When they heard that Guan and Zhang were the ones in the incident, the officials who were being questioned about government affairs immediately pricked up their ears.
Fang Zhengyi is a stubborn guy who never gives in even when he is right. I'm afraid Zhang Shi won't get much better than this!
In addition, the prince and Zhang Shi don't get along well on weekdays. This time the two of them came together, it must be Fang Zhengyi who pulled the prince here.
This kid was probably afraid that Zhang Shi’s death was not tragic enough, so he dragged the prince to step on him again.
It must be so!
If he behaves in such a perverse way, I am afraid there will never be a day of peace in the court!
Many people became more and more anxious the more they thought about it, and couldn't help but start to worry.
Emperor Jing put down the memorial and said with a smile, "Oh? You have already investigated it clearly in just one day?"
"Your Majesty, I have already interrogated him clearly. He was quite cooperative, so it didn't take me much effort." Fang Zhengyi said respectfully.
"Since I have asked you to manage the Jinyiwei, how do you think Zhang Shi should be punished?"
As soon as these words were spoken, some people couldn't help but look sideways.
Here it comes, the key question has finally come. Today everyone can see where Fang Zhengyi's bottom line is!
Fang Zhengyi glanced to the side quietly, then said calmly: "I think that although the King of Wu rebelled, Zhang Shi was not aware of it, so it would be too much of a punishment to treat him as a traitor."
"Although he conspired with the King of Wu to smuggle salt in order to share the profits, he committed no other crime and performed his duties impartially."
"Even so, he embezzled the profits of the salt industry and did not hesitate to plunder the people's blood and sweat, and he deserves the death penalty."
"So...I think that Your Majesty should give Zhang Shi a cup of poisoned wine, confiscate his property, and send his family members into exile."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of the ministers beside Emperor Jing suddenly changed.
Become surprised and inexplicable!
They all looked at Fang Zhengyi with incredible eyes.
What a ghost today! Fang Zhengyi is actually begging for Zhang Shi?
Especially the ministers, they looked at each other and communicated with each other through eye contact.
Li Yansong's old eyes were full of confusion. He thought he knew Fang Zhengyi, but the scene before him was really beyond his imagination.
Isn't this guy the kind of person who will take revenge for any slight? When did he become so magnanimous?
Emperor Jing didn't say anything for a long while, just looked at Fang Zhengyi. The situation before him was far beyond his expectations.
After a moment, he said, "Do you know what you are talking about? The King of Wu is rebelling, and he is colluding with him, so he is a traitor."
"I was merciful by beheading him in public, and now you want me to give him poisoned wine and give him a decent gift?"
"Your Majesty, the rebellion of King Wu concerns the reputation of the royal family. This matter should be handled in a low-key manner. I am doing this for your Majesty's consideration." Fang Zhengyi said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Emperor Jing looked at him strangely for a few seconds, then looked at Li Yuanzhao beside him and asked, "What are you doing here again?"
"When I heard about this, I came along to take a look." Li Yuanzhao still had a smile on his face.
"So what do you think about this matter?" asked Emperor Jing.
"I think what Lao Fang said makes sense. Zhang Shi is a veteran minister of two dynasties. We cannot judge him based on just one mistake. I think if we simply give him a heavy punishment, it might discourage others."
After hearing what Li Yuanzhao said, Emperor Jing felt relieved for some reason: "Please continue."
Li Yuanzhao nodded: "Everyone has selfish desires, and it is natural to make mistakes. I often stay in the eastern suburbs recently. There are hundreds of people there, and there are many who steal in private."
"I have found that severe punishments can deter people for a while, but they cannot solve the problem at its root. Over time, there will always be people who steal again."
"After this incident, I set up rules for my subordinates. At first, everything was strictly enforced. If anyone was found, the offender would be sent to the government along with other people involved. But later I found that the effect was not good. The others were worried about being implicated because the punishment was too severe. They were also absent-minded when doing things. Whenever I heard about the situation, I kept silent."
"Those who steal are not all lazy and greedy. Many of them can even be called diligent and conscientious. If you punish them severely, people below will say that you are ungrateful and often discourage you from doing it."
"So I think the key to management is to reward and punish appropriately."
"The original intention of punishment is to protect or motivate others. Killing is the heaviest punishment. No matter how cruel it is, it is just death in the end. But if the punishment is too severe and makes the court officials feel discouraged, then it will not be worth it."
The ministers in the room looked at Li Yuanzhao with their mouths wide open, confusion in their eyes.
That's not right... Didn't the prince learn from Fang Zheng to be a scoundrel who would confront anyone he saw? How did he become like this now?
He is magnanimous, kind and generous, and is a typical benevolent monarch!
Where is that jumping prince?! Was he really taught a lesson by Fang Zhengyi?
Thinking of this, many old officials were relieved and felt that the country had a promising future. They stretched out their sleeves and wiped their eyes...
Fang Zhengyi was also filled with relief.
It seems that the prince has grown very fast. He has been busy during the time I was away... He even studied management?
Emperor Jing was completely shocked and looked at Li Yuanzhao deeply.
He took another deep look at Fang Zhengyi and asked, "But he did collude with the rebels. Am I wrong to exterminate his entire clan?"
Li Yuanzhao immediately shouted, "Father did nothing wrong! But as I said just now, the punishment itself is not important, what is important is the consequences of the punishment!"
"Zhang Shigui is a veteran minister of two dynasties. We must remember his past merits. But we should punish his entire family just because of this incident. If such a heavy punishment disheartens the court officials, I am worried that the channels for speech will be blocked."
"If this continues, the people will be divided, everyone will only care about self-preservation, and will be lazy and negligent in governing. Then the people of the world will suffer."
Fang Zhengyi quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the world is at peace now, so it is not appropriate to have the thought of killing."
"The ancients said that saints value tolerance, while ordinary people despise the masses. In my heart, Your Majesty is a wise ruler who is both civil and military. With your generosity and benevolence, you will surely make the right decision. Please understand, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jing was already overjoyed at this moment!
A rational monarch who holds great power fears the most that one person has the final say.
The affairs of the world are so complicated that they cannot be managed by one person.
Originally, the prince had a bad temper and would become impatient when others disciplined him. But now he has learned to take the initiative to consider other people's opinions and consider the overall situation!
He laughed and said, "You two are singing the same tune and are here to teach me a lesson! Since everyone is here today, then all of you, my dear ministers, please tell me how to punish them. Master Li, you tell me."
Li Yansong took a step forward and bowed. "I dare not say much about Zhang Shi's case. Your Majesty will make the final decision! But I want to congratulate Your Majesty! The prince is wise and benevolent. It is a blessing for the people and the country!"
\"Your Majesty, we congratulate you! The Crown Prince is wise!" A large number of ministers followed suit and shouted, bowing together.
Li Yuanzhao couldn't help but raise his head and put his hands on his waist proudly...
Emperor Jing still had a smile on his face, and he felt refreshed. Seeing his son's smug look, he suddenly said with a serious expression: "This rebellious son only says shocking things occasionally. He is still far from being good enough!"
"Since you have nothing to say, please leave first. I have something to talk to them alone."
......
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