The Long Live Hall is still the same as before, restrained and solemn. The mighty Ouchi guards still stand around the hall like sculptures. However, the palace attendants seem to be much more careful. Even the patrolling guards passing by deliberately slow down.
Reduce the noise, the atmosphere is obviously not right.
For a long time, Emperor Liu delegated the affairs of the country to the prime ministers. Wei Renpu took the lead and was responsible for the implementation of various measures of the Kaibao New Deal. He himself retired behind the scenes and cultivated his moral character. At the same time, he silently observed the operation of the empire.
This time, it was probably Emperor Liu's most free and easy time.
As a result, Emperor Liu's frequency of going to the Chongzheng Hall was much less than before. If something happened, the ministers would take the initiative to report to the Long Live Hall. In addition, the minister in charge of Chongzheng Hall affairs now became Shi Xizai.
, Lu Yin went to Ding You because of his mother's death. Although Emperor Liu was reluctant to leave, he, who was known for his filial piety, could not forcefully seize love and prevent Lu Yin from fulfilling his filial piety.
It was the end of winter, outside the palace decorated with frost, Shi Xizai, who had been promoted to the title of Bachelor of Chongzheng Palace, walked slowly along the clearly cleaned corridor, holding a stack of memorials in his hand as usual.
He, the top leader of Chongzheng Hall, has had a hard time in the past few months, mainly because he is not adapting. Once upon a time, Chongzheng Hall was a place that stood side by side with Guangzheng Hall. Although they cannot be compared in terms of real power, their actual influence is slightly
It's not weak, after all, it is a secretarial agency that assists the emperor in handling affairs.
From Zhao Yao to Zhao Pu, they were all representatives of humble and powerful positions. When Wang Pu served as the bachelor of Chongzheng Hall, he could even dominate the political affairs hall. In the two years when Lu Yin presided over it, there was a strong relationship between the government and the opposition.
It is called "hidden phase".
However, when Lu Yin temporarily left the palace due to his mother's death and Shi Xizai ascended the throne, he discovered that the emperor had begun to live in the Long Live Hall, and Bu Qin ran away to Chongzheng Hall. Although the time was not long and there was no special expression, Shi Xizai made Shi Xizai
I felt an inexplicable pressure.
Facts have proved that the power and influence of the Chongzheng Palace ultimately depends on the emperor's attitude. If the emperor does not pay attention to it, it will be no different from other palaces in the palace. At most, it will cultivate some advisors and talents.
Similarly, the power of the prime ministers of the Political Affairs Hall is similar. Needless to mention the status of Wei Renpu, the more representative ones are Wang Pu and Red Xiang. Because of Emperor Liu's emphasis, although Wang Pu was only a householder
Although he is a minister, he can dominate the three ministers in all aspects, and he is an important member in charge of Kaibao's political strategy.
Of course, Emperor Liu still attached great importance to the Chongzheng Hall, and some official documents from the Zhengshi Hall would still be reported to the Chongzheng Hall. He would still go and inspect it from time to time, read memorials, and listen to reports. But compared to before,
, everything is in his hands, and now all ministers and ministers of important affairs can report directly to the Long Live Hall. The difference between the before and after is still relatively large for the people in the Chongzheng Hall.
In other words, Shi Xizai was generous and didn't have much ambition for power, so he was still safe, but he was only slightly influenced by other colleagues.
Outside the Long Live Hall, I unexpectedly met a man, an old man in his fifties, Hu Meng, the Minister of Household Affairs. He was a Jinshi in the Later Jin Dynasty. He was a local official who was close to the people and was famous for his literary talent. He was the same as Emperor Liu, the "penmaster" who died young.
"Hu Zai is an uncle and brother. He also served as a member of Zhongshushe before and was responsible for the imperial edict making work for a period of time.
But at this time, the old minister seemed distracted. He stood outside the palace, looking around from time to time. He wanted to see him several times, but seemed hesitant. Shi Xizai stepped forward to say hello and asked: "Since the minister has arrived at the palace, why is he hesitant?"
forward?"
Looking at Shi Xizai, there was a hint of unnaturalness on Hu's old face, and he replied bitterly: "I just want to apologize to Your Majesty!"
After hearing this, Shi Xizai realized that the matter was not complicated, but Hu Meng recognized a servant among his servants, named Hu Jiyuan, and this servant committed a crime, which was not a light one. He stole and sold official salt.
, sought personal gain and was imprisoned after the incident.
Salt law was a large part of the imperial court's fiscal revenue. It was strictly controlled and dealt a particularly hard blow to the salt lords. The enactment of the salt law was much gentler than in the early years, but there were some red lines that would lead to beheading if touched. As for Hu Jiyuan,
He actually started stealing and selling official salt, and the fate he was about to face was imaginable. As the backstage he relied on, Hu Meng, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, how could he not be horrified.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of case no longer required Emperor Liu's personal intervention, but because of Hu Meng's identity, it still reached his ears. However, in response to this matter, the judicial department only handled it in accordance with the law, but did not say anything about Hu Meng. However,
Hu Meng couldn't sit still. During this period, he couldn't eat well, couldn't sleep at night, and was very anxious.
Looking at Hu Meng, he looked pitiful. Shi Xizai had always advocated observing etiquette and was naturally disgusted with his servant's behavior. But looking at his appearance, he sighed softly and reminded: "Young Master, you should know how your Majesty has been feeling lately.
Not good!"
A flash of hesitation flashed across his face, and he finally sighed: "It's time to pay homage to Your Majesty!"
The reason why Emperor Liu is in a bad mood recently is of course not because of a little unknown person named Hu Jiyuan, but because Kaifeng Prefecture Yin Gaofang died of illness not long ago and died in office.
This incident made Emperor Liu very sad, and he was in a bad mood. To say that many ministers have died in recent years, Emperor Liu should have been used to it, and it is indeed the case. It's just that those who died in the early years were all old ministers. In the past two years,
, but it is a matter of old age and meritorious service. No matter how hard your heart is, you will inevitably feel regret and regret.
At the same time, it also gave Emperor Liu a little more emotion and a little more understanding. Too many of the generals who followed him to conquer the world and establish a foundation have now become veterans, and there is nothing they can do about it.
From Ma Quanyi to Wang Pu, and now Gao Fang, in the past two years, old friends have gradually faded away, and they will continue to do so.
Among the twenty-four heroes, Murong Yanzhao, Li Gu, and Wang Jing are all recuperating from illness. Murong Yanzhao's chronic illness due to overwork is difficult to cure, and his health has never improved. Li Gu's wind paralysis also worsened after the Pingnan battle, which means that after his success, he became famous.
, peace of mind to recuperate, so it does not continue to deteriorate. As for Wang Jing, this man is really old, and Xi Tuo seems to have exhausted his energy...
It is precisely because of these concerns that Emperor Liu felt inexplicably depressed this winter, and everyone around him was cautious and cautious. Fortunately, Emperor Liu had always been more restrained, otherwise, he might blame others for his mood.
In the palace, Emperor Liu was reading a book, and naturally he also met Hu Meng and Shi Xizai. Hu Meng was a little confused, and when he saw Emperor Liu, he immediately prostrated himself, spoke excitedly, and explained his purpose.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's reaction seemed very calm. He looked at the old minister and looked away, then asked Shi Xizai: "How was the investigation of the Hu Jiyuan case? Is there any result?"
Shi Xizai replied: "After review by the Ministry of Punishment and review by Dali, the death sentence has been declared. The last batch of winter battles this year will be abandoned in Nanshi!"
Nodding, Liu Chengyou looked at Hu Meng and chuckled: "Now that the case has been concluded, what is the purpose of Hu Qing coming to plead guilty?"
Hearing what the emperor said, Hu Meng said: "It is always because the guilty minister did not know the person before and failed to discipline him later, so that this sin occurred under the door and violated the national law. The guilty minister thinks about it and is really ashamed and regretful. He is ashamed of himself!"
"I have no intention of questioning my father for breaking the law. What do you mean by your behavior?" The smile on Liu Chengyou's face disappeared.
Hu Meng kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is very generous and forgives me for my mistakes. However, I am not at peace with myself. I don't think about it now. I only hope that your Majesty will ask for forgiveness and atone for this mistake!"
"Ha!" After listening to his words, Emperor Liu understood. He wanted to seek peace of mind.
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou patted the imperial case. The force was not very strong, but the sound made Hu Meng shudder. Emperor Liu said in a tone that lost his patience: "You ministers usually advise me. , don’t get involved, why, when it’s your turn, you can’t feel at ease?”
These words were a bit rude and serious. Looking at the slightly frightened Hu Meng, Emperor Liu waved his hand, his demeanor regained his composure, and said calmly: "You'd better go back to the Ministry of Revenue to run errands. If you delay your official duties because of this, , if you neglect state affairs, then I will really be held accountable!"
Seeing the emperor say this, Hu Meng Gao fell down with his heart high and he knelt down hurriedly, saying in a grateful tone: "Yes! Your Majesty is so tolerant, I thank you very much!"
After Hu Meng retired, Shi Xizai directly expressed his different views on Emperor Liu's treatment. He felt that Hu Meng should be held accountable and punished together. He should be punished for lax discipline, not to mention that Hu Jiyuan dared to break the law. , his status as Minister of Humeng Hubu also gave him the confidence.
Regarding him, Emperor Liu also showed a little hesitation, because he also had a kind of ambivalence. If Hu Meng was not dealt with, would it also mean that he was indulging the children of the powerful? After all, according to this standard, as long as the death penalty is not violated, everything will be fine. It can be done. After all, the emperor is tolerant and wise and will not implicate his elders...
As a result, Emperor Liu regretted it a little, but it was hard to change it if he had already promised to go out. At the same time, he also reminded himself that things like this should still be implicated and punished, otherwise he would be afraid that his superiors would not learn from them. .
In the aftermath of this incident, Hu Meng was dismissed from office, but not because his son committed a crime, but because after the incident, Hu Meng secretly approached Li Ye, the uncle in charge of the Criminal Department, hoping to be accommodating, with the intention of seeking personal gain. The truth was concealed, and the matter was exposed.
After learning about it, Emperor Liu was very disgusted by Hu Meng's behavior in front of Emperor Liu. What was originally just a matter of demotion was directly upgraded to dismissal, demoted to a commoner, kicked out of the court, and almost even jailed and exiled.
