Chapter 225 The princes are fighting!

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Mingdu Palace.

Early morning.

All the civil and military officials came, walking along the long steps in front of the hall towards the Zhenghe Palace.

In the Zhenghe Palace, the atmosphere seems to be no different from that of a peaceful day, but secretly there is an air of solemnity.

On the faces of the officials of the prince's party and the Lingwang party today, there was a rare lack of seriousness and indifference as when they met on weekdays, with some faint smiles.

On the surface, there was at least a harmonious atmosphere, and the officials chatted with each other, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

The crown prince Qin Yuanzhao walked in front of King Ling and said lightly, "I heard that King Ling was assassinated recently, I don't know how injured I am, have you caught the murderer, I don't know if you need the emperor's brother to help you?"

I wanted to visit King Ling, but Brother Huang, I have been locked up and confined all the time, and I only came out today, King Ling, don't be surprised. ”

"Let the royal brother bother, this king is fine, but the murderer is indeed very cunning, and he has not been caught so far, but this king believes that he will not be free for a long time, but the imperial brother has not been able to go to court for half a month, and he has to adapt to it today. ”

King Ling had a chuckle on his lips.

"Yes, I have to get used to it, but it's okay, this prince only knows that there have been some things in the court recently except for King Ling's spring festival, and there is nothing else. Oh, by the way, Zhou Shangshu was dismissed because of this matter, which is a pity. ”

Qin Yuanzhao said lightly.

The two brothers are yin and yang, and they are both hitting each other.

Ling Wang Qin Yuanzhuo smiled as if he didn't mind, "There is nothing to say about being dismissed if it is not good, Zhou Fuda is also to blame, but the world is impermanent, it is better to be careful, even if he is a scholar, but if he is not careful, he will not be spared."

Brother Huang looked at the court officials present, who went out and did not shake the party, they were all high and powerful, but once they made a mistake, they were not much better.

Just like Zhao Chuan, the head of the household, wasn't he also locked up for half a month some time ago, if he made some big mistakes, he was afraid that even his official position would be lost. ”

Qin Yuanzhao's face changed slightly when he heard King Ling Qin Yuanzhuo say this, but he immediately recovered.

If it was a normal day, he would definitely throw off his sleeves and ignore King Ling, but today he knew that he was going to bring down Zhu Yu, the secretary of the Criminal Department, so he just smiled.

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"The monarch has arrived. ”

With a singing and cheering, the Zhenghe Hall fell silent.

The crown prince Qin Yuanzhao and the king of Ling, Qin Yuanzhuo, stood on the left and right sides.

The same is true of all civil and military officials.

Monarch Qin Zheng's face was calm, and recently, as the crown prince Qin Yuanzhao said, except for the things at the festival, there was nothing important.

Some major events have always been there, and they are slowly being resolved, and they will not always affect Qin Zheng's mood because of this.

"There is a start, and there is no retreat. ”

The chief manager Zhao Fu shouted loudly.

His voice fell, and before the people on the prince's side could react, Kong Wei, the new secretary of the Ministry of Works, stood up.

"The king, the minister has something to do. ”

Kong Wei's face was awe-inspiring.

He doesn't seem to be able to smile, and he looks like he doesn't smile like this on weekdays, revealing a sense that no one is close.

"What did Kong Aiqing do?"

Qin Zheng asked.

Kong Weidao said, "It has been a few days since Zhou Fuda, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, has resigned, and his position cannot remain vacant, so the minister asks the monarch to appoint a new secretary of the Ministry of Rites as soon as possible."

The minister remembered that the monarch had said that he would inspect all parts of the country in a certain period of time, and this matter should be handled by the Ministry of Rites, so this matter could not be delayed. ”

Speaking of Qin Zheng's need to inspect various places to check the growth of crops and the situation of farmers in various places, Qin Zheng was still influenced by the Chen Dynasty.

People-oriented.

Therefore, Qin Zheng thought that he would inspect various places after some time to show his concern for the peasants.

"Then according to Kong Aiqing's intentions, who is the right person to serve as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites?"

Qin Zheng asked.

Kong Weidao "It is better to choose the new secretary of the Ministry of Rites from the Ministry of Rites, as far as the minister knows, the deputy director of the Ministry of Rites, Cheng Cheng and Master Cheng are suitable."

This person is honest and steady, knows all the etiquette of the dynasty, and has participated in many major ceremonies of the dynasty for many years.

It's just that because of its bad background, it has not been reused. ”

"Well, I've heard that this person is a good official, and I'll consider it. ”

Qin Zheng did not immediately settle the matter.

"Xie Guojun. ”

Kong Wei stepped back.

At this time, Xu Guanzheng, the secretary of the ministry, stood up.

"The monarch, the minister has the right to play. ”

"What did Xu Aiqing play?"

"The minister wants to report the corruption of Zhu Yu, the current secretary of the Criminal Department. Xu Guanzheng's face was righteous and awe-inspiring, as if he was doing something extremely remarkable.

Qin Zheng's brows furrowed slightly.

This is even more true of King Ling and King Ling's party, and the opening of the prince's party is a bit fierce.

Half a year ago, because the son of a wealthy businessman of the Liu family in the Ming Dynasty molested the people on the street, and was refused, the son of the Liu family raped and killed the people's daughter, and his daughter's family complained about the matter at that time, and the monarch personally ordered Zhu Yu to investigate strictly.

As a result, I didn't know what Zhu Yu reported, the so-called person who subjugated the law was not the son of the Liu family, but a stand-in that Zhu Yu found for them after accepting bribes from the Liu family.

Now the son of the Liu family has changed his name and surname, and he is still at large. ”

Xu Guanzheng said at the end, and his cold gaze swept over Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu snorted coldly, just stood up, and also swept Xu Guanzheng coldly.

He said, "Lord Xu, you must have evidence when you speak, and this official asks you, where is the evidence? If there is no evidence, this official will ask the monarch to slander the officials of the imperial court." ”

Qin Zheng looked at Xu Guanzheng.

Xu Guanzheng hurriedly said, "Yu Guojun, although the evidence of this matter is insufficient, it does not mean that Zhu Yu is innocent, and the minister asks the monarch to order a thorough investigation of this matter again, if the final investigation is fruitless, the minister is willing to accept any punishment." ”

"Lord Xu, are you teasing the monarch? If there is no evidence, let the monarch order a thorough investigation of a court official at will, if so, will all the people be thoroughly investigated?"

Zhu Yu scolded coldly.

"Monarch, the minister has no such intention, it's just Zhu Yu's matter, it must be so. Xu Guanzheng was a little anxious.

The crown prince Qin Yuanzhao stood up at this time.

"Father, the son thinks that Lord Xu will not frame a court official at will, he can say this, obviously he knows something, and asks his father to investigate this matter thoroughly, if not, it is the best, if there is, it can also correct the atmosphere of the court.

If the Ming Dynasty wants to be strong, there can be no corruption and perversion of the law. ”

"The prince said well, well, this matter is accurate, Xu Guanzheng, this matter will be handed over to you to investigate. ”

Qin Zheng pondered for a moment, and then agreed, and he didn't know what he thought.

"Father"

It was impossible for King Ling Qin Yuanzhuo to stop it.

Seeing the crown prince Qin Yuanzhao smiling proudly at him, King Ling almost became angry.

"Father, son-in-law also have a plan to play. ”

King Ling stepped forward.

There is something wrong with the atmosphere in today's Zhenghe Palace, Qin Zheng frowned, and he was a little unhappy in his heart.

However, he still asked, "What is the matter, if you intercede for Zhu Yu, you will be exempted, and I will talk about this matter after investigation." ”

"The father misunderstood the son, since the father wants to investigate, then the investigation is thorough, the son believes that the innocent is innocent, and it doesn't hurt to check again.

What the son played has nothing to do with it. ”

King Ling knew that the matter of Zhu Yu was unchangeable, and he would not dwell on it, otherwise it would be boring for himself.

"What's that?"

Qin Zheng asked, but faintly, there was already a guess.

I'm afraid there will be a fierce battle in this court today.

Can't either guy sit still?

Do you want to attack each other and completely suppress each other?

Qin Zheng was a little disappointed in his heart.

Recently, an assassin appeared in the palace and wanted to assassinate him, but the assassin did not succeed, and he fled, so he ordered the city gates to be strictly investigated, but to Erchen's surprise, the assassin did not catch it, but caught some others. ”

Ling King Qin Yuanzhuo's voice was cold.

Qin Zhengdao: "Who are the others?"

Ling Wang said, "Some of these people are from Yunzhou, and some are from Yingzhou, but these are not important, the important thing is that the soldiers searched for letters on them. ”

The letter in King Ling's mouth was held under his hands.

Zhao Fu took it over and presented it to Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng opened the letter with a hint of surprise, and then his whole face changed.

These letters were all addressed to Zhao Chuan, the head of the household department, and the letters stated that some people in each state capital had stopped the convoy of Qin concubines who were going to Jizhou to worship their ancestors, and reported the overcharging of taxes and silver by the household department to the king of Qin.

King Qin had already intervened in this matter, and the officials of the state governments hoped that Zhao Chuan would prepare to deal with it as soon as possible.

As Qin Zheng's face became gloomy, except for King Ling's party, all the officials were surprised, what was the letter handed over by King Ling, and how could it make the monarch have such a change.

The entire Zhenghe Hall seemed to have dropped a few points in temperature because of Qin Zheng's gloomy face.

All the officials were silent, and they didn't dare to breathe.

"Yes, that's good! I said that I couldn't find out anything, and I said that there was a good official under him, and now I understand.

Zhao Shangshu, you are really smart, you have played all the tricks on me. ”

Although Qin Zheng's face was gloomy, he was surprisingly smiling when he spoke.

Of course, it was a sneer, a coldness like a poisonous snake trying to devour people, mixed with his wry smile.

"What the king said, the minister did not know at all. ”

At this time, Zhao Chuan had already realized something, but he couldn't believe it.

The matter of overcharging taxes and silver, done so strictly, how can it be known?

"Well, it's normal for Zhao Shangshu not to know, if you do, I'm afraid this letter won't reach my hands.

See for yourself. ”

Qin Zheng threw the letter out and floated it down in the main hall.

Zhao Chuan stepped forward to pick it up, and after reading it, his whole face was instantly pale and bloodless.

He fell to his knees with a thud.

"The monarch, the minister is wronged, this matter has nothing to do with the minister, although this letter has the private seals of the officials of the state capitals, but it may also be fake, someone is framing the minister, and please ask the monarch to check it." ”

Zhao Chuan's eyes were about to turn red, and he was drumming in his heart, what kind of bastard is this, he actually led someone to complain to King Qin who went back to worship his ancestors.

Is it all a coincidence?

Zhao Chuan inexplicably felt that he had been designed.

"Father, although the sons don't know what is mentioned in the letter, but since Zhao Shangshu served as the head of the household department, there has been no problem with the accounts of the household department, and in recent years, the tax revenue of the imperial court has increased, Zhao Shangshu has worked hard even if he has no merit, I believe that the letter must be deliberately framed by Zhao Shangshu, and the son also asked his father Wang Ming to investigate. ”

The crown prince Qin Yuanzhao had already thought of something in his heart.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly. King Ling, is there anything else besides these letters?"

Qin Zheng asked.

Ling Wang said, "That's all, and the ministers can't believe it now, as a member of the household department who is in charge of the world's taxes and grains, he would actually do such a thing, and actually secretly increase taxes from the imperial court."

There are thousands of subjects in the dynasty, each household is only afraid of overcharging, and it is tens of millions of people who gather together, and the ministers really don't know that he Zhao Chuan can be greedy for so much silver, and he is really afraid to think about it. ”

"The king, the minister is not, the minister is wronged. ”

Zhao Chuan was still kneeling and shouting grievances.

There is still some hope in his heart, as long as his people can keep King Qin, just with these few letters, as long as he bites, he can't do anything to him.

Of course, he will have to face Qin Zheng's thorough investigation later, but the state officials who increase taxes are all his henchmen, and some of them are Xu Guanzheng's henchmen, so they can cover up this matter.

However, at this moment, a singing and cheering voice suddenly sounded outside the hall, "Qin Yuanheng, King of Qin, has come to see the monarch." ”

"King Qin Qin!"

Hearing the word King Qin, Zhao Chuan was suddenly blindsided.

The crown prince Qin Yuanzhao was also unsteady under his feet, and couldn't help but take a step back, his face turned a little pale.

Xu Guanzheng was full of worry, and his brows furrowed.

King Ling lowered his head and smiled faintly.

"King Xuanqin. ”

Qin Zheng really wanted to meet King Qin at this time and learn the truth of the matter from him.

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As Qin Yuanheng entered the hall, everyone's eyes fell on him, as if he was the lord of the world, and he attracted great attention.

His resolute face revealed endless majesty.

Those dark and deep tunnel eyes exude an air of arrogance over the world.

"See your father's father. ”

Qin Yuanheng stood and saluted.

"Hmm. ”

Qin Zheng nodded lightly, and asked, "Yuan Heng, didn't you accompany your mother and concubine back to your hometown to worship your ancestors, why did you come back so soon?"

Qin Yuanheng said, "Father, son-in-law accompanied the mother concubine to worship the ancestors this time, but there were some accidents on the road, the mother's convoy was stopped, and a group of people from Yingzhou and nearby state capitals stopped the convoy to complain.

They sued the state governments for overtaxing.

Erchen has a copy of their name here.

Although the son is to accompany his mother and concubine to worship his ancestors, he knows that this matter is very important and related to the country, so he did not dare to slack off, and after receiving the paper, he went to Yingzhou Mansion.

As a result, after some verification, this is indeed the case.

Zhao Kang, the governor of Yingzhou, once led his troops against my guards, but he was eventually subdued, and in his palace, he found out all kinds of tax accounts, all of which were more than the tax silver collected by the imperial court.

In addition, in his house, he also found the account books of some officials he bribed, among which in addition to Zhao Chuan, the secretary of the household department, and Xu Guanzheng, the secretary of the ministry.

The two of them can embezzle as much as 2 million dollars of silver every year from just one state capital in Yingzhou.

And most of them are attributed to Zhao Chuan. ”

Zhao Fu handed the paper and account books to Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng looked at it carefully, and his face became more and more gloomy and terrifying.

Qin Yuanheng continued, "The local people have no way to complain, and anyone who has filed a complaint has either disappeared mysteriously, or has been imprisoned and died in prison.

The people were suppressed.

This time, even Erchen went through great danger before he was killed from Yingzhou.

It is conceivable that these people want to sue the Ming Dynasty, but it is undoubtedly difficult to enter the sky, so the household department has been overcharging taxes and silver for nearly three years, but the court does not know at all.

This time, Erchen not only brought back the papers, but also dozens of people from various state capitals, all of whom were waiting outside the palace.

Zhao Kang was also brought back by Erchen. ”

Qin Yuanheng was able to come back safely this time, in addition to the 1,000 soldiers he brought, he was also protected by Lin Ziying's men.

Otherwise, you may not be able to come back.