As soon as Liu Chengyou finished asking, Prime Minister Li Tao stood up immediately and said: "Your Majesty, if I impose such a severe punishment, it will harm the peace of heaven, violate the monarch's morality, and may bring disgrace to the people. The execution of capital punishment in white clothes is still cruel. As for your Majesty, please give me a gentle punishment."
Looking at Li Tao, Liu Chengyou's eyes flashed with contemplation. Before he could speak, Yang Bin had already denounced: "When the country was first established, it was appropriate to use severe punishments and laws to deter lawlessness and stabilize the world! As a minister of the imperial court, Su Fengji held a high position In the temple, they do not care about serving the public and abiding by the law, thinking that it is just a matter of setting an example for others. Instead, they violate the law and discipline, commit evil acts indiscriminately, and abuse the people. Such evil ministers do not deal with them strictly to protect the country's laws and uphold their prestige. How can the court be popular among people? ?”
After Yang Bin finished speaking, Liu Chengyou could clearly see that the expressions of the ministers present had changed more or less. Yang Bin, this looks like he is determined to kill Su Fengji.
The scene was quiet for a while, but Liu Chengyou looked more at ease, his eyes wandering for a moment.
"Your Majesty, Su Fengji has naturally committed a heinous crime and should be dealt with according to the national law. However, he is an important minister of the country after all. He has served the late emperor for many years and was established by the Han Dynasty. He also has meritorious service. In consideration of his previous achievements, your Majesty may be able to forgive the punishment and leave a sentence. Life is not absolution, but it also demonstrates your majesty's kindness..." This time, it was Su Yugui who stood up.
First Li Tao, and then Su Yugui, both pleaded for Su Fengji's treatment at this time. You must know that the relationship between the two ministers and Su Fengji was not good on weekdays, especially Su Yugui. In the early days of Liu Zhiyuan's entry into the Central Plains, when they shared the national affairs, they There are many discords.
He glanced at the others and asked for their opinions.
"I second my proposal." As a result, there was a chorus of second opinions.
"You are trying to ignore the sinners and mess with the law for your own personal gain!" At this time, Yang Bin was like an independent minister, getting angry in the court.
Su Yugui showed a smile like a good old man and responded respectfully: "Ms. Yang, since he has been punished for his crimes, the country's laws can be upheld. It's just a question of the severity of the punishment. There is no talk of favoritism. What I have discussed is just to show your majesty's kindness and forgiveness." It’s just my heart…”
"You are sophistry!" Yang Fang stared at him coldly.
"Okay! Sirs, there is no need to argue!" Liu Chengyou finally spoke. He pretended to think for a while and then said indifferently: "In recognition of his past achievements, I will reduce the sentence and punishment at my discretion. Su Fengji will be dismissed from all positions and demoted. As a commoner, he was exiled to Jingyuan to raise horses. All the money, grain and goods he collected were confiscated to the state treasury. His children and heirs were all dismissed from office and sent into exile. They will never be used for three generations!"
After Liu Chengyou said these words, the ministers in the palace couldn't help but feel chilled in their hearts. This kind of treatment was more cruel than killing Su Fengji directly. Especially the last point, it almost stopped the future generations of the Su family from making progress.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Bin was the first to speak out in support.
Immediately afterwards, no one else said anything, after all, Liu Chengyou had already invited him. In fact, Liu Chengyou had basically seen why these people were so active in interceding for Su Fengji in the final disposition. As the prime minister, Su Fengji's incident, if he was punished by death, would be a bad start for them.
You know, the gentlemen present are not clean under their butts. Especially Su Yugui, although he had already stopped being "good", he was responsible for many of the things Su Fengji had committed. It would be bad if the emperor settles accounts with his queen.
It's just that the result after begging for mercy is really unsatisfactory. The consequences for future generations are even more despairing.
Su Fengji's matter came to an end in this strange atmosphere. Liu Chengyou took advantage of the situation and said: "Now that Su Fengji has resigned, we can promote someone among the officials to supplement the political affairs hall. Do you have any candidates?"
Regarding personnel matters, especially those involving the appointment and dismissal of important positions with real power, Liu Chengyou has always consulted his ministers and acted like he is governing from the top down, and this time it is no different. However, just like that, for a while, it was impossible to decide on a personal choice.
According to the ideas of Yang Bin and others, the fewer the number of ministers, the better. After Su Fengji has gone, it will naturally not be very active if individuals are used to decentralize power.
Soon, the topic deviated, and the discussion of adding new ministers turned into a matter of moving towns and villages.
"Your Majesty, Suiyang reported that Shi Hongzhao, who was left behind in Xijing, was in charge of the local general Yang Yi and others. They took advantage of the power and caused trouble in Songzhou. They gathered their swords to carve and peel off, and they went everywhere, causing everyone in the territory to watch the wind and show respect, and they were jealous of them. Health. The people suffered so much that they dare not express their anger! Songzhou is a Kinkizhou county. If the imperial court does not regulate it, the people will be deeply saddened." Yang Bing asked: "I think that we should focus on the town of Songzhou as soon as possible and purge it. If the group is small, we should give peace and order.”
This is another disaster caused by Shi Hongzhao. Prior to this, Shi Hongzhao also served as the military governor of the German army, and Yang Yi came to his residence to inspect the school for him. But birds of a feather flock together, and these stories written by Shi Hongzhao are also greedy, cruel and violent, and bring disaster to one party. Even if Yang Bin didn't mention it, Liu Chengyou still wanted to rectify it.
The gangster was not too concerned about Liu Chengyou, but his expression was serious, as if he was thinking about some important decision. He looked up at the ministers and said, "It's time to make another adjustment to the festivals in various places."
Moving towns was the basic operation of the imperial court to suppress Jiedu in Fangzhen. Of course, this was an approach that treated the symptoms rather than the root cause. The disadvantage of Fangzhen is that the local authority is too heavy.
However, when it is not possible to achieve institutional control over the local area overnight, it is still a good idea to move the towns to prevent them from entrenching their influence in the local area. For three generations, this has been done every day and every year.
When the Han Dynasty was first established last year, Liu Zhiyuan had already made a change in the Jiedu of Zhongyuan, Hebei and Guanyou.
Liu Chengyou obviously had his thoughts this time. However, to his surprise, he encountered opposition from the officials. But this time, even Guo Wei tried to dissuade Liu Chengyou. Although there are many reasons, there is only one key point. At this time, the Han Dynasty is still in a difficult situation and cannot move rashly.
Looking to Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou's most trusted minister now, Wei Renpu only made clear suggestions to Liu Chengyou. It is not too late to make adjustments to Fangzhen after Li Shouzhen in the river is resolved and the authority of the imperial court is established.
It is rare to see that all officials have a unified understanding. Liu Chengyou accepted advice with an open mind and did not act arbitrarily.
For the appointment of the Jiedu envoy to the German Army, Liu Chengyou finally selected Zhang Yun, the Minister of Civil Affairs, who had gained Liu Chengyou's favor for "refuting the pardon theory". Using this monarch to control Songzhou can be regarded as the beginning of the Han Dynasty, and it was the first time for civil servants to control the place.
Taking a closer look at the various Jiedushi throughout the Han Dynasty, there are differences in ability and virtue, but they are all military ministers. This is already the late "Five Dynasties", and the situation is still the same. If you think about it, it is really abnormal.
