I studied in modern times

Chapter 846: A conspiracy group? It would be better if there is one!

After having breakfast with Empress Dowager Xiang, Shi Deyi came to report that Liang Congji had taken control of the Chenliu County prison and rescued Zong Ze.

After listening to this, Zhao Xu just hummed.

He was not surprised by this!
Liang Congji was an eunuch who crawled out from a pile of dead bodies. If Zhao Xu hadn't been worried that he would end up like Qin Han in his previous life, he would have died in agony from injuries and illness in his later years.

Therefore, an imperial decree was issued in advance to summon him back to Bian Jing to retire, otherwise he would still be leading troops in Fuyan Road.

Such a brave general in his prime is more than enough to suppress a small Chenliu County.

Empress Dowager Xiang, on the other hand, was very concerned about Zong Ze and asked him a lot of questions. She only felt relieved after confirming again and again that Zong Ze was not seriously injured and had just stayed in prison for half the night.

But after finishing his report, Shi Deyi did not leave. Instead, he kept his eyes on Zhao Xu cautiously.

Zhao Xu understood immediately and asked, "Do you know if there is anything else?"

Shi Deyi immediately knelt down with a thud and bowed, saying, "To inform everyone, early this morning, the Investigation Department received reports from patrolmen from all over the prefecture, saying that in Taikang, Fugou, Kaocheng and other places, there have been cases of clerks injuring people in the past two days..."

Although he was prepared, Zhao Xu was still surprised.

Empress Dowager Xiang widened her eyes even more.

It is not uncommon for clerks to injure people, but what is uncommon is that they happen in large numbers.

Although Empress Dowager Xiang was not proficient in government affairs, she was in charge of the government for more than two years.

He had some basic political sensitivity, so he asked, "Shi Deyi, why are the clerks in the prefecture so rampant?"

When one or two clerks injure people, it is accidental and random.

But if a large number of similar cases emerge in a short period of time, it must be organized!

What Emperor Zhao hated most in his life was the people below him sticking together.

As long as someone dares to form a group, we will definitely strike back with heavy blows!

Because historical lessons tell the Zhao officials that forming a group means forming a party, and those who form a party want to fight against the imperial power!
The imperial power must not sit idly by and watch this happen!
Otherwise, others might take advantage of the situation day by day and eventually take advantage of the situation, destroying the imperial authority and credibility.

Shi De was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhao Xu again, and then bowed and said: "Your Majesty, it may be because we have extended favor to Kaifeng Prefecture some time ago and exempted all the counties and towns in the prefecture from all taxes..."

Empress Dowager Xiang frowned and said, "This is a holy policy! Why are they dissatisfied?"

Last year, Kaifeng Prefecture collected nearly 1.3 million strings of cash in commercial taxes.

Among them, taxes accounted for more than 500,000 strings of cash.

The sixth brother was kind and righteous, and exempted all of them, which was equivalent to the court giving up 500,000 strings of cash in revenue.

This matter was praised by the court and the public, who all said it was a good policy of Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Tang.

Even the ladies of the imperial relatives and noble families, when they mentioned this matter in the palace, all said it was good. They also said that the people of Kaifeng Prefecture also sang praises for it and said that the emperor was benevolent and wise.

Therefore, in the mind of Empress Dowager Xiang, the clerks had already committed a capital crime!

Everybody says it's good, but you say it's not good, and you still want to oppose Sixth Brother's holy government!

It seems to me that you all are tired of living!
Shi De hesitated and evaded the question, saying only: "Your Majesty...what you said is very true...everyone is exempted from taxes in the prefecture, and everyone inside and outside the prefecture will regard it as a holy policy..."

Empress Dowager Xiang heard something wrong from Shi Deyi's tone and frowned even more tightly.

She asked: "If that's the case, then why are the officials in the prefecture dissatisfied?"

Shi Deyi prostrated himself on the ground: "I am an inner court official, I dare not discuss state affairs!"

Empress Dowager Xiang looked at Zhao Xu's little face and saw that the child had always had a calm expression. She roughly understood and asked, "Sixth brother, do you know the reason?"

Zhao Xu said: "Mother, I once read the "Records of the Grand Historian" and saw the words of Sima Qian: "The world is bustling because of profit, and the world is bustling because of profit."

Empress Dowager Xiang had also read the Historical Records. She immediately understood what was going on after hearing this: "What does Sixth Brother mean?"

"It is probably because the imperial court exempted excessive taxes and stopped the officials in the prefectures from taking advantage of the good people!"

Empress Dowager Xiang's face suddenly became angry.

When people encounter things they don't understand or have never encountered before, they always subconsciously substitute their past experiences into the equation, and then use their past experiences, knowledge, and observations to deal with these new things.

Empress Dowager Xiang grew up in the boudoir and had little contact with the outside world. After entering the palace, she rarely left, so her understanding of the contemporary Song Dynasty society was very limited.

Therefore, in the eyes of Empress Dowager Xiang, the actions of the clerks in the government office were directly interpreted as the Xiang family's stewards who had been extorting and exploiting the customers who cultivated the Xiang family's fields behind their master's back.

In the past, the owners turned a blind eye and let them do as they pleased.

But now, the owner wants to do good deeds and accumulate virtue and blessings, so he ordered some of the rent for the customers to be waived.

As a result, this matter that made the host and the customers happy made these cunning people unhappy.

So they caused trouble to their master's family in the farm.

Even injuring or killing customers!
What is this behavior?
How to deal with it?

Empress Dowager Xiang only needed to think about how her grandmother managed the household when she was still alive to figure it out.

As soon as Empress Dowager Xiang thought of this, murderous intent began to gather on her face.

Because she knew that generally speaking, things like slaves bullying their masters would mostly only happen in special circumstances within a family - when the male master died, leaving behind only orphans and widows.

Now, isn’t this the case in the Song Dynasty?
The ruler is young and the country is in doubt, and the queen is behind the curtain.

The servants below will naturally look down on and despise their masters.

As a result, they become bold and reckless!

She originally thought that since her sixth brother had grown up and started to get involved in state affairs and handle miscellaneous affairs, the ministers would also start to come to her sixth brother for instructions.

The days of fear and anxiety for the orphan and widow should be over.

No idea!
Even the clerks in the government office still treated them, mother and son, as nothing.

They even formed a group and started to fight against each other!

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xiang's expression became even uglier.

"How brave you are!" After a long time, she gritted her teeth, barely suppressing her emotions and said these words.

"Oppose the emperor, oppose the imperial court!"

"Are they going to rebel?!"

Empress Dowager Xiang was raised by her grandmother since she was a child, so she knew that when faced with such a thing, the host family must react violently.

Don't be lenient!

Otherwise, the people below will become more and more demanding and regard the tolerance of the master as weakness.

Must hit hard!
And the targets were clerks.

This gave Empress Dowager Xiang more courage!

"Shi Deyi, who is on duty in the two offices of the capital today?" she asked.

"Inform Her Majesty, today the Right Prime Minister and the newly appointed Prime Minister Zeng are on duty in the East Palace, while the Prime Minister Li is on duty in the West Palace..." Shi Deyi reported.

Because of the rest period, unless there was a major military or national event or an imperial decree requiring the ministers to gather for a meeting, the ministers in the capital would take turns to rest and to be on duty.

"Go and invite the three gentlemen to Chongzheng Hall..." He instructed the Empress Dowager, "The Emperor and I will be there shortly..."

"promise!"

……

Half an hour later, the three ministers on duty hurried to the inner east gate.

At this time, it was just past noon.

Because of time constraints, they had just started working and had no idea what was going on?
So, when Guo Zhongxiao appeared, Pu Zongmeng stepped forward and asked, "Li Zhi... Do you know why the Queen and the Emperor sent an edict to summon us?"

Ever since Qingshou Palace began to claim illness and stay at home because of Zhang Dunli's treason case, the actual power of the court has been rapidly transferred to the emperor. Now, it has become a routine in the court - major events are reported to the Funing Palace for approval, and minor affairs are reported to the empress dowager during the morning court session for her decision.

It is said to be a decision, but in fact it is just the ministers speaking on their own and reporting in the palace.

In most cases, the empress dowager behind the curtain would say: My dear minister, you are right. I will do as you say. My dear minister, you are right. I will do as you say. My dear minister, you are right. I will do as you say.

However, this was the first time since the Zhang Dunli case that the emperor and the empress dowager jointly issued an edict to summon the ministers on duty.

Even though Pu Zongmeng had just been removed from the position of Right Prime Minister, he knew that something must have happened!
Guo Zhongxiao smiled bitterly and replied, "To be honest, sir, an official reported to the emperor last night that a clerk in Chenliu County beat an innocent person to death in broad daylight. The emperor was furious!"

"Early this morning, officials reported that Taikang, Fugou and other counties had all seen clerks killing innocent people..."

"When the queen found out, she was also furious... That's why she asked the three gentlemen to come to the palace to discuss..."

The three ministers looked at each other.

Especially Li Qingchen, who was not involved in the relevant matters, had doubts in his eyes.

Clerk hurts people?

Isn't this common?
Is it worth being so serious?

Zeng Bu narrowed his eyes, secretly delighted in his heart: "Cai Yuanchang, Cai Yuanchang, I'm afraid you will be demoted this time!"

After the article was published in the Bian Jing Xin Bao, the Censorate also began to take action and impeached everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture, including Cai Jing.

Now, such a thing has happened again, alarming the emperor and the empress dowager.

Cai Jing's demotion is inevitable!
Even if he is favored by the emperor, he will have to stay in the local area for a few years.

And a few years later...

Does the government still remember him?
Pu Zongmeng suddenly realized it at this moment.

That article should be published!
Of course, it has to be shown to the authorities first.

Wait until the official has read it and approved it before publishing it.

With such thoughts in mind, the three ministers, led by Guo Zhongxiao, arrived at the rear hall of Chongzheng Hall.

When they entered the hall, they found that the emperor was already sitting on his throne and the curtain had been drawn behind the throne.

The three of them were terrified and bowed quickly, saying, "We respectfully wish His Majesty the Emperor good health and His Majesty the Empress good health!"

"Long live the emperor!" The official's voice was still calm.

"I'm fine!" But the Queen Mother's voice was filled with anger.

It seems that she is still furious!

This made the three ministers feel horrified.

"The three gentlemen, please stand up without formalities..." The official on the throne ordered: "Come here, give the three gentlemen seats and tea!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Thank you, Your Majesty!" The three of them bowed again and sat on the stools in the hall.

Eunuchs also brought tea and snacks.

The three of them took the teacups, took a sip, and moistened their throats.

All I heard was the Queen Mother behind the curtain saying, "My three lords, please know that my sixth brother and I received a report from the officials early this morning..."

"Clerks from all over the prefecture frequently injure people!"

At this point, the Queen Mother behind the curtain suddenly choked up and said, "I am just a woman, and my Sixth Brother is still young..."

When the three ministers heard this, they all swallowed their saliva and thought to themselves, "Oh no! Why didn't they think of this?!"

Back then, when Zhang Xianming was in power, the disadvantages of having a woman in power were already proven.

The heroine in the deep palace is naturally sensitive. She becomes startled and suspicious at the slightest sign of trouble.

Coupled with the various stories before the founding of the Song Dynasty, the court was particularly turbulent when the heroine was in power.

Everyone looks like a traitor, and I always feel that some people want to emulate Taizu and Taizong.

Even Zhangxian Mingsu could not avoid this in his time.

What’s more, what about the empress dowager who is in charge of the government now?

The three ministers had no choice but to stand up and bow, saying, "Your subjects are guilty of death!"

Then I heard the Queen Mother sobbing and complaining behind the curtain: "Sixth brother is kind and holy. I want to follow the policies of the three previous kings, use the laws of Han Wen and Tang Zong, reduce taxes and levies, give the people a rest, extend favors to Kaifeng Prefecture, and exempt all taxes..."

"I heard people in the palace say that this is a good practice that will last for thousands of years, a holy policy unprecedented in all dynasties!"

"The people are all content and happy, praising the Sixth Brother's benevolence!"

"However...the county clerk..."

"But they are not satisfied with this, and have started rebellions... Last night, officials reported that clerks in Chenliu County had killed people. This morning, officials reported that clerks in various places in the prefecture had killed people frequently..."

"I don't understand... Sixth brother's good laws, ministers, nobles, scholars and common people all say that they are benevolent and good..."

"Why do they want to oppose it? And they want to oppose it in this way!"

"I am not afraid of the clerks' behavior!"

"What I'm afraid of is..."

"There are traitors with ulterior motives who want to use this to covet the divine weapon!"

The three ministers prostrated themselves in the hall, trembling and sweating as they listened.

They all know it in their hearts.

Empress Dowager Xiang might have suffered from 'PTSD caused by the conspiracy to usurp the throne'.

Think more carefully and deeply.

Who exactly are the 'rebels' who are 'spying on the sacred artifact' that the Queen Mother is referring to?

In the eighth year of Yuanfeng, before and after the death of the previous emperor, those turbulent days and those terrifying rumors were circulating in the minds of the three prime ministers.

Pu Zongmeng was fine, but Zeng Bu and Li Qingchen, who were eyewitnesses, already had beads of sweat the size of beans on their foreheads.

Because they all remembered one thing.

At that time, the late emperor was seriously ill. It was rumored that the empress dowager prayed for the late emperor at the Daxiangguo Temple in the name of the emperor. The prayer read: The sixth son, Prince Yan'an, prays for the health of his father.

At the same time, undercurrents were surging in the palace.

Legend has it that Ming, the mother of Cai Que, who was the right prime minister at the time, had entered and exited the palace many times and had secret conversations with the queen at the time, who is now the empress dowager.

Thinking back to the day when the crown prince was established, Yan Da wore armor and held a spear, leading the imperial guards to guard in front of the Daqing Palace, saying that he wanted to serve the emperor and guard the palace for the crown prince to prevent anyone from disrupting the country.

As a result, Zeng Bu and Li Qingchen were sweating profusely.

Because, not long ago, the son-in-law of the emperor, Zhang Dunli, plotted treason and cursed his emperor and father.

After that, the Empress Dowager of Qingshou Palace no longer sat in the palace to rule.

……

These things are simply unbearable to think about. Thinking about them makes one's scalp tingle, but at the same time, they also make people excited, and even eager to try.

Since ancient times, there is no greater merit than saving the emperor!
If there really is such a "conspiracy and rebellion group", and they just happened to dig up this "conspiracy and rebellion group"...

that……

The three ministers all had dry mouths and rapid breathing.

(End of this chapter)