Chapter 564: Making a case and causing public outrage
During the New Year in Youzhou this year, the Governor's Office originally issued a lot of rewards and subsidies. Not only did the military officers and soldiers have a good year, but also the civil servants in Fuzhou and County also received a lot of benefits.
But with the arrival of Cui Dunli and his entourage, Youzhou's civil servants, military officers, generals and subordinates began to be dissatisfied.
The resentment is growing.
"The Governor, he is just finding fault with others and deliberately looking for trouble."
"That's right, there is no one like him. We live and die for the imperial court, fight in the wind and snow, sweat and bleed. In the end, we don't get rewards, but instead we get all kinds of difficulties. Is this what the imperial court means?"
"I heard that the man named Cui had some trouble with the governor before, and his uncle Cui Gan was demoted and seduced because of this. Is this an attempt to avenge a private feud?"
"I think Cui just wants to take this opportunity to cause trouble,"
Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
There is no lively lantern market in Youzhou, but Jinwu couldn't help it. The exhibition was still going on, attracting many Hu merchants and mainland merchants who came to participate. If there was no spot stock, they had to order. The samples of each merchant were almost lost.
However, compared with this hot trade, Cui Dunli and his team's verification work was a bit excessive. They did not believe the various material reports and various recorded account books prepared by the Governor's Office in advance, and insisted on reviewing them one by one.
Verify, or even find relevant personnel to verify,
Verify it, just verify it, but it's like interrogating a prisoner.
Obviously meritorious soldiers, but now they are being investigated like corrupt officials. They are suspected of falsely reporting military merits, embezzling trophies, etc. It is written on their faces.
Who can bear this?
Even the Fanhu nobles who had participated in the Battle of Yehuling, such as Keduzhe, Mohui, and Zhaotu, were impatient by Cui Dunli's repeated invitations to the hearing, and asked Wu Huaiyu many times what was going on.
.
Wu Huaiyu was very calm.
Cui Dunli and him were not having a personal holiday.
This guy doesn't believe in his victory at Yehuling and insists on getting to the bottom of it. Wu Huaiyu can understand it. Anyway, he is not afraid of the shadow being distorted, but this guy still went a little too far.
So many people also accepted the inquiry, answered truthfully, and provided various materials, but he just didn't believe it.
"The headless corpses and heads piled up in Langwogou and Badgergou under Yehu Ridge are still frozen under the ice and snow. Let him count them by himself, one by one. What's the point of asking incessantly?"
"That is, let him count them. Even if the crows and wolves took some, it is impossible for them to take all the heads of tens of thousands of corpses."
"Calm down!"
Wu Huaiyu smiled and reassured the generals. Some of these generals were now affiliated with the Youzhou Governor's Mansion, and some were affiliated with the Andong Governor's Mansion. Basically, the Youzhou border troops were returned to the Governor's Mansion, while the original battalion troops were transferred to the Governor's Mansion.
.
The battle at Yehuling involves everyone's military achievements and meritorious officers, so naturally no one cares about it. Now that Cui Dunli is doing this, everyone feels insulted and very angry.
"I'll ask Mr. Cui to come and talk tonight."
In the evening, on the pretext of celebrating the Lantern Festival, Wu Huaiyu invited a group of civil servants and military generals, as well as the Tibetan leaders and nobles who were celebrating the New Year in Youzhou, as well as the local famous noble families, to attend the banquet.
The atmosphere is quite harmonious.
Wu Huaiyu raised his glass, "Congratulations on the third year of Zhenguan!"
"Congratulations!"
After drinking, Wu Huaiyu asked Cui Dunli, "Mr. Cui, after half a month of verification, what is the result?"
"It's still being verified," Cui Dunli said.
Wu Huaiyu smiled.
"Cui Shilang came here on the order of the imperial court. We Youzhou soldiers can also understand that rewards for merit and punishment for demerits must be fair and just. However, if rewards are not overdue, punishments will not be moved. The battle we fought years ago was extremely difficult to win.
Yes, although there is a time process for recording meritorious service, verifying and awarding it,
However, there has been no result in checking the military merits. Many generals and soldiers even reported that they were questioned over and over again. I would like to ask Cui Shilang why is this?
Did you find something wrong? Can you explain directly? If no abnormality was found, why are you questioning and doubting me repeatedly?
Are you really representing the imperial court?
Or is it that you, under the banner of the imperial court, are deliberately trying to chill the hearts of the soldiers, ruin the name of the imperial court, and destroy the benevolence of the saints by constantly investigating and questioning us here?"
Wu Huaiyu spoke louder and louder, and finally slammed the table, causing the cups and plates of wine and food to shake and spill.
Cui Dunli stood up and said, "We are acting according to the imperial system."
"Really? I am also from Chang'an. I have also participated in political affairs in the Political Affairs Hall. I have also served as ministers in the Ministry of Criminal Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I have also stayed in the Yushitai. I am also familiar with the procedures of the imperial court, but there is no
This is your method."
"Everything I do is official. When I encounter something suspicious, I naturally have to repeatedly inquire and verify it,"
"Okay, if there is anything suspicious, let's ask directly now. It just so happens that the civil servants and military generals of Youzhou are here, as well as the people from Sanbo. Ask them together and we will answer them face to face."
As soon as Wu Huaiyu's words came out, all the Youzhou civil and military officials glared at Cui Dunli, and the atmosphere became very tense.
Some of the attachés from the Ministry of War were also very nervous.
Pang Xiaotai, on the other hand, also questioned Cui Dunli at this time, "Mr. Cui, don't you always feel that this is wrong and that is wrong? Now Mr. Wu wants you to ask in person. You should ask quickly. If there is no problem, you can make a conclusion and report it to the court as soon as possible. Don't delay.
The soldiers discussed their merits and rewarded them,
Although I, Pang, am a Lingnan barbarian, I still fight in small battles. What I hate most is the kind of people who don’t go to the battlefield but always suspect and plot behind their backs.”
Cui Dunli glanced at him sideways,
"Okay, then I will ask the Grand Governor in person to verify a few questions."
"Just ask."
"After the Battle of Yehuling, the Governor reported that more than 10,000 Turkic soldiers were captured. In the end, all these captives were sold into slavery by the Governor, right?"
"That's right,"
"Excuse me, if these prisoners were treated so hastily, could you please ask the imperial court for instructions?"
"No, Wu has a special order from His Majesty, and this is within the authority of a certain person,"
"Ask me again, how much money did these captives get at auction?"
"Aren't there detailed records? A total of about 600,000 yuan was sold, including seized cattle, sheep, livestock, tents and other property, as well as some injured horses. The intact horses that were seized were directly used for military use and were not sold. The 600,000 yuan was sold
There are also detailed account books for use. Does Cui Shilang still have any questions?" Wu Huaiyu said.
Cui Dunli said bluntly, "These captives were captured and auctioned without asking the court for instructions, and the money after the auction was not used by the court, right?"
"Yes, these are all within the authority granted to me by His Majesty. Although I did not ask for instructions in advance, I reported them truthfully afterwards,"
Cui Dunli asked again, "I found out that after the war, the Youzhou Governor's Office directly withdrew rewards and pensions from the soldiers without asking the court for instructions, especially if the pension exceeded the amount stipulated by the court. Is this okay?"
"It's true."
Cui Dunli asked questions one by one, and Wu Huaiyu also answered them one by one.
a long time.
Cui Dunli showed Wu Huaiyu what they had written down during the face-to-face question and answer session, "Can the Governor sign on it?"
It was true that Wu Huaiyu had read the content, "Of course you can, but you have to make two more copies, one in triplicate, preferably four copies, one for you, one for me, one for the court, and one for the Youzhou Governor's Mansion.
,"
Cui Dunli looked at Wu Huaiyu, and Wu Huaiyu also looked at him. He was not in a hurry to sign.
You first make four copies, and you have to copy them yourself. After you have copied them, you sign them together, otherwise you will not sign them.
"Okay, I'll write three more copies."
After he finished writing it for a long time, Wu Huaiyu checked it over, and then checked it with several of his staff. After confirming that it was correct, he signed his name. He also asked Cui Dunli to sign his name.
"How's it going? Is the investigation over?"
"Tomorrow I will take people to Yehuling for field investigation on the battlefield,"
"As you wish, I will send a guide to take you there, and ask the Huaihuang Army, Guangning Army, etc. to protect your safety. However, I would like to remind Cui Shilang that the ice and snow have not yet melted. The enemy corpses in Yehuling Langwogou
, I’m afraid they’re all frozen solid in the ice and snow, and you won’t be able to count them if you go there.”
"It's nothing for the Governor to worry about."
Pang Xiaotai said angrily to the side, "Master Cui, don't go too far. The Youzhou soldiers have already cooperated so well. Don't forget that we are leaving the capital this time. In addition to stopping by Youzhou to verify the results of the battle, our more important task is to go out."
Send the Turkic tribes to meet Jieli Khan, don't forget the business."
This Lantern Festival dinner ended somewhat unhappily.
Cui Dunli returned to where he was staying, and several military officials accompanying him came to persuade him.
"Cui Shilang, the investigation is almost done. Let's write a report to Chang'an and hurry to the next stop."
"That's right. I left Beijing a few years ago and it's already the Lantern Festival. I can't stay in Youzhou forever."
"The generals in Youzhou are all like wolves and tigers. They look at us with eyes that make them want to eat us. If we stay here any longer, I'm really worried that something unexpected will happen here."
"What accident?"
"For example, this hotel suddenly caught fire?"
"Or maybe it collapsed suddenly due to heavy wind and snow?"
Although these officials from the Ministry of War are not of high rank, they are also old-timers of the Yamen. The atmosphere in Youzhou is very wrong now, and everyone looks at them with unkind looks.
In fact, they couldn't understand what Cui Shilang meant?
At first, they thought he was just showing off, then they thought he was trying to gain some benefits, and then they thought he wanted to avenge his personal revenge. But now, they thought Cui Shilang was stupid, how could he do such a thing?
of,
This is not only a problem with Emperor Xinwu Shaobao, but also with the tens of thousands of soldiers in Youzhou.
Even if they were officials from the Ministry of War, they would not dare to do this.
Thirty-six strategies, walking is the best strategy.
"There are still many problems in Youzhou, and we have only seen the tip of the iceberg now," Cui Dunli said.
"What do you mean, Minister?"
"You have looked through so many files, files and account books, and you haven't seen any problems? Do you only know what others show you?"
Cui Dunli knocked on the table, "Wu Huaiyu had already appeased the people behind the mountain before the battle at Yehuling, and took over hundreds of villages and tens of thousands of border residents. He then destroyed the Sogdian Hu family of three thousand in Beiyan Prefecture and captured Yu Yanshui.
Three Hundred Miles River Basin,
After that, he and King Xi directly took over a large area of the river valley in the north of the mountain. Do you know how much these lands are?
Wu Huaiyu plans to open 300 military villages, which is 1.5 million acres, not counting the land of civilians, merchants, and official villages, from Yanzhou to Yingzhou, from Jizhou to Tanzhou, and then to Moyi Yingcang
flat,
There is too much land involved, especially in the two states behind the mountains and Hepingying, which involves millions of acres of land."
Cui Dunli thinks there are big problems here. Now he has discovered some small problems. For example, Wu Huaiyu has used his position to get involved in these lands, either directly buying them, or using his business name to buy land for commercial settlements, and others.
Many of my relatives and friends are also buying land here.
"A large amount of land was acquired in large tracts at a price of 100 yuan per acre, and some were even cheaper."
A white-haired minister couldn't help but interrupt Cui Dunli, "Cui Dunli, our mission to the Turks this time passed through Youzhou to verify the results of the Battle of Yehuling. These matters in the frontier fields have nothing to do with our mission, right?
?”
Another officer couldn't help but said, "Youzhou is located on the border. The land of Yantan behind the mountains and Pingying in the east is vast and sparsely populated, let alone the territory still occupied by Shanbei Xi. Youzhou officials will
Reclamation of wasteland and farming is a good thing.
Even if they take advantage of their position to buy some land, that's normal. As long as they are buying land, although there are some violations, it is not a serious crime. If they really want to be investigated, they can't be punished. Why should we meddle in this business?
?”
"Yeah, let's just get down to business."
Cui Dunli looked at these subordinates, "Are you afraid?"
The ministers and foreign ministers were silent. They were really afraid. They were doing such crazy things in other people's territory. Do you think that everyone is a son of the fifth surname of Boling Cui like you, or a member of the family who has been in the customs for several generations, and is appreciated by today's saints?
, To be honest, when we come out for the Chinese New Year, everyone also wants to make some contributions and go back to add some qualifications. If you insist on having trouble with Wu Huaiyu, everyone really doesn't want to get involved.
When gods fight, they are just mortals.
"The water in Youzhou is very deep. I know that. I am also very surprised that Wu Huaiyu has not only been able to have a warm relationship with the powerful local families in the short time he has been in Youzhou, but he can even appease the people behind the mountains and be able to intimidate them.
It seems that the Khitan and others did a great job in the battle at Yehuling, but they cannot ignore other issues because of this."
"Since I came here on an edict, I must live up to the saint. I must investigate carefully, investigate carefully, and report all the problems found."
The officials lowered their heads and couldn't listen any more.
You are the only one who is noble and noble, you are the only one who is amazing,
But everyone doesn’t want to do this.
"Secretary Cui, let's forget it. Let's report all the things we found to the court truthfully and let the court send someone to handle it. We'd better go about our errands and don't delay the business."
Cui Dunli looked at these people, "Pang Xiaotai claims to be Wu Huaiyu's lackey. He can be shameless without any scruples, but we are not Wu Huaiyu's lackeys. We are imperial officials and messengers of the emperor."
Several people remained silent and silently protested against the young Minister Cui.
You have just been promoted to Minister of War from Zhongshushe, and you insist on working hard. You really insist on moving Wu Huaiyu down. Do you want to be the governor of Youzhou yourself?
"Did we take advantage of Wu Huaiyu?"
"Sir Mr. Cui, please don't accuse us wrongly. I don't think so."
