Chapter 363 Dilemma
Zhao Xing knew that some people did it deliberately, but he had no intention of stopping it.
Since he ascended the throne, although some officials have been executed, the highest official position is only a minister.
None of the ministers, deputy ministers and six ministers in the court were moved.
These people kept causing trouble for him. They really thought he was as good-tempered as his father, right?
Zhao Xing had not moved before because he had just ascended the throne and the situation was unstable. The prime minister, deputy prime minister, and six ministers were considered the real high-ranking officials.
Once these people are touched, it will cause too much turmoil.
It has been half a year since he took the throne. Since some people are seeking death, Zhao Xing will help them.
Even if there is no evidence, it doesn't matter. There is no need to accuse someone. Isn't there a rebellion in Jiangzhou? When the time comes to fabricate some evidence and accuse him of treason, no official will have any reason to stop it.
"Master, please step back."
"I resign!"
Han Zhang sighed after hearing this. He could guess some of Zhao Xing's thoughts, but he couldn't stop him.
Not long after Han Zhang left, the minister of Honglu Temple came to see him and said that Xixia had submitted its credentials and condemned the envoy to the Song Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing knew that Xixia's purpose should be related to the situation in Hehuang. He told the minister of Honglu Temple to be ready for the work and sent him away.
"Troublesome things really come one after another." Zhao Xing shook his head slightly.
After the Xixia envoys arrived, the news of Gu Tingye's troops could no longer be concealed.
But it can be delayed for a while.
…………
Early morning the next day
Yan Kuan came out and said: "Your Majesty, the case of corruption and perversion of the law by the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Shiquan, has been thoroughly investigated. During his tenure as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Shiquan used various means to embezzle a total of more than 315,000 taels of silver. , the evidence is conclusive!”
Zhao Xing looked ugly when he heard this and said: "What should I do if it is according to the law?"
"Six of the officials involved in the case, including Zhu Shiquan, should be beheaded for public display, and the remaining officials should be sentenced to exile!" Yan Kuan said.
"Yan Aiqing!" Zhao Xing said coldly: "Zhu Shiquan is the biological brother of my mother and concubine. Do you know what you are talking about?"
"Your Majesty, the prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Although Zhu Shiquan is a relative, any crime committed must be dealt with according to the laws of the Song Dynasty!" Yan Kuan said solemnly.
All the civil and military officials in the dynasty were confused by the emperor and his ministers. They didn't know what song they were singing.
Who doesn't know that Yan Kuan is Zhao Xing's man. If Zhao Xing really wants to protect Zhu Shiquan, he should hint to Yan Kuan in private.
There are also a few smart people who guessed Zhao Xing's intention.
"What Yan Shangshu said is wrong!"
Hu Zhongyan stated: "Although Shilang Zhu violated the laws of the Song Dynasty, he is a relative, so he should be exempted from part of the punishment. The most he can do is be sentenced to exile. He should not be sentenced to death!"
"Yes, what Hu Shangshu said makes sense! How is Yan Shangshu's approach different from that of a cruel official?"
"Shilang Zhu is a relative of the emperor, so if he is sentenced to death, where will the royal family's face be at stake?"
As soon as Hu Zhong finished speaking, the relatives in the court echoed his words one after another.
Civil servants objected to killing civil servants because they did not want the sword to fall on them one day.
The foreign relatives stopped Zhu Shiquan from being killed at this time, which meant the same thing.
The most important thing is what Hu Zhongyan said, that relatives should have part of their punishment reduced.
If Zhu Shiquan can be saved, this sentence will be confirmed, which will also be good for them.
Some smart people guessed Zhao Xing's intention and also guessed Hu Zhongyan's intention, and they all echoed it.
The sudden argument made many people in the court feel confused.
But the bosses all went into battle personally, so the younger ones couldn't watch the show, so these officials also followed suit.
For a time, most of the civil and military officials in the court were speaking out to protect Zhu Shiquan.
Zhao Xing's face on the imperial platform was gloomy. He was pretending before, but now he is real.
He said that deliberately before, just to look like he couldn't help himself.
In this way, when Mr. Zhu finds out, he will have something to say.
But Hu Zhongyan is not stupid, he knows how to use his tactics to his advantage. At this time, the civil and military officials of the court begged for mercy, and he was indeed able to agree.
But this way, he would not have enough confidence to attack other officials in the future.
And things are not that simple. Zhao Xing's previous attacks on civil servants were not too involved after all, just to boil frogs in warm water.
But if the officials begged for mercy, he still resolutely killed his own uncle, which was equivalent to showing his attitude to the officials.
If even his own uncle shows no mercy, those officials who are still taking chances will completely wake up.
It can be said that Hu Zhongyan's actions put Zhao Xing in a dilemma.
Zhao Xing looked at Sanshui, who understood and said loudly: "Quiet!"
The noisy officials slowly became quiet after drinking Sanshui.
Zhao Xing took a deep look at Hu Zhongyan and said: "Yan Shangshu is right, the prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people! As a relative, Zhu Shiquan should set an example instead of telling me that my relative should be exempted from guilt! I did have some selfish intentions before, Not only did you not advise me, but you also excused Zhu Shiquan. You are really my good ministers.”
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I know I was wrong!" Hu Zhongyan bowed and said.
Hu Zhongyan had no intention of protecting Zhu Shiquan. Whether Zhao Xing killed him or released him, it would be beneficial to him.
He stopped him verbally, just because he didn't want Zhao Xing to continue acting.
"Your Majesty, please calm down and let me know your mistake!" Those who had previously pleaded for Zhu Shiquan shouted in unison.
"Since you are already aware of your mistakes, let each of you be fined half a year's salary as punishment."
After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he looked at Yan Kuan and said, "Let the case of Zhu Shiquan be dealt with according to Aiqing's instructions and withdraw from the court!"
"I respectfully send you off to Your Majesty!"
…………
"Pa~"
In Longtu Pavilion, Zhao Xing threw the tea cup out angrily.
If it weren't for the fact that Hu Zhongyan might be involved in the wizarding sect and he didn't want to alert others, he would have been ready to attack Hu Zhongyan.
"Hoo~"
Zhao Xing exhaled heavily and said: "Inform Liu Sanshi that this news must not reach the ears of my mother and concubine. If Sun goes to the palace to ask for an audience, no matter who he asks to see, he will not be informed!"
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and hurried away.
…………
Western Suburb Camp
When the sky was slightly bright, the Song Dynasty ordered troops to be ordered.
After daybreak and the sacrifices were completed, the army set off.
You can go to Jiangzhou from Bianjing by water, and 50,000 troops went to Jiangzhou by boat.
"Commander!"
On the big ship in the middle, Gu Tingwei bowed and said: "All ships have set off!"
"Yeah!" Song Chaozhong nodded and said with a smile: "Are you still used to it?"
"Come back to Commander, get used to it!" Gu Tingwei said.
"This is just the beginning. The next step will be very hard. The rules in the army are strict. No matter how hard it is, you have to persevere. Do you understand?" Song Chaozhong said.
He asked Gu Tingwei to serve as his personal soldier. As the main general, it was impossible for him to charge into the battle. It was still safe to stay with him.
As a soldier, you need to stand guard, which is quite hard.
"Don't worry, Commander, I can endure hardship!" Gu Tingwei said loudly.
"The momentum is good, it's true that a tiger father has no dog son!" Song Chaozhong praised.
"Thank you for the compliment, Commander!" Gu Tingwei chuckled and said, "Commander, we don't have much food and grass. If the food and grass don't arrive in time, we might have problems."
"There is no way. There was a flood in Jiangzhou before. In order to provide disaster relief, there is not much food and grass in Bianjing. However, His Majesty has ordered food to be transferred from the south of the Yangtze River. It will arrive soon. There will be no food shortage." Song Chaozhong said.
"That's good." Gu Tingwei lowered his head slightly, with some hesitation in his eyes.
(End of chapter)