In just a few days, another group of officials were dismissed, ranging from the third grade to the seventh grade. For a time, the entire officialdom was in turmoil. Many people walked around Xiao Rui when they saw the evil star.
On this day, Xiao Rui was drinking tea with Lao Wei in the censor's desk. His subordinate Xu censor sent a document, looking very embarrassed.
"Why, looking at your face, do you think you have a tough nut to crack? Bring it to me and take a look."
The Sixth Office was dealing with the problem on its own, and Wei Zheng, the chief official of the Yushitai, couldn't intervene, so he didn't even look at it and just drank tea on his own.
"Huh? Li Xiaogong, Prince of Hejian County and current Minister of Rites," Xiao Rui was slightly surprised. Hearing this, Wei Zheng's tea-drinking hand also trembled. He thought to himself, think carefully and don't try to fool everyone like a fool.
Xu Yushi reminded in a low voice: "Sir, the prince of Hejian County is a member of the royal family, and he is not..."
He wanted to say that he was not an old minister of the Supreme Emperor, but when he saw Wei Zheng next to him, he did not dare to say it because Wei Zheng used to be the chief adviser to the prince Jiancheng.
Xiao Rui ignored it and quietly read the piece of paper. He raised his head and rolled his eyes at Xu Yushi: "What do you mean? Why do you think our Yushitai is making such a big fuss? Specifically targeting the conservative old ministers? Cleaning the imperial court? Shi Tai is not a pawn in the party struggle!"
Not a partisan fight? Then why is the person you ordered to be punished recently so biased? Who would believe it?
"When someone submits a petition, we must carefully investigate it according to the rules. Whether it is a member of the royal family or a nobleman in the court, everyone is equal before the law of the Tang Dynasty. Have you found out what the petition says?"
Xu Yushi shook his head: "No, the Hejian County Prince has a special status, and we don't dare to check it easily."
Xiao Rui was so angry that he stood up and said, "Confused! Yushitai is telling the world that he is not afraid of power and must make the decision for the people of the world to redress their grievances. But you are good, but you have to wait for the order of the person to receive the petition? How can you convince the public by doing this? And what's more? Why Yan goes out to face the people?"
Xu Yushi didn't dare to express his anger. Xiao Rui didn't bother to teach him any more. He threw back the paper and said coldly: "Within three days, find out everything. If it doesn't work, leave the Sixth Office."
After Xu Yushi left, Wei Zheng said in a deep voice: "Xiao Rui, do you want to think about it? Li Xiaogong is not an ordinary person. Not to mention the royal family members, he established the Tang Dynasty and supported your majesty. He made great contributions."
Xiao Rui calmed down and took a sip of tea silently, sighing and saying: "I have always admired the achievements and loyalty of the Hejian County Prince. But merits are merits and demerits. No matter who bullies the people, they are poaching the Tang Dynasty. .”
"Okay, don't be so angry. Personal morals vary, and everyone makes mistakes sometimes." Wei Zheng advised.
Xiao Rui complained: "I'm not angry for Prince Hejian, that's His Majesty's business. I'm angry with a bunch of souls from the Sixth Office. It's just that others think that I, Xiao Rui, am a pawn in the party struggle. Do they think so too?" The Yushitai can only be like you, the cold-faced old Wei, who is the iron-faced and selfless Yushitai of the Tang Dynasty and a mirror of the imperial court."
"These guys are willing to let themselves go. Won't they check their merits? Okay, Old Wei, let's have tea another day. I have to go back to the Sixth Bureau to deal with these idiots."
Xiao Rui left angrily, but Wei Zheng was slightly worried. Li Xiaogong was not someone who could move at will. Xiao Rui has now offended his old officials to death. If he touches Li Xiaogong, then even the new nobles will be offended. How will he gain a foothold in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty in the future?
Thinking of this, Wei Zheng summoned his men to pay close attention to Li Xiaogong's case. He faintly noticed that there seemed to be an atmosphere of conspiracy.
Old Wei was worthy of being the top counselor of the Tang Dynasty, and had served as the prince's think tank, but he was different. At this moment, in Prime Minister Pei Ji's house, listening to the report from his confidant, Pei Ji smiled sinisterly and said: "Xiao Rui? I want to see if you dare to take this case? We have His Majesty to support you, where is Li Xiaogong?" "
The housekeeper came to report: "Sir, Liu Zhenghui, the governor of Hongzhou, and Shi Xun, the governor of Yuzhou, wrote to inquire about the situation. They also stated that they would return to Chang'an at the end of the year to report on their duties."
Pei Ji shook his head and said, "Tell them, don't worry for the time being. This wind is only blowing inside Chang'an City. They are safe outside. Don't show your head. It would be best if you don't come back at the end of the year."
These people are actually the former ministers of the Supreme Emperor, and they were among the important ministers of Taiyuan Yuanmou at the time.
It didn't take three days, but two days to find out. Xiao Rui looked at the information in his hand and fell into deep thought.
At the residence of the Prince of Hejian County, the housekeeper quickly ran into the study, "Alang, Xiao Rui, the censor of the Sixth Division of the Censorship Station, handed over the name card and said that he will come to visit tomorrow."
"Xiao Rui? The son of Song Guogong, the boy who has been very popular recently and disturbed the peace of Chang'an City? Why did he come to visit me for no reason?" Li Xiaogong was playing with an exquisite inkstone.
The old housekeeper hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "In the past two days, someone has been secretly investigating our purchase and sale of land. I thought no one would dare to make trouble with our palace, so I ignored it. Now it seems that it is very possible, possible It's the Yushitai who is checking us."
"Oh? You mean, Xiao Rui investigated the case and found my head?" Li Xiaogong was slightly surprised and became interested in Xiao Rui.
The old housekeeper replied: "Didn't you say that Xiao Rui is helping His Majesty clean up the old ministers in the court? Why is he at odds with our palace?"
Li Xiaogong laughed loudly: "Okay, okay, he is indeed the son of Song Guogong. A tiger father has no son. Everyone in the court knows that Xiao Yu is upright and can't tolerate sand in his eyes. Now it seems that his son is even more like his father." . We only know each other, so come if he wants to come. I, the Prince of Hejian County, are not from the Feng De Yi family, so I am not afraid of his investigation."
"By the way, I sold this inkstone at a high price. I am a military commander and my writing is just arty. I have no need for such things."
The old housekeeper wanted to explain, but he had scruples, so he could only remain silent and go back to work.
The next day, Xiao Rui came alone as promised. Li Xiaogong ordered his fifteen-year-old eldest son Li Chongyi to personally welcome Xiao Rui into the house, which made Xiao Rui feel embarrassed.
At the Sixth Office of the Yushitai, listening to Xu Yushi's report, Master An was pacing back and forth, very anxious, "Are you sure that your Excellency has gone to find the Prince of Hejian alone?"
"That's right, my subordinates want to go with him. Your Majesty won't let you. You can say what you say without raising your voice. One person is enough. The people below watched your Majesty enter the door." Xu Yushi regretted a little and should have reported it earlier.
Master An murmured: "Oh no, no, no, the king of Hejian County is not the one who granted Deyi the title. He is the one who granted the title of king for military merit. His Majesty's cousin, the most famous general in the clan! If you offend him, you will have good results." Really? No, I will go find Dr. Wei now."
"Master An, you are in danger alone. Should we organize some people to go with you? Even if we can't get the job done, we can at least protect you, right?" Xu Yushi asked anxiously.
"Protect the Lord's safety? Just rely on us, a bunch of helpless people? Who will protect whom then? The prince of Hejian County is a famous general, and the mansion is full of good soldiers who came from the battlefield. Who of you can beat us? We will all be beaten. Not qualified enough. I hope you can convince people with reason. If you really take action, you may be brave, but... alas!"
With a long sigh, Chief An quickly went to find Wei Zheng.
