"What's going on with this Ye Renlu? I've emphasized several times that in order to suppress bandits, we should use both suppression and appeasement to reduce the number of killings. But I still turned a deaf ear, despised the emperor's order, ignored the national law, and dared to indiscriminately torture, kill good people and take credit for their merits. So rampant?" In the Guangzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou's voice was deafening, and he started with a stern question.
After saying this, the expressions of two people present changed, one was Yang Bin and the other was Guo Wei.
Ye Renlu, the governor of Weizhou, was known for his ruthlessness in controlling thieves under his subordinates and made many achievements. Not long ago, I learned that there were bandits harassing the villagers under my rule, so I ordered my troops to arrest them. At that time, more than ten people from the village gathered to chase the thieves. They chased them into the mountains and the thieves dispersed. Ye Renlu arrived later with his troops, and when he saw the people chasing the thieves, he thought they were thieves, so he captured them, cut off their hamstrings, and violently exposed them to the mountains. They screamed and died for days.
"I have heard about Ye Renlu for a long time. Those who catch thieves will be tortured to death, and no one will be spared. His heart is ruthless and his actions are vicious. Why should he protect the people on behalf of Tianmu?"
"The central government also issued an edict and commended him. What is he trying to do to make all the state officials in the world imitate Ye's example, be that cruel person and carry out tyrannical and harsh policies?" Liu Chengyou's words were almost directed at Yang Fan.
Yang Fang's face looked much older than before. He was reprimanded by Liu Chengyou with insinuations, his face was long and full of anger. During this period of time, he considered himself to be public-spirited, taking care of state affairs, sharing the burden for the young emperor, checking for leaks and filling vacancies, and he was tolerant enough of the emperor's "arbitrary actions". He repeatedly gave in, but he still refused to give up, which was simply too intimidating.
"Your Majesty!" Yang Bin shouted in a rough voice, then stood up and held his hands, his sleeves were covered with wind, and looked directly at Liu Chengyou: "On the matter of Weizhou, I made the decision after comprehensive consideration, Ye Renlu Although he made mistakes, he did not cover up his merits. The cleanup of Weizhou and the disappearance of bandits were all his merits. How can your majesty detract from all the merits because of one mistake?"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou was obviously angry. He flicked his sleeves, leaned forward to support the case, and said to Yang Bin: "Cruelty to the people, disregard of human life, is it just a momentary mistake?"
"I just mistook them for thieves!" Yang Yan replied without losing his voice: "Bandits disturb public order and are a great evil in the world. Your Majesty has repeatedly emphasized that you are gentle with thieves. Could it be that all your kindness is used in this matter? Is it on the evil thieves and robbers?”
"You! Presumptuous!" A scolding voice blurted out.
However, Yang Bin's words made Liu Chengyou speechless. He was not an incompetent and angry person. Although Yang Ping's words were unpleasant, they made Liu Chengyou more alert. Although I have tried my best to increase the population, my attitude towards thieves does seem a bit "weak", which can easily misunderstand local officials, and can also lead to misunderstandings among those who are just thieves. You need to know that going too far is not enough, which may lead to rampant banditry.
However, even if there is some reflection, there is no reason to give in. Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou's tense body returned to a sitting posture, and he stopped arguing with Yang Bin.
The ministers in the palace, after watching this scene, some did not react. They never expected that it would be so exciting from the beginning. Many eyes glanced at Yang Bin cautiously. It was true that Yang Bin was the only one in the whole court who dared to confront the emperor so harshly, question and even reprimand him.
People like Feng Dao, Su Yugui, and Zhao Ying all lowered their heads subconsciously, as if this could reduce their sense of presence.
Without waiting for Liu Chengyou's instructions, Yang Bin sat down on his own with an indifferent expression. The palace became quiet.
"Your Majesty." At this time, Guo Wei stood up and broke the calm with a respectful voice: "Ye Renlu knew his fault and already regretted it. He did not dare to accept the award from the court and asked for his own fault. In order to atone for his fault, Scatter the family wealth to compensate the families of the people who were accidentally killed."
Guo Wei suddenly attracted Liu Chengyou's attention to him. Liu Chengyou glanced at him and saw that his expression was cautious and showed no arrogance.
Taking a gentle breath, Liu Chengyou calmed down. Guo Wei felt a little emotional in his heart. His words were clearly trying to excuse Ye Renlu. Liu Chengyou even guessed that Ye Renlu's remedial measures were also Guo Wei's preference.
Ye Renlu was an old general in Hedong. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was appointed as the governor of Weizhou. When he was in the army, he fought bravely. He also personally led the soldiers and followed Liu Zhiyuan to defeat the Khitans in Hedong. The most important thing is that he is Guo Wei's old subordinate. For this reason, even if he was dissatisfied with Ye Renlu's behavior, even if he knew it would make Liu Chengyou unhappy, Guo Wei still had to speak for him.
However, Guo Wei obviously still underestimated Liu Chengyou's magnanimity, but Liu Chengyou took it lightly and had no intention of blaming him.
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou finally spoke: "Let Ye Renlu erect a memorial monument for the people who died unjustly, and provide compensation and compensation to their families. Merits are merits, faults are faults, and they will be demoted to another state!"
"yes!"
Although Liu Chengyou's statement is still tough, it is a compromising attitude.
For the same thing, there are obvious differences in the attitudes towards Yang Bin, Guo Wei, and Liu Chengyou. Perhaps it was an inherent prejudice, but of course more importantly, Yang Bin really didn't know his duty as a minister.
His emotions were well restrained, and nothing strange could be seen on Liu Chengyou's face. It seemed that the fierce fight between the emperor and his ministers just now was just an illusion. After another moment of silence, Liu Chengyou coughed, glanced around, and said, "The king of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, has written to ask the imperial court to send ministers north to serve as the governor of the Yan army. Who do you think we should send?"
"Your Majesty, Youzhou is an important place to block the Khitan in the north. The people you send need to be loyal ministers and talented people, who have strategies, are alert, handle things properly, and adapt to changes..." After hearing this, The prime minister Li Tao went out to express his views.
Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Li Qing, let me be frank, who can be entrusted with the responsibility of the north?"
Upon hearing the question, Li Tao was stunned for a moment, and then responded with a bit of embarrassment: "I have been thinking hard about the ministers in the center. They all hold important positions and cannot escape. Therefore, it is difficult to think of a candidate for the moment."
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou looked at the others and remained silent for a moment. It is indeed difficult to select candidates for going north.
"Feng Qing, do you have any recommendations?" Liu Chengyou asked Old Fox Feng directly.
The old guy had previously been on a mission to Xuanfu in Hezhong and received warm hospitality from Li Shouzhen. He was detained for more than a month before he was returned to Tokyo comfortably.
Feng Dao looked like he was thinking hard and replied: "Please allow me to think about it."
This is not something to be recommended lightly. In Feng Dao's view, facing the Khitan army in the north is not a good place. If he is familiar with it, it will harm him. If the recommendation is not human, if something goes wrong, he will also be affected...
"Your Majesty, I recommend a person to bear a heavy responsibility!" A minister stood up and said loudly.
Liu Chengyou looked at it and frowned slightly. This man's name was Nie Wenjin. He was an official in the Privy Council, Du Chengzhi, and General Youwei. He was an old friend of the late emperor and was arrogant.
"Speak!" Liu Chengyou said calmly.
"Wei Renpu, a bachelor of the Privy Council, is eloquent, resourceful, talented, and outstanding. If he goes north, he will be able to care for the northern soil, coordinate the military situation, and consolidate the frontier defense!" Nie Wenjin glanced at Wei Renpu next to him, and the corner of his mouth smiled slightly. Hook, said.
After listening to his suggestion, Liu Chengyou felt a little angry. From a practical point of view, Nie Wenjin's suggestion is not bad. Wei Renpu's talent is certainly enough to entrust him with important tasks. However, Nie Wenjin's heart was not pure, so the recommendation was fake, but the real thing was to exclude Wei Renpu from the court.
In the Privy Council, out of jealousy, Nie Wenjin disliked Wei Renpu and humiliated him many times, but Wei Renpu tolerated him generously. Many people know that Liu Chengyou values Wei Renpu very much. Nie Wenjin still said this, either because he had no respect for the body or he was just plain stupid!
Without waiting for Wei Renpu to react, Guo Wei took the initiative to speak: "Scholar Wei is a talented person. He is in charge of privy affairs. He analyzes every detail without making any mistakes. He has important responsibilities and is suitable for the imperial court to use his abilities. It is too unfair to use him for a job in the north." "
But it was Guo Wei who understood Liu Chengyou's thoughts and took the initiative to speak for him, saving Liu Chengyou from refusing in person. He just got off the donkey. But Nie Wenjin was not happy to see that his idea was in vain.
"You only think about the ministers in Beijing, but have you ever thought about the ministers in the local area?" Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and asked, glancing at Guo Wei inadvertently.
"Your Majesty, please give me a signal." Su Yugui asked actively.
"Luzhou Inspection Envoy Gao Fang, who is prudent and honest, has the talent to do poison and has the ability to manage strategies, how about going north?" Liu Chengyou said the candidate in his mind.
