Song Gexing

Chapter 173

Zhao Zhen almost became happy when he saw this scene, but fortunately he quickly held back and put on a majestic look, praising his son in his heart.

He still just knew that this new policy reform was the most beneficial to him. Originally, all officials could defeat him. After this change, only the Admonition Yuan will be the one in the future.

It's not that he is too stupid, but everyone in the Song Dynasty is used to it. When they see the emperor who doesn't like it, everyone can roll up their sleeves and spray them.

Everyone has seen the measures of the New Deal but has not thought about it. Now that they have been passed, their ears are much clearer.

But this time the matter still had to be dealt with. Looking at the blushing faces of a group of people, Zhao Zhen softened his heart again. It would be too cruel for so many people to punish him.

He nodded and raised his hand to stop the censors and then said: "The prince's report is reasonable and well-founded, but the law does not punish everyone, and this matter has not caused any adverse consequences. Everyone just abide by the rules in the future."

Bao Zheng disagreed. He raised his head and retorted: "Only by rewarding meritorious deeds and punishing delinquencies can we demonstrate the majesty of the court's laws. How can we let them go without punishment? Your Majesty's words are against the rules."

Zhao Zhen had no choice but to ask: "Then according to Bao Qing's wishes, how should we be punished?"

Bao Zheng cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty said that this matter has not caused any adverse consequences and can be dealt with lightly. In my opinion, let me be punished with a fine."

Of course, it is impossible for Lao Bao to ask so many people to be kicked out of the court. The impact would be too great, but punishment is still necessary. Let all officials know that they can no longer seize the rights of the Yushitai.

Hearing what he said, Zhao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, and those people also breathed a sigh of relief. Let's fine them fines. Anyway, they have a lot of salary.

Zhao Fang succeeded in this matter, but it did not mean that the case was over. Among the people who impeached Long Changqi were censors. After the dust settled, they brought up the matter again and demanded severe punishment from the court.

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said: "The edict has been issued. Let him come to Beijing to defend himself. Let's wait until he arrives."

Supervising the censor Shen Qi not to back down and persist, Zhao Fang hurriedly answered: "I read the memorial alone. There are local officials impeaching Sun Miao, the prefect of Bingzhou. Why don't you see the memorial at the censor's desk?"

Shen Qi was stunned, shook his head and said, "I haven't seen the document in this regard, so I can't answer His Highness's question."

Bao Zheng hurriedly replied: "Your Highness, the Censor's Office has just been reorganized, the powers and responsibilities have been changed, and various patrols have been selected to monitor the Censor, and indeed no attention has been paid to local reports."

Zhao Zhen was puzzled and asked: "What did Sun Yuangui violate, so that the local government can impeach him?"

Sun Mian is an old minister, Zhao Zhen has a good impression of him, and the courtiers also have a good impression of him, including Di Qing.

In the third year of Huangyou's reign, Sun Miao served as the transshipment envoy for Jiangnan West Road. At the time when Di Qing was going south, he was commanding the campaign to attack Jiaozhou. Sun Miao, who was in charge of the logistics for the army going south, cooperated very well with him.

Moreover, Sun Miao's military quality was no worse than that of any famous general. You should know that he was a civil servant. Even Di Qing praised him for his appearance as a famous general.

But perhaps it is for this reason that he is not as gentle and elegant as a scholar, but more like a military commander. In addition, he is the protection of a civil servant, which makes him even more unscrupulous.

After hearing Zhao Zhen's question, Zhao Fang replied: "Sun Yuangui was unscrupulous and shameless. He not only avenged his personal vengeance, robbed people of their property, but also forced traitors to have their wives. His crimes were too numerous to record. Wherever he went, people were filled with resentment, and local officials could not bear to be disturbed. , petition for impeachment.”

"This... shouldn't be the case!"

Not only Zhao Zhen was dumbfounded, but the ministers were also in an uproar. Zhao Fang said solemnly: "My father is so generous, but my son didn't believe it after receiving the report, and asked the Imperial City Division to secretly transfer the officials. But unfortunately, every time he was impeached, The reports are all true, and the local officials did not falsely accuse him." Now everyone believed it even if they didn't believe it, because the prince and Sun Mian had no personal grudges, and it was impossible to target him, so the transfer from the Imperial City Division would not be false.

Zhao Zhen had no choice but to send the Imperial City Division to send the results of the investigation, and asked the ministers to question it on the spot. After everyone checked it was correct, he asked: "This matter has been discussed among the ministers. How should we deal with it?"

Tian Kuangsurong, the judge of the Zhixing Court, said: "Since the evidence in this case is conclusive, he should be arrested and brought to justice, and then sentenced after trial."

Fu Bi said displeasedly: "You can't punish a scholar-official. Since Sun Yuangui's incident is true, the court will deal with it directly. How can we arrest him and put him on trial? What's the point of losing face like that?"

These words immediately attracted many supporters. Tian Kuang frowned and said: "What is Mr. Fu's so-called punishment? Demotion or removal of office. Is this the case for the people he killed?"

Fu Bi waved his hand nonchalantly and said: "The Imperial City Division has found out that Sun Yuangui did not harm anyone, but only took away the money of the businessman. The other one just lived a disorderly life, so I will just criticize him."

Zhao Fang was very angry. Fu Bi's words represented the aspirations of a large number of scholar-bureaucrats. To them, oppressing the people was just a matter of words, and forcing a woman to rape was just a matter of disorderly living. How absurd was this.

He immediately stood up and stared at Fu Bi and said: "Does the Prime Minister think that a person with bad morals can still be an official? Forcing the wife of an adulterer, how is this behavior different from an animal! If these women are from your family, you still think they are just Is it inappropriate? Is this what the sages taught you? Don’t you know what it means to compare your feelings with your own? Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you. Have you forgotten all about this?"

Fu Bi's face turned pale. This question was too serious. Zhao Fang turned to those who supported him and stared at them with piercing eyes.

None of the ministers dared to look at him, because no one could answer this question, even if they felt disdain in their hearts, they did not dare to speak out.

Zhao Zhen saw it and hurriedly said: "Sun Qing is the minister of the border area after all. The prince should not be too harsh. Let him go to Jinghu South Road. The governor of Shaozhou has just become an official, so go there to take over."

Zhao Fang almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He had already mentioned this. It was a good time to suppress Wen Chen's arrogance, but his good father came to make trouble.

He wanted to object, but he couldn't. He had just blocked everyone with the words of a saint, but opposing his own father was also against the words of a saint and was unfilial.

Unable to conceal his anger, he could only bow his hands and say: "My son, please retire!"

Without saying anything else, he turned around and walked out. Only then did Zhao Zhen realize that he was angry. He opened his mouth, paused, and closed it with a sigh.

This matter spread quickly, and when Zhao Fang returned home, he was greeted by worried looks from his wives and concubines.

"His Highness was too impulsive today. It was inappropriate to speak of Mr. Fu like that, and it was even more inappropriate to leave directly and embarrass Mr. Jun."

Han Xue came over to help him undress and persuaded. Zhao Fang looked at his wives and concubines and was even more upset, because he saw from their eyes that they all had the same look, thinking that he was wrong.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Han Xue continued: "I know that Your Highness cares about the people, but he cannot be punished. Scholar-officials have been like this since ancient times. It was not just started in the Song Dynasty. Sun Yuangui was a deputy privy envoy. As long as it is not guilty of treason, disrespect, etc. , shouldn’t be pursued too far.”

"Sister Xue'er is right, Your Highness cannot..."

"Okay, stop talking."

Xiao Guanyin had just helped, but was interrupted by Zhao Fang before she could finish her words. The little girl's eyes suddenly turned red, and Murong Shuanghua hugged her quickly: "Your Highness!"

(End of this chapter)