This chapter is an update for the only ally of this book, "Reader Tang", who is overdue for more than a year.
Time has passed leisurely into the eighth year of Qianyou. From last winter to this spring, the most gratifying thing for the emperor of the Han Dynasty was not to expand the territory, add achievements, and take all Hanzhong, but because of the Yellow River. Floods hit hundreds of thousands of people in Qing, Zi, Yun and other prefectures, but none of them starved to death. With the relief and coordination of the state governments, they moved to rebuild their homes and reclaim acres of land.
# Send888 Cash Red Envelope# Follow vx. Official account [Book Friends Base Camp], watch popular masterpieces, and draw 888 cash red envelopes!
Of course, this was the good news reported by the officials and censors in various places. When the New Year came, Liu Chengyou did not disappoint. He took it seriously and spread it widely to show the good fortune of the Han Dynasty. However, following the follow-up, Liu Chengyou sent Wang Min, the Minister of War, to He went to Qilu on a regular basis to inspect the situation of the people and deposed the local government.
During the Shangyuan Festival, the imperial edict was issued and the whole city celebrated together. Concubines and concubines, officials, soldiers and civilians both inside and outside bid farewell to the old and welcomed the new. Emperor Liu Chengyou personally visited the imperial city gate to accept the worship of the people. One hundred thousand people from Tokyo gathered in front of the imperial city palace. .
Due to its large scale, the Privy Council directly mobilized the Longqi Army in the right wing of Beijing to maintain order. The crowds at the scene were surging, and the shouts of "Long Live" were as loud as the tide, almost shaking the city of Kaifeng.
The newly made fireworks in the palace were released behind the city gate, so that the whole city could enjoy them. The gorgeous fireworks lasted for half an hour, bursting out with beauty and brilliance, eye-catching, and seemed to symbolize the prosperity of the Han Dynasty.
That night, the emperor held a banquet in the Chongyuan Hall. He invited ministers of rank five and above to enjoy the banquet. The banquet lasted until midnight. Liu Chengyou was also drunk and stayed in the Kunming Hall all night. In the excitement of drinking, he toyed with the big talisman. Enough, the empress was forced to try some new positions, and then she felt sulky for several days.
After the carnival of the Shangyuan Festival, everything in the court slowly returned to normal. The officials and the people were still immersed in the afterglow of the festival's joy. Emperor Liu Chengyou raised the Emperor's Sword again, this time the target was the Huainan water transport.
"Have everything been cleared up?" In the Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou tilted his body somewhat casually and glanced at the ministers standing below.
Waiting below are the three prime ministers Li Tao, Fan Zhi, and Xue Juzheng, plus Zhao Li, the censor of Zuodu. Speaking of which, among the four ministers who hold the real power of the government, the most inspiring one is Zhao Li. He was a low-level official who worked as a censor in Taiwan until he was spotted by Liu Chengyou. Step by step, he was promoted to a senior official in the censorship. Now he is in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. He is still in good order and seems to have not reached the ceiling of his ability.
"Your Majesty!" Faced with the emperor's solemn expression, most of the ministers were frightened, but Fan Zhi took the lead and said calmly: "After preliminary verification, it was found that several officials under the Huaidong Transshipment Department were cheating on the transshipment losses. He deceived the superiors and concealed the truth from the inferiors, enriched his own pockets, and sold the official grain of the imperial court for personal gain."
During the Later Jin Dynasty, no one was allowed to pay for the canal transportation, and the officials in charge often paid their debts to death. After the founding of the Han Dynasty, it was also the same. The Queen Pu investigated the matter and reported it to the court. So starting from the third year of Qianyou, the canal grain was transferred, and every dendrobium was given. It takes a bucket.
This is a reasonable policy, and it also gives grace to the water transport officials, but it also gives the greedy ministers the opportunity to play tricks on the supply and consumption. This time, in the Huaidong transshipment matter, a group of people conspired, and the greedy grain was There are more than 20,000 stones, which is worth nearly 4 million yuan based on the current price of food in the Han Dynasty.
"I originally thought that the officials had suffered more than they had given me their kindness. Is this how they repay me?" Liu Chengyou didn't look angry, but his tone was frightening: "Just a few petty officials can bully me. You concealed it and committed such a major corruption case? I don’t believe it, you are outstanding in knowledge and knowledge, do you believe it?”
After hearing the question, Zhao Li stood up and said in a descriptive tone: "Huaidong Transfer Envoy Zhao Feng was once accused by the people!"
"Since we have been accused, is there no verification? Is there no result? Huh?" Liu Chengyou asked immediately.
"It is the negligence of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and my incompetence in doing things. Please punish me!" Zhao Li said hurriedly.
Liu Chengyou didn't care whether he was retreating in order to advance. He waved his hand and said in a sharp tone: "This matter has not yet reached a final result. Don't rush to plead guilty! Let me investigate this Zhao Feng! If he is innocent, I will clear my name with him, otherwise...
This matter must be dug into deeply, and no matter who is involved, it will not be tolerated. If there were not good officials among the gangsters, how could I know that there is such bad governance in the water transportation! How long has it been since the founding of the Han Dynasty? The world has not yet been unified, and it is like being greedy. Big case!"
"It seems that Meng Hanqing is not enough to alert people!" Liu Chengyou murmured to himself. When he said this, he glanced at Fan Zhi.
Fan Zhi obviously felt the emperor's gaze, which seemed a little thorny, but he remained calm.
Liu Chengyou obviously did not give up, and continued to ask a question: "There is such a huge debt in Huaidong transportation, and the superiors and subordinates are not aware of it? Where is the censor? Where is the Huaidong inspector?"
"After I return to the Yamen, I will conduct a thorough investigation!" Zhao Li immediately made a promise with a stern expression. It could be felt that the emperor was dissatisfied with the work of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and he was also a little angry in his heart, angry at those who affected him in the emperor's work. A person of status in one's heart.
Fan Zhi raised his hand and said: "Huaidong's inspector Zheng Renjie is ill and has difficulty in handling the affairs. This may have given some unscrupulous subordinates an opportunity to collude with each other to commit evil!"
"It seems that there are a lot of problems in Huaidong!" Liu Chengyou laughed angrily.
"Huaidong and Huaixi are, after all, newly occupied territories. They have not been subordinated to the Han Dynasty for a long time. It is understandable that there are some residual poisons of the pseudo-Tang Dynasty in the upper and lower areas. They need to be gradually cleared by the court before they can be returned to their own rule!" Li Tao He whispered something, I don't know if it was an explanation or a comfort.
Liu Chengyou said: "Li Qing, there is no need to deceive yourself on my behalf! According to the Chasi Department and the Transportation Department, I established them all. There are many officials in charge of the affairs, including Han ministers. It would be biased to blame all the faults on the old officials of Jinling." Got it!"
"There is a problem with the officials of the Han Dynasty. The most important thing is for the court and the officials to reflect and self-examine to prevent minor mistakes!"
"Your Majesty is wise, but this old minister is ignorant!" Li Tao responded quickly after hearing the emperor's unkind tone.
At this time, the only person left in the palace who had not been targeted by the emperor was Xue Juzheng, the third minister. This made him feel anxious. Before the emperor sent the nameless fire to him, he took the initiative to say:
"Your Majesty, after inspection, the warehousing and transportation of official grain in various places are divided into large and small buckets. Some traitors use small buckets to enter and exit the warehouse, and use large buckets to consume and transport. They are greedy for official funds. In addition, when the people sell grain in exchange for tax money, there are often evildoers who use big fights as small fights to take advantage of Guizhou, making the people suffer without being able to complain..."
"Ha! Don't look at it as a mere fighting tool, but it is related to the national economy and people's livelihood!" Liu Chengyou stared at Xue Juzheng and said: "Now that you have observed something, you should make some changes to bring order to the chaos!"
"The Third Division suggested that the imperial court should formulate a standard copper bucket and distribute it to all prefectures and counties, and the local officials would cast it according to the mold and promote it. From then on, the use of buckets will be in accordance with the regulations of the imperial court. As for the other large and small buckets, they are scheduled to be abolished. Anyone who still uses it after the expiry date will be severely punished if discovered!" Xue Juzheng said immediately.
"This is a good idea!" Liu Chengyou nodded immediately, thought for a while, and then said: "Not only fighting tools, but other measuring tools should also be set by the imperial court to formulate unified standards for the convenience of the people and officials!"
"Your Majesty is wise and quick, and you can draw inferences from one instance. I admire you!" Xue Ju was suddenly stunned, as if he wanted to use a compliment to ease the emperor's mood.
He took a deep breath and looked around at the ministers who had endured his anger. After venting his anger, he felt much more relaxed. However, his face still showed no expression as he said: "Everyone, please step aside! Remember, The matter in Huaidong must be investigated and brought to light, and an explanation must be given to me and the imperial court!"