"How could Zhang Jianxiong cover the sky in Puzhou and deceive the court?"
Liu Chengyou's questioning echoed in Chongzheng Hall.
Facing the emperor's wrath, Zhao Li and Wang Jingchong lay on the cold floor, their bodies tense and even trembling. Liu Chengyou rarely got so angry, and courtiers rarely saw such gaffes and questions. However, whenever this happened, it proved that someone was going to be unlucky.
No matter what, Wang Jingchong didn't want him to be the unlucky person. He noticed Zhao Li who was prostrate on the ground next to him, and then looked at Liu Chengyou who was above him. He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have another report about Zhang Jianxiong!"
"explain!"
Wang Jingchong looked at Zhao Li again and hesitated looking at his expression. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows and said: "There is no one in Chongzheng Hall who cannot speak out!"
Wang Jingchong then said: "After investigation by the ministers, Zhang Jianxiong gathered a lot of people in Puzhou and gained a lot. He bribed his subordinates and generals with money and silk, and those who opposed them were all accused of persecution. As for the censor who patrolled Puzhou , and the censor of Henan Daodu were all bribed by him with huge profits..."
"Okay!" After hearing the report, Liu Chengyou had already suppressed his anger, but his tone was sarcastic, and he looked at Zhao Li: "It's only been a few years! Yushitai, you really didn't disappoint me!"
After listening to Wang Jingchong's complaint, Zhao Li turned pale. When he heard the emperor's sarcasm, he was even more frightened. He kowtowed repeatedly to plead guilty: "I am guilty! I have failed your majesty's expectations. Please punish me!"
In fact, after a personal trip to Puzhou, Zhao Li had already noticed something was wrong, and knew that there might be something wrong within Yushitai. Originally, I wanted to suppress the matter and investigate slowly to minimize the impact on Yushitai. However, I really didn't expect that the emperor would react so quickly and his eyesight would be so sharp, and he would immediately think of this issue.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Although he was flustered, Zhao Li still tried his best to keep himself calm and said: "There may be corrupt officials in Yushitai, but they are a minority after all. We only need to remove the moths. I am a Taiwan official, and my subordinates have misbehaved, or have failed to supervise my subordinates. Please punish me!"
In the past three years, with the support of Liu Chengyou, the imperial court's supervision system has continued to grow. At least the staffing inside and outside the capital has gradually been put in place. It monitors military and political affairs on weekdays, and the authority of the Yushitai is constantly being re-established.
As one of the senior officials of Yushitai, Zhao Li was unwilling and lost his sacred heart because of this incident. In particular, the rise of Wu Desi has greatly encroached on part of the authority of the Yushitai.
"Moreover, this matter is also the word of the Wude Secretary and Deputy Envoy Wang's family. The details have yet to be verified! As for the Puzhou matter, the Wude Secretary is so strict that there are still some oversights..." Zhao Li was also anxious, Wang Jingchong set fire to his imperial censor's desk, but he didn't care anymore and took action instead.
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Jingchong glared angrily. Seeing that these two people had a tendency to bite each other, Liu Chengyou snorted coldly.
After the two of them became honest, Liu Chengyou turned his attention to Wang Jingchong: "What's the situation with Wu Desi? Does he not know what he's doing?"
"This..." Faced with the emperor's cold question, Wang Jingchong opened his mouth and looked at Zhao Li again, still looking worried.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou thought about it for a moment. After all, Wude Si had many things that he couldn't bring to the table.
So, he turned to Zhao Li and said: "Zhao Qing, get up first and don't break your head. You go back to the Yushitai first and tell Bian Guichen about this. I don't know if he, the Yushi doctor, knows about it." It’s a matter of fact! The Chief Supervisor of the State, the Censor, expresses my deep hope. His heart is not right and his behavior is inappropriate, so why should he inspect others? Just go back and return to the same place, and do a good self-examination."
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Zhao Li breathed a sigh of relief and bowed gratefully: "I obey! I retire!"
Zhao Li carefully exited the political palace. Liu Chengyou flicked his sleeves, looked at Wang Jingchong, and said calmly: "There is no one else in the palace, get up and talk!"
Wang Jingchong did not stand up, but still knelt, took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I wanted to report secretly. After investigation, I found that there is indeed someone in Wude who is protecting Zhang Jianxiong."
"Who?" Liu Chengyou narrowed his eyes.
"Everyone in the capital knows this, thank you!" Wang Jingchong said.
"Post-favor?" Liu Chengyou frowned, and stared at Wang Jingchong with a cold look in his eyes. The suspicion in his tone became even stronger: "How did Zhang Jianxiong bribe Wude Si?"
With his head buried, Wang Jingchong was tense at this moment, but there was a hint of cunning in his eyes.
Faced with the emperor's questions, he did not dare to be negligent and explained: "The capital of Gyeonggi Province knows that Houzan was envoyed by Xuanhui envoy, uncle Li Yejian and commander Li. Zhang Jianxiong had a good relationship with his uncle, and the two had contacts. This time, the reason why Uncle Guo’s information is so quick is that Hou Zan revealed the relationship with him..."
"What is Li Shaoyou doing? Huh? This Houzan is so brave. Wu Desi has news and dares not to report it in time?" Liu Chengyou scolded him coldly.
Wang Jingchong showed a fearful expression and did not dare to speak again.
"Go and send the military envoy!" Liu Chengyou ordered Zhang Dejun.
Immediately looking at the respectful Wang Jingchong, Liu Chengyou sighed indifferently: "You, Wang Jingchong, are indeed worthy ministers. I was not mistaken. In such a short period of time, I have already investigated the matter clearly!"
"Your Majesty has a destiny, and I dare not neglect it. I can only do my best to repay His Majesty's kindness!" Wang Jing admired him.
"My legs are numb too! Get up!" Seeing that he was still kneeling, Liu Chengyou said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." This time, Wang Jingchong slowly stood up and presented the text of the confessions, testimonies, etc. he had obtained during the investigation to Liu Chengyou.
After spending some time reading it, Liu Chengyou gently fell on the imperial case, which had the effect of lifting a weight lightly.
Not long after, Li Shaoyou, the military envoy and Duke of Shouyang, came into the palace to pay homage. Liu Chengyou was greeted with a slap in the face and a scolding. This was the first time that Li Shaoyou was treated like this by the emperor.
Although he was a little caught off guard, Li Shaoyou was still somewhat prepared. He asked himself to be blamed first and bit Wang Jingchong by the way. It is impossible for Wang Jingchong to be alone if he relies on false accusations. After all, they are both in the Wu Desi system. If something goes wrong, Wang Jingchong, the deputy envoy, has no responsibility at all, and it is impossible.
The two people had a fierce argument in Chongzheng Hall, shifting blame, making false accusations, and completely falling apart.
Liu Chengyou just looked at the two of them as if they were watching a play, until he couldn't bear it anymore. Similarly, after receiving the emperor's order to self-examine and rectify Wude Si, the two of them just walked out of the Chongzheng Hall.
"What a good county magistrate, what a deputy secretary, what a good Wang Jingchong!" After walking out of the hall, Li Shaoyou stopped and stared at Wang Jingchong. His handsome face was a little distorted at this time: "Good means, this time, I was negligent. , caught you off guard!"
"Mr. Shouyang's words are serious!" Facing Li Shaoyou's fierce gaze, Wang Jingchong seemed unaware. The red-eared dispute in front of him just now seemed as if it had not happened. He said with a smile: "They are all working for your majesty, and there is trouble among Duke Shouyang's subordinates." , I intend to make it clear for you, and clean up the house for Wude Division, I think I won’t mind. After all, it is for the overall interests of Wude Division, isn’t it?”
"Haha..." After listening to his words, Li Shaoyou seemed to have thought of something, and his mood slowly calmed down, and he smiled coldly: "That's right, I have written this down. Let's see!"
After saying this, Li Shaoyou walked away with a puff of his sleeves.
"Mr. Shouyang, go slowly!" Wang Jingchong was behind, bowing his hands. The corners of his mouth twitched into a proud smile.
