As soon as Liu Chengyou finished his question, Prime Minister Li Tao stood up immediately and said: "Your Majesty, if I impose such a severe punishment, it will harm the peace of heaven, violate the monarch's morality, and may bring disgrace to the people. The execution of capital punishment in white clothes is still cruel. As for the ministers, I ask your Majesty to give you a gentle punishment."
Looking at Li Tao, Liu Chengyou's eyes flashed with contemplation. Before he could speak, Yang Bin had already denounced: "When the country was first established, it was appropriate to use severe punishments and laws to deter lawlessness and stabilize the world! As a minister of the imperial court, Su Fengji held a high position In the temple, they do not care about serving the public and abiding by the law, thinking that it is just a role model for others. Instead, they violate the law and discipline, commit evil acts, and abuse the people. If such evil ministers are not punished strictly to protect the country's laws and uphold their prestige, how can the court be popular among people? ?”
After Yang Bin finished speaking, Liu Chengyou could clearly see that the expressions of the ministers present had changed more or less. Yang Bin looked determined to put Su Fengji to death.
The scene was quiet for a while, but Liu Chengyou looked more at ease, his eyes wandering for a moment.
"Your Majesty, Su Fengji has naturally committed a heinous crime and should be dealt with according to the national law. However, he is an important minister of the country after all. He has served the late emperor for many years and was established by the Han Dynasty. He also has meritorious deeds. Considering his past achievements, your Majesty may be able to forgive the punishment and leave a sentence. Life will not absolve him of his crime, but it will also show your majesty's kindness..." This time, it was Su Yugui who stood up.
First Li Tao, and then Su Yugui, both pleaded for Su Fengji's treatment at this time. You must know that the relationship between the two ministers and Su Fengji was not good on weekdays, especially Su Yugui. In the early days of Liu Zhiyuan's entry into the Central Plains, when they shared the national affairs, they There are many discords.
He glanced at the others and asked for their opinions.
"I second my proposal." As a result, there was a chorus of second opinions.
"You are trying to ignore the sinners and mess with the law for your own personal gain!" At this time, Yang Bin was like an independent minister, getting angry at the court.
Su Yugui showed a smile like a good old man and responded respectfully: "Ms. Yang, since he has been punished for his crime, the country's laws can be upheld. It's just a question of the severity of the punishment. There is no talk of favoritism. What I have discussed is just to show your majesty's kindness and forgiveness." It’s just my heart…”
"You are sophistry!" Yang Fang stared at him coldly.
"Okay! Gentlemen, there is no need to argue!" Liu Chengyou finally spoke. He pretended to think for a while and then said indifferently: "In recognition of his past achievements, I will reduce the sentence and punishment at my discretion. Su Fengji will be dismissed from all positions and demoted. As a commoner, he was exiled to Jingyuan to raise horses. All the money, grain and goods he collected were confiscated to the state treasury. His children and heirs were all dismissed from office and sent into exile. They will never be used for three generations!"
After Liu Chengyou said these words, the ministers in the palace couldn't help but feel chilled in their hearts. This kind of treatment was more cruel than killing Su Fengji directly. Especially the last point, it almost stopped the advancement of the Su family's descendants.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Bin was the first to speak out in support.
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Immediately afterwards, the others did not say anything more. After all, Liu Chengyou had already invited him. In fact, Liu Chengyou had basically seen why these people were so active in interceding for Su Fengji in the final disposition. They were also prime ministers. If Su Fengji's incident happened and he was punished with the death penalty, it would be a bad start for them.
You know, how can the buttocks of all the gentlemen present be clean? Especially Su Yugui, although he has already restrained his "good behavior", he is responsible for many of the things Su Fengji committed. If the emperor settles the accounts with his wife, it will be terrible. That would be bad.
It's just that the result after begging for mercy is really not as expected. The consequences for future generations are even more disappointing.
Su Fengji's matter came to an end in this strange atmosphere. Liu Chengyou took advantage of the situation and said: "Now that Su Fengji has resigned, we can promote someone among the officials to supplement the political affairs hall. Do you have any candidates?"
Regarding personnel matters, especially those involving the appointment and dismissal of important positions with real power, Liu Chengyou has always consulted his ministers and acted like he was governing from the top down, and it was the same this time. However, as before, for a while, he could not decide on a personal choice. of.
According to the ideas of Yang Bin and others, the fewer the number of ministers, the better. After Su Fengji has left, it will naturally not be very active if individuals are used to decentralize power.
Soon, the topic deviated, and the discussion of adding new ministers turned into a matter of moving towns and villages.
"Your Majesty, Suiyang has reported that Shi Hongzhao, who was left behind in Xijing, sent Yang Yi, a general in charge of the town, to cause trouble in Songzhou. He gathered his swords to carve and peel off, and did everything he could, causing everyone within the territory to watch the wind and show respect, and they were jealous of him. He was born. The people suffered so much that they dare not express their anger! Songzhou is a Kinkizhou county, and if the imperial court does not improve it, the people will be deeply saddened." Yang Bian asked: "I think that we should focus on the town of Songzhou as soon as possible and purge it. The group is small, but peace is given."
This is another disaster caused by Shi Hongzhao. Previously, Shi Hongzhao also served as the military governor of the German army, and wrote his poems, Yang Yi's, to inspect the school for him. However, birds of a feather flock together, and these poems written by Shi Hongzhao are also the same. Greed, cruelty and violence are a disaster. Even if Yang Bin didn't mention it, Liu Chengyou still had the intention to rectify it.
After a long night of small gangsters, Liu Chengyou was not too concerned about Liu Chengyou, but his expression was solemn, as if he was thinking about some important decision. He looked up at several ministers and said: "The festivals in various places should be carried out again. An adjustment.”
Moving towns was the basic operation of the imperial court to suppress Jiedu in Fangzhen. Of course, this was an approach that treated the symptoms but not the root cause. The disadvantage of Fangzhen was that the local authority was too heavy.
However, when it is impossible to achieve the goal of subduing the local system overnight, it is still a good idea to make the towns move and coordinate with each other to avoid their deep influence in the local area. For three generations, every dynasty and every year have been That's what it does.
When the Han Dynasty was first established last year, Liu Zhiyuan had already made a change for the various festivals in the Central Plains, Hebei, and Guanyou.
Liu Chengyou obviously had his thoughts this time. However, to his surprise, he encountered opposition from the officials. And this time, even Guo Wei tried to dissuade Liu Chengyou. Although there were many reasons, there was only one core point. At this time, the Han Dynasty was still in a difficult situation and could not move rashly.
Looking to Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou's most trusted minister now, Wei Renpu just made clear suggestions to Liu Chengyou. It would not be too late to make adjustments to Fangzhen after Li Shouzhen in the river was solved and the authority of the court was established.
It is rare to see that all ministers have a unified understanding. Liu Chengyou accepted advice with an open mind and did not act arbitrarily.
For the appointment of the Jiedushi of the Returned Army, Liu Chengyou finally selected Zhang Yun, the Minister of Civil Affairs, who was favored by Liu Chengyou for his "refutation of the pardon theory". With this king to control Songzhou, it can be regarded as the founding of the Han Dynasty. Civil servants The first of its kind in Jiedu.
Taking a detailed look at the various Jiedushi throughout the Han Dynasty, there are differences in ability and virtue, but they are all military ministers. This is already the late "Five Dynasties", and this is still the case. If you think about it, it is really abnormal.