Hearing the purpose of his visit, Liu Chengyou quickly had thoughts in his mind, and they were aimed at Shi Hongzhao. Who is this Zhao Li, and is he related to the struggle in Xijing? In Luoyang, the battle between Shi Hongzhao and the nobles has become a military and political battle. The main contradiction is that you criticize me, and I suppress and punish you. This has been going on for a while, and it is still the cause planted by Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou looked at the man who was alone in the palace, his head buried so low that he couldn't see his face.
Liu Chengyou turned his body slightly to the side, with a calm expression on his face, and said calmly: "Do you know who Shi Hongzhao is? A small censor who stayed in Taiwan dared to go to the meeting to impeach the great Han Dynasty hero and the feudal official. How courageous!"
There was a hint of protection for Shi Hongzhao in Liu Chengyou's words, but Zhao Li didn't seem to hear it. He kept saluting and worshiped sincerely: "As a censor, I only fulfill my duty to impeach officials in Xijing. But, Observe his actions, regardless of the importance of his power or the dignity of his official position!"
This statement was so honest that Liu Chengyou felt a sense of rejection in his heart. Since Shi Hongzhao guarded Xijing, he has received a lot of criticism and accusations against Shi Hongzhao. This was the first time he had been impeached. Liu Chengyou subconsciously attributed it to the group of distinguished people in Xijing.
However, everyone spoke so righteously. Since Liu Chengyou prided himself on accepting advice, he naturally listened to what he had to say. He waved his hand and gave him a chance to continue: "I would like to hear it. Shi Qing made another mistake. What happened?"
Hearing this, Zhao Li finally raised his head, with a very clean face and a normal expression. The so-called appearance comes from the heart. Liu Chengyou suddenly had this thought: Perhaps, this person really just wanted to impeach Shi Hongzhao.
Of course Zhao Li didn't hear the dissatisfaction in Liu Chengyou's tone, and he didn't know that Liu Chengyou had just praised Shi Hongzhao before and said straight to the point: "Zheng Guogong has been in Xijing for half a year. He relied on his power to dominate others, gathered power, oppressed the good, and seized power. People’s wealth…”
Listening to the same old rhetoric, Liu Chengyou interrupted directly: "Tell me something specific!"
Zhao Li hesitated slightly, a little surprise flashed in his clear eyes, but he quickly calmed down, did not mention those empty remarks, and spoke frankly about the matter.
Not to mention the past, since Liu Chengyou's Western Expedition, Shi Hongzhao has committed many crimes. The Cheng family of Luoyang County bought a cloth industry and took advantage of the Western Expedition to suppress the rebellion. They actively supplied military quilts and made a lot of money. Shi Hongzhao devised a plan to seize the property. Stop. Wang Yan, the crown prince's Taibao, was forced to break into his home by Shi Hongzhao because of his verbal conflict. He punished him with a stick and asked for mercy. He forced the young men to transport grain and equipment, and detained and tortured them, killing more than ten people. The autumn harvest happened. , sent people to forcibly break into the manor and houses, collect grain and extort money; Shi Hongzhao's brother Shi Honglang...
In short, according to Zhao Li, Shi Hongzhao was a violent and domineering official who disrupted government and harmed the people.
For him, Liu Chengyou's reaction was very calm. He only believed half of it. Many things cannot be taken at face value. If Shi Hongzhao was really as heinous as Zhao Li said, the people of Luoyang would have been in trouble for a long time. However, in fact, the Xijing rule In the lower counties, although the people are suffering, the public security is relatively stable. The real hardship is for the noble officials.
Of course, Shi Hongzhao did a lot of bad things. He bought properties and filled his own pockets, which was more serious than when he was in Tokyo.
"Are you done?" As his words fell, Liu Chengyou stopped tapping his fingers on the table, changed his posture and asked calmly.
He had given his words of advice, but when he saw the emperor's cold reaction, Zhao Li couldn't help but show a trace of obvious disappointment on his face. Faced with the question, he didn't know how to answer.
He waved to Zhang Dejun: "After talking so much, he must be thirsty. Give him a bowl of tea to moisten his throat."
Soon, Yuzhan was handed over, and Zhao Li took it blankly, thanking him.
"I understand what you mentioned." Liu Chengyou's attitude seemed perfunctory.
"Your Majesty!" This man was really ignorant and a little unsure of how to advance or retreat, so he called out excitedly.
"That's enough!" Liu Chengyou stopped him: "I have my own concerns. If there is nothing else, just step back."
What surprised Liu Chengyou was that this man was not only blind, but also stubborn. He opened his mouth, took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I still have impeachment matters!"
"Speak!" Liu Chengyou was really interested now.
"The judge Shi Yancheng who stayed in Xijing did not follow the government when he was in office and handled official duties at home; the promoted officials Jiang Chan and Shaoyin Cui Shu were lazy and slow in the administration; the prince washed his horse and Zhang Jining, and every time he asked for leave, he was not allowed to worship him; Si Feng Li Yu, a foreign minister, and Li Long, a doctor of the Imperial Academy, gathered guests at banquets, criticized the state affairs, and often complained..." In one breath, Zhao Li spit out a series of names.
Except for a few false posts, almost all the officials with real power in Luoyang Left-behind Mansion were impeached by him.
Now, Liu Chengyou was almost sure that Zhao Li was not just targeting Shi Hongzhao.
In the end, he simply dismissed it. However, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel heavy. The situation in Luoyang was much better than at the beginning of the founding of the country. But the facts proved that he could not be too optimistic. Regarding the situation here, he I also knew something about it, but being exposed directly to someone’s face still made me feel a little confused.
"What do you think of the situation in Luoyang?" After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou asked Fan Zhi directly.
Fan Zhi also understood what Liu Chengyou meant. He thought about it for a while, and while observing Liu Chengyou's eyes, he solemnly said: "The struggle between the powerful and the powerful here in Xijing has become more and more intense. If it is not curbed, the impact will spread to the military, government and people's livelihood!"
Fan Zhi's words had a strong reminder. Seeing Liu Chengyou frowning, he said again: "Your Majesty needs to know that going too far is not enough!"
Obviously, Fan Zhi knew Liu Chengyou's purpose of placing Shi Hongzhao in Luoyang. The noble bureaucrats here have been tortured for half a year. Liu Chengyou only wanted to suppress the rampant nobles and crack down on illegal activities, but he had no intention of eliminating them. , if Shi Hongzhao is allowed to continue, I'm afraid he will be forced into trouble.
Moreover, Shi Hongzhao's own unscrupulousness cannot be allowed to go unchecked. If he can harm officials, he can also harm the people. The dozen or so people who were injured or killed during the unrest are enough to serve as a reminder.
He waved his hand and signaled Fan Zhi to step aside. Liu Chengyou stayed on the throne and thought about it carefully.
Suddenly he raised his head and ordered Zhang Dejun: "Go and find out what happened to Zhao Li!"
"yes!"
The next day, Zhao Li's situation was presented to Liu Chengyou's desk. A native of Luoyang, he started his fortune as a county official. His family was poor, he was upright, and he did not take bribes. However, he offended his superiors and was demoted due to direct attacks on current affairs... Simply described, he is an "angry young man". Such people generally do not end well.
"It seems that this Zhao Li is a loyal and upright man. He has a low status and dares not to worry about his country..." Putting away the report, Liu Chengyou muttered secretly.
...
After resting for a day in Luoyang, Liu Chengyou immediately headed to Tokyo. He was eager to return home.
However, on this day in Luoyang, Liu Chengyou directly impeached Zhang Jining and Shi Yancheng who were impeached by Zhao Li.
, Jiang Chan, Cui Shu, Li Yu, and Li Long were appointed, dismissed, and deprived of their posts, all of them were dealt with in order to eliminate the unhealthy trends in Luoyang's officialdom.
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The only one who did not move was Shi Hongzhao, who had committed "heinous crimes".
Before leaving, Liu Chengyou called Shi Hongzhao to the imperial court again and gave him some instructions. For example, there was the famous Baima Temple in Luoyang and Buddhist temples in the western capital. There were many illegal things. He secretly asked him to investigate and rectify them carefully. ....
When it comes to offending people, Liu Chengyou believes that Shi Hongzhao will do a good job.
"Go in person and ask for that Zhao Li!" After seeing off the triumphant army, Shi Hongzhao returned to the government office and summoned his younger brother Shi Honglang, commander of the Xijing Infantry Army, and coldly ordered: "How dare you go to the imperial court to slander me? You really don't know how to live or die! If the emperor hadn't been wise, wouldn't Shi have fallen into his hands?"
"Yes! I'll go right away!" Shi Honglang said with a sinister expression.
Compared with when he was in Tokyo, as far as Shi Honglang was concerned, he was still more comfortable staying in Luoyang. His brother had the power and there were not many restrictions, so he was much more comfortable.
However, when Shi Honglang and his men rushed to the dilapidated house of the Zhao family in an arrogant manner, but failed, it was reported that Zhao Li had been summoned to Tokyo as the censor and went to Kaifeng with his wife... .
"Brother, what does the emperor mean? He actually promoted the traitor Zhao Li to an official position?" Shi Honglang's face was full of dissatisfaction.
After hearing the news, Shi Hongzhao's expression was a little ugly. He frowned and clenched his fists. However, his body slowly relaxed. After pondering for a while, he ordered Shi Honglang: "From now on, let all my subordinates restrain themselves. If you dare to do anything illegal again, I will deal with it myself!"
"Brother——" Shi Honglang didn't react.
"Do as I say and convey it to all servants. If you dare to disobey my orders, don't blame Shi for being ruthless!"
"yes!"
"In addition, you take people to inspect and control the Buddhist temples under your rule, especially the White Horse Temple. How dare a bald donkey amass such a huge wealth, no wonder the emperor cannot tolerate him..."
Perhaps his thoughts were simpler, but Shi Hongzhao saw it particularly clearly.