To think that my husband was such a despicable person behind my back—is this how the imperial court selects instructors?
"Your judgment isn't very good."
The emperor remained silent.
Without saying a word, he quietly looked at the gold bricks on the ground.
Zhou Jin calmly said, "Your Majesty, I disagree with what Minister Cao said. This matter has already caused quite a stir in Lushan County."
If things haven't escalated yet, His Majesty will issue a reprimand, stopping short of causing a major incident.
No one dared to say anything.
This occurred seven days after the incident.
The emperor nodded to the eunuch.
The eunuch quietly walked to the table and took the two memorials.
Zhou Yuan remained calm, knowing it was time for him to make his move.
If a mere censor can say harsh words, then he's just wasting his job.
"Your Majesty, the severe punishment of Instructor Xu and the other two is precisely to demonstrate that the court will never tolerate teachers of low character."
Never flaunt His Majesty's authority, always stand on the right side.
Even a master like Confucius has to bear the consequences of his mistakes.
If we let it go so easily, where is the law, and what is the point of establishing it?
Her voice was cold and sharp as she looked quietly at Xu Guang and calmly asked, "Minister Xu, what do you think?"
Xu Guang's face stiffened, and he remained silent.
Some people were whispering among themselves.
Hehe, interesting. No wonder he is the most powerful censor in the court.
No matter who you are, if you make a mistake, you'll be killed without hesitation.
"Xu Guang should just accept his fate. He's just a nephew. He's lost him, so be it. He himself is a fifth-rank official, about seventy years old, and still very energetic. His Majesty has always trusted him, and he might even be promoted in the future."
There's really no need to risk losing your standing in His Majesty's eyes for the sake of a nephew.
Someone else whispered, "You're being a bit cold-hearted. He's still your own nephew; you can't bear to throw him away."
Some people stared curiously at the memorials in the emperor's hands, knowing that these two memorials foreshadowed the fates of those who were about to be killed...
The emperor ordered a eunuch to read the memorial aloud.
The voice is high-pitched.
One of the letters came from Magistrate Su of Lushang County.
[Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Instructor Xu of the County School. This man distorts the truth, is of low character, forges books, and is unfit to be a teacher at the County School...]
Another letter came from the Prefect of Yingzhou.
[Your Majesty, I impeach Xu, Yang, and Huang; these three are in cahoots...]
Everyone was slightly taken aback; the Prefect of Yingzhou had submitted two memorials in succession.
Aren't you afraid of offending Xu Guang?
Of course, the most surprising thing was that the county magistrate personally impeached Instructor Xu.
People from several sides pressed in.
This guy is finished.
The emperor said coldly, "The prefect of Yingzhou is quite cunning. If it weren't for the Yang family's arrogance in the prefectural office, which was noticed by the assistant inspector, this man would definitely have seized the silver from Yang and Huang."
The latter two will definitely be promoted.
"Draft an edict!" the emperor said calmly. "I have always been magnanimous. Give them a chance to atone for their sins."
Upon hearing this, the courtiers fell silent; His Majesty had taken it seriously.
Do you believe in magnanimity?
"The Prefect of Yingzhou lacked self-control and was fined six months' salary."
Xu, Huang, and Yang, three instructors, professors, and instructors, were dismissed from their posts and had to return nearly a year's salary; their academic titles of Juren (successful candidates in the imperial examinations) were also revoked.
Yang Luobai, the magistrate of Quannan County, was appointed as the postmaster of Yaxian County, Qiongzhou Prefecture; and returned the salary he had received during his seven years in office.
Huang Bangchang, the acting county magistrate of Bozhou, was appointed as the gatekeeper of Jinzhou County, Yongping Prefecture; and returned the salary he had received during his three-year term.
Xu Guang was fined three months' salary and made to restrain his own sons and nephews.
Zhou Xun, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Yingzhou Prefecture, diligently inspected the local area and was rewarded with one hundred bolts of brocade and one hundred taels of gold.
Su Yong, a local official from Lushang County, was rewarded with one hundred bolts of brocade and one hundred taels of gold.
A wise man from the countryside, through years of seclusion, published a book that benefited students everywhere. His family, as his teacher, were rewarded with a hundred bolts of brocade, a set of writing implements, a hundred taels of gold, and the opportunity to serve as a guest lecturer at the county school in Lushan. In his spare time, he would teach poetry at the county school, receiving a monthly stipend of four shi of rice.
The officials stood in solemn silence.
He even gave a somewhat strange smile.
His Majesty is too ruthless.
This is more painful than killing them outright.
In particular, the three instructors, Xu and his companions, were stripped of their titles and salaries, effectively nailing them to the pillar of shame.
There were also descendants of Yang and Huang. One was exiled to Yazhou, which was in Lingnan and the southernmost place, without exception. The temperature was high and there were many mosquitoes. People were not used to the local climate and died easily. He was a post station clerk and was directly demoted from a dignified ninth-rank county magistrate to a miscellaneous official.
One was exiled to Jinzhou, the northernmost place in the Qing Dynasty, without exception, bordering the Tartars and frequently harassed.
In the coldest and most desolate place, with harsh environment and frequent sandstorms, he was also a minor official, and his hopes for promotion had almost been dashed.
The emperor smiled and said, "They want to advance, so let them start from the lowest-ranking minor officials. If they work hard, there's plenty of room for advancement. I will take care of their daily lives."
The courtiers: "..."
A cold voice said, "Your Majesty, I can agree to everything else, but there is one thing: please revoke the honor bestowed upon Mr. Guan."
This person harbors malicious intentions and has rebellious thoughts.
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