Li Ruopu didn't dare to refute, but just responded quickly.
However, just as Li Ruopu turned to the spare room in the side hall to write an article, suddenly, Emperor Zhao called out to him from behind, "Don't go!"
Li Ruopu was surprised and suspicious when he heard the strange tone, but he could only respond and turn around quickly.
Next, the official read the document over and over again for a long time, and then thought for a long time on the table before speaking calmly again: "Mr. Li, don't write that article for now! Go and call the four ministers, the Chief Censor, and the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of War to the Wende Hall to discuss politics!"
Seeing the emperor's calm tone, Li Ruopu, who had been a Hanlin scholar since Nanyang, felt guilty for some reason and had to obey the order and leave in a hurry.
After waiting for a while, Zhao Jiu, who had been sitting there for a long time without moving, stood up and went to Wende Hall under the careful surrounding of the ministers. When he arrived there, the four prime ministers, the prime minister, and the two ministers had already gathered with Li Ruopu.
And Zhao Jiu finally solved the mystery at this time:
"Someone from the Ministry of War has accused the Imperial Army of corruption for using the money they paid for the imperial examination. Do you know about this?"
The four ministers, the so-called provincial governor Zhao Ding and Liu Ji, the Privy Council chief and vice-chairman Zhang Jun and Chen Gui, as well as the Imperial Censor Li Guang and the Minister of Revenue Lin Qi, all looked at the Minister of War Hu Shijiang. Hu Shijiang remained calm and stepped forward to bow to Zhao Jiu, saying, "Your Majesty, I know about this matter. This official had discussed Shaanxi's military expenditures with me before he submitted the memorial."
Zhang Jun took a look at Emperor Zhao's expression, frowned and stepped out: "Emperor, I think the Ministry of War has put the cart before the horse... Depreciation of money, farming, empty salaries, and forced labor are four common problems in the army. I'm afraid they have been indispensable since ancient times, and now, who in the army can be free of them? However, now that the war is uncertain, there is a separation of civil and military affairs. Some things must be tolerated, and it is also a tacit understanding between the upper and lower levels... Minister Hu is new to the Ministry of War, and I'm afraid he doesn't understand the priorities."
Many people around frowned, but generally said nothing. Even Li Guang just sighed.
Zhao Ding thought about it and took a step forward as the Prime Minister of the East Palace, but he was actually a little hesitant: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War is also performing its duties. Moreover, the rear army of the Imperial Camp was reorganized in front of your Majesty, and basically no empty pay is needed. In addition, due to the habit of the Western Army, they are still stationed in the hometown, so they are a little more accustomed to discounting the money, which is normal to cause dissatisfaction from the Ministry of War."
Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged, like a puppet: "I am not here to reprimand Minister Hu. I have always known about the valuation of money. I have always emphasized the principles you mentioned... I just suddenly feel that it is the fifth year of Jianyan, and some people's faults should be corrected, and some things should be done."
The ministers below, especially those who had followed Emperor Zhao for a longer time, were all stern when they saw Emperor Zhao's expression. Zhang Jun was even more surprised and a little flustered.
"Summon Wu Jie to the capital! Zhang Jun is coming too!"
When he heard the latter name, even Zhao Ding became a little flustered.
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