The more than a hundred officials at the farewell party at Zichen Palace were not all the people sent by the imperial court to eradicate corruption and evil. For such a huge empire, a hundred or so people were too small. Under normal circumstances, they could not even make waves. .
They were just selected backbones. Emperor Liu assigned each of them a special investigation team and granted them special privileges. They also had the cooperation of relevant local personnel.
It can be said that the purges and rectifications that have taken place in Luoyang City in the past few months are more like cultivating worms, weeding out mediocre people, and cultivating and selecting a group of teams capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities and fighting tough battles to combat corruption and eliminate evil. The big man is their final stage.
Deployment of various states is not just a simple matter of sending people out to work in local areas. It is planned, rhythmic and targeted. Almost everyone, before leaving Beijing, had received intelligence support from all aspects and had at least three to five clear targets for investigation.
In the archives of the Imperial City and the Wude Second Division, there are archive records accumulated over decades. These things can be left alone on weekdays, but if they are really used, they can ensure that a division becomes famous. Targeted.
With these things as a foundation, the efficiency of the investigation and handling of the envoys can be guaranteed, and they will not be like headless flies. In addition to current crimes, some suspicious and wrong cases are also under review.
This is a vigorous liquidation movement. The effect still needs time to be tested and the results to be proved. However, Emperor Liu is full of expectations and is watching closely, taking precautions at any time and being prepared to suppress any accidents.
Emperor Liu himself also had a premonition that the local governance would not go smoothly. After all, the emperor was far away and it was easy for him to regulate noble ministers. Changing the prime minister was just a matter of words. On the contrary, for ordinary local bureaucrats, more work was needed. More patience and stronger determination.
But even if there are many obstacles, what needs to be done must be done. Emperor Liu also knew in his heart that this was just a radical and violent method for a feudal empire to improve itself, and it could not be commonly used. It was not clear how much practical benefit it would bring to the country, and whether it could really sustain the country's destiny.
However, he would rather try something than do nothing. Emperor Liu was somewhat familiar with his physical condition, and he had to admit that during his final reign, which was uncertain how long, he could only try his best to clear some obstacles for his successors and build a better future for the great Han Dynasty he created. It makes sense for the empire to remove carrion, even if it maintains its health for another twenty or thirty years.
Due to the poor performance of Zhu Bo, the prime minister of Dali Temple, in the palace, Emperor Liu also had a question mark in his mind about the "elite soldiers and generals" selected. Therefore, after they were dispatched, he secretly arranged some people with the task of Supervise the people who investigate these cases.
In the process of eliminating bad government, new bad things often arise, even in real time. Emperor Liu knew this very well, so he had to pay more attention to it.
...
Emperor Liu always liked to visit the Privy Council whenever important events occurred. It was the center of military orders in the country and the birthplace of all military orders. After decades of development, the Privy Council has long since become a large and complex system. The functions of ministries, departments, chambers, supervisors, and envoys have been gradually improved, and even seem a bit bloated.
For decades, power within the military system has been dispersed and there are many hills, but the entire military and political system has continued to grow. As their leader, the Privy Council has always been suppressed by Emperor Liu and the political hall, but his role in the court The status is always transcendent.
In the past, the prime ministers changed one after another. Sometimes, Emperor Liu had to consider the ideas of his ministers and synthesize suggestions from all parties. However, he never discussed the appointment of privy councilors with the civil servants.
To this day, no matter how the court changes, the military and political system headed by the Prime Minister of the Privy Council has always remained unchanged. The Privy Council, or the national military and political management, has long been its own system.
Of course, in order to prevent it from getting out of control, Emperor Liu also tried his best to put many shackles on him. The Zhengshitang also had many restrictions. For example, in terms of finance and some auxiliary matters, the Zhengshitang still took the initiative, but Normally, there would be no enemies and "fighting between the government and the court".
The operation of the Privy Council is becoming more and more like a sophisticated instrument. Military government orders pursue high efficiency and strong discipline. Although some bureaucratic shortcomings cannot be avoided, overall the atmosphere is better.
Since Emperor Liu came to the country, although he has greatly reduced military power, restrained the generals, and firmly placed the army under the imperial power, it is actually like training an eagle dog to guard the house, so his claws are still sharp in order to guard the gate and the courtyard.
At least, there has never been a situation where civilians are in charge of the army. Every privy envoy is a general with rich war experience and the ability to command and coordinate. This habit continues to this day.
Those who know the military are in charge of the army. This is one of the reasons why there have been few major changes in the military, political and military affairs of the Han Dynasty over the past few decades. At least on the surface, there are far fewer scandals in the military order system. After all, military laws are strict and beheadings are common, which is much harsher than the civilian system. Emperor Liu had said before that if even the army was corrupt, the empire would be in danger. Therefore, in the past, there were fluctuations in the governance of officials and citizens and the severity of punishments. But for the army, there has always been only one principle: strict military management and military law. Like mountains.
When Emperor Liu entered the Privy Council, everything was in order. However, his arrival obviously affected the staff who were working. Emperor Liu, as usual, told them to go back to their duties and leave him alone, and then went directly to find Pan Mei.
The Privy Council is a large place with many public buildings. If you are unfamiliar with it, you will get lost if you trespass. Of course, you are more likely to be arrested as a traitor. Breaking into the Privy Council without permission is also a crime of beheading, even before being ordered to do so. The officers and officials who came did not dare to move around.
When they arrived at the military command room, Pan Mei, the Privy Council envoy who received the news, hurried over and said with a serious face: "I am late to pick you up, your Majesty, please forgive me!"
"No courtesy!" Emperor Liu chuckled.
The gentle attitude rarely appeared on Emperor Liu's old face, but no one dared to take it seriously anymore. Pan Mei was obviously more careful when dealing with Emperor Liu.
"Pan Qing, I haven't come to see you since you returned to the court and took up the post of Privy Councilor. I have free time today, so come and have a look!" Accompanied by Pan Mei, Emperor Liu walked slowly and said lightly: "But, you I have been serving as Deputy Privy Envoy for a long time, and now I have returned to the court to correct the situation. I think this mission of the Privy Council should not be a problem for you!"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty! With Your Majesty's majesty and grace, everything is fine!" Pan Mei replied.
Enter, take a seat, and serve tea. The tea that the Han Dynasty Prime Minister drinks on weekdays is obviously top-grade and tastes really good. Putting down the teacup, Emperor Liu looked at Pan Mei and asked, "Is everything fairly peaceful these days? Are there any side affairs? Is there any unrest?"
In response, Pan Mei was thinking about the purpose of Emperor Liu's visit, but she kept her face calm and replied neatly: "Your Majesty, there were only some disturbances in Anton and Jiannan, and the local garrison has been dispatched to calm them down!"
Emperor Liu nodded, pondered for a moment, and said in a more serious tone: "I think you know the recent major events in the court. I will say it bluntly. I am determined to fight against corruption and eliminate evil, no matter how big it is. No matter how much impact it has, I will continue to implement it until the official administration is restored to clarity.
But I also know that this matter will not go smoothly, and some unpredictable changes and chaos will inevitably occur in the local area. I ask you, the Privy Council, to strengthen control over the national military in the coming time. If something happens at the local level, you must respond promptly to curb chaos and maintain stability.
Chaos can occur anywhere, but the military cannot. This is my most basic requirement for you, and it is also the strictest requirement! "
Emperor Liu was so solemn about his matter, and Pan Mei naturally did not dare to be careless. After a moment's thought, she understood what the holy intention was, and said firmly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will make no reservations and do my best!"
"You should know that only when the army is stable can the country and the people be stable! In the past, I relied on you to conquer the world, but now, I rely on you to defend the country. The responsibility is still heavy!" Emperor Liu said with some seriousness.
"I understand!" Pan Mei nodded with a solemn expression.
Looking at the brilliance of this general whom he had always admired, Emperor Liu felt a little emotional inexplicably. Although he knew it was inappropriate, he couldn't help but said: "I heard that your nephew was also arrested and punished. , I have no complaints in my heart..."
As soon as she heard this, Pan Mei felt her scalp go numb and hurriedly said: "I am not strict in discipline, and I am allowed to bully others and ruin my reputation. I only feel ashamed, how can I complain!"
"I know that you, Pan Zhongxun, are a man who understands justice well!" Emperor Liu sighed and his expression returned to calm.
But Pan Mei's mood could not calm down at this moment. After thinking about it, Pan Mei took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, the court is investigating the corruption of officials. I believe that the Privy Council should also keep pace with the times, follow the footsteps, and follow the army. In the meantime, we will also conduct a rectification to uncover those silverfish hidden in the military..."
After listening to his suggestion, Emperor Liu was a little surprised. Over the past few decades, the rectification of the army has also been cyclical. Every reform of military power and military system was accompanied by the handling of a group of generals and officers. In terms of frequency, it is even higher than the anti-corruption campaign in the imperial court.
However, this time, Emperor Liu decisively chose to seek stability. Almost without thinking, he simply shook his head and said: "No! Let's let it go for now! The priorities and military matters will be discussed later. For now, we need to stabilize the situation." Lord!”
When Emperor Liu expressed this attitude, Pan Mei was obviously relieved. In fact, he was also gambling and worried. If Emperor Liu really wanted to launch such a campaign against the army, he would give up his position as Privy Councilor. Made it.
Fortunately, although Emperor Liu is old and stubborn, he is still clear-headed and has good control over the pros and cons of affairs and the situation. At this time, the last thing that cannot be messed with is the army. This is the last and most powerful guarantee for his implementation of official governance, and it must not be messed up.
Even if you have to toss, you have to take turns and it depends on the situation.
