"Your Highness!" Wang Jien and Wang Xuanzhen, who came hand in hand outside the Chuigong Palace, saw the prince with a melancholy expression and worshiped together.
Liu Yang stopped and turned his head to glance at the two of them. His eyes were emotionless and made the two of them feel numb. However, Liu Yang did not vent anything to the two of them. He just responded and walked away, his movements gentle and silent.
Both of them were a little surprised. They stood there blankly, looking at the back of the prince. Wang Xuanzhen's expression remained unchanged, but Wang Jien's expression was solemn and worried, and there was a hint of deep thought in his eyes.
When the two kings of Jin and Zhao came out of the palace, they paid homage again. Again, they did not look good on them. Obviously, due to their actions in the past few months, the Imperial City and Wude Divisions have become deeply hated by the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty. In the past, they may have been repulsed in their hearts, but now the disgust is on the surface. They are as afraid as snakes and scorpions. Even the prince of the dynasty may not be afraid. But keep it at arm’s length.
In the palace, the emotions stimulated by the prince had calmed down. Emperor Liu started his Zhu batch business again, and the two of them went into the palace to pay their respects. Emperor Liu stopped writing, glanced at the two, and immediately scolded Wang Jien: "Who asked you to arrest Xin Zhongfu?"
Feeling the anger of Emperor Liu, Wang Jien felt awe-inspiring in his heart, and immediately responded cautiously: "I am about to report it to the officials! It is true that Xin Zhongfu protected the criminals and bent the law for personal gain! I have made a statement, and I invite the officials to read it!"
Yantuo presented Wang Jien's memorial, and Emperor Liu browsed it for a while, but he didn't read it very carefully. The matter was not complicated in the first place. After thinking about it for a while, he said coldly: "Can you arrest a third-rank official in the imperial court just as you say? Do you really not care about the impact at all? During this period, there are many rumors inside and outside the imperial court. With your eyes and ears in the Imperial City Department, Sensitive, can’t you hear, or are you deaf?”
"I acted inappropriately, please forgive me!" After hearing what Emperor Liu said, Wang Jien hurriedly knelt down: "It's just that the incident happened suddenly, so something went wrong. I had to take Xin Zhongfu into custody first!"
"You don't need to give me these bullshit reasons!" Emperor Liu said coldly: "I really ask you to refresh the official system and eliminate corruption for the sake of the country and the people. To clarify the official system is not to allow you to act recklessly, disrupt the government, and show off your authority. Yes! I give you the right to approve arrests, not to arrest them indiscriminately!"
"Yes! Yes! You must pay attention in the future!" Wang Jien kowtowed. Next to him, Wang Xuanzhen also knelt down and gave the same assurance. Both of them were a little frightened. What they did was totally unacceptable. If Emperor Liu was dissatisfied again, it would be very bad.
"The officials are generous!" Seeing that Emperor Liu's anger had subsided, Wang Jien said again: "Young man has another reason for arresting Xin Zhongfu!"
"Speak!" Emperor Liu's face showed no trace of emotion.
Wang Jien said: "Three days ago, Xin Zhongfu told people in private that the government is now in chaos, people's hearts are in turmoil, and the subordinates are in panic, and their days are like years..."
"It's a good day like a year!" Emperor Liu smiled lightly: "Although he is suspected of criticizing the government, he is a high official in the court and has the power to discuss government. Although his remarks are inappropriate, it is just a reprimand. I will not agree with him. Calculating..."
Hearing this, Wang Jien's face was serious and he said: "In the official book, it is recorded in "Book of Wei": "Xun's old relatives were killed and a few were killed. Those who were alive died in pain, and one day was like ten years." What it said was that before When the Qin Emperor Fu Sheng was in power, he was cruel and violent, killing meritorious officials and nobles indiscriminately, causing fear both internally and externally, and his days were like years.
Xin Zhongfu is using the past to satirize the present, and actually compares His Majesty with the tyrant Fu Sheng. He is really despising the Emperor and slandering the officials. His heart is so vicious! "
Hearing what Wang Jien said, Emperor Liu was stunned for a moment, and then he slowly came to his senses, with a hint of reminiscence on his face, and said: "No wonder it sounds familiar to me. It turns out that this incident was mentioned! When will you, Zhang Dejun, start researching it?" Have you started to learn? You know that your days are like years, and you still make such heart-wrenching remarks..."
"Officials, young ones, small ones are just loyal officials. We cannot listen to such treacherous ministers, relying on their talents and arrogance to slander the officials!" For some reason, facing Emperor Liu's calm question, Wang Jien always felt panicked and hurriedly Show loyalty.
Emperor Liu ignored him, thought for a moment, and said coldly: "If I were Fu Sheng, then who would be Fu Jian? Fu Sheng was slandered in the history books and evaluated as a cruel and easy-to-kill tyrant. Now that I think about it, I'm afraid It’s those rebellious officials and traitors like Fu Jian who are deliberately slandering us in order to usurp the throne and gain fame!”
"Xin Zhongfu! Xin Zhongfu!" Emperor Liu muttered, his eyes became colder and colder, and he was about to kill someone.
However, after a while, Emperor Liu finally put away his murderous intention, looked down at the two people kneeling on the ground, waved his hands and said: "Get back on your feet!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Liu pondered for a moment and then ordered: "I never ask for guilt with words! Xin Zhongfu's misdeeds will not lead to death. Since he is not used to staying in the court and his days are like years, I will give him another place. Yantuo, pass the imperial edict, and dismiss Xin Zhongfu from the post of Minister of the Ministry of Punishment , go to Yanshan North Road and serve as the prefect of Dading!"
"yes!"
Raise it high and put it down gently. After all, Emperor Liu admired Xin Zhongfu's talents from the bottom of his heart and planned to leave some capable ministers and wise men for Liu Yang.
Looking at the two kings again, Emperor Liu said in a stern tone: "From now on, officials of third rank and above are not allowed to be arrested at will without my will. Remember, please be more restrained and cautious in your actions. We have already killed so many people." There are so many treacherous ministers and corrupt officials, but my sword is still sharp, so don’t try it easily!”
"Yes!" After hearing this, both of them looked frightened.
Xin Zhongfu was in trouble, and Emperor Liu asked about their purpose of coming. The two came hand in hand, obviously there was something important to do. In this regard, after hesitating for a while, Wang Xuanzhen said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I have received a report about the consort Zhang Jing!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's expression immediately darkened, he stared at Wang Xuanzhen and said, "Zhang Jing! What did he commit?"
Wang Xuanzhen quickly took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Yan Tuo. Perhaps because the people involved were different, Emperor Liu moved more quickly. After briefly reading it, he slapped it on the case and asked sternly: "Are these true? Did Zhang Jing really commit these things? "
"Return to Your Majesty!" Although Wang Xuanzhen was a little nervous, he still stated calmly: "I didn't believe it at first, so I sent my staff to investigate, and finally confirmed that it was correct. Even though Zhang Jing, the consort, was a domestic slave, he acted recklessly, carrying inkstones for one side, and persecuting good people. Shang, in order to protect his relatives, forced his way into the county government office. Last year, his slave was selling private salt with others, and was arrested and interrogated by Huainan salt officials. He actually killed the salt official..."
Wang Xuanzhen, dripping with cold sweat, recounted some of the deeds of his consort Zhang Jing, including some witnesses and oral confessions. The more he listened, the uglier Emperor Liu's face became. This time, Wang Jien was silent. In fact, it was Wang Jien who secretly arranged for people to reveal these matters about the consort Zhang Jing to Wude Si.
I originally planned to use this matter to see if I could get a handle on Wang Xuanzhen. I never thought that Wang Xuanzhen was too "upright", so I directly reported it to Wang Jien. After investigation and evidence collection, I decisively brought him together to face the saint. To be honest, Report.
This matter is not easy to handle. After all, it involves Emperor Liu's son-in-law. If you hesitate for a moment, you may be disgracing both sides. However, seeking truth from facts like Wang Xuanzhen seems to be the best way to deal with it.
"I don't know whether this matter should be handled or not. If so, what should be done? Please tell me what to do!" Wang Xuanzhen said respectfully.
In this regard, Emperor Liu had almost no hesitation and said coldly: "What should we do? Arrest him first, bring him to trial, and investigate clearly to see if this evil beast has any other crimes, and implement the evidence!"
"Yes!" Feeling Emperor Liu's determination, Wang Xuanzhen no longer hesitated.
"Stand back! Continue with your errands!" Emperor Liu said.
"Young minister, please leave!" The two of them fled as if they were being pardoned.
The consort Zhang Jing refers to the husband of Liu Xuan, Princess Liu Xuan of Huaiyang, the fifth daughter of Emperor Liu. This man was very good-looking, talented and well-educated, and was a Jinshi. This man came from a poor background, but he was diligent and studious. When he was a Jinshi in high school, he was attracted by Liu Xuan.
Liu Xuan was the daughter of the late Concubine Zhou Shu. Perhaps because of his guilt for Concubine Shu, Emperor Liu later always loved Liu Xuan and honored her with constant favors, but Liu Xuan did not seem to be so grateful.
But Emperor Liu only did what he wanted to do, and only wanted a little comfort in his heart. He even didn't interfere with her choice of consort and let her choose the one she liked. As a result, Zhang Jing, who came from a mediocre background, was chosen.
Of course, Emperor Liu also sent people to investigate. He was handsome, famous and talented. He was a Jinshi and was considered a good match, so he did not stop her.
It's just that you know people but don't know their hearts. In just a few years, the original talents have been exposed for their true colors. How can this not make Emperor Liu angry?
