That's too much!
Pei Huaijie was furious, his eyes seemed to burst out with fire, he glared at Dai Zhou, gritted his teeth and said: "You also know the law? Which law stipulates that a case of 'insult' requires auditing the account books? You are in charge of the imperial judiciary, but this It’s so shameless to ignore the law!”
Outside the hall, all the Henan officials also stared angrily.
After staying in the same yamen for many years, no matter what the factions are, the basic interests of each other are constantly involved. One will be prosperous and one will suffer losses. Now these big bosses insist on auditing the account books. Once anything is found out in the audit, it will be difficult to end it.
After all, Pei Huaijie was a second-rank official, a feudal official, and he even had an amulet like "Zhenguan Xunchen". He was destined to serve until he retired. But once officials like them were affected, not only would they not be able to protect themselves, but their entire family might even suffer. ……
Seeing that he had offended the public, Liu Xiangdao sighed and said to Pei Huaijie: "Originally, Your Majesty told you that you would only come here to interrogate the 'insult' case, but with Pei Fuyin denying and resisting like this, we can't hide it, so we can only Tell the truth: Yushitai received a memorial to impeach Pei Fuyin It's not just about 'humiliation', it's about 'protecting aristocratic families and concealing their children', 'buying corvee money to persecute good people', 'migrating good people to annex their fields'... one by one, does Pei Fuyin really want to do this? Shake it out and examine them one by one?”
Pei Huaijie's face was ashen, but he had to shut up.
How can aristocratic families remain prosperous for decades, hundreds or even hundreds of years?
It’s actually very simple – annex land.
In a farming society, with land comes wealth, with wealth comes Dingkou, and with Dingkou you can thrive for a while, and then establish a solid family business, shelving countless books, and only allowing your own children to learn and monopolize knowledge.
At this point, you can monopolize the way to get an official position.
Imperial power and aristocratic families have never had the same interests, but the emperor has to rely on the children of aristocratic families to govern the country, because all the scholars in the world are descendants of aristocratic families, so what can the emperor do? We can't let illiterate farmers govern the country, right?
The family clan is getting stronger and stronger, forming a vicious circle.
As the governor of Henan and the "spokesperson" elected by the family members, Pei Huaijie has the obligation to assist the family members in implementing the land annexation.
Land annexation has never been gentle, courteous, and gradual. The process is accompanied by sin and blood, natural disasters, lending, usury, bankruptcy, selling oneself, and slavery... The nobles of the aristocratic families opened their bloody mouths and swallowed up the common people bit by bit. , using the flesh and blood of the common people to nourish the luxury of the nobles.
The several crimes listed by Liu Xiangdao are exactly the means by which the aristocratic family members devour the common people. How could Pei Huaijie stay out of it?
These things are done all over the world, but they are against the law no matter what. As long as they are listed one by one, the natural evidence will be conclusive and irrefutable.
Of course, this is a "hidden rule" that everyone knows. Normally, no one would use this as a means of struggle.
But now is an unusual time. Since His Majesty is determined to suppress the family, it is natural that he must fundamentally break the foundation of the family. It is very likely that Pei Huaijie will become the first "family spokesperson" to be cut off after the founding of the country...
……
Pei Huaijie had to give up resistance, but Liu, Dai, and Zhang did not go to war violently. Instead, they steadily advanced one by one, investigating witnesses, collecting evidence, and verifying account books at the same time, without any rush.
It doesn't seem to be firing at full strength.
……
Taking off his official robe and holding an oil-paper umbrella, Pei Huaijie wore a round-necked uniform and a turban and walked on the streets in the drizzle. His mood became more and more depressed because of the weather. With a cold face, he walked among a few servants. Accompanied by his wife, he left the city from Xuanrenmen in the East City, walked eastward along Xuanrenmen Street, and arrived at a temple in Guiyifang.
The temple is small and dense with ancient trees. The Han Canal, dug from the northern foot of Mang Mountain to divert water from the Han River, flows southward on the east side of the temple, connects with the Cao Canal in the south of Guiyi Square, and then flows southward into the Luo River.
Sitting in the monastery facing the canal, Pei Huaijie's mood eased a little as he opened the window and looked at the wide waterway under the misty rain and the green willow trees on both sides.
After drinking two cups of tea, the entourage took Zhang Liang inside.
Pei Huaijie motioned to the servant standing beside him to bring a new pot of tea, and motioned for Zhang Liang to take a seat: "We have been friends for many years, why should we be so polite? Hurry up and take a seat."
Zhang Liang didn't say much, gathered up his clothes, and knelt down opposite Pei Huaijie.
The servant made a new pot of tea, bowed and left.
Pei Huaijie held the pot and poured tea with his own hands.
Zhang Liang thanked him, took a sip of tea, savored the sweetness, looked out the open window and admired the scenery, and sighed softly: "The royal aura of Chang'an is condensed, simple and thick, but it is not as luxurious and beautiful as Luoyang. My brother has guarded Luoyang for many years. It is really enviable to have outstanding achievements and enjoy glory at the same time.”
In the first year of Wude, Zhang Liang accompanied Li Ji to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. In the fourth year of Wude, Li Ji was ordered to attack Liu Heita and ordered Zhang Liang to guard Xiangzhou. However, Zhang Liang was afraid of the enemy's strength and abandoned the city and fled. Later, he was recommended by Fang Xuanling to defect to Qin King Li Shimin, and entered the "Tiance Mansion" as a chariot general.
At that time, Zhang Liang was not well-known and was reduced to the lowest rank among the generals in Tiance Mansion, while Pei Huaijie was also firmly suppressed by Yu Shinan, Du Ruhui, Chu Liang, Yu Zhining and others. The two neglected brothers hugged each other to keep warm. There was also a warm friendship.
Pei Huaijie said angrily: "Right now, my brother is in danger and I can't protect myself. Are you saying this to take pleasure in others' misfortune?"
"How is this possible?"
Zhang Liang shook his head, glanced outside the door, and then whispered: "Liu Zhongshu asked me to send you a message. You must resist it no matter what. As long as the strike and production shutdown continue in the salt field, the situation will inevitably change. By then, my brother will be able to escape." .”
Pei Huaijie glanced at Zhang Liang in surprise, and then realized that Zhang Liang was actually Liu Ji's person...
From this point of view, Liu Ji was not suppressed as the outside rumors said, and became the most incompetent Zhongshu Ling since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
After thinking about it, I felt a little unsure and asked, "What is Liu Zhongshu's plan?"
It is possible to support him, but the consequences of being rejected are also very serious. Once Liu Jie cannot influence His Majesty's thoughts in the court, then once he is found to have assisted aristocratic families in annexing land, randomly changing household registrations, apportioning corvees, etc., there will be no consequences. Any room for maneuver.
Zhang Liang said: "Why does Liu Zhongshu need to make any plans? The clan is now in a state of uproar and will change sooner or later."
Pei Huaijie nodded.
In fact, there is no need for real changes in the clan. As long as the turmoil continues, His Majesty will definitely change his mind and put all his efforts on appeasing the clan and stabilizing Guanzhong. How can he care about the "land of three rivers"?
Whether it is the Hedong Saltworks or our own side, all crises will be lifted immediately.
Without making an immediate decision, Pei Huaijie poured tea and asked, "What's going on with Fang Jun? Is it His Majesty's command to be so tough, or is it Fang Jun's arbitrary decision?"
Mentioning Fang Jun, Zhang Liang still had lingering fears. In fact, he had been suppressed too hard by Fang Jun in the past few years, but the dignified minister Zhenguan was begging for mercy like a dog-legger: "I don't know yet, but whether it was His Majesty's idea or Fang Jun's, The consequences of this nonsense are really serious. I am afraid that a secret message has arrived from His Majesty, asking Fang Jun to make concessions.”
The current Hedong Saltworks has attracted the attention of the entire world. Everyone knows that this is a fierce struggle between the imperial power and the aristocratic family. The victory or defeat here will mean the future relationship between the imperial power and the aristocratic family. If the imperial power wins, it will inevitably lead to a great victory. The power is sweeping the world, and all the aristocratic families will follow in the footsteps of the Hedong aristocratic family; if the Hedong aristocratic family wins, the imperial power will definitely shrink back to Guanzhong, and they will no longer dare to covet the foundation of the aristocratic family.
Until now, it was unanimously believed that Fang Jun was at a disadvantage.
The Hedong Family is too decisive. Strikes, production shutdowns, and the situation of millions of people facing no salt to eat will have a huge impact. If Fang Jun is not careful, it will trigger a violent turmoil, and he will be trapped in it. , difficult to extricate oneself.
Therefore, Fang Jun is more likely to give in in the end.
Pei Huaijie shook his head and sighed: "Fang Jun is worthy of the words of Emperor Taizong back then, 'the talent of the prime minister and assistant'. He is indeed remarkable."
Even if it ends with Fang Junzhi's concession, the division of interests in Yancheng, Hedong, will never return to what it was before. The so-called concession is that Fang Jun's "nationalization" of the salt farm has failed, but in fact, the Hedong family has lost at least 30% of its interests.
This is already a huge victory.
Zhang Liang nodded with lingering fear: "That guy is indeed capable. His achievements today are definitely not due to the late emperor's favor and his father's connections."
He was both "afraid" and "respectful" of Fang Jun, and would never dare to confront him head-on.
Pei Huaijie was silent for a while and said: "You should go back first, so as not to be found out by King Wei if you have been out for a long time."
If the King of Wei discovers this private way of conveying news to Pei Huaijie, he will most likely attack Zhang Liang...
"Then I'll take my leave for the time being. I'll take care of my brother in Chang'an in the future, and I'll get drunk before I retire."
"Then let's look forward to the future."
……
Zhang Liang left, and Pei Huaijie sat there alone, having someone bring him a plate of pastries. He drank tea and ate the pastries. The drizzle outside the window, the willows green, the pavilions, pavilions, and water waves rippling in the distance. wide.
With Zhang Liang ventilated, he understood that His Majesty would not do anything to him. The big boss of the "Three Laws" came to Luoyang with such great fanfare just to force him to resign and become an official. The purpose was to build the Eastern Capital for King Wei. And Xu Jingzong measured the acres and cleared the obstacles.
That being the case, what else is there to be afraid of?
All he has to do is control the situation and hold on while he can. It is best to hold on until the situation changes and everything will return to the way it was before. Even if he can't, as long as he gives up at the most critical moment, His Majesty will most likely transfer him back to Chang'an.
Foolproof.
After finishing the cakes on the plate, he got water to wash his hands and rinse his mouth. Pei Huaijie stood up, straightened his clothes, took the oil-paper umbrella from the servant, and was about to go out and return to the official residence in Dongcheng.
A fast horse galloped forward, and the sound of its hooves was very clear in the quiet drizzle. When Pei Huaijie reached the door of the temple, he saw the knight arriving just in front of him. He dismounted and came quickly.
"Reporting to the governor, the Royal Navy came from the south of the canal, led by the Grand Governor Su Dingfang, and has arrived at Mengjin Ferry!" Pei Huaijie's heart tightened. Su Dingfang led the navy north to Luoyang at this time. Why?