At this time, the Chui Gong Hall seemed not to be in Ziwei City, Luoyang, but in Shancheng, Shanzhou, which made it difficult to breathe. In the past two years, Emperor Liu's back had never been as straight as it is today. He supported the imperial case with both hands and stared at His Highness Wang Yucheng fiercely like a tiger.
Wang Yucheng, on the other hand, had a fearless face, with many wrinkles on his face. He talked eloquently, recounting the shortcomings of the Western Expedition and the failures of the imperial court. His calm tone could not suppress his excitement. It seemed that these two Nian is also exhausted.
It can be heard that what Wang Yucheng was most targeting was the imperial court's "Four Expeditions" to the northwest, namely, levying grain, levying horses, levying troops, and levying men. This was a "wartime policy" specifically formulated for the Anxi expedition. When the court first formulated it , also considered the problem of people's power, issued an edict, and temporarily replaced the regular tax with four levies.
However, this scripture was read incorrectly after all. As time went by, the so-called "four levies" gradually evolved into exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes in addition to the regular taxes. The people of Helong actually had to bear two taxes, but they all remembered the Western Expeditions. under the name.
Up to now, on the basis of the "Four Expeditions", the "Four Campaigns" have been developed, and some "smart" bureaucrats have actively responded to the court's call and carried out "policy development" under the court's policies.
In the name of providing supplies for the Western Expedition, they acted recklessly. However, what is outrageous is that if half of the resources exploited from the people were used for the Western Expedition, it would be very good. Where did the rest go? And metaphor.
And where do the resulting hardships and complaints from the people lead? In the Western Expedition, in the imperial court, and in Emperor Liu! The Western Expedition was originally initiated by Emperor Liu.
Of course, the severity of the situation in various prefectures and counties varies, depending on the integrity of the officials in charge. There is no doubt about Wang Yucheng's integrity. However, due to his many efforts to protect him, the people of Shanzhou are still living in poverty. One can imagine what it is like for those bureaucrats who are not as strong-willed as him and have no bottom line. Tough scene.
Wang Yucheng even gave an example to Emperor Liu. Zhu Qi, the magistrate of Hezhou, said this to the officials of his subordinate states: The people are suffering, but the officials are suffering even more. Rather than the officials and the people suffering, it is better for the people to suffer alone. Throughout the ages, there are no ordinary people who are not suffering. No matter how hard it is, ordinary people can survive by digging wild vegetables and chewing tree bark. If we cannot complete the errands sent by the court, it will be a small matter to lose our official position, but a big deal to lose our lives.
There was also a Longxi political activist named Zhang Jing who once said arrogantly that the supply of food supplies for the Western Expedition was an order of the imperial court, and everyone in Helong was tightening their belts. They are the officials who have the most difficult time. They are oppressed at both ends. In order to complete the job, they have to bear the humiliation, work conscientiously and diligently.
If the officials can no longer survive, fail to complete the tasks assigned by the court, and delay the Western Expedition, the court will unleash its thunderous wrath. In the end, the people who will suffer will still be the common people, and what they do is also for the good of the people.
Because there are worse situations, the "bad" in front of us is acceptable. Zhang Jing's argument fully embodies the principle of "better than worse".
When Wang Yuchen cited these two examples, Emperor Liu could no longer suppress it. His anger surged to his forehead, and he slammed his hand on the case: "Does this kind of dog deserve to be an official?"
During the more than 40 years since Emperor Liu was in power, he had heard all kinds of strange stories, but none of them were as shocking as what Wang Yucheng dictated today. It was shocking, heart-piercing, and bloody. At the same time, it also made Emperor Liu angry and angry. Feeling terrified.
What Emperor Liu cares about the most is obviously this: the bad reputation has caused him to betray the court, and the benefits have gone to those bastard bureaucrats. This is a situation that can almost break Emperor Liu's defenses.
After all, using the heads of corrupt officials to appease the people and ease the conflicts in governance is almost the emperor's best method. Now this move has been turned against others by some northwest officials. They are so bold and wanton that it is unforgivable!
"Hahaha..." The old emperor let out a scary laugh: "What happened to the northwest? In the past ten years, the imperial court has been rectified several times, how come there are still such wolf-hearted people who deceive the emperor and harm the people?
It is said that poor mountains and harsh waters bring out unruly people. Look, not only unruly people come out, but also traitorous officials and thieves! "
Unable to bear it any longer, Emperor Liu started to use his map cannon. Whenever he made some foolish remarks, it also meant that Butcher's knife could no longer hold back.
"Who are the two dog thieves you just mentioned? Hezhou magistrate? Longyou participates in politics?" Emperor Liu asked Wang Yuchen hatefully, his words full of murderous intent.
Wang Yuchen hesitated for a moment, but still raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, do you know Zhu Qi of Hezhou and Zhang Jing of Longyou to participate in politics?"
After hearing this, Emperor Liu took out a piece of order paper, picked up the pen and wrote it, quickly waved it, then raised his head and said to a chamberlain: "Send to the guard on duty!"
"Yes!" The chamberlain responded and quickly walked out of the palace.
The chamberlain's name is Ma Zheng. He was the one who nearly drowned when Emperor Liu fell into the water last year. Because of his praiseworthy performance of loyalty, he was naturally promoted. From an internal visitor, he was promoted several levels to become a visitor supervisor, accompanying him in the palace.
Not long after, a brave and handsome young warrior came to the spot and bowed loudly: "I have an audience with your Majesty Zhang Wenwei. Please give me your orders!"
Zhang Wenwei is the eldest grandson of Zhang Yongde, Marquis of Yangyi. He is now the direct foreman of the Imperial Palace, and his future is limitless.
Looking at Zhang Wenwei, Emperor Liu didn't have time to express his appreciation. He raised his hand and ordered: "Is it true that I will go against this order and go to Longyou in person to follow the order and get the heads of those two beasts?"
Seeing Emperor Liu's somewhat ferocious look, Zhang Wenwei was slightly frightened, but he did not dare to hesitate at all: "Yes!"
After saying this, he stepped forward and took the order from the hand of the chamberlain Ma Zheng. He was about to execute it vigorously and resolutely, but was interrupted by a sudden voice: "Wait a minute!"
It was Kou Zhun who spoke, and with one sentence he turned everyone's attention to him. Because Wang Yu was talking, Emperor Liu really ignored him, turned his eyes and looked at him indifferently: "Kou Zhun, am I neglecting you? What do you have to say?"
Facing Emperor Liu's staring gaze, Kou Zhun's expression was solemn, he clasped his fists and said solemnly: "I listen to your Majesty's wishes, do you want to directly send a squad to take the lives of the two officials in Longxi?"
"Why not?" Emperor Liu said calmly.
Kou Zhun took a deep breath and responded in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, what Wang Zhizhou said is still one-sided. He hastily dealt with it without verification, which is unavoidable. What's more, the Zhizhou and the political officials are all high-ranking local officials, and they are not involved. Qian, even if the two of them are guilty, there should be a judge to discuss the crime and clarify the punishment, so as to improve people's hearts..."
After hearing Kou Zhun's opinion, Emperor Liu chuckled twice, and then sneered at Wang Yucheng and said, "Wang Yucheng, did you hear that? Kou Zhun said that you are suspected of false accusation, and he accused me of being biased. You are suspected of being biased." What to say!"
Wang Yucheng looked at Kou Zhun, raised his hand and said calmly: "Your Majesty, please check every word I say. If there is even half of it that is false, I am willing to share the blame!"
After a pause, Wang Yucheng continued: "However, with all due respect, Kou Yushi's advice is very pertinent. The country has its own laws and the imperial court has its own system. If the country's legal system is destroyed because of two thieves, it is really not worth it. Your Majesty." Think twice!”
After Wang Yu finished speaking, Emperor Liu was silent for a moment, his cold eyes turned on Wang and Kou, he tilted his head and whispered softly: "Kou Zhun, your career as a censor in Guan Nei has made a lot of progress in the past few years, and you have actually started to Teach me what to do!"
There was a hint of sarcasm in Emperor Liu's words, but Kou Zhun looked calm and said calmly: "I don't dare. I just follow your majesty's teachings back then, fulfill my duties as an minister, and seek loyalty for the country. That's all." !”
"What a sharp mouth!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu looked at Kou Zhun carefully again and said leisurely: "It seems that the position of a censor of the Guan Nei Dao is indeed a waste of talent!"
After saying that, Emperor Liu said to Zhang Wenwei, who was standing there upright and waiting for orders: "The handwriting is invalid. You'd better go to Longyou and escort the two thieves back to the capital for me. I want to take a look and tell you." What kind of person is he who makes such shocking remarks!"
