Chapter 135 The Imperial Court
Although Mr. Wu has left, Xiao Qing's classes have not stopped.
These days, being an emperor isn't an easy job. With his "carefree" day off coming to an end, Xiao Qing had to go to court and attend classes again, looking miserable.
In recent years, under Fu Mingyi's strong promotion, Nanxiao has added many young officials through various means.
Some were promoted from local areas, some were recommended by townships and prominent families, and some were selected through small-scale imperial examinations...
In the court, Fu Mingyi and Wang Xiang each occupied one side. One was young and vigorous, and quite influential among the younger generation of officials and northern ministers; the other was shrewd and calculating, with deep roots in the south and high prestige. With them around, Xiao Qing felt that he had no need to worry about matters of the court.
Fu Mingyi also said that her main task in recent years has not been to clean up the political situation, but to enrich herself.
Xiao Qingshen agreed.
But today, things seem a little different in the imperial court.
Xiao Qing struggled to lift his head, still dizzy from lack of sleep, and looked down. He thought today would be just like every other day when he went to court, probably just going through the motions, so he didn't pay much attention to the people below.
As she was thinking about Qiao Bai and Ying Ziye, her peripheral vision caught sight of Fu Mingyi below the hall, and her thoughts began to wander, soon drifting off to who-knows-where.
Until she heard a loud voice rang out from below the hall.
"Your subject has a memorial to present."
Xiao Qing thought unconsciously, "If you're going to play, then play. Why are you making it so loud?"
The other party then presented a memorial with both hands, stating, "Your Majesty, I hereby report that Zhao Ziyuan, the military governor of Yingzhou, has embezzled state taxes."
Xiao Qing's attention was gradually drawn back.
This is the first time someone has openly reported someone for corruption in the morning court session.
"This is a joint petition from Yingzhou reporting Zhao Ziyuan's embezzlement. Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing felt that the name Zhao Ziyuan sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place who it was.
The hall was completely silent. Ma Hong walked down the steps, took the memorial with both hands, and slowly walked up to hand it to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing took it and looked at it for a while. It really was a joint memorial. There were more than a dozen people who signed it, all of whom were officials of various levels in Yingzhou. The one who led the memorial was the prefect of Yingzhou, surnamed Feng, named Feng Zhengmin.
Xiao Qing had heard of this person. He had been the prefect of Yingzhou for about ten years, and it was said that Yingzhou under his rule had good weather and abundant tax revenue.
He is an official with a good reputation.
Yes, I've heard he's a very upright person.
A person like that leading the performance is very convincing.
However, Xiao Qing paid more attention to the attitudes of Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi below the hall than to the contents of the memorial.
Coincidentally, both of them stood upright with indifferent expressions, failing to give her any hints.
Okay, so this means that this matter doesn't need to be discussed in the imperial court, right?
Xiao Qing nodded inwardly, now quite familiar with their habits.
The matters that can be resolved in the imperial court are usually minor ones; the truly important matters are discussed and decided outside the court, and at most, they are merely formalities in the court.
Xiao Qing attended several small-scale court meetings led by Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi, which was the place where they truly resolved matters.
This time... was somewhat unexpected.
Despite their calm expressions.
Just as Xiao Qing was about to say something, someone else spoke up in the hall.
“Your Majesty, state taxes are only for the use of one state. Moreover, the national treasury is based on state taxes…”
Blah blah blah.
Xiao Qing listened patiently for half of the conversation and roughly understood.
This guy is saying that this matter is very important and must be dealt with seriously, without any leniency.
Immediately afterwards, several other people went on and on about their ramblings.
Some people say that this matter is extremely serious, which means that the person responsible should be arrested and severely punished.
Some say that this matter has not yet been confirmed and that we should investigate it thoroughly before making a decision.
Some say that Feng Zhengmin led the report on this matter, which is basically the truth, etc.
Xiao Qing simply listened and watched without offering any opinion.
Fu Mingyi once said, "Observe more and speak less, ponder more, and..."
She had now become accustomed to instinctively considering the factions to which the courtiers belonged and their possible intentions when listening to them speak.
She felt it was an occupational hazard; she had to get used to it while she was in the palace. Only when she left the palace or faced Mingxiu and Ma Hong would she feel more relaxed.
Finally, no one spoke.
Xiao Qing considered for a moment and said, "Since such a thing has happened, it is natural to investigate it thoroughly before taking any action. What do you all think is the proper way to investigate?"
As she said this, she carefully observed Fu Mingyi and Wang Xiang.
These two are always calm and collected; that's a really good habit.
This time, no one offered any suggestions.
Hmm, haven't they thought about what will happen next?
Or is it because neither of the two big shots has expressed their opinions?
With no one speaking, the matter naturally could not be discussed further.
Xiao Qing waited for a while and then said, "This matter needs to be carefully discussed. What do you two think, Prime Minister and Grand Tutor?"
"I will obey Your Majesty's command."
Afterwards, some people in the court talked about other trivial matters, which was the normal rhythm of each court session.
During this time, Xiao Qing vaguely heard someone mention the issues of city defense and security in Nanhua City, which seemed to be related to the reorganization of military affairs.
Xiao Qing didn't care much. He thought that the military of Nanhua City had been strengthened in the past three years. If Nanhua, the capital of Southern Xiao, was not safe, would there be any safe place south of Xiao River?
After the court session, he prepared to head to the South Study as usual.
She was going to class, along with Xiao Yan, who was "idle" every day and had nothing to do but attend class.
She can't be worse at studying than him.
However, Wang Xiang walked over, seemingly wanting a private audience with the emperor.
This had happened before. Xiao Qing waved to Ma Hong politely and walked to the side with Wang Xiang.
"What are Your Majesty's thoughts on what just happened?" Wang Xiang asked slowly.
"Which matter is the Prime Minister referring to?"
"Yingzhou".
Xiao Qing gave him an "Oh, so that's what it is" look. "What does the Prime Minister think?"
Wang Xiang smiled and said, "This old minister's thoughts naturally align with Your Majesty's."
He came to sound him out.
"The Southern Study is not far from here. This old minister has not paid his respects to Your Majesty for a long time. If it is possible, may this old minister escort Your Majesty for a while, so that I may have a word with Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing naturally agreed, thinking that this was a serious discussion.
Wang Xiang was always composed, and although he directly mentioned Yingzhou this time, he did not express much of his own thoughts.
They slowly made their way to the South Study. Wang Xiang then inquired about Xiao Qing's studies, urging her to keep up with her studies and take care of her health, among other things. Finally, he asked, seemingly casually, "Your Majesty seemed a little tired at the morning court session today. Is it because you have too much homework lately, which affected your rare rest yesterday?"
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