Drunken Exquisiteness

Chapter 134: Turbid waves and wind blowing

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In the first New Year of Emperor Hao's ascension to the throne, the imperial capital was adorned with gold and colorful as always, giving it a completely new look. The auspicious snow is beautiful, and the red building and green pavilion are lightly covered, making this world extraordinarily quiet. Compared with other places, Shangjiufang, which has always been lively, is full of firecrackers and heavy traffic, but it has a dignified atmosphere like a frozen layer of snow, which is thickly deposited and lasts for a long time.

From the early morning of the first day to the tenth day of the new year, there was an endless stream of cars and horses in front of the Zhan Palace, without interruption. The accounting books in the examination department are like mountains, and the abacus is ringing continuously, day and night.

On New Zhengyuan Day, Emperor Hao and his empress went to Mingtai to accept the congratulations from the courtiers and gave a banquet to Taihua Hall, but canceled other celebrations and issued several imperial decrees one after another to urge the investigation of deficits. His determination made those greedy beetles tremble with fear, and even made many upright officials applaud.

The central deficit investigation went smoothly, and the Zhiyuan Dianlong case was soon filled with memorials of ministers pleading guilty. Ye Tianling was obviously not interested in these things, and sent them all back to the Secretary of the General Administration. What really concerned him was the reports sent by the supervisory censors stationed in the states to the court every three days.

Compared with the center, the states can be described as annihilated. Everyone knows that there must be hidden secrets in this so-called political clarity, but it still fails to hit the point. The reason is that the problem still lies in the employment. Although those supervisory censors are upright and honest, after all, they are officials in the imperial capital and cannot fully understand the situation. They only supervise the officials of the states to check themselves, and the officials and officials protect each other. Naturally, it is not effective. Therefore, this new year has become the most difficult new year for Ye Tianling and Qing Chen.

On the tenth day of the reign, King Zhan, who had been ill for a long time, re-entered the court as a council member. Before the morning time, the ministers gathered in front of Sutianmen in twos and threes. As soon as he appeared, everyone came forward to pay respects.

King Zhan smiled softly as usual, because he was still in filial piety, he was wearing a plain brocade five-dragon crown dress, without decorations, gold and jade. Still eye-catching. The courtiers were surrounded by stars like the moon, and he was as independent as a white crane, outstanding and outstanding, as if he was the leader of the crowd. Facing the courtiers' flattery and greetings, he always smiled at each other. Wei Zongping stood a few steps away from him, thinking about how to go forward to greet him.

That day, Shangshu Sheng and Yin Jianzheng broke up after a quarrel. After Wei Zongping returned, his temper calmed down, and he felt a little regretful. Most of the courtiers have been slandering Emperor Hao deeply in the recent investigation of the deficit and the loss of silk salary. A few years ago, several large silk and satin workshops suddenly closed their doors, and the fiery silk business in the workshops suddenly cooled down. No one dared to buy or sell the silk in the hands of officials. Immediately afterwards, some rumors circulated in the imperial capital, alluding to the fact that Concubine Lian was not of royal blood. Wei Zongping judged the situation, and King Zhan seemed to have the upper hand more and more, taking preemptive strikes every step of the way. Besides, Princess Zhan is the daughter of the Wei family, so he has to think about it.

But on the third day of the new year, when Wei Yan returned to the Xiangfu, she was full of resentment. Wei Zongping and his wife asked Fang Zhi that she punished a maid in the mansion for some trivial matter a few days ago, but King Zhan refuted her face in front of everyone in the mansion, not only stopped her personally, but also took her away from her. What made her most unbearable was that the next day the female official in charge of the mansion came to inform that King Zhan actually gave the woman the title of concubine and ordered her to accompany Yanbo to deliver Shuangzhai.

Wei Yan was very angry, and decided that King Zhan was using this matter to favor Jin Hui. After hearing this, Wei Zongping immediately thought sensitively that the relationship with King Zhan was not very harmonious recently. Could this be a wake-up call? Thinking of this, he looked towards King Zhan, who happened to look over several ministers and landed on his side, his handsome eyes evoked a smile.

Wei Zongping hurriedly cupped his hands: "My lord!"

Ye Tianzhan nodded slightly: "Morning Wei Xiang."

Wei Zongping said: "My lord has recovered, and we are really relieved to be able to take charge of the court."

Ye Tianzhan said: "Mr. Lao and Wei are concerned." Just a few words, that's all. Wei Zongping wanted to chat with him a few more words to ease the recent stalemate. It just so happened that the three drums in front of the Taiji Hall sounded, and the Sutian Gate slowly opened. It was already morning time, so Wei Zongping had to give way: "Please, my lord."

Ye Tianzhan smiled lightly and walked first.

As soon as the drums stopped, the forbidden bell rang, and all the princes and officials of the fourth rank and above in the imperial capital lined up in Suyi. The rest of the officials below the fourth rank waited outside the Sutian Gate, and after bowing three times and knocking nine times, they bowed to the north and waited for the will.

The danbi is colorful, the purple eaves are flying with clouds, the rising sun penetrates the clouds, and shines a dazzling golden light on the dragon steps of the royal road. There were three clear and crisp whips in front of the Taiji Hall, and the long and clear voice of the edict minister's servant was heard inside and outside, "The emperor-shang-drive-arrive!"

In an instant, from the square outside Sutianmen, to both sides of the royal road in front of the hall, and between the east and west eaves pillars under the golden platform, nearly a thousand civil and military officials knelt at the same time, and the scene of whispering everywhere suddenly became silent. , very solemn.

Emperor Hao, dressed in a crown and crown, ascended to the throne, and all the ministers kowtowed, and the sound of shouting long live resounded into the clouds. The wide black sleeves in front of the throne were raised slightly: "Your Excellencies are flat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" All the officials kowtowed to express their gratitude, got up and stood in order, ready to play. But when the silent whip sounded again, two servants in front of the palace stepped down the golden steps holding the imperial decree in their hands. They stretched out the yellow silk and read out loudly:

"... the way to be a minister is to be loyal. He has cliques and cliques. He is responsible for the country and seeks personal gain. He must be punished by the official punishment. The Minister of the Household Department and the Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhang Shiwenlan Pavilion University Scholars Qi Shang have been banned for a long time. The administration is absurd, acts recklessly, and is greedy in government. When I first came to the world, I was ambitious. Every time I save forgiveness, I hope to have a heart. But I don’t care about the charter and dare to deceive others. It is better to be demoted to serve as an example! Qi Shang leads the decree to thank you!"

Yuzhi Tianwei, the first thunderbolt from the blue sky, stunned Qi Shang in front of the palace. The servant in the palace immediately stepped forward to remove his official robe and jade belt, dismissed him on the spot, and turned around to reply. Qi Shang knelt down on the ground and raised his head in panic to look at King Zhan, who stood at the head of the ministers and beside the royal platform. But then he listened to the second imperial decree-Si Weiyun was promoted to the Ministry of Household Affairs during the examination, and was awarded the title of minister, servant and minister of the household department. Years ago, there was a vacancy in the Ministry of Rites, and Wu Congzhao, the Zhengqing of the Qin Tianjian, took over.

These two edicts were promulgated directly without being reviewed by the two provinces under Zhongshu's sect. No one knew about the dismissal of the government and the promotion of third-rank officials. The imperial decree clearly reprimanded Qi and Shang, but cronies and the like clearly pointed it out. Yin Jian couldn't hold back anymore, so he wanted to go forward to protect Qi and Shang, but was suppressed by Zhan Wang staring at him. He didn't know why, so he saw King Zhan's eyes falling on Wei Zongping, and he met Wei Zongping face to face as if carelessly.

Wei Zongping's heart trembled, and after a while, he bowed his hands and left the class, and went up to play: "Your Majesty, Qi Shang has been in charge of the household department since the Shengwu Dynasty. The blame is all on him, whether he should be deposed should be discussed further. Furthermore, the Qin Tianjian has a heavy responsibility, and Wu Congzhao was suddenly transferred to the Ministry of Rites. It will be difficult to find a suitable person to take over for a while, please Your Majesty please consider it again."

As Wei Zongping spoke, he raised his eyes, but saw that the corner of the emperor's lips twitched slightly on the throne: "Qin Tianjian has special duties, which are different from those of other ministries. It is indeed not easy to find someone to replace Wu Congzhao immediately. I understand your concern." Difficulties, I have chosen someone for you." Looking up: "Xuan Mo is not fair."

The servant who delivered the decree immediately delivered the decree loudly: "Xuanmo is not fair!"

With a sound of summoning, he went out of the hall and went straight into Ziyun Danxiao. All the ministers were astonished, they talked and looked at each other.

More than 20 years ago, Mo Buping was in charge of the Qin Tianjian. His astrological predictions were as good as gods, and he was very famous at that time. The theory of destiny is unpredictable, and people at that time believed it deeply, and they tended to follow it, and invisibly formed a force that should not be underestimated around Mo Buping. So that later, every word of Qin Tianjian could influence the situation of the court, which gradually made the Emperor of Heaven fearful. Mo Buping noticed something, and immediately resigned from office, which caused quite a stir in the court at that time. At this time, when he returned to the court, the ministers couldn't help but have the same idea in their hearts—the fate of fate.

But in a short while, Mo Buping climbed the steps and entered the palace, the gray cloth robes fluttered, and he was dressed in a fairy style, the light in his eyes fell on the human body, as if piercing the heart, but he just passed by, before the imperial court, he bowed nine times to meet the emperor . Wei Zongping was well aware of Mo Buping's prestige in the court and the public, and now he knew that the emperor invited Mo Buping to return to the court with the ceremony of the emperor's teacher a few days ago, and the rumors were true. At this time, the emperor ordered Mo not to be polite, looked down at the ministers in front of the hall, and asked with a smile: "I want to use Mr. Mo as the official minister of the Qin Tianjian, what do you think?"

Feng Yan glanced at Wei Zongping out of the corner of his eyes, and then said first: "Your Majesty is a sage, and he knows people for use. Mr. Mo's return to the country is really a blessing to our court and a blessing to the world!"

"What do you think Wei Qing wants?" The emperor looked at Wei Zongping and asked again calmly.

After the cloudless questioning, a deep gaze fell on him. Although Wei Zongping didn't want to go along with Feng Yan, but because of the pressure in this gaze, he had to lean down and say: "Mr. objection."

The emperor heard this, and the smile on the corner of his lips gradually deepened. He nodded and said: "It is a great blessing for me to have Mr. Mo enter the court today as the assistant prime minister. I respect all the humerus veterans used by the Supreme Emperor in the past. A few days ago, Zhongshu There is a watch, several old ministers such as Mu Yuan, Hong Wen, Sun Pu and other scholars of Hanlin University are over the ages, and they still go to court every day, which is very hard. I can't bear it, so I authorized them to sit in the Tai Chi Hall once a month, so that they don't have to kneel and kowtow present."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Several old ministers came out one after another, thanking the holy grace, and before the dragon steps, they were trembling with high crowns and red tassels, white heads and white beards. Wei Zongping's heart sank a little more, Mu Yuan and others are veterans who are closely related to King Zhan, and their words in the court are very important. In front of him, the emperor said a few warm words and some kindness and compassion, but in fact they were expelled from the court, which undoubtedly greatly weakened the influence of King Zhan. He looked at King Zhan, and a trace of haze passed over King Zhan's gentle face uncontrollably.

Faced with these tough measures one after another, Ye Tianzhan immediately regained his composure after the anxiety in his heart. At this time, Si Weiyun was reporting several major items of the recent deficit investigation. With his solemn voice, several ministers knelt down and pleaded guilty. The emperor has not expressed his position yet, but he has just learned from Qi Shang's past, so one can imagine the fate of these people. Ye Tianzhan turned his eyes to the Yushitai, and in front of the court, the impeachment and dismissal of the Yushi followed. He gathered his thoughts and continued to listen calmly.

After Si Weiyun finished playing, there was no sound in the hall, and needles could be heard in silence. Only the emperor's cold voice came down: "What else can you say?"

The few ministers kneeling under the steps were all sweaty and terrified. Suddenly, someone said in front of Majesty Dan: "Your Majesty, I have objections to what Si Weiyun just said."

The jade-like voice, as light as running water and as slow as a breeze, faintly resounded in the condensed atmosphere of the hall, making one feel relaxed. Along with that voice, there is a pair of gentle eyes, slightly raised, facing the eyes of the emperor.

Manchu civil and military, who dares to look at the emperor like this? There was a smile in his eyes, the emperor also looked calm, but all the courtiers were tense and held their breath.

"What objection do you have?" After a while, the emperor spoke slowly.

King Zhan played in an orderly manner: "Your Majesty, the accounts of various ministries are complicated and numerous, and the Examination Department has only been established for a short period of time, so I must not be very clear about some of them. As far as I know, the deficits just mentioned actually have a place to go. The first The sum of 1.72 million was from the Wenjiang Canal connecting Yongzhou and Hezhou in the 22nd year of Shengwu. The budget of the Ministry of Industry was insufficient, and the Ministry of Households made up for it; the second sum of 850,000 was from the 17th year of Shengwu. In the year of the locust disaster in Dongzhou, there was no harvest, and food was allocated from the central center for relief; the third sum of 1.4 million was temporarily allocated to the border towns after Shengwu pacified the Eastern Turks in the 19th year. The two Northern Expeditions cost a total of nearly three million silver more than expected. The most recent one was the actual cost of preparing the ceremony for the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple to welcome Tubo Zanpu and Princess Jingsheng to the Central Plains in the 25th year of Shengwu. The amount was not much, only about 400,000. Furthermore, there were two natural disasters, the plague in Beijing and the earthquake in Huailuan. At that time, the Supreme Emperor decreed to issue domestic currency to relieve the disaster, and the money was actually paid in advance by the Ministry of Households..." He In an orderly manner, he spoke slowly, and Si Weiyun almost didn't miss a single thing in what he just played. Some ministers who are not familiar with finance are inevitably confused, but those who understand have already heard the key.

Just a few words, avoiding the important and taking the light, the corruption of nearly tens of millions turned into misappropriation in a blink of an eye. The crime of embezzlement is serious, and the crime of misappropriation is light. What's more, it is difficult to define and investigate this kind of misappropriation, and no one knows how much has flowed into the minister's private pockets, and it is even more distant to pursue it.

When King Zhan was speaking, the emperor on the throne always looked cold, with a pair of deep eyes, unable to distinguish between emotions and anger, and asked at this time: "According to this statement, it is justifiable to evacuate the national treasury. Not only should I not investigate strictly, You have to thank them for their loyalty to the country?"

King Zhan said calmly: "Your Majesty wants to investigate the deficit, which is an act of rectifying the universe, and I think so. But the minister is in charge of the household department, and since he knows the hidden truth, he should let the superiors listen to it. The responsibility of this minister is also Your Majesty, please be aware."

With the backing of King Zhan, several ministers of His Highness were not as anxious as before, and hurriedly kowtowed to agree, "Your Majesty is in panic, please look into it!" It seemed that they had suffered a great injustice.

Ye Tianling looked up at them, and smiled coldly: "King Zhan reminded you well, I really ignored this point. In this case, I will check the misappropriation first, and then check the deficit. Every account will be checked clearly. Not a penny of that claim is to be taken away."

King Zhan's tone was still calm, but the question was sharp: "Your Majesty, please clarify, how should this misappropriation be investigated? Among them, the domestic currency for disaster relief, the silk reward allocated for the birthday of the Empress Dowager, is the household department Should I go to the Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager to pursue it?"

As soon as the words fell, there was a shocking glance in front of the main hall, and the two eyes suddenly met in midair. Across the dragon steps of the royal platform, through the dazzling morning light, they looked like two unsheathed swords. Straight imminent.

"Good question! I have already said in the decree issued a few days ago that those who cannot repay the deficit will be blamed on their descendants. If it involves embezzlement by the Empress Dowager and the Supreme Emperor, I will pay it back!"

As soon as the emperor said this, the officials turned pale. Even King Zhan didn't expect that he would not let go of the empress dowager and the empress dowager, and was stunned on the spot.

King Li had always dealt with the court and was too lazy to participate in political discussions. At this moment, he cupped his hands suddenly: "Your Majesty, I have never spent much money, and I don't have much wealth, but I am willing to repay this part of the misappropriation together to share your majesty's worries."

Ye Tianzhan's face turned pale, and his mind suddenly settled down. He reacted very quickly, and immediately said: "With meager efforts, I am willing to pay off the money for the Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

The emperor lowered his eyes to look at him, and said slowly: "It's rare for you to have such filial piety. It's not in vain that the Empress Dowager cared about you so much before she died, and told me in every possible way. In this case, Zhaoning Temple is about to start construction, and there is no suitable person Go to supervise the construction, and I will leave this matter to you."

There was a slight commotion in the Taiji Hall. Zhaoning Temple was located nearly a hundred miles outside Yige City, and King Zhan was ordered to supervise the construction. Yin Jianzheng stepped forward and knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, the prince has not recovered from his illness, and it is really difficult to pass through this important task. Please think twice, Your Majesty!"

As soon as he knelt, the ministers followed one after another, most of them knelt down blackly. Feng Yan figured out the situation, it was easy to demote King Zhan now, but he had to consider the series of reactions that followed, so he led the crowd to kneel down without saying a word.

Facing the courtiers, Ye Tianling's face was stern and calm, but there was a hint of oppressive power, he suddenly chuckled: "I was negligent, so I will grant you another three months' leave. From now on, the court will suspend the nine chapters of the seal used by the prince, you can rest in the mansion."

It's almost claustrophobic, but it's better than leaving the emperor. Compared with all the ministers, King Zhan, who bears the brunt, seemed extremely calm, and bowed to receive the order: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Just when there was a lot of trouble here, the servants outside the hall hurried in and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty Qizuo, Liu Guangyu, the inspector of Dingzhou, is begging to see you!"

The monarchs and ministers in the palace were very surprised. Liu Guangyu guarded Dingzhou and had a heavy responsibility. Why did he suddenly come to the imperial capital without being summoned? Unless something serious happened in Dingzhou. Ye Tianling raised his hand and said, "Xuan!"

But for a moment, Liu Guangyu strode into the Tai Chi Hall under the guidance of the officials of Honglu Temple. Years of hard work at the frontier and the travel and dust all over his body made his original handsome outline a bit tough, but what impressed me the most was the resentment in his expression. Before he walked to the imperial platform, Fuyi knelt down and said loudly: "Chen Dingzhou Inspector Liu Guangyu is here to see Your Majesty!"

Ye Tianling frowned: "Liu Guangyu, why did you leave your post and come to see me?"

Liu Guangyu kowtowed heavily: "I came to the imperial capital today to ask Your Majesty to make decisions for the tens of thousands of soldiers in Dingzhou!" He took out a bag of things from his arms and raised his hands above his head.

All the ministers discussed in private, but they didn't know what Liu Guangyu was doing. Ye Tianling raised his head to signal, and a servant stepped forward to take the things, held them in front of the throne, and opened the bag, which contained a lot of grain.

"What do you want me to see these grains for?"

Liu Guangyu clenched his fists and looked very indignant: "Your Majesty, this is the military ration allocated to Dingzhou by Shizhou a few days ago. Please take a closer look, Your Majesty. These military rations are old yellow rice, but they are mixed with some new rice. They were sent to the barracks. Recently, many people in the Dingzhou army suddenly became weak and had difficulty breathing. After investigation, it was found that they had eaten these poisonous military rations! When I left, more than 30 soldiers in Dingzhou died!"

These words were thrown heavily into the already turbulent water like a boulder, all civil and military officials were shocked when they heard the words, and there was an uproar in front of the palace. The emperor's eyes suddenly sharpened: "It's unreasonable! Who is Shizhou's grain road? How could the military grain allocated be old moldy rice?"

No one dared to answer this question, after a pause, Feng Yan said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the person in charge of Shizhou's grain road is Gong Ke, the Yingchuan transshipment envoy."

Ye Tianling calmed down instantly after being shocked and angry, and immediately understood the reason of the matter. A few years ago, the states in northern Xinjiang were in short supply of military supplies, and the treasury was tight due to insufficient taxation. They borrowed a batch of money and food from the rich Shizhou, Lingzhou and other places for a temporary emergency. From this point of view, the Shizhou government treasury appears to have enough money and food, but in fact it must be in a huge deficit. It is not difficult for the officials to find a way to deceive the investigation, but when the central government suddenly adjusts the food, they can't cope with it, so they shoddy it and used it. Rice masquerading as good rice.

Thinking of this, it really added fuel to the flames, "Preach my will, order Yousi to lock up Gong Ke immediately, and the Shizhou patrol and the procurator will be suspended and await punishment! Zhongshu immediately galloped 800 miles to tell him, The prefectures of Yan, Yan, and Ji, carefully check the military rations allocated by other states, and beware of such things happening again."

Liu Guangyu said again: "Your Majesty, the weather in northern Xinjiang is now ravaged by freezing wind and snow, and there is a shortage of medicinal materials and food. The soldiers who were poisoned were either unconscious or weak, and it was difficult for them to stand. Guarding the border under such bad weather. These military rations are already inedible, I would like to ask His Majesty to adjust the rations for emergency, otherwise, if this continues, there will be no guarantee that the soldiers will not starve to death! That minister... a hundred deaths are unforgivable!" He said He has always cared for the soldiers, but at this moment he was so sad and angry that he couldn't help sobbing, and his eyes were filled with tears.

Not to mention that it is too late to adjust grain from the imperial capital, but if it is, how can the treasury raise so much money and grain? Ye Tianling looked at King Zhan almost immediately, if it wasn't for the shortfall, how could there be such a mess in Dingzhou

King Zhan's complexion was not much better than his, it was pale and sullen, and he was completely different from his usual calm and unrestrained expression. Not only was it unexpected that something like this happened in Dingzhou, but he was even annoyed that Gong Ke, the transfer envoy of Yingchuan, was the eldest son of Gong Sicheng. As if feeling the gaze in front of him, when he raised his eyes, the originally calm eyes were like rushing waves, changing rapidly and extremely complicated.

The undercurrent was raging, spreading from the space between the two people in front of the hall to the entire court. Even Liu Guangyu, who had just arrived and went in without knowing it, felt something vaguely. Shocked by the silent but cold confrontation in front of him, he kept silent. speechless.

It was only a moment of effort, but it was so tormenting that everyone couldn't stand still. King Zhan endured the gaze on the imperial platform that gradually turned from anger to coldness, suddenly bowed, and quickly said: "Please give me five days, Your Majesty, and within five days, I will guarantee that the soldiers in Dingzhou will have food." Edible, no worries."

Yin Jianzheng wanted to stop and sigh, but in such a short period of time, chaos had already occurred from the center to the local area. As long as King Zhan completely ignores him, even if he is confined in the mansion, he will be invited to appear in court sooner or later. Wouldn't it be different then? Such a great opportunity, but King Zhan just let it go!

At this time, King Zhan asked for orders, as if he had completely forgotten what happened before, and stood in the hall, waiting for the order.

Now everyone is waiting for the emperor to speak, whether it is correct or not.

If it is correct, the words Liu Guangyu said before entering the palace will become empty words, and King Zhan will not only remain at the center, but also make people realize his pivotal position; this matter

King Zhan's advance and retreat was well-founded, and he immediately regained his previous disadvantage. But everyone also knows that with the emperor's cold and arrogant temperament, if he insists on disposing of King Zhan at the cost of Dingzhou, it will be a piece of cake. Feng Yan figured out the holy intention, and immediately went forward and said: "Your Majesty, the military rations needed now can be collected from the four prefectures of Hanzhong, and they will arrive in Dingzhou within ten days at most."

King Zhan squinted his handsome eyes when he heard the words, Yin Jianzheng and Wei Zongping looked at Feng Yan angrily at the same time, but unexpectedly saw the emperor raised his hand to stop all the ministers' memorials behind him, and looked at King Zhan: "If after five days, the military rations will not arrive. State, so what?"

This is the acquiescence of King Zhan's request. As they looked at each other, the light in King Zhan's eyes shone slightly: "If there is even the slightest mistake, I will leave it to His Majesty to deal with."

After a period of silence, Ye Tianling said slowly, "I will give you ten days, so you can do it yourself."