Chapter 572: I just like to see them gnashing their teeth but having no choice but to do anything!
"The officials have come to pay their respects to the Queen Mother!"
In the Funing Palace, Empress Dowager Xiang was reading the memorial when she saw the increasingly filial ministers walking in: "Congratulations to the empress, congratulations to the empress. I heard the discussion in the palace, Judge Gongsun has returned victoriously!"
He closed the memorial to the Queen Mother, looked at Zhao Ji, and found that his complexion was not very good, so he couldn't help but asked with concern: "Why, you didn't sleep well last night?"
Zhao Ji's face was slightly unnatural, and he hurriedly smiled and said: "My child is indeed concerned about the cleanup of Wuyou Cave. This empress's sage has solved Bianjing's centuries-old troubles. Her merits are immeasurable, and all the princes in the court will also praise the empress's saintly virtue!"
"
Queen Mother Xiang smiled when she heard the first half of the sentence, but when she heard the last sentence, the corners of her raised lips dropped again: "Do you think all the guilds in the court are happy?"
Zhao Ji said: "Of course, the Wuyou Cave was a serious problem in Bianjing. Now that it has been wiped out, all the princes in the court should understand the good intentions of Judge Gongsun..."
She sighed to the Empress Dowager: "Brother Eleven, you were born in Da Nei and grew up in the palace, so you don't know the world. Being able to clear Wuyou Cave is indeed what many officials hope for, but the method used by Judge Gongsun this time is...
But they cannot tolerate it..."
"Look, these memorials are all about impeachment. Now that Wuyou Cave is really cleared, where do you want these ministers to put their face?"
Zhao Ji looked at the memorials stacked high, a smile flashed in his eyes, and he said: "They are all gentlemen, who cultivate themselves and manage their families, and uphold the principle of benevolence and forgiveness. How can they care about this little misunderstanding?"
The Queen Mother snorted coldly: "You think too well of them..."
She would not admit that even she was very conflicted and did not sleep well last night.
Empress Dowager Xiang's original plan was to take advantage of the opportunity of the siege of Wuyou Cave to legitimately remove some officials, deploy people, and regain control of the situation in the court.
But this process does not happen overnight. It requires a back-and-forth political contest. I take a step forward and you take a step back. You take a step forward and I take a step back. The process is constantly tug-of-war and compromise, and finally a result that is satisfactory to all parties is reached. This is politics.
However, this judge was good at cutting through the mess quickly. He investigated the chamber of commerce and arrested senior officials on the first day, and on the second day he immediately led his people down to the cave to kill the thieves!
Empress Dowager Xiang didn't want to agree at the time, but since she had issued the previous edict, Zeng Bu and Cai Bian were forced to issue a military order, so they could only reluctantly agree. She didn't want Gongsun Zhao to suffer a disastrous defeat, otherwise it would be harmful to herself.
His prestige was another huge blow, but he didn't want him to succeed. Otherwise, where would all the princes in the dynasty, the prime ministers, officials, and scholars of the same discipline put their face?
No benefits have been gained, but people have been offended. Is it really just to kill thieves?
With such complicated emotions, coupled with the fact that Empress Dowager Xiang was old, she was naturally exhausted. As a result, when she got up this morning, the "good news" was passed to the palace, and the whole capital was boiling. Even the palace could hear it.
There were sounds of joy outside.
You are so capable! You are so capable!
Empress Dowager Xiang finally understood why Gongsun Zhao was previously unknown and had no influence in the court.
He may have some abilities, but he doesn't know how to figure it out. He's really not likable. No wonder he keeps serving green!
This kind of thing is not understandable to outsiders, but after Zhao Ji observed his words, he smiled and said: "No matter what, Judge Gongsun is eager to kill thieves. For such great achievements, the empress must reward him heavily!"
Queen Mother Xiang felt even more unhappy after hearing this, and then got a headache.
This reward is the time when political wisdom is most considered. It must not only appease the civil servants who have suffered a huge loss of face this time, but also must not lose the most basic justice and morality and end up with a reputation of unfair reward and punishment...
The Queen Mother thought about it for a while, but she didn't have any good ideas to balance all parties. She couldn't help but look at Zhao Ji: "Brother Eleven, how do you think Judge Gongsun should be rewarded?"
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Zhao Ji hurriedly said: "I don't know, everything depends on the mother's decision!"
The Empress Dowager sighed, she just couldn't make up her mind so she asked someone, and said helplessly: "Forget it, let the courtiers enter the palace first!"
There was no morning court today, but the important officials in the court still had to go into the palace to discuss important matters. When the official announced the decree, a group of courtiers came in.
The leaders were still Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, Zeng Bu and Cai Bian.
Zhang Dun is still in high spirits and has strong steps, getting stronger with age.
Han Zhongyan was also okay, no longer as indifferent as before, but he wasn't too out of sorts.
Zeng Bu and Cai Bian were more obvious, their faces were ashen and they could not hide their tiredness.
Queen Mother Xiang knew at a glance that these two people had probably not slept last night. They received the news like a thunderbolt from the blue this morning, which made them feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I will pay my respects to the Queen Mother! I will pay my respects to the official family!"
"No gift!"
After the officials saluted the Queen Mother and the officials, and offered seats to the Queen Mother and Zhao Ji, the palace suddenly became quiet.
To the Queen Mother: "..."
She didn't want to take the initiative to speak, lest the officials think that she was taking advantage of the victory to pursue her, and that she would not spare others.
Ministers: "..."
They didn't know what to say, and when they accidentally made eye contact, they stopped immediately and moved away quickly.
An unspeakable awkward atmosphere began to spread.
In the end, Zhang Dun came forward: "The Queen Mother, the Kaifeng government judge Gongsun Zhao, the Imperial Army's deputy commander Lin Yuanjing, the Imperial Army's horse army instructor Zhang Bofen, and others, arrested thousands of thieves in Wuyou Cave, and wiped out the thieves' cave in one fell swoop.
How many women are harmed every year? How many children are kidnapped? There are also countless thieves who escape! This is a huge contribution and should be heavily rewarded!"
Before the Empress Dowager could speak, another voice rang out: "I have some objections. Judge Gongsun is suspected of raising a thief for his own sake. We must investigate!"
Originally hearing Zhang Dun's words, Zeng Bu and Cai Bian couldn't help but look ugly, but when they heard the questioning behind them, they were overjoyed. They also looked over to the Queen Mother and frowned: "Chen Si.
Admonition, why do you say this?"
The person who spoke was Zuo Si Jian Chen Guan. He did not fight for property, was not strict with his speech, lived in a leisurely and self-sufficient village, and was familiar with the "Book of Changes". He opened his mouth and analyzed: "The evil energy in Wuyou Cave has been lingering for a long time and has repeatedly caused great harm. It is not the imperial court.
It is really difficult not to detect it. Judge Gongsun punished the thieves for three days. What he did was horrifying and hard to convince. He may be suspected of secretly colluding with the thieves and feeding his self-respect. We should investigate it clearly!"
Zeng Bu and Cai Bian secretly applauded. They had never liked Chen Guan before, and they had been angered by him. Even when Zhang Dun accused Sima Guang of being a traitor and causing harm to the country, Chen Guan defended Sima Guang.
Now they want to continue to question Gongsun Zhao, but they are very worried about the impact of public opinion and dare not say anything. Only this one still uses his ability to find fault with the officials. How great!
Zhang Dun turned sideways and looked directly at the speaker: "When I convicted Sima Twelve, Chen Sijian once said, 'If you don't look into his heart and doubt his traces, he will not be guilty.'
If you accuse him of being a treacherous person and then rephrase it, you will do a great disservice to the country.' Why did you change your suspicious tone towards Judge Gongsun now?"
Chen Guan's words at that time meant: "It is unacceptable to doubt other people's behavior if you don't understand people's thoughts; to accuse others of treachery without evidence of guilt and blindly punish them is the greatest harm to the country." He used it to criticize Zhang Dun.
He still responded seriously at this time: "Sima Wenzheng is dead and there is no way to detect his intentions. Judge Gongsun is still alive, so he can be summoned to clarify his intentions. If there is a misunderstanding, let's discuss the merits and reward him!"
Zhang Dun rolled his sleeves in displeasure: "Judge Gongsun used thunderous means to punish the thieves and bring peace to the disaster. Today, all the people in the capital are rejoicing. You have many doubts, so you want to go on your own. How can you mess with the hearts of all the people?"
Chen Guan's voice became sharp: "If Judge Gongsun is dedicated to serving the public good and has no qualms about admiring him, what should he have to fear? If this person has selfish desires and evil thoughts, feeds thieves and respects himself, buys public opinion, and commits great crimes, how can he be seduced by him because of the simplicity of the people's hearts?"
, without knowing it clearly?"
Zhang Dun ignored it and said to the Empress Dowager: "Such achievements are obvious. We should comply with public opinion and declare to the world. Never listen to such partial remarks!"
Although he has lost power, his prestige is still there. In addition, this matter is "obviously not ambiguous" and it is clear that more than a dozen officials immediately agreed: "I second my opinion!"
Chen Guan hurriedly said: "I hope the Queen Mother will find out clearly. There are a lot of things fishy about this matter. If we talk about rewards rashly, I'm afraid the country will be unrest and all the officials will be dissatisfied! Queen Mother!!"
As soon as he said this, more than a dozen officials, especially the Yanguan, all agreed: "I second my opinion!"
When Empress Dowager Xiang saw this scene, she suddenly became happy. She was originally worried that after this matter was settled, she would not be able to control the court. Now it seems that the two groups that support and oppose still want her to make the decision.
The best thing is that the number of people on both sides is almost the same, mainly because a large group of officials, including Han Zhongyan, Zeng Bu, and Cai Bian, have always remained silent.
They were definitely opposed to Gongsun Zhao, but they did not dare to go against the people's will and get a bad reputation, so they had to remain neutral.
As a result, Queen Mother Xiang, the mediator, became important again.
She cheered up, smiled, and finally felt the joy of destroying the Wuyou Cave this time: "I have made my own decision. Wherever Judge Gongsun arrives, go and call him first!"
…
Just when the two factions supporting and opposing the palace began to quarrel again, Gongsun Zhao was blocked on the road.
Although the police and soldiers tried their best to maintain order, people from all directions still surrounded the road tightly, and the shouts of gratitude were louder than the others, which shook the heaven and earth.
Even Jinshi parades and Qionglin banquets have not reached this level. After all, those things happen every four years. This is a grand event that only happens once in a hundred years.
As for the imperial guards and the police, everyone who participated in the execution of the thieves kept clasping their fists towards the people, but they did not feel tired at all, and they firmly remembered this glorious moment.
Li Yan was relatively calm. Although he was also very happy, when the internal officials summoning the palace were blocked at a distance and could not enter at all, he glanced at Gongsun Zhao and said: "The Queen Mother wants to summon you, all officials."
Probably there too."
Gongsun Zhao knew that there was another more dangerous battlefield, so he pursed his lips and said in a deep voice: "Then I'll go!"
Li Yan smiled and said: "You don't have to be as if you are facing a formidable enemy, calm down. Think like this. Although many high-ranking officials and dignitaries hate you, they have to endure it. I quite like to see people gnashing their teeth but doing nothing.
Looks like~"
Gongsun Zhao could also imagine how those people were forced to remain silent. The corners of his mouth raised, and the cold-faced judge laughed again: "Brother said, who doesn't like to see it?"