After autumn, with the continuous rains of various sizes, the temperature in Lin'an City dropped sharply, and it felt a bit desolate like the autumn wind and autumn rain.
It was pattering outside the window, and the rain hit the glass window, making a "dang" sound, which seemed to hit Zhao Hong's heart, making him a little irritable.
Life has always been like this. It seems sunny, but inside it is full of darkness.
Just like his harem life, there were only five concubines, but two of them were uneasy. One, Yang Yi, was free and happy outside, doing whatever he wanted; and the other, Li Weiming, kept a cold war inside and lived alone.
In terms of marriage, the winning rate seems to be 60%, maybe even lower. He never thought that his married life would be such a failure, which made him depressed.
However, compared to his harem affairs, he still had a lot of more worrying political affairs to resolve.
"Your Majesty, according to reports from staff of the Intelligence Department, more than 200 military and political officials have committed crimes overseas in the past three years. They colluded with officials from the Immigration Department and Navy officers and soldiers to falsely report the number of immigrants and occupy a large amount of land. For my own benefit, I pretended to receive money and food from the imperial court, and at the same time defrauded the imperial court of exempting taxes!"
Zhou Ping held the booklet and looked at his words. Zhao Hong frowned, obviously in a bad mood.
"Wu Qian, deputy director of the Immigration Department, said that in April last year, there were more than 6,200 immigrants on Borneo Road. Through the hands of Wu Qian, Deputy Commander of the Navy Huo Sheng, and local Borneo Road officials Li Cunhao, Qiu Musen and others, the number of immigrants became There were more than 9,000 people, and the extra 2,800 people, nearly 30,000 guan of rice money, were divided among the four people. When they arrived in Borneo, the 2,800 guan of rice money was divided into nearly 30,000 acres of land. Li Cunhao rented it to the local indigenous people for cultivation, and the seeds were cultivated. Farming tools are all allocated by the imperial court, and the annual rent alone amounts to tens of thousands of dollars."
"On New Guangzhou Road in West Africa, Deng Renxiao, the magistrate of New Panyu County, deceived the superiors and concealed the truth from the inferiors, enriched his own pockets, and colluded with the local indigenous people to mine privately and minted as much as 6,000 taels of gold. After the incident, Deng Renxiao and the indigenous people killed the miners. The local miners sealed the gold mines in an attempt to destroy the evidence.”
"Shang Jiancheng, the commander of the Ceylon garrison, took advantage of his position. For more than two years, he privately sold local fruits and rice to large food merchants, making profits of tens of thousands of dollars. He abused the local indigenous people, occupied women, and caused great resentment among the people."
"Du Xian, the commander of the garrison in Champa, gave more than 6,000 acres of land cultivated by my immigrants to the local nobles privately, making a profit of 6,000 guan, and privately took the daughters of local nobles as concubines; Du Xian's brother-in-law was in Champa There are more than 2,000 acres of farmland under the city's name, but for two years, Du Xian's brother-in-law did not pay taxes. All in all, his tax evasion amounted to more than 4,000..."
"Du Xian, Du Xian from Lin'an City? Zhang Zhongxia's brother?"
Zhao Hong interrupted Zhou Ping's report and asked in surprise.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Du Xian is Du San, Zhang Zhongxia's brother, the original Lin'an gangster. His elder brother Du Hui served in Shaanxi Road. Du Xian had an old relationship with Your Majesty in the past, and he was considered a meritorious minister. I also know him."
Zhou Ping didn't dare to hide anything and told everything.
"How stupid!"
Zhao Hong's face turned pale and he slapped the table hard.
In the face of interests, many people have lost their true intentions, even professional soldiers like Du Xian who have attended martial arts halls are no exception.
For the scholars and people in the Song Dynasty, especially the middle-class families and above, because the products from the overseas territories of the Song Dynasty were imported into the Song Dynasty ship after ship, they fully enjoyed the dividends brought by the times, especially in terms of food and drink enjoyment. Much better than other countries in the world. In the past, when most people in the Song Dynasty could only maintain food and clothing, this was unthinkable.
But while the national power of the Song Dynasty was increasing day by day, as people's living standards improved, many people's inner desires were also stimulated. Especially those officials who hold power, take desperate risks in the face of huge interests, and commit crimes and crimes in an endless stream, which is shocking.
Even Zhao Hong's Conglong minister Du Xian was deeply involved and was no exception.
"Your Majesty, many family members and friends of military and political officials control fields ranging from a few hundred acres to several thousand acres, or even tens of thousands of acres. They take the court's farming tools and seeds, get cattle first, get more fertile land, and hire local people. The natives and immigrants farmed for them and enriched themselves, while the immigrants could only be reduced to hired labor. The original intention of the imperial court's immigration was to benefit the people and the court, but in the end they enriched these corrupt officials first."
The first is to be exempted from taxes for three years, and then the land will be distributed to the immigrants; the land belongs to one's own name, and the annual income is more than tens of thousands, the second is to collude with the local indigenous people in private, and sell the immigrants' farmland to the local indigenous people, which harms the country Fattening oneself is the third one.
As for privately mining and reselling property, and using public tools for private use, they are all the same, harming the public and enriching private interests.
"Your Majesty, in the final analysis, it is just for personal gain. As Your Majesty said, if there is 50% profit, people will take risks; for 100% profit, they dare to trample all human laws; if there is 50% profit, people will take risks. With a profit of three hundred, it dares to commit any crime, and even beheaded. Our Song Dynasty has so many overseas territories, and with the prosperity of the Song Dynasty, it is not surprising that some things will happen."
Zhou Ping said with emotion, seeming to remind Zhao Hong that seeking personal gain is just human nature and not worthy of being so angry.
"You are very open-minded! You remember your mantra very well!"
Zhao Hong shook his head gently and said helplessly:
"According to what you said, how can we eradicate these crimes?"
"Your Majesty, compared to those in the Song Dynasty, there are fewer officials in overseas territories and their qualifications are relatively mediocre. The laws are not perfect, which gives them the opportunity to take bribes and bend the law. Therefore, it is necessary to dispatch capable officials and improve the laws. A long-term solution.”
Zhou Ping's words made Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
He always placed his emphasis on the Song Dynasty above overseas countries. It seems that overseas construction and control must be strengthened. Because these places were all under the rule of the Song Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, the law does not punish everyone. If overseas criminal laws were the same as at home, I am afraid that fewer officials would be willing to go out, let alone take up posts overseas. Your Majesty, think carefully."
Seeing that Zhao Hong was silent, thinking that he was worried about overseas arrangements, Zhou Ping quickly advised him.
"Think carefully! You can give them higher salaries and official positions, but the national law is fundamental and cannot be compromised. Not to mention two hundred, even two thousand, I will punish them severely!"
Zhao Hong complained angrily and then said:
"If the evidence is conclusive, let the Coastal Manufacturing Department arrest the criminal officials and punish them according to law."
The river is rushing, and the mud and sand are flowing down. The sky is high and the emperor is far away! Compared with the domestic Song Dynasty, whether it is the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, or the Anti-Corruption Department, the overseas control power of the law enforcement agencies of the Song Dynasty is relatively weak. This also gave those military and political officials the courage and confidence to commit crimes.
With the emergence of steamships, the Song Dynasty will have stronger and stronger control over overseas countries, which will also reverse this situation to a certain extent. But the Song Dynasty's overseas territory was so large, and interests devoured people's hearts. I'm afraid such things would not be easily extinguished.
"Your Majesty, the lack of officials overseas must be filled as soon as possible. The Overseas Anti-Corruption Department, government offices and officials overseas must be dispatched in place."
"I will issue a decree. All prefectures and counties will select capable officials to supplement overseas work, and select graduates from various schools to supplement each line. All officials will have their salaries increased by 50%, their families will also receive subsidies, and they will be promoted to one level. I I don’t believe it, no one has become an official yet!”
Zhao Hong stood up, stretched his numb legs, walked to the window, and looked at the drizzle outside the window.
"Zhou Ping, go ahead and do it without any scruples."
"Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report."
Zhou Ping did not leave, but continued to play.
"Your Majesty, when Shi Songzhi was appointed as the pacification envoy on Xixia Road, he acted arbitrarily and did not get along with the deputy pacification envoy Xu Yuanjie and other officials. Because of Shi Songzhi's abuse of the people, as well as the unclear accounts of the farmland and Xingling's repair of the official walls, Xu Yuanjie and the Lord Book Yu Zhifu planned to report to the court, but unexpectedly, the two men died suddenly one after another, and the account books disappeared."
"What? Shi Songzhi?"
Zhao Hong was shocked and stunned for a moment.
Fan Zhong, the pacifier of Hexi Road, once told him that Shi Songzhi was difficult to control and was particularly fond of being authoritarian. He wanted Shi Songzhi to serve the country on the basis that talents were rare.
Who knew, something like this still happened!
Overseas and domestically, there are constant troubles. It is true that misfortunes never come singly, and this year is unfavorable.
"Shi Songzhi, is the evidence conclusive?"
Zhao Hong returned to the chair and asked slowly.
Shi Songzhi's thunder finally exploded.
Historically, Shi Songzhi managed Xiangyang and resisted the invasion of the Mongolian army. Later, he presided over the alliance with Mongolia to destroy the Jin Dynasty and appointed Meng Gong to fight against the Mongolian army. After becoming Prime Minister and Privy Councilor in the fourth year of Jiaxi's reign, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Lianghuai River and Sichuan Jinghu Army. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he was criticized for his arbitrariness.
Later historians had mixed reviews of Shi Songzhi. On the one hand, they praised him as a talented general and had outstanding achievements, but on the other hand, they pointed out that he was tyrannical and arbitrary in pursuit of power and committed heinous crimes.
The country is easy to change, but the nature is hard to change. Now it seems that what history has proven will never be wrong.
"Is Shi Songzhi's crime conclusive?"
Zhao Hong asked with a sigh.
Shi Songzhi's daughter, Shi Huiyu, a female disciple of his Jinling Martial Arts Hall, is still serving in the Northwest Army. When such a thing happens, the blow to Shi Huiyu can be imagined.
"Back to Your Majesty, we're still investigating. But it's almost certain that all the doubts point to Shi Songzhi."
Zhou Ping's words speak for themselves. The Intelligence Department is secretive and meticulous in its work, and will not slander or frame ministers without any reason. Shi Songzhi is probably already waiting for the crime.
"Check slowly and carefully. You can't unjustly accuse a good person, and you can't let a bad person go. Just report it to me at any time."
According to historical records and evaluations of Shi Songzhi, if nothing unexpected happens, Shi Songzhi will inevitably be held responsible. As for the position of Xixia Road Comfort Envoy, I am afraid that another candidate will have to be found.
"Your Majesty, the true Duke wishes to see you."
Not long after Zhou Ping left, the chamberlain reported that Zhen Dexiu hurried in, and Zhao Hong was slightly startled.
"Zhen Gong, don't you have anything bad to bother me?"
"Your Majesty, Mongolia has sent envoys. They are currently at the Huaidong frontier. The chief and deputy envoys are Yelu Chucai and Li Bangrui respectively. Your Majesty, do you want to let the Mongolian envoys enter?"
Zhen Dexiu bowed solemnly and looked at Zhao Hong, secretly suspicious.
The emperor's harem was uneasy, and many ministers in the court knew it. Could it be said that besides the harem affairs, did the emperor have other worries?
"Let Huaidong's envoy Du Gao send people to escort them south."
Yelu Chucai has come, and it seems that Wo Kuotai is going to make peace with the Song Dynasty.
