After Shao Song

Chapter 140 River Corruption Incident

Speaking of which, the Zhao Guan family had watched many childhood classic TV series in their previous life. They knew that there was nothing fishy about the construction of the Yellow River dam, so they sent several censors to supervise it.

I don’t ask you to be as honest as water, just to be able to handle things well for me and to live well at the same time.

But this time the incident was so big that it really exceeded his expectations.

If Xiao En and the others are not lying, the amount of corruption in the dams from Jinan to the mouth of the Yellow River alone has reached one million taels. In the past three years, the court and Zhao Guan's family have invested 500 million taels of silver alone. How much has been embezzled or wasted, and how much is actually used to regulate the river?
What is even more unacceptable to Zhao Guan's family is that if the resulting disaster or even a large number of deaths of people on the two roads of Jingdong and Jingdong were only discovered today, then it would not be just one or two people who were derelict in their duties, but he, the emperor, would be the most responsible person.

After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, he said that he would spend ten years to control the Yellow River. However, not even half of the ten years passed, such a big thing happened. Not only did his face hurt, but his heart also hurt.

Ever since, he, the emperor who wished he could be the boss, once again lost his temper at the court meeting.This time, there was no need to save anyone's face. Ma Shen, the minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and Wang Yan, the minister of Dali Temple, were specially ordered to form a special task force, and Hulala was sent to Jinan Prefecture to inspect and find out within a time limit.

At the same time, Liu Yan, the prince of Liaoyang County, quickly led the Red Heart Team to the Hedao Yamen, sealed all the account books, and brought the relevant officials from the Ministry of Accounts with him. The funds for the river bank dredging and flood discharge projects were all checked by me, and the truth was bound to come to light.

It can be said that there was no such major corruption case in the Song Dynasty.Pei Zude and Fan Zongyin, who had confirmed evidence of crimes, were jailed, Liu Hongdao was detained on the spot, and a large number of remaining prefects and prefects were also banned. It was said that the shock to the government and the public was a bit small.

They are all senior officials.

May was sweltering and only got a little cooler at night.Prime Minister Zhao Ding once again threw away the Imperial Ban Zhi, took only an old servant with him, and walked to the private residence of Privy Councilor Zhang Jun.

The two of them once shared weal and woe, and now they still fight without breaking up.After more than ten years of friendship, there was no need to talk nonsense. Zhao Ding took the lead and said: "Although the official family was rejuvenated and the New Song Dynasty was founded, if a large prison was built, with the prestige of the official family, it would have set a precedent for the establishment of a large prison. ”

Zhang Jun offered a cup of tea and sighed, "So what? Although the officials have done a lot of things over the years, they have always put the Yellow River and Yanjing in the top of their hearts. How dare Pei Zude and the others do this? I stretched out my hand, and Xiao En found out the evidence again. The officials are going to kill the chickens to scare the monkeys, and no one can save them."

Zhang Jun paused and saw that Zhao Ding was still hesitant to speak, so he simply made it clear, "During the war, the officials dared to kill Du Chong with an axe, but now they have only taken down a few strategic envoys. Is it possible?" Does anyone dare to make an issue with not killing scholar-bureaucrats?"

Zhao Ding was dressed in bamboo-green uniforms. He had become more and more aged over the years. He said: "Brother Yu, don't you know that they are seeking death themselves, so how can they stick to the rules? But today, I have to tell the truth. Everyone in the imperial court is clean on this money. How many are there? If the officials build a big prison, it will inevitably cause people to panic. Dear brother, things will go well if things are slowed down, can't you give some advice to the officials? "

"I'm afraid it's difficult. Brother Yuan Zhen, you and I have served the official family for more than ten years. Although I don't dare to say that I can guess the official family's heart, but with his style of behavior. Either don't do it, or do it absolutely. Once it's violated His bottom line is that he will not give up easily."

Someone once said that Chinese culture has gone through hundreds of generations and was created in the era of Zhao and Song Dynasties.It's a pity that there are excellent achievements of civilization in this culture, but also feudal dross that cannot be washed away.Take for example the well-known corruption problem.

Zhao Ding said: "That's all, what's the point of telling you and me about these difficulties? Let's think about how to give advice."

Although Zhang Jun is an older middle-aged young man, after all, he has been in charge of the world for many years, and he has an overall view of the world. "Tomorrow, I will go to visit Mr. Lu together. His words will always give the official family a bit of face. How about Mingfa?" The order is to only investigate the people involved in this matter, kill them if they should be killed, exile them if they should be, and do not pursue other matters for the time being. Otherwise, civil and military officials will be panicked, and what will happen to local governance?

Zhao Ding smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Xian, it seems like I said it before, but now it's you who say it."

Zhang Jun smiled even more bitterly, "Brother Yuan Zhen, do you think that I, the Privy Councilor, live for free all day long? When it comes to corruption, nowhere is it more serious than in the army? To tell you the truth, I used to worry that this officer's corruption would affect his combat effectiveness. , but if we deal with corrupt officers indiscriminately, it will also affect the combat effectiveness. I don’t know how many nights I have been unable to sleep, thinking about how to deal with the officials if this kind of problem arises? I didn’t expect that it would be used first in river affairs today. ”

The next day, the two of them went to see Lu Gongxiang, who never went out when he had nothing to do. They felt envious when they saw him roaming freely, but they still politely explained their purpose. Lu Haowen greeted the two juniors and sat in the pavilion.He said: "Two gentlemen, it's not because I am timid and afraid of getting into trouble, but you should also trust the officials. The crux of the matter is not here."

Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun were surprised at the same time and asked hurriedly. Lu Haowen couldn't help but sigh and said: "If it weren't for the shame of Jingkang, the official family would be nothing more than an idle prince in Tokyo, living a wealthy life. But the waves washed away the sand, forcing him not to Don't take this path. But in fact, he is still very soft deep in his heart. Liu Hongdao and Fan Zongyin are his old ministers for many years, and even Pei Zude also fought to the death against the Jin army. Now they have fallen together on the issue of river affairs. , it can be seen that people's hearts are fickle. If you ask him to say not to pursue the case at this time, for fear of breaking the jade bottle, wouldn't it be a knife in his heart? Instead, you will force him to eliminate corruption on a large scale. Privy Zhang is also here, Let me tell you the truth. Among the ten generals and eighteen princes and kings, except the King of Wei, who can guarantee that he is as clean as water and not afraid of auditing the accounts? But with the temper of the official, if he really wants to audit the accounts, you dare to burn the account books, He dares to burn you."

Zhang Jun seemed to have found a bosom friend, "Xianggong's words are really good words. In order to fight against the gold, the officials always turned a blind eye to the affairs of the army. They were afraid that we, the civil officials, would suppress the generals too much." , but if we wantonly punish corrupt generals for this reason, it will definitely not be a blessing for the country."

"So I still say what I said. The officials may feel depressed and hesitant, but they will make their own decisions in the end. As long as we and the ministers can appease the guests in the court, it is best not to say more at this time." Lu Gongxiang suddenly opened his mouth. He closed his eyes slightly and said very seriously.

The prime ministers of the East and West Mansions looked at each other, and at the same time saluted Lu Haowen. "I will comply with the arrangements of the Prime Minister."

"What's the arrangement? It's been nine years since I retired and returned to my hometown. I just had something to do and just wanted to chat. As close ministers of the official family and father-in-law of the secret palace, you are naturally obsessed with the authorities. When will you be like me?" That's when I realized it." After all, Lu Haowen was already over seventy years old. After talking for a long time, he finally felt exhausted. After a while, he served tea and sent the guests back to the house to rest.

Several of his grandchildren serve their grandfather.Taking a nap, I didn’t expect that the old man couldn’t sleep at all. After thinking about it for a long time, his expression became even worse.He ordered: "Go to Prince Yang. I have something to do and want to go to the palace to meet with the officials."

Lu's eldest grandson was shocked and said: "Grandpa, didn't you tell us to abide by our duties and keep a low profile these days?" "That's you. I can never leave the official family alone." Lu Haowen said without mercy. Double mark.

No one knows what Lu Haowen said to Zhao Guanjia that day. Maybe Yang Yizhong knew, but he couldn't say a word.

But the Zhao official family also said to the court that the case this time focuses on corruption, dereliction of duty and non-reporting of the Yellow River governance.The rest cannot say no matter, but this time no matter.

Many people feel at ease, and many people feel even more uneasy. Of course, this is not what Zhao Guan's family cares about.

On the ninth day of June, Wang Yan led the team back.All the accounts were sorted out for Zhao Guan's family to preview, and at the same time, they reported that Admiral You and Zhao Tongpan had fully taken over the flood discharge issue. No matter who asked for mercy, they would ignore it. Everything was based on the principle that there would be no floods this year.

Judging from Jingdong Road, which has just entered the rainy season, the effect is remarkable.

This is probably the best news that Zhao Guan's family has heard in two months.Because not long ago, he just encountered another bad thing.It turned out to be.Hu Cheng, Yue Fei's prospective in-law, was also involved in the embankment corruption issue. According to the law, he was imprisoned. His wife and daughter were required to serve as Jiaofangsi. Zhao Guan's family was open-minded, but it was impossible for the guilty body to marry the son of a handsome minister.

As a result, Yue Fei, with his stupid head, insisted on fulfilling the engagement as promised.A quarrel started at home, and Princess Foyou couldn't stand it anymore, so she came to her biological father for help.

Zhao Guan's family was annoyed. When they heard that Yue Fei had only changed his horoscope and not written a marriage certificate, they simply arranged another marriage and betrothed the eldest daughter of Zhao Bufan, the king of Wuwei who died for the country, to Yue Lei.

If Yue Fei doesn't agree, ask Qu Duan to support and reason with his subordinates.No matter what you say, you make things happen.

Almost at the same time, Liu Hongdao, the governor of the river channel and the prince of Heyin County, confessed his crime and committed suicide by preparing a rope while in custody. But what did the imperial banzhi do?I have already guarded against him.After being rescued, he came back and escorted him to Tokyo together with Zhang Bofen, the magistrate of Qingzhou who also pleaded guilty.

Suddenly, the reputation of Zhao Guan's family for being mean seemed to be a little bigger, because Liu Hongdao's identity was a little special.After all, he is among the 36 heroes of Jianyan!For more than ten years, An Hou has supervised the war and never slackened off. A single dereliction of duty can cost a life. Is it too exaggerated?
Let's not talk about Emperor Renzong, even Emperor Taizu didn't do this when he was in power.

Of course, this is what the southern opposition parties and tea shops in Tokyo are talking about. If we really want them to say it in public, few people would have the courage.

If so, the Imperial City Secretary in Yang Yizhong would invite people in for tea.

At the beginning of July, it rained heavily in Tokyo. This miserable summer finally brought some coolness to Zhao Guan's house.Let him hug the babbling Princess Junyou of Yinchuan to relax.

Liu Hongdao and the others had escorted them back, and the Zhao Guan family knew what they were going to face.

——Small theater extra——

"It's a pity, it's a pity that such a person who has worked so hard and made great achievements, but in the end, for his own selfishness, he can't protect him at the end of the day." Fan Zhongyan looked at the latest issue of the Di Bao and sighed for Liu Hongdao.

Wen Yanbo blushed a little.This corruption problem is much more serious for him than Liu Hongdao and others. More importantly, the so-called Sanyi Huihe was implemented on a large scale when he was in power. When it comes to this problem, he can't help but want to escape.

As a result, Wang Anshi, who was unreasonable and unforgiving, said: "Fan Xianggong has pure virtues, so I feel sorry for him, but some people are afraid that if they continue to talk about it, they will have no shame in staying here."

Fu Bi couldn't stand him, "That's better than some people who have a good eye but a low hand. They talk about the green seedling method and the Fangtian method, but they end up wasting people and ruining money."

Wang Anshi and Wang Anli, brothers who fight against tigers, had different political views. Hearing someone attacking his brother, he quit and said: "Ability is ability, character is character. Naturally, my Wang family brothers dare to say to heaven, There is no corruption in the country. I wonder if Mr. Fu and Mr. Wen dare to swear an oath to heaven and earth? They have never occupied an acre of fertile land, and they have not embezzled a single amount of public funds!"

"Stop the noise, Mr. Zhang hanged himself again. Privy Di, come and help."

"Which...Gong Zhang Zhongwen?" Di Qing reacted.

Seeing Di Qing go in to help, Cai Que said sincerely: "Although it is common for tiger fathers and dog sons to happen, Zhang Shuye is too unlucky. There are only two sons in total. The second son deserves to die, and the eldest son does not." He committed a crime, how can he still have the dignity to live here forever?"

Cai Bian thought of his troubled brother who had gone to hell. He had mixed emotions for a moment, and simply said, "We are solving the problems that we people have not solved in our lives one by one. Don't get excited, wait and see." chant."

　I’m so tired from writing
　　
　
(End of this chapter)