"Your Majesty, the military envoy Wang Jingchong has arrived and is waiting for the summons outside the palace!"
"Xuan!"
As soon as Wang Jingchong entered, Liu Chengyou put down the pen in his hand, raised his eyes and asked: "How is the investigation of Liu Biao's case going?"
"Back to Your Majesty!" Wang Jingchong did not dare to be negligent and reported: "After a close investigation by the Xiangzhou Inspector, it has been initially confirmed that the crime impeached by the censor, Liu Zhu, is definitely true."
"Is there any evidence?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Wang Jingchong replied: "I have ordered the collection!"
During this period, the imperial censor was impeached, and Liu Zhu, the governor of Xiangzhou, abused his power while in office, accepted bribes, used public affairs for personal gain, acted tyrannically, and disregarded human lives.
This incident caused a stir in the court. As early as when Liu Zhuo took office in Qingzhou, Yushi Zhongcheng Bian Guijian impeached him for being vicious and indiscriminately punishing him. However, at that time, the country was initially determined, and Liu Zhu's usage was serious. , it was very effective in stabilizing the place and reshaping order. Liu Chengyou did not deal with it, but instead reprimanded Bian Gui.
Later, Liu Chengyou moved towns and defenses to Jiedu, and Liu Zhuping transferred Xiangzhou to promote the German army Jiedu. He has been in office for three years. Now, suddenly there is a censor again, and the old matter is brought up again, but this time, Liu Chengyou chose He kept it secret and secretly ordered Wu Desi to investigate to show that he attached great importance to the matter.
In fact, sensitive people can feel that there is something unusual about the impeachment of Liu Zhu. Previously, Li Hui, the governor of Heyang, was impeached. After inspection, it was found that there were minor offenses and no major crimes. According to the imperial edict, he was transferred to Huaixi and made aware of Luzhou Prefecture.
Now, there is another impeachment, and another town Jiedu. Unconsciously, those powerful vassal towns running rampant in the prefectures and counties, are already under the authority of the central court and can be controlled.
In the hall, Liu Chengyou looked at Wang Jingchong with deep and calm eyes. He seemed to be thinking about something. After a long time, he said to him: "I intend to ask you to take someone to go to Xiangzhou in person to investigate the Liu Biao case!"
Hearing the emperor's order, Wang Jingchong was so modest that he actually asked him, a military envoy, to take action in person. Thoughts flashed through his mind, and he thought of the incident when the emperor sent Li Shaoyou north to Hedong a few months ago. Suddenly he felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and his eyebrows actually He showed a hint of joy.
"I dare to ask your majesty, after all, Liu Zhuo is the governor of a town and has a high status. I am afraid that there will be many constraints when I go to verify this. If an unexpected situation occurs, what should I do?" Wang Jingchong glanced at Liu Chengyou carefully, and he meant something. He asked, full of hints.
After hearing the question, Liu Chengyou looked at this person, twitching the corners of his mouth slightly, thinking secretly that he was asking for power from him.
Without thinking, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "The matter in Xiangzhou is quite serious, such as political chaos, and we should do something to bring order to the chaos. I give you the right to do it easily! If the evidence of his crime is true, he will be arrested immediately and taken back to Tokyo for questioning!"
"Yes!" After hearing this, Wang Jingchong suppressed the joy in his heart and bowed.
"However!" Liu Chengyou added: "Liu Baht is the founding hero of the country, and he has an old relationship with the late emperor. He should think more carefully and act prudently!"
"I sincerely obey your Majesty's teachings!" Wang Jingchong responded.
"In addition, in recent days, I have repeatedly received reports of violations of local disciplines, defenses, and governors, as well as rampant corruption and corruption, which has led to neglect of political affairs and unrest for the people. I am also determined to rectify it!" Liu Chengyou ordered Wang Jingchong again! Said: "I asked you to collect secretly before. Now that you are out of the capital, you should patrol the place for me, check for lawlessness, and clear it up for the court!"
"Yes!" Wang Jingchong said solemnly.
When he retreated, Liu Chengyou found that the man's steps were a little brisk...
After reviewing the case, Liu Chengyou's expression showed a little amusement. Wang Jingchong was a hungry wolf, and when he was released, he planned to let him bite those Jiedushi and governors, especially those with bad deeds and behaviors. A person who does not restrain himself.
"If Wang Jingchong goes here, the place may not be peaceful, and the court may become lively..." Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion, but his tone was obviously full of expectations.
After the triumphant return of the Southern Expedition, everything Liu Chengyou did was to sort out internal affairs and strengthen centralization. As for the local areas, he was determined to take over power and reorganize the system. He started by dealing with the chronic diseases of the feudal towns. He enforced the law with one hand and held troops with the other hand, and then used it. As soon as the dog sat down, he sat down.
Toward Hedong, Guanzhong, and Liu Chengyou, he basically adopted a gentle approach, but he would not be too polite to others. There were always people who needed to be tested.
Liu Chengyou knew that if it was too intense, it would cause a certain backlash and even turmoil. But for now, Liu Chengyou believed that the current Han Dynasty could bear it and suppress it.
Unexpected by Liu Chengyou, after Wang Jingchong left Tokyo and went north to Xiangzhou, there was a sudden stir in the imperial court regarding this matter. It was not that there was any problem with the investigation and dispatch of people to investigate and deal with Liu Biao, but the problem of the personnel selected.
The person who took the lead in questioning this was Fan Zhi, who had just returned from the governorship of Hedong and was also in charge of the sentencing department.
"Your Majesty, there is something going on in Xiangzhou, and Liu Biao is violating the law. You can select commissioners from the Ministry of Punishment and Yushitai to investigate. Why should the Department of Wude take charge of this matter?" Fan Zhi's expression was serious, not only unwilling to solve the problem, but also full of dissatisfaction. .
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou straightened his body subconsciously, with a spring breeze-like smile on his face: "Fan Qing, don't be anxious, the government of Xiangzhou, Liu Biao's administration is appalling, I consider this matter urgent and need smart and capable ministers to investigate and deal with it. , after weighing everything, I chose Wang Jingchong!"
"There are so many virtuous ministers and talented people in the whole dynasty, how can it be that the only one with military virtues can be used?" Fan asked.
Liu Chengyou explained: "Wang Jingchong acted as a special envoy and handled special matters. It has nothing to do with the power and responsibilities of the Si Yamen."
Fan Zhi obviously couldn't accept this argument and asked: "Then why did you mobilize the Wude camp out of Beijing?"
Fan Zhi's words became more and more fierce, and he followed up by saying: "The imperial court has its own laws and regulations. Your Majesty's move is contrary to the "Xingtong" and is messing with its laws. How can you convince others?"
After listening to his words, the gentleness on Liu Chengyou's face gradually faded away, and there was some surprise in his eyes as he examined Fan Zhi.
Liu Chengyou still remembers that Fan Zhi was promoted to the Concierge Court in the early years of Qianyou's reign when the crown prince was in charge of the country. He later worked in Zhongshu, Zhongshusheren, Zhizhigao, Minister of Justice, and Prime Minister, and was gradually promoted to the highest position.
It has been nearly five years now, and Fan Zhi can be considered a backbone of the imperial party. Over the years, he has made many achievements, but now, it should be the first time that Fan Zhi faces Liu Chengyou, showing his paranoia and arrogance, which is extremely aggressive.
With a slightly cold tone, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "Fan Qing, is this how you talk to me?"
Hearing this, Fan Zhi finally came to his senses. A look of embarrassment appeared on his old face. He immediately lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty's words are too extreme. Please forgive me!"
"That's all!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said, "If the country has enemies, the country will not be destroyed. I know that you also have a public heart to remonstrate."
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty!" Fan Zhi bowed again, took a deep breath, and calmed down a little, and said, "But I still want to say that the affairs of Xiangzhou must be done in a timely manner, and the officials of one side are the ministers of the border. Your Majesty It is really inappropriate to handle it with the Wude Secretary. If we start this way, if things go on like this, our discipline will be ruined!"
"Fan Qing is overly concerned!" Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This is a special matter. Wang Jingchong is the special envoy. I have issued an edict. Wang Jingchong has left the capital. It cannot be changed. It is only this time and will not be repeated in the future!"
Seeing that Fan Zhi was still about to speak, Liu Chengyou interrupted him and said: "Fan Zhi returned to Beijing not long ago. It's been more than three months. He didn't deal with the Ministry of Punishment and court affairs, so he went back to the office to get familiar with it and sort it out. By the way, this year's autumn final list, Sort out a copy and show it to me."
"Yes. I resign!" It can be felt that the emperor has already made up his mind and is unwilling to make any further changes on this matter. He is a little helpless, but he does not dare to continue to fight Liu Chengyou directly.
In fact, Fan Zhi still has a lot of things to say that he has not said out loud, such as the Wude Division's extensive coverage of lawless areas, the containment of lawbreakers, the indulgence of prostitutes, arrests, prisons, torture, etc. These are all manifestations of the erosion of the authority of the Ministry of Punishments. People were disgusted and feared, and the person in charge became the infamous Wang Jingchong. Although it was only Fan Zhi who remonstrated this time, he probably represented the aspirations of most of the courtiers.
"In the final analysis, it was Wude Si who caused the dissatisfaction and fear of the courtiers!" Liu Chengyou slowly stroked his sleeves and said lightly: "But isn't this exactly what I want?"