Chapter 1062
Each Begins to Protect Their Own People
Chapter 1062 Each Begins to Protect Their Own People
Inside the Qianqing Palace,
The air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly when several princes suddenly spoke out, demanding severe punishment and a thorough investigation, disregarding the feelings of the civil officials.
On one side, there was a desire to appease the situation and maintain stability; on the other side, there was a desire for a thorough investigation to seek revenge against Marquis Luoyun. This conflict was particularly strange, leaving the martial arts community in a dilemma. So many people remained silent, and even Marquis Xiangyang could not see what was going on. He kept turning his head to look at the back of the group, but unfortunately, Prince Bei Jing and Prince Dong Ping were as if they were invisible, and could not be seen at all.
"Granted, please speak, my esteemed subject!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
now,
Lu Wenshan could wait no longer. The safety of Jiangnan was at stake. If it truly became a joint trial by the three judicial departments, almost all officials in Jiangnan, or rather, officials in Nanjing, would be doomed. The already chaotic situation was beyond saving.
After stepping forward and bowing to the Emperor, he then spoke.
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, what I have said is nothing but old news. Jiangnan is the land that the court taxes. If it is in chaos, will this year's taxes still be collected? If this case is to be investigated, how should it be investigated? The two men in Jinling Prefecture abused their power for personal gain, destroyed the dikes and flooded the fields. Their crimes are heinous and they should be confiscated and sent to the capital. As for the others, it would be better to have the Imperial City Guard investigate them carefully. These are my heartfelt words, and I hope Your Majesty will consider them."
Lu Wenshan also employed a cautious approach, adding the word "delay" to prevent chaos in Jiangnan and to keep many officials in check.
However, such an explanation seemed somewhat weak and unconvincing. Not to mention the civil officials and officials from the Six Ministries, even the censors were somewhat indignant. Several princes even snorted coldly, and Prince Zheng was the first to refute it.
"Your Majesty, I disagree. The so-called investigation is thorough and the evidence is conclusive. How can the main culprit be let go? Only arresting the underlings who did the work is disheartening to officials throughout the country. If we're talking about confiscating property, I believe that all the officials, including those in the Textile Bureau, should have their property confiscated. Have you ever heard that the Textile Bureau earns ten taels of silver, but only gives two taels to the Imperial Household Department, one tael to Your Majesty, and the rest is divided among them?"
These were not mere sophistry by Prince Zheng; the evidence was irrefutable. The corruption cases at the Jiangnan Arsenal had never ceased, and every investigation uncovered a case. This explanation, however, garnered nods of approval from many court officials.
But unaware of his explanation, the retired Emperor Zhou Shengzhuo sat there, dressed in a Taoist robe, his eyes slightly narrowed, seemingly meditating.
The Emperor's face was grim. The whole affair, in essence, stemmed from that scoundrel Yang Chi's mistake, but the specifics remained shrouded in mystery. How the Jiangbei jade mine was mined, how it was opened, and what the Imperial Household Department was concealing—all these questions needed to be re-examined.
"My lords, do you have any other opinions?"
A shout,
The already tense atmosphere in the silent hall grew even stronger. Suddenly, the censor Cao Guangzheng stepped forward.
"Your subject, the censor Cao Guangzheng, offers this advice."
"speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Cao Guangzheng bowed to the surrounding elders and said;
"Your Majesty, esteemed ministers, I am unaware of the severity of the Jiangnan case. However, I accompanied Prince Bei Jing and Prince Wei on their southward campaign. Wherever we went, the people were displaced and starving. The further south we went, the more chaotic the situation became. By the time we reached Xihe County, the rebel army was overwhelmingly powerful. Although we achieved a great victory at the county, countless of my men perished. The amount of compensation money must be substantial. Minister Gu, if I may be so bold as to ask, is the Ministry of Revenue's budget sufficient to distribute hundreds of thousands of silver coins as rewards to the army?"
The compensation money must be paid, but the reward money can be delayed, so asking about the reward money directly includes the compensation money. Gu Yichen sighed upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty, the silver reserves of the Ministry of Revenue cannot be touched lightly. The tax silver from the first half of this year has just been escorted to the capital and is barely enough. The silver for rewards can only be postponed for a while longer."
These words caused even Zhang Jinyu and his group to change their expressions, let alone the others. Since ancient times, in military campaigns, merit is rewarded and demerit is punished. Even if no reward is given, it can be combined with other honors of equal value. Why talk of delaying it?
"Very well, since Grand Secretary Gu dares to say so, I can only agree with him. Everyone says that Jiangnan is rich and prosperous. I believe that the officials in Jiangnan are so wealthy because the people support them. Since someone is involved in the case, the culprit must be investigated and their property confiscated. But the person behind the scenes must also be thoroughly investigated to restore justice to the court and the people of the world. Everyone in the case is guilty, so who would dare to cover it up?"
"Your subject Zeng Zheng seconded this proposal,"
"I second the motion,"
"I also second my opinion."
The officials of the six ministries were almost all shouting and indignant, while only a few Grand Secretaries remained somber. This investigation had become a case that would shock the entire nation.
Seeing the numerous officials clamoring, the Empress Wu did not suppress them. The case files, ostensibly pointing to the Imperial Textile Bureau and the Imperial Household Department, were actually, in reality, subtly, pointing to the Chang Le Palace within the palace.
The Emperor Emeritus has come here today, is it for this matter, or has this matter disrupted his arrangements? It's clearly unfavorable, so why are these ministers so persistent? My gaze sharpened as I saw the princes staring at Marquis Luo Yun with envy.
There's also Magistrate Xu Changwen, who should be a protégé of Marquis Luoyun; perhaps he can catch them off guard.
"What you say makes sense, but it involves a lot of issues. This secret letter was written by two magistrates from Jiangnan. One is Xu Changwen, the magistrate of Chunyang, who was interrogating the matter, and the other is Xu Dong, the magistrate of Yongning, who acted as guarantor. I remember that these two were the top scorers in this year's special imperial examination, and they are both scholars of the Southern Academy and Marquis Luoyun. What do you two think?"
This question drew the attention of all the officials, who searched the crowd for the figures of the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and Marquis Luoyun.
In the crowd, the Grand Secretary of the Southern Hall of the Wuying Hall paused, then suddenly stepped forward and bowed deeply to the Empress.
“Your Majesty, since I have appointed Xu Dong as my disciple, I should prioritize the court and listen to Your Majesty’s words. If a thorough investigation is to be conducted, I should recuse myself from any involvement.”
With a single, seemingly reasonable remark, Zhang Jinyu was somewhat stunned. Could someone really say something like that? Was it a "three-no-stick" pot (meaning it was impossible to stir-fry anything)? He still didn't understand how the Emperor should look at it, so naturally he simply stood there and watched.
"Hmph, you certainly know how to talk. As the saying goes, one should not avoid recommending the virtuous even if they are related to someone, and one should not avoid admitting mistakes either. Whether someone is guilty or not can be determined with a simple investigation. Since there is conclusive evidence against some people in Jiangnan, they deserve their punishment. However, some people are questioning whether the presiding and deputy judges are also suspected of embezzlement. I would like to know that as well."
The Martial Emperor raised his tiger-like eyes, staring at Luo Yunhou's figure, and asked;
"Lord Luo Yun, what do you say?"
The question came somewhat abruptly, and Zhang Jinyu frowned slightly. Since His Majesty wanted to know, it meant he wanted a thorough investigation. However, these princes around him were jumping up and down, also wanting a strict investigation. Was this the Emperor Emeritus's will, or their request? Standing behind, he couldn't see the Emperor Emeritus's expression.
Suddenly, he thought to himself, "Oh no, could it be that a trap has been set up for us all along?" With that thought, he didn't step forward immediately. It seemed that the princes had discovered something, and the Prince of Han mocked him.
"Lord Luoyun, why aren't you speaking? The Emperor is asking you a question."
"Yes, Marquis Luo Yun, is it because you want to protect that county magistrate?"
The King of Song was not to be outdone, and followed up with a remark.
"Ahem, Your Highnesses, is His Majesty asking me or you? Let's not forget that the truth of this case has already come to light, with witnesses and physical evidence. Your reckless accusations are nothing more than your desire for disaster relief funds. His Majesty isn't even in a hurry, but you princes are already anxious. Anyone who didn't know better would think that you're the ones who call the shots in the Qianqing Palace."
Zhang Jinyu was not about to back down. If they wanted to pin this on someone, he knew this tactic all too well.
"You, you clever Marquis Luo Yun, with your sharp tongue, tell me about the Jiangnan case, are you going to investigate or not!"
King Song was somewhat embarrassed and angry. The implication was clear: the king was trying to stall for time. He wouldn't let the king have his way.
"An investigation is certainly necessary, Your Majesty. I believe that not only should it be thorough, but everyone involved should be investigated as well. Now that the case is clear, the prefect should have his property confiscated first and be escorted to the capital. In addition, the presiding judge, the deputy judge, and several other officials should all be carefully investigated in the capital. Once they arrive in the capital, their properties should also be confiscated to see if any silver has been hidden. Coincidentally, these officials are all appointed from the capital. I believe that their residences should be immediately surrounded to prevent the concealment of assets."
Zhang Jinyu was really going all out. Whether Xu Changwen had embezzled in Jiangnan was unknown, but he certainly hadn't earned a single tael of silver since leaving the capital. He'd even paid for his own travel expenses, and the rented courtyard in the capital, costing a hundred taels a year, was still outstanding. Only his elderly mother lived there. If investigated, everyone would have more silver than him. Even if he'd embezzled in Jiangnan, a mere county magistrate wouldn't have taken much. When Marquis Luo Yun spoke, everyone in the hall was astonished. They hadn't expected Marquis Luo Yun to be so frank, but wasn't this approach too extreme? Detaining everyone's property to prove their innocence, and yet no one had been convicted?
Grand Secretary Lu shook his head.
"Your Majesty, I disagree. If someone is guilty, confiscating their property is one thing, but these old officials from Jiangnan have worked hard even if they haven't made any great contributions. To confiscate their property to prove their innocence when the charges are not established is unprecedented. The investigation should be conducted separately from the confiscation of property."
This revelation was met with unanimous agreement from the officials, resulting in a noisy and chaotic scene.
The once solemn hall was now almost like a bustling marketplace. The other princes were also somewhat suspicious, wondering what Marquis Luo Yun was up to—confiscating property without warning. If that was the case, then so be it. Only Prince Zheng, with a furrowed brow, looked just like someone entering the capital. He had carefully planned his plans, only to have them repeatedly thwarted by that brat, Marquis Luo Yun—it was truly infuriating.
However, regarding the Jiangnan case, they were genuinely unaware of the details. Nevertheless, Jiangnan had always been wealthy and prosperous; aside from officials, many military families and relatives resided there, each with their own resources and influence. If they could arouse a sense of urgency among those people, they should have a chance with the Emperor Emeritus.
"Your Majesty, I believe that what the Grand Secretaries said is correct, and what Marquis Luoyun said is also true. However, the chaos in Jiangnan is actually caused by the Textile Bureau. If we are to investigate the case, I believe that the Grand Secretaries should conduct the interrogation together. As for the chief judge and deputy judge, I believe that Xu Changwen is guilty of disrespect and making unfounded suspicions. He should be thoroughly investigated."
It seems that the head of the Imperial Household Department is unlikely to return.
Inside the hall, Dai Quan was filled with mixed emotions. Yang Chi was his man, and it was he who had recommended him to go to Jiangnan. Although the documents for those jade mines were from the Imperial Household Department, they were merely orders for him to mine them privately and slowly. Why make such a big fuss and let the whole world know about it? Especially since the supply to Chang Le Palace had to be kept secret.
Now those brats in the Imperial Household Department actually dared to sell this item privately. Now that things have gotten this bad, what should we do? The civil and military officials in the hall were still whispering among themselves. Angered, they shouted.
"quiet!"
Everyone snapped out of their daze. At this moment, the Martial Emperor carefully observed Marquis Luo Yun. Not only were his words extremely bold, but he was also so confident. Were those county magistrates and officials not tempted by even a single tael of silver when faced with disaster relief funds and grain?
However, if it comes to investigating the case, the Imperial Household Department probably can't handle it; it would involve the palace, which is absolutely unacceptable. But if they don't investigate, it won't silence public opinion, especially regarding the jade mines north of the Yangtze River—it's an act of utter defiance. Not to mention the unprecedented breach of dikes and flooding of fields south of the Yangtze River. Those officials should be executed.
"Chief Minister Li, you've given so many opinions. What do you think? Should we escort them back to the capital, or let them all return?"
Upon hearing this, Chief Minister Li was startled. It seemed the Emperor intended to conduct a thorough investigation. But why order them all to return to the capital? It implied that the key officials in Jiangnan would all be replaced.
Several candidates immediately flashed through his mind, but he shook his head again. Zhuang Shouzhi, the Provincial Treasurer of Jiangnan, had served in that position for so many years; now, even he couldn't sit still in it.
Jing Cunliang and Su Chong should not be allowed to stay either. There was also Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, but unfortunately, it was he who was allowed to remain.
"Ahem, Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the matter in Jiangnan needs to be given another chance. Those who have repented can be investigated and kept. However, regardless of the circumstances, the officials above me have committed dereliction of duty. I think that we should keep Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, and Su Chong, the censor, to oversee the overall situation in Jiangnan. The rest should all be escorted back to the capital by the Imperial City Guard, and the Grand Secretariat and the three departments will jointly investigate and find out the truth."
We can no longer afford to retreat; we must act swiftly and decisively, sending all those involved back to the capital. The decision on how to conduct the trial should be made by the cabinet.
Seeing that Chief Minister Li understood her meaning, Empress Wu nodded in satisfaction and then asked,
"In that case, we can order the garrison of the Imperial City Guard in Jiangnan to escort them back to the capital. Who among them should be sent back?"
"Your Majesty, all those who have been brought to justice, as mentioned in the letter, including Inspector General Jing Cunliang, Provincial Treasurer Zhuang Shouzhi, Imperial Textile Bureau Chief Yang Chi, along with the two Magistrate Xus, and Yangzhou Prefectural Military Commander Xiang Zhengsu, have been brought to the capital. As for the others, apart from the ringleaders who have been escorted to the capital, they will be punished according to the laws of the Great Wu Dynasty. After all, the evidence is conclusive, and there is no need for further interrogation."
Chief Minister Li made the decision almost instantly: the cases of Ma Guangcheng and Hu Wenxuan were already airtight, and there was no need to retry them. However, the cases they implicated and implicated, as well as whether the two county magistrates had committed serious acts of disrespect, were to be investigated later and combined together.
But this explanation...
Zhang Jinyu sensed something was amiss, but before she could speak, Prince Mu Shi of Dongping stepped forward first.
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary, I feel there is something inappropriate,"
Everyone found it strange that it was Prince Mu speaking, and even the Martial Emperor was somewhat puzzled.
"Your Majesty, I also disagree,"
Among the ranks of the military officers, Prince Zhongshun stepped forward anxiously. He had felt uneasy ever since he implicated Jing Cunliang. He knew everything about what was happening in Jiangnan. He was the one who bought the most jade, and he had even sent people to Jiangnan to conspire with Jing Cunliang to mine and transport jade separately from five counties in Jiangbei. If Jing Cunliang confessed, how would he face the consequences?
Seeing the two step forward, everyone seemed to be deep in thought.
"Your Majesty, Chief Minister Li, I feel that something is amiss,"
Zhang Jinyu couldn't possibly not ask any questions. He was supposed to be the one handling the case, but now that he's in the capital, he's treated like a prisoner. Is there any place in the world where justice can be served?
The Empress glanced at the three men thoughtfully, then looked at Chief Minister Li, who understood and turned around to ask.
"Your Highnesses, Marquis Luoyun, what is the problem?"
Since the Prince of Dongping spoke first, it was naturally Prince Mu who spoke first;
“Your Majesty, Grand Secretary, when Xiang Zhengsu, the general of Yangzhou Prefecture, arrived at my camp, he had indeed returned from Jinling. He also reported the events in Jinling truthfully. When I asked him who issued the order, he said it was from the Textile Bureau. I can vouch for this. However, at that time, the war was urgent, and the Prince of Chu and I were preparing to lead our troops across the river to launch a surprise attack on Yangping. I allowed him to redeem himself through meritorious service. Now that he has rendered meritorious service, it is inappropriate for him to have to make a mistake because of this.”
Regardless, this person must be protected. Mu Shi was not afraid of any of this. He had asked carefully at the time, and the transfer order was on the King of Chu.
"Your Majesty, I can vouch for this; it is the official document from the Imperial Textile Bureau."
The King of Chu's eyes flickered as he stepped forward, holding the transfer order in his hands. This surprised everyone present.
The eunuch in charge of the inner palace went over, took the transfer order, and handed it to Chief Minister Li. Upon examining it, he confirmed it was indeed as he had imagined.
“Very well, Your Majesty, there is indeed a transfer order from the Imperial Textile Bureau. In that case, General Xiang has acted in accordance with the order and is not guilty. But the others…”
Looking at Prince Zhongshun, Prince Zhou's forehead was covered in sweat. He had no reason to reply. After thinking for a moment, his lips twitched, and he forced himself to answer.
"In my opinion, Jing Cunliang has done his best for the court in everything he has done since he arrived in Jiangnan. He has made great achievements in the project of converting farmland into mulberry fields. Now that the disaster relief is over and the reforms are beginning to show results, he has certainly worked hard even if he has not made any great contributions. If the court is so harsh, wouldn't that be disheartening?"
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Chief Minister Li.
"Merit is merit, and fault is fault. The reform in Jiangnan was Su Chong's strategy. Jing Cunliang's merits and demerits still need to be investigated before we can talk about them. If everyone is like this, the court will not distinguish right from wrong in anything, and where will its authority be? No, Marquis Luoyun, what is wrong with you?"
A glint flashed in his eyes. To have a military background as one's mentor was unprecedented in the current dynasty. Being a mentor to a civil official was no easy task.
Zhang Jinyu replied solemnly;
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary, according to the laws of the Great Wu Dynasty, the trial procedure was correct. All recorded documents and confessions must be recorded truthfully. In that case, Xu Changwen, the deputy judge, interrogated the suspects, and Xu Dong recorded the confessions. Neither of them has committed any wrongdoing. Why should they be brought to the capital for trial? What is the meaning of this disrespect? Could it be that they are trying to cover something up by arbitrarily altering the confessions or documents? I believe that not only are they innocent, but they should also be commended and set an example!"
(End of this chapter)