The ministers begged me to ascend the throne
Chapter 298
On the second day after the emperor reprimanded His Highness the Crown Prince, a major event happened early in the court.
A certain minister who supported the acting king asked the emperor to participate in the performance of Zhang Nan, the chief minister of agriculture, who was greedy for ink.As soon as he said this, there was an uproar in the court.
A certain minister listed Zhang Nan's crimes of embezzling ink in detail, and also gave strong evidence.
Zhang Nan, the chief minister of farming, hurriedly knelt down and complained to the emperor, saying that a certain minister deliberately framed him.
The other ministers who supported the prince ran against a certain minister one after another, saying that he spouted blood or something.
Naturally, the ministers who supported the acting king would not watch their companions being bullied by the prince's people. They scolded the prince's people for sophistry, and they often used their power to commit corruption and pervert the law.He also said that His Royal Highness, relying on his status as the crown prince, often covets ink and tribute in private.
Of course they would not let Duke Zhen go, saying that Duke Zhen used his status and his status as the uncle of His Royal Highness to often accept bribes.Not only that, but their family also amassed money everywhere and seized land, making the people miserable.He also said that the slaves of the Duke of Zhen's mansion bullied others.
The prince's people listened to the words of the acting king's words more and more, and said angrily that the acting king relied on his own status, not only corrupted and accepted bribes, but also bought and sold officials in the army.He also accused Dai Wang of recruiting soldiers in his fief and forging weapons in private.It is said that the acting king has ulterior motives and wants to do rebellious things.
The people on both sides refused to give in to each other, and all charges were placed on the other side, regardless of whether it was true or not.Then, they quarreled and scolded each other.
As a result, the person acting as the king and the prince once again quarreled in the court like shrews scolding the street.They were blushing from the quarrel, their necks were thick, they were spitting, and they rolled up their sleeves, with fierce expressions, as if they were about to fight in the next moment.
I dare not fight, after all, this is not Caishikou.
The ministers of both sides quarreled so fiercely that they completely forgot that they were in court now.
The emperor sat on the dragon chair, propped his face with his right hand, and looked at the quarreling ministers below with interest.
Sun Kui saw the scene of the ministers quarreling again, his expression was very speechless, and he frantically complained in his heart: Did these ministers forget that they are still in the morning court?Have they forgotten their identities?Did they think their lives were too long, and they quarreled again in front of the emperor.
It's fine for the ministers to quarrel, but why are His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang also arguing?
Originally, at the beginning, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang acted as if they had nothing to do with them.However, when they heard the other party's ministers slandering them in various ways, they couldn't help it, and began to taunt each other, and then quarreled without any accident.
Of course, they didn't quarrel as much as the ministers did, they just got angry with each other.
Zhen Guogong didn't intend to quarrel at first, but he was scolded by Xuan Pinghou pointing his nose, so he had to fight back.Then, he quarreled with Xuan Ping Hou.Don't look at Zhen Guogong's elegant appearance, but he is not elegant at all when he scolds others.
Xuan Ping Hou looks ruder than Zhen Guogong, but he can't scold Zhen Guogong.
He Xiang, Shen Hu and the others stood aside, watching His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang quarrel with relish.If this is not the court, they would really like to cheer for them and make them quarrel more fiercely.
Sun Kui saw that the ministers were arguing more and more, and there was no tendency to stop.He asked the emperor cautiously: "Your Majesty, don't you want to stop them?"
The emperor said with a smile: "I'm very bored, let them quarrel."
Sun Kui felt a chill in his heart when he heard this, and his scalp tingled slightly.He quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say a word.He turned his attention to the ministers who were still arguing again, and sympathized with them in his heart.
After arguing for a while, the ministers suddenly felt a dangerous gaze.This staring gaze sent a chill down their backs, and then their hair began to tingle.
At this moment, the ministers stopped unknowingly, and then all of them turned pale, and their eyes were full of horror.I don't know who took the lead to kneel down, and then all the others also knelt down.
They knelt on the ground, their faces were pale, their eyes were full of horror, their foreheads and faces were covered with cold sweat, and their bodies trembled slightly.
Even the backs of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang were sweating coldly.
The ministers hurriedly pleaded guilty: "The emperor forgives the crime!"
The prince and the acting king: "Father, forgive me!"
Seeing that the ministers stopped arguing, the emperor showed a look of pity on his face.He smiled and said to the ministers who were kneeling on the ground and trembling: "I'm so excited to hear it, why don't you guys stop arguing?"
"Your servant should die, I beg the emperor to forgive me!"
"I haven't listened enough yet, keep arguing." The emperor's tone was very gentle, but it made the ministers kneeling below very frightened. "It's been a long time since I heard you quarreling. Today, your interest is so high, I'll let you quarrel enough."
"I dare not wait, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
"Don't dare?" The emperor's tone changed suddenly, and the majesty emanating from him at this moment made the ministers kneeling on the ground tremble even more. "I see that you are quite daring. You treat my court as a vegetable market again and again. If you want to quarrel, quarrel. Why don't you fight again?"
Many timid ministers were so frightened that they almost wet their pants.They dare not pee.If you pee your pants in court, it is a capital offense.
"The minister deserves to die for his crimes, and I beg the emperor to forgive me!"
Just how fierce the quarrel was, how scared they are now.
"Prince, on behalf of the king."
When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang heard the emperor calling them, their hearts jumped violently.It was rare for the two brothers to have a tacit understanding, and they both became afraid and uneasy.
"Father, my son is guilty, I beg my father to come down!"
"One is the crown prince and the other is the prince. They actually quarreled in the court. You are really my good sons."
"Father..."
The emperor interrupted the words of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Daiwang, and turned his head to look at a certain minister.
"Give your evidence to Taishi Liu."
A certain minister replied tremblingly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor shouted: "Master Liu."
Taishi Liu replied respectfully: "The minister is here."
The emperor ordered: "You will investigate and prosecute the corruption of ink by Zhang Nan, the chief minister of agriculture."
"The minister obeys the order."
When Zhang Nan heard that the emperor handed over the matter to Taishi Liu for trial, he almost fainted from fright.
It's over, Taishi Liu checked, the crown prince and Duke Zhen can't keep him, he is dead!
The emperor's tone was very calm: "Da Sinong."
Da Sinong felt that his end was coming.He tremblingly replied: "I, I am here."
The emperor asked: "Your subordinates are greedy for ink, do you know that?"
With a pale face, Da Sinong said tremblingly, "I don't know..." He really didn't know.
The emperor smiled lightly and said, "It's a good one who doesn't know."
Da Si Nong said with a pale face: "I deserve to die, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
"Have you ever joined forces with Zhang Nan?"
"Your Majesty, I don't have any, I don't dare, I have a thousand guts and don't dare to be greedy for ink..." Da Sinong's body trembled violently, but his words were still very clear, "I beg your Majesty to check clearly, I am not greedy for ink. "As the chief minister, in charge of Da Zhou's finances, given him 1 guts, he would not dare to embezzle and accept bribes under the eyes of the emperor, unless he got impatient.
"Zhang Nan is not only your subordinate, but also your apprentice." The emperor's tone was still flat, "I remember you once praised him in front of me, saying that he is outstanding."
Da Sinong immediately raised his hand and slapped himself more than ten times.His face turned red and swollen in an instant, and he tremblingly apologized to the emperor: "I don't know people clearly, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
The index finger of the emperor's right hand tapped lightly on the armrest of the dragon chair, making a thumping sound.
The sound of "dong dong" seemed particularly loud in the quiet hall.The ministers kneeling on the ground only felt that the emperor was not knocking on the armrest of the dragon chair, but knocking on their hearts.
There was a puddle of sweat on the faces of the ministers.on their foreheads.The cold sweat on the face and neck dripped drop by drop to the ground.Many people were so frightened that they cried silently.
"Zhang Nan is your student, you say you are not greedy for ink, do you think everyone will believe it?"
"Your Majesty, I'm really not greedy..." Da Si Nong cried and said, "I... I beg the emperor to let Grand Master Liu check on Chen, so as to return my innocence."
"Since you asked so, then I will fulfill you."
"Thank you, Ron."
"Master Liu, everyone in Da Sinong will be handed over to you for investigation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The corner of the emperor's mouth suddenly raised a cold smile: "I don't care what method you use, I want to know how much corruption and bribery they have taken over the years, and I also want to know how many people participated."
Grand Master Liu said solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely do my best to thoroughly investigate this matter."
When the ministers kneeling on the ground heard the emperor say that no matter what means were used to investigate, they were so frightened that they almost collapsed on the ground.
The emperor glanced at Dai Wang, and said with deep meaning: "Investigate Zhang Nan's corruption of ink first, and investigate other matters later."
The emperor's words raised the hearts of all the ministers present.
"Of course, if someone voluntarily surrenders, I can lightly forgive him." The emperor said with a smile, "If someone is finally investigated by Grand Master Liu for corruption and bribery, then you should know what the consequences will be."
"Gudong", many ministers swallowed their saliva in fright.
"Oh, by the way, don't think that if you have a small amount of corruption, you will be fine, and don't think that you have a lot of corruption, so that the law does not punish the public." The emperor raised the corner of his mouth and sneered, "The law does not punish the public." It won't work if you are all here. If you all participate in the corruption of ink, I will never show mercy, kill those who deserve to be killed, and those who deserve to be exiled."
There are so many people in the world who want to be officials, and if a thousand officials are killed, new officials will take over.
"Master Liu, I don't have much patience, so I will give you three days to thoroughly investigate this matter."
"I obey the order." Three days are enough for Grand Master Liu.
The emperor looked at Sun Kui and ordered: "Go and ask the imperial guards to bring the board."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Before leaving, Sun Kui looked at the ministers who had just quarreled with deep compassion.
Hearing the emperor's call to take the board, the ministers suddenly had an ominous premonition in their hearts.
After a while, Sun Kui returned to the court.
"Your Majesty, you are ready."
The emperor glanced at the ministers kneeling below, waved his hands and said, "Pull out the people who were arguing just now, and you'll be in the top [-]."
really!
"Thirty boards for the crown prince and acting king."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang did not expect that they would be beaten too.They dared not intercede, but thanked the emperor instead.
The imperial guards entered the court hall, and under the command of Sun Kui, dragged away the ministers who had just quarreled in the court hall.
These ministers had been frightened by the emperor for a long time, and now they knew that they were going to be hit by the board again, and they were dragged out like dead bodies.
They were pressed to the ground by the Imperial Guards, and while being beaten, they shouted loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang are in front of the ministers.They lie on the bench without special rights, and lie on the ground obediently like the ministers.
The imperial guards treated His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the same as the ministers, not light but not too heavy.
If all their buttocks are smashed, they will not be able to come to the court tomorrow, and no one will deal with the affairs of the court.
Sun Kui deliberately told the imperial guards not to beat too hard, but their buttocks must be swollen, otherwise these ministers will not have a long memory.
The emperor took He Xiang and his group of ministers who had not quarreled, and watched the crown prince and Dai Wang being beaten like a good show.
Shen Hu and the others felt very happy and amusing watching the ministers being beaten.If it wasn't for the emperor, they would have applauded.
The emperor was watching, and the ministers who were beaten did not dare to cry out in pain.Not only that, they had to smile and thank the emperor.
Seeing the ministers being beaten showing smiles uglier than crying, Sun Kui was so happy in his heart that he almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
The emperor looked at it for a while and then left.Shen Hu and the others did not leave, but continued to gloat and watch from the sidelines.When the emperor was gone, they laughed unscrupulously, and laughed very loudly, without giving the beaten people any face.
The faces of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang flushed red, and they looked ashamed and wished they could find a crack in the ground.
The ministers only played [-] big boards, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang played [-] big boards. His Royal Highness and Dai Wang hadn't finished playing, so they couldn't get up.
The ministers dared to get up only after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Dai Wang finished their [-]th round.
Shen Hu and the others laughed again when they saw the ministers walking crookedly with their buttocks pouted one by one.
In the imperial study room, Grand Master Liu and He Xiang were reporting to the emperor about Prime Minister Da Sinong's corruption of ink.
Taishi Liu and the others knew about Zhang Nan's embezzlement and bribery, and told the emperor a long time ago.The emperor didn't touch Zhang Nan all this time, he wanted to put a long line to catch big fish, but he didn't expect that a minister would say it out today.
A certain minister made a report, and it cannot be assumed that nothing happened. The emperor could only order an investigation into the matter.
"Zhang Nan belongs to His Highness the Crown Prince." Taishi Liu reminded the emperor very directly.
The emperor naturally knew what Liu Taishi meant.He was sullen and didn't speak.
He Xiang said: "Now is not the time to move Zhen Guogong, Zhang Nan can't find Zhen Guogong."
Grand Master Liu sneered and said, "With Duke Zhen's shrewdness, even if we find him, we won't have any evidence."
He Xiang thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's better not to startle the snake for the time being."
The emperor raised his brows lightly and said, "Old He, do you mean not to investigate the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen?"
He Xiangdao: "As Grand Master Liu said, Duke Zhen will not leave anything for us to investigate."
"Your Majesty, it's easy to check Zhang Nan, but it's not so easy to check the Prince and Zhen Guogong." Taishi Liu said bluntly, "You knew that Zhang Nan was greedy for ink, but you chose to turn a blind eye. , isn’t it just to catch the big fish of Duke Zhen.”
"Yes, it's a pity that this big fish is too cunning to take the bait for a long time." The emperor said with his chin crossed, "If that's the case, then don't startle the snake, just check Zhang Nan and the people who colluded with him, let me see Look how many people are involved in this."
Grand Master Liu said bluntly, "There must be quite a few."
"Did you say they would voluntarily surrender to you?"
"No." Grand Master Liu sarcastically said, "Until the last moment, they will be lucky and think they won't find out. Even at the last moment, they still have a little luck, thinking that they are greedy for ink. Not much, and the sentence will not be serious."
"Back then, I laid a heavy hand, but now some people are still acting boldly." When the emperor was still the crown prince, that is, when the first emperor was alive, the emperor had already supervised the country, and he was in charge of all the affairs of the court.In the year when the first emperor was seriously ill, some ministers in the court took the opportunity to embezzle and accept bribes, and they got corrupted a lot, which angered the first emperor and the crown prince.
At that time, there were hundreds of officials, large and small, and the prince did not spare these people because the law did not punish the public.There are only two outcomes for these people, one is beheading and the other is exile.
Most of those sentenced to exile died en route.When they finally arrived in Lingnan, they died not long after arriving in Lingnan because they were not used to the climate in Lingnan and there was a lot of miasma in Lingnan.
This incident shocked the entire Zhou Dynasty.That is to say, from this incident, the ministers knew that their prince was a ruthless person.
The first emperor hated corrupt officials.When the laws of the Great Zhou were enacted, the first emperor thought that no matter how much money was embezzled, as long as he was embezzled, his head would be beheaded.However, Zheng Xilin felt that doing so was too cruel.Only then did the first emperor take back such an idea.
However, compared with the previous dynasty, the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty were much stricter, especially for corrupt officials.Of course, we cannot blindly and severely punish corrupt officials, but also give benefits to officials.Zheng Xilin felt that the reason why so many officials in the previous dynasty were greedy for ink was mainly because the salaries of the officials in the previous dynasty were too low, so low that the officials could not support their families, so they had to take risks and take bribes.If the salaries of officials are high, most officials will not take the risk of committing crimes.
The salaries of officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty were much higher than those in the previous dynasty.Not only that, but during festivals, the imperial court will reward many things, although most of them are food or cloth, but these are things that officials can use.In winter, the imperial court will reward some officials with charcoal.In summer, the imperial court will also reward officials with some ice cubes.
If the officials of the previous dynasty knew the salaries and benefits of the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, they would be very envious.
Facts have proved that Zheng Xilin's idea is right.Most officials in Dazhou would not take the risk of embezzlement, they were very satisfied with their salaries.Of course, no matter how high the salary is, no matter how good the benefits are, there will still be corruption and bribery.However, compared with the previous dynasty where corruption was rampant, Da Zhou is really much better.
During the years when the emperor ascended the throne, there must have been officials who were corrupt, but the embezzled money was not much.However, this time Zhang Nan corrupted ink with a little more money, which was less than the corruption case when the late emperor was alive.
Zhang Nan is a member of His Highness the Crown Prince, so it is obvious who he gave the embezzled money to.
"What do you think Mr. Zhen wants so much money for?" Before, the aristocratic families in Yangzhou came to cooperate with Mr. Zhen, but Mr. Zhen refused. It was a huge sum of money.The emperor was surprised at the time that Lord Zhen could resist such a big temptation. Now it seems that Lord Zhen just shifted his target to make money elsewhere.
Grand Master Liu said without thinking: "It's nothing more than raising soldiers, forging weapons, raising dead soldiers and so on."
"It seems that Duke Zhen wants to rebel."
When Sun Kui, who had just brought tea, heard this, his hands trembled in fright, and he almost knocked over the teacup on the tea tray.
"Duke Zhen will not rebel now, and he will help His Royal Highness rebel when it is absolutely necessary." Liu Taishi said, "What Duke Zhen is doing now, in his own opinion, is just a rainy day."
He Xiang followed Liu Taishi's words and said: "Didn't Zhen Guogong ask Xie Shi to spend a lot of money to buy soldiers?"
The emperor smiled meaningfully: "It seems that Lord Zhen believes that money can buy anything, including the soldiers in my Zhenxi military camp."
Speaking of this, Grand Master Liu was rarely moved with compassion, and felt a little pity for Lord Zhen Guogong in his heart.
Zhen Guogong thinks that he is smarter than the emperor and feels that everything is under his control, but he doesn't know that everything is in the emperor's calculations, including Zhen Guogong himself.
Seeing the emperor's expression of interest, He Xiang couldn't help but twitched the corner of his mouth. He couldn't help reminding the emperor: "Your Majesty, the ginseng playing Zhang Nan on behalf of the king should understand what this means?"
The emperor waved his hand indifferently and said, "Don't worry, everything is under my control, nothing will happen."
He Xiang didn't quite trust the emperor, and said angrily, "It's best to be like this."
The emperor pretended not to hear He Xiang's words, and continued to tell Taishi Liu about Zhang Nan.
After Taishi Liu got the emperor's letter of approval, he knew how to investigate Zhang Nan's corruption of ink.
His Royal Highness was beaten, so Empress Xie, who is a stepmother, naturally wanted to take care of her.She sent the maids around her to deliver some good wound medicine to the prince, and told the prince to take good care of his wounds and stop arguing with the acting king in the court hall. This would not only lose his dignity, but also anger the emperor.
On the surface, the prince was very grateful for Queen Xie's concern.As for whether Empress Xie was really kind or fake, he knew it in his heart.
When Concubine Rong learned that Dai Wang was beaten, she quickly sent people around her to deliver medicine to Dai Wang.In the past, Concubine Rong would definitely go to the imperial study to "question" why the emperor beat their son.However, Concubine Rong has not been to the imperial study for a long time.
In recent years, Concubine Rong has been far less favored than Concubine Ying.Fortunately, Concubine Ying is not pregnant so far. If Concubine Ying gives birth to a prince, I am afraid that her son will...
The concubines in the harem were jealous of Concubine Ying being favored, but at the same time they laughed at her for not being able to lay eggs.What's the use of being favored again if you can't give birth to a prince.
Concubine Ying never cared about these malicious words.Because no matter what they say, she is still favored constantly.
She was different from Concubine Rong who was domineering and domineering when she was favored. Concubine Ying was very kind, she would never take the initiative to trouble others, nor would she punish others at every turn, let alone harm other concubines.
Although many concubines are jealous of Concubine Ying being favored, there are still many concubines who like her.
Concubine Ying learned that both the crown prince and the acting king had been beaten, and said empathetically, "The emperor must be angry. I will personally cook a bowl of soup for the emperor."
At noon, Zhao Yao left school, and learned from Tong Xi that the crown prince, Dai Wang, and many ministers had been beaten.
Seeing Zhao Yao's serious expression, Tong Xi asked worriedly, "Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
Zhao Yao said with a heavy tone: "The real thing has begun."
"Your Highness, what started..." Before Tong Xi finished speaking, he saw Concubine Ying not far away, and hurriedly stopped talking.
Zhao Yao also saw Concubine Ying, who was about to go over to salute, but unexpectedly, Concubine Ying walked towards him.
"I've seen..." Zhao Yao was just about to salute when Concubine Ying stopped him.
"Your Highness, there is no need to be too polite." Concubine Ying said softly, "Your Highness, have you just finished school?"
"Well, I just finished school." Zhao Yao noticed that the maid behind Concubine Ying was holding a food box, and asked, "Is Concubine Ying going to see Emperor Father?"
"That's right, I made a bowl of soup for the emperor to reduce the fire." Concubine Ying said with a smile, "By the way, I made some snacks in the small kitchen in the palace, and I will have someone deliver them to you later."
In recent years, Concubine Ying often gave Zhao Yao some snacks.Every year when the pomegranates are ripe, she will take the initiative to ask Zhao Yao to come to her palace to pick them.
Zhao Yao originally thought that after Concubine Ying lived in Changle Palace, he would not be able to go in to pick pomegranates. He didn't expect that he could not only pick pomegranates like in previous years, but also eat all kinds of pomegranate-related things made by the cooks of Changle Palace.
Concubine Ying occasionally gave Zhao Yao some clothes, handkerchiefs, sachets and other things.
Zhao Yao didn't dare to accept it at first, fearing that Concubine Ying would have some purpose, but later Concubine Liang told him that Concubine Ying didn't have any malicious intentions, so he dared to accept it.
Concubine Ying would occasionally invite some unfavored concubines to play cards, drink tea, enjoy flowers, and do female red light work together.Of course, including Concubine Liang.
It was not the first time to eat dim sum made by the small kitchen of Changle Palace, Zhao Yao did not refuse at all, and gave Concubine Ying a sweet smile: "Thank you Concubine Ying."
"You must be hungry, wait to go to Kunde Palace for lunch, then I won't delay you, I'll go first."
"Concubine Ying, go slowly."
After Concubine Ying left, Tong Xi sighed: "Concubine Ying is really careful. After learning that the crown prince and Dai Wang were beaten, she immediately sent the fire-reducing soup to the emperor."
"It's careful." He has always suspected that Concubine Ying might be a starling, otherwise why would Concubine Ying treat him so well.
I had something to do yesterday, I came back late, and I didn't have time to update the codewords, so I updated a little more today.
Finally, ask for a monthly ticket!Ask for a reward!Please leave a message!
A certain minister who supported the acting king asked the emperor to participate in the performance of Zhang Nan, the chief minister of agriculture, who was greedy for ink.As soon as he said this, there was an uproar in the court.
A certain minister listed Zhang Nan's crimes of embezzling ink in detail, and also gave strong evidence.
Zhang Nan, the chief minister of farming, hurriedly knelt down and complained to the emperor, saying that a certain minister deliberately framed him.
The other ministers who supported the prince ran against a certain minister one after another, saying that he spouted blood or something.
Naturally, the ministers who supported the acting king would not watch their companions being bullied by the prince's people. They scolded the prince's people for sophistry, and they often used their power to commit corruption and pervert the law.He also said that His Royal Highness, relying on his status as the crown prince, often covets ink and tribute in private.
Of course they would not let Duke Zhen go, saying that Duke Zhen used his status and his status as the uncle of His Royal Highness to often accept bribes.Not only that, but their family also amassed money everywhere and seized land, making the people miserable.He also said that the slaves of the Duke of Zhen's mansion bullied others.
The prince's people listened to the words of the acting king's words more and more, and said angrily that the acting king relied on his own status, not only corrupted and accepted bribes, but also bought and sold officials in the army.He also accused Dai Wang of recruiting soldiers in his fief and forging weapons in private.It is said that the acting king has ulterior motives and wants to do rebellious things.
The people on both sides refused to give in to each other, and all charges were placed on the other side, regardless of whether it was true or not.Then, they quarreled and scolded each other.
As a result, the person acting as the king and the prince once again quarreled in the court like shrews scolding the street.They were blushing from the quarrel, their necks were thick, they were spitting, and they rolled up their sleeves, with fierce expressions, as if they were about to fight in the next moment.
I dare not fight, after all, this is not Caishikou.
The ministers of both sides quarreled so fiercely that they completely forgot that they were in court now.
The emperor sat on the dragon chair, propped his face with his right hand, and looked at the quarreling ministers below with interest.
Sun Kui saw the scene of the ministers quarreling again, his expression was very speechless, and he frantically complained in his heart: Did these ministers forget that they are still in the morning court?Have they forgotten their identities?Did they think their lives were too long, and they quarreled again in front of the emperor.
It's fine for the ministers to quarrel, but why are His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang also arguing?
Originally, at the beginning, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang acted as if they had nothing to do with them.However, when they heard the other party's ministers slandering them in various ways, they couldn't help it, and began to taunt each other, and then quarreled without any accident.
Of course, they didn't quarrel as much as the ministers did, they just got angry with each other.
Zhen Guogong didn't intend to quarrel at first, but he was scolded by Xuan Pinghou pointing his nose, so he had to fight back.Then, he quarreled with Xuan Ping Hou.Don't look at Zhen Guogong's elegant appearance, but he is not elegant at all when he scolds others.
Xuan Ping Hou looks ruder than Zhen Guogong, but he can't scold Zhen Guogong.
He Xiang, Shen Hu and the others stood aside, watching His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang quarrel with relish.If this is not the court, they would really like to cheer for them and make them quarrel more fiercely.
Sun Kui saw that the ministers were arguing more and more, and there was no tendency to stop.He asked the emperor cautiously: "Your Majesty, don't you want to stop them?"
The emperor said with a smile: "I'm very bored, let them quarrel."
Sun Kui felt a chill in his heart when he heard this, and his scalp tingled slightly.He quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say a word.He turned his attention to the ministers who were still arguing again, and sympathized with them in his heart.
After arguing for a while, the ministers suddenly felt a dangerous gaze.This staring gaze sent a chill down their backs, and then their hair began to tingle.
At this moment, the ministers stopped unknowingly, and then all of them turned pale, and their eyes were full of horror.I don't know who took the lead to kneel down, and then all the others also knelt down.
They knelt on the ground, their faces were pale, their eyes were full of horror, their foreheads and faces were covered with cold sweat, and their bodies trembled slightly.
Even the backs of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang were sweating coldly.
The ministers hurriedly pleaded guilty: "The emperor forgives the crime!"
The prince and the acting king: "Father, forgive me!"
Seeing that the ministers stopped arguing, the emperor showed a look of pity on his face.He smiled and said to the ministers who were kneeling on the ground and trembling: "I'm so excited to hear it, why don't you guys stop arguing?"
"Your servant should die, I beg the emperor to forgive me!"
"I haven't listened enough yet, keep arguing." The emperor's tone was very gentle, but it made the ministers kneeling below very frightened. "It's been a long time since I heard you quarreling. Today, your interest is so high, I'll let you quarrel enough."
"I dare not wait, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
"Don't dare?" The emperor's tone changed suddenly, and the majesty emanating from him at this moment made the ministers kneeling on the ground tremble even more. "I see that you are quite daring. You treat my court as a vegetable market again and again. If you want to quarrel, quarrel. Why don't you fight again?"
Many timid ministers were so frightened that they almost wet their pants.They dare not pee.If you pee your pants in court, it is a capital offense.
"The minister deserves to die for his crimes, and I beg the emperor to forgive me!"
Just how fierce the quarrel was, how scared they are now.
"Prince, on behalf of the king."
When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Daiwang heard the emperor calling them, their hearts jumped violently.It was rare for the two brothers to have a tacit understanding, and they both became afraid and uneasy.
"Father, my son is guilty, I beg my father to come down!"
"One is the crown prince and the other is the prince. They actually quarreled in the court. You are really my good sons."
"Father..."
The emperor interrupted the words of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Daiwang, and turned his head to look at a certain minister.
"Give your evidence to Taishi Liu."
A certain minister replied tremblingly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor shouted: "Master Liu."
Taishi Liu replied respectfully: "The minister is here."
The emperor ordered: "You will investigate and prosecute the corruption of ink by Zhang Nan, the chief minister of agriculture."
"The minister obeys the order."
When Zhang Nan heard that the emperor handed over the matter to Taishi Liu for trial, he almost fainted from fright.
It's over, Taishi Liu checked, the crown prince and Duke Zhen can't keep him, he is dead!
The emperor's tone was very calm: "Da Sinong."
Da Sinong felt that his end was coming.He tremblingly replied: "I, I am here."
The emperor asked: "Your subordinates are greedy for ink, do you know that?"
With a pale face, Da Sinong said tremblingly, "I don't know..." He really didn't know.
The emperor smiled lightly and said, "It's a good one who doesn't know."
Da Si Nong said with a pale face: "I deserve to die, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
"Have you ever joined forces with Zhang Nan?"
"Your Majesty, I don't have any, I don't dare, I have a thousand guts and don't dare to be greedy for ink..." Da Sinong's body trembled violently, but his words were still very clear, "I beg your Majesty to check clearly, I am not greedy for ink. "As the chief minister, in charge of Da Zhou's finances, given him 1 guts, he would not dare to embezzle and accept bribes under the eyes of the emperor, unless he got impatient.
"Zhang Nan is not only your subordinate, but also your apprentice." The emperor's tone was still flat, "I remember you once praised him in front of me, saying that he is outstanding."
Da Sinong immediately raised his hand and slapped himself more than ten times.His face turned red and swollen in an instant, and he tremblingly apologized to the emperor: "I don't know people clearly, I beg the emperor to forgive me."
The index finger of the emperor's right hand tapped lightly on the armrest of the dragon chair, making a thumping sound.
The sound of "dong dong" seemed particularly loud in the quiet hall.The ministers kneeling on the ground only felt that the emperor was not knocking on the armrest of the dragon chair, but knocking on their hearts.
There was a puddle of sweat on the faces of the ministers.on their foreheads.The cold sweat on the face and neck dripped drop by drop to the ground.Many people were so frightened that they cried silently.
"Zhang Nan is your student, you say you are not greedy for ink, do you think everyone will believe it?"
"Your Majesty, I'm really not greedy..." Da Si Nong cried and said, "I... I beg the emperor to let Grand Master Liu check on Chen, so as to return my innocence."
"Since you asked so, then I will fulfill you."
"Thank you, Ron."
"Master Liu, everyone in Da Sinong will be handed over to you for investigation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The corner of the emperor's mouth suddenly raised a cold smile: "I don't care what method you use, I want to know how much corruption and bribery they have taken over the years, and I also want to know how many people participated."
Grand Master Liu said solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely do my best to thoroughly investigate this matter."
When the ministers kneeling on the ground heard the emperor say that no matter what means were used to investigate, they were so frightened that they almost collapsed on the ground.
The emperor glanced at Dai Wang, and said with deep meaning: "Investigate Zhang Nan's corruption of ink first, and investigate other matters later."
The emperor's words raised the hearts of all the ministers present.
"Of course, if someone voluntarily surrenders, I can lightly forgive him." The emperor said with a smile, "If someone is finally investigated by Grand Master Liu for corruption and bribery, then you should know what the consequences will be."
"Gudong", many ministers swallowed their saliva in fright.
"Oh, by the way, don't think that if you have a small amount of corruption, you will be fine, and don't think that you have a lot of corruption, so that the law does not punish the public." The emperor raised the corner of his mouth and sneered, "The law does not punish the public." It won't work if you are all here. If you all participate in the corruption of ink, I will never show mercy, kill those who deserve to be killed, and those who deserve to be exiled."
There are so many people in the world who want to be officials, and if a thousand officials are killed, new officials will take over.
"Master Liu, I don't have much patience, so I will give you three days to thoroughly investigate this matter."
"I obey the order." Three days are enough for Grand Master Liu.
The emperor looked at Sun Kui and ordered: "Go and ask the imperial guards to bring the board."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Before leaving, Sun Kui looked at the ministers who had just quarreled with deep compassion.
Hearing the emperor's call to take the board, the ministers suddenly had an ominous premonition in their hearts.
After a while, Sun Kui returned to the court.
"Your Majesty, you are ready."
The emperor glanced at the ministers kneeling below, waved his hands and said, "Pull out the people who were arguing just now, and you'll be in the top [-]."
really!
"Thirty boards for the crown prince and acting king."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang did not expect that they would be beaten too.They dared not intercede, but thanked the emperor instead.
The imperial guards entered the court hall, and under the command of Sun Kui, dragged away the ministers who had just quarreled in the court hall.
These ministers had been frightened by the emperor for a long time, and now they knew that they were going to be hit by the board again, and they were dragged out like dead bodies.
They were pressed to the ground by the Imperial Guards, and while being beaten, they shouted loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang are in front of the ministers.They lie on the bench without special rights, and lie on the ground obediently like the ministers.
The imperial guards treated His Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the same as the ministers, not light but not too heavy.
If all their buttocks are smashed, they will not be able to come to the court tomorrow, and no one will deal with the affairs of the court.
Sun Kui deliberately told the imperial guards not to beat too hard, but their buttocks must be swollen, otherwise these ministers will not have a long memory.
The emperor took He Xiang and his group of ministers who had not quarreled, and watched the crown prince and Dai Wang being beaten like a good show.
Shen Hu and the others felt very happy and amusing watching the ministers being beaten.If it wasn't for the emperor, they would have applauded.
The emperor was watching, and the ministers who were beaten did not dare to cry out in pain.Not only that, they had to smile and thank the emperor.
Seeing the ministers being beaten showing smiles uglier than crying, Sun Kui was so happy in his heart that he almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
The emperor looked at it for a while and then left.Shen Hu and the others did not leave, but continued to gloat and watch from the sidelines.When the emperor was gone, they laughed unscrupulously, and laughed very loudly, without giving the beaten people any face.
The faces of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang flushed red, and they looked ashamed and wished they could find a crack in the ground.
The ministers only played [-] big boards, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Dai Wang played [-] big boards. His Royal Highness and Dai Wang hadn't finished playing, so they couldn't get up.
The ministers dared to get up only after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Dai Wang finished their [-]th round.
Shen Hu and the others laughed again when they saw the ministers walking crookedly with their buttocks pouted one by one.
In the imperial study room, Grand Master Liu and He Xiang were reporting to the emperor about Prime Minister Da Sinong's corruption of ink.
Taishi Liu and the others knew about Zhang Nan's embezzlement and bribery, and told the emperor a long time ago.The emperor didn't touch Zhang Nan all this time, he wanted to put a long line to catch big fish, but he didn't expect that a minister would say it out today.
A certain minister made a report, and it cannot be assumed that nothing happened. The emperor could only order an investigation into the matter.
"Zhang Nan belongs to His Highness the Crown Prince." Taishi Liu reminded the emperor very directly.
The emperor naturally knew what Liu Taishi meant.He was sullen and didn't speak.
He Xiang said: "Now is not the time to move Zhen Guogong, Zhang Nan can't find Zhen Guogong."
Grand Master Liu sneered and said, "With Duke Zhen's shrewdness, even if we find him, we won't have any evidence."
He Xiang thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's better not to startle the snake for the time being."
The emperor raised his brows lightly and said, "Old He, do you mean not to investigate the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen?"
He Xiangdao: "As Grand Master Liu said, Duke Zhen will not leave anything for us to investigate."
"Your Majesty, it's easy to check Zhang Nan, but it's not so easy to check the Prince and Zhen Guogong." Taishi Liu said bluntly, "You knew that Zhang Nan was greedy for ink, but you chose to turn a blind eye. , isn’t it just to catch the big fish of Duke Zhen.”
"Yes, it's a pity that this big fish is too cunning to take the bait for a long time." The emperor said with his chin crossed, "If that's the case, then don't startle the snake, just check Zhang Nan and the people who colluded with him, let me see Look how many people are involved in this."
Grand Master Liu said bluntly, "There must be quite a few."
"Did you say they would voluntarily surrender to you?"
"No." Grand Master Liu sarcastically said, "Until the last moment, they will be lucky and think they won't find out. Even at the last moment, they still have a little luck, thinking that they are greedy for ink. Not much, and the sentence will not be serious."
"Back then, I laid a heavy hand, but now some people are still acting boldly." When the emperor was still the crown prince, that is, when the first emperor was alive, the emperor had already supervised the country, and he was in charge of all the affairs of the court.In the year when the first emperor was seriously ill, some ministers in the court took the opportunity to embezzle and accept bribes, and they got corrupted a lot, which angered the first emperor and the crown prince.
At that time, there were hundreds of officials, large and small, and the prince did not spare these people because the law did not punish the public.There are only two outcomes for these people, one is beheading and the other is exile.
Most of those sentenced to exile died en route.When they finally arrived in Lingnan, they died not long after arriving in Lingnan because they were not used to the climate in Lingnan and there was a lot of miasma in Lingnan.
This incident shocked the entire Zhou Dynasty.That is to say, from this incident, the ministers knew that their prince was a ruthless person.
The first emperor hated corrupt officials.When the laws of the Great Zhou were enacted, the first emperor thought that no matter how much money was embezzled, as long as he was embezzled, his head would be beheaded.However, Zheng Xilin felt that doing so was too cruel.Only then did the first emperor take back such an idea.
However, compared with the previous dynasty, the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty were much stricter, especially for corrupt officials.Of course, we cannot blindly and severely punish corrupt officials, but also give benefits to officials.Zheng Xilin felt that the reason why so many officials in the previous dynasty were greedy for ink was mainly because the salaries of the officials in the previous dynasty were too low, so low that the officials could not support their families, so they had to take risks and take bribes.If the salaries of officials are high, most officials will not take the risk of committing crimes.
The salaries of officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty were much higher than those in the previous dynasty.Not only that, but during festivals, the imperial court will reward many things, although most of them are food or cloth, but these are things that officials can use.In winter, the imperial court will reward some officials with charcoal.In summer, the imperial court will also reward officials with some ice cubes.
If the officials of the previous dynasty knew the salaries and benefits of the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, they would be very envious.
Facts have proved that Zheng Xilin's idea is right.Most officials in Dazhou would not take the risk of embezzlement, they were very satisfied with their salaries.Of course, no matter how high the salary is, no matter how good the benefits are, there will still be corruption and bribery.However, compared with the previous dynasty where corruption was rampant, Da Zhou is really much better.
During the years when the emperor ascended the throne, there must have been officials who were corrupt, but the embezzled money was not much.However, this time Zhang Nan corrupted ink with a little more money, which was less than the corruption case when the late emperor was alive.
Zhang Nan is a member of His Highness the Crown Prince, so it is obvious who he gave the embezzled money to.
"What do you think Mr. Zhen wants so much money for?" Before, the aristocratic families in Yangzhou came to cooperate with Mr. Zhen, but Mr. Zhen refused. It was a huge sum of money.The emperor was surprised at the time that Lord Zhen could resist such a big temptation. Now it seems that Lord Zhen just shifted his target to make money elsewhere.
Grand Master Liu said without thinking: "It's nothing more than raising soldiers, forging weapons, raising dead soldiers and so on."
"It seems that Duke Zhen wants to rebel."
When Sun Kui, who had just brought tea, heard this, his hands trembled in fright, and he almost knocked over the teacup on the tea tray.
"Duke Zhen will not rebel now, and he will help His Royal Highness rebel when it is absolutely necessary." Liu Taishi said, "What Duke Zhen is doing now, in his own opinion, is just a rainy day."
He Xiang followed Liu Taishi's words and said: "Didn't Zhen Guogong ask Xie Shi to spend a lot of money to buy soldiers?"
The emperor smiled meaningfully: "It seems that Lord Zhen believes that money can buy anything, including the soldiers in my Zhenxi military camp."
Speaking of this, Grand Master Liu was rarely moved with compassion, and felt a little pity for Lord Zhen Guogong in his heart.
Zhen Guogong thinks that he is smarter than the emperor and feels that everything is under his control, but he doesn't know that everything is in the emperor's calculations, including Zhen Guogong himself.
Seeing the emperor's expression of interest, He Xiang couldn't help but twitched the corner of his mouth. He couldn't help reminding the emperor: "Your Majesty, the ginseng playing Zhang Nan on behalf of the king should understand what this means?"
The emperor waved his hand indifferently and said, "Don't worry, everything is under my control, nothing will happen."
He Xiang didn't quite trust the emperor, and said angrily, "It's best to be like this."
The emperor pretended not to hear He Xiang's words, and continued to tell Taishi Liu about Zhang Nan.
After Taishi Liu got the emperor's letter of approval, he knew how to investigate Zhang Nan's corruption of ink.
His Royal Highness was beaten, so Empress Xie, who is a stepmother, naturally wanted to take care of her.She sent the maids around her to deliver some good wound medicine to the prince, and told the prince to take good care of his wounds and stop arguing with the acting king in the court hall. This would not only lose his dignity, but also anger the emperor.
On the surface, the prince was very grateful for Queen Xie's concern.As for whether Empress Xie was really kind or fake, he knew it in his heart.
When Concubine Rong learned that Dai Wang was beaten, she quickly sent people around her to deliver medicine to Dai Wang.In the past, Concubine Rong would definitely go to the imperial study to "question" why the emperor beat their son.However, Concubine Rong has not been to the imperial study for a long time.
In recent years, Concubine Rong has been far less favored than Concubine Ying.Fortunately, Concubine Ying is not pregnant so far. If Concubine Ying gives birth to a prince, I am afraid that her son will...
The concubines in the harem were jealous of Concubine Ying being favored, but at the same time they laughed at her for not being able to lay eggs.What's the use of being favored again if you can't give birth to a prince.
Concubine Ying never cared about these malicious words.Because no matter what they say, she is still favored constantly.
She was different from Concubine Rong who was domineering and domineering when she was favored. Concubine Ying was very kind, she would never take the initiative to trouble others, nor would she punish others at every turn, let alone harm other concubines.
Although many concubines are jealous of Concubine Ying being favored, there are still many concubines who like her.
Concubine Ying learned that both the crown prince and the acting king had been beaten, and said empathetically, "The emperor must be angry. I will personally cook a bowl of soup for the emperor."
At noon, Zhao Yao left school, and learned from Tong Xi that the crown prince, Dai Wang, and many ministers had been beaten.
Seeing Zhao Yao's serious expression, Tong Xi asked worriedly, "Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
Zhao Yao said with a heavy tone: "The real thing has begun."
"Your Highness, what started..." Before Tong Xi finished speaking, he saw Concubine Ying not far away, and hurriedly stopped talking.
Zhao Yao also saw Concubine Ying, who was about to go over to salute, but unexpectedly, Concubine Ying walked towards him.
"I've seen..." Zhao Yao was just about to salute when Concubine Ying stopped him.
"Your Highness, there is no need to be too polite." Concubine Ying said softly, "Your Highness, have you just finished school?"
"Well, I just finished school." Zhao Yao noticed that the maid behind Concubine Ying was holding a food box, and asked, "Is Concubine Ying going to see Emperor Father?"
"That's right, I made a bowl of soup for the emperor to reduce the fire." Concubine Ying said with a smile, "By the way, I made some snacks in the small kitchen in the palace, and I will have someone deliver them to you later."
In recent years, Concubine Ying often gave Zhao Yao some snacks.Every year when the pomegranates are ripe, she will take the initiative to ask Zhao Yao to come to her palace to pick them.
Zhao Yao originally thought that after Concubine Ying lived in Changle Palace, he would not be able to go in to pick pomegranates. He didn't expect that he could not only pick pomegranates like in previous years, but also eat all kinds of pomegranate-related things made by the cooks of Changle Palace.
Concubine Ying occasionally gave Zhao Yao some clothes, handkerchiefs, sachets and other things.
Zhao Yao didn't dare to accept it at first, fearing that Concubine Ying would have some purpose, but later Concubine Liang told him that Concubine Ying didn't have any malicious intentions, so he dared to accept it.
Concubine Ying would occasionally invite some unfavored concubines to play cards, drink tea, enjoy flowers, and do female red light work together.Of course, including Concubine Liang.
It was not the first time to eat dim sum made by the small kitchen of Changle Palace, Zhao Yao did not refuse at all, and gave Concubine Ying a sweet smile: "Thank you Concubine Ying."
"You must be hungry, wait to go to Kunde Palace for lunch, then I won't delay you, I'll go first."
"Concubine Ying, go slowly."
After Concubine Ying left, Tong Xi sighed: "Concubine Ying is really careful. After learning that the crown prince and Dai Wang were beaten, she immediately sent the fire-reducing soup to the emperor."
"It's careful." He has always suspected that Concubine Ying might be a starling, otherwise why would Concubine Ying treat him so well.
I had something to do yesterday, I came back late, and I didn't have time to update the codewords, so I updated a little more today.
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