first minister

Chapter 200 Brothers Come and Kick

In the Hou Mansion, Gongsun Jing waved away his confidant, sat down again, and looked at Xia Jingyun, "Master, this... is this also your handwriting?"

Xia Jingyun was noncommittal, "If you do many wrongdoings, you will die. If he doesn't do these wrong things himself, no one can do anything against him."

Gongsun Jing was instantly excited. Anyway, this is also a servant, so he was easily calculated by the young master, but he was a little puzzled immediately, "But this servant Jin is the servant of the Ministry of Finance. Right now, Boss Wei is in control of the Ministry of Finance. There is no need to make such a fuss. Isn't our goal the Ministry of Rites?"

Xia Jingyun smiled slightly, "Often what we think is unrelated, there is a connection behind it, it depends on whether we can find out this connection and make use of it."

Gongsun Jing thought for a while, and seemed to understand a little, but he didn't seem to understand, so he could only ask, "What do I need to do?"

Xia Jingyun shook his head, "There were some before, but they are gone now. Oh, how about this, prepare a batch of gifts for me, and after two days, when this matter is settled, I will go to the bamboo forest."

Gongsun Jing nodded slowly and stood up, then was taken aback for a moment, "These two days? It's over? You mean just these two days?"

Xia Jingyun thought for a while, "To be precise, if there is no accident, it will be tomorrow."

Gongsun Jing gasped, and walked away with a shocked face, rejoicing as he walked, fortunately he woke up early, otherwise he would have died without knowing how he died.
-
In Changle Palace, Emperor Chongning was lying on the couch, and Concubine De was beside him gently pressing his shoulders.

"Your Majesty, Shi'er is not sensible yet, so don't be as knowledgeable as him."

Emperor Chongning, who was despised by his youngest son Xiaoxiao just now, laughed, "Seeing that my son is so powerful, I am too happy to be happy. How could I be angry with him!"

He turned his body slightly, pointed to his arm, and motioned for Concubine De to pinch it for him, and then said with a smile: "Your son, Xia Jingyun taught him this?"

Concubine De hummed, "A year ago, he left the second palace and went to Jiang Anhou's Mansion. My younger brother probably thought that the New Year's Day was coming, so he taught him a lot of fun for children. These days, he is showing off everywhere!"

Emperor Chongning laughed when he heard it, "It was rare for him to be able to hold back the New Year's Eve banquet from the beginning to the end."

"As a prince, you should know what to do and what not to do, and you must understand the timing. At that time, you can't make trouble for Your Majesty. At this moment, speaking childish words can relieve Your Majesty from fatigue."

"You! You really have a good family style!"

Emperor Chongning seemed to be touched by these words, sat up, held Concubine De's hand, and expressed relief, "When I went to Sishui Prefecture, Sishui Prefecture suffered repeated military disasters, but you only spent less than 10 taels of silver to help me stabilize the situation in Sishui Prefecture. With you leading this lead, I am at ease."

Concubine De quickly said: "The courtiers and concubines are just following His Majesty's teachings and doing their best to share His Majesty's worries. As for Lord Wei and other foreign ministers, they must also be doing their best for His Majesty and the country."

"I believe in you." Emperor Chongning patted her hand, and his face turned cold immediately, "But some rebellious officials and thieves, not only don't want to share the worries for the country, but they are full of desire to enrich themselves from me and from the court! But I am determined not to tolerate it!"

He looked at the night outside with a chilling look on his face.

Concubine De's hand gently climbed onto his shoulder, and gently kneaded it, "It's getting late, Your Majesty should rest earlier, tomorrow's grand banquet, all kings and their families will be in the palace, it must be a lot of hard work, you need to take care of your dragon body."

Emperor Chongning hummed, "You can press me again, and I will lie down for a while, and I will go to the Imperial Study Room to make arrangements later."
-
The next day, the seventh day of the first lunar month, is Man's Day.

According to the custom of the Great Xia, every man's day, the emperor will ascend a height outside the city and hold a feast for all his ministers to celebrate.

Later, in the middle of the dynasty, an emperor who was sympathetic to the power of the people thought that it was useless every time this matter cost the people and money, so he simply took advantage of the rainy day of the year to cancel the event and instead held a banquet in the palace hall.

Later emperors didn't bother to change it, so the matter was formulated according to such a ceremony.

In Jiang Anhou's Mansion, Xia Jingyun and Su Yuanshang were sitting opposite each other in a side room, with a chessboard in front of them.

Su Yuanshang smiled and asked, "You put the treasure on Cheng Wang today?"

Xia Jingyun nodded.

"Then how do you ensure that King Cheng will go according to your plan?"

Xia Jingyun smiled, "With our Majesty's always suspicious character, after learning that his subordinates have done such a big case without telling him, a servant of the household department would dare to covet 10,000+10,000+ land, plus there is still a gap in the Wanbao Building. Would he try to test his uncles and brothers? King Cheng has always been stingy, so how could he give away his things."

Su Yuanshang clapped his hands and smiled, "Then, he just happened to know a good way to get money."

Xia Jingyun nodded with a smile, picked up a chess piece and put it down.
-
In the imperial palace and Wanbao Building, an old prince came out from the side hall, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at Cheng Wang who was about to enter, and showed a self-seeking expression.

Cheng Wang, whose appearance was five or six points similar to that of Emperor Chongning, but whose figure was a circle or two fatter, felt his heart skip a beat, and walked in bravely.

"Sit!" Emperor Chongning was very kind, pointing to the stool beside him.

King Cheng hung his buttocks in trepidation, and Emperor Chongning frowned upon seeing this, "You and my brother, why are you so restrained?"

Only then did King Cheng relax a little.

"How do you look at my Wanbao Building?"

"This side hall alone is an eye-opener for my younger brother. The martial arts and martial arts of the emperor's brother really make my younger brother look up to me, and will definitely be admired by future generations."

"Hahahaha!" Emperor Chongning smiled happily, "It will be spectacular when the building of Wanbao Building is completed. I have worked hard for more than 20 years, and I have worked hard to set an example for all generations. Truth."

King Cheng nodded again and again, praising Brother Huang for being amazing.

"However." Emperor Chongning changed his tone, "It takes a lot of money to build such a huge project, and I don't want to squeeze the power of the people, so I can only squeeze out as much as possible from the inner treasury. Now it is very difficult. You and my brother, what can you do?"

King Cheng immediately understood, no wonder the old emperor's uncle was sweating on his forehead just now, he immediately said: "I will check the family property when I go back today, I will only keep enough for the family's necessary needs, and send all the rest of the money to the emperor!"

But he immediately put on a bitter face, "But Brother Huang also knows that I have always done my duty, and I am not some extravagant prince. This family's wealth is probably not much, so please don't blame me, Brother Huang."

Emperor Chongning said slowly: "You're right. I'm not the kind of person who sucks the bones. Is it possible that I want you to donate all your family property? Since you are struggling, there is no need."

King Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and he said hastily: "Although my brother is not rich, it is only natural to share the worries of the emperor's brother."

He rolled his eyes, recalled what his concubine said when he came back yesterday, and said in a low voice: "Brother Huang, I heard a piece of news yesterday. I wonder if Brother Huang has ever heard of a jewelry store in Beijing called Shishiji?"

Emperor Chongning frowned and shook his head slowly.

"This store is the largest jewelry store in Beijing. It started with the treasures in the southeast of Daxia. Now, almost all the jade and jewelry in the southeast of Daxia are controlled by it, and the business in other directions is also involved. Among them, there are many precious ones that are thousands of taels or even tens of thousands of taels."

Emperor Chongning snorted coldly, "I built the Wanbao Building to demonstrate my martial arts and martial arts, so I won't compete with businessmen for profit and rob private wealth."

King Cheng said softly: "This is the family property of Shi Dingzhong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites. He and his younger brother, one in Beijing and the other in Guangling, worked together to make this stone record bigger. It is said that they can get 10,000+ taels every year just for dividends!"

"How much?" Emperor Chongning was shocked.
-
"It's a dead end."

Xia Jingyun lightly rubbed the chess pieces on his fingertips, "If Shi Dingzhong wants to get out of trouble, based on his understanding of His Majesty, plus he has taken refuge in the Duke of England, relying on the advice of the nobles, as long as he is not stupid, he will definitely think of spending money to buy peace. But is he willing to spend all his wealth? Or even if he is willing, does he dare? You, a minister of the Ministry of Rites, took out a few 10 taels from your home, aren't you courting death?"

Su Yuanshang nodded and answered, "So, he can only pay a moderate amount, which can satisfy His Majesty and create an illusion that although I am a little greedy, I have already spent all my wealth. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me this time."

"However, when His Majesty knows the truth, how lenient or satisfied he was once, how much he will hate him now."

Xia Jingyun put a chess piece on the chessboard, and there was a crisp sound, "The king can't tolerate deception the most. This is Shi Dingzhong's reminder!"
-
In the Wanbao building, watching his younger brother nodding his head seriously, Emperor Chongning's heart suddenly had various complex emotions, and then in a flash, it turned into monstrous anger. In this anger, there was still a trace of humiliation lurking.

How satisfied he was with the 5 taels before, how angry and humiliated he is now!
Thinking of him as a wealthy emperor, the rich courtiers are like beggars, throwing away a little wealth, and let him pardon the other party's major crimes, and they are very happy about it.

Bearing the world's notoriety on his back, he was still complacently defending himself for being able to be in charge of his own affairs, knowing how big and small he was doing analysis.

And that courtier, not only didn't feel distressed at all, maybe he was secretly laughing in the mansion that he, the emperor, is a fool who is easy to fool!Throwing some meat at random, he wagged his tail like a dog haha!
what is this?If this is not bullying, then what is bullying!

When Emperor Chongning cast his gloomy and cold eyes on Gao Yi, the eunuch who had been with him for more than twenty years suddenly felt cold, and felt like a sword was hanging above his head, ready to kill him at any time.

He hurriedly bowed his body to show his loyalty and obedience.

Emperor Chongning suddenly remembered that there were outsiders here, and quickly forcibly calmed down, "It's a bit surprising that this happened. Okay, it's getting late, you go down first, and greet the clans for me. I suddenly remembered that I still have some urgent business, so I went to the Imperial Study to deal with it."

Cheng Wang felt relieved, this test was finally passed, and he quickly agreed.

Emperor Chongning led Gao Yi to the outside, and when he reached a place where there was no one, he almost gritted his teeth and said: "Call the ministers of the central government to meet me in the imperial study."

Gao Yi watched the whole process, knowing in his heart that something big was going to happen today, so he hurriedly gave orders.

"What about Xuanhu, let him also check whether Shi's family has violated laws and regulations in the past two days, and then enter the palace immediately."

Emperor Chongning walked towards the imperial study with a murderous look.
-
In the Jiang'anhou Mansion, Su Yuanshang frowned and looked at the chess game on the table, "Your moves are really weird and changeable, refreshing and hard to guard against."

He thought for a moment, and finally made a decision, "But in the end, everything is always the same. If you want to deal with a minister at the level of the six ministers, you can't do it without the consent of the central government. Shi Dingzhong is a smart man. You can see from his ability to stay neutral all these years and insist on not standing in the end. He is afraid that he has entanglements with all parties behind his back. Have you ever thought about what the central government will do?"

Xia Jingyun nodded with a smile, "That's true. If we simply reveal the news that the Shi family is rich, this matter may be blocked in the center and eventually let him escape. However, Jin Shilang's body is still there!"

Su Yuanshang immediately understood, and laughed, "Presumably, the ministers of the central government also hope that there will be a big case to divert your majesty's attention and let them loosen their ties."
-
In the imperial study room, the central ministers gathered together.

They already knew about the affairs of the household department yesterday, and today was the day of the royal family gathering, but His Majesty suddenly summoned them, and everyone felt a little panicked.

After all, they have all felt the deep love and affection for them from the people of Guangling Prefecture.

Emperor Chongning glanced over the crowd, looked at their calm faces, and knew that there was nothing to be seen from the faces of these old foxes, so he said directly: "A few days ago, there was a censor who impeached Shi Dingzhong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and I dealt with it. Do you love me, do you think there is something inappropriate about my handling?"

Everyone is alone, no one speaks.

They certainly knew that His Majesty asked such a question, there must have been an accident, and they probably regretted it, but in their position, not making mistakes is more important than making meritorious deeds, and there is no reason to take a risk.

But some of them didn't think so, so a newly promoted central minister gritted his teeth and said, "I think it's a little too light."

"I think so too."

Emperor Chongning gave him a gratified look, "It's very good that you can muster up the courage to speak out about my mistakes and to be worthy of my expectations for you, and I'm very relieved."

After some polite foreshadowing, he looked at the crowd, "A few days ago, Heibingtai presented the actions of the Shi family to my desk. Killing and looting, disregarding human life, disrespecting the system of propriety, and treating the court's talents as a plaything are all capital crimes, but I forgave him at that time, because I thought he was capable of doing things, and I didn't want to kill capable ministers indiscriminately."

"However, just a few days ago, after I lightly spared the Shi family, the young master of the Shi family went to the outskirts of the city to rape a woman they liked. What has become of my magnanimity in their hearts? It has become a state law like a decoration, and a monarchy like a joke?"

"But after all, I have tolerated them. The so-called Junwu joke. In the past two days, I have been thinking repeatedly, is an official's virtue or talent important? Is the authority of Jun Wuji important, or fairness and justice?"

He leaned forward, his eyes swept over everyone, "Zhuqing, can you teach me?"

Everyone's faces were still calm, but their hearts had already set off turbulent waves. They all thought that the Shi family had just escaped like this, so how could they be turned upside down.

What happened to make His Majesty have such an idea?
The Minister of the Ministry of Officials coughed lightly, and was about to speak to persuade His Majesty to stay still for the time being, keep calm, and bring up the matter again after a while to maintain the majesty of the court, but someone moved first.

Qin Xiang immediately stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think that no matter what happened before, since Your Majesty has forgiven the Shi family, we can temporarily let go of what happened before that."

Just when Emperor Chongning frowned, Minister of the Ministry of Officials and others nodded, Prime Minister Qin changed the subject, "However, after His Majesty, with a tolerant heart, punished past mistakes and past mistakes, hoped that he would know his way back and be used by the country, the Shi family still went their own way, and committed such a heinous evil, which proves that their whole family is already corrupted and cannot be saved, let alone your majesty's painstaking efforts."

"A minister can't relieve the king's worries at the top, and can't comfort the people at the bottom. What's the use of keeping such ministers."

He waved his sleeves and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, please punish Shi Dingzhong severely, and order the three divisions to interrogate him. His whole family will be ransacked and imprisoned, and screened one by one, so as to serve as a warning to others, so as to deter the rampant corruption and lawlessness in the current state. Purge officials and govern, and then try to rejuvenate!"

The voice of generosity echoed in the hall, and the ministers of the central government opened their mouths slightly, looking at the majestic Qin Xiang with a look of astonishment.

But almost in the blink of an eye, they reacted and echoed one after another, and Shi Dingzhong instantly became a treacherous, heinous person.

After King Cheng kicked the Shi family into the deep pit that Xia Jingyun had dug in advance, Prime Minister Qin and the central ministers personally filled it with thick soil.

Emperor Chongning let out a long sigh, "The public opinion is so, let the central government draw up an order. The Shi family will be searched by Heibingtai, and everyone will be imprisoned. Shi Dingzhong's crime will be interrogated by the three divisions."

Seeing that there was nothing to be done, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials had no choice but to accept his fate, but due to the limitations of his job, he still asked one more question, "Shi Dingzhong is going to prison, and the Spring Festival is approaching. Who will be in charge of the Ministry of Rites?"

Emperor Chongning's mind was a little disturbed, "The spring is approaching, it is not appropriate to have many accidents, so let's continue as usual, the order is top, and Zuo Shilang will temporarily take the position of Shangshu."

He waved his hand, "Okay, let's go down, I'm a little tired."

The ministers of the central government looked at each other, and with complicated thoughts, they all bowed their hands and took their leave.

Walking out of the imperial study room, looking at the gloomy sky, Qin Xiang said softly: "Everyone, take this as a warning and be cautious in your words and deeds!"

　Added nearly a day's worth of updates, finished writing this plot, and kept at the key points.

　　In addition, it's the end of the month, eager to or2
　　
　
(End of this chapter)