In the Marquis Mansion, Gongsun Jing dismissed his confidants, sat down again, and looked at Xia Jingyun, "Young Master, this...is this also your work?"
Xia Jingyun was noncommittal, "Anyone who commits many unjust acts will be punished by his own death. If he doesn't do these wrong things himself, there's nothing anyone can do to him."
Gongsun Jing was instantly excited. After all, he was a minister, and he was so easily plotted by the young master. But then he was a little confused, "But this minister Jin is the minister of Hubu, and Mr. Wei of Hubu now has the power." , there is no need to go through such trouble at all, isn’t our target the Ministry of Rites?"
Xia Jingyun smiled slightly, "Often things we think are irrelevant are connected behind them. It just depends on whether we can find this connection and use it."
Gongsun Jing thought for a while and seemed to understand a little, but also seemed to not understand a little, so he had to say: "Then what do you need me to do?"
Xia Jingyun shook his head, "There were some before, but they are gone now. Oh, let's prepare a batch of gifts for me. In two days, when this matter is settled, I will go to the bamboo forest."
Gongsun Jing nodded slowly and stood up, then suddenly froze, "These two days? Is it over? You mean just these two days?"
Xia Jingyun thought for a while, "To be precise, if nothing else happens, it will be tomorrow."
Gongsun Jing took a deep breath and walked away with a shocked look on his face. As he walked, he was thankful that he had woken up early, otherwise he would have died without knowing how.
——
In Changle Palace, Emperor Chongning was lying on the couch, and Concubine De was gently pressing his shoulders.
"Your Majesty, Xie'er is not sensible yet, so don't get along with him."
Emperor Chongning, who had just been looked down upon by his youngest son Xiaoxiao, laughed and said, "Seeing how powerful my son is, I am not happy enough. How could I be angry with him!"
He turned slightly to the side, pointed to his arm, and motioned to Concubine De to help him pinch it, and then said with a smile, "Xie'er said Xia Jingyun taught him this?"
Concubine De hummed, "Years ago, he left the second palace and went to the Marquis Jiang'an Mansion. Maybe my brother felt that the New Year was coming, so he taught him a lot of children's fun. These days, he was showing off everywhere. Woolen cloth!"
Emperor Chongning laughed when he heard this, "At the New Year's Eve banquet before, he could endure it from beginning to end, which is rare."
"As a prince, you should know what you should and shouldn't do, and you should also understand the timing. You can't cause trouble for Your Majesty at that time. At this moment, you can relieve His Majesty's fatigue by saying some childlike words."
"You! You really have a good family tradition!"
Emperor Chongning seemed to be touched by these words. He sat up and held Concubine De's hand with a look of relief on his face, "When I went to Sishui Prefecture, Sishui Prefecture suffered repeated military disasters, but you only spent less than one hundred thousand taels of silver. , you helped me stabilize the situation in Sishui Prefecture, eliminated the war disaster, and stabilized the prefecture. When I came back, I brought back more than 100,000 taels of gold and silver treasures. Wei Yuanzhi was recommended by you, and he is at home. The department is also doing a good job, and I feel at ease with you taking the lead."
Concubine De said quickly: "I am just following His Majesty's teachings and trying my best to share His Majesty's worries. As for Lord Wei and other foreign ministers, they must also be working hard to contribute to Your Majesty's country and the country."
"I believe in you." Emperor Chongning clapped her hand and immediately looked slightly cold, "But there are some rebellious officials and traitors who not only don't want to share the country's worries, but are instead thinking about taking advantage of me and the court. Lining your own pockets! But I will not tolerate it!"
He looked out at the night with a solemn look on his face.
Concubine De's hand gently climbed onto his shoulder and squeezed it gently, "It's getting late. Your Majesty, please rest early. Tomorrow's banquet will bring all the kings and their families to the palace. It must be a lot of hard work for you." You need to take care of your dragon body."
Emperor Chongning hummed, "You can help me press it again. I will lie down for a while, and then I will go to the imperial study room to make arrangements."
——
The next day, the seventh day of the first lunar month, was Human Day.
It was a custom in Daxia that on every Ren's Day, the emperor would ascend the throne outside the city and hold a banquet for all the ministers to celebrate.
Later, in the middle of the dynasty, there was an emperor who cared about the people. When he thought that this matter was of no use to the people and money every time, he simply took advantage of the rainy weather one year and canceled the event. Instead, it was held in the palace hall. The banquet targets were also reduced from hundreds of officials to only relatives of the emperor.
Later emperors were too lazy to change it, so the matter was settled according to this etiquette.
In Jiang'an Hou Mansion, Xia Jingyun and Su Yuanshang were sitting opposite each other in a side room, with a chessboard in front of them.
Su Yuanshang smiled and asked, "Have you placed your treasure on King Cheng today?"
Xia Jingyun nodded.
"Then how do you ensure that King Cheng will follow your plan?"
Xia Jingyun smiled and said, "Given the suspicious character of our Majesty, after learning that his subordinates had done such a big case without telling him, a minister from the Ministry of Revenue would dare to embezzle hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands. In addition, now There is still a gap in the Wanbao Tower, why wouldn't he test his uncles and brothers? King Cheng has always been stingy, how could he give away his own things."
Su Yuanshang smiled while stroking his hands, "Then, he just happened to know a good way to get money."
Xia Jingyun nodded with a smile, picked up a chess piece and put it down.
——
In the Royal Palace, Wanbao Tower, an old prince came out of the side hall, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at King Cheng who was about to enter, and showed an expression of asking for blessings.
King Cheng, who looked similar to Emperor Chongning, but was a little fatter, felt his heart skip a beat and walked in bravely.
"Sit!" Emperor Chongning was very kind and pointed to the stool beside him.
King Cheng raised his buttocks in fear, and Emperor Chongning frowned upon seeing this, "Why are you and my direct brothers so restrained?"
King Cheng relaxed a little.
"What do you think of my Wanbao Tower?"
"This side hall alone has opened my eyes to my brother. The emperor's martial arts and martial arts are really something that I look up to, and will surely be admired by future generations."
"Hahahaha!" Emperor Chongning smiled happily, "When the main building of the Wanbao Tower is completed, it will be spectacular. I have worked hard for more than 20 years and should set an example for all generations. The treasure of the Wanbao Tower is extraordinary. It is a treasure of treasures, but a treasure of treasures that an emperor should have. There are documents of tribute and submission from barbarians from all directions, masterpieces of literati from all over the world singing their praises, and the auspiciousness of peace in the world and clear seas and rivers. This is the true meaning of Wanbao Tower."
King Cheng nodded repeatedly and praised the emperor's brother for being so powerful.
"But." Emperor Chongning changed his tone, "Building such a huge project costs a lot of money, and I don't want to squeeze the people's strength, so I can only squeeze out as much as possible from the inner treasury. It is already difficult now. You and I, my brothers, you What can be done?”
King Cheng understood immediately. No wonder the old uncle just now had sweat on his forehead. He immediately said: "My brother will check the family assets when I go back today. I will only keep enough for the needs of the whole family. I will give all the rest of the money to the emperor." Come!"
But he immediately grimaced, "But the emperor also knows that I have always been responsible for my duty. I am not a luxurious prince. I don't think my family has much. I ask the emperor not to blame me when the time comes."
Emperor Chongning said slowly: "What you said is right. I am not the one who knocks the bones and sucks the marrow. Do I still want you to give up all your family property? Since you are living in poverty, there is no need."
King Cheng's heart skipped a beat and he quickly said: "Although my brother is not rich, it is only natural for me to share my worries with my brother."
He rolled his eyes and remembered what his princess had said when he came back yesterday, and whispered: "Brother Emperor, I heard some news yesterday. I wonder if Brother Emperor has ever heard of a jewelry brand called Shitouji in Beijing? "
Emperor Chongning frowned and shook his head slowly.
"This store is the largest jewelry store in Beijing. It started with treasures from the southeast of Daxia. Now it controls almost all the jade and jewelry in the southeast of Daxia, and is also involved in many businesses in other directions. Among them, there are many precious ones. A thousand taels or even tens of thousands taels of the best.”
Emperor Chongning snorted coldly, "I built the Wanbao Tower to demonstrate my cultural and martial arts skills. I will not compete with businessmen for profits or take away private wealth."
King Cheng said softly: "This is the property of the family of Shi Dingzhong, the Minister of Rites. He and his brother, one in Beijing and the other in Guangling, worked together to make this stone record bigger. It is said that the dividends alone can get hundreds of thousands of taels every year. Woolen cloth!"
"How much?" Emperor Chongning was shocked.
——
"This is a dead end."
Xia Jingyun gently rubbed the chess piece on his fingertips, "If Shi Dingzhong wants to get out of trouble, based on his understanding of His Majesty, plus his surrender to the British Duke, and relying on the guidance of nobles, as long as he is not stupid, he will definitely think of spending money to buy Peace. But is he willing to give up his family wealth? Or even if he is willing, does he dare? You, a minister of the Ministry of Rites, took out hundreds of thousands of taels from your family, aren't you looking for death? "
Su Yuanshang nodded and answered, "So, he can only offer an amount that is neither too much nor too little, which can not only satisfy His Majesty, but also create a picture. Although I am a little greedy, I have already dissipated all my family wealth. Please forgive me." Live up to my pretense this time.”
"But when His Majesty knows the truth, no matter how generous or satisfied he was in the past, he will now hate him."
Xia Jingyun placed a chess piece on the chessboard, and there was a clear sound, "The last thing a king can tolerate is deception. This is Shi Dingzhong's reminder!"
——
In the Wanbao Tower, seeing his brother nodding seriously in confirmation, Emperor Chongning's heart suddenly rose with all kinds of complicated emotions, and then in an instant, it turned into overwhelming anger. In this anger, there was still hidden A hint of humiliation.
How satisfied he was with the fifty thousand taels before, now how angry and humiliated he is!
Think of him as a world-rich emperor, and his wealthy ministers would just throw away a little wealth like a beggar, and he would forgive the other party's serious sin, and he was very happy about it.
He was burdened with infamy all over the world, yet he still smugly defended himself as being the master of the family, knowing everything about the situation and doing analysis.
As for the minister, not only did he not feel distressed at all, he was probably secretly laughing in the palace that he, the emperor, was such a fool! I threw some meat at random, and it started wagging its tail like a dog!
what is this? If this is not bullying, then what is!
When Emperor Chongning's cold eyes glanced at Gao Yi, the eunuch who had been with him for more than twenty years suddenly felt cold. He felt as if there was a sword hanging above his head, ready to silence him at any time.
He quickly bowed to show his loyalty and submission.
Emperor Chongning suddenly remembered that there were outsiders here, and quickly calmed down, "It's a bit surprising that this happened. Okay, it's getting late. You go down first and greet the clan members for me. I suddenly remembered There are some urgent business matters, so go to the Imperial Study Room to deal with them."
King Cheng felt relieved that he had finally passed this test, and he quickly agreed.
Emperor Chongning led Gao Yi out to a deserted place. He almost gritted his teeth and ordered: "Summon the central ministers to meet me in the imperial study."
Gao Yi listened to the whole process and knew that something big was going to happen today, so he quickly gave orders.
"As for Xuanhu, ask him to check whether there has been any violation of law or discipline in the Shi family in the past two days, and then enter the palace immediately."
Emperor Chongning walked towards the imperial study room with murderous intent.
——
In the Marquis of Jiang'an Mansion, Su Yuanshang frowned and looked at the chess game on the table, "Your moves are really strange and changeable, refreshing and hard to guard against."
He thought for a moment and finally decided, "But in the end, everything will always change. If you want to deal with a minister at the level of six ministers, you can't do it without the approval of the central government. Shi Dingzhong is a smart man. He has been able to maintain neutrality over the years." , it can be seen if he insists on not taking sides, he is probably entangled with all parties behind his back, have you ever thought about what to do if the center is trying to protect himself?"
Xia Jingyun smiled and nodded, "Indeed, if the news that the Shi family is rich is simply revealed, the matter may be blocked in the center and he will eventually be able to escape. However, Jin Shilang's body is still there!"
Su Yuanshang understood immediately and laughed, "I think the central ministers also hope that there will be a big case to divert His Majesty's attention and loosen their bonds."
——
In the imperial study room, the central ministers gathered together.
They already knew what happened in the Household Department yesterday. Today was the day for the royal family gathering, but His Majesty suddenly summoned them. Everyone was a little panicked.
After all, they have all experienced the deep love and affection given to them by the people of Guangling Prefecture.
Emperor Chongning scanned the crowd and looked at their calm faces. Knowing that nothing could be seen from the faces of these old foxes, he simply said directly: "A few days ago, a censor impeached Shi Dingzhong, the Minister of Rites. It’s been dealt with. Do you, dear friends, feel that there is anything wrong with my handling?”
Everyone was silent and no one spoke.
They knew that His Majesty's question must have happened because something had changed and he probably regretted it, but in their position, it was more important not to make mistakes than to make meritorious deeds, so there was no reason to take the risk.
But some of them didn't think so. A newly promoted central minister gritted his teeth and said, "I think it's a little too light."
"I think so too."
Emperor Chongning glanced at him with relief, "It's great that you can muster up the courage to speak out about my mistakes and live up to my expectations of you. I'm very pleased."
After some polite foreshadowing, he looked at everyone, "A few days ago, Hei Bingtai reported to my desk everything that the Shi family had done. They killed and plundered, looked down upon human lives, disrespected etiquette, and treated the imperial talent promotion ceremony like a plaything. Everything is a capital crime, but I forgave him at the time because I thought he was capable of doing things and I didn't want to kill capable ministers indiscriminately."
"But just a few days ago, after I spared the Shi family, the son of the Shi family went to the outskirts of the city and raped a woman he liked. What did my magnanimity mean to them? What did it mean to them? The law of the country is like a decoration, and the power of the king is like a joke?"
"But I have tolerated them after all, so-called Jun Wu Xiyan. In the past two days, I have repeatedly thought about whether an official's virtue or talent is more important? Is Jun Wu Xiyan's authority more important, or fairness and justice?"
He leaned forward and glanced at everyone, "Gentlemen, can you teach me?"
Everyone's expressions were calm, but there was already a storm in their hearts. They all thought that the Shi family had just escaped, so how could they be overthrown.
What happened to make His Majesty have such an idea?
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel coughed lightly and was about to speak, persuading His Majesty to hold the troops still for the time being and to calm down the situation. After a few days, he would bring up the matter again in order to maintain the dignity of the court, but someone made a move first.
Prime Minister Qin immediately stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think that no matter what happened before, since Your Majesty has forgiven the Shi family, the matters before that can be temporarily let go."
Just as Emperor Chongning frowned and the Minister of Civil Affairs and others nodded, Prime Minister Qin changed his subject, "However, after His Majesty, with a tolerant heart, punished those who have gone before and those behind, hoping that they will find their way back and be used by the country, the Shi family will Still going his own way and committing such a heinous crime proves that his whole family has been corrupted and cannot be saved, and is even more unworthy of His Majesty's painstaking efforts."
"Those who serve as ministers cannot relieve the king's worries and cannot bring peace to the people below. What's the use of keeping these ministers?"
He rolled up his sleeves and said loudly: "I request your majesty to punish Shi Dingzhong severely and order the three divisions to interrogate his crimes. His whole family will be searched and imprisoned, and they will be screened one by one to serve as a warning to others and to deter the current corruption and lawlessness in the country. Feng, purge the officials, and then try to revive it!"
The generous voice echoed in the hall. The central ministers opened their mouths slightly and looked at Prime Minister Qin who stood proudly with a look of astonishment on their faces.
But almost in the blink of an eye, they reacted and agreed one after another. Shi Dingzhong instantly became a traitor and a heinous person.
After King Cheng kicked the Shi family into the deep pit dug by Xia Jingyun in advance, Prime Minister Qin and the central ministers took matters into their own hands and filled it with thick soil.
Emperor Chongning sighed and said, "The situation is like this, let the central government draw up an order. The Shi family will be raided by Heibingtai, and everyone will be imprisoned. Shi Dingzhong's crime will be tried by the three divisions."
Seeing that there was nothing he could do, the Minister of Civil Affairs had no choice but to accept his fate. However, due to the limitations of his job, he still asked one more question, "Shi Dingzhong is in prison and spring is approaching. Who will be in charge of the Ministry of Rites?"
Emperor Chongning was a little confused, "Spring is approaching and it is not appropriate to have too many changes. Let's continue as usual. At the top of the order, Zuo Shilang will temporarily take over the position of Minister."
He waved his hand, "Okay, let's go down, I'm a little tired."
The central ministers looked at each other, with complicated thoughts, and all resigned.
After walking out of the imperial study, looking at the gloomy sky, Qin Xiang said softly: "Everyone, please take this as a warning and be careful in your words and deeds!"
After nearly a day of extra updates, I finished writing this plot, focusing on the key points.
Also, it’s the end of the month and I’m anxious or2
(End of chapter)
