A gift list leaked from the house of Liu Shilang of the Ministry of Rites, which made the people of Kyoto watch one more free fun before the New Year.
More than ten officials were investigated, specifically involving the Ministry of Industry, Imperial College, Sinong Temple, Yushitai, etc. The Ministry of Rites was the hardest hit area. Counting the doctor of the Ministry of Rites who was imprisoned for fraud cases, there are currently only six senior officials in the Ministry of Rites.
Tang Huai, the Minister of Rites, and Liu Jin, the doctor of the Temple Department, were left.
Although the Tangrenzhai newspaper did not publish the details, in a few short sentences, there were countless undercurrents surging between the lines, which even ordinary people could feel.
Tang Ning got the news last night and arranged for people from the Propaganda Department to type and print it overnight. They had not gotten off work until this morning.
Emperor Chen dealt with a lot of people this time, and the Ministry of Rites was wiped out with almost only one bare commander in Tang Huai. The doctor of the dining department and the chief guest doctor were imprisoned, and the minister Liu Feng was demoted by two levels, demoted to another state, and made a state farewell.
Damn, it’s hard to come back in this life.
Emperor Chen's treatment of the others was not as expected by Tang Ning. Each of the seventh-rank officials had an annual salary of less than a hundred taels, but they could easily give out thousands of taels as gifts. Rich families like the Tang family had strong capital.
, there are relatives outside the country running the family business, and those officials who are supposed to be clean and tidy cannot explain where the money comes from. It is not surprising that the officials who should be demoted should be demoted, and those who should be dismissed should be dismissed.
But Liu Feng was the minister of the Ministry of Rites, a fourth-rank official after all. He only accepted some congratulatory gifts and did not take bribes like others. Such a punishment was abnormal.
Although Liu Feng is annoying, he may be in a high position and is very vigilant. There is no big stain. Even Su Mei didn't find out. Otherwise, Tang Ning would have brought it out last time. Just because he received the gift, Chen
The emperor demoted him out of the capital and confiscated most of his family property, which even Tang Ning felt was a bit heavy.
In addition, Emperor Chen also promulgated a law by the way, in order to clean up the unhealthy tendencies in the officialdom, court officials were not allowed to be extravagant and wasteful, nor were they allowed to accept gifts in the name of birthdays, marriages, etc.
If it weren't for the 700,000 taels of silver confiscated from the Liu family, Tang Ning almost believed that Emperor Chen really wanted to punish officials and strictly investigate their behavior in accepting gifts.
After this wave of official investigations, the court has not made any major moves. If there are no surprises, Beijing should be more peaceful from now on until New Year's Eve.
After all, the government still needs to maintain stability. If it keeps going through this for a few more times, I am afraid that the system that Chen Guo has finally built over decades will collapse.
Chen Huang always did things neatly and without any sloppiness. When one wave of officials went down, another wave of officials came up quickly.
The Minister of Rites is temporarily served by a Hanlin bachelor. Liu Jin, the doctor of the Temple Department, is the only survivor among the four doctors. His actions of staying out of the mud and not colluding with other corrupt officials have won the recognition of many people and he took over.
The position of the doctor of the Ministry of Rites.
Although the Doctor of the Ministry of Rites and the Doctor of the Ancestral Temple are at the same level, their status is very different. The Department of Rites is the head of the four departments of the Ministry of Rites. The position of Doctor of the Ministry of Rites has always been prepared for serving as the Minister of Rites.
In a mansion somewhere in the capital, Liu Jin, who had just been promoted to a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, came home. A woman came to greet him and asked happily: "Master, they said you were promoted to a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, is it true?"
"I'm a woman." Liu Jin glanced at her and said, "As I said last time, Liu Shilang is doomed this time. To get close to him is to court death. Look at the fate of the doctor of the dining room and the doctor of the host and guest. When I
If I had listened to you, you would be a living widow now."
"It's all my fault, it's all my fault..." The woman looked apologetic and said: "I am a woman. From now on, whatever happens outside will be whatever the master says. I will never talk too much..." The master wants to eat.
What, I will do it for you..."
Liu Jin glanced at her with satisfaction, enjoying the majesty of the head of the family, straightening his chest and saying: "Let me start with two pig knuckles. I have been busy for so many days and have lost weight..."
…
Tang family.
As the New Year approaches, everyone in the capital is celebrating, but the Tang family is gloomy and gloomy. The officials who come to visit all have worried faces and haggard expressions.
These days, countless officials from Duanwang's line are holding on to their hearts and dare not let go.
Liu Shilang of the Ministry of Rites and others were demoted or imprisoned. No one knew whether it would be their turn next.
During the court meetings in the past few days, King Kang pursued this matter fiercely, intending to take this opportunity to eradicate King Duan's wings. No one could guarantee that they would be able to live safely after entering the court.
walk out.
"Prince Kang is already preparing for joint impeachment. I'm afraid it will be raised in court tomorrow morning. He really wants to drive us all away!"
"It's all Liu Shilang's fault. How could such an important thing be stolen by thieves!"
"What's the use of blaming him? Who knew that His Majesty would get so angry over a gift list?"
"Master Tang, what should we do..."
…
Everyone surrounded Tang Qi and kept talking. In addition to complaining about Liu Feng, they were looking for solutions to the problem.
If this matter is not resolved for a day, they will have trouble sleeping and eating.
Tang Qi dismissed everyone, walked out of the room, went to a wing, looked at the middle-aged man, and asked: "Mr. Xu, have you thought clearly?"
Mr. Xu stood up and said: "He who knows the current affairs is a hero. Since he is in the Tang family, Xu has no other choice."
Tang Qi's expression softened slightly and he said, "Does Mr. Xu know everything that happened recently?"
Mr. Xu nodded and said, "I have read the newspaper."
Tang Qi said: "King Kang is taking advantage of this to pursue and fight fiercely and refuses to give up. If he doesn't do something and lets him be like this, I think it won't be long before he sets foot in the East Palace. By then, it will not be a good thing for you and me. I don't know.
Does Mr. Xu have any countermeasures for this?"
Mr. Xu shook his head and said, "It's too early."
Tang Qi looked at him and asked, "What's too early?"
"Master Tang just said that King Kang will set foot in the East Palace soon. It is too early." Mr. Xu said: "No matter King Kang or King Duan, it will be impossible for him to set foot in the East Palace for a long time. It is possible at this time
It may be one or two years, it may be ten or twenty years, but it is definitely not now."
"What do you mean?" Tang Qi frowned and said, "Mr. Xu, please stop beating around the bush and tell us what we should do."
"Do nothing." Mr. Xu took a sip of tea and said, "Just watch King Kang do it."
Tang Qi looked at him with slightly stern eyes and said, "Do nothing and wait for King Kang to kill us all. Mr. Xu is not joking, right?"
"Master Tang doesn't understand King Kang." Mr. Xu looked at him and said, "Kang King has no brains and is headstrong. It would be better if he didn't do something. But if he does something, he will make a mistake... What's more, you don't have to do anything in the first place.
, King Kang and King Duan, it’s not yet time to decide the winner, Mr. Tang only saw King Kang chasing you fiercely, didn’t you see that Your Majesty did not adopt his opinion?”
"The greatest prosperity will inevitably lead to decline, and things will inevitably turn into extremes. A person can be proud, but he cannot be too proud." Mr. Xu put down his teacup and continued: "Your Majesty does not want to see the premature outcome of the dispute between King Kang and King Duan. Before that, no matter what
Whatever you do is in vain, otherwise, after the last time the Minister of Household Affairs helped King Duan embezzle tax money, King Duan would have been defeated. Mr. Tang has lived in the court for a long time, and he will not understand the principle of checks and balances."
After listening to his words, Tang Qi was silent for a long time, his eyes flashed, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
He glanced at Mr. Xu and said, "I will consider Mr. Xu's words. Mr. Xu will have a good rest here these days. If you need anything, just ask your subordinates to do it."
He walked out of the room and soon came to another hall.
Tang Huai was sitting on a chair, and there was a figure standing in the hall.
Tang Qi walked in, looked at the young man, and asked, "Are you undercover agents sent by King Kang?"
