Chapter 31 Your Subject Has a Memorial
On the second day of the grand court session, none of the officials except those from the Censorate expected that the Censorate would unleash such a powerful move right from the start.
It's important to understand that the Inspectorate of Da Yu has always been a transcendent entity.
From the first emperor of the Dayu Dynasty onwards, the Censorate truly achieved the goal of reviewing both the emperor and all officials.
When something happens, the Inspectorate is always the first to respond.
Even if there's nothing wrong, the Inspectorate will always find something to cause you trouble.
For example, when there are no major issues to discuss, these officials should be careful.
When you enter the main hall, you should pay attention to whichever foot the Censorate member puts in first.
Otherwise, you would be impeached by the Inspectorate for entering the main hall with your right foot first.
Therefore, this is why officials in Da Yu have distanced themselves from the inspectors.
This forced the censors of the Censorate to become part of the "pure stream" faction.
That morning, Emperor Xiao Jing had just sat down on the dragon throne when the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin stood on either side of him, ready to listen to how the officials would flatter him.
As soon as the officials lined up according to their ranks, Wu Youde, the chief eunuch beside Emperor Xiao Jing, relayed a message in a high-pitched voice.
"Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!"
"Your subject has a memorial to present!" Lord Shangguan immediately stepped forward.
Emperor Xiao Jing squinted at it.
Wow, my daughter just went to the palace to file a complaint yesterday, and today the officials are already impeaching people!
Look, they're blatantly protecting their own.
"My dear minister, please tell me, who do you wish to impeach today?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked with a smile.
The officials all instinctively shuddered and shrank back.
Why is it Shangguan Boli? That guy is very smooth-talking. Whoever he wants to impeach, whether he succeeds or not, the person he impeaches will definitely be humiliated.
"Your humble servant hereby impeaches Marquis Wuding for failing to properly educate his son, for his improper words and actions, for offending noblewomen, and for being disloyal and unfilial!" Shangguan Boli said, word by word.
A gasp rippled through the hall.
Everyone knows what Lord Shangguan was talking about.
The second young master of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion brought a girl dressed in mourning clothes to attend the birthday banquet of the old lady of the Duke of Dingguo!
However, if we're talking about relationships, that Second Young Master Song could be considered Lord Shangguan's future grandson-in-law!
Is this... really going to lead to a complete breakdown in relations?
Before anyone could figure it out, Lord Shangguan's colleague, Lord Li, also stepped forward.
"I also have a memorial to present. I want to accuse the Marquis of Wuding of lax management of his subordinates, allowing his wicked servants to prey on the local people and deceive their superiors," Lord Li said, emphasizing each word.
Officials...
"Lord Li, I'll talk about the Marquis of Wuding's failure to properly discipline his son later, and we can discuss your matter later," Lord Shangguan hurriedly said.
“Lord Shangguan, the real problem is the lack of strict management of subordinates; your little matter can wait,” Lord Li said.
"I didn't say that failing to manage subordinates is a minor issue! But failing to discipline one's children is a major issue!"
What a disgrace! A proper young master of a noble family, yet he doesn't even know proper etiquette. He flirts with a woman he doesn't know in public, making a complete fool of himself.
"How can it be a small matter to offend an elder?" Lord Shangguan argued vehemently.
"Lord Shangguan, isn't this a bit minor compared to condoning wicked servants who deceive their superiors and oppress the villagers?"
If the wicked servants of the Marquis of Wuding’s mansion are not stopped, their actions will cause far more harm than offending their elders.
"I beseech Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly." As he spoke, Lord Li raised his hands above his head, held the memorial hidden in his sleeves above his head, and knelt down.
The officials then realized what was happening.
This is all an act put on by the Inspectorate!
Previously, when the Censorate impeached someone, it was just a report.
Then, when the court is debating the matter rationally, the question becomes whether the official being impeached has actually committed a crime.
But now, the Inspectorate itself is starting to argue.
The argument was simply about whose crime was more serious.
This means that the Marquis of Wuding's residence is definitely going to have a tough time today.
It's either a matter of failing to properly educate one's children or failing to properly manage one's subordinates; either way, one has to bear both accusations.
Damn it, the people at the Inspectorate are really cunning and wicked; they don't give anyone a chance to defend themselves at all!
Emperor Xiao Jing leaned back on the dragon throne without speaking, but gently patted the dragon head on the left side of the throne with his right hand.
Upon seeing this, Wu Youde hurriedly went down and presented Lord Li's memorial.
"Your Majesty, I also hope that you will investigate this matter thoroughly!" Lord Shangguan also knelt down.
"Bring them all up!" Emperor Xiao Jing said.
As soon as Emperor Xiao Jing uttered these words, everyone knew that Marquis Wuding was going to be punished this time.
Everyone glanced at Duke Anguo and saw that he looked calm and composed. They all understood that he should be punished, but it probably wouldn't cause any serious harm.
These noble families, as long as they weren't accused of treason, could generally withstand the charges.
Emperor Xiao Jing only glanced at the document twice before handing it to the Crown Prince beside him.
"Where is Marquis Wuding? Doesn't he want to defend himself?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked calmly.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Wuding went to Suzhou this morning to escort grain supplies to the north," Duke Anguo said, stepping forward.
Emperor Xiao Jing hummed in agreement, then glanced at Duke Anguo.
"It is clearly stated in the memorial that the Censorate has never submitted memorials without evidence."
It seems that Marquis Wuding has been so busy with military affairs that he has neglected his personal life!
Well, it's not a big deal.
Wu Youde, the second son of the Marquis of Wuding, go and reprimand him after court, and tell him to reflect on his actions behind closed doors for half a year.
As for those wicked servants... let them be beaten to death! And all the wealth they collected from the villagers should be returned.
As for Marquis Wuding, he certainly bears responsibility for failing to properly educate his son and manage his subordinates.
"Considering the hardships he endured transporting grain, I will first... deduct three years' salary from his salary!"
Emperor Xiao Jing spoke slowly and deliberately.
The officials dared not refute him, but instead bowed and flattered him.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Duke Anguo also had a calm expression.
As he had anticipated, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had openly broken ties with the Marquis of Wuding's mansion. Yesterday, the Duchess of Dingguo went to the palace and came out with rewards. The Duke of Anguo knew that the Marquis of Wuding's mansion was going to be punished.
The Censorate's sudden attack must be at His Majesty's behest.
Seeing that Emperor Xiao Jing had punished him on the spot, Lord Li immediately stood back up.
Lord Shangguan did not retreat, but remained kneeling on the ground, then took out another memorial from his sleeve and held it above his head.
"I have something else to report!"
Emperor Xiao Jing raised an eyebrow.
All the officials, including the Duke of Anguo, were stunned.
Who else should be impeached?
"Oh? My dear minister, you've been quite diligent today, even having a memorial to present?"
"Come on, tell me who we're impeaching this time!" Emperor Xiao Jing asked with a smile.
Lord Shangguan did not look up, but held the memorial high above his head.
"Your humble servant wishes to impeach Minister Mei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
He held an important position but was perfunctory, negligent, and irresponsible, shirking his duties and shirking his responsibilities as Vice Minister of Revenue.
"Lord Mei is not suited to serve the court in the position of Vice Minister of Revenue," Lord Shangguan said loudly.
Lord Mei, who originally thought nothing of it...
"You...you...you're spouting nonsense!" The usually eloquent Lord Mei suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Lord Mei said I was slandering him?"
Then let me ask you, Lord Mei, the Duke of Dingguo has been missing for three years, and His Majesty and the Duke of Dingguo's mansion have been sending people to search for him everywhere.
At this time, why did Lord Mei suddenly stop the Duke of Dingguo's salary?
Has His Majesty issued an edict to revoke the title of Duke of Dingguo?
Since His Majesty did not have it, why did the Vice Minister of Revenue suspend the Duke of Dingguo's salary?
What is this if not outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant? If it wasn't Lord Mei's doing, then who did it? Who has the power to stop the Duke's mansion's salary?
"The Duke of Dingguo was enfeoffed as a duke by His Majesty based on his outstanding military achievements. What right does Lord Mei have to overturn the Emperor's decision?" Lord Shangguan questioned repeatedly.
Lord Mei couldn't say anything.
"You...you..." He could only point at Lord Shangguan.
"Also, where did the Duke of Dingguo's salary for the past three years go?"
"How did the Ministry of Revenue keep its accounts? Lord Mei, can you give me an explanation?" Lord Shangguan continued to press.
Lord Mei didn't know what to say. After secretly glancing at Duke Anguo, he immediately knelt down with a thud.
"Your Majesty! I am innocent!"
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