Li Yansong and other veteran ministers remained silent.
They did not object to Emperor Jing's rapid promotion of Yang Fengfan. After all, his political achievements were there, and no one could find fault with such brilliant results.
Being promoted to a fifth-rank official is nothing.
However, his position as Tongzhi and his current actions feel somewhat delicate.
Your Majesty certainly intends to continue to expand the scope of treasury.
From what we have seen along the way, Kuan Shang does not seem to have the negative impact we imagined, but instead has many positive effects.
Although there are still some things in my mind that I cannot understand...but His Majesty’s words are binding, so I can only accept this matter.
After Emperor Jing finished speaking, he looked at Sun Sheng and said calmly, "As for you, how do you think I should decide?"
The blood drained from Sun Sheng's face. He bowed deeply and said sadly, "I know I have failed the Emperor's grace. I have committed serious crimes and I only ask for a quick death!"
Emperor Jing sneered, "Die quickly? Your crime is not worthy of death. Do you want to die so much? Do you want to leave me with the reputation of a murderer?"
"I dare not. Everything is up to your majesty to decide." Sun Sheng explained in panic.
Emperor Jing snorted, pointed at him and said to the crowd: "This corrupt official who closed his eyes and ears and shut himself off from the outside world is not the mastermind behind the disaster for the people, but he is the main cause of the disaster. Many of his families have been destroyed and many people have died because of him. What do you think I should do?"
Emperor Jing's eyes swept across everyone and finally stopped at Yang Yingcai first.
Yang Yingcai's face twitched a few times and he cried out in pain in his heart.
He is the most reluctant to talk...but His Majesty has set his sights on him!
Now we can only cut it off immediately and make it a quick fix!
Yang Yingcai gritted his teeth and said, "I...I think that although Sun Sheng's crime is not punishable by death, he has harmed countless people and his crime cannot be forgiven lightly, so he should be demoted to a commoner and never employed by the court!"
boom!
Sun Sheng was struck by lightning... and fell to the ground.
Demoted to a commoner and never employed again?
He never expected this result. Emperor Jing would never kill him. He knew that in his heart, but he still had to play the victim where necessary.
According to what he had expected, being demoted directly to the bottom was already the worst outcome, but now there was an added clause that he would never be re-employed.
And this advice came from the officer he most admired.
He studied hard for half his life and finally became an official in the court. What's the difference between killing him like this? He can't live like a human being when he goes home...
Although he had already suffered betrayal once, he was also attacked again.
Sun Sheng was really heartbroken...
"Where are the others?" asked Emperor Jing.
The ministers fell silent, and no one knew how to answer.
The punishment is indeed a bit heavy, but what is important is His Majesty's attitude. His Majesty is angry, and it is not good to go against him.
How can't a small county magistrate be punished?
Sun Sheng looked at everyone in despair, his heart broken.
Suddenly a voice came: "Your Majesty, I feel that the sentence is somewhat unfair. His original intention was good, but there was a problem with the execution."
"If we criticize Sun Sheng so harshly, I'm afraid no official in the future will dare to make improvements and take responsibility. Instead, it may encourage lazy governance!"
This voice seemed to cast an extremely dazzling beam of light in the darkness.
Sun Sheng's heart, which was not yet dead, came back to life and he quickly looked towards the voice.
As the thought came to his mind, he was stunned.
Fang Zhengyi? !
No matter how much he planned, he never expected that Fang Zhengyi would speak up for him. Didn't he know that the Hanlin Academy chose him just to go against him?
Impossible, absolutely impossible, he must know, but why would he speak up for me?
Sun Sheng's mind was a mess.
Not only Sun Sheng, Yang Yingcai's mind was also confused, and his teeth were itching with hatred. He shot a ferocious look at Fang Zhengyi without any concealment.
What do you mean, Fang Zhengyi! Sun Sheng is my man, you are jumping out to do this now, are you doing it on purpose?
Fang Zheng glared back at him unceremoniously.
Fuck, it’s okay if the subordinates are a little stupid, but the most disgusting thing is the irresponsible boss!
You are a useless old man, you are so cowardly that you don't even dare to fart.
The ministers also had puzzled expressions and exchanged messages with each other through eye contact.
Fang Zheng really confused everyone when he played this trick.
Everyone is well aware of the twists and turns in the court, so it is strange that someone would speak for his opponent.
Isn't Fang Zhengyi petty? Why is he so generous this time?
But if you think about it carefully, he doesn't seem to be so petty or just mean. At least after becoming the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he has never used his privileges to deliberately embarrass anyone.
Emperor Jing looked at the crowd's reactions with a hint of smile in his eyes and asked Fang Zheng, "That makes sense. So how do you think the punishment should be?"
"I think... let him keep his original position and make meritorious contributions. I think no one knows the situation in Xinzhang County better than Sun Sheng, and he has suffered losses before. I believe that after he realizes his mistakes, he will be able to correct them quickly, and the lives of the people will be improved in time."
"In my opinion, punishing Sun Sheng is not the goal. The goal is to improve the lives of the people. Temporarily replacing Sun Sheng with a new official would probably waste a lot of time. These are my humble opinions. I hope Your Majesty will think twice."
All the ministers were secretly amazed.
He began to adjust his mind's image of Fang Zhengyi.
Although this guy's brain is different from that of normal people, it seems that he has one good thing about him: he always seems to get things done.
Just this point, don't say... Tsk! Don't say...
"What are your opinions? Don't you have anything to say?"
Emperor Jing had asked directly, and Fang Zhengyi had also taken the lead, so naturally everyone could no longer pretend to be quails.
Li Yansong said calmly, "Your Majesty, I think what Captain Fang said makes sense. Sun Sheng has been in office for a long time. If he changes his ways, it will take more time to improve the lives of the people."
"I also believe that Sun Sheng should have gained a lot from the trip to Wanxian County, which is something that no one else can compare to."
"As for how to punish him, it won't be too late to consider it later."
As soon as Li Yansong finished speaking, the ministers echoed: "I second your proposal. Lord Li is mature and prudent and what he said makes sense."
Fang Zheng sneered.
Oh shit!
I came up with the idea and he praised it. What a bunch of double standards.
Hearing the words of support, Sun Sheng's heart became more lively, and he looked at Fang Zhengyi with tears in his eyes.
Good man...this is a real good man. He had gone astray before.
What a gentleman, what a great scholar...hypocrisy!
Emperor Jing thought about it again and again, and said to Sun Sheng: "Since all of you are begging for mercy, I can let you go and give you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious contributions. I will give you one year. After one year, I will send people to Xinzhang County to investigate. If there is no improvement, you know the consequences, right?"
Sun Sheng wept bitterly and knelt down, saying, "I will definitely sacrifice my life for the grace of Your Majesty!"
......
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