became interested, quickly flipped through the impeachment chapter, and asked casually, "What exactly is involved?"

Liu Xi said in an ancient way: "What the supervisory censor obtained was reported by the officials of the salt supervisor under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou Prefecture, saying that Hou Zhi colluded with the local salt merchants and accepted bribes for personal gain rather than convenience."

Zhao Pu read the impeachment chapter carefully, put it down gently, looked up at Liu Xigu, thought for a while, and then said: "These are just one-sided words, the language is vague, and the only thing worth paying attention to is probably the one who made the accusation. Salt official, the question is, is there any evidence? If there is no evidence, then it is just rumors!"

"That's why the old man came here in person to listen to Zhao Xiang's opinion!" Liu Xi said in a drawn-out tone in his ancient and old voice, without any haste.

"Grand Liu is throwing the problem to me!" Zhao Pu said with a slight smile.

Liu Xigu said: "The duty of the Metropolitan Procuratorate is to supervise and supervise. The Yangzhou Supervision Censor has already done his duty by reporting this matter. Regarding this matter, how the imperial court responds is beyond the discretion of veteran officials.

The specific situation, how to make a conclusion, and whether there are other hidden secrets in it, in-depth investigation is a matter for the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Dali, and the Huaidong Procuratorate! "

"Mr. Liu's words are wrong!" Zhao Pu immediately shook his head, and said, "The Metropolitan Procuratorate ranks among the three jurisprudence divisions, and Mr. Liu is a good minister who enforces the law impartially. Thinking about this matter, you should have some ideas! Otherwise, why bother to go to the court in person ?”

Hearing what Zhao Pu said, meeting his eyes, Liu Xigu thought for a while, and then said: "The old man thinks that there must be a reason for the groundless rumors. Yangzhou is a place of heavy taxation by the imperial court, and Yangzhou's salt tax accounts for [-]% of the world's salt profits. , if there are indeed fraudulent cases, then the imperial court must rectify them to avoid greater losses; if this is not the case, then we should also find out the facts and return the Yangzhou government's innocence!"

"Mr. Liu, you are being honest and straightforward!" Zhao Pu gave a small compliment.

Regarding this, Liu Xigu remained indifferent, and returned to his old ways, saying: "It's just a brief discussion of opinions, how to deal with this matter is up to the officials of the Political Affairs Hall to decide!"

"Hou Zhi, you have always been known as a clean and honest man. I have doubts in my heart when he has been so depraved and caused such a scandal in less than a year since he took office!" Zhao Pu's tone was full of emotion, and it seemed to be a pity.

Hearing his sigh, Liu Xigu took a deep look at Zhao Pu and didn't say much.

"In this way, regarding this report, we will hold a discussion later, and let the princes and the three legal departments discuss it together. Since the Metropolitan Procuratorate was the first to notice it, I invite Mr. Liu to attend the meeting and express our opinions at that time!" Zhao Pu looked at Liu. Xi ancient road.

Liu Xigu frowned slightly, but still did not refuse, but said softly: "It should be!"

"As for Yangzhou's supervisory censor, the files on this case and the salt official who made the report need to be properly protected. This is extremely important evidence!" Zhao Pu said again.

"Master Zhao, please don't worry, I am a subordinate of the Procuratorate, and I dare not neglect the matter of my duties!" Liu Xigu said in a tone-deaf way.

Zhao Pu didn't care about the slight dissatisfaction in Liu Xi's ancient tone.

In fact, the focus of this case is not whether there are any problems in the Yangzhou salt affairs, or whether the magistrate Hou Zhi colluded with salt merchants and committed corruption.The key point is that Hou Zhisu has close contacts with the minister and Tongping Zhangshi Lu Duoxun, and this is the magistrate of Yangzhou who was also recommended by Lu Duoxun.

In the summer of the 12th year of Kaibao, Lu Duoxun finally came to the fore, and was promoted by Emperor Liu from the position of Chief Envoy of Liangzhe to Beijing to pay homage to Prime Minister.

By this year, the power center of the big man has taken on a new situation with the transfer of personnel.

Ji Guogong Xue Juzheng, who has worked in Jiannan Road for many years, was transferred to Beijing to replace Lv Yin, who was struggling with illness, as a cabinet scholar.The governor of Kaifeng was served by Lu Duan, the transfer envoy of Henan and Lu Yin's younger brother.

After Wang Pu was released to the Guangnan East Road, it was Wang Zhu, the southeast transshipment envoy who replaced him in managing the finances. A large number of local officials and officials were transferred to the center. The impact is huge.

It can even be said directly that it is to check and balance the power of Prime Minister Zhao Pu.Among them, Lu Duoxun was undoubtedly the one who showed the most signs of farewell to Zhao Pu. Within the imperial court, it was Lu Gong who carried the banner of "resisting Zhao".

Between Zhao and Lu, it is impossible to talk about the grievances from the beginning, but in the 13 years of Kaibao's Han Dynasty, the two are already incompatible.

Therefore, when it was learned from Liu Xigu that Hou Zhi might be involved in the crime, it would inevitably lead to a new round of court struggle.If this matter can be done, it will be a heavy blow to Lu Duoxun, who is increasingly domineering in Zhao Pu's eyes. Last year, when considering the position of Yangzhou prefect, Lu Duoxun strongly recommended it. It was less than a year before something went wrong. .

And even if things are found out and Hou Zhi is innocent, such a turmoil cannot be exploited.

After a short closed-door meeting in the Guangzheng Hall and the meeting hall, the central officials of the Han Dynasty dispersed one after another.

Among the prefectures in the world, Yangzhou can be ranked in the top ten. However, for the sake of a possible malpractice case of the magistrate of Yangzhou, the minister and the chief officials of the three law departments were called together to discuss, but it will inevitably give people a feeling of making a fuss over a molehill .

When Lu Duosun walked out of the meeting room, his expression was gloomy, with a little embarrassment. The other ministers didn't bother him, knowing that he was in a bad mood.

After discussions among the prime ministers, regarding the matter of Yangzhou, it was decided that the three jurisprudence divisions would transfer officials to Yangzhou, and together with Huaidong as the procurator, investigate the Yangzhou malpractice.

People haven't completely left the chamber, but the voice of Zhao Pu's confession to the three justices is still faintly heard.

Who is Lu Duoxun, how can he not feel the aggressive and targeted meaning, Lu Duoxun was a little complacent this year when he became prime minister, and Zhao Pu did not react too aggressively before.

However, once Zhao Pu seized the opportunity, it was menacing and showed his sharpness, which also made Ludoxun feel a lot of pressure.Judging from Zhao Pu's intentions, he did not want to investigate Hou Zhi, it was clearly to see if he, Lu, was also involved.

How to deal with it has also become a headache for Lu Duoxun. Of course, the most important thing is that he can't really involve himself in it, so that Zhao Pu can catch his sore foot and chase him hard...

(End of this chapter)