The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

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The disappointment in Zhao Zhen's eyes could not be concealed from the shrewd courtiers, and some immediately refuted Fan Zhongyan's remarks.

Someone said: "Cliques talk about loyalty and traitors will always do something that the party agrees with and defeats dissidents. If the party agrees with the dissidents, it is the behavior of a villain."

Some people said: "The purpose of cronies gathering is to manipulate the direction of the government. This move to let the imperial power fall aside is an act of rebellion. The decision of the world is in the hands of the emperor. How can others influence the government? No matter how sophistry, cronies are endless." It is based on loyalty and treachery, but it is based on existence."

There is also a humane saying: "People who form cronies may be loyal at the beginning, but they will inevitably become accustomed to it over time. Gradually, those who are obedient will support the rebellious to attack, and it will deteriorate and change. There may be a transformation between loyalty and treachery. If the court indulges , until the end is too big to fall, and then it will be uncontrollable.”[

All kinds of arguments were shot at Fan Zhongyan and others like a sharp arrow. Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and others opened their eyes wide and wanted to refute, but they were all stopped by Fan Zhongyan; You can't refute with others, and you haven't admitted to forming a party. Let them talk to the sky, and you can do nothing to yourself.

Zhao Zhen obviously lost interest in this topic. Fan Zhongyan's performance made him very disappointed. Originally, Zhao Zhen had already thought about it. Not only did he not tell the truth, but he justified the trip to form a party, which aroused the anger in Zhao Zhen's heart.

"My dear friends, there is no need to discuss this matter any more. I already understand your attitude. I have been exhausted recently. I have trouble sleeping and eating, and my body is very sleepy. If there are other matters to discuss, let's go." Zhao Zhen rubbed stiffly His eyebrows were about to stand up and face down.

"My minister, Bao Zheng, has played." Some people came out to kowtow in front of the steps.

Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows. The appearance of Bao Zheng surprised him a bit. Originally, Bao Zheng was transferred from Yingtian Mansion to the capital to serve as an admonisher in the capital to help the New Deal, but for some reason Bao Zheng suddenly had no interest in the New Deal. He neither opposed nor supported him. At first, he impeached some officials, and later he simply asked for leave and returned to Luzhou to visit his relatives. He didn't return until the end of the year. Zhao Zhen didn't know why this straight minister, who is known for his integrity, had such a big change.

"What proposal does Bao Aiqing have?"

"Your Majesty, within ten days since I returned to the capital, I have heard all kinds of discussions inside and outside the court in private. I think that this situation of fluctuating people's hearts and discussions must be ended immediately, otherwise it will damage the prestige of the court and spread it to foreign countries. contempt."

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "What are you referring to?"

Bao Zheng said: "What I am referring to is the rebellion of Fu Bi, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council. This matter must be thoroughly investigated as soon as possible. If there is such a thing, it will be dealt with strictly according to the law. If it is true as the rumors say, Fu Bi has been wronged. To be framed, one needs to return one’s innocence, always procrastinating, with different opinions and gossip flying all over the sky, how can there be a stable situation.”

Zhao Zhen said: "I have ordered the three halls of the Criminal Department of the Yushitai of Dali Temple to interrogate the case, and the result should be reached soon."

Bao Zheng shook his head and said: "As far as I know, all three halls have been built. After seven or eight days of investigation, there is no clue. Then Shi Jie denied it. Someone actually wanted to torture Shi Jie. What kind of trial is this? Is it necessary to torture to extract a confession?" No? This method of adjudicating cases is simply laughable."

Zhao Zhen said: "Santang has its own means of adjudicating cases, so why should Bao Aiqing worry about that?"

Bao Zheng said: "Why don't you worry about it? It's about a shocking treason case, and it involves an important minister of the Song Dynasty, a great Confucianist. How could it be so procrastinating? If Fu Bi really conspired against him, it means that there must be a large number of fellow party members to help. How can he allow his party to have enough time to destroy the evidence? If someone frames Fu Bi, it means that there is a treacherous person in the court, who must be dug out and punished as soon as possible. Today is Fu Bi, tomorrow it may be me Bao Zheng, and later One day, other officials may be framed, how can you act slowly when it is a matter of urgency?"

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Bao Aiqing's words are too much, how can it be so serious."

Bao Zheng walked up the steps with staring eyes and shouted: "Why did the sage say such a thing? Are you trying to hurt your ears? Doesn't your majesty go to inquire about the situation outside? Everyone in the capital is in a state of panic. They don't know what happened in the court. This will continue like this." How can the people live and work in peace and contentment?"

Zhao Zhen was taken aback, and Bao Zheng sprayed a few drops of saliva on his face, Zhao Zhen wiped it subconsciously, and heard Huang Peisheng stepping up to stop Bao Zheng and saying: "Master Bao is so polite, how can he growl?" Court? Back off."

Bao Zheng said angrily: "Go away, I'm presenting important state affairs to the emperor, do you have the right to intervene?"

Huang Peisheng's face turned red, and he looked back at Zhao Zhen asking for help, but Zhao Zhen laughed loudly and said, "Sure enough, you are a straight minister, as expected of Bao Zheng, everyone said you are straight and rude, I have seen it today, Huang Peisheng, back down Well, it's none of your business."

Huang Peisheng was extremely depressed, so he had to retreat to the side of the dragon case, and listened to Bao Zheng say: "The minister is not rude, it is related to the stability of the country and the stability of the people's hearts, how can we not take it lightly."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Then what should you do? I heard that you are good at investigating cases, why don't you take over?"

Bao Zheng shook his head and said, "I can investigate, but I'm not suitable to intervene."

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Zhao Zhen said: "Oh? Why is that?"

Bao Zheng said: "Not only me, but officials in the capital should not intervene."

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "What's the meaning of this?"

Bao Zheng said: "I have just said that if there is a major treason case, there must be other accomplices, and if it is framed, there must be someone who is behind it. There have been rumors that Fu Bi's case has been pending for a long time. It was because someone secretly obstructed the trial process, and the two sides wrestled. Although this is all nonsense, I think the best way to put an end to the rumors is not to block their mouths, but to find out the truth as soon as possible, and let the people in the capital A third party outside of the court intervenes to show justice; to be honest, apart from you, the emperor, who would dare to guarantee the pardon of the courtiers in this matter?"

Everyone understood Bao Zheng's meaning. If something was lost at home, everyone looked like a thief. Fu Bi committed the crime, who was the accomplice and who was the mastermind. No one knew, and even the person who tried the case was the accomplice or the mastermind of the frame It is also unknown that Bao Zheng's intention is to appear fair, and to invite officials other than the capital to handle the case, so as to show justice.

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, and asked, "Who do you think is suitable to hear this case?"

Bao Zheng said: "I can't name the candidate, that would be considered unfair. I believe that this case needs a bold, careful, thoughtful person who is not afraid of influence. The specific candidate can be considered by the emperor himself."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "There are so many particulars, how can I find such a person?"

Bao Zheng said: "There must be."

Zhao Zhen frowned and thought hard, and suddenly his eyes flashed: "How about Su Jin? He has done a few difficult things, and this case should not trouble him."

Bao Zheng didn't answer: "On this matter, the minister can't express his position, the emperor can do whatever he thinks he can, everything must be decided by the emperor himself."

Zhao Zhen said: "It's okay, it's Su Jin. He hasn't disappointed me yet. I immediately ordered Su Jin to come to Beijing and give him a temporary post to thoroughly investigate the case."

Bao Zheng didn't answer, turned around and retreated, but Du Yan came forward and said: "Your Majesty, I think Su Jin is not suitable."

Zhao Zhen said: "Why is it inappropriate?"

Du Yan said: "Su Jin and Fu Bi are relatives, so they should avoid suspicion. If he comes to investigate, there is no guarantee that he will not be selfish."

Zhao Zhen said displeasedly: "Private Du, is that considered a relative? Su Jin and Fu Bi are half blood relatives, how could they be so confused as to cover him in this big case, besides, I will order He announced the whole case, under the supervision of all the officials, how dare he mess around."

Du Yan waited to say more, Bao Zheng said coldly: "Lord Du, I heard that you told others that you are relatives with the emperor?"

Du Yan was startled and said: "Stop talking nonsense, I never said such a thing."

Bao Zheng said: "Lord Du's wife is the daughter of the Tang family, a big family in Bianliang, right? Tang De, the patriarch of the Tang family, has a nephew in Yingtian Mansion, and his daughter is a nobleman in the harem, so you are not related to the emperor. Is it?"

Du Yan said angrily: "You're talking nonsense, how can these relatives who have turned the corner be counted as relatives?"

Bao Zheng spat: "Then why do you call Su Jin and Fu Bi different relationships, but you call them relatives?"

Du Yan was right, Zhao Zhen smiled slightly and said in his heart: This Bao Zheng is not as upright as he looks, and he can argue with Su Jin, no wonder he is a good hand in handling cases.