For five consecutive days, Xiao Rui went to work as usual, but never handled any affairs. He just slept soundly and occasionally wandered around the Yushitai.
At the beginning, many colleagues reminded him and even made fun of him, but because of the protection of Wei Zheng, the imperial censor, everyone turned a blind eye to the prince-in-law and did not even bother to impeach him. He was the emperor's son-in-law and came to the censor. Taiwan may just go through the motions and leave in a few days. Why impeach him?
Besides, he was just sleeping on duty, and he didn't affect others. He didn't fight for power and gain, so he was a breath of fresh air.
But this arrogant attitude quickly reached the ears of his father, Xiao Yu, who was so angry that Xiao Yu jumped into despair and almost died. There was no criticism at the censor's desk, but word spread among the various departments in the court that Xiao Xiangguo's son, a tiger father and a dog son, was unparalleled in poetry, but it was limited to this. He couldn't handle any government affairs and only slept in the Yamen all day long.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xiao took leave today and did not come to court."
The corner of the emperor's mouth curved slightly, "He has no face to face him. What a sin to give birth to such a son! Compared with Xiao Rui, Cheng Qian and the others can be considered more worry-free."
Lao Gao, the chamberlain, asked curiously: "Your Majesty, what if the prince-in-law is still like this? Over time, it will not be good for the princess's reputation."
The emperor waved his hand and said: "I believe Wei Zheng will find a way."
Method? What can Wei Zheng do? So far, the only thing he has done is to protect Xiao Rui at the Yushitai. He has taken care of all rumors and government affairs. In short, don't disturb Xiao Rui's eternal sleep.
As for advice? That is not his problem, but a problem that Song Duke Xiao Yu should worry about after returning home.
But obviously Xiao Yu was also very powerless, otherwise he would not have claimed to be ill at home and would not have dared to go to court.
In the Yushitai Yamen, a seventh-grade clerk directly under Xiao Rui, together with several subordinates, approached Wei Zheng, the Yushitai doctor.
"Doctor Wei, we have come to resign. Xiao Yushi is my superior, but he behaves like this, which affects all of our colleagues and subordinates and is collectively laughed at. Please allow me, Dr. Wei, to resign."
Wei Zheng persuaded: "Everyone, why is this happening? I have taken over Xiao Yushi's official duties. You have done a good job. Why are you suddenly resigning? It's just rumors outside. Rumors stop with the wise. , no need to pay attention!"
The chief registrar said loudly: "When we serve in the Yushitai, we all have the heart to serve the country with fists and fists. But we are under the same roof with such idle officials, but the court turns a blind eye. This is a shame for us and the officials of the Yushitai. Everyone in the court is Rumor has it that your Yushitai is not clean yourself, so what qualifications do you have to hear about it and impeach others?"
This...you guys, please be patient for now. I'll have a chat with Xiao Yushi. How about you give me a couple of days?
After all, Wei Zheng persuaded everyone to resign. Looking back, hey! Xiao Rui woke up unexpectedly, and at some point, he stood behind Wei Zheng, looking at him with a half-smile, and holding a letter in his hand.
"Xiao Yushi, what are you doing?"
"Doctor Wei, this is my resignation. Thank you for taking care of me these days."
"No, no, I've already sent them away, you don't need to do this..."
Wei Zheng looked like a good old man. Xiao Rui rolled his eyes angrily and said unceremoniously: "They say that you, Wei Zheng, are selfless and upright. In my opinion, you, Wei Heilian, don't have any good intentions. What happened today?" Did you personally arrange this one? These days, you have been protecting me on the surface, but secretly let people know about my style and want to force me to submit? Is that right? "
Seeing that he had been exposed, Wei Zheng simply stopped performing and burst out laughing, "I knew that the son of Song Guogong could not be a loser, otherwise His Majesty would not have let you go. His Majesty warned you before you came here. , no matter what means I use, I just can’t let you go.”
"I guessed it, so you used this method? To ruin my reputation?" Xiao Rui snorted coldly.
Wei Zheng asked jokingly: "Have you ruined your reputation? Do you, Mr. Xiao, care about your reputation? If you can make your old father angry and call him sick, what good reputation do you have?"
Xiao Rui ignored him, walked to Wei Zheng's seat as if he were familiar with it, poured a cup of tea, sat down and drank it.
Wei Zheng took a look and said, "Okay," he handed in his resignation, but he had no intention of leaving. It seemed that this guy finally figured it out.
"People in this world must abide by the rules as long as they are in the mortal world. Some people are bound by laws and dogmas, some are bound by etiquette and morality, some are bound by interests, money and power, and some are burdened by reputation. . You are a weirdo. You are young but have a mature attitude towards the world. You are in the mortal world, but you have a worldly mentality. It seems that nothing can restrain you."
"Thank you!" Xiao Rui glanced aimlessly.
Wei Zheng smiled and said: "I have been observing you for many days. I thought there was nothing I could do against you. I was about to resign to His Majesty, but it was not the case today. Haha, you can't let go of Prime Minister Xiao after all. Even if you have a conscience, you still know Filial piety. I, Old Wei, have not done all the work for you these days in vain."
Xiao Rui did not refute, but threw down the tea cup and complained: "You, a dignified third-grade official and imperial censor, just drink this bad tea? It's too shabby. I'll give you two kilograms of good tea later."
"Okay, I'll make an exception and accept it. I'll take it as compensation from you. Can you start working now?"
"When I get home, I will cure my father's heart disease. I will start work tomorrow. Doctor Wei, they say you are the most courageous person in the Tang Dynasty. Is there anything in Chang'an City that you dare not provoke? If you really use me to do things, you will Offended many people." Xiao Rui asked a difficult question.
Wei Zheng laughed loudly and said confidently: "As long as you have good evidence, act in accordance with the law, and go ahead and do it, I, Old Wei, will be your backer!"
Okay, I hope you won't regret it. Xiao Rui walked away gracefully.
Sure enough, at midnight the next day, Xiao Rui seemed to be a different person, which made all the colleagues at the Yushitai feel refreshed and even a little uncomfortable.
The Yushitai is headed by a Yushi doctor, two subordinate Yushi Zhongcheng, and then six subordinate Yushi Yushi, each of whom leads a group of people and is responsible for one chapter. The general responsibility is to report the news and inspect the officials. Similar to the procuratorate of later generations.
Xiao Rui summoned his subordinates' chief clerk, all officials, censors, etc., and announced the first and only rule: "In the future, we will pay attention to evidence when hearing about reports, and we will report them when we have the actual evidence. Don’t fire off cannons, don’t quarrel with others.”
The other is to no longer care about whether officials have bad personal ethics, such as wearing etiquette, taking concubines, staying in flower shops, etc. These are voluntary pastimes that have nothing to do with national interests. Why are you reporting them?
Many people objected to this article, but Xiao Rui suppressed it arbitrarily. And announced that the first priority in the future is to monitor whether all officials are corrupt. Compared with visiting brothels, corruption is obviously a serious evil that endangers the country and the people. Is this not investigated? Are you keeping an eye on other people's private affairs? What is the Yushitai called?
The staff were speechless and were persuaded by Xiao Rui. Immediately afterwards, someone stood up and said: "There are thousands of officials in Chang'an City, and the forces of various sizes are intertwined. Almost all of them have backers and connections. Even if there is conclusive evidence, we may not be able to move them."
Xiao Rui sneered: "Can't you move it? Let me listen to you. If you can't move it, it may not be that I can't move it. If I can't move it, it may not be that Doctor Wei can't move it. If Doctor Wei can't move it, I don't believe the whole Yushitai. Can’t move? You have said before that you came here with the heart of serving the country, but are you bullying the weak and afraid of the strong?”
Being provoked by Xiao Rui, a censor from the eighth rank came forward and said: "The son of the former prime minister Feng Deyi bullied men and dominated women, causing harm to the village. We have conclusive evidence, but no one dares to deal with him."
Why? Feng Deyi has three heads and six arms? Xiao Rui was puzzled.
The chief registrar reminded: "Feng Deyi is a confidant of the Supreme Emperor. His Majesty does not dare to offend him easily. It will not cause trouble..."
Xiao Rui snapped the case and said, "Okay, for this matter, collect all the evidence and give it to me. Feng Deyi? Bones in the grave!"
