The atmosphere in the palace was a little stagnant. All the ministers thought that since Duning dared to launch such a large-scale impeachment, he must be confident, or at least he should have prepared corresponding rhetoric.
But now, facing these ministers attacking in groups, Du Siqing just stood there and said nothing.
Isn't this kind of performance a bit disappointing?
Is it possible that Dali Temple has been struggling for so long, and even the emperor paid great attention to the case of fraud in the palace examination, so it was ended hastily?
"Your Majesty, I have something to say that I have to say. Please hear it!"
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded in the hall, and everyone followed the sound. As expected, it was Du Ning's teacher, former cabinet minister, and now the Minister of Industry, Chen Xun.
They looked at each other, and a glimmer of understanding flashed in the eyes of the old adults. Sure enough, do they still have to come out to support the show?
However, I don't know if Qingliu is so weak now that Chen Shangshu can withstand the criticism of so many ministers and ministers.
You must know that there is no one behind them. There are old people in Du Ning and others in Du Ning. If the two sides really fight, Chen Shangshu will be equally weak!
However, compared to these ordinary ministers, the moment Chen Xun stepped forward, a group of important ministers in the palace cheered up in unison.
Again, when they reach this stage, they won't be able to express their attitude easily.
What's more, most of them had been officials in the same dynasty as Chen Xun for less than a year or two, and they probably knew something about Chen Shangshu's character.
He is very cautious and steady, and he is not someone who will step out to protect his children on impulse. When Gao Gu, Peng Shi, Shang Ren and others were demoted, as the person in charge of Qingliu, although he is no longer in Beijing, he has
Not saying a word shows his concentration.
If he said that he rashly ended his life in person just to help Du Ning, then I'm afraid it would be an underestimation of this Qingliu leader.
After all, the Qi Qing had different identities. Chen Xun came forward in person and immediately attracted everyone's attention. Even the emperor, who had been sitting on the throne and watching the debate coldly, his face became a little warmer, his eyes flashed, and he spoke warmly.
"Chen Shangshu, please speak."
So, Chen Xun handed over his hands to thank him, then straightened up and spoke with an earth-shattering statement.
"Your Majesty, I boldly say that the case of fraud in the palace examination is really the fault of the officials!"
What the hell?
As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes widened.
No one expected that as soon as Chen Xungang opened his mouth, he would target the officials.
Who is in charge of the official affairs department?
That was the emperor's number one confidant, Wang Wen and Wang Jianzhai!
Even if we don't talk about the emperor's trust in Wang Wen, Otsuka Zai himself is notoriously difficult to mess with.
In fact, this is indeed the case. When Chen Xun mentioned it, Mr. Wang frowned instantly and looked a little unkind.
During this period of time, he, Lao Wang, cultivated his moral character, but he didn't expect to be impeached on his face!
He wanted to stand up and question him, but after thinking about it, Wang Wen still didn't move.
Chen Xun is not a good guy.
What he said was obviously premeditated.
In fact, just now, Mr. Wang, who was watching the show, was still complaining. Chen Xun said what he had to say. He first said, "I have something to say, please hear it." Why, there were people in the court who stopped him.
Can't you keep him?
This pureness is Duan Qiqing's arrogance, that is, the emperor has a good temper and spoils him.
As a result, now, retribution will come immediately.
If Chen Xun had just said it, then forget it. The rules of the early dynasty were not as strict as those of the regular dynasty. Wang Wen should interrupt, quarrel with others, and act unscrupulously relying on the emperor's favor. Anyway, the ministers were used to it.
However, if Chen Xun made such a move in advance, it would not work.
When people speak, they have the emperor's permission.
After saying a few words, Wang Wen jumped out to refute, saying that he was not afraid of offending Chen Xun, but this would not give the emperor face.
Even if Wang Wen didn't know the importance of such a thing, he would never do it.
Therefore, at this time, Mr. Wang could only stand there depressedly, staring at Chen Xun to see how he wanted to perform...
However, as the emperor's first confidant, Mr. Wang naturally has his own reputation.
He couldn't ask, but naturally someone would ask, for example...
"What does Chen Shangshu mean by this? How does this matter relate to the Ministry of Officials?"
Hearing Chen Xun's words, Zhu Qiyu also became interested. Looking at Chen Xun's determined expression, he seemed to have thought of something, and his expression became somewhat meaningful. He followed Chen Xun's words and continued to ask.
Chen Xun let out a breath and spoke in a deep voice, saying.
"Your Majesty, the Dali Temple has just stated that this case is a political struggle using the palace examination to gain power. The people who participated in the examination papers are all cabinet ministers and ministers of the six departments."
"A lineup with such a standard has appeared to steal the country's talent promotion ceremony and seek personal gain. Except for Jiang Yuan, Xiao Fan and others who colluded with the chief envoy, the other readers were either involved in interests or because of human connections.
, Or because of the rules of the officialdom, you cannot be impartial and can't even take care of yourself. Instead, you join in the evil, deceive your superiors, and neglect your duties. Is this such a small thing?"
"Secretary of the Six Ministries, a third-rank official, is already a high official in the court, a pillar of the country, an auxiliary minister of the cabinet, and a close minister of the emperor. He holds the power of voting and is awarded the honorary title of minister. People of this generation do not want to repay the emperor's kindness.
Treating state ceremonies as personal favors shows that the atmosphere in the court is not correct and the administration of officials is corrupt."
"The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the selection and examination of officials in the world, and it failed to rectify the administration of officials in time. Isn't it wrong?"
stunned!
Chen Xun's words made everyone froze on the spot.
Especially Jiang Yuan and several other ministers who participated in the reading were speechless.
Why do they still talk about facts and present evidence?
But who would have thought that Mr. Chen’s value would start to increase?
Looking at the subject of impeachment, Wang Wen of the Ministry of Civil Affairs already had black streaks all over his head and put on his trademark stinky face.
There was a lot of discussion in the palace, and the emperor seemed a little moved. After pondering for a moment, the emperor asked.
"Master Tianguan, what do you have to say about Chen Shangshu's remarks?"
Mr. Wang was finally given a chance to speak, but when everyone was expecting Otsuka Zai to be full of firepower.
Mr. Wang held his breath, but in the end he could only huff and cup his hands, and said.
"Your Majesty, what Chen Shangshu said is true. In the case of imperial examination fraud, several ministers colluded and stole the country's favor for their own use. The officials who read the records knew this, but they followed Cao Cao without saying a word and were complicit. This is
The Ministry of Personnel failed to clarify the fault of the official administration, and I cannot refute it. Please punish me."
Ah this...
The hall quickly became quiet. The elders looked at me and me, all with shocked expressions.
Did they hear it correctly? Lord Tianguan, who has always refused to accept anyone and always quarreled with anyone he caught, was actually speechless and subdued by Chen Shangshu's two words?
You know, this Chen Shangshu is just talking nonsense!
Even if we take a step back, this matter involves the issue of official administration. The courtiers are colluding with each other to deceive the emperor and neglect their duties. But what does this have to do with the official department?
Yes, the Ministry of Personnel is indeed in charge of the selection and examination of officials all over the world. However, at the level of Minister of the Sixth Ministry and local governor, the power of examination is no longer entirely controlled by the Ministry of Personnel, but more depends on the officials.
A series of complex factors such as reputation, political performance, and connections.
Behind every third-grade official, there is an extremely huge network of relationships. In addition to the emperor's personal decision, relying solely on the power of the court, if you want to mobilize and win a third-grade official, you need to go through a series of battles and exchanges of interests.
.
There are so many people involved this time. Each of them can reach this position not only because of their own abilities, virtues, and political achievements, but also to a large extent they represent the interests of their own faction. How can this be the official department?
A matter of one word?
Not to mention, in addition to these ministers, the cabinet ministers were all appointed by the emperor to join the cabinet, and their evaluation power was not in the hands of the Ministry of Personnel at all.
So, this matter has nothing to do with the officials...
Wait a minute...
At this thought, the expressions of many ministers changed slightly, as if they had thought of something. However, before they could think through it, they saw another one of the ministers in front of them step out and said.
"Your Majesty, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is in charge of impeaching hundreds of officials, investigating corruption, corruption, and corruption of official discipline. In this palace examination, all ministers are colluding, and the atmosphere is corrupted. The Metropolitan Procuratorate failed to investigate, and I am the left capital.
The censor also made mistakes, please punish me!"
Looking at the person who spoke, the elders looked at each other in deep thought.
This person is none other than the Governor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Chen Yi!
Understood……
Two important ministers from the Qing Dynasty came forward one after another. They did not refute Chen Xun's words and asked for punishment. This in itself was extremely abnormal.
At this time, if you can still see something, these ministers have been in vain in this court.
There was fraud in the palace examination, and the examiners either colluded for profit, or remained silent and sat idly by. If this is true, then Chen Xun's statement that the imperial atmosphere was unhealthy and the administration was corrupt is not an exaggeration.
The question is, who should be responsible for this matter?
Some of these ministers were already in office, while others were promoted after the civil war. Especially the cabinet ministers were appointed by the emperor.
Therefore, if we really want to investigate, we have to investigate the people who promoted them. Even if the morale of the court is declining, we have to go back further.
But can this be said?
Chen Xun has been working hard in the court for so many years. Of course he knows that this matter cannot be blamed on the Ministry of Personnel, or even on the Inspectorate.
Although the Metropolitan Procuratorate rectifies and impeaches hundreds of officials, as long as you understand the operation of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, you will know that the Metropolitan Procuratorate has six departments and thirteen departments.
The Six Sections supervise the six ministries, and the Thirteen Sections supervise local areas. However, whether it is the Six Sections or the Thirteen Sections, what they supervise are government affairs errors, not the officials themselves.
Although they have the power to impeach, it is not without restrictions, especially at the level of third grade or above. Without evidence, it is not easy to impeach.
Therefore, if we want to hold people accountable for this matter, they have to hold those who promoted these people to power. If we want to hold the emperor who is now sitting on the throne accountable, he must hold him accountable for letting Wang Zhen go and ruining a good officialdom.
He is a wise and prudent emperor who is accustomed to flattery and whitewashing peace.
If you can understand this, you can also understand why Wang Datianguan, who has always refused to accept anyone in the court, would bow his head and admit his mistake so easily this time. You can also understand why even Chen Yi, the censor of Zuodu, did not argue.
, asking for his own fault.
To put it bluntly, they are taking the blame for the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor!
Especially Wang Wen, he was severely manipulated this time.
Chen Xun had made a good calculation. As long as he opened his mouth to talk about this matter, then this mute person would be swallowed up by the officials or not.
Otherwise, once a debate breaks out, it will easily get involved with the emperor.
As the emperor's first confidant, Wang Wen knew this, so he had to hold his nose and cooperate with Chen Xun.
Of course, looking at Wang Wen's current expression, one can tell that the old Heavenly Official must feel uncomfortable after being tricked by Chen Shangshu. He will not be able to protect himself in the future, so he must find an opportunity to get his situation back.
However, at least for now, the two important ministers Wang Wen and Chen Yi are on the same front as Chen Xun.
This is a terrible thing!
You should know that these two elders stood up and admitted their mistakes straightforwardly, without any intention of entanglement.
If you think about it carefully, you will know what is the premise for them to admit their mistake? It is to agree with Chen Xun's conclusion!
Chen Xun concluded that what was the basis for the corruption of officialdom and the unhealthy atmosphere in the court? It was the Dali Temple's conclusion on the case of imperial examination fraud that was correct.
In other words, both Wang Wen and Chen Yi have already agreed on the case of fraud in the palace examination. It is Xiao Yi, Jiang Yuan, Zhang Min, Zhu Jian and others who secretly colluded to seek personal gain through the palace examination, while other ministers acted wisely to protect themselves.
, this conclusion of sitting on the sidelines.
After understanding this, many of the ministers present looked at Chen Xun with a bit of awe.
This old man usually keeps quiet, but who would have thought that the moment he took action, the situation would suddenly turn around.
Now, it was no longer Du Ning who was besieged by these ministers, but three important ministers from the Seven Ministers were standing here to confront these ministers.
Of course, these file readers all have their own backgrounds and influence, but no matter how wide their connections are, can they be as broad as the ones in front of them?
Not to mention, many of them rely on a few of them.
Sure enough, as these several people expressed their opinions one after another, the ministers in the palace who originally wanted to come forward to defend Jiang Yuan and others suddenly hesitated.
Even Zhao Xin, the minister of official affairs who was the first to go out, frowned and hesitated for a moment.
Seeing this situation, a trace of sweat broke out on Jiang Yuan's forehead. He suddenly regretted why he had fallen out with Chen Xun in the first place.
After so many years, he had never noticed before that his teacher was so thoughtful and capable. He was not only bold in his actions, but also so ruthless...
At that moment, he knew that he could not wait any longer, so, taking a deep breath, Jiang Yuan stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I know I am guilty and do not dare to argue. However, the palace examination case involves six ministries, the cabinet and many other important ministers of the court. Any oversight will cause the world to criticize, and will even cause the world to question the justice of the court."
"The report submitted by Dali Temple is vague and contains many conjectures and no evidence. If it is made public, my personal honor and disgrace will not matter. However, the public sentiment and public opinion of the people in the world may not be convinced. Your Majesty, please think twice.
