With the return of Sun Fang, the investigative envoy, the wind from Yangzhou officially landed in Tokyo. Following him back north were nearly 20 criminals from the Huaidong Transportation Department and the Police Department, along with a large number of indictments, confessions and witnesses. As for the Minister of Punishment, Shen Tuo, he was left in Yangzhou and temporarily transferred to the Secretary of State.
After the Yangzhou criminals came to Beijing, Liu Chengyou ordered Prime Minister Fan Zhi to preside over the trial, and together with the three judicial departments, they interrogated Ju one by one. Under the emperor's stern urging and Fan Zhi's full responsibility, the judgment was quickly implemented.
Fan Zhi has always regarded himself as an honest and upright person, so he naturally deeply hates corruption. In addition, he has always been clear-cut and enforces the law without any mercy. He and the emperor are consistent in combating corruption.
Sun Fang's preparation in terms of evidence was indeed sufficient, leaving no room for the criminals to blame themselves or escape guilt. Within three days, all the suspects were cleared, and one after another they confessed their crimes and were imprisoned.
However, this was just the beginning. From the first offender Zhao Feng, many officials in the court were killed, from the six ministers and foreign ministers to the ministers and officials, there were more than ten officials in the capital. With the emperor setting the tone of "deep digging and severe punishment", Fan Zhi did not dare to neglect and immediately started to investigate.
However, Fan Zhi is not someone who is easily fooled. In order to prevent Zhao Feng from making false accusations at will, Fan Zhi conducted a rigorous and detailed investigation and evidence collection on his confession. Facts have proved that Zhao Feng really had malicious intentions and wanted to drag others down and be buried with him.
Some people just had contact with him. These people Zhao Feng said were very vague and could not withstand scrutiny at all. They were easily distinguished by Fan Zhi. And some people actually have beneficial relationships with them.
"Wen Su, has the case been concluded?" In the political hall, Prime Minister Li Tao raised his eyes and looked at Fan Zhi who slowly walked in, put down his signature pen and asked.
Fan Zhi's description showed an obvious look of exhaustion, the wrinkles on his face had deepened, and the bags under his eyes were very heavy. In the past few days, he had been working on the case day and night, forgetting sleep and food.
Upon hearing this, Fan Zhi nodded, sighed heavily, and said, "If this chapter is submitted to His Majesty, the Tokyo court will inevitably be in turmoil!"
"Two gentlemen!" The official in the hall offered two cups of prepared tea.
Gently waving him to retreat, Li Tao noticed the memorial in Fan Zhi's hand, frowned and said, "It seems that a lot of people are indeed involved!"
Fan Zhi took a sip of tea and sighed: "What I'm worried about now is that this matter will continue to expand! Over in Huaidong, the water transport case has already been investigated, and I'm afraid turmoil will inevitably happen.
I also deeply hate corrupt officials. Wang Wenbo’s original intention and idea of renovating the official system is good, but such actions are really not conducive to the tranquility of the top and bottom. How can the operation of government affairs make the people view the government?
Wang Wenbo has such a temperament. He is vigorous and innovative, which is not unexpected and understandable. But Zheng Rixin, who had always been serious and cautious, why didn't he follow Wang Wenbo?
Judging from His Majesty's intentions, he also wants to inspect other prefectures and counties in the world regarding the Yangzhou water transport case. Once it spreads, the impact of this matter will not be limited to Huaidong and Tokyo. The whole country will be turbulent at that time. If you are not careful, it may shake the foundation of the country.
How can the reform of official administration be something that happens overnight? Legislation and law enforcement are the foundation..."
Looking at Fan Zhi's cautious expression, Li Tao's expression was also a little serious. In fact, he is also a person who is unwilling to engage in major wars. He likes to take things slowly and make progress while maintaining stability.
In fact, the corrupt officials headed by Zhao Feng this time, including stealing and selling official grain, made only a little more than 100,000 yuan. It was already a huge sum of money, but to say how exaggerated it was was not an exaggeration. After all, there were so many people dividing the spoils and managing them up and down, and it was diluted all at once.
I remember that when Ye Renlu, the governor of Laizhou, was in power, he plundered 15,000 pieces of money and 15,000 pieces of silk. In view of the past, the emperor took this case so seriously, which in the eyes of many officials was making a fuss out of a molehill.
Although ministers like Li Tao and Fan Zhi were not so shallow in their knowledge, they did not agree with blindly expanding the treatment. Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes. As important ministers in charge of the world, they are more willing to seek stability.
"I understand your concerns!" After thinking about it, Li Tao said, "However, you are not unaware of His Majesty's temperament. If he makes up his mind, I'm afraid we won't be able to dissuade him!"
"If you can't persuade, you still have to persuade!" Fan Zhi looked solemn, pondered for a moment, and said: "Your Majesty is not a master who cannot listen to what others say. For the sake of the stability of the country, he will consider it comprehensively. Furthermore, now it has been It is the spring season, and your Majesty wants to send troops to Jinghu, so it is not appropriate to start a war in the country.
This time, the severe punishment of Zhao Feng and others is enough to warn the world and make officials at home and abroad be vigilant and not dare to act rashly! "
"When are you going to Chongzheng Palace?" Li Tao asked with a slight nod.
"Go now, Your Majesty, I'm afraid you'll be waiting for my results!" Fan Zhi took a deep breath.
"I'll go with you. There happen to be a few memorials that need to be sent over!" Li Tao thought for a while and said.
After saying that, the two left hand in hand.
In the Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou calmly read the case report submitted by Fan Zhi. Of course, it was just a briefing, and there was a thick stack of detailed files.
Fan Zhi, who was next, reported calmly: "In this case, there were 27 officials involved, 13 from the Huaidong Transportation Department, 5 from the Supervisory Department, and 9 officials from Beijing! The property involved was worth about one hundred and seventy thousand. cord!"
"Officials in Beijing, who are involved?" Liu Chengyou looked back and forth and asked casually.
"Li Zhishui, a member of the Criminal Department!" Fan Zhi said.
"Li Zhisheng..." Liu Chengyou glanced at Li Zhisheng, looked at the description of his crimes, and immediately sneered; "The name is not bad, it is quite meaningful, but I think he does not know the damage. Don’t even know how to die!”
"There is also Nie Wenjin, the censor of the capital!" Fan Zhi said again.
Nie Wenjin was an old official of the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he served as the privy council leader. Later, he became domineering and unruly, and was sent to Guanzhong to govern state affairs by Liu Chengyou. That time was the first time Liu Chengyou took action against the ancestors of the previous dynasty, including Guo Yunming, who took the life of the "Han Yin Emperor" in official history.
Later, Bo had political achievements and was a founding official of the country. He was an old friend of the great ancestor. After the examination, he was able to return to the capital and join the newly established Metropolitan Procuratorate as deputy capital censor.
This time, I heard this name from Fan Zhi again, and he was still among the prisoners. Liu Chengyou became angry immediately and said with a smile: "This Nie Wenjin, I still remember that when I demoted him to Guanzhong, I reminded him specifically! How long has he been in power now? He really refuses to change despite repeated admonitions!"
He then looked at the other officials involved, frowned deeply, raised his eyes and asked, "Have all the officials involved in the case in Beijing pleaded guilty?"
Fan Zhi reported: "Back to Your Majesty! Zhao Fengpan bit more than ten people. After verification by the ministers, there are real evidences. These few people alone have no excuse and they all confessed and were imprisoned!"
"Besides..." Rarely, Fan Zhi showed a hint of hesitation.
"Say!" This gesture immediately aroused Liu Chengyou's curiosity.
"Zhao Feng also mentioned Li Hongxin, the Duke of Yu State!" Fan Zhi said: "After verification, I found that Duke Yu State and Zhao Feng had some contacts, but there is no solid evidence as to whether there is any transfer of benefits, so... .”
"Since there is no solid evidence, there is no need to say more!" Liu Chengyou interrupted Fan Zhi forcefully. Putting down the memorial, he pondered for a while, looked up at Prime Minister Li and Fan, and asked: "This case has finally come to a conclusion. I wonder how the two ministers think they should deal with the aftermath?"
He glanced at the other party subconsciously, communicated in the air, and Fan Zhi responded: "All officials who have committed crimes will be dealt with according to the law, and they will be punished. I have written this chapter. Your Majesty, please read it and make a final decision."
After hearing this, Liu Chengyou picked up Fan Zhi's memorial again, scanned it a little, picked up the ink pen, and sketched it three times, five times, five times and two times. With a careless movement, he decided the fate of dozens of internal and external officials. He said: "Fan Qing's sentence is naturally fair and just. All criminals will be dealt with accordingly without changing a single word!"
"Yes!" Fan Zhi responded.
Li Tao also stood up and reported: "Your Majesty, after this case, vacancies in internal and external official positions suddenly appeared, especially in the Huaidong Transportation Department, which almost affected the handling of official affairs and the transportation of finance and taxation. Officials should be selected and dispatched as soon as possible to fill them. In addition, , those who have made meritorious service in handling this case should also be rewarded for their hard work!"
"Li Qing, what do you think?"
Li Tao said: "In the transfer department of Huaidong, I thought that Shen Tuo could succeed him; Sun Fang, the censor, was capable and capable and lived up to his mission. He could succeed Nie Wenjin as the censor of the deputy capital. The first official to be informed was Zheng Rong. He who avoids power, is upright and upright, and is killed for the sake of state affairs, should be treated as a favor to his family; as for Prime Minister Fan..."
"Your Majesty, everything I do is my duty. There are such dirty officials in the imperial court. I was not aware of it before and even more neglected their responsibilities. I really don't dare to take credit!" Fan Zhi said decisively when Li Tao mentioned him.
