Hearing this, the royal family and relatives had different expressions.
Some people were trembling with excitement, and some were pale.
The reason why the civil and military sentiments of the Manchu Dynasty fluctuated with those of the emperor's relatives was because they were worried that Zhao Zhen would use the same tactics on them after seeing Zhao Zhen's cruel attacks on the emperor's relatives.
After all, Zhao Zhen is already so cruel to his own people, so he cannot be kind to outsiders like them.
The political decrees carried out by Zhao Zhen were beneficial to some of the emperor's relatives.
For the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, it was all beneficial.
Zhao Zhen's move not only urged their enterprising spirit, but also urged them to work hard to teach their younger generations, urge their younger generations to become talented quickly, and strive to continue their wealth.
The royal relatives will become ineffective after three generations and will most likely lose their power, but they will definitely retain some family wealth to some extent.
However, if the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, especially the civil servants, failed to achieve their goals for three generations, they would most likely be reduced to a poor family and be wiped out among the people.
Of course, not everyone is satisfied with Zhao Zhen's decree.
Some of the military officials who relied on the merits of their ancestors to become rich and powerful from generation to generation, and some of the civil servants who relied on their ancestors' support to serve as officials, strongly disagreed with Zhao Zhen's decree.
However, Chai Zongqing's body was lying there, and the sword that killed Chai Zongqing was in Zhao Zhen's hand. They really didn't dare to speak out and cause trouble with Zhao Zhen at this time.
"The official sage!"
Lu Yijian was the first to speak and gave Zhao Zhen a thumbs up.
Then all the civil and military officials in the court spoke up and praised Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen did not smile with joy at the praises from the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. He stared at the emperor's relatives and said: "Every one of them should go to the Ministry of Punishment to receive their guilt."
The royal family members bowed in unison, responded, and exited the Chui Gong Hall.
Zhao Zhendian sent two officials from the Ministry of Punishment to follow.
After the royal family and relatives leave.
The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty seemed to have won a great victory, and their faces showed unprecedented joy.
Zhao Zhen mindlessly protected the emperor's relatives for several months, and they became angry for several months.
Now that the royal family and relatives have been thoroughly punished, the resentment they had been holding in their hearts has finally dissipated.
When their eyes fell on Zhao Zhen's face, they found that Zhao Zhen's expression was still cold.
All civil and military officials in the court felt their hearts skip a beat.
They immediately remembered that the Chai Zongqing case involved not only Chai Zongqing alone, but also many courtiers.
Chai Zongqing's crime had little to do with them, but the court officials who were implicated had a real relationship with them.
Zhao Zhen spoke slowly under the gaze of the civil and military officials of the court, "You have been clamoring for months to let me deal with your family. Now I have dealt with my family. Should I deal with you?"
All civil and military officials in the court stared at Zhao Zhen without saying a word.
Zhao Zhen said coldly: "Two million and seven hundred thousand military pay was embezzled. The amount is so large and so many officials were implicated. There was no news from the beginning to the end. If it hadn't been for the Zhuozhou Mutiny, I wouldn't have known about it. I'll send it to you.
Before leaving Bianjing City, my military pay was reduced by more than 80%, and after leaving Bianjing City, it was reduced by 90%.
How much deception is there?
How many people know but don’t report it?
How many corrupt officials are there trying to protect each other?"
Zhao Zhen stood up with his sword in hand and said angrily: "I'm wondering if 90% of the tens of millions of military pay I approve every year is embezzled? If so, those who handle military pay can really be rich.
It's an enemy country.
No wonder our country, the Song Dynasty, has always suffered miserably in its foreign wars.
No wonder thousands of soldiers freeze to death or starve to death every year in our Song Dynasty.
The money they worked for was stolen.
The money they spent to survive was also stolen.
How could they not starve to death?
How could it be possible for me to serve the Song Dynasty to the death?
They are all hard-working people, each and every one of them is exchanging their lives for money.
They work hard but are greedy for money. Do you still have a conscience and humanity?
When I was in the northwest, I saw that fourteen-year-old boy, fighting for an acre of land, holding a knife and fighting a powerful enemy that was nearly twice as strong and tall as him. I felt tears in my eyes.
What about you?
Cold-blooded and cruel, they are greedy for money from their hard work behind the scenes.
I treat you well, and I, the Song Dynasty, treat you well.
The salary I give you and the salary the Song Dynasty gave you are the highest in all dynasties.
Emperor Taizu set a high salary for you just to feed you and make you less likely to reach out to the people.
But what about you?
Greedy!"
"I am guilty!"
Lu Yijian took the lead, and all civil and military officials in the court apologized.
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly: "Of course you are guilty!"
All civil and military officials in the court lowered their heads.
Zhao Zhen started to call the names, "Lu Yijian?"
Lu Yijian hurriedly left the class and said: "I'm here!"
Zhao Zhen said coldly: "I will fine you a year's salary, do you accept it?"
Lu Yijian said decisively: "I admit it!"
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly: "Such a big corruption case occurred in the imperial court, and you were not aware of it from beginning to end. You are derelict in your duty."
Lu Yijian was in charge of the affairs of state. During his administration, such a large-scale corruption case occurred, and he must bear responsibility.
Lu Yijian bowed and said: "I am at fault!"
Zhao Zhen stopped talking to Lu Yijian and looked at Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai, "You will also be fined one year's salary!"
Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai decisively accepted their punishment.
Zhao Zhen's eyes fell on the many censors on the censorship platform.
"On weekdays, you all have to bring it to court to impeach some trivial things that happen in Bianjing City. Now that such a big corruption case has happened, none of you have reported it to me.
Is it that you have become deaf and blinded, and it is difficult for you to serve as censor, or that you are shielding some of them."
The censors saluted in unison.
"I am guilty!"
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly: "I will only fine you your salary this time. Next time, I will let you all go to the northwest to herd sheep!"
"I am at fault!"
"snort!"
After Zhao Zhen dealt with the censor, he punished many people one after another.
Most of them are fines.
Only two or three people were demoted.
It’s not that Zhao Zhen picked it up high and put it down low.
But all the officials who were actually involved in the corruption case have been arrested.
Most of those who are still standing in the court are guilty of negligence.
After Zhao Zhen dealt with the officials who had neglected his duties, he slowly sat on the throne and said in a cold voice: "The three tribes of Yi are the culprits in this corruption case. The other criminal officials, regardless of their official positions, will be put into the cell together and will be executed in the autumn.
His family property was confiscated and confiscated into the national treasury.
His family members were exiled to border areas.
Let Wang Zeng supervise this matter."
Wang Zeng slowly left the office, bowed and said: "I accept the order!"
Zhao Zhen continued: "Zhang Zhibai?"
"I'm here!"
Zhang Zhibai left work to answer questions.
Zhao Zhen stared at Zhang Zhibai and said: "I know that you are an upright official. You served as the Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, and you are familiar with some military matters. I am going to send you, together with the left and right ministers of the Ministry of Punishment, to investigate for me.
Find out every payment of military pay in previous years, and find out every payment of ordnance in previous years.
Let me investigate and see how many people in the army are drinking the blood of the soldiers and eating the flesh of the soldiers.
You don't have to be afraid of offending others.
After you find out the location, report it directly to me.
I will order Kou Ji to deal with these people.
I believe that Kou Ji will not be afraid of the other party’s identity, let alone what the other party’s background is.”
A look of surprise flashed across Zhang Zhibai's face, he took a deep breath, bowed and said: "Here..."
Zhang Zhibai was not the only one shocked.
All civil and military officials in the court were also shocked.
It would be a shocking event to investigate and deal with every payment of military pay and ordnance in previous years.
As long as those who serve in the military have probably drunk the blood of soldiers.
Some even live by drinking the blood of soldiers.
If the investigation is carried out as Zhao Zhen said, 80% of Wu Xun will be unlucky.
No one dares to tell what the martial artists will do in order to save their lives or protect their own interests.
Some people on the Wuchen train changed their faces when they heard Zhao Zhen's words, but they did not say anything.
There is no difference between speaking out at this time and not asking for help.
Even if they want to plan some means of self-protection, it will have to wait until the next court.
The civil servants were not calm either.
Zhao Zhen's move was undoubtedly going to cause a big disturbance in the Song Dynasty.
No one can say what the final outcome will be.
If war smoke spreads everywhere, then the whole country of Song Dynasty may be in danger.
Zhao Zhen seemed not to have seen the shocked faces of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. After announcing the matter, he told Zhu Neng: "Zhu Neng, please go to Zhuozhou quickly to appease the rebellious soldiers.
When I collect the military pay from those corrupt officials, I will send someone to deliver it to you."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen looked at Kou Ji and said: "Kou Ji, help me keep an eye on Zhuozhou. If we really need soldiers and horses to suppress it, you can dispatch a group of soldiers and horses and let Zhu Neng lead them to suppress the rebels.
"
Kou Ji and Zhu Neng both came out of class, bowed and said: "Here..."
"Retreat!"
Zhao Zhen announced his resignation from the court and left the Chui Gong Hall amid the respectful greetings from civil and military officials of the court.
Lu Yijian and the others left the Chui Gong Hall with complicated expressions.
Standing at the door of Chui Gong Hall, Lu Yijian said in a deep voice: "The sky is going to change..."
Wang Zeng frowned and said, "I always feel that this matter has something to do with Kou Ji."
Lu Yijian snorted coldly: "Of course it has something to do with Kou Ji. It is difficult for the officials themselves to lay out such a big game and achieve the effect of killing two birds with one stone.
With the help of a sum of money and a mutiny, not only the emperor's relatives were dealt with, but also all the military honors were brought along with them.
Everything was arranged so neatly that there was no room for objection.
The imperial relatives have already been dealt with, but I dare not say whether the military heroes can be dealt with.
But I dare to assert that during the period when Prime Minister Zhang was investigating corruption in the military, no one wrote a letter to complain about the military heroes."
Zhang Zhibai smiled bitterly and said: "Who dares to cry out for Wu Xun? Such a big corruption case occurred in the army, and no news was revealed. If the officials don't investigate and deal with it, how will they explain it to the civil and military officials of the dynasty, and how will they explain it to the people?
, and how to explain it to the officers and soldiers in the army?"
"Good idea!"
Lu Yijian gritted his teeth and admired.
Zhang Zhibai let out a long sigh and said: "You two have to help me. What I did is offensive to others, and I may have to leave the capital for a while. If someone takes risks and hurts my family, you can help me."
Protect me."
When Wang Zeng heard this, he snorted coldly: "It's no harm to the family. If those martial artists really take risks and threaten Prime Minister Zhang's family, I will make them regret coming to this world."
Lu Yijian nodded with a heavy expression, "If they really dare to touch Prime Minister Zhang's family, I will lead my troops and rush into their home."
After a pause, Lu Yijian said in a deep voice: "Speaking of it, the most dangerous person should be Kou Ji, because he is the last person to take action."
Wang Zeng gritted his teeth and said: "If he was afraid of danger, he would not give this idea to the officials."
"Smelly boy..."
Lu Yijian cursed in a low voice.
"Lu Yijian, you have gone too far!"
Just as Lu Yijian was cursing, Kou Ji walked out of the door with his hands behind his back.
Lu Yijian heard Kou Ji's voice and said angrily: "You bastard, how dare you call me by my first name?"
Not to be outdone, Kou Ji said: "In the court, there are no distinctions between seniority and rank, only rank. My rank is not lower than yours. Besides, there is a difference between civil and military affairs. I am now the head of the military ministers.
You slandered me with your words.
If you provoke a civil-military dispute and disrupt the court, it will be your fault."
When Lu Yijian heard what Kou Ji said, he was completely angry, "Kou Ji, don't think that since you have become the Privy Councilor, I can't cure you. I will go to Wenchang Academy now and ask Kou Gong to teach you what to do."
Respect the elderly."
Kou Ji said disdainfully: "Only a three- to five-year-old kid would find someone to complain to their elders!"
As soon as Kou Ji said these words, Lu Yijian was so angry that the Three Corpse Gods jumped up, rolled up their sleeves and prepared to commit murder.
But they were stopped by Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai.
Kou Ji was right about one thing.
That is, this place is a court, and there are no elders or children in the court, only grades.
If two people really fight, no one will get any favors, and others will laugh at them.
After Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai stopped Lu Yijian, Kou Ji decisively greased his feet and fled.
After Kou Ji had left for a long time, Lu Yijian finally calmed down and said angrily: "If we let that kid hang around in the court for a few more years, maybe we will all be ridden by him."
Zhang Zhibai smiled bitterly and said: "If you really can't stand his behavior, just impeach him."
Lu Yijian said angrily: "I will write a letter to impeach him tomorrow."
Wang Zeng was about to agree, but suddenly he seemed to remember something, and he beat his chest and said: "Oh no, I have been fooled by that kid."
Lu Yijian and Zhang Zhibai were both stunned.
Wang Zeng shouted: "Why are we waiting here? Just to wait for that kid to come out and ask some of the reasons. But now we don't ask anything, and the kid ran away."
After Wang Zeng's reminder, Lu Yijian and Zhang Zhibai suddenly woke up and beat their chests and feet together.
After a long time.
Wang Zeng gritted his teeth and said: "Go to the Kou Mansion's other courtyard..."
Lu Yijian gritted his teeth and said: "This matter has a lot of implications. If we don't figure out the reason, something big may happen. Now that that kid has escaped, I can only go to the Kou Mansion Courtyard in person to pay a visit to his junior.
.”
Zhang Zhibai nodded slowly.
Lu Yijian hesitated for a moment and said unwillingly: "I am an elder, and it would be too embarrassing for me to go visit a junior."
"At this time, why do you care about face?"
"..."
The three of them made a decision and left the palace together.
After leaving the palace gate, I saw the soldiers of the Forbidden Army running around in the streets, entering and leaving the residences of various royal relatives.
The scene that happened in the court today had already been spread by the officials who took the lead.
The people in Bianjing City also know what the Forbidden Army soldiers are doing.
Most of the people did not understand the profound meaning of this incident in the court, and they had no intention of studying it further.
All they knew was that the extremely wise officials had done something very satisfying.
That was to deal with those relatives of the emperor who usually acted arrogantly in Bianjing City and oppressed the people.
If the officials eliminate a great harm for the people, the people will naturally be happy.
While praising the officials one by one, they rushed to the gate of the residence of the emperor's relatives and relatives to watch the excitement.
Some people who had been oppressed by the emperor's relatives even set off firecrackers in the streets.
The people were happy.
There was no cheerful atmosphere at all in the mansions of dignitaries.
Most of them are dull as if there is no one around.
Lu Yijian and the others had no time to take into account the joy of the people and the depression of the officials.
The three of them rode a carriage and wandered to the Kou Mansion Courtyard.
The three of them stopped at the entrance of the Kou Mansion's courtyard. The servants of the Kou Mansion took the initiative to get out of the way without any warning.
Wang Zeng was a frequent visitor to the Kou Mansion's annex. Where did the identities of Lu Yijian and Zhang Zhibai lie?
The concierge of Kou Mansion didn't dare to stop him.
Look at the gloomy expressions of those three people. I'm afraid they'll get beaten if they stop me. There will be no room for reasoning.
The three of them entered the courtyard of the Kou Mansion, arrived at the main hall, and ordered the steward of the Kou Mansion to call Kou Ji out.
Then, as if they were in their own homes, they shouted and asked the servants of the Kou Mansion to prepare tea.
They were not putting on airs, but simply regarded Kou Ji as one of their own, so there was no separation between them.
If Kou Ji went to the house of the three of them and behaved like this, no one would say anything.
If Kou Ji went to the house of the three of them and fell in love with the beautiful concubine and said hello, he would send her over without hesitation as long as the three of them were willing.
vice versa.
Of course, there are no concubines in the Kou Mansion.
Although Zhang Zhibai was an honest official, he also had concubines.
They were all given by the palace.
Each one of them holds the title of concubine in the Zhang Mansion, but their job is to summon the maids.
If Kou Ji really likes it, Zhang Zhibai would like to send it all to him in one go.
He couldn't afford it anyway.
Because most of his salary was donated to poor scholars.
The three of them sat in the main hall for a while.
Kou Ji's shadow was not seen, but Xiang Yan appeared in the main hall holding Kou Tianci.
"Yanya Tou, what are you doing here? Where is Kou Ji?"
Wang Zeng asked doubtfully.
Xiang Yan said dumbfounded: "My husband said that Mr. Lu and Mr. Zhang haven't met Tianci'er in private yet. So I asked me to bring him over for you two to see."
Lu Yijian's face suddenly turned dark.
Zhang Zhibai looked bitter.
While Lu Yijian was groping for something in his arms, he mumbled and cursed: "Everyone in the world knows that he is the God of Wealth. I think he is the skinner of Kou. As long as I seize the opportunity, I will skin you and never let it go."
Any chance."
Lu Yijian groped in his arms for a long time and found an ink ingot.
Wang Zeng looked familiar, but said nothing.
Lu Yijian hummed and said, "Fortunately, I was prepared..."
Lu Yijian handed the ink ingot to Kou Tianci and admonished: "Little guy, study more in the future. Don't be like your father. He is ignorant and has no skills, and he is full of bad ideas."
Xiang Yan took Kou Tianci to thank him, but did not open his mouth to clear Kou Ji's name.
It's not that she doesn't want to, it's that she can't argue with Lu Yijian, an elder.
The ink ingot given by Lu Yijian has a circle of golden peonies outlined on it.
It's not an ordinary thing.
Xiang Yan had seen her in her grandfather Xiang Minzhong's study before, and it was a tribute.
There is no private sales.
The officials will reward some to the officials.
The golden peony is a treasure among the ingots and is only rewarded to important ministers.
And the quantity is very small.
After Lu Yijian gave away the ink tablets, Zhang Zhibai said with a wry smile: "I have nothing but a lot of knowledge. When this boy grows up, I can be his teacher for a few years."
As soon as these words came out.
Everyone present changed their colors.
The same is true for Xiang Yan.
Xiang Yan hurriedly bowed to Zhang Zhibai and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Zhang's gift is too expensive. I am afraid that my God-given son will not be able to afford it."
Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng also spoke out one after another, admonishing Zhang Zhibai to be cautious.
What is Zhang Zhibai's identity? He is involved in political affairs.
There are only two people who are qualified to hire him as a teacher.
One is an official and the other is the crown prince.
Today's Song Dynasty does not have a crown prince, so there is only one official.
Even if an official asks Zhang Zhibai to teach him, he must be respected as a master.
It means the gentleman who preaches and teaches.
What did Zhang Zhibai promise to Kou Tianci? Master Meng.
It means Mr. Enlightenment.
As Zhang Zhibai serves as Kou Tianci's mentor, then no one can serve as Kou Tianci's mentor.
At that time, I'm afraid Zhang Zhibai will need to continue to serve concurrently.
Zhang Zhibai accepted Kou Tianci as a disciple, so he would definitely teach by words and deeds and be responsible to the end.
Kou Tianci is very likely to become Zhang Zhibai's direct successor.
Personal students are very different from ordinary students
Both Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng have been there, so they naturally know the differences inside.
So they advised Zhang Zhibai to be cautious.
Even if Kou Zhun were here, he would probably give some advice.
Zhang Zhibai heard the words of Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Xiang Yan and smiled: "Since I dare to speak, I have naturally made up my mind. So there is no possibility of going back on my words, and I will not regret it.
Although Kou Ji is uneducated and has no skills, he is a smart person.
Xiang Yan has a reputation for talent since she was a child, and her literary talent is not low.
The son of these two people will definitely not be a stupid person.
If I accept him as a disciple, I can be considered as accepting a good disciple."
Lu Yijian said solemnly: "I took the risk after all..."
Zhang Zhibai laughed and said: "I only promise to teach him for three to five years. If he becomes a talent, I will continue to teach him. If he fails to become a talent, I will return him to Kou Ji after three to five years."
Seeing that Zhang Zhibai had made up his mind, Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng could only sigh and did not try to dissuade him.
Zhang Zhibai said this lightly, but when it really got to that point, could he let go?
The relationship between masters and disciples in ancient times was different from the relationship between most masters and disciples in later generations.
In ancient times, master and disciple were really like father and son.
Once you are accepted into your family, you will be responsible to the end.
Being a teacher will not only teach students knowledge and principles of life, but also take responsibility for the students' life.
The teacher has to care about everything about the students.
If a student makes a mistake, the teacher will have to bear the consequences.
Zhang Zhibai accepted Kou Tianci's entrance, but it would be difficult to drive Kou Tianci out.
Because Zhang Zhibai served as Kou Tianci's mentor, no one could serve as Kou Tianci's mentor anymore. It was caused by Zhang Zhibai's status and it was Zhang Zhibai's responsibility, so Zhang Zhibai must be responsible.