Xiao Yunhe smiled: "So, the reform of the military system." It is bound to go hand in hand with land reform. In today's world of Great Qi, land annexation is too strict. To give a simple example, in the land of Yongzhou in Guannei, more than seventy percent of the land and land are concentrated in the hands of King Jia and King Shao. In that place, everyone only knew King Jia and King Shao. I don't know what the imperial court is. The gentry and the rich have amassed a large amount of land, and they will have the courage to build a state within a state, ignoring the imperial court. Over time, land annexation became more and more severe. If the local tyrants ignore the monarch, Daqi will collapse sooner or later. Therefore, land reform is also imperative. It is also a very appropriate idea to carry out the reform of the military system and the reform of the land at the same time. What do you think?"

"This ...... The pressure and resistance will be extremely huge!" Li Sheng said in surprise and worry, "Your Majesty, you must think twice before acting! If something goes wrong, the gentry and relatives of the emperor and the country will rise up in groups to resist, and the soldiers will retire and distribute the land." There is no guarantee that nothing will happen. When the time comes, it is not impossible for the army to mutiny, the people to rebel, and the gentry to riot!"

"Your concerns are justified. Xiao Yunhe said, "Although I have been thinking about this matter for a long time, I have never mentioned it in detail to anyone else, that is, I have such worries in my heart." But now I've figured it out. But anything that is beneficial to future generations. At that time, it seemed that it was bound to damage the interests of many people and bring about a temporary crisis. It's hard to get started. I can't do it, and these things that I am determined to do will really not be able to do. If those gentry and local lords want to make trouble, they might as well stretch out their noses and smell the smell of blood in front of the Suzaku Gate; as long as there are no problems in the process of land reform, the affairs of the retired soldiers will be easy to arrange; since they can arrange their way back, there is no reason why they should not live and work in peace and contentment, reunite with their families, and live a peaceful and peaceful life. These things are closely related to each other, and they will be a very huge project and a difficult battle. If we don't have the belief that we will win in the first place, we will lose in the end. ”

Li Sheng took a deep breath, nodded and said, "Your Majesty's boldness...... It's really amazing. In fact, many people have seen these problems, but no one dares to touch them. Wechen is willing to swear to follow His Majesty's side, whether it is to take the lead in the charge, or to stand up and bear some pressure, he will not hesitate!"

"Thank you, good machine. Xiao Yunhe smiled with relief, "I know, you will definitely support me." To reform the military system, it is inseparable from the support of you generalissimos who have carried the great Qi country. I am also a person who has led soldiers to fight, and it is not a pleasant thing to watch my comrades-in-arms who were born and died with me leave and go home. However, this is for the sake of the long-term peace and stability of Daqi, and he can't take too much care of his own private feelings. I also want the brothers of the Jianchuan Army to be by my side for the rest of my life, but ...... This, in turn, will place a heavy burden on the country. Therefore, at this time, we have to let go of some of our emotions and make some decisions that we are unwilling to make from the overall situation. ”

"Wechen understands......" Li Sheng let out a long breath, lowered his head and said with some melancholy, "In the Jingyuan army, there are also many soldiers who have followed Wechen for several years, and even some of them joined the army with Wechen many years ago. We are closer than our own flesh and blood brothers. When you get to the battlefield, you will not care about your own life and death for the sake of the other party. But as long as His Majesty the Emperor gives an order, Wechen will also have a black face and a cold heart, and let these old brothers go home to farm and be good citizens! If they have any complaints or dissatisfactions, they will come to Wechen!"

Xiao Yunhe stepped forward and held Li Sheng's hands: "Thank you, Liangqi." On behalf of Daqi, I sincerely thank you!"

"Eating the king's fortune is for the king's worries, this is all within the responsibility of the ministers, how can your majesty say thank you?" Li Sheng stood up and bowed a few times, and said, "If your majesty has made up his mind, you can start with the reorganization and division of the Jingyuan Army first." Wechen assured that there would be no problems in the Jingyuan army. Otherwise, take Weichen's head as an example!"

"You're too serious. Xiao Yunhe smiled and said, "The soldiers were born and died with us, just like their own flesh and blood brothers. Since they are brothers, everything can be discussed. In any case, I will not use murder to hurt anyone, let alone Li Liangqi. Li Huaiguang and Chu Yan are not too keen in politics, and they may not be able to figure out some things. You'll have to dial them when you have time in the future. However, don't leak any news just yet, so as not to cause unnecessary panic. At the very least, we should have to wait for Ma Sui to come back. The military situation in this part of the capital, Ma Sui is more familiar than us. To do these big things, you can't do without him. ”

Wechen understood. Li Sheng promised and said, "If Your Majesty wants to transfer Ma Sui back, he will inevitably have to take Hebei instead of him." ”

"Do you have a candidate?" Xiao Yunhe asked.

Li Sheng thought for a moment and said, "Why not...... Let Ma Sui nominate himself?"

Xiao Yunhe smiled: "It makes sense, just do it." ”

On the seventh day of the celebration day, normal order had begun to return to the imperial city. Officials from various provinces and ministries have returned to work one after another and have begun to do their own work.

He didn't go to court for six days, and he didn't take care of any important state affairs, and Xiao Yunhe kept thinking about it in his heart. After the luncheon that day, he went straight to the Hongwen Palace, ready to inspect and see if there had been any serious incidents in the last few days.

In the Hongwen Pavilion, it happened to be Zhang Wanfu, the imperial historian, Du Huangshang, the secretary of the Criminal Department, and Xu Mengrong, the secretary of the Dali Temple, who were on duty. The three of them have a close connection with each other's work, so they are also arranged to be on the same day when they are on duty.

Xiao Yunhe came in, and the three of them came to greet some officials from the Hongwen Pavilion. After the salute, Xiao Yunhe walked to his study. There were some folds stacked on the desk, all of which had been reviewed and discussed by the prime ministers in the Hongwen Pavilion, and were ready to be handed to him. Xiao Yunhe read them one by one and found that there was nothing major. There is only one excerpt, which was brought up by Zhang Wanfu, the imperial historian, together with Li Jingluo, the middle of the imperial history, and others, to discuss the disadvantages of the current official system and some things about the revision of the law. Xiao Yunhe looked at it in detail for a while, and found that what he said was still very reasonable, so he called Zhang Wanfu in.

Although Zhang Wanfu is seventy or eighty years old, his hair and beard are all white and shiny, his spirit is very full, and his body is quite strong. Xiao Yunhe secretly marveled at it in his heart, and said to him: "Zhang Wanfu, I have seen this excerpt you played. Some of the things mentioned in the excerpt still make a lot of sense. In fact, I have long planned to rectify the rule of the officials of Daqi. The climate of officialdom is not good, the atmosphere is corrupt, there are too many corrupt officials, and there are not a few corrupt officials, lay officials, and mediocre officials. These people directly affected every vein of Daqi. If it is not rectified, the whole country will be ruined in their hands in the long run. Tell me what to do?"

"The old minister obeys the order!" Zhang Wanfu bowed his hand like a bell and said in a vibrating voice, "Since ancient times. Governing the country and the people, the first to govern the officials. If the official system is not in order, the world will be weak and the government will be sluggish. In today's Daqi, the atmosphere of officialdom is very decadent. Officials protect each other, only care about accumulating wealth and enjoyment, and oppress good people, use power for personal gain, and bully others. The people were miserable, and the imperial decrees could not be implemented well. In a place like Yongzhou, Guannei, a small Bapin County. It can also put down 100 acres of fertile land, raise 100 domestic slaves, and have a group of wives and concubines. These people's monthly income is no more than 10 stones, where do they get the money to do such a big business? It is nothing more than accepting bribes and bending the law for bribes. A few days ago, when Dou Shen and Pei Yanling were investigated and punished, His Majesty the Emperor was also where he was. How much property should corrupt officials extract from the treasury of Daqi every year, and how much blood and sweat should be extracted from the people? If there were no such corrupt officials in the world. The treasury of Daqi will surely become much fuller, and the people will be able to live in abundance and tranquility. As long as the people can live a stable life, many problems and contradictions can be easily solved. ”

"Well said. Xiao Yunhe said approvingly. "The Imperial Historical Observatory is in charge of supervising hundreds of officials and local officials in the imperial court. It is your job to find out the officials. Read the novel network all the way and tell me, do you have any specific solutions?"

"Back to Majesty. Yes. Zhang Wanfu said, "The old minister had the courage to build a new one, abolishing the official positions of salt and iron transfer envoys, local and festival observation envoys, and eunuch supervisors and supervising the army, and clarifying and consolidating the responsibilities of the imperial history platform." Then, the previous local imperial history inspection and picketing system were restored, and the imperial history was sent to the local government to check the governance of the local officials and evaluate the moral and administrative performance of the local officials. ”

Xiao Yunhe nodded slightly. said: "The restoration of the supervision and picketing function of the imperial history must be done." However, you have just said that you will abolish the official positions of salt and iron transshipment envoys, local and regional observers, and eunuchs and eunuchs. Why?"

"Your Majesty Mingjian!" Zhang Wanfu was a little excited, as if he had let it go, and said, "The old minister has something to say. There may be some taboos, but it is still to be said. Salt and iron transport makes. Completely control the operation and dispatch of salt, iron, and grain in the imperial court. These materials are all important resources of the country in the hands of the imperial court. After being controlled by a special person, the unprecedented profiteering will prompt people's selfish desires to swell sharply, and it is easy to form huge greed. Do you remember the Jianghuai salt and iron transport envoy Li who planted your land in the first place?"

"Well, I remember. Xiao Yunhe said, "This person is a traitor with Dou Wenchang, Huo Xianming and others, and he wants to rebel in Xichuan. After the incident, he was afraid of being investigated, so he absconded to Huaixi with a huge amount of money and took refuge with Li Xilie. ”

"It's this person. Zhang Wanfu said angrily, "His private wealth is probably much richer than the emperor's private wealth." Wu Zhongru, the national abbot, was appointed by the imperial court to operate the sales officer salt for decades, and became the richest man in the capital only by extracting small profits and labor services. But he probably doesn't have the windfall that Lee lost in just a few years. Salt, iron, and grain are related to the lifeblood of the country, and if they were not openly operated and controlled by the imperial court, it would be easy to form a huge greed like Li. If just one Li is greedy like this, how much benefit should his subordinate bureaucrats and other transshipment envoys extract from the veins of the state? This will be a huge and staggering number! Therefore, Lao Chen is willing to ask His Majesty to do his best to abolish the salt and iron transshipment envoys and restore the system of openly handling salt, iron, and grain materials by the imperial court and local officials. ”

"Exactly. Xiao Yunhe said concisely and concisely, and said, "Tomorrow, when I go to the court, I will issue an order to abolish the salt and iron transshipment system, and the imperial court and the government will firmly control the transshipment and operation of salt and iron grain from now on." I am also an official on one side, and I know that the situation of the local observer and the eunuch supervising the army and the salt and iron transporter you mentioned is very similar. These people were all cronies sent by the emperor and the imperial court. When they go to the localities or the army, they act as a prestige and wantonly collect bribes, but they hide the problems of the localities and the army. The imperial history supervision system, which was very perfect before Daqi, was in vain. These two positions, I also want to abolish them, and instead restore the functions of the Imperial Historical Observatory, so that the affairs of a qiē matter can be made public. ”

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhang Wanfu bowed down excitedly and said, "Your Majesty once served as a festival envoy in Xichuan, and he must also know that the so-called local observation envoys and the supervisors in the army have always been fat and lacking. If anyone receives this position, it means that he is going to be developed. When you are an envoy or a prisoner of the army for a year, the huge profits and bribes you receive are astonishing. At the same time, the corrupt officials and corrupt officials in some localities and prefectures and counties also tried their best to curry favor with them, lest they report the truth to the imperial court. Observers don't tell the truth. The court has become blind and deaf. In the long run, the bureaucracy has become more and more corrupt, and the wind of corruption has become more and more rampant. Now, officialdom and the people have formed such a bad atmosphere: as long as you have money, you can be spiritual. There is no lawsuit that cannot be won, and there is no disaster that cannot be avoided. As long as you are willing to stuff money, no matter how big a thing is, it can be a big thing. It's a trivial. Corruption in the official system directly leads to chaos in the legal system. The law has been trampled on, and Daqi has lost its credibility in the eyes of the people -- this is all caused by loopholes in the bureaucratic system! Therefore, it is imperative and urgent to rectify the rule of officials!

"Well, you go on. Xiao Yunhe was not excited, and said in a hurry. "You just said that the abolition of the salt and iron transshipment will restore the imperial history to supervise these things. It's not enough to rectify the rule of officials, and rely on this, right?"

Zhang Wanfu bowed his hand in a dignified manner and said loudly: "Your Majesty! The old minister has another wild word, and he must be brave and straightforward! Today's officialdom in Daqi is not implemented without strict laws and effective punishments. There's no way to make it better. For some corrupt officials with bad attitudes and strict circumstances, powerful people who dominate the township and neighbors, and ignore the princes and lords who ignore the end of the imperial court, they must make an example of a hundred in order to revitalize the dynasty. If there were no thunderball means. It is simply impossible to gently improve the current pattern of the court and officialdom! Presumably, His Majesty himself understands that if it were not for the blood-spattered Suzaku Gate that day, His Majesty would not have been able to ascend the throne safely today. Those people can only be useful if they are shocked with blood. ”

Xiao Yunhe's expression was still gentle, and he said slowly: "Is it just killing? According to what you said, there are no officials in the world who don't have a little meat." All of them have been killed, who will be the official for me? Who's going to do the work for me?"

"Of course not. Zhang Wanfu said, "Lao Chendi's idea is to start from the national capital and carry out a major officialdom rectification." The Imperial Historical Observatory issued an edict first, ordering all officials to take the initiative to confess their mistakes. Voluntary bribery and ill-gotten gains. If you can take the initiative to explain, you can be lenient and lenient. The obsessive. As long as the Imperial Historical Observatory finds out, it will be severely punished. At the same time, the law was amended to tighten the control of officials. In addition, a strict system for evaluating officials has been formulated. Regularly review and evaluate the hundred officials of the imperial court and local officials, and determine the level of evaluation according to their political achievements and virtues. And this level will directly affect the basis for promotion and abolition. ”

Xiao Yunhe smiled and said, "In the early Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong carried out the rectification of the official system, and he also made such an attempt. The results were good. In particular, this official evaluation is worth trying out and promoting. Zhang Wanfu, what you said is very constructive and in line with the current situation in Daqi. It's just that these things are done, and the project is very huge, and it can't be completed in a day or two. In addition, it is also necessary for these people from the Ministry of Officials, the Criminal Department, Dali Temple and Zongzheng Temple to cooperate and help. ”

Zhang Wanfu said: "The old minister is over seventy years old, and he can be regarded as having lived enough. I just want to do something useful before I get into the ground. Lao Chen also knew that this was an offending and unflattering errand. But the old minister is not afraid of offending people. To rectify the matter of governing officials, someone must come out and be a cool official. Lao Chen is willing to take on this task. ”

Xiao Yunhe smiled: "Zhang Wanfu, you are a real person. You're right. To rectify the rule of officials, it is not only necessary to improve the legal system and rebuild the system, but also to have someone to play a negative role in the process. Cool officials are definitely indispensable. But this cool official is different from the cool official of Wu Zhou. At that time, a group of cool officials appointed by Empress Wu were mainly for her personal service. But you, a cool official, are serving the legal system of Daqi. I want to support you, but I am also justifiable. Now Du Huangshang, the secretary of the Criminal Department, and Xu Mengrong, the secretary of Dali Temple, are outside. Call them in, and I have something to ask them. ”

Zhang Wanfu bowed happily and strode out. Xiao Yunhe looked at this old man and said secretly in his heart: This old guy is a person who does practical things and does great things. Yushitai, what is needed is this kind of person who is not afraid of things and dares to do things to be the pillar. It seems that the time has come to rectify the rule of officials.

After a while, Zhang Wanfu took Du Huangshang and Xu Mengrong into the study together. Xiao Yunhe said to them, "I have already talked to Zhang Wanfu just now. The imperial court was about to begin to tighten the rule of officials. The two of you sit in Dali Temple and the Criminal Department, and you must cooperate closely with him. In addition, both of you are dealing directly with the law. Tell me, what is the current situation of the laws of Daqi?"

Du Huangshang took a step forward and bowed his hand: "Go back to your majesty." Today, Daqi still uses the legal statutes compiled in the "Tang Law Discussion" compiled during the Yongwei period. The law compiled by the eldest grandson Wuji and others a hundred years ago has not been overly revised, which is obviously somewhat inconsistent with the current reality. Weichen thought that the laws of Daqi needed to be revised and rewritten in many places. This is especially true when it comes to supervising and punishing officials. From Zhenguan to Yongwei and even later in the Wuzhou period, the rule of officials in Daqi was very clear, and there were very few corrupt officials. Therefore, the law at that time was also more inclined to make officials conscious and introspective, and there were many less strict constraints and controls. In today's troubled times, we should use heavy codes. Only by clarifying the correct model in the law can we have a basis for rectifying the rule of officials. ”

Xu Mengrong also said: "Master Du is reasonable. Weichen sat in the Dali Temple to try the case, and also found many irrationalities in the law. There are often some cases that make Wechen find that there is no law to follow and no precedent to escape. It is imperative to rewrite the law. ”

"Good. Xiao Yunhe smiled slightly and said, "From tomorrow onwards, Du Huangshang will be the leader, Xu Mengrong will be second, and the officials of the Criminal Department and Dali Temple, as well as the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, will begin to compile new laws. I will personally supervise at all times. This law is tentatively named "The Law of the Great Qi Jingxing". ”

"Wechen obeys!"

On the first day of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, everyone walked into the Taiji Hall with a strange mood. Although the days of the crown prince's imprisonment of the country are not short, it is the first time that he has really ascended the throne and started to deal with national affairs in the name of the emperor. Everyone felt the new atmosphere, and their hearts were full of hope and expectation.

Xiao Yunhe's beaded curtain crown and yellow dragon robe sat on the dragon chair, listening to Baiguanshan shouting long live, and the court meeting began.

The peace treaty negotiated with the Tibetan envoy Shang Xidongzan has been clarified. Lu Yi handed over the covenant and read it out on the spot. The general meaning is to restrain the two countries from encroaching on each other and to trade with each other. Daqi released nearly 40,000 Tibetan prisoners of war in Xichuan, and the Tibetans accordingly sent back nearly 100,000 Han people who had been plundered earlier.

Xiao Yunhe picked up the emperor's seal and pressed the seal on the two peace alliance treaties. Shang Xidong praised and thanked him, and returned to Tibet with the covenant sealed by the Emperor of Great Qi. As long as Trisong Detsen also affixes the treasure seal, the peace alliance between the two countries will be officially concluded.

Great Qi and Tibet fought for nearly 30 years, and now the peace has finally been declared. For a time, the Manchu Dynasty celebrated, and the people in the entire capital city were excited. Celebrations of all sizes were held spontaneously. The people had more affection for the newly enthroned emperor. After all, the war has brought too many disasters to the people. At this time, people's minds are determined, and everyone wants to live a few days of stable life.

After dealing with the important matter of the Peace Alliance, the atmosphere in the court became lively and relaxed. After discussing a few more trivial matters, Zhang Wanfu, the imperial historian, stood up and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the minister has a plan to play." ”

"Speak. Xiao Yunhe knew that Zhang Wanfu was going to talk about rectifying the rule of officials and the strict punishment of the law.

"Obey the order!" Zhang Wanfu bowed with Yugui in his hand, and Lang Lang said, "Fang is now in great Qi, and the law of corruption is out of order. If you want to revive Daqi. It is necessary to strictly rectify the rule of officials and re-establish the law. From now on, some official positions such as salt and iron transit envoys, local observation envoys in various towns, and eunuch supervisors and military supervisors will be abolished, and the functions of supervision and supervision of the imperial history platform will be restored. Strictly investigate and punish officials who corrupt and pervert the law in the imperial court and various localities. ”

As soon as Zhang Wanfu's words fell, the entire court suddenly fell silent. The atmosphere that had just been a little more relaxed instantly disappeared.

Zhang Wanfu also felt a little embarrassed, turned around and looked at the colleagues around him, and said in a low voice: "You guys...... Why do you have such an expression? Do you think that the old minister is asking the emperor for power and wants to give you little shoes to wear?"

Xiao Yunhe could hear clearly. But as if he hadn't heard, he sat there quietly, watching the ministers react.

At this time, Lu Zhen stood up and bowed to the emperor first. Then he bowed to Zhang Wanfu and said: "Zhang Xianggong said that he would abolish some official positions such as salt and iron transfer envoys, local observation envoys in Zhuzhen and eunuch supervisors, as well as restore the imperial history supervision system, and he has no opinion on lowly positions. However, Zhang Xianggong had just given advice to the emperor. said that it is necessary to strictly investigate and deal with the corrupt officials of the imperial court and various localities, may I ask, what kind of strict law is it? What's the solution?"

Zhang Wanfu expected that someone would definitely ask him questions at today's court meeting, so he was not in a hurry and said: "In troubled times, you should use heavy codes." In order to revive the dynasty at this time, it is necessary to punish those lawbreakers who have committed crimes with severe punishment and strict laws. Kill what should be killed, degrade what degraded, and exile what should be exiled. Nowadays, the world is full of people, and the hearts of the people are not ancient, just by means of gentleness. It is no longer possible to completely solve the problem. Only with some thunderous means can we see results. The old minister is not talented, and he is willing to serve as a cool official to punish those lawbreakers in the world for His Majesty the Emperor, and to give justice to the law. ”

"What a damn kill. should be degraded, and the place of exile should be exiled". Lu Zhen sneered and retorted loudly, "Your Majesty, the matter of the Vermilion Bird Gate has already made the people and people of the world frightened. Now, if the cool official system is implemented again, it will definitely have a very bad impact. The people are terrified under the heavy pressure, and even if they are severely punished for a while, they will not be convinced. In the long run, even if the temporary hidden danger can be solved, the bigger hidden danger will be buried in everyone's hearts. That kind of fear and crisis will be even more powerful than thousands of troops! At present, all kinds of contradictions are constantly intensifying and intensifying. If such a domineering government is carried out again, it will inevitably make the world rebel and the people will have no livelihood! Weichen, as a counselor, sternly rejects the omission of Zhang Wanfu, the imperial historian!"

As soon as Lu Zhen's words were thrown out, the court, which had just been as quiet as stagnant water, exploded, and everyone suddenly burst into exclamations, and they all looked at Zhang Wanfu and Lu Zhen who were standing in the middle of the court.

Zhang Wanfu felt extremely embarrassed, and he suddenly became angry when he was born in the army, and said sharply: "Lu Jiu! The old minister is doing this to be loyal to the imperial court and His Majesty! Why are you so forceful to refute me? Oh, the old minister understands! When the Emperor Taishang was on the throne, you had just come out of office, and you were humble and humble in your position. The old minister was not very kind to you once, and you still haunt you today!"

Lu Zhen sneered: "In the eyes of the lowly position, there are only the Jiangshan Sheji and the Emperor of the Chaogang of the Great Qi in his heart, and there is no place to put your chicken and dog bits and pieces." As for the matter of harsh punishment of officials, no matter who raised it, the humble position would be sternly dismissed. It's not about people, you have to think about those unbearable places, that's your business!"

Zhang Wanfu was angry, pointed at Lu Zhen and said excitedly: "You, you Lu Jiu Xiao'er, dare to ridicule the old man like this!"

"Presumptuous—" A low chant came down from the Jinluan Palace, like rolling thunder falling and exploding in everyone's hearts. Zhang Wanfu Chuyan, who was about to have a seizure, trembled, and bowed down and fell.

Xiao Yunhe looked at the ministers on the stage with a torch in his eyes, and said unhurriedly: "It is normal for the court to discuss and have disputes. Zhang Wanfu, as a doctor of imperial history, you have old things in your heart, isn't it chilling?"

Zhang Wanfu hurriedly knelt down and knelt down again and again: "Your Majesty has learned a lesson, it is the old minister who is confused...... The old minister Rong Ma has been straight and rude all his life, please forgive your majesty and forgive your sins!"

"That's it. Get up. Xiao Yunhe raised his hand and said, "These things that Zhang Wanfu just proposed still hit the nail on the head of some of the current Daqi. Corruption is a problem that we must solve. As for how to solve it, we still need to brainstorm ideas. Contribute more ideas. It's good to have arguments, but don't make nonsense because of your own opinions, let alone engage in personal attacks and private resentment. It is also for the country and for the country, and whoever has a good method will use it. If there is no zài, whoever offers a bad plan, I will belittle him. Speak freely and argue fiercely. That's a good thing. ”

"The ministers obey!" all the ministers bowed together.

"Lu Zhen. Xiao Yunhe looked at him and said, "Just now you spoke out against Zhang Wanfu, and the reason you said was to oppose the cool official system and the harsh punishment, right?"

"Back to Majesty. Precisely. Lu Zhen said, "At the beginning of His Majesty's accession to the throne, the customs were initially decided, and people's hearts fluctuated. The rebellion in Huaixi, Hebei Province has not been quelled, and all the states and provinces in the world have a wait-and-see attitude. The world has not yet tasted stability. This time. Reassuring people should be paramount. If cruel officials and severe punishment were to be carried out at this time, it would inevitably lead to heavy riots. It is not impossible for local officials to be forced to rebel. ”

"Then you mean. This official system can't be cured, and it can't be cured?" Xiao Yunhe asked rhetorically.

"Governance, it must be cured. It doesn't necessarily have to be such a domineering method. Lu Zhen said, "The minister reads the history books, and in the early years of Wen Zhenguan, the minister Feng Deyi also proposed to Emperor Taizong to govern the country with domineering. At that time, the courtiers were mostly supportive. Only Wei Zheng persuaded Emperor Taizong to rule the country with the royal way. Convince people with sincerity, faith and morality. Afterward. Emperor Taizong finally adopted the Wei land requisition to build yì, which led to the arrival of Zhenguan's rule. Today's Great Qi is more chaotic and unstable than in the early years of Zhenguan. If we want to pursue a hegemonic policy, we will inevitably provoke strong resistance from all localities. When the time comes, the rolling waves will strike. Your Majesty is on the dragon chair, can you still sit safely?"

"Lu Zhen. You are too presumptuous!" Zhang Wanfu shouted angrily, "You dare to say that His Majesty the Emperor will not be able to sit still?!"

Lu Zhen glanced at Zhang Wanfu and did not respond.

At this moment, everyone did not say anything, but waited with bated breath for how the emperor would decide.

Xiao Yunhe glanced at the two people in the audience calmly and said, "I just said, don't use your own arguments to waste people's words." But whoever is faithful will be against his ears. I can listen to it, but some courtiers can't listen to it. ”

Zhang Wanfu knelt down again: "Old minister...... Guilty ......"

"Forgive you not sin, and you may not do it again. Xiao Yunhe said, "After all, the court is not in the army, don't roar like this." Reason is not loud. ”

Zhang Wanfu stood up in panic and retreated to the train.

Xiao Yunhe glanced at everyone in the court hall and said, "I said it just now. It is imperative to rectify the rule of officials. It's just that how to rectify it still needs a practical and proper method. You all tell me one by one, what you think in your hearts. Don't tell me that you don't have any ideas. They are all officials, and who still doesn't understand what is wrong with the current officialdom? Then, Xiao Yunhe looked at Li Sheng, who was standing at the head of the generals, and said, "Li Sheng, you speak first." ”

Li Sheng is the second-rank prime minister, and he has the highest rank among the officials with real power in the court today. Naturally, he spoke first.

Li Sheng stood up with some hesitation and said, "Your Majesty...... Weichen thinks that what Zhang Xianggong said is not unreasonable. In troubled times, there are examples to follow. When Zhuge Wuhou entered Shu as the prime minister, he also ruled the country by law with strict punishments, and when His Majesty the Emperor was in Xichuan, he also strictly rectified the rule of officials and emphasized the law of the people. Both times, excellent results were achieved. Therefore, Weichen agreed to use heavy measures to rectify the rule of officials in troubled times. ”

Chu Yan, Li Huaiguang, and some other generals all stood up one after another and expressed their approval of the use of harsh punishment laws and cool officials to govern officials.

Xiao Yunhe was not in a hurry to make a decision, and said: "Wu Yuanheng, as the secretary of the ministry, you are the secretary of the ministry, and the affairs of the officials are your duty. Tell me what to do?"

When Wu Yuanheng stood up, everyone cast their eyes on him. This scholar, who is usually dressed in a refreshing white dress, wears a scarlet robe, which still gives people a fresh and refined feeling. Everyone knows it very well in their hearts. Although Wu Yuanheng is still only a minister, he is not even a prime minister, but he has the most right to speak in front of the emperor, and he is also the most respected and trusted. His attitude will have a great impact on the final verdict of this matter.

Wu Yuanheng bowed his hand, and Lang Lang said, "Go back to your majesty." Weichen thinks that if you want to govern officials now, you can only implement it with the royal road of domineering supplementation. However, the royal road will be a basic measure for the long-term administration of officials in the future. ”

Xiao Yunhe smiled secretly in his heart: It is worthy of Wu Yuanheng! I can always come forward at such a time to say something for me that I want to say, but it is inconvenient to say.

"Tell me what you think. Xiao Yunhe's expression was still calm.

"Yes. Wu Yuanheng said, "As Zhang Xianggong said, the rule of officials in Daqi today is indeed very corrupt and degenerate. Corruption and extravagance are rampant, and it has become an open secret and a rule of officialdom for officials to protect each other and to compare their friends with each other. Even if you want to be a clean official, it is difficult to act, and in the end you have to live secretly with an attitude of inaction, otherwise you will be excluded by the general environment. If such a situation is not rectified, it will definitely make it difficult for Daqi to return and collapse. However, if too domineering means are used to rectify the rule of officials, how many officials will be involved in the case? It is inevitable that all the officials in the world will be in danger and will be in fear all day long. At this time, everyone is thinking about how to escape the punishment, rather than abandoning evil and turning to good. Therefore, the construction of Weichen is to use domineering means to punish some fierce and stubborn evil gentry and huge greed. At the same time, the policy of leniency was used to appease the officials of the world. Let them collapse and introspect and rein in the precipice. Attack the heart first, and convince people with morality. Only in this way can we achieve long-term peace and stability. ”

Xiao Yunhe smiled slightly: "Lu Zhen, Zhang Wanfu, what do you two think, what do you two say?"

Lu Zhen and Zhang Wanfu each hesitated, then stood up and said, "The minister has nothing to say. ”

Xiao Yunhe smiled slightly and said, "I know what you mean. Wu Yuanheng put forward your opinions comprehensively, so you naturally don't want to find fault with anything. Wu Yuanheng, don't try to be opportunistic and say something constructive. Regarding the rectification of the official system, it is impossible for you, the secretary of the ministry, to have no ideas. In front of everyone, you might as well talk about it in detail. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. Wu Yuanheng bowed his hand, and then said loudly, "Since ancient times, the monarch has been noble and the people are close. From emperors to princes and officials, to ordinary people, the difference in status is very different. If something goes wrong in a dynasty, the root cause is in the court, not the ordinary people. The people are still the same people, and it is only because of the influence of the court and officials that some changes have taken place. After the Anshi Rebellion, the imperial court of Daqi lost its previous prestige, and the climate of officialdom also underwent some changes. The emperor influenced the court, the court influenced the officials, and the officials influenced the people. Layer by layer, the atmosphere gradually changes. Therefore, in order to rectify the bureaucratic system and revitalize the people's customs, it is necessary to start with the imperial court itself. Only by doing a good job can we be qualified to discipline the local officials and the people. This is the most basic. ”

"Well said. Xiao Yunhe nodded approvingly, "From him to this, from near to far, there is no law to discipline people." The system of officials began with me, the emperor. From now on, my private affairs will also be managed by the Ministry of Households. The accounts of the Imperial Palace's inner court supervisor were also supervised by the household department and the Zongzheng Temple. In addition, in order to rectify the extravagance and exaggeration in officialdom, it is necessary to advocate frugality. In my palace, there are more than four famous palace maids and more than 2,000 eunuchs. My family is only a few people, and I don't need so many people to serve me. Since those officials and girls entered the palace, no one has cared about them since. There is also nothing important to do. Many died of old age in the palace like this. I plan to let the three thousand palace maids out of the palace and let them return to their hometown to get married and have children. First, it can save the expenses of the harem, second, it can increase the population, and third, it can fulfill human nature. In addition, so many eunuchs were also cut by two-thirds. Those who are willing to return home are given a place to go home; and sent to the house of a prince to be a slave. Within five years, no eunuchs were allowed anywhere. ”