I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 393 Explosion! Tears! Su Jingming’s “Criticism” Conference (Part )
Xuandemen, below the city tower.

The three floors inside and outside were crowded with people watching.

this moment.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Su Liang.

This capable general of the Song Dynasty's reform, the chief admonishment officer of Taiwan who gave correct advice, and the favorite minister of the dynasty who was known as the "hidden prime minister".

in a blink.

In the eyes of many people, he became a shameful scholar-bureaucrat who was cruel and murderous and humiliated the Song Dynasty.

Some people who are neutral.

I still can't figure out why Su Liang entered the Jiaozhi territory to ambush the Jiaozhi soldiers.

Even Jiaozhi wanted to take the opportunity to invade the Song Dynasty.

Su Liang looked at Zuo Youding and said decisively: "I admit my mistake!"

this moment.

People can be wrong.

Zhao Gai and Zuo Youding stayed up all night.

After Su Liang, Yang Wenguang, Du Lei and Sun Sheng sat down.

Zuo Youding, the minister of Honglu Temple, glared and said: "What a precaution! What a safest approach!"

Followed by.

At this time.

"Never thought about it."

"When this matter spreads, how do other countries view us? How can the dignity of the Song Dynasty's ceremonial country still stand? How should we explain to Jiaozhi? Will there be any small countries willing to become our vassals in the future? What will happen to the history books in the future? By recording this matter, does it mean that we, the Song Dynasty, are also included in the barbarian kingdom?"

Isn’t it okay to fight a defensive war at the border? Isn’t it okay to use the power of the officialdom to strongly condemn it? If nothing else works, why don't we let the Jiaozhi soldiers enter the Song Dynasty and then fight again?
Many people cannot understand Su Liang.

did not expect.

The two discussed for a long time and finally decided to conduct a public trial in strict accordance with the laws of the Song Dynasty.

"No." Su Liang shook his head calmly.

"Then without any evidence, why did you ambush the Jiaozhi soldiers and cause more than half of their casualties? Isn't it possible to drive them back? Do you have to cause such huge casualties? Don't you know that Jiaozhi is a vassal state of the Song Dynasty? Can the soldiers of Jiaozhi be considered the people of the Song Dynasty?"

last night.

Many officials and people who opposed Su Liang and hoped that Su Liang would be severely punished were very excited.

After Su Liang said these words, he suddenly couldn't deal with Zhao Gai and Zuo Youding.

Zuo Youding seemed to be their mouthpiece, saying everything they wanted to say.

"I don't want Jiaozhi to become the next Xixia. I don't want Jiaozhi to ruin the entire Song Dynasty's political reform. I don't want to have to consider the safety of the south when war starts in the north, so I think we can just cripple Jiaozhi to make them fearful. Feeling is the safest approach.”

……

Zuo Youding also disliked Su Liang a little because of the incident involving the fifth princess of Dali.

They thought.

The supervisors Wu Yu and Song Xiang looked at the presiding judges Zhao Gai, the minister of Dali Temple, and Zuo Youding, the minister of Honglu Temple, indicating that the public trial could begin.

"Su Zhongcheng, before you enter the Jiaozhi territory, is there any evidence that the Jiaozhi people intend to invade the Song Dynasty or support the Nong Zhigao rebels?"

Su Liang thought that Jiaozhi might become a hidden danger in the southern border of the Song Dynasty in the future, so he sacrificed his personal career and reputation, killed and crippled the opponent.

"I admit that I killed the Cochin soldiers because they suspected that they wanted to invade the Song Dynasty, but I don't admit that I did it for fame, military glory, or to satisfy my own desire for power."

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with following the law.

"Su Zhongcheng, you carried out mass killings for no reason, relying only on personal suspicion without evidence, causing 8,000 casualties in Jiaozhi, our vassal state of the Song Dynasty? Do you know how bad the impact is?"

According to Su Liang's character, he will definitely argue with reason and explain what he did to Song Dynasty, and that this misjudgment was all for Song Dynasty, to excuse himself.

If the officials on the city tower are dissatisfied, they will definitely come to spread the word. At that time, it will no longer be their responsibility.

Zhao Gai, the Minister of Dali Temple, puffed out his chest and said loudly: "In early June, Su Liang, the censor Zhongcheng, went to the southern border to supervise the military affairs of Guangnan and South China on behalf of the emperor and clean up the officialdom. The officials granted him special privileges. During the period of quelling the chaos, he could not follow the law. , acted for convenience! However, when Di Qing, the deputy commander of the Ma Bu Army, was suppressing the rebellion, Su Liang, the censor, led a thousand imperial guards and quietly went to Jiaozhi..."

"This matter is my own decision. It has nothing to do with the court, all the scholar-officials, and the soldiers who fought with me. It is all my fault, Su Liang."

"You feel comfortable fighting, but you have embarrassed the entire Song Dynasty. Is this the safest approach? Is it the correct behavior of a scholar-official?"

Zhao Gai first told the general situation of the matter, and then looked at Su Liang and the others.

Su Liang said a few words lightly, took all the responsibility on himself, and directly admitted his mistake.

Su Liang said seriously: "Just in case!"

Also.

"Have you ever thought about communicating with the King of Cochin first and asking about the other party's intentions, or stationing at the border to block the entry of the Cochin army to buy time for the army to conquer the south?"

There are also two ministers supervising the trial. If they are not satisfied with the result, they will speak out.

I won't even believe it.

Zhao Gai and Zuo Youding looked at each other, and then began to cross-examine Yang Wenguang, Du Lei, and Sun Sheng.

The three people's answers were simple: they were following orders and nothing else.

After a while.

Zhao Gai, minister of Dali Temple, said loudly: "Because of his personal assumptions, Su Jingming, the imperial censor, attacked our Song Dynasty vassal state Jiaozhi for no reason, causing eight thousand casualties. The nature was very bad and insulting to the country. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, he should be punished." Abolition of official status and demoted to common people."

immediately.

Zhao Gai looked down and asked, "Do the people in the audience have any objections?"

"I have objections!" an old Confucian scholar with a gray beard said loudly.

Zhao Gai looked at him and said: "While he is speaking on the stage, no one else is allowed to interrupt!"

Suddenly.

The old Confucian scholar came up to the stage.

He glared at Su Liang first, and then looked around.

"There were 8,000 casualties in Jiaozhi. Is that 8,000 people? That's 8,000 families! Because of Su Liang's fault, 8,000 families were killed. Should he just abolish his official status and demote him to a common people?"

"This punishment is too light!"

"He Su Liang not only harmed eight thousand families, but also single-handedly made the entire Song Dynasty lose their virtue and shamed the sages!"

"I am ashamed to live in the same dynasty as him!"

"Such scholar-bureaucrats who have lost their etiquette, are almost barbarians, and are murderous must be sentenced to death. Otherwise, they will taint all the scholars in the world. We will also be ridiculed by future generations after our death. We live in a barbaric era without etiquette system. …”

The old Confucian scholar scratched his throat and shouted hoarsely.

Many people who supported Su Liang wanted to strangle him to death when they heard what he said.

These remarks are simply bad!

Zhao Zhen, who was on the Xuandemen Gate Tower, clutched his tea cup tightly and murmured: "It's really like reading into a dog's belly!"

Facing the old Confucian scholar's scolding, Su Liang's expression did not change much.

Among the people of the Song Dynasty, there were too many such "moral defenders".

They read books about sages and require others to live like sages, be benevolent, righteous, courteous, and benevolent. They can only sacrifice for others and cannot make profits for themselves. Their personal virtues must not be stained in the slightest.

But they themselves are exquisite self-interests.

If anyone harms their interests even a little bit, they will be more rude, more cruel, and more despicable than anyone else.

Explaining to this kind of person is like playing the piano to a cow.

immediately.

The old Confucian scholar took out a copy of "Song Xingtong" from his arms and said loudly: "Su Liang's crime is more serious than disrespect, more serious than dishonor, and more serious than disloyalty. If he does not impose the death penalty, he is violating the laws of the Song Dynasty. !”

Being disrespectful means violating the dignity of the state and infringing on the imperial authority.

capital offense!

Being unfaithful means destroying humanity and being cruel and murderous.

capital offense!

To be disobedient means to be disobedient to ministers and to disobey the emperor's orders.

The worst case is death!

The old Confucian scholar slapped three death sentences on Su Liang's head and took out "Song Xingtong" as a basis.

The reason why he hated Su Liang so much was that he died.

The main reason was that the imperial examination system was restructured, poems and poems were abandoned, and the implementation of the Sanshe Law almost eliminated the possibility of him becoming an official.

He put all his resentment on Su Liang and wanted to make a name for himself.

He thought he was justified.

And with the support of Song Xingtong, there was no fault in etiquette and morality.

At this time.

Wang Anshi, who had been clenching his fists, finally couldn't bear it anymore.

"I have something to say!"

Zhao Gai looked at Wang Anshi, who was dressed in civilian clothes, and said, "Come on stage and speak."

He lets someone who opposes Su Liang speak, and naturally he also lets someone who supports Su Liang speak.

Wang Anshi strode to the stage and looked at the old Confucian scholar angrily.

aside.

Zuo Youding, the minister of Honglu Temple, immediately said: "When speaking on the stage, you are not allowed to attack or insult others, otherwise your qualification to speak will be revoked immediately!"

Wang Anshi suppressed his temper and looked around.

"Su Jingming made our Song Dynasty lose its virtue? Did it shame the sages? We feel ashamed that we lived in the same dynasty as Su Jingming? Those who say this cannot see that our Song Dynasty has created a prosperous world!"

Wang Anshi suddenly raised his voice.

"Why did Su Jingming ambush Jiaozhi? Because he was worried that if there was a war in the north and chaos in the south, the entire Song Dynasty's reform might be destroyed in the war!"

"You think he is making a fuss out of a molehill to gain fame and military glory. That's because you don't understand how hard Su Jingming worked to make the Song Dynasty what it is today!"

"Today, in front of officials and in front of all the ministers, I can say this: without Su Jingming, there would be no Qizhou Three-Year Reform, there would be no Song Dynasty Reform, there would be no Baijia College, and there would be no current Taijian. , there would be no current reform department!”

"Su Jingming is actually our number one contributor to the Song Dynasty's political reform!"

"Su Jingming was at fault for ambushing Jiaozhi, but he is absolutely not guilty of any serious crime."

"Those of you who want to see Su Jingming being executed, pat your chests and ask if you have any selfish motives, and if it's because the Song Dynasty's political reform harmed your interests, and you took the opportunity to retaliate. The achievements Su Jingming has made in the past few years are more than enough to offset the mistakes he made this time..."

As a big fan of Su Liang, Wang Anshi directly revealed Su Liang's great contribution to the Song Dynasty, and at the same time revealed the thoughts of those who demanded severe punishment of Su Liang.

The old Confucian scholar was not frightened by Wang Anshi's momentum. Instead, he looked at the two supervisors.

"You two husbands, old merits cannot be replaced by new ones. Even though Su Jingming made great achievements in the reform, the officials did not treat him lightly. In the fourth year of Qingli, he only acted in the censorship station with the power to supervise the censorship. But now he is the censor Zhongcheng and the director of a station. Now he has committed a heinous crime. It may not be appropriate to remember his past achievements! "

In the audience, Ouyang Xiu clenched his fists and wished he could beat up the old Confucian scholar.

The other party had no idea how great Su Liang's achievements were and how much influence he had on the Song Dynasty.

Even if Su Liang wiped out the entire Jiaozhi, he would still be able to overcome it with merit.

Just when Ouyang Xiu was about to take the stage, Wu Yu shook his head at him.

Ouyang Xiu knew that the officials would not let Su Liang suffer a big loss, and he also knew that Su Liang would probably be transferred to the Admonition Court, but he did not know how to carry out this punishment.

Wu Yu, the chief supervisor and judge, stood up and said: "What this scholar said is correct. Old merits cannot be redeemed for new crimes. I believe that the punishment of abolishing the official status and being demoted to a common people is indeed light, and the death penalty should be imposed!"

"what?"

As soon as Wu Yu opened his mouth, everyone was shocked.

Although Wu Yu's relationship with Su Liang was not as close as that of Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu and others, he also valued Su Liang very much. Unexpectedly, he even suggested punishing Su Liang severely.

Song Xiang also stood up and said: "I agree with Prime Minister Wu's opinion." Then.

Wu Yu and Song Xiang both looked at Zhao Gai.

Zhao Gai, the minister of Dali Temple, was a little confused, but he still followed the rules and said: "The imperial censor, Su Jingming, has acted disobediently, unethically, and even disrespectfully, which has insulted the state, is of a bad nature, and is unprecedented. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, he should be punished Punished to death!"

"Death penalty!"

These four words were loud and loud, making the entire Xuande family fall silent.

Those who wanted to harm Su Liang were also a little dumbfounded.

They did not expect that Su Liang could be put to death for such a crime. They thought that the most severe punishment would be to abolish Su Liang's official status.

At this time.

Wu Yu walked out.

He walked to the front of the wooden platform and looked around.

"In the audience, if there are still people who can suggest that Su Liang has committed additional crimes, they can continue to stand up. If they feel that the punishment is not severe enough, they can continue to express their opinions. As long as their words are reasonable and comply with the laws of the Song Dynasty, anyone can No favoritism!”

As soon as this statement came out, many people felt that it was ironic.

Mention it again.

We can't kill everyone in Su Liang's family.

"Is there still Su Liang's additional crime? Is there any reason why he thinks this punishment is not severe enough?" Wu Yu asked again.

Under the wooden platform, there was silence.

Wu Yu calmed down and said: "Okay, since there is nothing to add to the crime, can there be any merit in reducing the crime? Don't mention the old merits!"

Suddenly.

Everyone who wanted to help Su Liang was thinking hard about Su Liang's current achievements.

"I have!"

A loud and powerful voice came from a corner.

Everyone went out looking for fame.

It was discovered that the visitor turned out to be the coach of the Southern Expedition, Di Qing.

Di Qing is tall and handsome. Although his face is tattooed, it does not affect his mighty and domineering appearance at all.

He strode up to the wooden platform and said, "Although Su Zhongcheng did not participate in the fight against the rebellion in the southern border, his contribution is not inferior to Qing's."

"When Qing Wei arrived at the southern border, Su Zhongcheng not only handled the political affairs of the southern border, but also managed the southern border guards obediently. Secondly, before the attack on Kunlun Pass, Su Yushi used a trick to make the rebels think that we were the second one. People are at odds..."

Di Qing laid out Su Liang's achievements in the southern border.

"I wonder if such military achievements can exempt them from death penalty?" Di Qing looked at Wu Yu and Song Xiang.

Wu Yu and Song Xiang looked at the presiding judges Zhao Gai and Zuo Youding.

Zhao Gai's position was higher than that of Zuo Youding. He thought for a while and said loudly: "According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, such military achievements can avoid death penalty!"

Zuo Youding looked down and continued: "Off the stage, do you have any objections?"

There was sudden silence below.

Such military achievements in countering rebellion are what the coach Di Qing said. Who dares to question it.

Those who oppose Su Liang.

It is also acceptable for Su Liang to be removed from official status and demoted to a commoner.

At this time.

Wu Yu asked again: "Is there any chance that Su Liang can reduce his crime?"

"Have!"

A powerful voice came from the crowd again.

The person who stepped onto the wooden platform this time had a higher official position than Di Qing.

It was Zeng Gongliang, the privy envoy.

Zeng Gongliang looked down and said: "Many people are curious as to why Su Liang led a thousand soldiers and was able to destroy more than half of the Jiaozhi soldiers. Now that the crisis in the southern border has been resolved, the court no longer hides it."

"What it relies on is a kind of firearm called wind fire thunder. This wind fire thunder is more powerful than the firearm used to explode mines. Please look in that direction!"

Zeng Gongliang pointed forward, and everyone looked in the direction.

At this moment, there was an open space about three hundred meters away from the crowd. The entire 100-meter radius of the open space had been cleared of people.

Just when everyone didn't know what to see.

Boom!

There was a loud noise.

A huge hole was suddenly blasted out of the open space, earth and rocks flew everywhere, and the ground underfoot shook violently.

The onlookers and some officials were dumbfounded.

Some people know that the Ordnance Inspector has developed a new firearm, but they don't know how powerful this firearm is.

This thing is completely the courage of the people of the Song Dynasty.

In the past, when they had conflicts with Liao merchants under reasonable circumstances, they might argue with each other and would not take action.

But knowing that the imperial court has such a powerful thing, if the other party is completely unreasonable, he can just punch him.

After everyone was amazed.

Zeng Gongliang said: This firearm was developed by Su Liang with his own money. All the soldiers in the Ordnance Supervision can testify. In order to keep this great achievement secret, the imperial court has never given a generous reward. "

"I wonder if this skill will allow Su Liang to retain his official status?"

"According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, those who have achieved such great achievements can have their crime reduced to one level and retain their official status!" Zhao Gai said loudly.

At this time.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that all the ministers want to protect Su Liang.

Moreover, this kind of legal protection completely complied with the laws of the Song Dynasty, making it impossible to find fault with it.

At this time.

Another official raised his hand and wanted to speak.

Wu Yu nodded and asked him to come onto the stage.

He glanced at Su Liang and said: "Even if Su Zhongcheng has such merits, he has damaged the dignity of our country, the Song Dynasty. He should no longer be an official in the capital and should be released!"

Zhao Gai nodded.

"According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, he should indeed be demoted and released."

Those who hate Su Liang.

I just hope that Su Liang can leave Bianjing, lest he propose some reform strategies that will make it more difficult for officials to serve as officials.

Wu Yu smiled faintly and said, "Is there any chance that Su Liang can reduce his crime?"

"Yes!" Another voice sounded.

The speaker this time was Prime Minister Wen Yanbo.

People who protect Su Liang's official position are getting bigger and bigger.

Moreover, it is an aboveboard guarantee, a reasonable guarantee, and there is no fault at all.

Wen Yanbo stepped onto the high platform.

"A few days ago, news came from Xihe Town that nearly two thousand Xixia thieves had been annihilated. Everyone inside and outside the court was very excited, because everyone knew what the quality of those Xixia thieves was."

"Sooner or later we will take care of Xixia!"

"Today, what I want to say is that the construction of Xihe Town was entirely due to Su Liang. Now it is confirmed that Su Liang's strategy is correct. The name of this strategy is: Xihe Border Expansion Strategy. The specific content of the strategy is, I can’t say more, but you can see the briefing at the Bank of China.”

"Everyone should understand the meaning of the word 'Tuobian'. Can such achievements enable Su Liang to remain an official in the capital?"

Extend the edge.

Anyone who can expand a mile in the western or northern territories is a hero of the Song Dynasty.

By opening up territory, you can be granted the title of marquis and prime minister, and become famous in future generations.

Such achievements.

Although it is only the early stage of implementation, it is not inferior to the effectiveness of counterinsurgency.

The reason why Wen Yanbo revealed this secret.

It was to let Xixia know that Song Dynasty would deal with them sooner or later.

At this moment, the Song Dynasty was no longer in danger of the southern border, and the layout of Xihe Town was complete, so there was no need to hide this strategy.

The Xixia people may have noticed it, but they were helpless.

At this time.

The official who asked Su Liang to be released said with some dissatisfaction: "Xiang Wen, what you said is just a matter of one or two documents, which is a bit one-sided. Everyone in the world knows that during the Beizhou mutiny, Su Liang The censor helped you, you won’t show favoritism, right?”

In order to prevent Su Liang from staying in Bianjing, this official did not hesitate to offend Prime Minister Wen Yanbo.

Wen Yanbo was not angry and looked towards the crowd.

"There are witnesses!"

A sharp voice came, it was Zhang Maoze who was working in the Imperial City Department.

Zhang Mao then stepped onto the wooden platform and said loudly: "The officials can testify about this matter. If there are any doubters, they can meet with the officials and ask them face to face!"

Once these words came out, what could those opponents say.

Officials want to protect Su Liang.

Still, we should try our best to protect Su Liang without violating the laws of the Song Dynasty, not showing favoritism, and having a public trial outside the hall.

Who makes Su Jingming have so many achievements?
Seeing that no one in the audience spoke anymore, Wu Yu looked at Zhao Gai again.

Zhao Gai thought for a while and said loudly: "According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, the crime can be reduced to one level. As for whether to be demoted to stay in Beijing or to be demoted to the outside world, I have to ask the officials to make the decision!"

Leaning slightly, Xuande is upstairs.

One of the chamberlains loudly said: "The official has announced that Su Liang, the imperial censor, made a mistake in his command and killed soldiers belonging to the country for no reason. He was removed from the post of censor Zhongcheng and was demoted to Zuo Zhengyan, the admonisher. There are those in the audience who do not agree with this sentence. , you can raise it now, if you continue to discuss it after this matter is over, you will be punished for the crime of undermining the reform!"

He was demoted from the third grade to the seventh grade.

He is still the admonishing officer.

Many officials are naturally dissatisfied with this penalty.

They knew that as long as Su Liang was an official, he would stay in Bianjing City.

Becoming the censor Zhongcheng again is effortless.

But at the moment there is no reason to charge more, so we can only give up.

Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhen, Wang Anshi and others were overjoyed.

The official's handling of this matter not only did not violate any Song Dynasty laws and regulations, but also preserved the dignity of the Song Dynasty, explained Jiaozhi, and also minimized Su Liang's punishment.

It can be said to be the best policy.

Of course, the most important reason is: Su Liang has enough achievements.

Su Liang was also in a very happy mood.

Under the planning of the officials and the public, the outcome of this matter was much better than he imagined.

He thought he would be idle at home for at least half a year.

After this incident.

Su Liang's status in the court will undoubtedly be more stable, and the people may have a new view of his ambush of the Cochin soldiers.

(End of this chapter)