Han Shizu

Chapter 670
With the return of the investigation envoy Sun Fang, the wind in Yangzhou officially landed in Tokyo.With him returning to the north, there were nearly [-] criminals from the Huaidong Transshipment Department and the Procuratorate Division, with a large number of criminal charges, confessions and witnesses.As for Shen Yu, the servant of the Ministry of punishment, he was left in Yangzhou and temporarily acted as the transport secretary.

After the Yangzhou criminals came to Beijing, Liu Chengyou immediately ordered Prime Minister Fan Zhi to preside over the interrogation, and together with the three judicial departments, they were interrogated one by one.Under the strict urging of the emperor and Fan Zhi's full responsibility, the judgment was quickly implemented.

Fan Quality has always regarded himself as honest and upright, so he has a deep aversion to corruption. In addition, he has always been clear about the law and has no mercy. He is consistent with the emperor in combating corruption.

And Sun Fang's preparations in terms of criminal evidence were indeed sufficient, and there was no room for the criminals to shirk their guilt or get away with it.However, within three days, all the criminals were cleared, and all the criminals pleaded guilty one after another.

However, this was just the beginning. From Zhao Feng, the first offender, many courtiers and bureaucrats were bitten out, from Liubu member Wailang to Siqing doctor, there were more than ten Beijing officials, big and small.With the emperor setting the tone of "deep digging and severe punishment", Fan Zhi did not dare to neglect, and immediately started to investigate.

However, Fan Zhi is not someone who is easily fooled. In order to prevent Zhao Feng from making false accusations at will, Fan Zhi conducted rigorous and detailed investigation and evidence collection on his confession.Facts have proved that Zhao Feng really has malicious intentions and wants to drag others down to be buried with him.

Some people just had contacts with him, these Zhao Feng's words were very vague, they couldn't stand scrutiny at all, and were easily identified by Fan Zhi.And some people do have interests with it.

"Wen Su, is the trial over?" In the Political Affairs Hall, Prime Minister Li Tao looked up at Fan Zhi who was slowly walking in, and asked as he put down his pen.

In Fan Zhi's description, there is a clear look of fatigue, the wrinkles on his face have deepened, and the bags under his eyes are also very heavy.In the past few days, he has been working on the case day and night, forgetting to sleep and eat.

Wen asked, Fan Zhi nodded, sighed heavily, and said: "If this chapter is submitted to His Majesty, there will be a turmoil in the Tokyo court!"

"You two gentlemen!" The bureaucrats in the hall offered two cups of prepared tea.

Gently waving his hand to make him retreat, Li Tao noticed the memorial in Fan Zhi's hand, frowned and said: "It seems that many people have indeed been implicated!"

Fan Zhi took a sip of tea and sighed: "What I'm worried about now is that this matter will continue to expand! Huaidong has already begun to investigate the case of water transportation, and I'm afraid it will inevitably lead to turmoil.

I also deeply hate corrupt officials. Wang Wenbo's original intention and idea of ​​reforming the administration of officials is good, but doing so is not conducive to the peace of the upper and lower levels, and the operation of government affairs. How can the people treat the government?

Wang Wenbo's temperament is such that he is vigorous and determined to innovate, which is not unexpected and understandable.On the other hand, Zheng Rixin, who has always been serious and cautious, has followed Wang Wenbo anyway.

Seeing what His Majesty means, he also wants to investigate other provinces, prefectures and counties in the world regarding the Yangzhou water transportation case.Once it spreads, the impact of this matter will not be limited to Huaidong and Tokyo. The whole country will be in turmoil at that time. A little carelessness may shake the foundation of the country.

Does the reform of official administration happen overnight? Legislation and law enforcement are fundamental.”

Looking at Fan Zhi's cautious expression, Li Tao's expression is also a little serious.He is also a person who does not want to make big moves. He likes to plan slowly and make progress steadily.

In fact, the gang of corrupt officials headed by Zhao Feng this time, including stealing and selling official food, made a profit of only a few hundred thousand dollars.Although it was a huge sum of money, it would not be an exaggeration to say how much it was. After all, those people split up the spoils and managed them all at once.

Back then, when Ye Renlu, governor of Laizhou, was in power, he confiscated thousands of coins and [-] pieces of silk by himself.In view of the past, the emperor was so serious about this case, in the eyes of many officials, it was a bit of a fuss.

Ministers like Li Tao and Fan Zhi, although not so superficial, do not agree to blindly expand and deal with it.Governing a big country is like cooking small fish. As important ministers who govern the world, they are more willing to seek stability.

"I understand your concerns!" After thinking for a while, Li Tao said, "However, you are not ignorant of His Majesty's temperament. If he makes up his mind, we may not be able to dissuade him!"

"I can't persuade you, but I have to persuade you!" Fan Zhi looked solemn, pondered for a while, and said, "Your Majesty is not the one who doesn't listen to people's words. For the stability of the country, he will think more about it. Besides, it is now It's Jichun, if your majesty wants to use troops in Jinghu, there should be no big wars in the country.

This time, severely punishing Zhao Feng and others is enough to warn the world, so that the internal and external officials should be vigilant and dare not act recklessly! "

"When are you going to Chongzheng Palace?" Li Tao asked with a slight nod.

"Let's go now, His Majesty, I'm afraid I'll just wait for my results!" Fan Zhi took a deep breath.

"I'll go with you, and I happen to have a few memorials that need to be delivered!" Li Tao thought for a while and said.

After all, the two left hand in hand.

Inside the Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou calmly read the case report submitted by Fan Zhi. Of course, it was just a briefing, and there was a thick pile of detailed files.

Fan Zhi under his command calmly reported: "In this case, a total of 27 officials were involved, including 13 from the Huaidong Transshipment Department, 5 from the Procuratorate, and 9 officials from Beijing! The property involved is worth about [-] cord!"

"Beijing officials, who are involved?" Liu Chengyou asked casually as he looked back.

"Wailang Li Zhishang, member of the Ministry of Criminal Justice!" Fan Zhi said.

"Li Zhishang" Liu Chengyou glanced at Li Zhishang, looked at the description of his crimes, and immediately sneered: "The name is good and meaningful, but I see that he knows neither damage nor death!"

"There's another capital censor, Nie Wenjin!" Fan Zhi said again.

Nie Wenjin was an old official of the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he served as the Privy Council.At that time, it was the first time that Liu Chengyou took action against the old heroes of the former dynasty, including Guo Yunming who took the life of "Emperor Yin of Han" in the official history.

Later, he had political achievements and was the founding minister of the country. Gaozu was old, so he was able to return to Beijing after the examination and served as the deputy capital censor in the newly established Metropolitan Procuratorate.

This time, Fan Zhi heard the name again, and he was still among the criminals.Liu Chengyou immediately became angry, and said with a smirk: "This Nie Wenjin, I still remember that when I demoted him to Guanzhong, I reminded him specially! How long has it been in the court? He really won't change after repeated admonitions!"

Looking at the other officials involved, he frowned deeply, raised his eyes and asked, "Have all the officials involved in the case pleaded guilty?"

Fan Zhi said: "Return to Your Majesty! Zhao Fengpan bit more than a dozen people, and the ministers checked and verified that those who have real evidence, only these few people, there is no excuse, and they all pleaded guilty!"

"Also." Unusual, Fan Zhi showed a trace of hesitation.

"Say!" This attitude immediately aroused Liu Chengyou's curiosity.

"Zhao Feng also mentioned Li Hongxin, Duke of the Yu Kingdom!" Fan Zhi said, "After investigation by the minister, the Duke of Yu and Zhao Feng did indeed have contacts, but there is no actual evidence of whether there is any transfer of benefits, that's why."

"Since there is no evidence, there is no need to say more!" Liu Chengyou interrupted Fan Zhi forcefully.Putting down the memorial, he pondered for a while, looked up at Li and Fan, and asked, "This case, so far, is considered to have a conclusion. I don't know what Erqing thinks, how to deal with the aftermath?"

Subconsciously looking at each other, Fan Zhi replied in the air, "All officials who committed crimes will be dealt with according to the law. If they should be punished, I will write it down in this chapter. Your Majesty, please review it."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou picked up Fan Zhi's playbook again, scanned it a little, picked up the ink pen, and made a sketch with three strokes, five strokes, five strokes, and two strokes. With careless movements, dozens of internal and external officials were settled.In his mouth, he said: "Fan Qing's punishment is naturally fair and just. All criminals will be treated accordingly without changing a single word!"

"Yes!" Fan Zhi replied.

Li Tao also stood up and said: "Your Majesty, after this case, the vacancies of internal and external officials suddenly arose, especially the Huaidong Transshipment Department, which almost affected the handling of official affairs and the transfer of finances and taxes. We should quickly select officials to fill them. , Those who have made meritorious service in handling this case should also be rewarded for their work!"

"What's Li Qing's opinion?"

Li Tao said: "The Huaidong Transshipment Department, the minister thought that Shen Yu could succeed him; Sun Fang, the censor, was able to handle things well and lived up to his mission, so he could succeed Nie Wenjin as the deputy capital censor; To avoid power, and to be murdered because of state affairs, the family should be well-off; as for Fan Xiang"

"Your Majesty, the ministers are doing their own duties. The imperial court has failed to detect such dirty officials before, let alone neglecting their responsibility. I really dare not take credit for it!" Hearing Li Tao mentioning himself, Fan Zhi said decisively.

(End of this chapter)