Han family achievements

Chapter 507 Disposal
There was a slight silence in the back hall.

Empress Dowager Dong originally thought that Liu Bian wanted to kill Liu Xie, but unexpectedly, he suddenly asked about political affairs.

Empress Dowager He was also stunned for a moment, but she continued to drink her tea in a dignified manner, without looking around, with a graceful demeanor.

As Liu Bian finished speaking, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You all looked at Xu You, Tian Feng, and finally at Xi Zhicai's face.

There was a trace of solemnity on Xi Zhicai's pale face, and he shook his head slightly.

Xun You's eyes twitched and he looked at Xu You coldly.

Xi Zhicai shook his head, which meant that he didn't know Xu You's background either. Was Xu You clearly coming for them?

Xu You raised his hand and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Criminal Department has obtained many clues pointing to various ministers in the court. I have no concrete evidence yet. The Criminal Department has no authority to investigate officials above the third rank. I have come here today to ask for your permission to thoroughly investigate the cheating case in the imperial examination."

Liu Bian had a blank expression on his face. He turned to Tian Feng and asked calmly, "What does the Censorate mean?"

Tian Feng raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, the Censorate has a different opinion. The empress and the crown prince are about to be appointed, so it is not appropriate to start a war. I ask that you arrest the major criminals and let the minor ones go, and settle this case as soon as possible."

“Catch the big and let the small go?”

Liu Bian's eyes lingered on Tian Feng's face for a moment, and asked, "Tingwei?"

Xi Zhicai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have carefully examined the clues provided by Minister Xu. Although they point to something, they are far-fetched and not enough to incriminate the ministers of the court. I ask Your Majesty to understand this."

Liu Bian looked down at Xu You's memorial again, and after a moment's thought, he said, "That does make sense. Prime Minister, what do you think?"

Xun Yu said, "Your Majesty, since it was Minister Xu who testified, I should withdraw to avoid any gossip."

Zhong Yao and Xun You followed suit and bowed, expressing the same attitude.

No matter what Xu You's plan was, they could only avoid suspicion at this time.

Liu Bian nodded slightly, looked at Xu You again, and said, "Besides these clues, is there any concrete evidence?"

Xu You was silent for a while, and then he glanced at Liu Xie and Queen Mother Dong. He raised his hand and said loudly, "Yes. Chenliu Xiang Dong Cheng is suspected of stealing exam questions, bribing examiners, manipulating the ranking of candidates for the exam, and bribing officials of the Ministry of Personnel. There is solid evidence. Because of the special status of Chenliu Xiang, I am here to ask for your approval."

Liu Bian said "oh" and turned to look at Liu Xie.

Liu Xie was stunned for a while, then suddenly came to his senses and said in a hurry: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this, was it not instructed by your humble servant? Your humble servant was not aware of it..."

Queen Mother Dong was also frightened. Regardless of whether Liu Xie was involved or not, she had to protect him. She said directly: "It was me who asked Dong Cheng..."

"Cough cough,"

Liu Bian suddenly started coughing again, and he coughed for a long time until Empress Dowager Dong shut up. Then he wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled to Xu You and others, "I believe that this matter has nothing to do with my brother. Before the big exam, he was out of the capital for more than two months. Mr. Xu, what do you think?"

Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie heard Liu Bian's intention to protect them, and they were terrified and stared at Xu You.

Xu You lowered his head, hesitant and unwilling, and said: "Your Majesty is right."

Liu Bian glanced at Tian Feng, Xi Zhicai, and the three people from the Shangshutai, and then looked at Xu You's memorial again. He pondered for a long time and said calmly: "Although there are many clues, there is no evidence. In my opinion, it is mostly speculation. I believe that the officials of the court will not be involved in such a despicable thing. This matter will end with Dong Cheng. What do you think?"

Liu Bian's tone was calm, so calm that it frightened everyone present.

This matter is obvious. I don't know how many people reached out for their rights even when the court had repeatedly warned them and even started an investigation!

Moreover, almost all high-ranking officials in the court were involved!

Who wouldn’t be angry?
But His Majesty, who was not far away, appeared very calm, so calm that it made them frightened.

Seeing that no one spoke, Liu Bian looked up and looked around, saying, "Starting next year, the imperial examination will be changed to the 'imperial examination', which will be divided into three categories. All officials in the court must be in the top three. The Imperial Examination will be conducted by the Ministry of Rites, the examination papers will be conducted by the Eastern Palace, and the Officials will be released by the Ministry of Personnel. If there is any fraud again, the officials of the Ministry of Personnel, the Eastern Palace, and the Ministry of Personnel will be executed without mercy."

The three giants of the Secretariat, Prime Minister Xun Yu, the left and right servants Zhong Yao, and Xun You, looked up at Liu Bian after hearing what he said, their hearts trembling with fear, and they were a little stunned.

The chief officer of the Three Judicial Departments frowned, hesitated for a long time, and did not speak.

Liu Bian took in their expressions and said calmly, "Prime Minister?"

Xun Yu was awakened from his thoughts, his face straightened, and he slowly raised his hand and said, "I accept your order."

"Left and right Prime Minister?" Liu Bian looked at the two of them.

Zhong Yao's face was more solemn than ever before, and he said, "I obey your order."

Xun You considered a lot and objected in his heart, but when he met Liu Bian's gaze and looked at the memorial in front of him, he had more to say than ever before, so he could only open his mouth and say, "I accept your order."

Liu Bian suppressed the three men and breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the pale Liu Xie and said, "Although the Prince of Chenliu did not participate in the fraud, Dong Cheng was the prime minister of Chenliu after all. The Prince of Chenliu cannot escape the blame. From today on, all official positions will be dismissed and only the Prince of Chenliu will be retained. He will be fined one year's salary and cannot leave the palace without an imperial decree." Everyone was stunned when they heard Liu Bian's words.
Is the matter of calling you 'Your Highness' just revealed like this?

This is a serious crime of treason, and the one who committed it is Liu Xie!

Empress Dowager Dong opened her eyes, surprised and delighted, and pushed Liu Xie aside, saying, "Thank you, brother."

Liu Xie never expected that at this point, his royal brother would still be willing to spare his life!

He was overjoyed and sad, he knelt on the ground with a plop, and cried, "Your Majesty, I bow to you and thank you!"

Liu Bian waved his hand and looked at the three judicial officials and the six people from the Shangshutai. His eyes were stern and his tone was warning. He said, "Whether it is the big exam or the matter of the Prince of Chenliu, let's stop here and don't mention it again. My dear ministers, do you understand what I mean?"

Looking at the Emperor's expression and listening to his tone, the six people understood everything.

"We obey your orders." The six people raised their hands in unison.

Even if they are unwilling, they cannot disobey.

If we force them to hold us accountable, the first people to be held accountable are themselves!
The six court officials took their leave and left the back hall one by one.

Liu Bian looked at Queen Mother Dong and said with a smile, "Grandmother, are you satisfied with my decision?"

Empress Dowager Dong's mouth twitched but she was unable to speak.

She really didn't expect that Liu Bian could control his murderous intent and give Liu Xie a chance to live.

"Since grandma has no objection,"

Liu Bian still smiled, but his voice was dull as he said, "Besides, you are getting old now. If there is nothing important, try not to leave the palace. Don't meet those old ministers if you can avoid it."

Empress Dowager Dong's face was stiff, she was embarrassed and remained silent.

Liu Bian took it as her acquiescence, looked at Liu Xie, and said, "Okay, go back and stay here quietly. I will transfer 10 million yuan from the inner treasury to you. If you have any problems, tell me."

"I obey your command and thank you." Liu Xie raised his hand tremblingly, his face pale, still in shock.

Pan Yin came over, supported Empress Dowager Dong, and walked out slowly.

After everyone left, Empress Dowager He came over, frowned, and said dissatisfiedly: "You are still too soft-hearted. Keeping Liu Xie will be a disaster sooner or later. It is better to kill him as soon as possible."

The conversation between mother and son was relatively direct and frank. Killing Liu Xie had always been the obsession of Empress Dowager He.

Liu Bian pretended to be helpless, shook his head and sighed, saying: "I am not worried about the iron pen of the historian, but I have to maintain the image of a 'benevolent monarch', especially when it comes to appointing a crown prince. Once these things are investigated, there will be no end to it and it will be difficult to explain them."

Empress Dowager He was not stupid. She could tell that Liu Bian was talking nonsense. She frowned and said, "You decide for yourself."

With that said, he turned and left.

Liu Bian smiled, leaned back in his chair, his eyes flashing with calmness and ease.

Finally it’s all here!
At the same time, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao and Xun You entered the prime minister's duty room one after another.

As soon as the door closed, Xun You's face suddenly changed, and he lowered his voice and said, "We've fallen into the trap! From the beginning to the end, we were fooled by your majesty!"

After Xun Yu and Zhong Yao sat down, they seemed not to have heard anything. They each sat there, looking as if they were thinking.

Xun You saw it and asked, "Did you all see it?"

Zhong Yao glanced at him and said, "Xu You doesn't have the guts to offend us to death."

After a pause, Zhong Yao continued, "I guess, except for Dong Cheng, the others are just making up the numbers."

Xun You looked at the two men's expressions, confused and uncertain, and asked, "Are you saying that this was a plan set up by His Majesty?"

Xun Yu slowly raised his head and said, "The Prince of Chenliu has been dismissed from all his official posts, so Tian Feng will be promoted to the position of Chief Censor. Grand Marshal and Chief Censor, these are the last two vacancies in the court, and now they are all filled."

Xun You understood something, and then thought about it carefully, and said solemnly: "Not only the court, but all aspects are ready, and we are just waiting for the crown prince to be appointed."

Zhong Yao nodded slightly and instantly felt a huge pressure.

After the crown prince was appointed, the palace and the court had finally put their last worries to rest, and it was time to push forward the "New Deal" with all their might.

(End of this chapter)