I studied in modern times

Chapter 775 The Restless Imperial Censor

The people Lu Tao sent to follow came back soon.

"Prosecutor, I have investigated it clearly..." The other party came close to Lu Tao and said, "The man just now is called Chen Twelve, and he is the younger brother of the concubine of our ward, Wang Maoshi..."

After listening to this, Lu Tao narrowed his eyes and said, "It turns out that he is from this Xiangxiang Dian!"

The heart, which had been calm, began to beat violently again.

Lu Tao even felt that he had seen a staircase leading to heaven appearing in front of him.

A clerk in Kaifeng Prefecture? Or a clerk in this place?
Lu Tao couldn't help licking his lips.

This is a very sensitive group!
The clerks, monks, and Taoists, when combined together, are like a bottle of poison comparable to arsenic to the relatives by marriage!
But don’t think that the Kaifeng Prefecture’s system of assistant officials is the same system as the grassroots assistant officials of the Tang and Five Dynasties just because it was inherited from the system of assistant officials of the late Tang and Five Dynasties.

It is only responsible for public security and fire prevention.

Not really!

Just as Bi Zhongyou said - although the small envoys from various departments were in charge of supervising thieves, they were actually in charge of estimating family property, taking statements from patients, and inspecting firefighting and other miscellaneous tasks. They were not officials who caught thieves.

The clerks in the Bianjing city, since Taizu, have transformed from the security officers of the prefectures and counties into local tyrants!

All the clerks are stationed in their respective neighborhoods and live with their neighbors day and night!

They are the tiny blood vessels of the city of Bianjing.

He is also the eyes, ears and mouth of the Zhao officials!
Starting from the previous emperor, they began to shoulder more responsibilities.

First, in the third year of Xining, the late emperor issued an edict - the capital was snowy and cold, and the elderly, sick, orphans and children without support were ordered to live in the Futianyuan in Kaifeng Prefecture, and to adopt additional people. The envoys of the various huts were still ordered to check and verify according to the Futianyuan agreement, and give money according to the number of people every day!
In the fifth year of Yuanfeng, because merchants and scholars who came to Beijing were poor and fell ill, and had no money to treat, they often died in the capital. The former emperor issued another decree: ordering the envoys of Kaifeng Prefecture to each be in charge of two people, to list the names of all merchants who were poor and alone and sick, and to treat them. After the actual situation was determined, rewards and punishments would be made, and each person would be paid 2,000 yuan for medicine per month.

The current emperor has expanded the establishment of Futian Hospital and ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to set up clinics in various districts to treat the orphans, the elderly, the young and the helpless, and free of consultation fees.

It developed from the good policies of the previous emperor.

At the same time, all the orphans in the Futian Orphans would eventually be selected and taken away by the Bian Jing Xin Bao, and the rest would be sent to various workshops as apprentices.

It was also in the name of inheriting the benevolent policies of the previous emperor and expanding the great virtues of the ancestors that money was taken out from the treasury and the Kaifeng Prefecture, the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Futian Institute were ordered to implement it.

It is these clerks who are actually responsible for the specific work, screening, reporting and verification.

In addition, as early as the first year of Xining, when the late emperor had just ascended the throne, he had issued an edict to strengthen the power of the clerks in Kaifeng Prefecture - officials from the capital who had served as magistrates and county magistrates were allowed to handle official affairs in the various clerks, and those who were under the age of sixty and had minor cases were allowed to make sole decisions.

This means that all civil disputes and fights in the various wards of Kaifeng Prefecture will be handed over to the local officials in charge of each ward to be handled.

The late emperor's original idea was very good.

Unite the strength of capable officials from all prefectures and counties across the country to build the capital into a truly first-class place.

However, in the actual implementation process, this beautiful idea was completely shattered.

the reason is simple.

Civil officials are all temporary officials.

The terms of office were very short, especially for civil servants in Kaifeng Prefecture, which were particularly short.

In the past, the acting governor of Kaifeng Prefecture was replaced almost every year.

Many people were promoted or dismissed after not even working for half a year.

It's not just the acting governor of Kaifeng who is like this.

All middle and senior civil servants in Kaifeng Prefecture were like this.

Kaifeng Prefecture is changing, but the officials are permanent.

Therefore, in reality, the power of "deciding disputes involving sentences of less than sixty strokes of the cane" which should have belonged to the officials of the wing naturally fell into the hands of those wing officials.

Then a capable minister who wanted to do something came and successfully took back the power from these officials.

But it won't be long before this capable minister will be promoted rapidly.

The successor will quickly give away the power that the predecessor has seized back.

Under such circumstances, it would be very striking if a relative had an affair with a clerk in the same wing, and a clerk from the same wing at that.

In particular, this relative was also entangled with monks and Taoists at the same time.

Just this point alone, once reported, the prince consort will have no way to defend himself and will become a "suspicious relative" in the eyes of the royal family.

Loyalty is not absolute, it is absolutely disloyal!
However, it is still difficult to overthrow a royal consort, the emperor's uncle, by relying on such groundless rumors!
However, now that there is content for impeachment, if there is no impeachment, it would be like listening to music in a brothel, the young lady has already thrown herself into his arms, but he is already in the sage time.

I feel uncomfortable all over!
Moreover……

Lu Tao was very clear that the current Censorate contained multiple volumes.

Both the new and old parties were vying to show their loyalty, hoping that the emperor would pay as much attention to them as he did to Zhu Guangting, and even to posthumously honor their fathers and grandfathers.

So, one by one, they flew up.

Lu Tao was very worried, because he was not the only one who was eyeing the prince consort.

If that were the case, if he didn't file for impeachment, someone else would have gotten there first.

Wouldn’t the merit and royal favor that I have obtained be lost?

No!

When Lu Tao thought of this, he said to the official, "Just keep watching from here!"

"I will go back to the Imperial Censorate..."

"Yes!" The official bowed in response.

Lu Tao patted the latter on the shoulder and encouraged him: "You should work hard. When I show my achievements in the future, you will definitely have a share!"

"Perhaps the emperor is so gracious that he will grant you a special decree to serve as an official!"

The official immediately became excited: "Please rest assured, I will work hard!"

Now, not only the Crows are involved in the Censorate, but also their thugs.

Without him!

The court gave too much!
From the eighth year of Yuanfeng to the present day, there have been ten clerks in the Censorate who have been appointed to official positions!
In the past, there might not even be one in a year!
In a society like the Song Dynasty where officials are the most important, no matter how low-ranking an official is, there are countless people who would scramble to get the position and dream of getting it.

……

After leaving Yongningfang, Lu Tao mounted his horse and headed straight for the Censorate.

When he was halfway there, he ran into an acquaintance.

"Duke Yuan Jun!" The other party had also discovered Lu Tao early on and bowed to him from a distance.

Lü Tao came up to the man, dismounted, returned the greeting, and asked, "Why are you here, Mr. Yun?"

This person was Lu Tao’s good friend Zhang Shunmin.

He, Lu Tao, Su Shi brothers, Xianyu Qun and others were all in the same group.

This group once formed its own faction in the court and had a very loud voice.

Because they were basically scholars from Shu, they were slandered as the Shu Party.

However, the Shu Party has now fallen apart after the blow of the Xianyu Qun case.

This can be seen from the fact that Lu Tao is now getting closer to Zhu Guangting.

Zhu Guangting was a student of Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi!

As for the relationship between Cheng Yi and the two Su brothers, it cannot be said that they are in name only, but at least they are disgusted with each other.

Especially Cheng Yi’s students!
Their impression of Su Shi and his brothers had become extremely bad because of Su Shi's mockery of Cheng Yi at Sima Guang's funeral, and they vowed to avenge their teacher.

There was a fierce fight between the two factions.

However, with the dismissal of Xianyu Qun and Shangguan Jun and Su Che's appointment as governor, the relationship between the two sides began to ease.

It was for this reason that Lu Tao was able to get together with Zhu Guangting.

But Zhang Shunmin still hated Cheng Yi.

He even thought that Cheng Yi was behind the Xianyu case! Under such circumstances, he naturally distanced himself from Lu Tao.

So, when he met Zhang Shunmin here today, and it seemed that Zhang Shunmin came here specifically to wait for him, Lu Tao was very happy.

When Zhang Shunmin saw Lu Tao, he said, "Mr. Yuan Jun, this is not the place to talk. Please move to the wine shop..."

"Alright!" Lu Tao said happily, "It's been a long time since I drank with Yunsou!"

The two of them found a restaurant nearby.

In today's Bianjing City, the most popular and best decorated restaurant is Sun's BBQ restaurant.

Lu Tao and Zhang Shunmin went to a nearby Sunjia BBQ restaurant.

After entering the store, Zhang Shunmin greeted the owner and asked for a private room. He ordered some signature barbecue dishes, asked for some tea, and asked the owner not to disturb them.

After entering the private room and closing the door, the two sat down as host and guest.

Zhang Shunmin said to Lu Tao: "Mr. Yuan Jun, we have received an official notice from the Ministry of Personnel, and it has been decided that you will be appointed as the governor of Xizhou in June!"

Hearing this, Lu Tao said happily: "This is a good thing!"

"Zhou Zhi You Jingshu and Tongpan Bao Junhang are both gentlemen! Yunsou and gentlemen working in the same state will surely be a good story in the future!"

"Yes!" Zhang Shunmin said, "This is indeed a good thing!"

He was actually demoted this time.

He was demoted because, like Su Shi, he couldn't control his mouth.

In March, he submitted a memorial to impeach Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo for manipulating power and appointing personal connections.

The evidence is that several people recommended to the court by Wen Yanbo were all old acquaintances with him.

Then, he was hit by the iron fist.

Before Wen Yanbo could say anything, the chief minister of the capital hall jumped up and refuted his impeachments one by one.

In particular, Lu Gongzhu directly requested that Zhang Shunmin be demoted.

Otherwise, he will resign!

The reason is very simple - last year, Lu Tao and others begged for respect to be the emperor's teacher because Wen Yanbo was old and sick, and asked him not to worry about the government and national affairs.

Then, Wen Yanbo immediately got angry and closed the door to refuse visitors.

There was quite a stir at that time!
In the end, the emperor had to go in person to invite the old tutor out.

Afterwards, Lu Tao and others should have been demoted, but Wen Yanbo pleaded for them and they were retained.

Now, Zhang Shunmin is still stubborn and wants to comment on Wen Yanbo, and even accuses him of having private dealings with others.

Given Wen Yanbo's temper, he might have another attack.

And this is what the ministers fear the most.

Zhang Shunmin sighed, "To be honest with you, Lord Yuan Jun, I was able to become the co-magistrate of Xizhou because of the recommendation in the memorial submitted by the Grand Tutor!"

Lu Tao was silent.

Because last time, he was able to stay in office because of the petition submitted by Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo.

Good guys or bad guys, they are all Wen Yanbo!
People like them are clowns, rash young people, and radicals who do not know the seriousness of the matter.

Anyway, that's what others are talking about.

Even for this, they still had to thank Grand Tutor Wen and be grateful and praise his magnanimity.

I can only say that the veteran of four dynasties is really amazing!
These young people can be hung up and beaten at will.

"Let's not talk about this anymore..." Zhang Shunmin said, "Returning to Xihe this time is a good thing for me!"

He once followed Gao Zunyu to take charge of affairs in the northwest.

I have some understanding of the situation in the Northwest.

"I have come to find Lord Yuan Jun to tell him something..."

"Ok?"

"The emperor has once again kept today's impeachment letter against the prince consort..." Zhang Shunmin said leisurely, "Wang Mingsou and others have colluded in the Censorate, and are planning to kneel down at the inner east gate, begging the emperor to summon them, and to report the prince consort's illegal behavior in person!"

When Lu Tao heard this, his expression changed drastically.

He knew that what Wang Di was going to do was called knocking on the palace gate!
Something like knocking on the gate, once it happens, will inevitably cause a sensation in the city.

At the same time, all the officials in the capital will be dragged into the water!
The reason is very simple - the censor's knocking on the palace gate is equivalent to bypassing the normal procedures and appealing to a higher level.

This is a big taboo in official circles!

What’s even more terrible is that after the censor imprisoned the emperor, all the officials in the capital had to take sides.

Do you support the censors? Or do you oppose them?
There is no middle ground!
Choosing a middle position is equivalent to telling the world that this prime minister is a two-faced person and is sitting on the fence.

If they support it, but the knock on the gate fails, the supporters can only ask to leave on their own.

If you oppose it, once the seizure of the palace is successful, you will be condemned by everyone from then on.

Therefore, the ministers in the capital were very disgusted with the censors' interception of official documents.

They also guarded the Imperial Censor's Palace closely. If there was any movement, the iron fist of the capital would fall immediately!
Where does Wang Di get the courage?
Lu Tao looked at Zhang Shunmin: "What exactly happened?"

If Wang Di just stayed in the palace, it would be impossible for him to collude with other censors.

Although the censors were reckless, they still knew the seriousness of the matter.

Going beyond the governor of the capital is tantamount to challenging the authority of the capital.

Once something like this happens, there will be no reasonable reason that can convince everyone.

That would not just be an offense to the current prime minister.

It will also offend all future rulers!
People who do this will be regarded as oddities and troublemakers by everyone.

They will be trapped in a remote military state forever and will never be able to turn over!

Zhang Shunmin sighed, "The emperor issued an edict, ordering the money from the treasury to be used to make up for the deficit for the prince consort!"

Lu Tao opened his mouth wide and his heart was beating fast.

The emperor issued an edict to release money from the treasury to make up for the deficit for the prince consort?

What a divine move this is!

Anyway, after Lu Tao learned about this, he could no longer hold back.

He immediately said, "Wang Chayuan intends to lead the people to knock on the palace gate to ask for orders from the emperor!"

"This is for the people of the world!"

"Although I am not talented, I will follow your lead!"

After the emperor issued an edict to release money from the treasury to make up for the deficit for the son-in-law.

The nature of the whole matter has completely changed.

why?
Because the emperor's decree to use the sealed treasury money to help the prince consort fill the deficit is similar to a modern fund sending a text message to its customers - my family members, I really am not being run on!

This is definitely a case of trying to cover up one's own guilt!

This is also a general truth.

While confessing without being asked, it also gives everyone a fair chance to show off and demonstrate their loyalty.

This is what Confucius said: Two or three of you can attack with drums!
Any censor, as long as he has a working IQ, will rush forward after knowing this.

There has never been a safer and easier opportunity to show your loyalty!
It can even be said that anyone who does not participate in the knock-on ceremony has something to hide!

This person should be severely investigated, and his ancestors should be checked for 18 generations!
(End of this chapter)