Regarding Liu Xin, Liu Chengyou really had no intention of killing him at first. At the beginning of his journey south, he only had the idea of investigating and denigrating him. However, after arriving in Xuzhou, listening to his words and observing his actions, coupled with the reports of Liu Xin's crimes from various sources, his numerous crimes really made Liu Chengyou angry and murderous.
However, Liu Chengyou did not let his brain be filled with anger, which would affect his judgment. Last night, the emperor asked the ministers for their opinions. Except for Yang Bin letting himself go and saying that he should follow the laws of the country, they all had more or less reservations. Even Yang Bin did not directly say to kill Liu Xin.
Murong Yanchao and Liu Chengyou basically ignored his opinions and would rather consider Liu Chong's feelings.
In terms of concerns, these ministers are not as numerous as the emperor. Even so, they are still conservative.
Those who persuaded him used his status as the emperor's uncle as an excuse. However, to a certain extent, Liu Xin and Xuzhou Jiedu's status carried more weight in comparison. Imperial uncle? If you have no power and power, you are nothing.
As for the crimes committed by Liu Xin, despite Liu Chengyou's face being filled with anger and indignation, it seemed that the people of Xuzhou were heartbroken by the cruelty they suffered. However, there are two main things that really made Liu Chengyou extremely angry. One was that Liu Xin repeatedly made arrogant remarks based on his status, disrespected him, and despised the monarchy; the other was that he led the crowd to plunder the people, and also brought him along to corrupt him. The reputation of the emperor and the court.
These two points are what Liu Chengyou cannot tolerate the most. Of course, he was somewhat sympathetic to the sufferings of the soldiers and the people. After all, his character of loving the people had been established and he had formed a habit. However, after listening to it a lot, my feelings are not too deep. My debt to the people will be implemented in the subsequent aftermath matters.
It is difficult for Liu Chengyou to express these considerations openly, or even discuss them in private. Hypocrisy is true, but this is a required skill for the emperor.
From another perspective, his father, Emperor Liu Zhiyuan, was buried not long ago in Yangzhai "next door". He is about to kill the emperor's relatives, which is always easy to cause criticism. Liu Chengyou is not afraid of rumors, but there is no need to deliberately challenge them. .
In fact, it is not difficult to kill Liu Xin. Even if the officials are blocking it and the harem is putting pressure, Liu Chengyou can take his life with just one edict. Liu Chengyou only needed to accuse Liu Xin of treason.
However, Liu Chengyou's purpose in investigating the Xuzhou case was not just to kill Liu Xin? The purpose of running Liu Xin was to shock the world, to deter lawlessness inside and outside the court, and to gain public support at the same time. To put it bluntly, at this time, the weight of public opinion has to be lowered a lot.
The question before Liu Chengyou was whether to leave room for this matter, and if so, how much room should be left.
As Wang Pu said, weigh the pros and cons.
After comprehensively considering the opinions and attitudes from all sides, Liu Chengyou gradually settled down, and once he did, he was determined enough.
Before noon that day, Liu Chengyou went to Changshe and held a meeting before the imperial meeting. All the accompanying civil and military officials and a few generals from Xuzhou were present.
The atmosphere was serious, and there were no more topics for discussion. After everyone arrived, Liu Chengyou directly ordered in an extremely calm tone:
"Liu Xin, the governor of the Zhongwu Army and Cai Guogong, was corrupt and immoral, indulged in lawlessness, and poisoned all living beings when he was out of town in Xuzhou. He persisted in evil and committed a lot of crimes. As a relative of the emperor, he did not regard the country as the most important thing. If you care about the people, the crime will be even more serious. However, I remember that he has made great contributions to the country, and the great ancestor's mausoleum is beside him, so that he will not be punished by death!"
After Liu Chengyou said these words, none of the civil and military officials below showed too much surprise. Murong Yanchao did not hide it and breathed a sigh of relief.
Without observing the reactions of the ministers, Liu Chengyou continued:
"However, the death penalty can be avoided, but the living crime cannot be forgiven! Liu Xin was deprived of all his titles, demoted to a commoner, sent to Ruiling, shackles and prison clothes, living in a thatched hut, guarding the mausoleum for the great ancestor, in order to atone for his sins. There is no grace in the edict. , are not allowed to leave without permission. No special purpose, no meeting with outsiders!"
"Search his home, loot his property, confiscate it to the state treasury! Return all the people's land he occupied! Remove all the officials he held, confiscate his home, demote his family members into slaves, and confiscate his family property to the public servants! "
Before Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Murong Yanchao seemed to be unable to bear it any longer. He stood up and questioned: "Is it too harsh? If so, it would be better to kill him!"
His face twitched slightly, Liu Chengyou glanced at Murong Yanchao, without raising his eyelids, and said calmly: "Murong Yanchao, the governor of the Taining Army, has lost his manners before the emperor and spoken rudely. He will be demoted three ranks and dismissed from his post. He will be dismissed as a servant." Title, fined for one year, and banned from the mansion for two months after returning to Beijing!"
After saying this, Murong Yanchao was stunned, his face was full of astonishment, his dark face was even darker, with almost no blood at all, and his lips were trembling with anger. He raised his hand to signal the front guard to fork it out.
Murong Yanchao's question was actually correct.
After scanning around, Liu Chengyou found that Wen Wu present had a very upright posture, but his head was slightly lowered.
Murong Yanchao did not affect Liu Chengyou's mood too much. He only saw a slightly solemn expression on his face as he continued: "Liu Xin's party subordinates arrested officials and carefully screened them to determine the degree of evil and judge the crime. With the title of Minister of Zhongshu Dou Zhen consolidated power over Xuzhou's military and state affairs, and was assisted by Zhao Li, the censor, to supervise the matter and ensure peace of mind. I heard that during the chaos in Xuzhou, some local officials also took the opportunity to harm the people and enrich themselves. Regarding these Evil officials, investigate and deal with them strictly!"
"Xuzhou Yabing, any officer who violates discipline and harms the people will be subject to military law. The subordinate town troops will be disrupted and reorganized, and Wang Hanlun, the commander of the cavalry, will train for the Xuzhou regiment and be responsible for the rectification!"
"Yes!" Dou Zhengu and Zhao Li heard the words and accepted the order in unison.
"The people of Xuzhou have suffered from bad governance for a long time. This year, half of the summer taxes will be waived!"
"This time, a lot of officials in Xuzhou have been dismissed. Yang Qing is responsible for the official affairs. After returning to Beijing, he should be transferred in time to fill the vacancies!" Looking at Yang Bin, Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
After issuing the edict in one breath, Liu Chengyou's mouth was a little dry, so he calmed down and allowed the ministers to digest it.
After pondering for a while, when the atmosphere became subtle unconsciously, Liu Chengyou frowned and slowed down his speech, but said with extremely firm eyes: "I personally ordered Xuzhou to be appointed to the town. Unexpectedly, it had such bad consequences. It's so painful." The soldiers and the people. It is my fault that they used non-human beings. Liu Xin is a relative of the emperor, so he did not give any instructions and failed to discipline him. I intend to issue an imperial edict to relieve the regret in my heart!"
Liu Chengyou's words were somewhat sincere. Upon hearing this, the ministers quickly persuaded him that this should not be the case.
This is indeed the case. After all, the emperor was also deceived. Moreover, Liu Xin's appointment as Xuzhou Jiedu was appointed by Liu Zhiyuan when he was in power. Liu Chengyou just let him stay. Of course, he had to bear all the faults.
The imperial edict should never be taken lightly. However, Liu Xin's case was special. What Liu Chengyou wanted was to show his attitude of being a king. Although the ministers tried their best to dissuade him, Liu Chengyou was determined and decided to hand over the edict to Wang Pu to draft.
After everything was explained in place, Liu Chengyou waved his hands and said four words: "Return to Beijing the next day!"
