No matter how big or small the sad past is, it is a part of the past. After all, it is an uncomfortable memory. Although Shangguan Yuan's piano skills are as unparalleled as her dancing skills, many ministers still couldn't bear it, and the banquet could not go on. Interested, everyone said goodbye and left.
Shangguan Yuan, who returned home with a full load, was not in a good mood, because her feeling became more obvious.
The two masters and servants who returned to Mengyu Pavilion in a carriage were in different moods. Meng'er was very happy. Not only did she have a delicious meal, but she also got many treasures. She was just about to grab the jade from the young lady's hand to play with.
Shangguan Yuan seemed to be thinking about something, and he was playing with the jadeite. Meng'er stretched out his hand very quickly. He originally wanted to snatch the thing away when the lady was not paying attention, but Shangguan Yuan subconsciously swayed and avoided Meng'er. of snatching.
At this time, Shangguan Yuan also noticed that he could actually be faster than Meng'er.
You must know that Meng'er has practiced martial arts for many years and has reached the level of a small master. Her physical fitness and reaction ability are much stronger than Shangguan Yuan, who does not know martial arts. In the past, she often snatched things from the young lady's hands, but Shangguan Yuan had not yet reacted. It's already in Meng'er's hands.
Now, how could it be?
Meng'er didn't believe in evil, so she grabbed it again, but Shangguan Yuan's dodge speed was still faster than her.
"Why is Miss so powerful!"
Shangguan Yuan was horrified to discover one thing. It was not that she was faster than Meng'er, but that he had sensed her movements in advance, every detail of them.
What kind of ability is this? I was even frightened by myself. A banquet made me change like this. What was the reason?
"Shh, don't make any noise now. Let's talk after we get back!" After Meng'er's mouth was blocked, the master and servant hurriedly returned to their residence.
………………
The Ministry of Punishment is the chain of order in the Qi Dynasty. Anyone who violates the criminal law will be dealt with by the Ministry of Punishment. Murderers and robbers will be investigated, investigated and punished by the Ministry of Punishment.
A prosperous dynasty must ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment, which must eliminate or greatly restrict those who violate etiquette and law.
In every dynasty, there are people who take risks for the sake of profit and temporary pleasure. Just like the battle between the three kings to encircle and suppress King Qicheng, there were actually bandits taking advantage of the chaos in such a dangerous place. In the end, they were all killed under Long Yu's order. If It's not a case of military law. Even after the Ministry of Punishment approves the arrest, it's just a matter of time.
As for the degree of stability, it depends on whether the Ministry of Punishment has a deterrent effect and can scare away some people who want to commit crimes but are hesitant to do so.
On the second day after the banquet, the prince continued to supervise the court as usual.
After handling some memorials, the prince said: "If there is nothing to do today, please leave the court early. Yesterday's banquet was a bit tiring, and all the ministers have also worked hard!"
"I have a script to start this memorial!"
Before he finished speaking, Li Wei, the prefect and eunuch, stood up.
"Huh?" The prince seemed to know what Li Wei was going to do and did not stop him.
"I believe that the Ministry of Punishment has handled some cases improperly recently. I would like to ask His Highness the Crown Prince to make a decision!"
Chu Wen, the head of the Criminal Department, couldn't help but tremble when he heard this.
"Oh, what case is so serious?"
"First, the Beijun government has detained several bandits for many days without sentencing them, which has caused widespread resentment among the people. Many people believe that the dynasty is shielding and conniving these bandits and collecting stolen taxes from the bandits!"
"Secondly, Mobei Prefecture has imposed taxes in recent years, and this year it has increased by 30%, which has made it difficult for many families to live. It has also banned residents from moving out. There have been several incidents of public outrage before, but no one reported it. I don't know if the Ministry of Punishment What are you doing!"
"Thirdly, hundreds of people have disappeared in Guangyang Mansion. It is rumored that a cult has been established and has murdered many people and wealthy businessmen, but no one has reported it!"
"Fourth, the man in black committed an assassination and was killed, but the person who colluded with him has not been found yet. The Criminal Department has no clues and even turns a blind eye. It is really derelict in its duty!"
"Fifth, the banditry incident that occurred during the war in Yechen Mansion and some people fled to other prefectures and counties, but the Criminal Department did not catch any of them!"
"Sixth, Haiyuan Mansion has been robbed of tribute by a group of outsiders many times, and a lot of treasures are lost every year. The Punishment Department has nothing to do!"
"Seventh, the Black Flame Mansion has repeatedly discovered that local gangsters colluded with local officials to secretly increase taxes and even set up small armies. The Ministry of Punishment just let it go and never reported it!"
"Eighth, someone in Baichuan Mansion sued a corrupt official and was actually beaten to death. The people reported to him many times but failed!"
"Ninth, there have been many battles between several major families in Yu Menfu, with more than a hundred people killed and injured, and the Ministry of Punishment has never recorded it!"
"Tenth, many cases in the Ministry of Punishment remain in detention status without trial or sentencing. Some people involved in the case even entered and exited the cells at will many times without anyone intervening!"
Li Wei listed ten questions at once, which also contained a lot of other information. Basically, all of them were serious crimes of dereliction of duty.
The prince was also secretly shocked: "These three men are really powerful. When did they collect so many things? I must be more careful in the future."
Every time Li Wei said one thing, Chu Wen, the head of the Ministry of Punishment, felt his heart skip a beat. By the time he finished speaking all ten, it felt like a long time had passed, enough to complete his life.
No matter how many excuses he made, they would be in vain. There was no point in trying to incriminate him. Chu Wen had reported all these things to Sangong, but was suppressed by Li Wei for various reasons. Unexpectedly, it was because of today.
The three princes fighting for the throne must have suffered casualties, but they didn't expect that the first one would be themselves.
Chu Wen felt miserable because a life of hard work had ended like this.
Most affairs in several prefectures and counties were controlled by some princes to collect more chips for their own camp. Chu Wen knew that it was not good to get involved in these matters, so he reported them to the Third Duke in time. Now it seems that the Third Duke is the mastermind of these things.
Sangong was not alone. Chu Wen raised his head slightly and glanced at Wei Dongcheng and Xue Chenghai. When he found that the two people had no reaction at all, he started to worry about it.
The prince angrily slapped the prison table and shouted: "Do you know your crime, the head of the criminal department! You actually made the huge criminal department such a mess!"
Chu Wen stood up tremblingly, knelt down and said: "I am aware of my guilt. I have worked hard and vomited blood for many years. My body is not as good as it used to be. In addition, I am already old, which is why I have neglected to this point. Please punish me, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
This time, not only the prince was surprised, but also Li Wei was extremely surprised. Others may not know, but Li Wei knew in his heart that Chu Wen had not discovered these problems, but just dug a big hole for him, and now he jumped obediently. Come down, it is really difficult to understand.
A confession blocked the prince's next words.
Although Li Wei was surprised, he reacted quickly and said: "I also committed a crime of dereliction of duty. I didn't realize that the criminal department was in chaos. Since Chu Wen has confessed, he needs to be dealt with according to law!"
Prince: "That's right. Chu Wen's dereliction of duty will result in at least a three-year salary reduction and a one-level demotion!"
After finishing speaking, Dongcheng, the Grand Tutor and Grand Guard, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, the current chaos in the Ministry of Punishment has caused widespread resentment among the people. If we don't punish him severely, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public!"
Xue Chenghai, the Taishi Taibao, also stood up and said: "Master Chu Wen himself said that he is getting old. If he continues to stay in office, what happened today may happen again, so why not...!"
Before he finished speaking, Xue Chenghai was interrupted by Long Yu, "Your Highness, I thought Lord Chu had managed the Criminal Department in an orderly manner for many years and was very prestigious among the people. Some unjust cases were vindicated by Lord Chu himself. I believe these were all unintentional. However, I sincerely ask His Highness the Crown Prince to be more generous and give Mr. Chu a chance!"
Long Yu actually came forward to plead for mercy, which surprised everyone. Due to the previous fight between Sangong and Long Yu, the three of them did not dare to open their mouths to refute.
Although Long Yu and Chu Wen had no deep friendship, Chu Wen had been the head of the Ministry of Punishment since the establishment of the dynasty, and there had never been any mistakes. Long Yu had some appreciation for Chu Wen, so he spoke out to persuade him.
Long Yu opened his mouth, but the prince couldn't think of how to refute for a moment, but Chu Wen himself broke the deadlock.
"I know that I am old and frail, and I am no longer qualified to serve as the head of the Ministry of Justice. I sincerely ask His Highness the Crown Prince to allow me to retire and return to my hometown for the sake of my many years of hard work!"
The prince's eyebrows were filled with joy, and he thought to himself that this old man was quite sensible, even though the prince was no longer young.
"This..." Chu Wen resigned himself, and Long Yu couldn't say anything and retreated.
When the prince saw Long Yu retreating, he said: "Of course, Mr. Chu has worked hard for the dynasty for many years. Just because you are old and unfit to hold an official position, you are allowed to retire and return to your hometown without any further investigation!"
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness!" Chu Wen seemed to be a little lucky.
Prince: "The position of the head of the Ministry of Punishment is of great importance. As for the suitable candidate, we need to go through more details. We will discuss it in the future. We will retire from the court today!"
The ministers retreated from the court, and many ministers left one after another. Many people subconsciously looked at the faltering Chu Wen. Who would have thought that a generation of veteran ministers could be cut off from their official positions so easily.
Watching Chu Wen leave, Zuo Xiang Yucheng grabbed Right Xiang Liang Chen and said: "Master Liang, the weather is very nice today. Why don't you go to my place and have a few drinks? I still have some Huanghua wine I bought last year. You can Let’s see how it goes!”
Liang Chen: "That's what I meant. I won't come home until you and I get drunk today!"
The two left hand in hand, seemingly unconcerned about Chu Wen's resignation.
In the court, whether it is official or private matters, ministers will make some "good friends". In order to make it more convenient for themselves, they need help with many things. It is not surprising that they will get together to chat after the court.
Back at home, Yu Cheng and Liang Chen entered a small room.
The two spoke in very low voices, so low that only the two of them could hear them even in the room.
Liang Chen: "Is it because of the Chu Wen incident that you called me here today?"
Yu Cheng: "Yes, I have heard what Li Wei said in court. I have reported it to some extent before. The Third Lord must know these things!"
Liang Chen held the ring in his hand and thought: "These things have been suppressed. It must not be as simple as the prince's involvement!"
Yu Cheng wondered: "Is it too risky to let the prince participate in this, just for Chu Wen?"
Liang Chen: "I can't figure it out. These things are not something that a few princes can do. I even suspect that the prince is involved!"
An emerald green ring finger kept turning in Liang Chen's hand, turning from one finger to another faster and faster.
The two fell into silence.
