I studied in modern times

Chapter 287 Relegation
As the imperial censor admonished the officials, the crowd became angry.

The two palaces discussed it behind the curtain, and then asked the Queen Mother Zhao Xu: "Brother Six, what do you think should be done?"

Zhao Xu looked at the palace, thought for a moment, and then asked: "Dear ministers, the ministers looked down upon me, despised the two palaces, slandered the late emperor's virtues, and formed factions..."

"What crime should be committed? And how should it be dealt with?"

Suddenly, the entire Chui Gong Hall fell into silence.

Everyone knows the answer - capital punishment!
But no one wants to say it.

After all, this is not the era of Shaosheng in Zhao Xu's previous life. The old and new parties have completely broken up.

The new party ministers in the DPRK just want to put all the old party to death.

Zhang Dun even tried his best to whip Sima Guang and Lu Gong to death!

Zhao Xu had to step aside and persuade the new party ministers who were eager for revenge.

Now, the new party and the old party are in opposition.

But they still belong to a common interest group - the scholar-bureaucrat group.

The conflict between them can only be regarded as a battle of ideas.

Therefore, don’t look down upon the new party and the old party’s scolding.

But in private, many people have good friendships with each other, even their children and their in-laws.

Their butts on this kind of thing are also sitting together.

At least, for most ministers.

Execution of scholar-bureaucrats is a shocking thing.

Not to mention the censor!
After hesitating for a moment, Li Chang, the chief minister of the imperial censor, chose to go out and persuade him: "Your Majesty, our ancestors have never killed any official of the censor..."

"I beg Your Majesty to take a closer look!"

As soon as Li Chang opened his mouth, Zhao Yanruo immediately followed and said, "Your Majesty, the crimes committed by Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou will not lead to death!"

Zhao Xu just watched and remained silent.

The Queen Mother in the curtain even snorted.

Seeing this, Mr. Lu quietly pulled Han Jiang's sleeve.

He knew that only Han Jiang could save Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou now.

Because the emperor will take care of his old ministers and because the two palaces now have increasing trust in Han Jiang.

Especially after the draft reform regulations were implemented in Kaifeng Prefecture, they were praised by both the government and the public.

They say it’s good governance!
It is not only generous to the common people, but also does not hurt the hearts of the scholar-bureaucrats.

As for those whose interests have been seriously damaged?

No one cares at all, and no one will care.

Because these people are best bullied.

Even if taxes are increased to the point where these people go bankrupt, the government will not show any sign of it.

Han Jiang looked back at Lu Gongzu, sighed helplessly, and could only hold the fluorine and go out to worship: "I will tell you: the empress dowager, the empress dowager, your majesty the emperor - the imperial dynasty does not kill officials!"

He is the prime minister!

The prime minister must be responsible!

Moreover, if he kills scholar-bureaucrats during his tenure, it will still be a precedent for officials.

What will happen to his future evaluation in history?
Zhao Xu finally spoke: "However, the evidence is conclusive and the law is like this!"

Han Jiang hurriedly bowed again: "I thought that Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou were just acting wildly and offending the Holy Heart..."

"The intentions of these two ministers are still good...they are still loyal..."

"I beg the two palaces to be kind and merciful. Your majesty will understand clearly and give you a lenient sentence!"

Lu Gongzhu then stepped forward and paid homage: "Your Majesty the Emperor, the Merciful Saint of the Two Palaces... I have a little understanding of the two ministers Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou in private... I would like to guarantee that these two ministers will never be disrespectful. , It is your intention to despise the Merciful Saint and treat His Majesty like a child!"

Han Jiang's plea and Lu Gongzhu's guarantee and plea finally moved the two palaces in the curtain.

After all, this is the plea and guarantee of a prime minister and a future prime minister.

They must be given face.

Moreover, what they said makes sense - the ancestors never killed officials.

This precedent must not be broken.

Empress Dowager Xiang then advised: "For the sake of Xianggong Han and Governor Lu, please give me a lighter sentence!"

Zhao Xu naturally knew this was the case.

He had no intention of actually executing Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou.

Politics is not about fighting and killing, but about coordination, compromise and transactions between different interest groups.

Political matters, once they reach the point where fighting and killing are needed to solve the problem.

Then, this country is not far from destruction.

What's more, the Yushi Yanguan was originally a hawk dog raised by the emperor, serving as the emperor's mouthpiece.

To put it simply, they are responsible for biting people on behalf of the emperor.

Although, Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou, these two eagle dogs had their own ideas and wanted to overtake others, and even went so far as to bite people in the court against the wishes of their master, Zhao Xu.

But after all, they are also the emperor's eagle dogs.

How can you kill casually?

If you kill them, what should you do if the censor becomes too timid to bite people?
So, after the Empress Dowager was persuaded by the Empress Dowager Xiang and agreed to be given a lighter punishment, Zhao Xu said: "Since the two ministers begged for mercy and guaranteed..."

"I just believe that Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou have no children looking at me, spying on the two palaces, and plotting evil intentions!"

"However, these two ministers have openly admitted to forming cliques, acted beyond their duties, slandered the rulers, and criticized the country's major policies..."

As Zhao Xu said this, he looked at Li Chang, the Censor, and Zhao Yanruo, the Chief Admonition Officer.

Especially the latter.

He asked with great interest: "Li Zhongcheng, Zhao Jianyuan...the two beloved ministers, what do you think should be done?"

Li Chang didn't have any burden, so he went out and paid homage: "I'm telling you, His Majesty the Emperor, the Cisages of the Two Palaces, that I believe that he should be demoted to a remote military state and live in charge, and he will not be allowed to sign the official affairs of this state (military)!"

Zhao Yanruo was a little flustered, hesitated for a moment, and then bowed: "I know that His Majesty the Emperor, Cisheng, is the emperor. I believe that the holy dynasty is based on generosity, so I think it is okay to be demoted to the county magistrate of Xiazhou..."

Zhao Xu laughed.

What is the relationship between Zhao Yanruo and Liu Zhi?If others don't know, how can Zhao Xu know?
These two are sons and daughters.

And it’s not just ordinary sons and daughters’ in-laws!

Zhao Yanruo's eldest son Zhao Renshu married Liu Zhi's daughter, and Liu Zhi's son also married Zhao Yanruo's daughter.

This was very common in the Song Dynasty.

Civil servants and officials were married to each other, and their relationship with each other was intricate.

For example, Cai Que's son Cai Wei married Feng Jing's daughter, and Wen Yanbo's grandson Wen Kangshi married the daughter of Cai Que's brother Cai Shuo.

For example, the current Yushi Zhongcheng Li Chang was the uncle of Huang Tingjian, one of the four Sumen scholars.

However, what is unusual is that the education of both Liu Zhi and Zhao Yanruo failed extremely.

They both raised two bastard sons.

And their son, Zhao Xu, proved to the world in his previous life that these two scholar-bureaucrats who were full of benevolence, justice and morality may not be as upright and upright as they said!

Especially Zhao Yanruo's son Zhao Renshu, when he was a local official, he was accused by the local officials of being "cruel and dirty" - there were several innocent people who were unjustly killed and tortured by him, and as for those who were disabled or sick. There are countless, and he also forcibly hired more than a dozen civilian girls as maids - in fact, he raped civilian girls!
In short, it is full of evil deeds, which is shocking to hear!
But Liu Zhi and Zhao Yanruo, two scholar-bureaucrats who usually talk about Confucius, Mencius, benevolence and forgiveness.When faced with the impeachment of his good eldest son and son-in-law, and the evidence was conclusive, he denied it in every possible way, and also used his power to try his best to obstruct Yousi's investigation.

The case of Zhao Renshu was delayed for more than a year, with no result.

In the end, the entire Taiwan remonstrance was angered!

The Taiwanese admonishers fight with them to the end!

Lu Dafang and Fan Chunren also seized the opportunity and continued to speak in front of the Empress Dowager.

As a result, Zhao Yanruo was deprived of all official positions, promoted to Lingshou Temple, and lived in Qingzhou.

Liu Zhi was also forced to resign under the attack of Taiwanese remonstrances.

Zhao Xu had already grown up when this incident happened, so he remembered it clearly. He even remembered Liu Zhi's face in denying it in front of the emperor at that time - Yan Ruo was dedicated to learning and pure in virtue (he was just a nerd), although it was just a temporary act. It is hard to blame him for acting in a hurry (the eagerness to save his son is the love of father and son)!
At that time, Zhao Xu almost had an attack because he couldn't hold it back, but he only managed to hold it back because he was worried about the Empress Dowager.

Now that Zhao Xu had the opportunity, he naturally wanted to strengthen the in-laws!

Therefore, Zhao Xu called Zhao Yanruo's name as a test.

Sure enough, after trying it, his fox tail was exposed.

And Zhao Xu only needs to let the two palaces see Zhao Yanruo's face.

Someone will do the rest for him.

As expected, Zhao Yanruo had just finished speaking.

Liang Weijian, who had been standing next to the Empress Dowager, whispered: "Mother, I heard that Zhao Yanruo of the Zhijian Yuan and Liu Zhi, the imperial censor, seem to be related to each other..."

The Queen Mother sneered and did not speak on the spot.

Empress Dowager Xiang's face darkened. She called Shi Deyi to her and asked: "I remember that according to the ancestral system, brothers, fathers and sons, and Kunzhong cannot serve as officials in the same court... Why are Zhao Yanruo and Liu Zhi, as sons and daughters, in-laws? But we can be in the same Taiwan courtyard?"

Shi Deyi whispered: "These are all recommended by Sima Gong, Lu Zhizong, Wen Taishi, etc. again and again in the past!"

Empress Dowager Xiang then whispered: "From now on, when ministers are removed from their conferrals, the Inspectorate should report the in-laws of their children to see if there is anyone who is an official with the same government..."

It is quite reasonable for in-laws to be officials in the same court.

For example, Wang Anshi and Wu Chong were officials in the same dynasty.

But if you are an official in the same yamen, it is easy for people to form cliques.

With this in mind, Empress Dowager Xiang asked Shi Deyi to tell Zhao Xu about the in-laws of Liu Zhi and Zhao Yanruo.

Zhao Xu listened to the information brought by Shi Deyi.

He turned around and thanked the Queen Mother behind the curtain: "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your guidance!"

Although these things in the palace happened very quickly, the courtiers noticed it.

Zhao Xu remained calm.

Continue to ask other ministers for their opinions.

Starting from Zhang Hong, we asked about the writings of Zhang Dun, Li Qingchen, An Tao, and Lu Gong, and then the two Hanlin bachelors and the current prime minister Lu Gong.

Almost everyone's attitude is somewhere between Li Chang and Zhao Yanruo.

No matter the new party or the old party, they are all the same.

Only the censors still shouted to fight and kill - this was determined by their professional attitude and stance.

After Zhao Xu asked around, he turned around and started discussing with the two palaces.

"The mother-in-law, the queen mother, and her ministers have different opinions. Some say that they should be deeply demoted, others that they should be given a lighter punishment..."

"Why don't we send someone to ask Grand Master Wen, Zhang Jiedu, Sun Xueshi and Sima Gong for their opinions?"

The two palaces in the curtain made a decision after deliberating for a while.

"Officials, there is no need to consult the elders..." The Empress Dowager said directly: "I and the Empress Dowager have already made an idea!"

Her opinion of Sima Guang has now further declined.

Who are the people recommended?

Are my children and in-laws also packed into the Taiwan courtyard? !

If he is truly a loyal minister and a capable official, that's all.

Look at these two!
The evidence is conclusive that Liu Zhi formed a clique, watched the emperor as a child, and spied on the two palaces. Zhao Yanruo is still protecting him and trying to rescue him!

He almost didn't put the label of 'companion' on his forehead.

So, if you ask Sima Guang about this matter again, what would Sima Guang say?
Will he kill relatives righteously?

The Queen Mother no longer believes it!

She even suspected that Sima Guang might help to plead for mercy!

So, she directly said to the ministers in the palace, and also to Liu Zhi and Wang Yansou who were prostrate on the ground: "Two Hanlin bachelors, please do it on the spot in the palace, with my mother's wishes and that of the Queen Mother!"

Deng Runfu and Fan Chunren quickly paid their respects and took orders.

Then he sat behind the screen with pens, ink, paper and inkstones ready, and listened to the dictates of the two palaces.

All I heard was that the Empress Dowager said: "Liu Zhi, the imperial censor in the palace, has no manners as a minister. He speaks beyond his duties, slanders the prime minister, slanders the state affairs, and openly forms cliques. He is not a minister!"

Liu Zhi listened and lay on the ground. He already knew his ending.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager said directly without much pause: "I will stop serving as censor in the palace, send salary officials to seize the three officials, and serve as a judge in a remote lower state. I am not allowed to sign official documents for this state. I am not allowed to leave the capital that day. I am not allowed to say anything!"

Liu Zhi suddenly raised his head!

Even if civil servants and officials disparage him, they will generally allow his resignation as a matter of routine.

This is the dignity of a scholar-bureaucrat!

To leave the capital immediately without being allowed to say anything is not only disrespectful, but also tells the world that this person is deeply guilty of me!

Add that sentence: You are not allowed to sign documents related to the official affairs of this state.

It's like not giving him any power!
It’s no different from being exiled!

If a miracle didn't happen, he would have to spend his whole life in a remote military state.

But Liu Zhi could only lower his head after a moment: "The guilty minister accepts the decree, thank you!"

Zhao Xu looked at Liu Zhi's look and remembered the past life in which Zhang Dun was demoted under this person's instructions, was not allowed to resign, left the capital sadly, and was even deliberately transferred around and tortured by him.

Zhao Xu cursed in his heart: "What a death!"

He also planned to follow the same pattern and let Liu Zhi also taste the pain of being displaced!
This is a very simple matter - Gao Zunhui, the uncle of the Empress Dowager, seems to be serving as a Yuanwailang in Zuoxuan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The Detective Department said that he and Xing Shu had always been in close contact.

This is easy to handle. If you give Xing Shu a hint, Xing Shu will tell Gao Zunhui.

Gao Zunhui used his authority to transfer a demoted minor official from the southeast to the northwest in a very reasonable manner.

The Empress Dowager continued: "Wang Yansou, the supervisory censor, criticized the late emperor's virtues, slandered the imperial dynasty, and openly formed a party with Liu Zhi. He is guilty of an unforgivable crime!"

"I hope he is an upright official, so I will remove him from the position of supervisory censor, seize an official position, demote him to the county magistrate of Xiazhou, and still promise my majesty's speech in front of the palace!"

Wang Yansou felt as if he had been granted amnesty and quickly thanked him again: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness!"

Compared with Liu Zhi, at least he still has dignity. In addition, he at least has a few good words in the edict of demotion.

Unlike Liu Zhi, I'm afraid there are only derogatory words left.

This does require thanksgiving!
The courtiers just watched all this quietly, and no one dared to ask for mercy.

Even Zhao Yanruo shut his mouth.

Because this is the will of the two palaces and the will of the emperor.

(End of this chapter)