Chapter 355 Decision
If you want to rectify the administration of officials, you must use iron-blooded measures.
There should be no mercy for those officials who are corrupt and commit crimes.
These officials included members of the royal family and relatives by marriage.
The royal family and relatives by marriage also formed a huge network of relationships.
Are there no officials in this network who are corrupt and commit crimes?
They even rely on their status to do things that are more excessive than some officials.
After being warned by him, Zhu Shiquan was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, a government office with little salary, but he still dared to be corrupt.
On the one hand, he was greedy, and on the other hand, he also felt that it was impossible for Zhao Xing to kill him.
In Zhu Shiquan's view, he was Zhao Xing's uncle. Even if he made a big mistake, Zhao Xing would at most scold him. He would still do his job as an official, so naturally he had no scruples.
The royal family's relatives also had the same idea.
How can we sweep the world without sweeping a house?
As an emperor, how could Zhao Xing, while showing leniency to the royal family and relatives, justify his punishment on those corrupt officials?
Empress Dowager Cao opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from the retired emperor.
In fact, given his personality, he prefers stability. If he can make the Song Dynasty stronger in the midst of stability, that would naturally be the best.
If that doesn't work, everything else must give way to stability.
Even though this trip to Luoyang changed some of his ideas, he did not change at all in this regard.
Some things may change due to differences in vision and information.
But temperament is something that is difficult to change once it is formed.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying that it is difficult to change one's nature.
But the emperor knew Zhao Xing's character. Zhao Xing was very stubborn and would not be easily shaken.
He was no longer able to change Zhao Xing's temperament, and he didn't know whether it was good or bad to let Zhao Xing do what he wanted.
But Zhao Xing was his only son, and since he couldn't change it, he could only support him.
Instead of hesitating, it would be better for Zhao Xing to cut the Gordian knot.
That's why he said this to Zhao Xing.
In fact, when he said there was no other way, he was actually giving Zhao Xing a choice.
If Zhao Xing wanted to save Zhu Shiquan's life, it meant that Zhao Xing was not that determined.
If Zhao Xing executed Zhu Shiquan, it would mean that Zhao Xing's attitude was very firm.
……
The emperor's dragon chariot stopped in front of the main gate of the imperial palace, and Zhao Xing helped his father get off the carriage.
The accompanying concubines and Princess Funing's husband also got off the carriage.
After changing to a sedan chair, he entered the palace.
Zhu tried to talk to Zhao Xing several times, but didn't find the opportunity, so she could only wink at Zhao Xing.
However, Zhao Xing pretended not to see it.
After sending his father and mother to Xingming Palace and chatting with them for a while, Zhao Xing took his leave when he saw that his father looked tired.
"His Majesty!"
When they were almost at the gate of Xingming Palace, a young eunuch hurried over and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, please come down!"
"Go back and tell my mother that I still have government affairs to attend to. I will pay my respects to her tomorrow," said Zhao Xing.
"Yes!" The young eunuch didn't dare to say more after hearing this. He bowed and left.
Zhao Xing shook his head and left Xingming Palace.
When he arrived at Longtu Pavilion, Zhao Xing ordered someone to call Yan Kuan and began to handle government affairs.
After about an incense stick of time, Yan Kuan walked into the hall and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"No gift!"
Zhao Xing put down his pen and asked, "Can the case of Zhu Shiquan be investigated thoroughly?"
"Your Majesty, the investigation has been almost completed, and the remaining parts will not be delayed for much longer," Yan Kuan replied.
Since someone took the initiative to provide evidence, the investigation would naturally be quick. If he hadn't deliberately made up various excuses to delay, the investigation would have been completed long ago.
"After investigating for so long, it's time to get a result. Let's get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible." Zhao Xing said.
"Your Majesty, what should we do after we find out the truth?" Yan Kuan asked.
"Deal with it however it should be dealt with." Zhao Xing said calmly.
"This..." Yan Kuan was embarrassed when he heard this. "Why, I don't understand?"
"Your Majesty, Minister Zhu is the elder brother of Concubine Zhu."
"A prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner. You are the Minister of Justice, don't you understand this principle?"
Yan Kuan cursed inwardly when he heard this, why don’t you just say execution and deal with him as you say.
According to the previous standards, this would definitely be a death penalty.
But Zhu Shiquan is the elder brother of Zhao Xing’s biological mother. If he is sentenced to death, will Concubine Zhu agree?
He was really afraid that Zhao Xing would put all the blame on him in order to appease Concubine Zhu's anger.
When the time comes, Zhao Xing will kill him to appease Concubine Zhu's anger, and he will be finished.
What Yan Kuan wanted most was for Zhao Xing to say in person that Zhu Shiquan should be executed, so that if the news spread, Concubine Zhu would not cause trouble for him.
But Zhao Xing didn't say anything, and he didn't have the courage to speak directly.
"Just do your best and don't worry about other things. Remember, everyone involved will be dealt with according to the law. Do you understand?"
Zhao Xing knew Yan Kuan's concerns, but he could never let him say the execution of Zhu Shiquan.
Yan Kuan was right. Zhao Xing was indeed planning to push the blame on him, but he had no intention of killing him to relieve his mother's anger.
For his mother, Yan Kuan was a very useful minion, so there was no reason for Zhao Xing to cut off his own arm.
"Yes!" Yan Kuan didn't dare to say more after hearing this. He responded and asked, "Does your majesty have any other instructions?"
"That's all, you can leave!" Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"I resign!"
Yan Kuan bowed, took a few steps back, and then turned and left the hall.
…………
night
The emperor held a banquet in the palace to entertain his ministers.
Halfway through the banquet, the emperor felt a little tired, so he asked Zhao Xing to host the banquet and went back to the palace to rest.
At the hour of Hai, the banquet ended and all officials left the palace.
Zhao Xing was slightly tipsy and was supported by a palace maid to go to the harem.
"Your Majesty, which queen's palace are we going to rest in tonight?" Sanshui asked.
"Let's go to the Qun Yu Palace." Zhao Xing said after thinking for a while.
Zhang Guifen and Minglan both go to bed early after having children.
It's not easy to disturb him since he's drunk.
The Qun Yu Palace is the palace where Yu Yanran lives.
Speaking of which, Yu Yanran was his first woman, and he had indeed neglected her during this period.
Upon hearing this, Sanshui immediately ordered his carriage to go to the Qun Yu Palace.
"Don't ask anyone to notify them." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Sanshui hurriedly stopped the eunuch who was going to inform.
When Zhao Xing arrived at the Qun Yu Palace, Yu Yanran, who had been resting, heard the news and got up hurriedly.
When the palace maid was about to help her dress, Zhao Xing had already entered the bedroom.
"His Majesty!"
Yu Yanran was just about to salute when she saw Zhao Xing walking unsteadily. She hurried forward to support Zhao Xing and helped him sit down on the bed.
Just as he was about to let go, Zhao Xing hugged him in his arms.
At this time, Yu Yanran was only wearing a bellyband, with a large area of skin exposed. Zhao Xing rested his chin on Yu Yanran's shoulders, sniffed her fragrance, and said, "Let me hold you for a while."
"Your Majesty, is there anything bothering you?" Yu Yanran asked with concern.
Zhao Xing let go of Yu Yanran after hearing this, and put his arm around her waist to let her sit in his arms. He lowered his head to look at the beauty in his arms and said, "I am about to execute my own uncle. How can my mother bear this, since she only has one brother like him?"
"His Majesty!"
Yu Yanran reached out and gently stroked Zhao Xing's brow, as if trying to smooth out his frown.
"I don't understand the affairs of the court, but since Your Majesty has done this, there must be a reason. The Concubine Dowager should be able to understand Your Majesty's difficulties."
"Maybe." Zhao Xing shook his head and said, "Whether my mother can understand or not, I have to do this."
(End of this chapter)