Chapter 363 Dilemma
Zhao Xing knew that some people did it on purpose, but he had no intention of stopping them.
Although he executed some officials after he ascended the throne, the highest official he held was only a minister.
None of the prime ministers, vice prime ministers and six ministers in the court moved.
These people keep causing trouble for him. Do they really think he is as good-tempered as his father?
The reason why Zhao Xing did not take any action before was that he had just ascended the throne and the situation was unstable. The prime minister, deputy prime minister and the six ministers were considered real high-ranking officials.
Once these people are moved, the turmoil caused will be too great.
It has been half a year since he ascended the throne. Since someone is seeking death, Zhao Xing will help them.
It doesn't matter even if there is no evidence. It's easy to find a pretext to accuse someone of a crime. Didn't a rebellion happen in Jiangzhou? When the time comes, we can fabricate some evidence and accuse someone of treason. The officials will have no reason to stop us.
"Sir, please step down."
"I resign!"
Han Zhang sighed when he heard this. He could more or less guess what Zhao Xing was thinking, but he had no way of stopping him.
Not long after Han Zhang left, the Minister of the Honglu Temple came to ask for a meeting and said that Western Xia had submitted a letter and sent an envoy to the Song Dynasty.
As soon as Zhao Xing heard this, he knew that Xixia’s purpose must be related to the situation in Hehuang. He instructed the Minister of the Honglu Temple to prepare for the work and sent the person away.
"True troubles keep coming one after another." Zhao Xing shook his head slightly.
After the Western Xia envoys arrived, the news of Gu Tingye's dispatch of troops could no longer be concealed.
But it's better to delay it for a while.
…………
The next morning
Yan Kuan stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the case of Zhu Shiquan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was involved in corruption and abuse of power, has been thoroughly investigated. During his tenure as assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Shiquan used various means to embezzle a total of more than 315,000 taels of silver. The evidence is irrefutable!"
Zhao Xing's face turned grim when he heard this: "How should we deal with it according to the law?"
"Six officials involved in the case, including Zhu Shiquan, should be beheaded in public, and the rest should be sentenced to exile!" Yan Kuan said.
"My dear Lord Yan!" Zhao Xing said coldly, "Zhu Shiquan is my mother's brother. Do you know what you are talking about?"
"Your Majesty, if a prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as a commoner. Although Zhu Shiquan is a relative by marriage, he will still be punished according to the laws of the Song Dynasty if he breaks the law!" Yan Kuan said righteously.
All the civil and military officials in the court were confused by the emperor and his minister, and had no idea what they were up to.
Everyone knows that Yan Kuan is Zhao Xing's man. If Zhao Xing really wanted to save Zhu Shiquan, he should have hinted to Yan Kuan privately.
There were also a few smart people who guessed Zhao Xing's intention.
"Minister Yan is wrong!"
Hu Zhongyan stepped out and said, "Although Minister Zhu violated the laws of the Song Dynasty, he is a relative of the emperor, so some of his punishment should be reduced. At most, he should be sentenced to exile, not capital punishment!"
"That's right, Minister Hu is right! How is Minister Yan's behavior different from that of a cruel official?"
"Minister Zhu is a relative of the emperor. If he is sentenced to death, where will the reputation of the imperial family be?"
As soon as Hu Zhongyan finished speaking, the relatives in the court spoke out in agreement.
The civil officials opposed the killing of civil servants because they didn't want the knife to fall on them one day.
The external relatives' intention of trying to stop the killing of Zhu Shiquan was similar.
The most important thing is what Hu Zhongyan said, that relatives by marriage should be exempted from some punishments.
If they could save Zhu Shiquan, it would be like proving this statement true, and it would also be good for them.
Some smart people guessed Zhao Xing's intention and Hu Zhongyan's intention, and they all spoke out in agreement.
The sudden debate left many people in the court feeling confused.
But the bosses were personally leading the charge, so how could the younger brothers just sit there and watch? So these officials followed suit.
For a time, most of the civil and military officials in the court spoke out to protect Zhu Shiquan.
Zhao Xing on the imperial platform had a gloomy face. He was pretending before, but this time it was real.
He said that on purpose before, just to appear as if he had no choice.
This way, when Zhu finds out, he will have something to explain himself.
But Hu Zhongyan was not stupid, he knew how to play along. At this time, all the civil and military officials in the court were begging for mercy, so he could indeed agree to it.
But if this happens, he will not have the confidence to take action against other officials in the future.
Moreover, things are not that simple. After all, Zhao Xing's previous actions against civil servants did not involve too many people, just to boil the frog in warm water.
But if, even when all the officials pleaded for mercy, he still resolutely killed his own uncle, it would be equivalent to showing his attitude to all the officials.
If the government shows no mercy even to his own uncle, those officials who are still hoping for luck will wake up completely.
It can be said that Hu Zhongyan's actions put Zhao Xing in a dilemma.
Zhao Xing looked at Sanshui, who understood and said loudly, "Silence!"
The noisy officials gradually quieted down after Sanshui's loud shout.
Zhao Xing looked at Hu Zhongyan deeply and said, "Minister Yan is right. Princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as common people! As a relative by marriage, Zhu Shiquan should set an example instead of telling me that relatives by marriage should be exempted from punishment! I did have some selfish motives before, but not only did you not advise me, you also made excuses for Zhu Shiquan. You are really my good subjects!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I know I was wrong!" Hu Zhongyan bowed.
Hu Zhongyan had no intention of protecting Zhu Shiquan at all. It would be beneficial to him whether Zhao Xing killed him or let him go.
He spoke out to stop him because he didn't want Zhao Xing to continue.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. We admit our mistakes!" Those who had previously pleaded for Zhu Shiquan shouted in unison.
"Since you have acknowledged your mistakes, each of you will be fined half a year's salary as a punishment."
After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he looked at Yan Kuan and said, "The case of Zhu Shiquan will be handled according to your request. I am dismissing the court!"
"I will respectfully send you off to Your Majesty!"
…………
"Crack~"
Inside the Longtu Pavilion, Zhao Xing threw the teacup out in anger.
If it weren't for the possibility that Hu Zhongyan was involved with the Wizarding Cult and he didn't want to alert the enemy, he would have been ready to take action against Hu Zhongyan.
"Whoo~"
Zhao Xing exhaled heavily and said, "Inform Liu Sanshi that this news must not reach my mother's ears. If Sun comes to the palace to ask for an audience, no matter who she asks to see, she must not be informed!"
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and hurried away.
…………
Xijiao Daying
When it was just getting light in the sky, Song Chaozhong received the order to mobilize the troops.
After daybreak and the sacrifice, the army set out.
You can go to Jiangzhou from Bian Jing by water, and 50,000 troops took a boat to Jiangzhou.
"Commander!"
On the large ship in the middle, Gu Tingwei bowed and said, "All ships have set off!"
"Yeah!" Song Zhaozhong nodded and smiled, "Are you used to it?"
"Replying to the Marshal, it's a habit!" said Gu Tingwei.
"This is just the beginning. Things will be very hard in the future. The rules in the army are strict. You have to persevere no matter how hard it is. Do you understand?" Song Chaozhong said.
He let Gu Tingwei serve as his personal soldier. As a commander, it was impossible for him to charge into battle, so it was safer for him to stay by his side.
As a personal soldier, you need to stand guard, which is quite hard work.
"Don't worry, Marshal. I can endure hardships!" Gu Tingwei said loudly.
"You have good momentum. It's true that a good father will have a good son!" Song Chaozhong praised.
"Thank you for your praise, Marshal!" Gu Tingwei smiled and said, "Marshal, we don't have much food and grass. If the food and grass can't arrive in time, I'm afraid there will be problems."
"There's no way. There was a flood in Jiangzhou before, and there is not much food and grass in Bianliang due to disaster relief. But His Majesty has already ordered the transfer of grain from Jiangnan, and it will arrive soon. There will be no shortage of food." Song Chaozhong said.
"That's good." Gu Tingwei lowered his head slightly, with some hesitation in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)