I studied in modern times

Chapter 779: The Cruel Official Returns to Beijing
"To be wise, pure, and virtuous is the way of heaven... Your Majesty is virtuous and governs all the world, and all living things are imbued with your virtue... The ministers keep their promises but do not remonstrate, and the humble officials are afraid of the crime but do not speak... Who am I to dare to offer my tribute to the blind... I am here to speak out my heart and soul and reveal my feelings..."

The Empress Dowager looked at the memorial in her hand with a dark face.

"My dear Prince Consort, this is already unbearable!" She put down the memorial in her hand and asked Zhao Xu: "Why doesn't the emperor tell me about this?"

Zhao Xu bowed his head and replied: "The prince consort just made some minor mistakes!"

"Sun Chen has already issued an edict to grant money and silk to his son-in-law. I will emulate Han Wen to make him feel ashamed!"

"I believe that the prince consort will change his ways!"

"A minor mistake?!" The Empress Dowager said coldly, "The imperial censors have come to knock on the door. Is this still a minor mistake?"

She was already dissatisfied with Zhang Dunli.

He is not a descendant of a military official or noble, nor a descendant of a prime minister.

He was just the son of a minor official, and the reason he was chosen to marry the princess was entirely because the late emperor insisted on choosing him.

It was only after all these years that the Empress Dowager reluctantly approved of Zhang Dunli, considering that Princess Shoukang still had a harmonious relationship with him and that Zhang Dunli's calligraphy and paintings were somewhat famous.

But now Zhang Dunli gave her a big one!

The censors all knocked on the palace gates!
This will definitely be recorded in national history, and may even become a story or system in the future.

How could the Empress Dowager, who attached great importance to her own reputation, be willing to ruin it because of Zhang Dunli?
Therefore, her attitude was extremely stern: "The censors are right..."

"The rule of an emperor must first correct customs. To correct customs, the imperial family should set an example for the world!"

"The government did not punish the prince consort, but instead gave him money and silk..."

"If the world knew about this, how would they view the government?"

There was no surprise at Zhao Xu's attitude towards the Empress Dowager.

Because that's who she is.

It can even be said that Zhao Xu's response was deliberately tailored to the Empress Dowager's temperament.

In Zhao Xu's previous life, this Empress Dowager could even forgive Wang Shen, who had abused her own daughter.

Not only did he forgive him, but he also promoted Wang Shen to a higher position!

As for the reason?

Wang Shen has a very good reputation among the literati!

In order to win the praise of the literati, she promoted Wang Shen without hesitation.

Not only was she unkind to her daughter, but even her own grandson Zhao Xu was just a tool for her to win praise from the scholars.

Let’s not talk about the affairs of Miying Pavilion for now.

Just to tell you one thing - in Zhao Xu's previous life, until he took power, his personal food, clothing and other expenses were extremely difficult.

There are no colored objects in the Funing Hall.

Most of the utensils are made of porcelain, and the cheapest kind.

The heated rooms in winter are often not warm enough, and the clothes we wear are not warm enough.

Always shivering with cold.

The thing that Zhao Xu remembered most about the Yuanyou era was that one summer, he and Zhao Ji hid behind the curtains of the bedroom in the Funing Palace and shared the snacks that Zhao Ji brought him.

As the emperor, he actually needs his brothers to bring him food!
This is also the case, although Zhao Xu despised and ignored Zhao Ji.

But there is a reason why he has never been shortchanged in the treatment he deserves.

And all of this is just because the Empress Dowager wants to save face and likes to be praised.

Naturally, this character flaw of hers had long been discovered and exploited.

Not only the prime minister, but even the eunuchs around her took advantage of her preference and continued to seize power.

A typical example is Chen Yan, who has now been beaten to death.

In Zhao Xu's previous life, this big Diao Dang who walked out from Zhao Hao's side was the prime minister during the Yuanyou era.

Until Zhao Xu launched a palace coup, he still controlled the inside and outside of the Qingshou Palace. He once planned to support Zhao Hao, but he did not dare to carry it out.

Precisely because he knew the Empress Dowager's temperament clearly, Zhao Xu knew that as long as she came, Zhang Dunli would be in great trouble if he didn't die.

but……

What Zhao Xu wanted was not just to make Zhang Dunli suffer.

And it's just that, there's no need to be so troublesome.

Therefore, Zhao Xu raised his head slightly and said to the Empress Dowager: "Grandmother... the prince consort just made a small mistake regarding money..."

"The censors are making a mountain out of a molehill!"

Seeing that Zhao Xu was still protecting Zhang Dunli, the Empress Dowager felt both happy and angry.

What makes me happy is that the child cares about family affection, but what makes me angry is that Zhang Dunli is such a good-for-nothing!
She picked up a letter of impeachment and handed it to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, please take a look!"

"What good things did the Prince Consort do outside?"

Zhao Xu took it, glanced at it and looked up.

It was Lu Tao’s memorial.

Lu Tao was a capable general of the Shu Party, and the Shu Party was influenced by Su Shi, and their style of doing things was generally heroic and unrestrained.

To put it in a low EQ way, it means - always likes to make big news!

The words used are very thrilling, and I also like to use my imagination.

This is what happened to Xian Yuqian last time.

This time, Lu Tao is still the same.

Zhao Xu only read the pornographic content, and his instinct as an emperor was awakened.

Because, Lü Tao introduced in the post: "I have seen the princess' husband interacting with people from all walks of life in recent days... There are monks, Taoist priests and clerks from the Kaifeng government entering and leaving the princess' residence...

Looking at the specific content of the impeachment, Lu Tao first cited the examples of emperors in past dynasties indulging their relatives, which eventually led to disasters.

Then he changed the subject and fired fiercely at Zhang Dunli.

It is said that he made friends with monks and Taoists, and there is a possibility that he created prophecies in private.

At the same time, his dealings with the clerks in the wing, and his own clerks in the wing, showed that he was harboring evil intentions!

The evidence is that other relatives by marriage did not dare to have any contact with the clerks.

And Zhang Dunli dares!
This fact alone has proved that the prince consort may have had ulterior motives!

Therefore, even if it is just to nip the problem in the bud, we must strike hard!

Otherwise, the Song Dynasty will surely encounter disaster in the future.

After reading it, Zhao Xu agreed with Lu Tao's words in his heart, but on the surface, he still looked for excuses to excuse Zhang Dunli: "Grandmother, the prince consort and the princess have always been sincere in worshipping Buddha... There is nothing wrong with their association with monks!"

"As for the Taoist..."

"It is well known that the Prince Consort loves painting, and Taoists have been good at painting since ancient times... The Prince Consort may have been interacting with him just to learn from him about painting skills!"

"What the clerk said is even more ridiculous!"

"The prince consort lives in Yongningfang, so he naturally wants to be close to this clerk!"

But the more he spoke in favor of Zhang Dunli, the more resolute the Empress Dowager became in her attitude towards this matter.

She sighed and said to Zhao Xu: "Even if what the emperor said is true!"

"But I'm afraid people in the world won't see it that way!"

"I think the emperor should summon the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, the heir to Prince Pu, and the Dali Temple to discuss this matter together!"

"What does the Queen Mother think?" The Grand Empress Dowager turned her head to look at Empress Dowager Xiang who was sitting next to her.

Empress Dowager Xiang was also quite impressed by the righteous demeanor of the Queen Mother.

However, her temperament is completely different from that of the Empress Dowager.

She is a person who likes to smooth things over.

Empress Dowager Xiang thought for a moment and replied, "It is naturally good that your Majesty does not show favoritism!"

"It's just that the bride believes that family disgrace should not be made public!"

"It's best not to alert the Grand Chancellor and the Dali Temple about this matter..."

The Empress Dowager listened and pondered.

In fact, for her, how to deal with this matter is not important at all!

The important thing is that she has to remove herself from this matter. She can't let the people of the world, especially the scholars and officials of the world, think that she, the Empress Dowager, favors her son-in-law!

She was even compared with Zhangxian Mingsu - more than two years ago, when she first took over the throne.

She was also complacent because court officials compared her to Zhangxian Mingsu.

But now, she is ashamed to be second to 'Zhangxian Mingsu'.

She wants to be like the Song Dynasty.

She is the descendant of King Wen, the mother of King Wu, and the ancestor of King Cheng!
She is a virtuous queen whose name will go down in history, whose reputation will last forever, and who will be worshipped by generations to come!
If future generations want to mention the Song Dynasty, they should think of her!
Under such circumstances, let alone Zhang Dunli.

If any other member of the Gao family other than the brothers Gao Gongji committed a crime and caused public controversy, she would not protect them!

Of course, this was based on the Song Dynasty's extremely favorable treatment of the ruling class.

As long as the foreign relatives did not plot treason, even if they killed people or set fire in front of Xuande Gate, at most they would be exiled to a certain state.

After a few years, if there is an amnesty, he will be reinstated.

It is precisely because of this institutional guarantee that the Empress Dowager was able to be so righteous and selfless.

Because the cost is almost zero!
Even if we really call the Grand Chancellor and the Dali Temple over to judge the crime through public discussion.

According to Zhang Dunli's current crimes, the worst that could happen to him was that he would be demoted to the post of Surveillance Commissioner of Mizhou and appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Militia in a small state.

Then he was placed in a place in the west of Beijing or the east of Beijing, and handed over to the custody and residential surveillance of local officials.

After half a year or a year, he would be pardoned and return to Beijing. After another one or two years, he would be reinstated and even have the opportunity to obtain the imperial seal.

Chai Zongqing, Li Wei, and Wang Shen were all like this back then.

In reality, such maximum punishment is almost impossible!

Even if the Dali Temple agrees, the Grand Chancellor will firmly oppose it.

The general outcome of dealing with this kind of thing is a salary fine.

Oh……

Now, there is a new option - send them to the Imperial College to receive further education in the classics of the sages.

"Although what the Queen Mother said is not without reason, I am afraid that the people of the world will not accept it!" The Grand Empress Dowager said, "Especially the Imperial Censors of the Censorate..."

Empress Dowager Xiang thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we might as well ask the ministers..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Jing's voice came from outside the palace: "Grand Madam, Empress Dowager, everyone..."

"The ministers have arrived at the inner east gate and handed in their petitions, begging for an audience with Your Majesty!"

The two palaces looked at each other and then at Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu sat up straight and told Feng Jing outside the palace: "Order Guo Sheren to lead the ministers to the back hall of Chongzheng Palace..."

"My mother, the queen mother and I will be here shortly!"

"promise!"

……

Inner east gate and small hall.

The ministers, wearing purple official robes and webbed hair, sat in this small hall. They asked Guo Zhongxiao about the censors' impeachment of the prince consort.

At this point, Guo Zhongxiao naturally didn't dare to hide it anymore.

He reported to the ministers that the censors had been impeaching the imperial concubine's commander for several days in a row.

However, he didn't know a single word about the content of the impeachment.

Because they are all sealed documents, and they are specifically sent directly to the king.

According to the system, the Tongjiansi is not allowed to copy or read.

After hearing this, the ministers ordered people to question several censors about the content and evidence of the impeachment, the reaction in the palace, etc.

After figuring out the ins and outs of the matter, Lu Gongzhu was certain.

This is a fishing expedition!

Because, from the beginning to the end, the emperor was exacerbating the conflict by appearing to be protecting his son-in-law!
Especially today, the matter of taking out money from the sealed treasury to make up for the deficit of the son-in-law has come out.

Lu Gongzhu asked himself, if he were the censor.

Will definitely come to knock on the door!
Like Lu Gongzhu, other rulers, no matter how stupid they were, came to their senses at this time.

"I heard that the emperor likes to read history..."

"yes……"

"Some time ago, Liu Gongfu was appointed as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat. The emperor personally summoned him to answer questions and asked him many stories about the history of the Han Dynasty..."

"I heard Liu Gongfu say that the government officials are sages with profound knowledge, and they can draw inferences about other cases from one instance, and they often talk about things that ordinary people cannot talk about..."

What are the things that ordinary people cannot talk about?

Naturally, they can only be those details in Han history that seem warm but are actually full of darkness.

Lu Gongzhu listened to the discussions of his colleagues.

He pursed his lips slightly: "I'm afraid I can't face the present with the same attitude as I did to the officials of previous dynasties..."

This person probably really learned the skills of the wise rulers of the Han and Tang dynasties.

Just as he was thinking about it, Feng Jing, the waiter in the emperor's palace, appeared in front of this small palace.

The ministers all stood up and adjusted their hats and appearance.

……

Outside the Suzaku Gate is the Chaojiyuan, which is the designated place for civil officials who return to the capital to report on their work, wait for the throne, or are selected for office before they meet the emperor.

It was afternoon, the sun was glaring and the dust was flying.

As there was nothing to do, the gatekeepers of Chaojiyuan drank some wine, then leaned on the bed in the gatehouse and dozed off.

They are meeting the goddess in their dreams.

Tuk-tuk-tuk...

A rapid knock on the door woke them up.

"Who is it?" A doorman stood up cursing, walked out impatiently, opened the door, and then all his sleepiness flew away, and he immediately showed a flattering smile.

Because, what appeared before him was a man wearing a scarlet official robe, followed by seven or eight strong and powerful civil officials who were performing various ceremonies.

Moreover, it is easy to see the goldfish bag tied around his waist.

Scarlet robe and goldfish bag...

This is an important official waiting to be appointed!

Even though those who came and went in the Imperial Court were all civil officials and literati, it was still very rare to see an important official at the level of a waiting official.

Because according to the system, important officials of this level need to report to the Chaojiyuan.

But in reality, they all have mansions in the capital, so at least they are friends, so all they need to do is send a servant over to say hello.

Generally speaking, those who can come to the court in person are not the kind of honest officials who are well-known throughout the world.

He is an outcast in the officialdom who has made countless enemies.

Only these two types of people would come to Chaojiyuan.

Which type of person is this?
The gatekeeper thought about it and observed quietly.

The high-ranking official standing at the door, surrounded by the Yuan followers, looked a little thin and not very tall. His hair seemed a little sparse and there was a very obvious black mole on his face. His whole aura made people feel a little uneasy, as if they were the sculptures of judges seen in temples.

The doorman shuddered subconsciously, and hurriedly bowed and asked, "May I ask who you are?"

Next to the civil official, Kong Wuyuan, who was dressed in a blue shirt, handed over an official certificate and said, "This is the former Minister of the Dali Temple, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the former Governor of Luzhou, Cui Gong!"

"Why don't you quickly prepare a room, food, and hot water for Mr. Cui?"

The doorman hurriedly bowed and said, "So it's Mr. Cui..."

The next moment, his words got stuck in his throat.

He looked up in horror.

"Mr. Cui..."

A name exploded in his mind.

Cui Taifu!
Cui Taifu, who was trained into a prisoner, this evil star has returned to the court!
(End of this chapter)