Chapter 1221 Military Reform - Abandoning Those Who Wanted to Be Abandoned a Long Time ago (1)
Yunxi took out a memorial from his arms and said to everyone: "This is the memorial filed by Shi Jianyi, Zuodu Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, regarding the bribery case of the Ministry of Rites."
"Jian Qing, Ai Qing is here today. Can you tell everyone how the case is progressing?"
"Your Majesty, through the investigation of this case by the ministers Zheng Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, Ru Shangshu of the Criminal Ministry, Huang Fuyin of Yingtian Mansion, and Commander Qin of Jinyiwei, it has been found that twenty-nine officials of the Ministry of Rites and sixty-seven servants have received
A bribe from an envoy from a foreign country." Jian Yi stepped forward and said.
Everyone present was very puzzled as to what Yunxi was doing when he brought up this case, including Zheng Yi, Ruchun, Huang Huai and others who were investigating the case with Jian Yi. But when they heard that Jian Yi mentioned that so many people from the Ministry of Rites had accepted bribes, Zheng Yi
He immediately went out and knelt down and said: "I am guilty, please punish me."
"Accepting bribes from envoys from foreign countries is different from other bribes, and it is extremely difficult to verify. If the North Korean deputy envoy case had not happened accidentally this time, I am afraid it would not have been verified. Aiqing did not accept bribes, so I will not punish Aiqing seriously.
.But there are so many officials involved in this case, and you are guilty of negligence, so I cannot help but punish you."
"Therefore, I will remove you from the post of Minister of Rites and appoint you as Right Chancellor of the Qin Dynasty. I will allow you to complete the handover of all matters in the capital and return to your hometown to visit relatives before heading to the northwest."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Zheng Yi kowtowed and said. This case involved so many officials. He was only demoted to the right minister of the vassal state, which was very lenient. In the Hongwu Dynasty, even if he had not been cut off
The head will definitely be demoted to serve the people.
However, Yunxi was not so lenient towards the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the handymen involved in the case. He had already made up his mind to exile all of them and their families to the Hanzhou continent. Just as Yunxi was about to speak, Jian Yi suddenly said: "
Your Majesty, in addition to the officials and servants of the Ministry of Rites, I have also verified that seven officials of Honglu Temple are involved in accepting bribes."
"There are also officials from Honglu Temple involved in this case?" Yunxi looked angry and said: "There are also seven people from Honglu Temple, including a total of 36 officials from the Ministry of Rites, so many officials are involved in this case!"
"I originally wanted to save some face for these officials, but since they accepted bribes so unscrupulously, Jian Yi told the court the names of all the officials involved. I will deal with them on the spot!"
Jian Yi agreed, turned around and ordered a man behind him who was wearing the uniform of a seventh-grade censor. The man took a step forward, took out a document, and read aloud: "Tang Xuanfa, head of the Fine Food Department of the Ministry of Rites!"
Hearing this, one of the officials from the Ministry of Rites suddenly trembled and knelt down on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy: "I was just confused for a moment, please forgive me! I was just confused for a moment, please forgive me!..."
But Yunxi ignored him. Seeing this, the Han general stepped forward, removed his hat and held him in the middle.
The censor kept talking about people's names, and the Han generals rushed forward to arrest the official whose name was called. When these people heard their names, they all turned pale, although not everyone shouted as loudly as Tang Xuanfa
They begged for mercy, but they all collapsed on the ground with a look of regret on their faces.
The matter was very clear. His Majesty had the list read out in front of everyone, and it was made clear that he would be dealt with severely, and that he might be executed. At first, he was just looking for a temporary advantage, but in the end he was executed. Who wouldn't regret it?
Fear also arose in the hearts of officials in other yamen. On the one hand, Yunxi had raised the salaries of officials, and on the other hand, there was also the inertia that had continued from the Hongwu period. In addition, the discipline was relatively strict, and corruption and bribery were not allowed.
There are not many officials, but there are quite a few people who have taken advantage of them. Many times they are treated to a meal. As long as they do not charge money, the officials take it for granted and do not care. If they are even held accountable for such things, they will be punished.
Many more people have been arrested. In addition, many officials have been asked to handle matters by people with good connections. Looking back now, some people may not be involved in this matter and will be implicated.
However, after listening to the list and the charges for a while, everyone felt relieved. The charges they were convicted of did not involve the request, and they would be fine. Many people couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"... Zuo Sicheng and Ye Qiu of Honglu Temple accepted a total of 650 bribes from envoys from North Korea, Siam and other seven countries." The censor suddenly said.
Everyone paused and turned to look at the fifth-grade civil servant who had just stood up and was the first to express objections to Yunxi's reforms, because he was Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu was stunned and raised his head to look at Yunxi. Seeing that Yunxi's expression did not change, the Han general also came over to capture him. He immediately knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I know that the crime of accepting bribes cannot be forgiven, but I
What I just said was not selfish, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to consider your words carefully."
"A joke!" Another person walked out from the square formation of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, wearing the uniform of a fourth-grade imperial censor. He saluted Yunxi and sneered: "How can the advice of a corrupt person be taken seriously? How could I know that what you just said is not true?
Accepting bribes from others is what others say? Since you can accept bribes from envoys from foreign countries, you may not accept other bribes." He turned to Yunxi again, saluted and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that all those who are found to have accepted bribes from foreign countries should be punished.
The messengers asked those who bribed them to conduct strict investigations again to see if these people had ever accepted other bribes."
"What Chen Qing said is true. We need to strictly investigate whether they have ever accepted other bribes." Yunxi nodded and said.
Hearing this, a trace of despair flashed across Ye Qiu's face. Just as he was about to speak again, the Han general had already pushed him to the ground, took off his hat, and covered his mouth. What Ye Qiu was about to say
He was suddenly choked in his throat and made a whining sound.
Not long after, all thirty-six people were captured by the Han generals. Yunxi glanced around the hall and said: "Jian Qing, according to the "Ming Dynasty Law", how should they be dealt with?"
"Your Majesty, according to the Ming Dynasty Laws, those who commit bribery and bribery above one hundred and twenty guan should be beheaded and have their homes confiscated; those who commit bribery and bribery above one hundred and twenty guan should be exiled to the frontier," Jian Yi said.
"Then let's do it according to the provisions of the Ming Dynasty Law." Yunxi said expressionlessly.
Immediately, someone wanted to step forward to beg for mercy for them, but they put their feet back and put them back. At this time, His Majesty was angry. Not only would he not be able to save these lives, but he might get himself involved.'
Let's wait a few days until your Majesty calms down. Fortunately, according to the "Da Ming Law", no matter how much money is involved in corruption or bribery, there is no reason to kill him immediately. It is the question of the Queen of Autumn. This is the first month, and there is still time.
.' they thought.
"I have orally ordered them to be deposed from their official positions and demoted to common people. Ruyu, I will hand over these common people to you and interrogate them strictly. You must ask them whether they have ever accepted other bribes." Yunxi said again.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ru Jun was very reluctant, but she could only step forward to accept the order. Although these people were dismissed from their official positions, they were officials after all. If he dealt with them in the same way as ordinary people, he would definitely attract the attention of all officials.
If you are disgusted, if you don't deal with it the same way as ordinary people, they may not be able to ask anything, and you will be in a dilemma.
'According to the regulations, most officials are interrogated by the Metropolitan Procuratorate, while civilians are interrogated by the Ministry of Criminal Justice. By deposing them from their official positions before the interrogation, it is clear that they do not want the Metropolitan Procuratorate to be responsible for the case. Your Majesty is really partial to Jian Yi. Hey, who let it happen?
Why am I not the emperor's confidant?" He glanced sideways at Jian Yi. Jian Yi had been a member of Zhongshushe since the 21st year of Hongwu. He also held an official position in Zhan Shifu for a time and was a confidant of Yunxi.
After Ruyu received the order, Yunhe ordered the Han general to send them to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. These people agreed and retreated with thirty-six former officials.
When the thirty-six people were being escorted away, Yunxi glanced at the military official formation, and sure enough he saw a few eyes staring at them and sneered.
After they were all taken away, Yun He cleared his throat and was about to say something. Suddenly, Chen Ying, the censor of the left front of the Metropolitan Procuratorate who had just come out to refute Ye Qiu, came out again and said loudly: "Your Majesty, your Majesty.
There is an original play."
"What's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, I impeach the former Governor of the Houjun Governor's Office, Zhang Yi, the Marquis of Heqing, Mei Yin, the Minister of Du branch, and Zhao Wen, the former doctor of the military selection department. I impeach the Marquis of Heqing for bending the law for personal gain, and the credit for being greedy for others falls on his son Zhang Yumu;
The impeachment branch minister Mei Yin, the former military commander Zhao Feng ignored the imperial decree and clearly knew that the first creditor in the battle of Selenge River in the third year of Hongwu was Peng Qingzong, who was the Huining Wei Qianhu at that time, but attributed him to He when appointing and removing officials.
Zhang Yumu, the son of Qinghou." Chen Ying said.
As soon as Chen Ying said this, the originally calm hall was shaken again. The corruption case involving thirty-six officials just now was enough to attract attention, but now there is another major case.
Since he succeeded to the throne, Yunxi has always paid attention to fairness, especially the merits of military commanders. He is strictly prohibited from coveting the credit of others and will not be lenient if he is found out. This case involves another marquis, who has a far greater impact on the court than Shicai.
Those middle and low-level officials from the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple were demoted much more. So everyone looked at Chen Ying or Zhang Yi.
However, a few people secretly glanced at Yun He, as if they had understood something.
Yunxi didn't notice anyone looking at him, but said to Chen Ying: "Chen Qing, as you said, this case involves the Marquis of Heqing Zhang Yi and the consort Mei Yin?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Ying agreed.
"Such a big case cannot be decided based on your words." Yunxi asked again: "Is there any evidence?"
"Your Majesty, the current witness is Peng Qingzong, the former member of Ningwei Qianhu who has been coveted for his achievements."
"Send him to the palace, and I will interrogate him personally!"