Chapter 9 009 I've opened my eyes.
The officials had no objections to Huan Chuxiang entering the palace to attend to the Empress Dowager during her illness. After all, the Empress Dowager came from the Huan family, and it was only natural for her to show affection for her own flesh and blood.
Huan Qi was exiled and the Huan family's property was confiscated, but everyone knew that it was impossible for all of the Huan family's possessions to be confiscated and put into the national treasury; they had their own means of protecting their assets.
At this stage, the Huan family was in danger. The wolves watching in the shadows would try to tear them apart until they were completely devoured. The Empress Dowager's actions were more like a warning.
As for Zhao Jialing herself, she had no objection to the Empress Dowager's decision. Huan Chuxiang was sixteen this year, three years younger than her. The Duke of Anguo's plan was for Huan Chuze to inherit the title in the future, while Huan Chuxiang was to pursue the imperial examination route. Zhao Jialing met with her in the palace and saw that she could still chat and laugh, showing no signs of being about to lose her father, which reassured her even more. It wouldn't affect her imperial examination, as long as Huan Qi wasn't really dead.
Inside the Hall of State Affairs.
Xie Lanzhao had already finished reading the booklet and then handed it to the other ministers, asking for their opinions.
Most of the ministers agreed, saying, "That's much clearer and more straightforward. In any case, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel are absolutely necessary."
Xie Lanzhao understood, and after obtaining Zhao Jialing's consent, he instructed the provincial capital to take the lead in implementing the plan. Although initially there would be a chaotic and disorganized process due to unfamiliarity, things would gradually become more organized and efficient once one got the hang of it. Xie Lanzhao took this opportunity to compile a list of officials from the three provinces, their appointments and dismissals, performance evaluations, household registrations, and tax records, and submitted them to Zhao Jialing.
Although Zhao Jialing had little interest in the register, she could only remember those qualified to attend court and her close advisors. As for household registration and taxes, she knew nothing about them, leaving that entirely to her subordinates. However, compiling statistics was a trivial matter; if Xie Lanzhao wanted to do it, she would approve it. As for what Xie Lanzhao intended to do while compiling the register, she neither knew nor wanted to know.
Yet, this seemingly insignificant matter caused quite a stir during the morning court session.
Yu Shen, the Minister of Personnel, studied Xie Lanzhao's book.
Zhao Jialing, who was drowsy and didn't want to attend court, woke up when he heard the name "Xie Lanzhao".
Yu Shen's meaning was very clear: the Ministry of Personnel was busy with its affairs, and Xie Lanzhao suddenly asked someone to compile statistics on the appointment and removal of officials and provided a template chart, insisting that the Ministry of Personnel redo it. Wasn't this just making trouble for no reason? The Ministry of Personnel already had its own archives, which stored the qualifications and records of officials for selection. The awards, promotions, demotions, appointments, and removals of officials all had to be taken into account. Why would it need to make some personnel management files?
Xie Lanzhao remained calm; she had her reasons for doing so. In the past, she had encountered considerable resistance when trying to reorganize the files from various departments.
Whether out of a desire to avoid trouble or out of ulterior motives, the officials had various ways to prevent her from continuing her investigation. Even those who could remain uninvolved kept silent, including some of her old acquaintances.
But things are different now. It is known that there are quite a few court officials who can hear the emperor's thoughts. It's not just about reading his expression; you can also identify the names by tracing the origins of the gossip about her and His Majesty.
To these people, the pamphlet was the word of the gods. Who would be so foolish as to jump out and stop it? Didn't you see how Huan Qi was stripped of all his dignity by that god?
As for Yu Shen—
Oh, he's just like Huan Qi, unable to hear His Majesty's true feelings.
Xie Lanzhao didn't even need to say anything; someone would step forward to refute Yu Shen on her behalf.
But before the court officials could speak, the system angrily spoke up.
That old scoundrel, all pretentious and hypocritical, really knows how to put on an act.
【How so?】 Zhao Jialing was still very interested in gossip. As for Yu Shen, in her memory, he was the epitome of "integrity". He was cautious and respectful, lived in a simple house and wore plain clothes. She heard that he only cut off a piece of meat to celebrate his mother's birthday, which was praised by his contemporaries.
Before the system could even output anything, it was interrupted by a bold official.
He said, “I believe that what Minister Yu said is correct. The Ministry of Personnel already has a stockpile of books, so there is no need to trouble the clerks to create new books and registers.”
The speaker was an assistant director in the Ministry of Personnel, who was in charge of the armory.
The Assistant Minister was a sixth-rank official, but due to his special authority, he was also entitled to attend court every day.
His position was at the back, and Yu Shen had assigned him a task, so he had no choice but to comply, completely ignoring Zhao Jialing's true feelings.
The Vice Minister of Revenue cleared his throat and seconded, "Household registers are compiled every three years. Previous household and land registers have already been created. For example—"
Before the Vice Minister of Revenue could finish speaking, the Wise Ruler System interrupted, saying, "[Why wouldn't it be needed? Without organizing and comparing it with other archives, how can we know that Yu Shen accepted money to secretly alter and forge the calendar?]"
The Vice Minister of Revenue turned pale, his body trembled, and he abruptly changed the subject, saying, "However, times have changed. I find the laws Your Majesty has bestowed to be excellent."
Xie Lanzhao naturally heard the system's voice, and her eyes darkened.
How much do those who follow His Majesty actually know?
The Vice Minister of Revenue drew surprised glances from his colleagues, but he ignored them and tried his best to minimize his presence.
He hated himself for trying to be lazy and for being so sarcastic; didn't he see that Shangguan hadn't said a word?
Upon hearing this, the censor Meng Xuanhe's eyes lit up, and he immediately declared, "I must accuse the Minister of Personnel, Yu Shen, of selling official positions! He arbitrarily alters the official records and colludes with others!" Though brief, his words carried weight.
While the evidence may not be considered a true reflection of one's feelings, a simple check of the Jiali calendar reveals the truth. The current dynasty has a vast officialdom; even those in the capital are well-known, but how could all the county and prefectural officials be remembered? Their selection and promotion depend entirely on the Jiali calendar, leaving ample room for manipulation.
While Yu Shen was still in a daze, the official from the Ministry of Personnel who had bravely spoken up suddenly knelt on the ground, trembling and not daring to say a word.
Wise Ruler System: [Host, a mission has been triggered. Please complete "Main Mission: Governing the Country: Eliminating Traitors II: Minister of Personnel, Yu Shen, the Traitorous Clique of the Loyal King." A reward will be given if you achieve this.]
Zhao Jialing: [Why is it the Loyal King again? A reward? What is the reward?]
Is her third brother too conspicuous?
Wise Ruler System: [This depends on the achievements completed by the host; I don't know either.]
The high-ranking officials below held their breath and remained silent. Upon hearing the words "Prince Zhong," they broke out in a cold sweat, desperately trying to recall how many meals they had eaten at Prince Zhong's residence and whether they had received any gifts.
Xie Lanzhao's attention, however, was focused on the "reward".
Was the book a reward after Huan Qi's defeat? It seems the book wasn't particularly useful.
What would we gain if we dealt with Yu Shen?
Her eyes were deep and unfathomable, like a cold pool in a deep forest.
Yu Shen is not like Huan Qi. He is a veteran official of the previous emperor's reign, and he has naturally done an excellent job in cultivating his reputation. He is a righteous and incorruptible minister, and is highly respected among scholars for his "not managing assets." Even if the investigation of the armory discovers something, he can easily find someone to take the blame for him, and many people will surely believe him.
Xie Lanzhao had always known that the Ministry of Personnel was a murky and deeply entrenched body of corrupt officials, making it difficult to rectify. However, before hearing the emperor's thoughts, she never imagined that it was Yu Shen himself who was manipulating things.
[But Yu Shen has too good a reputation. If I were to execute him directly, I fear I would be drowned in the spittle of the scholars.] Zhao Jialing continued to slack off.
She knew this all too well. Two years ago, there was an official named Chen Xiyuan who loved to criticize the emperor. Zhao Jialing was so angered by her direct insults that he ordered her to be dragged out and flogged. As a result, the court officials pleaded for her, openly and subtly criticizing her for lacking magnanimity and displaying the cruelty of King Li. As for Xie Lanzhao, she even knelt outside the palace in mourning clothes to plead for him.
Zhao Jialing complained to the system for a while. In the end, what bothered her was not the other party's insubordination, but Xie Lanzhao's attitude.
Why? Is it because Chen Xiyuan is her senior that she was able to go to such lengths?
The Wise Ruler System neither praised nor spoke; it continued, "[There is solid evidence that Yu Shen did these things. As long as the host gives the order, he can be dealt with!]"
Lost in the past, Zhao Jialing looked down at Xie Lanzao with obvious resentment in his eyes.
Wise Ruler System: "..." Tired, let's destroy it, just unleash the ultimate move.
It pulled up the database and began digging deep into Yu Shen's resume.
Yu Shen was an honest and upright official, living in abject poverty, supported by his wife and daughter-in-law who farmed and wove cloth daily. Born into a peasant family, he rose through the ranks via the imperial examinations, remaining devoted to his wife after achieving high honors—a model of marital bliss admired by all. But this was all a facade! Officials in the Great Yong Dynasty received generous salaries, and Yu Shen's small household could easily have supported them on his salary. Where did his wealth go? Those who knew of Yu Shen's reputation would assume he donated it, and indeed he did. He donated it to a temple in the capital. But the abbot of that temple was not a true monk!
The abbot was Yu Shen's crony, his possessions overflowing with ill-gotten gains. His household was constantly filled with wealthy merchants and powerful figures, many of whom were undoubtedly Yu Shen's associates. Yu Shen was transferred from the provinces to the capital due to his outstanding achievements. So let's see what he did in the provinces? Well, he took advantage of poor harvests to speculate and profiteer, exploiting the people. As for how he gained his good reputation, don't ask.
[Furthermore, he and Prince Zhong exchanged flirtatious glances—no, not quite, they were like "dragons and fish in water." He told Prince Zhong that the king's bone structure was extraordinary and that he would surely become the ruler of ten thousand chariots in the future—but this was said while the late emperor was still alive, and Prince Zhong collapsed immediately afterward. However, he didn't break off relations with Prince Zhong and remained his loyal follower. He served as the examiner for the imperial examinations several times and was a patron of scholars, and as for these scholars… he introduced them to Prince Zhong to a considerable extent.]
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Yu Shen, who was impeached, felt uneasy.
He discreetly observed his colleagues' expressions, noticing a hint of fear and a strange, gossipy air about them.
What happened?
Something's not right.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" After a moment's consideration, Yu Shen protested his innocence.
"You big-headed devil! You country bumpkin!" The angry shouts were followed by a crisp slap.
Zhao Jialing's eyelids twitched. The one who had struck was the Marquis of Huaihai, the Left Guard General. He was related to Yu Shen by marriage; his daughter had been weaving and toiling away in the Yu family every day. The Marquis of Huaihai had always been hot-tempered. He was originally a duke, but his title had been demoted during the previous emperor's reign for causing trouble. Now, with this slap that sent the old scholar Yu Shen flying, he was completely unconcerned about his ever-decreasing rank.
He possesses abundant martial virtue.
Zhao Jialing's eyes were opened.
"What kind of behavior is this!" she scolded.
But what he was thinking was something else entirely.
[Strike harder, aren't you full? Ah, Marquis of Huaihai, don't accidentally hurt my prime minister.]
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