Guangzheng Hall, Yizheng Hall.
A group of ministers from the imperial court gathered here. Zhao Pu, Liu Xi, Zhao Kuangyi, Lu Duan and the newly appointed financial envoy Han Hui were the five most powerful civil servants at the moment.
As an administrative center that manages the affairs of the world, it is always busy. Even if they work in the same palace complex, it is still relatively rare for ministers to gather together to discuss matters.
And once such a situation occurs, something big will happen. In the hall, the atmosphere was a bit serious. All the powerful people were sitting quietly, drinking tea or resting their minds, without saying a word for a while.
Zhao Pu, who was presiding over the meeting, was the first to break the silence, looked around and said: "Please share your opinions on the matter of Yangzhai!"
After Zhao Pu finished speaking, Han Hui, who was participating in a meeting of this level for the first time, pondered for a moment, and then said in a stern tone: "This Pan You is doing whatever he wants and has no scruples! He makes decisions without asking for instructions, and who will investigate the Chugong real estate?" The imperial court should issue a document to denounce his power!"
Han Hui's aggressive look was very different from his usual calmness, as if he was making a statement. Zhao Pu glanced at him, feeling something strange in his heart.
Seeing Han Hui criticize Pan You's behavior, Zhao Kuangyi spoke leisurely, and his words were quite targeted, saying: "I am afraid that what Prime Minister Han said is biased! Yangzhai is a territory of Gyeonggi Province. As the chief official, Pan You had the right to manage the land under his jurisdiction. His behavior was reasonable, legal and compliant. What was wrong with it?
If it was because of the Duke of Chu, before he acted, he also wrote a letter to inform the court of the reasons and explanations. Pan You's actions were completely in line with the new system and were within the scope of the laws and regulations promulgated by the imperial court. It would be inappropriate to reprimand him regardless of his feelings! "
The sun seemed to be rising in the west, and Zhao Kuangyi actually spoke for Pan You
After hearing this refutation, Han Hui looked at Zhao Kuangyi and thought to himself that he had offended Zhao Kuangyi because of his position as financial envoy. However, from all aspects, Han Hui was not afraid of Zhao Kuangyi. After thinking for a moment, he asked calmly: "According to Prime Minister Zhao's wishes, is it reasonable for Pan You to act on his own and offend the power of Heaven?"
"Xiang Han's words are serious!" Zhao Kuangyi's tone was also a bit harsh: "It's just a matter of a few medicinal fields, it doesn't rise to the level of offending Tianwei! A pure minister like Pan You, who does everything he does, is dedicated to the public. The imperial court should definitely protect it and provide more support, otherwise, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of those loyal ministers and wise men?”
When Zhao Kuangyi said this, several people present could not help but frown. They really did not expect that Zhao Kuangyi would support Pan You so clearly on this matter.
Noticing everyone's strange behavior, Zhao Kuangyi looked at Zhao Pu again and said slowly: "Mr. Zhao, is Pan You's guilt determined in today's meeting?"
"Of course not!" Zhao Pu took a deep look at Zhao Kuangyi, gave an affirmative answer, and then said: "I know your opinions. Let's put aside the debate for the time being and listen to other people's opinions!"
After saying that, Zhao Pu looked at Lu Duan, who had a serious look on his face, smiled slightly, and asked, "Yi Zhi, what do you think?"
Lu Duan's expression showed no change. He straightened his body, bowed to everyone present in a serious manner, and said after considering: "I believe that the fundamental issue in the Yangzhai matter is whether the land owned by the Duke of Chu belongs to the emperor. Property! If it is, then it should be handled by the Shaofu, and the imperial court should not interfere. If not, then Pan Shijun is doing things according to the tax system by checking and making records, and the imperial court has no reason to be harsh!"
When these ministers discuss things, they naturally don't look at the superficial things. What they discuss is the implications behind Pan You's move to investigate Liu Shu's land. It is precisely because it involves the royal family and Emperor Liu that they are attracted to this. Pay attention to.
"As the Duke of Chu is a prince, his property is naturally the property of the royal family. His own affairs are managed by the Shaofu and Zongzheng. How can foreign ministers interfere?" Han Hui continued with a firm attitude.
Zhao Kuangyi followed closely and said: "According to the investigation, in addition to the government purchasing the land of the Duke of Chu, a lot of it was rewarded by His Majesty. And the meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty and their real estate also benefited from a lot of it by Your Majesty. Reward, what’s the difference between the two?”
Seeing that Han and Zhao were arguing again, Zhao Pu stretched out his hand to stop them. After thinking for a while, he said to Lu Duan: "What Yi Zhi said is right to the point!"
In fact, everyone here knows this in their hearts, but they have different positions and thoughts, so their expressions are naturally different. After pondering for a while, Zhao Pu looked at Liu Xi, who had not yet spoken, and asked, "What do you think, His Highness, King Jin?"
Liu Xi's expression was also serious, making it difficult to tell the difference. After careful consideration, he spoke in a deep voice under the eyes of everyone: "The Duke of Chu has already opened a palace and governed his family. In addition to being a prince, he is also your Majesty's. "Servant"
Liu Xi expressed his opinion in a calm tone, which was very pertinent. Although he did not say everything in full, the meaning was obvious. He still tended to affirm Pan You's approach.
However, the conversation changed and Liu Xi added: "However, Pan You's actions in Yangdi were ultimately inappropriate. The court was somewhat vague when formulating this matter before and it was not made clear. This was an oversight by the court. place.
But for these doubtful things, Pan You acted according to his personal wishes without asking for instructions. He said that he did things on his own, which was not an injustice to him and must be reprimanded. The policies of the imperial court were not interpreted by local officials at will! "
Obviously, Liu Xi still had some grudges about Pan You's actions. However, he has to take the overall situation into consideration, and it is not easy to advance tax reform to the current level.
The Yangzhai incident doesn't seem to be a big deal. Isn't it just a matter of handling the land of the Duke of Chu in accordance with the rules? But when it involves the Tian family and the emperor, we cannot take it lightly.
Regardless of other royal relatives, the core issue is whether these sons and grandsons of Emperor Liu should enjoy tax privileges. Han Hui believed that as a descendant of the emperor, it was reasonable to have certain privileges, so he accused Pan You of offending Tianwei.
Zhao Kuangyi obviously holds the opposite attitude.
When Liu Xi came here, from the bottom of his heart, he was very angry at Pan You's behavior of poking at the window paper, but he had to worry about the impact of this matter. It is not difficult for the court to make a statement and make a conclusion, but the impact of the decision must be considered. The Tian family still has to care about word of mouth and reputation.
Therefore, no matter how uncomfortable he felt, Liu Xi still had to consider the overall situation and make his judgment and decision.
His cold eyes glanced at Zhao Kuangyi, and Liu Xi added: "For the sake of the country's plans, the imperial court needs to have a clear attitude towards the real estate of the princes and princesses in order to guide the ministers in their administration and to calm down the restless people." People’s hearts!”
Liu Xi's words were also insinuations. However, Zhao Kuangyi was sitting there very calmly, nodding his head and complimenting Liu Xi: "Your Highness serves the country righteously, I admire you greatly!"
Zhao Kuangyi was naturally wary of Liu Xi, but to say how much he was wary was not necessarily true. After all, he belonged to a "princeling", and Liu Xi was now entrusted with important tasks by Emperor Liu, so his attitude was naturally antagonistic.
"This matter is not something that I can decide!" After looking at the two people, Zhao Pu came to a conclusion and cupped his hands in the direction of Chui Gong Hall: "It is better to ask His Majesty for a holy judgment!"
(End of chapter)
