Thief Emperor

Chapter 987: Death penalty is inevitable

River management is something that all dynasties must do, because if they do not do it down to earth, they will really be hit hard by the mother Yellow River.

This year's disaster is an example.

So far, the Nine Departments have sent hundreds of people to investigate the matter in detail, and no traces or evidence of human intervention have been found at the several breach points.

This at least proves that under the majesty of the new dynasty and Emperor Li, no one dares to do such a treasonous thing.

But it also shows another thing, the river has fallen into disrepair.

Although the Li Tang dynasty had been established for less than ten years, when later historical books recorded this period of history, it had been less than ten years since the Wu Zhou dynasty officially fell.

But if we push it back further, from the entire Zhaoding period to the Xiande period, up to now, the ruling court has not done any serious river repairs for almost 30 years.

In other words, it is not just one river that has fallen into disrepair. Water systems all over the world, as long as they can be artificially intervened, probably need to be repaired.

This is bound to be a time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly task, but there is no way around it; things have to start somewhere and someone has to do it.

Before becoming prime minister, Zhuo Guangrui served as the Minister of Works for many years. Although he has resigned from the post long ago, he still has experience after all.

Water conservancy matters were extremely important, and it was reasonable for him, as the prime minister, to take the lead.

On that day, the emperor and his minister discussed in detail some issues regarding river management. It was not until noon that the emperor left the inn and took a tour around Bianzhou city accompanied by Zhuo Guangrui and others.

Bianzhou City was the place that suffered the most from the breach. The water in the city had receded, but silt could still be seen everywhere in the city.

Li Yun and others had already changed into casual clothes at this time, and even Yang Xi and other members of the Yulin Army who were accompanying them had taken off their armor.

Wherever they went, they could see that local authorities had already summoned local young and strong men to clean up the silt in various parts of the city.

His Majesty the Emperor also stopped to look at the young men working, then turned to look at Zhuo Guangrui who was following him, and asked, "Who is the governor of Bianzhou?"

Zhuo Guangrui had been in the disaster area for more than a month and was already familiar with the local officials in Bianzhou. Hearing this, he said without hesitation: "Zhang Tong."

"Jinshi in the first year of Zhangwu."

Emperor Li thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I remember him. He was dark and fat, and he stuttered when he spoke."

The batch of Jinshi scholars in the first year of Zhangwu were very important to the imperial court. Emperor Li had met almost every one of the 200 or so scholars and personally examined their academic achievements.

Moreover, the way this dynasty selects officials is different from that of the previous dynasty. The Ministry of Personnel of the previous dynasty examined officials by paying attention to four aspects: "appearance, speech, writing and judgment". If Zhang Tong were in the previous dynasty, he would not have passed the two aspects of appearance and speech.

Zhuo Guangrui thought for a moment and whispered, "Sir, the local officials of Bianzhou have already known that your ceremonial guard has entered the territory of Bianzhou. His hard work at this time may not necessarily mean that he is really working hard."

Li Yun looked back at Zhuo Guangrui and said, "I just walked around several times and I see that the silt in Bianzhou City has been almost cleared. My ceremonial procession should arrive in Bianzhou tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It is normal for local officials to rush to clean up the city before I arrive."

At this point, His Majesty the Emperor smiled and said, "If he is really a cunning person, he should leave some mud and not clean it up. When I arrive, he will come to see me wearing his official uniform covered with mud."

"That's the kind of person who's only interested in personal gain."

Zhuo Guangrui was startled, and then he couldn't help but exclaimed: "What the superior said is really insightful..."

Emperor Li shook his head slightly and said, "Brother Zhuo may not have thought of this."

After a pause, he said, "We will count the counties and prefectures affected by the disaster this time, based on the county level. All counties affected by the disaster will be exempted from... three years of tax and grain."

Zhuo Guangrui hesitated to speak, then bowed his head slightly: "I obey your command."

According to common sense, it would be enough to exempt the taxes and levies for that year. After all, although this was a natural disaster, the country would be able to recover a little next year.

His Majesty the Emperor saw through Zhuo Guangrui's implication and said with a smile, "I don't feel bad at all, so why should you feel bad?"

Li Yun's new dynasty was different from previous dynasties because his court's income was no longer solely derived from taxes.

He has some business of his own.

For example, the industries that Marquis Xue of the Xue family has been running, and the Liulichang factories that have been established in Luoyang and Jinling.

In addition, there are five or six similar industries, which are enough to enrich Emperor Li's personal pockets, so there is no need to be so stingy with the money in the hands of the people.

Moreover, when society prospers, the bulk of tax revenue will be placed on commercial taxes, and there will be no need to compete with the people for food in the fields.

Zhuo Guangrui shook his head and said, "I am not heartbroken, but Your Majesty is so lenient. I am afraid that someone will falsely report the disaster in the future..."

Hearing this, Li Yun was startled for a moment, then he held onto a tree beside him and smiled: "If you hadn't reminded me, I would have almost forgotten about it. Don't worry, I will be more careful next time."

After Zhuo Guangrui's reminder, Li Yun would naturally make some changes. In the future, when someone reported a disaster, the court would take action and would probably send the Nine Officials to take a look.

"Who dares to do such a thing?"

His Majesty the Emperor's expression calmed down.

"I, Li Er, am not someone who can be easily bullied."…………

For a whole month thereafter, Li Yun basically traveled around the disaster area. However, unlike the emperor who was high and mighty as ordinary people imagined, Li Yun and his ceremonial guard rarely overlapped. Only when he met with local officials would Li Yun return to the ceremonial guard.

The rest of the time, he basically does his own thing and the guard of honor does his own thing.

This may be unsafe for other emperors, after all, the White Dragon Fish Suit may be in danger at any time.

But Li Yun is different from those crispy emperors.

He was a horse-riding emperor who had fought his way to the top. Apart from the Yulin Army who secretly protected him, with his own abilities, he was unlikely to encounter any risks while traveling around the world alone.

Unless there is a sharpshooter within twenty feet.

Not to mention how many forces are secretly trying to kill Li Yun now. Even if there are, it is unlikely that they will know Li Yun's movements, let alone break through the Yulin Army and get within twenty feet of Emperor Li.

It took His Majesty the Emperor a whole month to walk around the disaster area, and then he prepared to go south and return to Jiangnan Road to take a look.

Before heading south, the documents from the Luoyang court were finally delivered to His Majesty the Emperor.

This document has the prince's seal, as well as the signatures of Prime Minister Du and Prime Minister Xu, and it records the court's detailed investigation into the fraud case.

Basically, everything that could be dug out has been dug out by Du Qian and others.

At this time, Li Yun had already arrived in Yingzhou with the ceremonial guard, preparing to cross the Huai River and head south. After receiving the document, he first read it himself, and then immediately asked someone to invite Zhuo Guangrui, who was accompanying him, to come over.

After Zhuo Guangrui arrived, Emperor Li dismissed everyone, even Yao Zhong left first.

When only Li Yun and Zhuo Guangrui were left in the room, Emperor Li handed him the document from the court.

It records the court's investigation into the case and the opinions given by the two prime ministers on how to deal with it.

Du Qian's suggestions for dealing with the two assistant ministers of the Ministry of Rites who were involved were execution and confiscation of their property.

All officials involved will be exiled at best.

The nearly twenty or so Jinshi candidates who were actually involved in the case were all stripped of their titles and never employed again.

As for Zhuo Guangrui...

Du Qian only wrote in the document that as the chief examiner, he could not escape the blame and asked His Majesty to make the decision.

As a prime minister, it was difficult for Du Qian to convict Zhuo Guangrui without an imperial edict.

After Zhuo Guangrui finished reading the document, he let out a long breath, handed it to Li Yun, and said with his head down: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Du is fair in his conduct, and I am convinced."

"I am the chief examiner. Such a big thing happened during the examination I was in charge of. I cannot escape the blame."

He knelt on the ground and bowed his head again, saying: "Your Majesty wanted to forgive me before, but now that I have read this case file, I feel that it is inappropriate..."

Emperor Li stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Zhuo Guangrui kneeling on the ground. After a moment of silence, he reached out and helped him up, saying, "Earlier, I had planned to take you with me on this eastern tour, but now that the imperial document has arrived, I can no longer take you with me, lest those people point fingers at you behind your back and try to exonerate you in the future."

"No good either."

His Majesty the Emperor said calmly: "Tomorrow, you will leave the team and return to Luoyang on your own."

Zhuo Guangrui was terrified and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, how should I deal with myself when I return to Luoyang?"

"rest assured."

The emperor said calmly, "I will give Du Shouyi a reply. All the criminals in this case will be detained in the Dali Temple Jail. I will deal with them all when I return. You don't have to go to the Dali Temple. You can just stay at home and wait for your punishment."

Zhuo Guangrui took a deep breath, lowered his head and said: "It is my fault..."

"According to the law, he should be beheaded."

His Majesty the Emperor put his hands behind his back and said, "In order to set rules for future rulers, I cannot protect you."

Zhuo Guangrui stood there in a daze, and didn't speak for a long time. He knelt on the ground, and touched the ground with his forehead deeply: "Your Majesty, thank you very much."

His Majesty the Emperor bent down again, helped him up, and sighed: "When I return to Luoyang, you will find the red book and iron certificate that I bestowed on you in the second year of Zhangwu."

"After this time."

The emperor spoke in a profound tone.

"Only two more times."

(End of this chapter)