When Dai Quan entered the side hall of the Daming Palace to report, he was so shocked by the scene in front of him that his eyes widened.
What did he see?
Your Majesty is having dinner at the same table as Jia Heng, which is simply...unbelievable.
"This boy's holy family is incredible, red and purple..." Dai Quan suppressed the turmoil in his heart, walked into the palace lightly, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Xu Fuyin is waiting outside the palace to hear the announcement. "
Emperor Chongping put down the chopsticks in his hands, took the mouthwash, towel and other items from the little eunuch at the side and wiped his hands.
At this moment, Jia Heng also stood up quickly and stood with his hands down.
"Xu Deqing is coming in." Emperor Chongping put down his towel, regained his majestic and cold expression, and said in a deep voice.
Not long after, Jingzhao Yin Xu Lu, wearing a scarlet official uniform, entered the palace. This Jingzhao Yin, with a thin figure and a solemn face, bowed to Emperor Chongping and then glanced at Jia Feiyu, who was waiting at the side. Heng.
Just now, he had heard on the road that Jia Ziyu had beaten the Dengwen drum, causing hundreds of officials to be detained, and he was also entrusted with the task of investigating the case of Fan Yi being beaten and maimed.
When Emperor Chongping saw Xu Lu, he didn't beat around the bush and asked, "Does Xu Qing know that he passed by?"
Xu Lulang said: "When I was on the road, I heard Eunuch Dai narrate what happened. I am Jing Zhaoyin. I sat back and watched the deterioration of public security in Dongcheng. I have no shirk of responsibility. I also ask the Holy One to punish him."
"How long has Xu Qing been in charge of Jingzhao? The trouble in Dongcheng, as Mr. Han Ge said, is a chronic disease that lasts for more than a day and is not Xu Qing's fault alone..." Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said.
"I would like to thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration." Xu Lu bowed and saluted, and said loudly.
This Xu Deqing is quite upright, and compared to Jia Heng who looked like he was crying with gratitude just now, he is more conceited at this moment.
Jia Heng's eyes flashed brightly, and he thought about it and said, "No wonder the emperor will make great use of this person."
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said: "The control of banditry in the East City requires the joint efforts of the government and departments. Just now, I have ordered Jia Heng to take charge of the affairs of the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities. What he just said was to change the responsibilities of the bureaucracy. I was thinking about it, The two of you are old acquaintances, so you should work together and discuss with each other to define the responsibilities of Jingzhao Yamen and Wucheng Military and Horse Department, and think that you will follow them later."
Xu Lu was startled when he heard this. He looked at Jia Heng in surprise and asked, "Jia Ziyu, the power and responsibilities of the government officials are unclear and they often argue about this matter. What does Jia Ziyu have to say?"
Xu Lu will be promoted to Zuodu Yushi in the next year, and there are still a few months before he will step down as Jing Zhaoyin. Although he has received hints from the emperor, Xu Fuyin obviously does not want to waste the remaining days.
As the saying goes, when a person passes by, he leaves his name, and when a goose passes by, he leaves a voice. Being an official for one term brings benefit to a place.
All aspiring officials do not want to leave a valuable political legacy for their successors to admire.
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Xu, I thought that the dispute between the Jingzhao Government Office and the Wucheng Military and Horse Division was due to some overlapping functions. For example, the Wucheng Military and Horse Division can arrest bandits, and the Jingzhao Government Office also has the power to arrest bandits. However, Jingzhao Yamen is short of soldiers. Moreover, it has to take charge of civil affairs and prison litigation matters in the counties under Jingzhao Yamen. The manpower is not allocated enough. Otherwise, the power of arresting bandits in Jingcheng will be vested in the soldiers and horses of the five cities. Department, the Wucheng Military and Horse Department has the Public Security Department, which is permanently stationed in Jingzhao. The two parties work together and communicate with each other. If the Jingzhao Yamen encounters an emergency, it can arrest first and then file it with the Public Security Department. For bandits who have stolen possessions of the countryside, The newly established Patrol Division will be dispatched to the patrol stations in each district to investigate and interrogate."
The Public Security Department is the joint command department, managed by the five-city military commander, while the Patrol Department is a specific action department stationed in various places to help arrest people, interrogate them, and then send them to Jingzhao Yamen for exoneration and conviction.
It must be said here that in this era, the criminal proceedings were still in the interrogatory mode, but Fu Yin actually had to sit in the government office to judge the case, and the third class of government officials in the government office also acted as criminal police officers.
If the responsibilities are not clear, it will only lead to buck-passing, and either everyone is fighting to take charge of it, or they are not paying attention at all.
"Master Jia's intention is to rebuild the Five Cities Military and Horse Division?" Xu Lu frowned and said in a deep voice: "Those soldiers don't know the names of the soldiers, so I'm afraid that unjust imprisonment will happen frequently."
To put it bluntly, I am worried that the patrol department is not professional enough.
"It's just a preliminary trial, and active criminals can be arrested on the spot. For those who have not been found to have committed crimes, they will ultimately have to be judged and convicted by the official of Jingzhao Yamen. As for the soldiers who don't understand the law, they can be taught and let the official of Jingzhao Mansion conduct regular inspections. Rotation training can also reduce the official burden of Jingzhao Yamen." Jia Heng explained after pondering.
It’s the same in any era. The police despise the lowest level of the chain, and they are basically... these legally illiterate people.
"That can be tried temporarily." In front of the emperor, Xu Lu still gave Jia Heng some face, but he was not very optimistic about it.
Jia Heng said: "Sir Xu, I'm thinking if we can call together everyone who is good at the legal annotations of criminal names to formulate a Han code for trial use.
Think of the details of public security, such as punishing police violations with corvee, and fines such as combing street ditches. "
Chen Han Lv, following the example of Ming Dynasty Lv, is the first, and the rest consists of six parts, totaling 30 volumes and 601 chapters.
As for administrative regulations, they are from the Han Dynasty Huidian.
"In this era, there is no concept of governing the country by law. Things happen because of people, the law is not enforced, and the legal network is not complete, let alone good laws and good governance?" Jia Heng thought.
When Xu Lu heard this, his eyes lit up and he said: "You can give it a try. If the model is established, it can be promoted nationwide and added to the Han Dynasty Code."
Then the two of them discussed how to coordinate their official duties and how to act together.
"The top priority right now is still the problem of Dongcheng. You two go down and discuss it. I won't rush you, but before the end of the year, Dongcheng should have a new look!" Emperor Chongping said with a calm face.
"I obey the order." Jia Heng and Xu Lu said in unison, cupping their hands.
At this moment, Dai Quan said: "Your Majesty, the decree of the cabinet has been drawn up. The first deputy, the second deputy, and the six departments have all signed the decree. Do you want me to send someone to announce the decree?"
The so-called decree means that Xu, Yu, and Jia will be the presiding judges, and they will jointly try the case of Fan Yi, as well as the imperial edict with the Wucheng Military and Horse Department. Because the matter of beating and maiming the national examination candidates was too shocking, the imperial edict was used. Ordering a strict investigation shows that we take it seriously.
Because the order was given to three people, there were three copies.
"Let the two beloved ministers take it back and use it when handling the case." Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said.
Jia Heng and Xu Lu both responded, followed the imperial edict, and left Daming Palace.
After the two left, Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, his face suddenly turned gloomy, and he said: "Let someone call Qu Lang, a hundred households in brocade clothes, to come into the palace to see him."
Obviously still thinking about what Jia Heng said just now.
There are secret communicators in Jinyi Mansion...
This sentence hovered in Emperor Chongping's mind, like a lingering shadow.
+++
Jia Heng and Xu Lu were escorted out of the palace gate by the inner prison. Jia Heng was the first to break the silence and said: "Master Xu, I will come to visit you later."
Xu Lu waved his hand and said calmly: "Master Jia is now a national martial artist. If you have official matters, just go to the government office and tell him. If you have private matters, I have no private matters here.
Jia Heng was startled, then cupped his hands and said, "Master Xu is so noble and upright, I admire him late in life."
Xu Lu pondered for a while and said: "By the way, Jia Zhen's case has been drafted. Lai Sheng will be executed according to the law, and Jia Zhen will be exiled to Lingnan. As a party, you should go to listen to the reading of Ju, but I am busy with official duties recently. The lawsuit documents will be delivered to my house tomorrow."
When Jia Heng heard this, his face paused slightly and he said, "Thank you, Mr. Xu. Later, Wan Sheng will go to the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to announce the decree."
"Go." Xu Lu waved his hand, got into a carriage, and went straight to Jingzhao Yamen.
Watching Xu Lu board the carriage and leave, Jia Heng remained silent for a long time.
I have to say that Mr. Xu is quite a man of character. Even though the two of them have known each other for a long time due to previous affairs, he still has a business-like appearance.
"Go back to the mansion first, and then go and take over the Five Cities Military and Horse Division." Jia Heng thought about it and planned to go to Ningguo Mansion. Previously, Fan Yi and his cousin Dong Qian had been led by Cai Quan's people. He left the palace city.
With this thought in mind, he took the food box from the prisoner on the side.
The food box contains Empress Song's cakes.
As soon as he put it in his hand, he was suddenly startled, but he heard the sound of a horse neighing. Jia Heng's heart moved slightly, and he looked at the horses with a low voice.
I saw three knights, surrounded by guards, heading towards the palace.
The leaders were clearly King Chen Ran of Wei, King Chen Wei of Liang, Princess Chen Zhi of Xianyang, and Princess Li Chanyue of Qinghe County. These were noble nobles, and behind them were three brightly dressed and angry horses with respectful expressions. young people.
I actually knew one of them, it was Feng Ziying.
Jia Heng held the imperial edict in his hand and stepped aside.
He didn't want to have too much interaction with these Tianhuangguiwei, but he couldn't avoid them intentionally at this time.
"Jia Ziyu?" However, King Chen Ran of Wei saw Jia Heng from a distance. His eyes lit up and he called out to Jia Heng. As he spoke, he got off the horse.
Jia Heng frowned. At this time, he had no choice but to step forward and cup his hands and said: "Jia Heng, I have met His Highness King Wei, His Highness King Liang, and Your Highness the Princess."
Chen Ran smiled and said: "I just mentioned you, Jia Ziyu, to them. You returned from slaying bandits from Cuihua Mountain and wrote another version of the Three Kingdoms."
Compared to the first time they met, this young man with a sinister face and a proud self-esteem had a much kinder attitude towards Jia Heng, who was still white and unknown.
At that time, the horse had not dismounted, but now, after seeing it from a distance, it actually dismounted.
Jia Heng's face paused, and he felt some inexplicable emotions in his heart, and said: "It's just a bad name, but it will insult His Highness's ears and eyes. I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed."
He has always kept a respectful distance from Huang Guiwei these days.
"Jia Ziyu, you are too modest." At this moment, Liang Wang Chen Wei, who had dismounted from his horse in the distance, looked at Jia Heng with a half-smile.
In the distance, Princess Chen Zhi of Xianning, this cold beauty, also cast a pair of shining phoenix eyes at Jia Heng.
As for Qinghe Princess Li Chanyue, the little girl showed a hint of curiosity on her face and said in a clear voice: "Mr. Xiao Jia, what are you doing in the palace?"
Jia Heng looked at Li Chanyue, raised the imperial edict, and said loudly: "I just met the Holy Emperor and received an errand. My little princess, long time no see."
He actually has a fair impression of this little princess. Judging from his current contacts, this little princess is not unruly or arrogant, but rather weak, coquettish and naive.
Li Chanyue walked up to Jia Heng with her hands behind her back, looked at Jia Heng, and then her eyes suddenly fell on the internal prison guard who was following behind her. She looked at the food box in his hand and said softly: "Uncle also gave me meals? What kind of meal is this?"
After Li Chanyue reminded him, King Chen Ran of Wei, King Chen Wei of Liang, and even Princess Chen Zhi of Xianning also turned their attention.
"It's the peach blossom cake made by the Queen. Your Majesty showed mercy and gave me a plate." Jia Heng frowned and said in a clear voice.
As soon as these words came out, Wei Wang Chen Ran was shocked. Looking at Jia Heng, the smile on his face became more and more prosperous, and he said: "My mother rarely cooks, and I haven't eaten the peach blossom cake made by my mother for a long time."
It turns out that Empress Song cooked some food herself because she cared for Emperor Chongping, who was often delayed by political affairs.
"The peach blossom cake made by the queen mother?" Chen Wei was also a little surprised. The carefree look on his face became more restrained. He looked at Jia Heng, with a hint of doubt deep in his eyes.
Father actually thinks so highly of this young man?
Princess Xianning also looked at Jia Heng curiously. This princess has a beautiful face and a cold temperament. What is unforgettable is that there is a tear mole under the corner of her eye.
Li Chanyue smiled sweetly, her eyebrows curved into crescent moons, and she said in a clear voice: "Mr. Xiao Jia, how about we discuss it with you? How about you give me a few pieces? I haven't eaten it for a long time."
Jia Heng was startled for a moment and explained: "It's not much in the first place. I plan to go back and let my wife use it at home. Of course, if the little princess wants it, then I can give all the food boxes to the little princess."
Li Chanyue's beautiful, white face was startled, and she said softly: "Forget it, I'm not good at taking advantage of others."
Since it is for your wife to eat, what will happen if I take it away?
When Liang Wang Chen Wei heard this, he just smiled and said: "Cousin Chanyue really can't eat this box of peach blossom cakes, otherwise, wouldn't she become someone else..."
As he said that, he winked at his brother Chen Ran.
"Ahem..." Wei Wang Chen Ran's face darkened, he frowned, and coughed several times, but he felt that it was very inappropriate to say this in front of a foreign minister.
Princess Chen Zhi of Xianning also glanced at Liang Wang Chen Wei. This frosty-faced Princess of Xianning has a mother-like appearance and narrow, clear eyes. Just one glance made Chen Wei feel a little timid. She was obviously jealous of this fifth sister. , a little bit scared.
The smile on Liang Wang Chen Wei's face was frozen, his eyes were lowered and he said nothing.
Jia Heng looked at the two kings Wei and Liang with a pale expression, but a comment flashed in his mind.
King Wei was gloomy, King Liang was frivolous, and although the two sons of Emperor Chongping were direct descendants, their magnanimity did not look very grand, and they were far from the magnanimity of a king.
Perhaps Emperor Chongping's temperament was originally gloomy and severe, and his sons had this temperament due to the environment in which they grew up.
"Jia Ziyu, I will not prevent you from going on official business." Wei Wang Chen Ran smiled and said, "You entered the palace on foot, but you can ride this horse out of the palace."
Lend the horse and wait for it to come back. After going back and forth, you will gradually become familiar with it.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but we only have a few steps to go. I am young and strong, so it doesn't hurt to walk a few more steps, just in time to catch a glimpse of the prosperity of Shenjing."
King Wei seemed not to have expected that his "show of goodwill" would be politely declined. He couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. After a while, he smiled and said: "That's okay, Feng Ziying, you can send Jia Ziyu off on behalf of the orphan."
Feng Ziying, who was behind him with Wei Ruolan and Chen Yejun, had just seen Jia Heng. However, due to the presence of several Tianhuang nobles, he could not come forward to say hello. At this time, he heard the call and led his horse forward. Said: "Your Highness."
King Wei Chen Ran smiled and said: "You are old acquaintances. Let me see you off for you."
Feng Ziying responded, then looked at Jia Heng and said with a smile: "Zi Yu, I haven't seen you for a while."
Jia Heng smiled and said a few words, then took the food box from the prisoner, nodded to the king of Wei and others, and then left with Feng Ziying.
Watching the two of them disappear into the distance, King Wei Chen Ran's eyes were a little sad, and a trace of annoyance flashed through his heart.
In the beginning, if we had formed a good relationship when we first met, it wouldn't be like this now.
Next year, he will leave the palace and open a palace. After he gets married to Wei Ruolan's sister Wei Xian, he will definitely be sent to watch the government. However, he looks around the court, but there is no one available to support him.
"If I had established a good relationship with Jia Heng before,"
Thinking of all the rumors about Jia Heng that I have heard recently, the more I think about it, the more I feel that I have missed a talented person.
Chen Wei frowned, with a hint of displeasure on his handsome, fair face, and said softly: "Third brother, this guy named Jia's face is too big.
The third brother gave him a horse to ride on, but he didn't even ride. "
Chen Ran shook his head and said: "He is now from the father, so it is common sense to be more reserved."
He, the legitimate son, was also quite frustrated. He didn't have the position of prince, and he couldn't even think about cultivating his wings. He also had two concubine brothers who had already opened a palace, gathering momentum and eyeing him.
Emperor Chongping had five sons and three daughters. The eldest son was King Qi, the second son was King Chu, and the third son was King Wei.
The fourth daughter, Princess Chen Hui of Nanyang, is married, the fifth princess, Princess Chen Zhi of Xianning, is still in the boudoir, and the sixth son is King Liang Chen Wei. As for the seventh daughter, the eight sons are all still young.
