Water Margin people

Chapter 1686: Responsibility
"You want a severe sentence?"

Sun Lei said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the sentence must be severe. We have gathered together to rebel against the Song Dynasty in order to restore peace to the world. If it is not stopped, it will spread and threaten the foundation of our Qi State."

Xiao Jiasui also spoke at this time. He also understood that this was a play to strike a blow against the officialdom and also the first lesson for the officialdom of Qi State.

After Xiao Jiasui spoke up, and with Lu Zhishen's words, the leaders of both the civil and military sides had expressed their attitudes. Who dared to speak anymore?
"Everyone, get up! Sit down!"

Sun Lei looked at the officials and spoke.

Everyone stood up and sat down with trepidation.

"That's the thing. If you say it's a big thing, it's not that big! If you say it's a small thing, it's also very small! It's nothing more than a matter of paying money and apologizing!"

"Prime Minister Wen is naturally unaware of this. Last year, I personally led the army to war, and Prime Minister Wen was the regent. He was working in a side hall outside for more than half a year without taking off his clothes. He didn't even go home a few times. How could he know these things?"

"As for Xiaoer, he naturally doesn't know. The three brothers have been sailing on the sea for most of these years. Last year, they led the navy to defeat the Arabs. Xiaowu and Xiaoqi are still overseas. How could they know what the young people in the village are doing?"

Sun Lei looked at everyone and said with a smile.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The emperor's words meant that he was not going to pursue Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer, which was the same as their purpose.

"But I am very disappointed with your performance, especially those local officials. Why haven't you dealt with these issues? I have repeatedly warned against arranged marriages, but it has not been implemented yet?"

"In addition, there is Shijie Village. They accept money from merchants, so you can provide them with conveniences. Of course, it is all within the scope of the law. Then may I ask what I want you to do? Collusion between officials and the people, changing the path, and accepting bribes? These conveniences are what you should actively provide."

Sun Lei looked at those officials and yelled angrily. What he was most dissatisfied with were those officials who deceived their superiors and concealed the truth from their subordinates. This kind of atmosphere was most unacceptable.

"I am guilty!"

The officials did not expect that the fire would burn themselves, and they immediately apologized.

"You are guilty, so you will all be fined for half a year! This will teach you a lesson!"

Sun Lei looked at the officials and said that the salaries of officials in Qi State were very high. Sun Lei's purpose was very clear. Officials could not embezzle money just because their family was in financial difficulties. If they did embezzle money under such circumstances, it would be an unforgivable crime.

Upon hearing about the half-year salary, the officials were devastated. Half-year salary was not a small amount of money for them. If they did not engage in corruption, they would have a tight life in the future.

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated, the people involved must be dealt with, and similar matters must also be thoroughly investigated."

Sun Lei looked at the officials and spoke again.

"As for Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer, although you were not aware of this, you are also responsible for negligence. You two will be fined one year's salary, demoted one level, and appointed to act as the original government affairs. You will also take the lead in investigating this matter."

Sun Lei looked at Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer again.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The two men bowed and accepted the order.

The matter was over, and no one reported any more government affairs, so the court meeting ended.

The officials stood up, saluted and left, but Lu Zhishen and others stayed.

"Mr. Wen, Xiaoer, don't take it to heart, right?"

Sun Lei asked while looking at Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer with a smile.

"Your Majesty, that's not true. We have committed such a crime, but Your Majesty has given us a light punishment. We are very grateful to Your Majesty."

Wen Huanzhang said that they were only fined one year's salary and demoted one level, which was already a very light punishment.

One year's salary was nothing to them. After the victory in this war, both of them received very generous rewards. As for being demoted by one rank, for ordinary people, it was a very serious punishment. When one reaches a certain position, it is extremely difficult to be demoted by half a rank.

But Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer had nothing to do with each other. The promotion or demotion of official positions was all decided by the emperor's words. Although they were demoted one level, they were still in charge of the original government affairs. This was equivalent to a verbal warning, and they would be reinstated after a while.

"It was a self-torture trick. I was afraid you would know about it in advance and the performance wouldn't be realistic enough, so I didn't tell you."

Sun Lei looked at Wen Huanzhang and Ruan Xiaoer and said.

"Your Majesty, I didn't expect the young people in the village to go astray. I am guilty!"

Ruan Xiaoer said guiltily that Shijie Village was not like this before.

"I've already said that the responsibility does not lie with you and Wen Xiang. How many days are you at home each year? How many days does Wen Xiang go home? You can't control these things, but if there is a problem, it must be pointed out. So I can only let you suffer a little this time, otherwise there will only be more problems in the future."

Sun Lei said with a smile that after today's incident, those who want to try to make friends through relationships will be more cautious, and officials can also clearly sever certain unclear relationships.

"Your Majesty is right. Once we deal with them severely this time, we won't have to worry about those relatives anymore, and they won't dare to cause trouble again."

Xiao Jiasui said with a smile that this was a great help to them.

"We must make the battle bigger this time."

Wen Huanzhang also understood the meaning. Light punishment and severe warning is the best way.

"There is another purpose for performing this drama today, which is to see whether the officials have the intention of corruption. After deducting half a year's salary, those who are used to spending lavishly will always be unwilling to accept it and will try to make up for it from somewhere."

Sun Lei looked at everyone and said.

"There are still people who dare to be greedy for money!"

Lu Zhishen frowned. He hated corrupt officials the most.

"When there are no corrupt officials, I will be unable to sleep at night. The whole court is full of honest officials. Just thinking about it makes me break out in a cold sweat!"

Sun Lei shook his head.

"Isn't it good to be an honest official?"

Lu Zhishen said dissatisfiedly.

"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Everyone is greedy. I never hate corrupt officials, but the money they embezzle must be commensurate with what they have done. A capable corrupt official can be tolerated, but incompetent corrupt officials and honest officials are a disaster."

Sun Lei explained that he wanted to test these officials by the way.

"Sir, you understand!"

Everyone saluted together.

"I'll leave the matter to you. I'll wait for good news!"

Sun Lei smiled.

After everyone left, Xiao Jiasui and Ruan Xiaoer went directly to the Liangshan government office.

The news of today's court meeting has spread. Prime Minister Wen Huanzhang and Navy Marshal Ruan Xiaoer were both demoted one level and fined one year's salary. The other officials involved were fined half a year's salary.

This was the biggest official shock since the establishment of Qi State. The tolerant emperor took drastic measures once he took action, even though the punishment was not severe.

But there were so many people involved, and 80% of the officials were punished. This shows the emperor's attitude. The eternal law that the law does not punish the masses no longer exists. This time the matter was small and only the salary was fined. But if the matter is serious next time, it is not impossible that they will all be sent to prison.

Officials no longer dared to harbor luck and began to think about how to serve as officials in the future. It seemed that following the crowd was no longer an option.