The prince is more stable

Chapter 107 Anti-Corruption Storm
The idea proposed by Zhao Xiaoqian was not a brilliant one. Anyone in a high position in the government could think of it with a little thought.

However, in the current political environment of the Song Dynasty, the only person who dared to propose doing so was Zhao Xiaoqian.

That’s right, it’s still the damn “civilians are noble and military men are despised” and “literati and officials are not subject to punishment”.

In a word, the officials of the Song Dynasty, starting from Zhao Kuangyin, have spoiled the scholars for more than a hundred years, causing scholars all over the world to think that the officials with the surname Zhao are their mothers.

If a child makes a mistake, the mother will at most spank the child a few times. Who would torture the child to death?
Therefore, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, scholars have become more and more confident. The root cause of the Song Dynasty's weakness for a hundred years was already planted at the founding of the country.

A bunch of corrupt officials were fattened up, and then a reason was found to kill them. The corrupt officials' money and property were all seized by the state treasury. When the news spread to the people, what did the people know? They just thought that the emperor was wise and had caught the treacherous officials who were harming the country. He was simply a wise and holy monarch, the greatest emperor in history. They just beat him up and that was it.

Before the Song Dynasty, perhaps not many emperors did this, but during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were many emperors who did this. They could establish prestige, make a fortune, gain fame, and clean up the court. Which emperor would not be willing to do this?

In fact, it is impossible that Zhao Xu did not think of the idea proposed by Zhao Xiaoqian, he just did not dare to do it.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't care so much. He had no good feelings towards the literati of the Song Dynasty.

The weak Song Dynasty was ruined by these literati.

With powerful enemies surrounding them, the emperor and his ministers did not think about resisting the enemy, but instead fought among themselves, engaged in factional disputes and internal friction, and accumulated evils. The government still had to indulge them and could not beat or kill them...

A thousand years apart, perhaps the values ​​are very different, but Zhao Xiaoqian is very dissatisfied with the current situation of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xu had to admit that he was very tempted by Zhao Xiaoqian's proposal.

Raising the butcher knife and killing a group of officials can solve many difficult problems. Do you want to do it?

Without hesitating for too long, Zhao Xu gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, let's follow Zi'an's advice. The court really needs to be cleaned up now."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this idea was not mine. It was the idea of ​​Prime Minister Zeng and Prime Minister Zhang..."

You can come up with ideas, but you must never take the blame. Throw it to others as soon as possible.

Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun, the two prime ministers representing the New Party, were just the right people to take the blame.

For the prime minister, this was a political achievement because they could afford it, but for Zhao Xiaoqian, this made him an enemy. If he did not distance himself from the relationship, he would face endless assassinations in the future.

Zhao Xu glanced at him and said, "With me here, what do you have to fear?"

"I am afraid of death." Zhao Xiaoqian said honestly.

To be honest, I am indeed afraid of death, and there is nothing shameful in saying it.

Zhao Xu snorted disdainfully, then sighed, "Well, as a seventh-rank official, I'm afraid you can't handle this matter. I'll have to hand it over to Prime Ministers Zeng and Zhang."

"Your Majesty is wise and a sage king of all ages." Zhao Xiaoqian immediately flattered him.

Zhao Xu smiled brightly. Today, Zhao Xiaoqian had indeed given him a good idea. Zhao Xiaoqian's idea basically solved the many troubles caused by the flood.

Feeling suddenly relieved and relaxed, Zhao Xu waved his hand to let the two of them leave, and then ordered Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun to come into the palace to discuss matters.

After walking out of Funing Palace, Zhao Xiaoqian and Wei Jie followed closely and walked towards the palace gate.

"The prince is worthy of his reputation. He is indeed intelligent. Although he is a young man, he has the vision of an experienced state affairs officer. I deeply admire him." Wei Jie couldn't wait to flatter him as soon as he left the palace.

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "Although I know it's flattery, it's very pleasant to listen to. Brother Li Yan, you can talk more if you have nothing to say. I like to listen."

"I am speaking from the heart, without any hypocrisy." Wei Jie wanted to swear to the sky.

"I believe it, really." Zhao Xiaoqian said sincerely.

Hooking his arm around Wei Jie's neck, Zhao Xiaoqian asked again, "Brother Li Yan, do you know what to do next?" Wei Jie's mind was as clear as a mirror: "Of course I know. The Imperial City Bureau will cooperate with the two prime ministers to investigate corruption, arrest people and confiscate stolen goods, and fill the national treasury. Don't worry, the Imperial City Bureau has a record of many of the dirty deeds of the officials in Bianjing. It's just that the emperor hasn't said anything, so we can't take action."

"It's obvious you're the one?" Zhao Xiaoqian said dissatisfiedly, "Is that what I'm talking about?"

"What do you mean, my lord?"

Zhao Xiaoqian lowered his voice and said solemnly, "The advice I gave to the emperor today is known to heaven, earth, you, me, and the emperor. Brother Li Yan is adamant. This idea was proposed by the two prime ministers and has nothing to do with me. If it gets leaked..."

Wei Jie's body trembled, and he immediately said, "I promise I will never reveal a single word to anyone!"

How could Zhao Xiaoqian believe it so easily? Friends who often deal with scumbags know that a man’s promise is a derivative product after his hormones subside and cannot be counted at all.

"You swore a poisonous oath." Zhao Xiaoqian stared at him.

"I, Wei Jie, swear a solemn oath that if I leak even a single word of what was discussed in Funing Palace today, you will punish me... Well, how will you punish me so that I can feel better?" Wei Jie looked at him helplessly.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Let's blow up all the ancestral tombs of your Wei family. Let the ancestors jump out of the tombs and line up outside the city to receive relief."

Wei Jie: “…………”

How could anyone come up with this? It's so vicious!
…………

After returning to the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian pretended nothing had happened and went back to his room to take another nap.

On that day, Prime Ministers Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun were summoned to the palace. After having a secret meeting with the emperor for two hours, the two prime ministers left the palace and went into the government hall.

At the court meeting the next day, a supervisory censor from the Censorate came out to report, pointing out that the Yellow River bursting its dikes was not a natural disaster but a man-made disaster, and requested the government to conduct a thorough investigation.

Then another official came out to agree and listed in detail the many data on the court's river management in the fifth year of Yuanyou, from the silver allocated by the Ministry of Revenue, to the laborers hired by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Water Resources, and the expenses of food, silt, bricks and stones, etc.

A rough comparison of income and expenditure shows a serious discrepancy between the two.

All the civil and military officials in the court finally understood what was going on. It was time to settle the score.

Next it is time for the prime minister and the emperor to perform.

Zeng Bu stood up from the court, his face filled with grief and indignation, and denounced the corrupt officials for their misconduct, which had caused such a disaster that the city of Bianjing was devastated by floods, drowning thousands of civilians and causing countless losses of property to the people. If this was not punished, what was the law of the country?

Zhao Xu also had superb acting skills. He immediately became furious and his whole body was shaking with anger. Then he slammed the table and stood up, pointing at the civil and military officials in the court and cursing them.

This scolding was not entirely a show, it was indeed sincere.

Because Zhao Xu had personal experience, he almost drowned in this flood, how could he not be angry.

After a barrage of indiscriminate cursing, Zhao Xu's face turned ashen, his eyes filled with murderous intent. He looked around at the ministers coldly and uttered a few words through his teeth.

"In the past, corruption during the river management was rampant, ultimately leading to a catastrophe that left countless people destitute and devastated. This crime is so heinous, how could I possibly forgive it? Therefore, I intend to conduct a thorough investigation. Do you have any objections?"

At this moment, Zhao Xu had a murderous look on his face, like a hungry wolf king looking around at his prey. Who would dare to raise any objections at the court meeting?
After a moment of silence, the ministers bowed and said, "We have no objection."

Zhao Xu exhaled quietly, his expression finally easing slightly. He said in a cold tone, "In that case, I will have Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun handle this case as well. Anyone involved, no matter who they are, can be questioned."

"The Imperial Censorate, the Supreme Court, and the Imperial City Office will assist in this matter. The three offices will have the power to arrest and interrogate anyone involved in this case."

"Within ten days, I want to see the results!"

(End of this chapter)