"My lord, Liu Xigu, the censor of Zuodu, has been waiting for an audience for a long time!" As soon as he entered the slaughterhouse, Zhao Pu received a report from his subordinate officials.
Hearing this, Zhao Pu suddenly showed a look of urgency on his face and asked, "Where is he?"
"Returning to our Lord, we are serving tea in the side hall!"
"Quick, please see me!"
Soon, the silver-haired and twilight-looking Liu Xigu, the censor of Zuodu, slowly walked into the hall. Seeing his old appearance, Zhao Pu was very enthusiastic. He stepped forward to help him sit down and kept apologizing.
: "It's my fault for keeping Mr. Liu waiting for so long!"
"Xiang Zhao's words are serious!" Liu Xi's old, pale face was full of indifference, and he responded with a chuckle: "Zhao Xianggui is the prime minister, presides over the affairs of the country, and manages everything on a day-to-day basis. How can it be that we and other ministers and ministers just see each other...
..."
"I am so ashamed of what Mr. Liu said!" After hearing this, Zhao Pu said: "If someone else just ignored Mr. Liu and spread the word, wouldn't others accuse me of disrespecting my veteran minister?"
Liu Xigu had a high reputation in the imperial court, and he could not be picky in terms of talent or virtue. His ancestor was Liu Rengui, a famous official in the Tang Dynasty. He had been an official in the Han Dynasty for more than 20 years, and he never made any serious mistakes in his political affairs.
More importantly, he was a minister, noble and prosperous, but he lived in a humble position. This quality was extremely rare in the increasingly impetuous environment of the Han Dynasty.
The year before last, because the attic where his bed was located was in disrepair, his family persuaded him to repair it to prevent it from falling into danger. Liu Xigu sternly refused, so he just moved out of the dangerous building and found a shabby room to live in, where he was content.
Somehow this matter reached the ears of Emperor Liu, so he ordered that Lu Mengzheng be responsible for renovating the attic for Liu Xigu at the expense of the Shaofu.
There is no shortage of important ministers in the court who are poor and simple, such as Fan Zhi in his early years, and the late Liu Wensou, Minister of Rites, especially Liu Wensou, who was able to return even Emperor Liu's rewards for the sake of his reputation.
figure.
For now, Liu Xigu is obviously the leader of the Qing Dynasty in the court. Especially a year ago, he was transferred by Emperor Liu to be the censor of Zuodu and in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. He is even more worthy of the name of Qing Liu.
Moreover, Liu Xigu was also retained by Emperor Liu. He originally wanted to resign early because of his old age and frailty, but the seal of resignation was retained by Emperor Liu, who personally talked to him and said that the DPRK
It was still necessary for a respected old man like him to continue to play a role, so he reluctantly agreed and continued to shine in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
An old minister like Liu Xigu, who is already over seventy years old, has no interest in fame and fortune, and is strong without desire. No one dares to offend him when he is in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
The same is true for Zhao Pu. Such an old minister can only be supported. Of course, the most important reason is that Liu Xigu poses no threat to his position. After all, he is already at the end of his political career and may retire at any time.
After a few words of greeting, Zhao Pu took the initiative and asked: "I don't know what's going on, why would you please Mr. Liu to come here in person?"
Mentioning this, Liu Xigu no longer relied on his old age, his expression became serious, and his tone became more solemn. He took out a memorial from the sleeve of his robe, handed it to Zhao Pu, and said: "The Huaidong Supervisory Censor presented a memorial.
Prime Minister Zhao asked for a review of the impeachment chapter. The memorial states that Hou Zhi, the prefect of Yangzhou, is suspected of serious corruption!"
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately became interested, flipped through the impeachment chapter quickly, and asked casually: "What is the specific matter involved?"
Liu Xi said in ancient times: "What the supervisory censor learned was a report from a salt supervisor under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou Prefecture, saying that Hou Zhi colluded with local salt merchants, accepted bribes, and facilitated them for personal gain..."
Zhao Pu carefully read the impeachment chapter, put it down gently, looked up at Liu Xigu, considered it for a moment, and then said: "These are just one-sided words, and the only thing worth paying attention to is probably the impeachment name."
"The salt official, the question is, is there any evidence? If there is no evidence, it's just hearsay!"
"That's why I came here in person to listen to Prime Minister Zhao's opinion!" Liu Xigu's old voice said in a long and unhurried tone.
"Mr. Liu has thrown a difficult problem to me!" Zhao Pu smiled slightly and said.
Liu Xigu said: "The duty of the Metropolitan Procuratorate is to supervise and supervise. The Yangzhou Supervisory Censor reported the matter and has done his duty. Regarding this matter, it is not up to the senior officials to decide how the court should respond.
How to determine the specific situation, whether there is any hidden secret, and in-depth investigation is a matter for the Ministry of Punishment, Dali and Huaidong Police Department!"
"What Mr. Liu said is wrong!" Zhao Pu immediately shook his head and said: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate ranks among the three judicial divisions, and Mr. Liu is a good minister who enforces the law impartially. He should have some thoughts on this matter! Otherwise, why would he go to court in person?
?”
Hearing what Zhao Pu said and meeting his eyes, Liu Xigu thought for a moment and then said: "I think that there must be a reason for the rumors to come out of nowhere. Yangzhou is an important place for taxation by the imperial court, and Yangzhou's salt tax accounts for 40% of the world's salt profits.
, if there is indeed a malpractice, then the court must correct it to avoid greater losses. If this is not the case, then the facts should be found out and Yangzhou Prefecture should be cleared!"
"Mr. Liu, this is an honest statement!" Zhao Pu gave a small compliment.
In response to this, Liu Xi returned to his old demeanor and said: "It's just a brief discussion of opinions. The specific way to deal with this matter needs to be decided by the political affairs hall!"
"Hou Zhi has a reputation of being a clean and honest man. In less than a year since he took office, he has fallen so far and caused such evil. I can't help but have doubts in my mind!" Zhao Pu's tone was full of emotion and seemed to be pity.
Hearing his sigh, Liu Xigu took a deep look at Zhao Pu and didn't say much.
"In this way, regarding this report, we will hold a discussion later, let the princes and the three law divisions discuss it together. Since the Metropolitan Procuratorate was the first to notice it, Mr. Liu is also invited to attend the meeting and express his opinions at that time!" Zhao Pu looked at Liu
Xi ancient road.
Liu Xigu frowned slightly, but still did not refuse, just whispered: "It should be!"
"For the Yangzhou Supervisory Censor, the files regarding this case and the salt official who made the report need to be properly protected. This is extremely important evidence!" Zhao Pu added.
"Please rest assured, Prime Minister Zhao, my subordinates in the Procuratorate will not neglect matters concerning their responsibilities!" Liu Xigu said without hesitation.
Zhao Pu didn't pay attention to the slight dissatisfaction in Liu Xigu's tone.
In fact, the focus of this case is not whether there are any shortcomings in the Yangzhou Salt Affairs, or whether the prefect Hou Zhi colluded with the salt merchants and committed corruption. The key point is that Hou Zhisu had close contacts with the minister and the Ping Zhangshi Lu Duoxun.
This Yangzhou magistrate was also recommended by Lu Duoxun.
In the summer of the twelfth year of Kaibao, Lu Duoxun finally came forward and was promoted by Emperor Liu from the position of chief envoy to Zhejiang and Zhejiang to go to Beijing and become prime minister.
By this year, the power center of Han Dynasty has taken on a new situation with the transfer of personnel.
Xue Juzheng, Duke of Ji, who had served in Jiannan Road for many years, was transferred to the capital to replace Lu Yin, who was ill and difficult to survive, as the cabinet bachelor. The governor of Kaifeng was transferred to Henan, Lu Yin's brother Lu Duan.
After Wang Pu was released to the east of Guangnan, his successor in financial management was the southeast transfer envoy Wang Zhu. A large number of local important ministers and officials were able to join the transfer center. These people all had long-standing meritorious service. Obviously, they had great influence on Zhao Pu.
The impact is huge.
It can even be said directly that it was to check and balance the power of Zhao Pu, the prime minister. Among them, the one who had the most severe disagreement with Zhao Pu was undoubtedly Lu Duoxun. Within the imperial court, the one who carried the banner of "anti-Zhao" was undoubtedly
Lu Gong.
The grudge between Zhao and Lu cannot be rekindled, but in the 13th year of Kaibao's reign in the Han Dynasty, the two were already incompatible.
Therefore, when it was learned from Liu Xigu that Hou Zhi might be involved in the crime, it would inevitably trigger a new round of court struggle. If this happens, it will be a blow to Lu Duoxun, who is increasingly domineering in Zhao Pu's eyes.
It was a heavy blow. When the position of Yangzhou magistrate was being considered last year, Lu Duoxun strongly recommended him. Less than a year later, something went wrong.
And even if the matter is found out and Hou Zhi is innocent, such a turmoil cannot be exploited.
After a short closed-door meeting in the Guangzheng Hall and the Assembly Hall, the central officials of the Han Dynasty dispersed one after another.
Among the prefectures in the world, Yangzhou can be ranked in the top ten. However, for the possible evils of a Yangzhou prefect, the prime ministers and the chief officials of the Three Laws Department were summoned to discuss it, but it inevitably gave people the feeling of making a mountain out of a molehill.
.
When Lu Duoxun walked out of the meeting hall, his expression was as gloomy as water, with a little embarrassment. The other ministers did not bother him, and they all understood that he was in a bad mood.
After discussion among the ministers, regarding the matter in Yangzhou, it was decided that the Sanfa Division would dispatch officials to Yangzhou to work with the Huaidong Inspector to investigate the abuses in Yangzhou. As for Hou Zhi, he was temporarily suspended from his post until the investigation was clear, and then dealt with.
People haven't completely left the meeting hall, but the voice of Zhao Puduo's explanation from the three legal divisions is still faintly heard.
Who was Lu Duoxun, how could he not feel the aggressive targeting? In the year when he became prime minister, Lu Duoxun was somewhat complacent, and Zhao Pu had not reacted excessively before.
However, once Zhao Pu seizes the opportunity, it is so fierce and sharp that Lu Duoxun feels a lot of pressure. Judging from Zhao Pu's intention, it is not to investigate Hou Zhi, but to see if he, Lu, is also involved.
.
How to deal with it has become a headache for Lu Duoxun. Of course, the most important thing is that he cannot really implicate himself in it and let Zhao Pu catch the sore foot and chase him...