The news of the prosecution and confiscation of the Li family in Longxi came to light, and the Li family's ancestral home, which was still bustling with people yesterday, became deserted. The area where his ancestral home is located has been tightly guarded by soldiers since yesterday, and no one is allowed to enter. Scouts are constantly whizzing past in the cold city.
The officials and people in Chengji City, as well as spies from major aristocratic families, were awestruck and at the same time, they sent the news to their bosses, faction leaders, family heads, relatives and friends as quickly as possible. Ordinary people knew that the Li family was extremely wealthy. When they recovered from the shock, they began to talk about how much money, real estate, and land the imperial court would seize from the Li family, and how it would be distributed. Some even considered whether they could get a piece of it. Good farmland.
Wen Yanhong, the prefect of Tianshui, and Yu Zhining, the chief historian of Tianshui, were ordered by Yang Ji to transfer officials of all sizes from Chengji County to work with Hou Mo Chenyì, Dugu Huai'en and others to count and verify the land deeds, land deeds, and property rights in the Li family's treasury. Gold and silver jewelry, antique calligraphy and paintings.
Officials such as Fang Gongyi, the prefect of Jincheng, Bo Ouyang Xun, the lord of Jincheng, Zhang Shou, the prefect of Wuhan, Guo Xuan, the prefect of Huining, Zhou Faming, the prefect of Lintao, Liu Changgong, the prefect of Longxi, and Yang Xuanjie, the prefect of Hanyang, have also left and they will also return. Territory, inventory of the Li family's residence, villas, manors, shops...
Dugu Huai'en walked into the main hall, saluted Yang Ji and said: "Your Majesty, the humble minister and others followed your instructions and sealed off the Li family's mansion. Li Gong Li Wei and others cooperated very well and took out all the account books. . However, some things are too old and some properties are not in Tianshui. The humble position and others need further investigation."
"Take your time, don't be in a hurry!" Yang Ji nodded and asked Dugu Huaien: "Among the officials at all levels in Tianshui County, there must be people from the Li family, and they must have committed crimes together, right? So, what does Li Wei say?"
"Report to your Majesty!" Dugu Huaien said with cupped hands: "According to Mr. Li, the people involved in the case are not only the Li family and officials from various counties in Tianshui County, but also the small and medium-sized aristocratic families in the county gathered under Li's command to commit illegal acts. Please tell me what to do next, Your Majesty."
This reflects the difference between Hou Mo Chenyì and Dugu Huaien. The former was blinded by wealth, glory, meritorious service and promotion, and could only act recklessly; even if he encountered difficulties, he had to solve them himself, trying to show Yang He has demonstrated his ability and value, but so far, he has not been able to make a name for himself. When the latter encounters a problem, he always asks Yang Ji for instructions immediately, in order to leave a good impression and prevent himself from committing a crime.
"Let Prefect Wen and Yu Changshi cooperate. We must arrest the criminals and never let a black sheep go." At this point, Yang Ji believed that Wen Yanhong and Yu Zhining would not dare to do anything for them, even if they were brave enough. The dying Li family bet on their own clan.
Dugu Huaien responded, took out another letter from his sleeve, and stepped forward to present it to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, this is an urgent report just sent by Shaoqing Yuwen."
Yang Ji took out the paper, flipped through it, and said: "King Xun and Governor Zhao have asked people to bring the leaders and goods of the three caravans back to Daxing City; Li Hun, Li Yuantong and others have also been beaten into Luoyang City. In the prison. In addition, the sage ordered the prince and uncle to enter the prison to investigate the case."
He had already guessed Yang Guang's intention. Yang Guang's intention was to let Dugu Shun take over the case and make him fight with the Li family and other wealthy families. As Dugu Shun was the minister of punishment of the Sui Dynasty, he had no reason to avoid it. In this case, coupled with the surveillance of Yang Zhao, there is no way to commit fraud.
Even without these factors, Dugu Shun would be tempted by the Minister of Punishment and try his best to handle the case.
Unless Dugu Shun wants to offend Yang Guang and not want to be the Minister of Punishment; but, is this possible?
Dugu Huai'en was astute and wise. He just thought about it and immediately understood that this was Yang Guang's conspiracy against the Dugu family. However, he also knew that his uncle, father and other elders could not refuse the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice vacated by Li Yuantong. . He was silent for a long time, then raised his hands and asked: "I don't know what people in humble positions should do?"
"You can just obey the orders of the Crown Prince and Dugu Shilang." Yang Ji paused and then said, "You and Hou Mochen are in charge here. I will return to Beijing tomorrow."
Dugu Huaien was stunned for a moment and asked hesitantly: "The king is not going to Zhangye?"
"No need!" Yang Ji is here to handle the case, not to go to Zhangye to be the Liangzhou Shepherd. Although it doesn't matter if he goes there, there is no need to cause trouble.
For him, Yang Guang's trust is Yang Guang's business; and as a minister, he must have the consciousness of a minister. Yang Ji has been an official for so long and has always adhered to the courtesy of a courtier. He has never been arrogant or self-righteous because of Yang Guang's trust. As for playing, joking, etc., those are the details that can be ignored. Only by adhering to this path can we survive for a long time. Otherwise, the current glory will be like a flash of cereus.
Some people may think that this kind of principle of life and the way of being a minister is very unfree, but from ancient times to the present, and even thousands of years later, there is no absolute freedom in the world; even the emperor will be restricted by factors such as morality and popular sentiment. The reason why some people in later generations feel that they are completely free and "I can decide my life" is mainly because they have not violated the bottom line of law and morality; if they break the law and commit crimes, it is the same no matter in which era.
Yang Ji believes that his reasons for doing things are no different from obeying the law. As long as he abides by the law, the law will become his indestructible shield. On the contrary, he will have to bear the ruthlessness of the law. What's more, Yang Guang had to "obey and implement" the rules and will he set most of the time, so Yang Ji's life was even more unrestrained than Yang Guang's;
As long as he does not exceed the courtesy of a courtier and does not break the law, then the emperor's thunderous wrath and the legal butcher's knife will not befall him. While he is aloof, he can also use Yang Guanghe's laws as weapons to promote policies that benefit the people and the country and rectify injustices in the world.
Another reason why he can't go to Zhangye is that Yang Ji understands Yang Guang's personality. Yang Guang is very tough, domineering, and ruthless in dealing with his enemies, but when faced with what he considers "one of his own", he often cannot be ruthless; Someone cried in front of him, and his ears suddenly softened.
In order to prevent Yang Guang from being confused by slander and acting emotionally, and missing the opportunity to expand his victory, Yang Ji must not leave the capital for too long. He must return to Luoyang as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures with Yang Guang, and take advantage of the opportunity of eliminating the Li family's influence in Longxi to capture those courtiers who knew that the other party was guilty but could not produce evidence of their guilt.
Only in this way can the long-term peace and stability of the Sui Dynasty be beneficial.
However, what Yang Ji didn't know was that Yang Guang looked at him the same way.
Yang Guang also believed that Yang Ji focused on emotions and acted on impulse. For example, when he went on a killing spree in Youzhou, it was the best example of acting on impulse and eager for quick success.
Besides, his northern patrol team was in Bingzhou, not far away. If Yang Ji had just said something and left it to the imperial court, there would be no need to suffer that punishment.
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