When the water burst the embankment, it was like a boulder suddenly being smashed down on the flat lake. The original Zhao Dynasty was unprosperous, but it was raging for a while.

Today is destined to be an unquiet day for Dazhao.

A few days ago, the dam burst shocked the government and the opposition, and today it can be regarded as a result, the imperial court sent to coordinate the construction of the river embankment, the Ministry of Engineering Wailang Xi Qing was attacked and killed by a mob, and the purchasing official Chen Yueze committed suicide in fear of crime. Hundreds of people have been killed and injured, more than 10,000 people have been left homeless, floods have washed away a large amount of farmland, and there will be no harvest along the banks of the river this year.

In the court, the emperor listened carefully to the ministers' words and words, and his lips were arguing non-stop, and his face became more and more gloomy. Seeing that the emperor had a gloomy face and did not speak, His Royal Highness's courtiers gradually stopped arguing.

Seeing that there was silence below, the emperor finally spoke: "All finished?" When I'm done, I'll say a few words. There was an innate majesty in his voice, which was a little overwhelming at this time.

He got up slowly, put his hands behind his back and said, "After arguing for a long time, I probably understand what you mean." Situ He, headed by you, feels that Chen Yueze is not the only one who is corrupt in this matter, and Xi Qing of the Ministry of Industry is not clean, and his words are faintly directed at the Xi family. Qi Zejun, you think that Xi Qing is not at fault in this matter. Xi Yuanshan is inconvenient to speak, Jing Yuheng, only you are left without speaking, what do you think. ”

Jing Yuheng, the head of the Jing family, thought about it carefully, and said smoothly: "The minister thinks that how this matter is decided depends on His Majesty's intentions. ”

"Hold on to it? Everyone knows that they need to protect themselves......" The emperor snorted coldly, "If you have anything else to say, let's say it together." ”

As soon as the words fell, Situ He took the lead in standing up again: "The minister thinks that even if Xi Qing, a member of the Ministry of Works, is not greedy for ink, at least he has the responsibility of negligence!" Although Chen Yueze is fully responsible for purchasing, as a subordinate, how can he not tell his immediate boss? The reason why Lord Qi tried his best to defend it was probably because he wanted to clear up the relationship between this matter and the Qi family! As far as the minister knows, the dispatch of Xi Qing to supervise the water collection was facilitated by Qi An, the eldest son of Lord Qi and the squire of the Ministry of Works! ”

When the emperor heard this, he raised his eyebrows and asked coldly, "Qi An, is this matter serious?" ”

Qi An came out of the hundred officials, and after saluting the emperor, Fang said: "This is indeed the case, but it is ...... Ministers are also entrusted by others. ”

For a while, there was silence in the court.

"By whom?" The emperor asked in a low voice, but there was a chill in his eyes.

Qi An groaned for a while and said, "It is the Wailang of the Ministry of Works, Xi Qing himself." ”

"Why?"

"Back to Your Majesty, Xi Qing has been quite disturbed by rumors since he became an official. There seems to be an official in the court who pointed out that his talent is not worthy, Xi Qing is young and vigorous, and naturally wants to correct his name, and when the water is about to build an embankment, he asks for the minister's head. ”

"Ridiculous!" The emperor was immediately furious, and he was about to wave the folds on the imperial case to the ground, "How can he take on a big responsibility when he first enters the official career!" Since you have already done him this favor, then it is up to you to do what he has not finished doing, from today on, you don't have to be this waiter of the Ministry of Works, and you will take over as a member of the Ministry of Works! ”

Qi An lowered his eyes, knelt down and said respectfully: "Minister, obey the order." ”

The emperor exhaled a long breath, and his gaze fell on the head of Xu Bin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, "The Criminal Department...... How's your greed? ”

Xu Bin had long wanted to report the matter, but Situ He and they spoke too closely, Xu Bin had no chance to intervene for a while, and the emperor asked him at this time, and Xu Bin hurriedly stepped forward with a wat.

"Your Majesty, Liu Yuanli, who is in charge of investigating the case of embezzlement of ink in the construction of embankments and water, has returned to Chongdu yesterday, according to his report, Chen Yueze is indeed the main culprit of embezzlement of ink, which he also said in the letter he left before committing suicide in fear of crime, but for some reason, Chen Yueze's last sentence is not exhaustive. According to the preliminary investigation by the Criminal Department, there is indeed no evidence of Xi Qing's greed for ink. ”

After listening to Xu Bin's words, Xi Yuanshan's hanging heart fell slightly...... He knew that Xi Qing was not unable to do such a thing, and since there was no direct evidence, no one could convict Xi Qing...... At the very least, the offense of negligence will be much less than that of greed. Besides, now that Xi Qing is dead, this matter can no longer be pursued. As for the punishment and suppression, compared to the crime of greedy ink that caused the embankment to burst, Xi Yuanshan can accept it.

After listening to Xu Bin's words, the emperor raised his eyebrows and questioned, "Then what do you mean...... That is to say, Xi Qing is not greedy for ink, and Chen Yueze is the only one who is greedy for ink? ”

Xu Bin was obviously taken aback by this sentence, and hurriedly said: "The evidence is insufficient, and the minister does not dare to assert it." But...... When Chen Yueze's home was raided, some heretics were discovered. ”

Xu Bin quietly raised his eyes and looked at the emperor, and when he saw that the emperor motioned for himself to continue, he continued: "Judging from the account books and the amount that Chen Yueze admitted in his suicide note, Chen Yueze was indeed greedy for 530,000 taels of silver. However, when Chen Yueze's mansion was raided, only 4,800 taels of silver were found, and the remaining 520,000 taels were missing. ”

"Missing?" The emperor obviously couldn't believe it, and raised his tone and said, "A full 520,000 taels of silver, do you want to tell me that I have no whereabouts?" Check it out! You must recover this stolen money from me! ”

"Minister's order," Xu Bin trembled and retreated into the ranks of the courtiers, raised his sleeve and gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and his heart was even more bitter at this time...... I thought that I only needed to go through the motions here, but who knew that it was a difficult thing to fall on.

Seeing that the Criminal Department had piled up three cases, Xu Bin couldn't help but feel that he had too much luck at the beginning of the year, and he had not encountered any major and important cases in the past few years, but this year he was asked to catch up with them one after another. This criminal department Shangshu, who never believed in ghosts and gods, had already recited many sounds of Buddha in his heart at this time.

The emperor sat back on the dragon chair a little tired, closed his eyes and said, "Xi Yuanshan." ”

Xi Yuanshan didn't dare to slack off, and immediately responded, "The minister is here." ”

The emperor paused slightly, and his tone was already a little cold, "You Xi family people...... I really have the ability to do things. Your promising son, his subordinates are greedy for ink on the table, and he can't see it! When has there ever been such a big accident since our ancestors, this is a man-made disaster, a man-made disaster! In the land along the water, hunger is everywhere, how many people are homeless, and people are changing children to eat! ”

The emperor stood up, pointed at Xi Yuanshan and shouted angrily: "But what are you all doing!" You claim to be the most important ministers of the country and the talents of the pillars! But above the court, when has it become a battlefield for several of you to compete for power and profit! When will my country become a treasure land for you to collect wealth! Do you still remember the Xie family seventeen years ago? Back then, the Xie family raided the house, and how many thousands of taels of silver were found from the house! Have you all forgotten? I want you to think about it, and I want you to do it yourself. ”

All the ministers listened with bated breath, and some trembled, for fear that if they didn't pay attention, they would harm the fish in the pond; Some gloat and watch coldly; Some are light and light, and it is not their business......

The emperor let out a long breath and ordered: "Hubu, draw up a disaster relief plan within two days." Penal Department...... Intensify the investigation of the corruption case. As he spoke, the emperor's eyes swept sharply over a group of courtiers, and he inadvertently saw the ridicule standing with his hands hanging down among the hundred officials.

The emperor snorted coldly, "I almost forgot, a few months ago, I personally mentioned Xi Yan as the squire of the Criminal Department, but now it seems that it was not necessary that day!" Go to the Praetorian Guard, don't stay in the Ministry of Punishment anymore! ”

"Minister, obey the order."