A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 564: Making a case and causing public outrage

During the New Year in Youzhou this year, the Governor's Office originally issued a lot of rewards and subsidies. Not only did the military officers and soldiers have a good year, but also the civil servants in Fuzhou and County also received a lot of benefits.
But with the arrival of Cui Dunli and his party, the civil servants, generals and subordinate staff in Youzhou began to be dissatisfied.

Resentment is growing.

"Governor, he's just picking on the bones in the egg, deliberately finding fault."

"That's right, there's no one like him. We fought for the imperial court through life and death, fighting in the wind and snow, bleeding and sweating. In the end, we didn't get rewards, but instead we faced all kinds of difficulties. Is this what the imperial court meant?"

"I heard that the surnamed Cui had a feud with the governor, and his uncle Cui Gan was demoted and seized the title because of this. Is this a public revenge?"

"I think the surname Cui just wants to take the opportunity to find trouble,"

Lantern Festival on the 15th of the first lunar month.

There is no lively lantern market in Youzhou, but Jinwu can’t help it. The fair is still going on, attracting many Hu merchants and mainland merchants to participate. If there is no stock, then order, and the samples of various merchants are almost lost.

It's just that compared with this fiery trade, Cui Dunli's verification work is a bit too much. They don't believe the various materials and reports prepared in advance by the Governor's Mansion, and various records and books. Check, and even find relevant personnel to verify,

Just verify it, it happens to be the same as interrogating a prisoner.

Obviously meritorious soldiers, but now they are being investigated like corrupt officials. It is almost as if they are suspected of falsely reporting military achievements and embezzling trophies.

Who suffers from this?

Even the Fanhu nobles who participated in the Battle of Yehuling, such as Keduzhe, Mohui, and Shetu, were impatient by Cui Dunli's repeated invitations to the hearing. They repeatedly asked Wu Huaiyu what was going on. .

Wu Huaiyu was very calm.

Cui Dunli did not have any personal holidays with him,
This guy doesn't believe in his victory at Yehuling, and insists on checking to find out the truth. Wu Huaiyu can understand that, anyway, he is not afraid of being crooked, but what this guy did was a little too much.

So many people also accepted the questioning, answered truthfully, and provided various materials, but he just didn't believe it.
"The piles of headless corpses and heads in Langwogou and Badgergou under Yehuling are still frozen under the ice and snow. Let him count them by himself, one by one. What's the point of asking non-stop?"

"That's right, let him count them. Even if the crows and wolves took some, it is impossible for them to take all the heads of tens of thousands of corpses."

"Calm down!"

Wu Huaiyu comforted the generals with a smile. Some of these generals now belong to the Governor’s Mansion of Youzhou, and some belong to the Governor’s Mansion of Andong. Basically, the Youzhou frontier army still belongs to the Governor’s Mansion, while the original battalion soldiers are assigned to the Governor’s Mansion. .

The Battle of Yehuling involved everyone's military achievements and honors, so naturally none of them was unconcerned. Now that Cui Dunli is doing this, everyone feels insulted and very angry.

"I'll ask Cui Shilang to talk to me tonight."

In the evening, on the grounds of celebrating the Lantern Festival, Wu Huaiyu invited a group of civil servants and military generals, as well as the chiefs and nobles of various tribes who were celebrating the New Year in Youzhou, as well as the famous local nobles, to the banquet together.

The atmosphere is pretty good.

Wu Huaiyu raised his glass, "Congratulations to the third year of Zhenguan!"

"Hey!"

After drinking, Wu Huaiyu asked Cui Dunli, "Cui Shilang, after half a month of inspection, I don't know the result?"

"It's still being verified," Cui Dunli said.

Wu Huaiyu smiled.

"Cui Shilang came here under the order of the court. We Youzhou soldiers can also understand that rewards and punishments must be fair and just, but rewards are not overdue and punishments are not transferred. The battle fought years ago was extremely difficult to win." Yes, although it is said that there must be a time process for the verification and issuance of meritorious service records,

However, there was no result for a long time to check the military merits. Many generals and soldiers even responded that they were questioned repeatedly. May I ask Cui Shilang why you are doing this?
I found something wrong, can you explain it directly, if nothing abnormal is found, why do you have to question and doubt repeatedly?
Are you really representing the imperial court?
Or is it that you, under the banner of the imperial court, are constantly questioning and questioning here, are you deliberately trying to chill the hearts of the soldiers, tarnish the name of the imperial court, and destroy the benevolence of the saints? "

Wu Huaiyu spoke louder and louder, and finally slapped the table directly, causing the wine and dishes to shake and spill.

Cui Dunli got up, "We are following the court system."

"Really? I am also from Chang'an. I have also participated in political affairs in the Political Affairs Hall. I have also served as ministers in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I have also stayed in the Yushitai. I am also familiar with the procedures of the imperial court, but there is no This is your method."

"I do everything on a business-like basis. When I encounter something suspicious, I naturally have to ask and check it repeatedly,"

"Okay, if there is anything suspicious, let's ask directly now. It happens that all the civil servants and generals of Youzhou are here, as well as the people from Sanfan. Let's ask together, and we will answer face to face."

As soon as Wu Huaiyu said that, all the civil and military officials in Youzhou glared at Cui Dunli, and the atmosphere became very tense.

Some of the entourage from the Ministry of War were also very nervous.

On the contrary, Pang Xiaotai also questioned Cui Dunli at this time, "Cui Shilang, don't you always feel that this is wrong and that is wrong? Now Mr. Wu asks you to ask in person, so you should ask quickly. If there is no problem, you can come to a conclusion and report it to the court as soon as possible. Don't delay." The officers and men were rewarded for their meritorious deeds,
Although I, Pang, am a barbarian from Lingnan, I also fight small battles, and what I hate the most is the kind of people who don’t go to the battlefield, but always suspect the schemes here and there behind their backs, "

Cui Dunli squinted at him,
"Okay, then I will ask the governor a few questions in person."

"Just ask."

"After the Battle of Yehuling, the Metropolitan Governor reported that more than [-] Turkic soldiers had been captured, and in the end all these captives were sold into slavery by the Metropolitan Governor, right?"

"That's right,"

"Excuse me, these captives have been dealt with so hastily, can you ask the court for instructions?"

"No, Wu has a special order from His Majesty, and this is within the authority of a certain person,"

"Ask again, how much silk did these captives sell at the auction?"

"Aren't there detailed records? A total of about 60 pieces were sold, including captured cattle, sheep, livestock, tents and other property, as well as some wounded horses. The captured intact horses were directly used for military use and were not sold. The use of the 60 yuan was also There are detailed account books and records. Do you have any questions about Cui Shilang?" Wu Huaiyu said.

Cui Dunli said bluntly, "These captives were captured and auctioned without consulting the imperial court, and the use of the money after the auction has not been used by the imperial court, right?"

"That's right, these are all within the authority granted by His Majesty to the governor. Although I didn't ask for instructions in advance, I reported them truthfully afterwards,"

Cui Dunli asked again, "I found out that after the war, the Governor's Mansion of Youzhou directly withdrew rewards and pensions from the soldiers without asking the court for instructions, especially if the pensions exceeded the court's regulations. Is that okay?"

"That's true."

Cui Dunli asked questions one by one, and Wu Huaiyu answered them one by one.

a long time.

Cui Dunli showed Wu Huaiyu the contents of the two people's face-to-face questions and answers, "Can the governor draw a mark on it?"

It was true that Wu Huaiyu had read the content, "Of course you can, but you have to make two more copies, one in triplicate, preferably four copies, one for you, one for me, one for the court, and one for the Youzhou Governor's Mansion. ,"

Cui Dunli looked at Wu Huaiyu, and Wu Huaiyu looked at him, and he was in no hurry to sign.

You copy four copies first, and you have to copy them yourself, and sign them together after copying, otherwise you will not sign.

"Okay, I'll write three more copies."

After he finished writing for a long time, Wu Huaiyu checked it again, and then checked it with several of his staff, and signed it after confirming that it was correct, and asked Cui Dunli to sign it.

"Well, is the investigation over?"

"Tomorrow I will take people to Yehu Ridge for field investigation on the battlefield,"

"Whatever you want, I will send a guide to take you there, and let Huaihuang town soldiers, Guangning army, etc. guard your safety, but remind Cui Shilang, the ice and snow have not yet melted, the enemy corpses in Yehuling Langwogou , I’m afraid they’re all frozen hard in the ice and snow, and you won’t be able to count them even if you go.”

"It's not a matter for the governor to worry about."

Pang Xiaotai said unhappily, "Cui Shilang, don't go too far, the soldiers in Youzhou have already cooperated so much, don't forget that we are going out of Beijing this time, besides coming to Youzhou to verify the results of the battle, the more important task is to go out Let the Turkic tribes go to meet Jieli Khan, don't forget the business."

The Lantern Festival dinner ended up a little unhappy.

Cui Dunli returned to the place where he stayed, and several military officials who followed him came to persuade him.

"Cui Shilang, the investigation is almost done, let's write a report to Chang'an, and hurry to the next stop."

"That's right, I left Beijing a year ago, and now it's the Lantern Festival, so I can't stay in Youzhou all the time."

"Those generals in Youzhou are like wolves and tigers. They look at us and want to eat us alive. If we stay any longer, I'm really worried that something will happen here."

"What accident?"

"For example, this hotel suddenly caught fire?"

"Or maybe the wind and snow suddenly collapsed?"

Although these officials from the Ministry of War are not of high rank, they are also old-timers of the Yamen. The atmosphere in Youzhou is very wrong now, and everyone looks at them with unkind eyes.

In fact, they couldn't figure out what Cui Shilang meant?
At first, they thought this guy was just showing off, then they thought he was trying to gain something, and later, they already thought he wanted to avenge his own personal revenge, but now, they thought Cui Shilang was stupid, how could he do such a thing? of,

This is not only a problem with Emperor Xinwu Shaobao, but also with tens of thousands of soldiers in Youzhou.

Even if they are officials from the Ministry of War, they would not dare to do this.

36 strategies, walking is the best policy.

"There are still many problems in Youzhou, and we have only seen the tip of the iceberg now," Cui Dunli said.

"What does the waiter mean?"

"You looked through so many files, files and account books, didn't you see any problems? Don't you only know what others show you?"

Cui Dunli knocked on the table, "Wu Huaiyu had already appeased the back of the mountain before the Yehuling battle, took over hundreds of villages, and tens of thousands of border people. Then he wiped out the three thousand families of Sogdian Hu in Northern Yanzhou, and captured Yu Yanshui. Sanbaili River Basin,

After that, he and King Xi directly forcibly took over a large river valley in the north of the mountain. Do you know how many of these lands are?

Wu Huaiyu plans to open three hundred villages, which is 150 million mu, not counting the land of Mintun, Shangtun and Guantun. From Yanzhou to Yingzhou, from Jizhou to Tanzhou, and then to Moyiyingcangping,
There is too much land involved, especially the states behind the mountains and the two states of Pingying, which involve millions of acres of land,"

Cui Dunli thinks there are big problems here. Now he has discovered some small problems. For example, Wu Huaiyu has used his position to get involved in these lands, either directly buying them, or using his business name to buy land for commercial settlements, and others. Many of my relatives and friends are also buying land here.

"A large amount of land can be bought at a price of [-] yuan per mu, and there are even cheaper ones."

A white-haired official, Wailang, couldn't help interrupting Cui Dunli, "Cui Shilang, our mission to Turkic, we passed through Youzhou on the way to verify the results of the Battle of Yehuling. These frontier fields have nothing to do with our mission, right? ?”

The other chief couldn't help but said, "Youzhou is located in the frontier, and the place where Yantan behind the mountain and Pingying in the east is sparsely populated. It is a good thing to reclaim wasteland and cultivate fields.
Even if they take advantage of their positions and buy some land by the way, that's normal. As long as they buy land, although there are some violations, it is not a serious crime. If they really want to be investigated, there is nothing wrong with it. Why should we bother with this nosy business? ? "

"Yeah, let's get down to business."

Cui Dunli looked at these subordinates, "Are you scared?"

The Yuanwailang are silent, they are really scared, they are doing such crazy things in other people's territory, do you think everyone is the same as you, Boling Cui, or a family member who has been in the customs for several generations, and is appreciated by today's saints? , to be honest, everyone wants to make some contributions when they come out after the Chinese New Year, and go back to add some qualifications. If you insist on making life difficult for Wu Huaiyu, everyone really doesn't want to get involved.

Immortals fight, they are just mortals.

"The water in Youzhou is very deep, I know, and I'm also very surprised that Wu Huaiyu not only managed to have a fierce relationship with the local aristocratic family in a short period of time in Youzhou, but he was even able to tame the people behind the mountain, and he was able to subdue Xi, Xi, and others. Khitan and others, he fought the battle at Yehu Ridge, and now it seems that he fought very well, but we can't ignore other issues just because of this."

"Since a certain came here on order, he has to live up to the saint. He has to investigate carefully, investigate carefully, and report all the problems found."

The officials lowered their heads and couldn't listen any more.

You are noble, you are amazing,

But everyone doesn't want to do this.

"Cui Shilang, it's almost over. Let's report all the things we found to the court truthfully, and let the court send special personnel to deal with it. Let's go to our errands and don't delay the business."

Cui Dunli looked at these people, "Pang Xiaotai claims to be Wu Huaiyu's lackey. He can be shameless without any scruples, but we are not Wu Huaiyu's lackeys. We are imperial officials and messengers of the emperor."

Several people remained silent and silently protested against the young Minister Cui.

You Zhongshusheren have just been promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of War, and you insist on working so hard. You really insist on bringing Wu Huaiyu down. Could it be that you want to become the governor of Youzhou by yourself?

"Didn't we take advantage of Wu Huaiyu?"

"Sir Mr. Cui, please don't accuse me wrongly. I have nothing to do with you."

"Never mind."

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(End of this chapter)