At night, the prince was walking around. Perhaps due to the climate, the environment was cold and depressing. The guards all lowered their heads slightly and huddled in their cotton robes to avoid the wind and cold.
The cold wind poured into the room crazily, causing the indoor lights to sway and flicker, and the dim light seemed to reflect Liu Yang's unhappy mood.
"Your Highness, drink some hot soup to warm yourself up!" A waiter respectfully served the sweet soup to dispel the cold and said thoughtfully.
Liu Xi sat opposite Liu Yang, picked up a small bowl, took a sip, and immediately ordered: "How can this dispel the cold? To warm up, you have to rely on strong liquor. Go and find someone to bring the two jars I brought."
Get the Fenjiu!"
"Yes!" His Highness the King of Jin spoke. How dare a small chamberlain dare to talk, even if he is the prince's personal attendant.
"Second brother, are you still angry?" Seeing Liu Yang's cold face and still upset, Liu Xi showed his careless smile: "When something happens, just solve it. It's not worth getting too upset about!"
Hearing this, Liu Yang shook his head and sighed softly: "I'm not just worried about this matter. I'm just a little disappointed and scared. It's only been a few years since the founding of the country, and there are already signs of such corruption in the administration of rivers and water conservancy.
The safety and security of millions of people are closely related to each other, how dare they dare to interfere in such matters and engage in personal gain and fraud!"
Hearing this, Liu Xi said: "There is an old saying that if the water is clear, there will be no fish, and if the people are clear, there will be no disciples. This is common sense and not surprising! Not to mention the current situation, even in the early Qianyou period, the court's usage was so strict
, there is also no shortage of daring criminals, just think about the major corruption case in Yangzhou! It seems that such incidents can never be avoided. In recent years, the Third Law Division has dealt with so many officials, so the second brother should be no stranger to it!
"
"That's the truth, I understand it, but it's always hard to fill up with righteous indignation!" Liu Yang rolled up his sleeves, sat upright, and for the first time lost his princely demeanor, and said coldly: "What I'm angry about is that these people are brave enough.
Baotian is greedy for profit. Hundreds of thousands of Henan people suffered miserably from the river battle this autumn. The imperial court severely punished and punished so many relevant officials, but no one took it as a warning and dared to commit adultery. They are really in awe of it.
Don’t you have any heart at all?
The way of heaven is clear. Under the current Han Dynasty, someone dares to do such an act that goes against nature and harms the people. Where can we put the trust of the court? Where can we put the majestic national law? Where can we put millions of people?
At first, I still didn't believe it. I didn't believe that someone dared to break the law. If I hadn't gone there personally, how could I have seen such rampant corruption in this peaceful and prosperous era!
What the imperial court always receives is that the rivers are clear and the sea is clean, the government is harmonious and the people are harmonious, and the world is peaceful. If something like this happens, how can we relax and enjoy peace?"
"Second brother sees far and deeply, sees everything clearly, and knows the smallest details!" After hearing Liu Yang's words, Liu Xi also sighed with emotion, but his tone always sounded a little relaxed, as if he had seen through such things.
"Third brother, why can you maintain such a normal attitude and take it easy?" Liu Yang stared at Liu Xi and looked at him repeatedly.
Facing Liu Yang's gaze, Liu Xi was silent for a moment, put away some of his playfulness, became serious, and replied: "Second brother, since ancient times, the government has been in charge of government, and the administration of officials is the most difficult. There is no way to solve it once and for all.
No matter how complete the legal system of the imperial court is, it will eventually need officials from all over the world to implement and maintain it. Officials have the power in their hands, so they will inevitably rely on their power to manipulate the law and seek personal gain.
Although the imperial court advocates clean government and praises honest officials, it is obviously impossible for all officials in the world to be moral gentlemen. In order to govern the people, the officials govern the people, and the court governs the officials!
If the people are in trouble, the officials will solve it; if the officials have shortcomings, the court will deal with it, that's all!"
Liu Xi's argument, in its rationality, also explained some chilling realities. Liu Yang opened his mouth and finally sighed helplessly: "You see clearly!"
"It's not that I see it thoroughly! With the wisdom of the second brother, he has been in power for so many years, dealt with so many things, and seen so much right and wrong. How can he not understand that it's just that the second brother has the world in mind and worries about the people, and he has no intention of living in this world.
That's just too much!" Liu Xi shook his head and praised the prince in a somewhat straightforward manner.
Hearing this, Liu Yang couldn't help but feel a little bitterness on his lips. He was the prince, he was the heir apparent. He naturally had too many beautiful things for the Han Dynasty and the imperial court, but the reality always made people feel cold.
"Second brother, you look more and more like dad when you sigh!" Liu Xi said, looking at Liu Yang.
Hearing this, Liu Yang finally smiled, with a look of relief on his face. He pondered for a while and said seriously: "In your opinion, how should we deal with this matter?"
Liu Yang also said seriously: "The matter has not been investigated clearly and it cannot be concluded. I think that there is no need to worry about it. When the results come out, punishments will be determined according to the law. One by one, no tolerance will be tolerated! Officials must do everything in their governance.
There should be a bottom line, and if it is violated, it will not be tolerated by the laws of nature, let alone the laws of the country!"
He nodded subconsciously and had no objection to Liu Xi's idea. But after thinking about it, he turned around and sat down at the desk. He picked up a pen and wrote down an official document. After checking it, he stamped it and greeted outside: "Huaiyu!
"
"Here! Your Highness's orders!" Ma Huaiyu, who had always been Liu Yang's personal military attaché, heard this and immediately entered and accepted the order.
Liu Yang handed the letter in his hand to him and ordered: "Seal this letter and send it to Xijing immediately!"
"Yes!" Ma Huaiyu answered without any hesitation or doubt.
"This Huaiyu is getting more and more capable!" Liu Xi couldn't help but say as he looked at Ma Huaiyu, who had a courageous attitude.
Liu Yang showed a knowing smile: "Huaiyu is young and mature. In the past few years, he has also received some experience. He has grown up very quickly and is now ready to serve the imperial court!"
"With the second brother, there is no need to worry about experience. It is better for the second brother to support you!" Liu Xi said.
Liu Yang waved his hand: "I have always regarded Huaiyu as a brother, so why talk about supporting him?"
Liu Xi was not entangled in this matter. He couldn't help but mention Liu Yang's instructions just now and asked: "Second brother, are you going to report this matter?"
Liu Yang nodded and said: "In addition, I asked my father to mobilize the detectives under the Wude Department of Henan Province to follow up on the investigation of this case!"
Mentioning the Wude Division, Liu Xi frowned slightly and finally said: "With people from the Wude Division assisting the detectives, I think the case will come to light quickly!"
Obviously, everyone has an idea of the function of Wude Si. And when Liu Yang used Wude Si, he also wanted to report to Emperor Liu first and ask for instructions. This also shows that this prince is still rational after all.
Sober and very measured.
"Come, we brothers, we haven't had a drink together for a long time, let me try the fine wines you have collected!" The waiter got the wine Liu Xi brought and prepared the drinking utensils for the two brothers. Liu Yang also became interested and rushed to Liu Xi.
Xi smiled.
Liu Xi took matters into his own hands and poured wine for Liu Yang. While they were drinking, Murong Defeng ran in, almost barging into the room, his steps a little hasty.
Seeing this, Liu Yang frowned slightly: "Rixin, what happened to make you so rude?"
The excitement on Murong Defeng's face could not be concealed, and he said excitedly: "Your Highness, someone from Xijing has come to report that Concubine Zhao is happy!"
"Oh! Huh?" Liu Yang's reaction was obviously slow, and then his eyes widened and he stared at Murong Defeng: "What did you say?"
"Concubine Zhao is very happy. Your Majesty has specially sent someone to tell you that your Highness is coming back to Beijing!" Murong Defeng repeated: "Congratulations to Your Highness! Congratulations to Your Highness!"
"This...I..." Liu Yang also lost his composure, hesitated for a moment, and then turned into a burst of relieved laughter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and his eyes were somewhat moist.
.
Liu Xi sat aside, seeing Liu Yang's slightly trembling hands, and the drinks sprinkled on the table seemed to tell the prince's mood. After toasting, Liu Xi's eyes flickered, and he said with a smile: "Congratulations, second brother! Since my sister-in-law is happy,
, it seems the itinerary has to be changed!”
Liu Yang grinned, but the growing city was enough to calm him down in a short time. Hearing this, he shook his head: "It is indeed a happy event, but it is not a matter of abandoning the official business for personal reasons. The East Palace has its own people to take care of it.
How could I stop halfway and rush back to Beijing!"
"Go down and set off tomorrow to inspect Bozhou first!" Liu Yang faced Murong Defeng and ordered, his voice still trembling slightly.
"Yes!" Liu Yang's performance made people even more admired.
"Add a pair of bowls and chopsticks, and serve some more dishes!" Liu Yang, his face shining brightly, greeted Murong Defeng and said: "Rixin, you also come to the table. Tonight, the three of us will get drunk and we will rest. We will not return until we are drunk."
!”
"Your Highness is so elegant, I will accompany you!" Murong Defeng said with a smile, looking much happier than Liu Yang.
Liu Xi took the initiative to pour a glass of wine. The originally depressing and dull atmosphere of this winter night was obviously broken.