Under the gaze of everyone, Chen Yi frowned and said.
"Your Majesty, the matter of liquidating Wang Zhenyu's party was already decided when His Majesty ascended the throne. If we continue to purge officials for this reason, it may damage the prestige of the imperial court. This is one of them."
"According to what Master Tianguan said, those who want to be investigated include all the officials who were promoted, dismissed, and demoted when Wang Zhen was in power. Such a large-scale investigation is no less than Tong Kai Da Plan and the Beijing Police. Such a huge investigation will definitely
It takes a long time, and the manpower and material resources spent are second to none. The panic caused by this among the ministers may cause the government affairs of the court to be shelved. This is the second reason."
"Moreover, after many years, no matter what the original situation was, officials from all over the country have been in office for a long time. If this matter reopens old scores, it will give the court a bad start and easily lead to party strife. This is the third reason."
"Although Lord Tianguan has good intentions at first, if he fails to implement it well and is used by others to fight in this name and exclude dissidents, there will be many troubles in the future. This is the fourth reason."
"With these four things, the damage to the imperial court will be far greater than the current decadent officialdom. Therefore, I dare not agree with the wishes of Lord Tianguan."
It is always easier to address objections than to present solutions.
Although Chen Yi did not deliberately target Wang Wen, his words could not help but make Mr. Wang frown.
Looking at Chen Yi dissatisfied, Wang Wen said.
"When His Majesty ordered the investigation of Wang Zhenyu's party, he did deal with a group of people in accordance with the law. However, the Afu Wang Zhen who was dealt with at that time was a person who caused harm to the country and the government. This case has been closed by itself."
"However, what I am talking about now is the people who were lucky enough to take advantage of Wang Zhen's power, and the people who were wronged by Wang Zhen's slander and suppression. How can the two be confused?"
It should be said that Wang Wen's words are quite strong and unreasonable.
Indeed, the case regarding Wang Zhen had been concluded as early as when the emperor ascended the throne, and all the party members who clung to Wang Zhen were also punished.
However, at that time, the emperor specifically handed over the case to Dali Temple to take charge. The purpose was to reassure the ministers and quickly stabilize the situation. The implicit meaning was that the matter was over and no longer pursued.
Wang Wen is now bringing up old matters again. Although it is said that he is the so-called "fortunate person" in the investigation, in fact, it is still continuing and expanding the Wang Zhen case at that time.
Of course, if you are forced to explain it, Wang Tianguan's statement is not untenable.
But just like what Chen Yi said, all officials have an account in mind. This kind of practice of changing the situation without changing the medicine will undoubtedly damage the prestige of the court.
If the emperor's purpose was to clean up the court, then it would be fine. But now, the emperor has made it very clear that replacing people is not the purpose, but reshaping the official atmosphere is.
If this is the case, then this simple and crude method is obviously not applicable.
After a moment of pause, Yu Shiyue also stepped forward and spoke.
"Your Majesty, I do think that what Master Tianguan said is quite reasonable."
"The unhealthy atmosphere in the court today is actually related to the fact that many loyal and upright officials were demoted and dismissed. Therefore, Lord Tianguan said that officials who were dismissed by Wang Zhen would be re-examined, and some of the officials who had been wronged would be rehabilitated, and those who were dismissed would be rehabilitated.
, it can be implemented.”
Compared with Chen Yi, Yu Cifu's words were more tactful.
The implication is that rehabilitation is fine, but other things are exempt.
Wang Wen could naturally hear what he meant. Therefore, Wang Tianguan did not appreciate this approach of smoothing things over and snorted.
"Those who have been wronged can be redressed, and those who have been dismissed from office can be rehabilitated, but those who prefer to engage in bribery cannot be dismissed? What is the truth of this?"
When asked this question, the other ministers couldn't help but smile bitterly.
What's the truth? Chen Yi just said it so clearly, isn't it enough?
Rehabilitating the situation is a favor, but dismissing Xingjin is a punishment. The former will certainly offend some vested interests, but it is always a good thing. As long as it is properly arranged, it will not be difficult to satisfy both the government and the opposition.
But if we want to track down the officials who relied on Wang Zhen to be promoted in the first place, this matter is not only complicated, but also easy to offend people, and once they offend a large number of people.
Although what Chen Yi said just now is straightforward, it has not been fully explained.
The fact is that if Wang Wen's approach is passed, he will be reviled by the whole court.
After all, no one can guarantee that the process of his rise to power will be clean. If he investigated the Wang Zhen case today, he will investigate other matters tomorrow.
As soon as this precedent was set, everyone in the imperial court and the people above and below were panic-stricken.
Facing Wang Wen's question, Chen Xun hesitated for a moment, then stood up and objected.
"Your Majesty, this matter is not as simple as Lord Tianguan thought. It has been two years since Wang Zhen's incident, and if we catch up to the time when he was in power, several years have passed."
"Nowadays, we still have some clues to track down the people who were wrongly accused back then. However, it is quite difficult to track down the people who cling to Wang Zhenxingjin. After all, Wang Zhen's party has already been punished. If these people die, they will know the inside story.
I’m afraid it’s just these officials themselves.”
"If nothing is gained in such a big war, it will be a disgrace to the imperial court."
Immediately afterwards, Wang Ao also spoke.
Although he had just made such a scene with Chen Xun in the palace before, now, he followed Chen Xun as if nothing happened.
"What Chen Shangshu said is reasonable, but what Lord Tianguan said is indeed a bit too radical."
"Your Majesty, please think about it, if this kind of reneging on old scores becomes a routine, then someone will use it to suppress dissidents. If things go on like this, our country will definitely repeat the partisan disputes between Niu and Li in the Tang Dynasty."
"Therefore, this case must not be made. Please give your Majesty a clear warning!"
At this moment, everyone present, whether speaking directly or tactfully, was opposing Wang Wen's point of view.
As a result, Wang Tianguan's face suddenly turned black. Standing next to him, he could directly feel the old man's suppressed dissatisfaction.
However, Mr. Wang's character has never been someone who would give in so easily. What's more, the group of people in front of him all made high-sounding statements, but in fact, no one dared to face his problem directly.
With a sullen face, he held up his hands and started to speak.
However, at this time, what was surprising was that at this time, the emperor raised his hand and stopped Wang Wen.
Just when everyone thought that the emperor was going to make a final decision and veto Wang Wen's measures, the emperor looked at them calmly and said.
"What you said makes sense, but I have the same question as the Heavenly Official."
"Why can it be that someone who has been wronged can be reinstated, but not someone who has been demoted and bribed?"
"You are all well-educated men, pillars of the imperial court, who have read the scriptures of sages and know how to govern the country. You have just given so many reasons, but I only have one question."
"As a lucky person, shouldn't you let it go?"
The hall became quiet, and the elders looked at each other. No one expected that the emperor would have such an attitude.
This question is even more pointed than what Wang Wen just said.
Should it, or shouldn’t it?
There are two extreme answers, with no middle ground.
A group of ministers lowered their heads and remained silent. Only a certain heaven official looked like he had found someone to support him. Together with the emperor, he turned his head and looked at the others present fiercely.
Chen Yi was the first to speak. Even at this moment, they could feel the emperor's pressure coming towards them, but others could avoid it, but Chen Yi could not.
After a while, Chen Yi finally stood up and spoke, bravely.
"Your Majesty, please..."
"General Constitution, there is no need to say more, I know."
Just when Chen Yi was about to explain, the emperor shook his head and said.
"The reason, as the ministers have just said, is that pursuing old affairs will cause the ministers to discuss, and the officials will be uneasy and unmotivated. This will stagnate the government, and future generations will follow suit, which may become a weapon for the party to attack those who are different."
"These are all correct, what you all said."
"However, what I want to say is that in this Ming Dynasty, we can't just talk about gains and losses, but also about justice and right and wrong."
"I summoned all the ministers to come here today. Isn't this what we are discussing?"
"I only know how to calculate the pros and cons, and put morality second. Aren't these the trends in the court that I and your ministers want to change?"
These words made the faces of all the ministers present froze, and they all looked thoughtful.
If just now they felt that the emperor was supporting Wang Wen, then at this time, they really began to reflect on whether there was something wrong with their own considerations.
It turns out that, unknowingly, he and others were also affected by this court atmosphere?
However, people who can get to this point, regardless of their political stance, are still determined people.
So soon, they realized that there was something wrong with the emperor's words.
The principles of saints are certainly the way to govern a country, but if the country could be governed solely by the principles of saints, then the world would have been united long ago.
What the emperor said is correct. Indeed, there is no reason why the imperial court can only redress those who have been wronged, but cannot pursue those who are lucky enough to advance.
However, the problem is that the big principles sound nice, but in the end, you still have to face practical problems.
The reality is that if you really want to do this, it will inevitably cause unrest in the court, and the gains outweigh the losses.
In the court, it is true that one cannot only care about gains and losses and ignore justice and morality. However, if everything only follows the principles and does not care about gains and losses, then it will not last long.
After thinking about this, the elders finally came to their senses.
After all, the emperor is still supporting this old guy Wang Wen!
You know, after having dealt with the emperor for so long, they never thought that the emperor was a pedantic person who adhered to rules and only talked about big principles.
His old man's methods in court affairs are obvious to all.
Whatever the emperor wants to promote, he will always have to accept it in order to save face, almost without exception.
Such an emperor, do you think he would be so naive that he would ignore reality and only talk about truth?
The elders looked at Wang Wen silently. Finally, Chen Yi coughed lightly and said.
"Your Majesty is wise and I understand my mistake!"
So, other ministers, except Wang Wen, followed closely behind.
"I know my mistake!"
Seeing this situation, Wang Tianguan was satisfied and stood in the distance proudly, almost with his hands on his hips.
However, as these elders expected, the Emperor did not protect Wang Wen unprincipled. After pondering for a moment, the Emperor said again.
"I also understand your concerns."
"The Heavenly Government just said that there are some areas that are really difficult to implement. The prince came out of the cabinet last time and I just issued an edict of amnesty for the whole world. It would really be inappropriate to pursue the past affairs at this moment."
"However, there is one thing that you all must understand."
"That is, the principles of a saint are the foundation of governing a country. Sometimes, due to the situation, it is impossible to achieve it. But if you abandon the principles of a saint, you will be no different from a villain."
These words were serious. At this moment, all the ministers, including Wang Wen, suddenly looked serious and said.
"I would like to learn from you!"
So, the emperor nodded and then said.
"In this matter, just as Yu Cifu said just now, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will temporarily reinstate the officials who were dismissed because of Wang Zhen. If there are those who were demoted, they will be reinstated according to their circumstances. If there are those who have outstanding political achievements, they can be promoted as appropriate and go back.
After that, Heavenly Official, please draw up a list and submit it to me for a look."
"As for the controversy just now..."
At this point, the emperor seemed to be hesitant and undecided.
As for why, the ministers present could probably guess it.
Although what the emperor just said was to support Wang Wen, in the end, it was roughly the emperor's idea, or in other words, the state of the court that the emperor wanted to achieve.
However, due to the actual situation, it is difficult to do so.
If, as usual, such a big disagreement occurs, the next court meeting is the most appropriate way.
But, again, no one wants to worry about being found out about what they have done before after being promoted.
Therefore, if this proposal comes to the court, it will definitely fail.
Then, if the emperor is unwilling to give up, he can only...
"I can let things go in the past, but since I and the ministers are determined to change the atmosphere of the officialdom, we cannot let things like this go unchecked."
"After today, the cabinet will draft an edict and pass it on to all the yamen. From then on, officials will be evaluated, promoted, and dismissed. If there is any fraud, bribery, or corruption, they can be reported to the court. If found out, they will be punished regardless of their age or official position."
As expected, the elders looked at each other, and this result was considered reasonable.
The court encountered similar dilemmas many times.
The most typical example is the tax arrears in various places, which is a bad debt. No matter how inappropriate it is, if it is taken care of, it cannot be caught up. If it is pursued too tightly, it will easily trigger civil unrest.
For this situation, the best way for the court is to take advantage of a certain grand ceremony to cancel past arrears. This does not violate the court's rules, but can also completely deal with the complicated relationships in the past and manage them again.
The emperor's current method is almost the same.
Using the name of the prince to amnesty the world, announcing that the past will not be investigated, but after that, strict investigation will be carried out, regardless of the age or official position, which means that as long as there is a person who engages in malpractice for personal gain or commits fraud, even if he is in a high position, as long as he is punished
If a person is exposed, he may be pulled out of the temple.
This decision was not a bold one, and if they remembered correctly, it was a rare decision for the emperor to insist on his own opinion and implement it despite the opposition of his courtiers.
The last time, the commander-in-chief Wang Ji was replaced, and the next time, the decisive battle with Wala was to be held at Zijingguan...
The elders know that when the emperor behaves like this, it often means that he has made up his mind.
No matter how merciful and kind the emperor may be, as a minister, he must never forget one thing: the imperial power is majestic and must not be offended.
Those who are determined to go against the emperor will never end well...
This chapter has been completed!