"Since you said that most of the local powerful people use their children to serve as officials, why don't you see one official holding a high position? If the powerful families here have such power, how can they be willing to let their families not be promoted for a long time and endure the meager salary?" The Minister of Rites looked at everyone. , all nodded in affirmation.
Wei Huai was deep in thought, but Xia Yuanlong stood up and said, "Didn't the adults forget the prince? As an important minister, the prince is stationed in Nanjing. The local clans must not dare to interfere openly, but with the People in the government are colluding with each other. Doesn’t your words just prove that the wealthy families are dissatisfied with their low salaries, so they are seeking other benefits!"
The entire meeting hall was silent for an instant. These words were like a sharp sword piercing the heart, blocking everyone's mouths, and Wei Huai felt deeply ashamed.
"Okay," Mr. Censor became a little nervous, "then don't rush to talk about it in advance. What is the so-called 'Bieli'? Is there any real evidence?"
Yang Huaisheng wanted to stand up and answer, but was held down tightly by Xia Yuanlong.
"Brothers, please listen carefully. If you say the wrong thing and the situation cannot be controlled, it will be troublesome. Don't worry, my ability is enough to handle it." Xia Yuanlong lowered his voice and said to Wei and Yang.
"What's wrong? But Jiang Lang has exhausted his talents and can't answer the question?" the censor asked forcefully.
Xia Yuanlong immediately raised his head and said, "What else are we talking about? If your lords can't refute the issue of 'rich families colluding with the government to find jobs for their children', then it means that implementing this policy is really the top priority at the moment!"
"This is inappropriate!" When the scene was in a stalemate, a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs came out and said, "Even if there is really collusion to seek office, it is minor or serious in various places. But if the situation is not serious, this will not be implemented. The policy is necessary. So I need to ask you how much profit they made."
Xia Yuanlong saw that they were still showing off their rhetoric skills and would not give up, so he wanted to pretend to be weak and lure the enemy deeper. He then feigned defeat and pretended to argue: "No matter how much profit he seeks, he always makes a profit...then...what do you think is important, sir?"
Yang Huaisheng squeezed his palms so nervously that his palms became sweaty and looked at him with fear; Wei Huai smiled with a smile on his face and remained calm.
Seeing that he was hesitating in his words, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs hurriedly took advantage of the victory and pursued the attack: "How can Xia Xuexue fool him with 'Zonggui'? I think he must disturb the survival of the people, resist the law and make it difficult for the government to control him." The most important thing at the moment. But do you have such evidence? Don’t tell me, your words are all fabricated!"
"Why are you making such nonsense?" Xia Yuanlong smiled again, "I will show you all the evidence."
"Why didn't you come earlier..."
"I was afraid that the adults would change their mind again if I presented evidence, so I asked so that I could know the details of you all. Forgive Yuanlong for not telling the truth. It would be offensive." Xia Yuanlong raised his hand to the minister, but the official minister His face was livid and he was angry.
"The year before last, there was a case of murder by a family member in a private vendetta, and he was sentenced to death. He later escaped from prison, and was no longer pursued, so the case was closed. In the third year of my Majesty's reign, a member of the Lu family was involved in smuggling salt and was charged with death. He also escaped and was not held accountable. , the case was closed. Both of the two serious cases were for absconding, and their names have not been disclosed. We still don’t know their surnames. They escaped and ignored the crime. Haven’t these violated the law? "
"How do you know this?!" The censor knew that he couldn't defend himself, but an unknown fire arose in his heart, and he shouted sharply at Yuanlong.
"Wei Jijiu is a member of the imperial court. I want to search for official documents. Isn't it against the law?"
"You..." The censor thought for a long time and didn't know how to reprimand him. He could only watch himself being defeated.
Since there was no objection in both cases, they all parted ways unhappily, but waited patiently for Wan Heshun's decision.
Prince Wan was naturally not very happy, but he had made an agreement with Wei Huai earlier and could not break his promise, so he could only regret that he had been too trusting. He immediately followed Wei Huai's advice and implemented strategies to restrain the powerful. This good governance was posted in the streets and alleys, and the people all stopped to watch, and immediately crowds of people gathered around it. Someone had nothing to do and was crowded in the crowd copying this official document. The record is as follows:
First, it is forbidden for clans to recommend their children to join the government; anyone seeking a job for a child of aristocratic family will be subject to strict examination by the government.
Second, the purchase of land must be reported to the Ministry of Household Affairs for verification, and property deeds and other property documents must be copied and kept by the government. No one is allowed to buy at a low price by force. Anyone who violates this will be punished;
Thirdly, if a clan member's crime is leniently pardoned without reason, then there will be officials who will investigate him for accepting stolen goods;
Fourth, whenever redundant officials are dismissed and officials are advanced or retired, the reasons must be explained. If the officials do their job according to the superior's convenience, the officials can participate in the impeachment.
The people cheered, causing most of Nanjing to be noisy. People everywhere talked about the benefits of good governance, and everyone smiled, day and night. However, the Censor returned a sum of sixty taels of silver to the local powerful Lu family because of this, saying that Wei Huai was "not very knowledgeable, so I don't dare to seek a job for you." The family just gritted their teeth at Wei Huai. , there is no other plan.
As a result, the powerful people were timid and did not dare to do anything; the government officials also held back their composure and vowed not to have any contact with the common people. When the people saw such great results, they were all grateful to Wei. Whenever Na Wei goes out to offer wine, thousands of people block the road, kowtow, and shout heroes. Sitting at home on weekdays, you can't help but hear the noise outside the window. Most of them shout:
"Wei Jijiu, you are a hero who saves the country and the people!"
"Wei Jijiu, we are all looking forward to you enforcing new laws and opening up a new world for us poor people!"
"Wei Jijiu, you are a god descended from the sky, here to punish these corrupt officials and save the common people of the country!..."
Although these sounds were noisy in his ears every day, making Wei Huai feel restless and uneasy; but as soon as he saw the people's crowds around him and thought that the new method was about to happen, he felt refreshed and intoxicated. , no longer feel tired.
He also heard from Yang Huaisheng that there was a lecturer at Huaiqing Bridge, talking about a book called "The Biography of the Heroes of Wei Jijiu", so he laughed and said, "This is too much. Although Huaisheng is also famous It is really frightening that everyone has put me in this situation for my selfish motives of leaving a legacy."
"I see, they just want to build a shrine for you, my dear brother!" Yang Huaisheng said with a smile.
"Alas," Wei Huai suddenly thought of something and patted Yang Huaisheng, "Since we are highly respected by the people, why not follow their wishes and recruit literati and Confucian scholars in Nanjing to perform sacrifices to the sages. It’s a great event.”
"It's exactly what I wanted!" Yang Huaisheng clapped his hands excitedly and said, "We are getting rid of the old laws to rule people's hearts with virtue. Now if we repair temples, reorganize rituals and music, worship saints with ancient methods, and make people Isn’t it wonderful that they are all influenced by the classics?”
The two were discussing, and when they saw Xia Yuanlong rolling up the curtains and coming in, Yang Huaisheng asked hurriedly: "Has Yuanlong finished speaking to the students?"
Xia Yuanlong smiled, nodded, and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
After saying that, he took off his robe and sat down.
Wei Huai then burst into hearty laughter: "The two of us are discussing a shocking event!"
