Chapter 109 This kind of brothel-like despicable business
After hearing Su Qingci's report, Li Yuanzhao was not surprised by Liu Liniang's surrender statement that she wanted "the lives of both the Cui and Liu families."
Hatred can sometimes be more effective than loyalty.
However, it is impossible to completely trust someone who is so driven and swayed by hatred.
She said directly, "In that case, you should go and tell her to do whatever it takes to get that old fox Cui Shiliang to submit a memorial recommending Li Yuanyou to go to Hebei Province to oversee disaster relief."
Su Qingci was taken aback upon hearing this.
Since August, the three prefectures of Weizhou, Dezhou, and Luozhou in Hebei Province have successively submitted reports on the disaster situation.
According to the memorial, the three prefectures had not received a single drop of rain for over a hundred days since March. The land was so cracked that fingers could be inserted into it, the rice seedlings in the fields had long since withered, and even the wells were almost dry.
All twelve counties under the jurisdiction of the three prefectures were severely affected by the disaster, and it is estimated that more than 70% of this year's autumn grain harvest will be lost.
Local officials implored the emperor to quickly dispatch a capable imperial envoy to oversee disaster relief efforts and appease the people.
After receiving the memorial, His Majesty issued an edict to exempt the three prefectures from all summer taxes, autumn grain taxes, and corvée labor for the current year. He also urgently dispatched 100,000 shi of grain from the grain transported by the imperial canal and from the granaries of neighboring prefectures to provide relief.
However, the selection of the imperial envoy has been delayed.
Many ministers in the court have already recommended Her Highness the Eldest Princess.
After all, Her Highness is very experienced in disaster relief. She had previously presided over the relief efforts for the floods in Hexi and Suzhou. She had never made a single mistake in the allocation of grain and funds, the resettlement of disaster victims, or the rectification of officials.
Even today, the people of Hexi and Suzhou still feel grateful for His Highness's kindness.
According to the memorials, the drought in Hebei Province is not too severe. His Majesty has done his best to appease the people by exempting taxes and allocating grain. The dispatch of the imperial envoy at this time is more to comfort the people and demonstrate the benevolence of the emperor.
Such a good thing could win people's hearts and accumulate solid political achievements. She felt that Prime Minister Cui might not be entirely unintentional and probably wanted to give this task to the Second Prince.
But lately, for some reason, he has become much more restrained in his actions and no longer competes with the Princess in court.
When the court officials recommended the eldest princess, he surprisingly did not object.
However, His Majesty has remained undecided, and it is unclear what he is worried about.
Now that such a golden opportunity is within your grasp, why would Your Highness willingly give it up to the Second Prince?
Su Qingci pondered deeply, but for a moment he could not fathom its profound meaning.
Seeing Su Qingci's confused expression, Li Yuanzhao did not answer her question, but instead continued, "Tell her that if this matter is handled properly, I will grant her wish."
Su Qingci suppressed his doubts and bowed, replying, "Yes, Your Highness, I will convey Your Highness's words to Lady Li in their entirety."
She understood that this was both a test of Liu Liniang's abilities by His Highness and a assessment of the weight of her surrender.
The next morning at court, before the officials could discuss the selection of the imperial envoy for disaster relief in Hebei Province, a passionate voice suddenly rang out in the hall, breaking the solemn atmosphere.
"Your subject Cui Jing has a memorial to present!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Imperial Censor Cui walking quickly out from the court ranks and bowing respectfully.
Cui Jing was a collateral relative of Cui Shiliang. He had previously impeached the eldest princess for throwing the third princess into Qujiang Pool, and was publicly reprimanded by the emperor for "making a mountain out of a molehill and sowing discord within the royal family," after which he remained silent for quite some time.
Unexpectedly, he was the one leading the charge again this time.
"Your Majesty, I hereby impeach Wang Qiao, the Prefect of Taiyuan! As a local official, holding such an important position, he does not think of serving the people wholeheartedly to repay the kindness of the Emperor and his father. Instead, he studies the art of flattering the Emperor. His character is despicable and his heart is treacherous! Your Majesty has found that this man has secretly gathered three handsome young men to serve as his male concubines and presented them to the Princess's residence in order to curry favor with her!"
Upon hearing this, the court officials whispered amongst themselves, their gazes unconsciously drifting toward Li Yuanzhao, who stood at the front, their eyes filled with shock and curiosity.
Seeing this, Cui Jing felt even more confident, his tone became even more pained, and his voice rose a few decibels.
"This Wang Qiao was appointed by the court personally by His Majesty, yet he has committed such despicable acts as a brothel madam! Such behavior not only disgraces the authority of the court officials, but also shows that he intends to use private visits and flattery as a stepping stone to advancement. His heart is worthy of condemnation!"
It even implied that he was suspected of "spying on palace secrets and forming cliques for personal gain".
Finally, he turned directly to Li Yuanzhao and said loudly, "I hope that Your Highness, the Princess, will value the reputation of the royal family, dismiss such sycophants, thoroughly investigate this matter, and rectify the court!"
"He is immoral and disgraces his official position, he is immoral and corrupts public morals; he flatters the imperial concubines and makes connections within the palace; he harbors ulterior motives and plots rebellion!"
Each of these accusations is like a knife to the heart.
The officials in the court were all shrewd and could easily tell that although the words were impeaching Wang Qiao, every single one of them was an insinuation that the princess was "immoral, forming cliques, accepting bribes, and interfering with the promotion of officials."
Pei Huaijin, standing in the court assembly, frowned instantly when he heard Cui Jing's impeachment.
Wang Qiao's presentation of gifts to the Princess was arranged by him in secret, and he believed that the matter was handled discreetly and could not be known to outsiders.
How exactly did Imperial Censor Cui find out?
Either there was a traitor in the Princess's household who leaked the matter to the Cui family.
Or perhaps Wang Qiao had ill intentions from the beginning, ostensibly trying to curry favor with the princess, but actually intending to use this incident to drag her down with him.
Either possibility is extremely unfavorable for the eldest princess.
Pei Huaijin looked at Li Yuanzhao, who remained calm and composed in the hall, and felt a deep sense of self-reproach.
If he hadn't thought Wang Qiao was useful and taken the initiative to make the connection, the Princess wouldn't be in such a passive situation today.
After hearing this, the emperor on his throne had an unusually somber expression.
His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally landing on Li Yuanzhao. "Yuanzhao, is what Imperial Censor Cui said true?"
Li Yuanzhao slowly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, what Imperial Censor Cui said is indeed true. Wang Qiao did indeed present three men to my residence."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.
To everyone's surprise, the eldest princess readily admitted it!
Those ministers who were loyal to her were especially filled with surprise and doubt.
This is no small offense. If His Majesty intends to investigate, the Cui faction may seize the opportunity to launch an attack, and His Highness's reputation and power may be damaged.
Cui Shiliang was also taken aback, clearly not expecting Li Yuanzhao to admit it so readily.
But then, a glint of wild joy flashed in his eyes.
Once she admits it, things will be much easier.
Looking at the chaotic scene in the hall, and then at the calm-looking Li Yuanzhao and the excited Cui Jing, the Emperor's tone became increasingly deep.
"Then tell me, where are these three people now? What was Wang Qiao's intention in sending them to his residence? And why did you, as the eldest princess, accept such a gift?"
This is a blatant accusation.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the princess's answer.
Li Yuanzhao calmly met the Emperor's scrutiny and said composedly, "Your subject is curious, where exactly did Imperial Censor Cui hear this news?"
For a moment, Cui Jing's expression showed panic, and he subconsciously looked at Cui Shiliang.
Cui Shiliang gave him a barely perceptible reassuring look.
Li Yuanzhao did not press the matter further, but continued, "Father, please allow me to say that it is true that Wang Qiao sent people away, but they were not male favorites as Censor Cui claimed, but rather virtuous talents recommended for the country. Those three have already been sent to the Imperial Guard for training. I believe that such an act of recommending talents for the country and sending pillars of society should not be misinterpreted as flattery."
"Could it be that Imperial Censor Cui has seen too much filth in his eyes, so everything he sees appears dirty?"
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