Dou Kui's righteous words captured Sima Lan's sentence that there is no father or son in the court.
Qi Ning watched with cold eyes. Sima Lan took the initiative to admit the matter of enclosing and occupying land, which made Qi Ning a little surprised. But he knew very well that for the Duke of Zhen to climb to the position of a powerful official in the empire, he was certainly not an old fool, but a fox. There is also a cunning old monster, knowing that this old monster is probably playing some tricks again.
He had only heard that the two factions were fighting openly and secretly before, but he had never witnessed it with his own eyes. He never expected that he would see such a good show when he went to court for the first time today.
Sima Lan was interrogated by Dou Kui, but he still seemed calm and composed, saying: "The internal situation of this matter is complicated, and it is still inconvenient to express it to the court." Turning to the little emperor: "Your Majesty, I sincerely ask for a confession!"
Longtai obviously didn't understand what kind of medicine Sima Lan was selling in the gourd. He frowned slightly and suddenly saw the King of Huainan coming out and saying: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo is a veteran minister of several dynasties and is loyal to the country. Since he is doing this, it must be justified. I believe that the Duke of Zhen has his own reasons." He said to Sima Lan: "Old Duke, if there are really any difficulties in this, just make it clear to the Emperor. I will never believe that you are bending the law for personal gain."
Sima Lan showed a slight expression of gratitude and said: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty, but... Hey, there are some things that it is better not to say. Sima Chang was careful to enclose land and occupy land, violated the national law, and asked the emperor to punish him. The old minister did not report the knowledge, which is also... I am also guilty of a crime, and I beg the emperor to punish me."
At this moment, I saw one of the ministers rushing out, kneeling on the ground, and loudly said: "Your Majesty, I have my own intention to report."
Everyone looked over and saw that the person on the list was Huangfu Zheng, the minister of the Ministry of Industry. Some people sneered, thinking that this case was really lively, with people from both sides showing up.
Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of Industry have all been involved.
Sima Lan was the first minister of Emperor Taizong at that time. When Jinyi Laohou and Wuxiang Laohou were fighting abroad, Jindao Hou was left out in the cold. Sima Lan was the first humerus minister who assisted in governing the country. Sima Lan was involved in internal affairs He has outstanding talents, and he was also diligent in those days. If he wanted to do something, he always had to promote a group of officials.
At that time, after the war in the capital, there were many areas that needed to be renovated. Huangfu Zheng was proficient in construction projects and was single-handedly promoted by Sima Lan. Since then, he had been promoted step by step until he reached the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry. Many people knew in their hearts that the left of the Ministry of Personnel Minister Chen Lanting and Minister of Industry Huangfu Zheng have also been regarded as Sima Lan's right-hand men.
However, today's case has nothing to do with the Ministry of Works. Huangfu Zheng suddenly broke in, but it was quite untimely. Everyone guessed that Huangfu Zheng came out to speak for Sima Lan. Some people thought that Huangfu Zhengben also wanted to speak for Sima Lan. You are a smart man, but you are a little confused today. Although I know you are Sima Lan's, you should not speak out so blatantly.
Longtai seemed calm and composed, and asked, "What does Huangfu Aiqing have to say?"
"Your Majesty, I also know the inside story of the Yi'an enclosure." Huangfu Zheng said seriously: "Although the Sima family is at fault, it is precisely because of this matter that it proves the Sima family's loyalty to the emperor."
The ministers looked at each other in confusion, and for a moment they did not understand what Huangfu Zheng meant. Some people thought that enclosing land and occupying land could prove that the Sima family was loyal, which was really ridiculous.
Longtai frowned and said, "What does Huangfu Aiqing mean?"
"Your Majesty, it is certainly wrong that Ngee An has occupied 1,300 acres of fertile land, but... But does your Majesty know where the tax money has gone?" Huangfu Zheng raised his head and looked at Longtai, "I have no idea where the tax money has gone. Most clearly."
"You know?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, all the tax money from these thirteen hundred hectares of fertile land has been handed over to me." Huangfu Zhengdao: "The Sima family did not occupy a single tael of silver."
There was an uproar in the solemn court. Some people immediately thought keenly, could it be that Huangfu Zheng was so loyal to the Sima family that he stepped forward to take the blame at this critical moment? However, this amount of tax money is not a small amount. Even if Huangfu politicians take the blame, it will not be difficult to investigate whether it is true or false.
"Huangfu Zheng, what's going on?" Longtai was obviously confused, and said in a deep voice: "How did those tax dollars get into your hands?"
Huangfu Zheng lay prone on the ground and said, "I... I can't say that!"
"Master Huangfu, if you don't say it, Marquis Zhongyi will not be innocent." Dou Kui said loudly: "The enclosure and occupation of land was done by Marquis Zhongyi, and you claimed that the tax money was in your hands. Neither you nor Marquis Zhongyi Being involved in it, if we can't explain the whole process clearly, not only will we not be able to explain it to the emperor, but the ministers in the court will also be dissatisfied."
Huangfu Zhengdao: "Your Majesty, I...!" He raised his head suddenly and said: "I told you truthfully, in fact, all the tax money was used in the palace."
"Used in the palace?" Longtai was startled.
Huangfu Zheng said loudly: "Your Majesty may not know something. After the founding of Chu, the palaces in the imperial city were only renovated once. Emperor Taizong and the previous emperors were both diligent and frugal saints, and they did not waste any money from the treasury. On top of the renovation of this palace. After the war between Da Chu and the Northern Han Dynasty in Qinhuai, a huge amount of money, food and military expenses were spent, and the national treasury was empty. At this time, a palace collapsed in the palace. The emperor did not announce it to the outside world. It was the old Duke. After learning about this, I asked my ministers to renovate the Wende Palace."
Longtai thought thoughtfully, nodded slightly and said, "I remember that the Ministry of Works spent several months renovating Wende Hall three years ago." He asked, "Is this matter related to the Ngee Ann Tax Bank?"
"There are many palaces in the palace that need to be renovated. The Wende Hall was the place where the late emperor rested during daily administration. The Duke saw that many places in the palace were old and worn out, so he asked me to find a way." Huangfu Zhengdao: "Although there are many places in the palace, The palace needs to be renovated, but the cost is huge, and the frontline soldiers are fighting against the Northern Han Dynasty. In order to ensure the frontline logistics supply, the late emperor initially refused to enter the palace to rebuild the palace, so he did not allow money to be transferred from the Ministry of Revenue."
Longtai nodded slightly, and Huangfu Zhengcai continued: "The old prince did not want the late emperor to be wronged, so he raised money from various sources and owed a large sum of silver, so that the Wende Palace could be rebuilt smoothly. But the silver taels owed for the renovation of the Wende Palace, It cannot be borne by the Ministry of Household Affairs. The old Duke is worried day and night. In order to relieve the worries of the old Duke, Zhongyi Hou encloses the land in Ngee Ann to occupy the land. He just wants to repay the money owed." The voice was actually choked: "Old Man When the Duke of the State found out about this, he also scolded the Zhongyi Marquis and reported it to the late Emperor. The late Emperor knew everything about the matter and only ordered that the fields be returned to the people after the money owed was paid."
Only then did the officials suddenly realize, thinking that it was no wonder that Feng Ruohai used this trump card, but the Duke of Zhen was not panicked. It turned out that the matter actually involved the former emperor.
"The old Duke owes me a large sum of money just to rebuild the Wende Hall in the palace. But after all, this matter cannot be made public, so the old Duke also asked us not to make it known to the outside world." After Huangfu Zheng said this, he lay down On the ground, "I have detailed account books in my hands. I can send someone to get them now and present them to the emperor for review."
Longtai looked at Sima Lan and asked, "Old Duke, is this the case?"
The Duke of Zhenguo sighed: "Your Majesty, this matter was caused by the old minister's stubbornness and his insistence on rebuilding, and it had nothing to do with others. The late emperor was diligent and thrifty and loved the people, but I couldn't bear to see the late emperor living in a dangerous palace." He knelt down tremblingly, Said: "The old minister is guilty. He allowed Sima Changshen to encircle and occupy land. His crime deserves death. I beg the emperor to convict him."
Qi Ning sighed secretly in his heart, thinking that Sima Lan was really amazing. Feng Ruohai tried his best, but in the end he was easily solved by Zhen Guogong.
Just imagine, since this matter involves the former emperor, who dares to say that Sima Lan is wrong
Could it be that raising money to build a palace would lead to imprisonment? The matter is very clear. The former emperor was also fully aware of the land occupation in Nghe An, but he was not punished. As the successor, Longtai certainly could not convict the Sima family for this matter.
King Huainan's eyes flashed, but at this moment he quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, my father-in-law is loyal to the country, and he does this for the sake of the palace. I beg your Majesty to declare that I am not guilty."
At this time, a group of ministers all bowed and said: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Longtai knew that it would be impossible to accuse the Sima family of this matter again, otherwise wouldn't it mean that the former emperor was stupid and incompetent? Seeing that the ministers were begging for mercy, he followed the current and said: "Dong Zhenguo, enclosure of land is against the national law, but since you are loyal to the late emperor, your merits and demerits will be balanced, neither reward nor punishment. However, the accounts of the tax bank and the rebuilding of Wende Hall The accounts will be handed over to the Ministry of Household Affairs. In addition, once the money owed is repaid, the land occupied will be returned to the people according to the instructions of the late emperor."
The Duke of Zhen Guo expressed his gratitude: "I would like to thank you for your grace. I will definitely send people to return the land to the people as soon as possible."
"Get back on your feet." Longtai raised his hand and said, "This matter ends here. No one should mention it again."
Feng Ruohai was unwilling but helpless. He was about to return to the court when he heard a voice saying: "Master Feng, wait a minute!" A man came out and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the imperial censor Hu Gengyou I am here to impeach Feng Ruohai. This person engages in malpractice for personal gain, corruption and perversion of the law. He has no regard for human ethics and is shameless. He is the biggest traitor in this dynasty. I beg the emperor to take a clear look!"
Feng Ruohai's expression changed greatly, and he turned around and saw the censor looking at him solemnly. Their eyes met, Hu Geng had a sneer on his lips, but Feng Ruohai felt a chill all over his body.
Qi Ning almost couldn't hold back her laughter.
Today's court meeting was really exciting, with one wave rising after another. Feng Ruohai tried his best to impeach the Sima family, but failed. He turned around, but was impeached again in an instant.
Hu Geng held up the memorial, and the eunuch in charge took it and presented it to Longtai.
Qi Ning saw it and suddenly realized that this matter was probably not simple. Since Hu Geng, the imperial censor, had prepared a memorial, it meant that he had been prepared for it. Feng Ruohai was going to impeach Sima Changshen today, and Hu Geng was ready to impeach Feng Ruohai. This was obviously no accident.
He couldn't help turning his head slightly to look at Sima Lan. He saw this old guy standing at the top of the list of ministers with a slight bow. His expression was calm and motionless. Although he was old, his steps were solid, as if a stone was rooted there. , in an instant, Qi Ning understood that this old guy might have known that Feng Ruohai was going to attack before the court meeting, so he had already made preparations. Once the matter of enclosing the land and occupying the land was resolved, he would immediately point the knife at him. He cut Feng Ruohai down.