Chapter 1688: Don’t let go
Liangyi Palace.
His Majesty Li Er looked at the memorial on his desk with a gloomy expression and sat for a long time without saying a word.
In front of him, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Zhao Guogong Changsun Wuji, Zhongshu Ling Cen Wenwen, Official Affairs Minister Li Daozong, Song Guogong Xiao Yu, Minister of Military Affairs, Ying Gong Li Ji, Yushi Zhongcheng, Jingzhao Yin Mazhou, Dali The minister of the temple, Sun Fuga, and other important officials of the imperial court were all present, with serious faces and silence.
Some time earlier, Fang Xuanling presented the memorial "begging for divorce" to the door. This is not the first time that Fang Xuanling has "begged for leave." In the past two years, Fang Xuanling's health has been deteriorating and he has often been bedridden. The daily affairs of the Shangshu Province have been handled by Shangshu Zuocheng Wei Cong, Pei Xizai, Zhang Xingcheng and others. In fact, Already semi-retired. However, His Majesty Li Er knew that even if Fang Xuanling could not sit in charge of the Shangshu Province, his ability and experience in governing the country could not be compared with Wei Cong and others, so he rejected all Fang Xuanling's resignation memorials.
However, this time, everyone knew that Fang Xuanling was coming...
"The old minister defected to the Ming Dynasty in Weibei. Fortunately, he did not give up. He was entrusted with important tasks, prepared military affairs, and kept the secretary. Suddenly, it has been thirty years... The old minister thought long and hard all night, fearing that he would have to bear the heavy responsibility, but he was walking on thin ice. , Don't dare to slack off for a moment... "Book of Rites" says: A doctor becomes an official when he is seventy, and an old minister is not old. It describes aging, lack of energy, being plagued by various illnesses, and being in a trance, no longer able to be driven by His Majesty... His Majesty has tried to persuade him to stay several times, and the old minister is grateful to his heart. However, he has no way to teach his son, which has brought shame to the family and has failed the emperor's favor. How can he have the face to stand in the In the imperial court, the officials are in charge of the affairs of the court, and the imperial court is in order... I invite you to serve in order to ensure peace of mind..."
His Majesty Li Er ordered his chamberlain to pass Fang Xuanling's memorial to all the ministers and circulate it together.
After all the ministers saw it, they remained silent.
Fang Xuanling has always been an elegant man. He does not fight for power, profit, cliques or selfish interests. He is generally tolerant, humble and gentle as jade. He is a true gentleman and an honest person.
But now, the honest man lost his temper...
There was no conclusive evidence in the Censor's impeachment case against Fang Jun. However, the supervisory censor Le Yanwei insisted that it was true that Fang Jun raped civilian girls and refused to let go. This led to a surge of public opinion in both the government and the public. Although some people disagreed, but more people But people spread the news by word of mouth.
People are ignorant, and when public opinion rises, they are easily influenced and follow what others say... As a result, Fang Jun's reputation is in a whirlpool, and Fang Xuanling's reputation is also damaged.
However, anyone with a discerning eye knows that someone is clearly targeting Fang Jun in this matter.
How can Fang Xuanling not be angry?
Even an honest person could express his dissatisfaction to the emperor with words that seemed mild but were actually fierce. Moreover, from the lines of this memorial, it can be seen that Fang Xuanling was determined in his anger.
This is not only to express his anger, but also to put pressure on the emperor...
I, Fang Xuanling, have been working for the emperor all my life, and now I have to be persecuted to the point where my family’s reputation is in jeopardy, and my children and grandchildren suffer injustice?
Emperor, you can figure it out yourself...
His Majesty Li Er was filled with anger.
He looked around and said solemnly: "Can Dali Temple make a decision on this matter?"
Sun Fujia, the minister of Dali Temple, stood up quickly and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the facts have been found out, and the evidence used by the supervisory censor Le Yanwei to impeach Fang Jun is not credible. However, Le Yanwei insists that Fang Jun did rape a civilian girl. But after hearing the news of the impeachment, he reacted quickly and gave the merchant's daughter to his soldiers, and intimidated the girl's parents to get away. "
When everyone heard this, they all admired this Le Yanwei, he is so ruthless...
According to the law, if there is no evidence, it means that Fang Jun is not guilty. Le Yanwei insists that it is true that he raped civilian girls, but Fang Jun made up for it so quickly that the evidence was invalid. As a result, Le Yanwei must be severely punished. Taking the impeachment case to Dali Temple without evidence is simply ridiculous. If everyone despised the king's law, wouldn't it be chaos?
However, Le Yanwei was so cruel that even though he couldn't prove that Fang Jun raped a civilian girl, he still refused to let go.
It seems extremely stupid, but it is not.
Public opinion is unreasonable. It has a "preconceived" quality. People often believe that they heard it first...
The lack of evidence doesn't mean you didn't do it, it just means you hid it well.
Therefore, now that Le Yanwei is fighting for his future, he still wants to hold on to Fang Jun. The more serious the punishment given to Le Yanwei, the more sympathetic public opinion will be, and the more damage will be done to Fang Jun's reputation.
A little censor dared to bite a marquis without any evidence. Who would believe him if he said he had no one to support him?
His Majesty Li Er glanced at Xiao Yu, who was looking at his nose and heart. His heart was filled with anger, but he was helpless.
He has always paid attention to a "good beginning and good ending". Even if those ministers who conquered the world with him made mistakes, he would try his best to be lenient. He hoped that everyone would have a good ending and a good destination, and they could also achieve something "the king and his ministers". The good story about "each other's love" will be remembered for centuries.
He can tolerate people as unruly as Qiu Xinggong and as sinister as Changsun Wuji... As long as they don't rebel like Hou Junji, he is willing to give them a good end.
Not to mention the dedicated and loyal Fang Xuanling?
His Majesty Li Er glared at Liu Ji angrily. This guy has known his business reputation all day long and his leadership skills are really lacking. If it weren't for his incompetence, how could he not even be able to control the subordinates of Yushitai, making Le Yanwei like this Do villains have no fear and do whatever they want?
Liu Ji felt the emperor's dagger-like gaze and shrank his neck in fear, not daring to speak.
But I complained about Fang Xuanling in my heart. You asked me to help you, but you didn't say that this matter was so big...
His Majesty Li Er looked at Xiao Yu, looked at it for a while, and then asked: "What does the Duke of Song think of Xuan Ling's resignation?"
Xiao Yu's heart sank.
Song Guogong... Xuan Ling... Just hearing the title, it can be seen that His Majesty must be extremely dissatisfied with him at this moment.
He is also riding a tiger now. His original intention is to damage Fang Jun's reputation and hinder his rapid promotion. It is best to make the emperor dissatisfied with Fang Jun and then take back control of the Huating Town Shipping Department and the Royal Navy. Let someone else take over, easing Fang Jun's control over Jiangnan business.
But who could have expected that this idiot Le Yanwei would actually get things to this point...
The emperor's question had to be answered. Xiao Yu thought about it for a while and then said: "Xuanling is not feeling well, and it is known to everyone in the government and the public. Although he is still old, he has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty. At this time, he sincerely begs for leave and hopes that your majesty will grant him permission." Xuanling spent most of his life thinking deeply about national policy. Now that he has become an official, he can enjoy his family and travel around the mountains and forests, which is not a bad idea. ”
Naturally, he was inclined towards Fang Xuanling becoming an official. Fang Xuanling was the left pushe of Shangshu, and he was the right pushe of Shangshu. As long as Fang Xuanling became an official, he would definitely be promoted to one level and become the chief minister.
Ma Zhou, who had been silent for a long time, glanced at Xiao Yu indifferently and said, "It is true that Prime Minister Fang is sincere in begging for a divorce, but if Your Majesty allows him to take office at this time when the case of Fang Jun has not been revealed, I am afraid that there will be more trouble in the government and the public. The spread of rumors will not only damage the reputation of the Prime Minister, but also impair His Majesty's wisdom. ”
He somewhat looked down upon Xiao Yu.
It is true that this person has seniority, a strong foundation, and a high reputation, but he is only seeking profit for the Jiangnan gentry. He is short-sighted and narrow-minded, and is not the image of a chief assistant.
Couldn't this person see the anger and intensity in Fang Xuanling's memorial? The most important thing at the moment is not whether Fang Xuanling's appointment is approved, but how to resolve the impeachment case of Le Yanwei as soon as possible. If this is not resolved, how can Fang Xuanling endure his son's unfair reputation when he becomes an official? ?
This is chilling.
Xiao Yu shook his head indifferently and retorted: "I know that Prince Bin, you and Fang Jun have a close friendship and a deep friendship, but the impeachment case of Le Yanwei is really difficult to handle. Le Yanwei dared to risk his future by insisting on it It is true that Fang Jun raped a civilian girl. Is there no article in this? Check? Although there is no conclusive evidence against Fang Jun, it does not mean that Fang Jun has never done such a thing. If your Majesty punishes Le Yanwei forcefully, if there is evidence in the future that Fang Jun is indeed guilty. , How to restore your Majesty’s reputation?”
Ma Zhou was dissatisfied and retorted: "Song Guogong's words are simply unbelievable. According to your opinion, as long as someone accuses anyone with death, he can be convicted without evidence? Then what is the use of King's laws and regulations? ? What’s the use of the three laws of the empire?”
The two were arguing endlessly, but Prince Li Chengqian just sat quietly aside, saying nothing, with a calm face, but a slight twinkle in his eyes... (End of Chapter)