"The sky is unpredictable, and people are prone to misfortunes and blessings. I wonder if Mr. Gu has ever calculated how many women are expecting to give birth during the national mourning period?"
Seeing that Gu Lei remained silent, Chu Nanzhi had no choice but to continue:
"The late emperor was mourned and the whole country mourned. It is said that a benevolent ruler must love his people as his sons. Unfortunately, the late emperor died young when he was in his prime. Even he himself could not bear to see someone innocently lose their life because of his passing, so he issued this decree
The purpose of issuing a three-day mourning period is to preserve the lives of these innocent people.
As early as the early years of the dynasty, there were revisions to the prohibition of pregnancy in national mourning. In the Chonghua dynasty, it was made public to the world in the form of law, and flexible regulations were made for the mourning period.
All three days are spent in obedience, and one is not allowed to take wives, marry off daughters, offer sacrifices, drink wine, or eat meat. As for the filial piety period for royal family members, brothers and sisters are obedient on the fifteenth day, and those who have children have the ceremony on the twenty-seventh day. According to the law, no matter what
It is no longer the period of mourning for me or for the officials and people of Langzhou to give birth to children. How can Mr. De and Gu bear to watch thousands of lives die during the period of national mourning?"
Gu Lei's face changed drastically after hearing these well-founded words, and guilt gradually appeared on his calm face.
"Since it's a national mourning event that prevents pregnancy and childbirth, what right does Mr. Gu have to deprive women who are about to give birth of their right to give birth?"
Chu Nanzhi stood up slowly, walked step by step towards Gu Lei who was deep in thought, and said unhurriedly:
"The rise and fall of dynasties has its own destiny, but the progress of civilization has never stopped. If you think about it in the previous dynasties, you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with it, but now, a hundred years later, it doesn't matter.
Do you hope to see your family members buried with you?"
Hearing this, Gu Lei thought about it and nodded slightly, knelt down and worshiped devoutly: "The common people are ignorant and never thought that Langzhou City would suffer catastrophe just because of a few superficial opinions. Please ask the queen to punish the crime. The common people are willing
To apologize with death."
"Mr. Gu, please get up."
Chu Nan Zhiwen smiled and motioned for him to get up, but at this time, her heart was full of doubts.
This little old man acted openly and aboveboard in everything he did, and he did not appear to be a sinister and cunning person.
He can even openly show his disrespect for himself, and he must not even bother to use such tactics of secretly harming others.
Furthermore, being able to penetrate Chang Lao's eyes, she felt from the bottom of her heart that this little old man should not be a malicious villain.
With a suspicious attitude, she calmly walked back to the desk and sat down, and once again asked Tang Weiming to give Gu Lei a seat, and then continued: "I said that I would like to invite Mr. Gu to come today for no other reason than simply.
Narrative.”
"The queen does not need to test the common people."
Gu Lei was finally willing to sit down and replied calmly: "The common people have also heard about the tragic deaths of the Qian family of six today. The common people are deeply saddened by this. Judging from the current situation, some people suspect that the old man killed her and her family."
It's quite reasonable, but I've been quite upright in my life. I can kill but not humiliate her. If I've offended the queen, I'll die without complaining. But I can't accept this unwarranted crime."
After finishing his words, he stared at Zhan He with deep eyes.
"I am deeply grateful to Mr. Gu for being able to have a heart-to-heart relationship with me. I also firmly believe that Mr. Gu will never do such an evil thing that destroys conscience."
Chu Nanzhi smiled and comforted.
At this moment, she could roughly conclude that the deaths of Chang Lao and the Qian family were closely related to the reform of the official system.
As for whether the old man in front of him is related to the two cases, we will know once we find out.
After thinking for a moment, in front of the county magistrate and county lieutenant, Chu Nanzhi looked at Gu Lei with deep eyes and said solemnly: "But since I was entrusted by the new emperor and decided to reform the official system of Langzhou, this
Weird things happen one after another in Langzhou City, and I have to suspect that the two murder cases are closely related to this. I wonder what Mr. Gu thinks about this?"
Thinking of Chang Yanjue's death, Gu Lei felt deep regret in his heart and sighed sincerely: "Chang Lao has devoted his whole life to the country and the people. He is the person I respect the most in his life. It's a pity that he met Chang Lao before he could meet him.
Unexpected, this old man is really sad."
But when he thought about the reform of the official system, Gu Lei felt worried.
And this is also an important reason why he has never gone to Changfu to express his condolences.
After pondering for a moment, he truthfully stated his concerns: "Although I also think that the Queen's policy on reforming the official system has many merits, the current situation is difficult and it is not the time for drastic reforms. After all, the Northern Territory
We still need to rely on wealthy noble families for our wars, and the stability of various places also needs to be maintained by those noble families."
"Mr. Gu's words are wrong."
Chu Nanzhi shook his head disapprovingly and said: "As the old saying goes, water can carry a boat but also capsize it. To achieve prosperity and peace in the empire, we do not rely on the strength of a few noble families, but on the joint efforts of the entire country.
Nowadays, major noble families control the way to appoint officials, making it impossible for those who are willing to serve the imperial court to enter the imperial court, while those who are in office only want to enrich their own pockets. Who will be willing to be loyal to the country if this continues?"
"It's just because our dynasty has been deeply poisoned by party strife over the years, causing chaos in the dynasty, that such bad signs appear. If we can maintain the measures taken in the early years of the dynasty and use upright and virtuous people to strictly select and recommend officials, there is no need to worry about them not being able to
Serve the country wholeheartedly."
When it comes to recommended officials, this is what Gu Lei is most proud of in his life.
Although he was not as dominant in the court as Chang Yanjue, his recommended disciples were now all over the court and had become the mainstay of the court.
Stroking his beard with a happy face, Gu Lei proudly boasted: "Although the people I have chosen in my life are not great sages, I can definitely guarantee that the current officials are all loyal, filial, benevolent and respectful people."
The industry has never had an incompetent official who neglected his duties or even oppressed and exploited the people."
Hearing this, Tong County Lieutenant smiled and hurriedly agreed: "This is a point that I deeply agree with. Mr. Gu has recommended numerous scholars throughout his life, but most of the officials in Langzhou City, big and small, have been promoted by Mr. Gu.
In order to repay the kindness of Mr. Gu, they have been working hard these years. This is why our Langzhou has flourished in these years.
If nothing else, let’s talk about the newly appointed Chief Historian Zhang Xuan. He has been the governor of Donzhuo County for five years and has managed the county in an orderly manner. The tax revenue he generates every year is the highest among all the counties in the empire, and he is worthy of us.
A model."
Chu Nanzhi has also heard about Zhang Xuan, the newly appointed chief official of the prefecture, and his reputation is indeed very good.
However, regarding Gu Lei's words, her summary of this person, although he had some talent and prestige, most of all made her feel very conceited.
Such a conceited person would not bother to use underhanded tactics to murder the lives of such insignificant people as the Qian family of six.
So at this moment, Chu Nan Zhizi's suspicion of him became weaker and weaker, but Chu Nan Zhizi already knew the way to defeat him.