The identity of a surrendered official is a very sensitive one. If no one mentions it, there will be no problem. But if someone tries to cause trouble, it will be a big deal.
Liu Yanzong, you always come here to criticize us, the people of the Council of State Affairs, and cause trouble for no reason. What exactly do you mean by this? Did Wanyan Sheng send you to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers?
This is Liu Yanzong's most sensitive weakness.
As soon as Tang Ke spoke, Liu Yanzong immediately knelt down.
His facial expressions instantly became more complex, every muscle was rapidly adjusting, and tears seemed to well up in the corners of his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to give my life for the Song Dynasty! Your Majesty, please understand!"
"Your Majesty, Liu Yanzong has repeatedly sown discord between the emperor and his ministers, and has corrupted the court. Your Majesty should remove Liu Yanzong from his position as Imperial Censor!"
"Your Majesty, everything I do is for the sake of the Song Dynasty. Every action I take is driven by public interest and a pure heart, as clear as the sun and moon!"
"Your Majesty, I have evidence. Liu Yanzong frequently visits the Yihong Courtyard, where..."
Zhao Huan slammed his fist on the table in anger: "That's enough!"
The two sides came to an abrupt halt.
Zhao Huan certainly encouraged both sides to tear each other apart, but there should be limits to such infighting, and things have clearly gone astray.
No matter how cunning Liu Yanzong may be, he is currently in Tokyo, and the Imperial City Guard's surveillance of the Censorate is entirely under the Emperor's control.
The Qilin Guard also served as a dual surveillance force for both the Imperial City Guard and the Censorate.
No matter how bold Liu Yanzong is, he can't cause any trouble.
In fact, as a bigwig in the Political Affairs Hall, Xu Churen certainly knew what kind of person Liu Yanzong was.
The position of prime minister holds great power and enjoys the best benefits among all officials, but it is also the most difficult to hold.
Both the Censorate and the Censorate were keeping a close eye on the Prime Minister at all times.
This was just what was being done openly. In secret, the Imperial Guards and the Qilin Guards kept a close watch on the prime ministers' every move.
Even if the emperor knew what vegetables Tang Ke ate for his hotpot yesterday and how many slices of meat he cut, he could find out.
Liu Yanzong, for example, was merely a figure planted by the emperor in the court to annoy the officials.
At least the emperor wouldn't rashly punish the prime minister based on Liu Yanzong's one-sided account.
When the prime ministers wanted to criticize Liu Yanzong, the most they would do was to bring up his background.
At this point, the emperor stopped.
This was the ideal situation for Zhao Huan.
With ministers checking and balancing each other, supervising each other, and suppressing each other's arrogance, the emperor can rest easy in terms of power and prestige.
Zhao Huan said with a stern face, "Let's get down to business!"
Tang Ke picked up the thread and said, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die a thousand deaths. I am willing to make amends for my crimes. I believe that what Minister Xu said is reasonable. The construction companies in the capital region should be investigated and dealt with promptly. At the same time, in order to resolve similar situations in other regions as soon as possible, Minister Zhang Shuye should take the lead and work with the Ministry of Commerce to immediately implement the 'Great Song Commercial Law'. I will also personally and strictly enforce the rules for recruiting companies."
"You still haven't given me a specific solution!"
Zhao Huan was somewhat dissatisfied. He continued, "Tang Ke, I ask you, why don't you transport your ceramics and silk to the Western Regions to sell now?"
Although he didn't know why the emperor suddenly asked this question out of the blue, Tang Ke still answered honestly: "In the past, the Dangxiang people blocked the Silk Road. To the west of the Dangxiang people, there are also tribes such as the Qusiluo. If we were to communicate with the Western Regions, it would require a lot of manpower, resources, and money, which would be a losing proposition."
“It’s a losing proposition, well said,” Zhao Huan said. “How can we make those who abuse laborers realize that abusing laborers is a losing proposition? Give me a suggestion. We’ll settle this today. Zhang Shuye, the Prime Minister, write it into the ‘Commercial Law of the Great Song Dynasty.’ If it’s not settled, we won’t leave this door until it is settled!”
The Emperor's words are clear: I will make those who abuse laborers pay the price, so that they will realize before they do such things in the future that it is not allowed and the consequences are unbearable!
Xu Churen said, "My suggestion is to exile them to the frontier."
"Where is Zhang Aiqing?"
Zhang Shuye said, "In my opinion, he should be killed!"
Liu Yanzong quickly added, "Not only should they be killed, but all their relatives who, although not directly involved, have benefited from it, should be exiled to the frontier to do hard labor for life! Furthermore, their descendants should not be allowed to participate in any imperial examinations!"
"Zhang Shaoze, what do you think?"
Zhang Shaoze said, "Your Majesty, I also agree that he should be killed!"
The ministers naturally understood the emperor's thoughts. His murderous intent had permeated the entire room; what else was there to say?
The reason he asked everyone was simply to get everyone to express their opinion so that they would all obediently carry it out afterwards.
Yao Xiping also said, "They should be killed!"
Zhao Huan said, "Very well, since everyone agrees that he should be killed, then Minister Zhang, I will trouble you to draft the decree!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Huan continued, "What about the officials who committed the offenses? How should they be dealt with? And what about the officials who failed to supervise effectively?"
Liu Yanzong quickly said, "Officials who commit offenses shall be executed, and those who fail to supervise effectively shall be dismissed from office and exiled to the frontier."
Xu Churen objected again, saying, "He may be dismissed from office, but exile to the frontier is unnecessary. The crime of inspection is different from the crime of committing a crime. It is not easy for the court to cultivate an official. I hope Your Majesty will be lenient."
"A failure to supervise effectively is naturally a sign of an unqualified official. Keeping an unqualified official around is only a threat to the people. They should be punished along with the local judicial commissioner!"
Zhao Huan said, “Well said! If the superiors are not strict, the subordinates will surely act recklessly! As Liu Yusi said, all officials who commit crimes shall be executed! All those who fail in their duties shall be dismissed and exiled to the frontier! You gentlemen need not say more!”
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