Jiuxi

Chapter 241 239 [In the Storm]

The thirteenth year of Jianwu gradually came to an end, and the imperial city ushered in the last permanent dynasty.

According to the regulations of Daqi, the Chang Dynasty has always allowed only officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital to participate. The only exceptions are the censors in the censorship station who keep all officials at a distance.

Today's court meeting seemed very harmonious from the beginning. Because the New Year is approaching, the ministers do not want to bring up issues that are difficult to solve in a short time. They usually leave it to deal with it after the New Year. The rest is to praise the emperor.

Different from the empty congratulations of a few years ago, this time the ministers' congratulations were well-founded and touted the emperor on the dragon throne as a holy emperor who could leave his name in history.

Because the Northern Expedition had initially achieved results, the Huaizhou Army was making rapid progress, all due to the emperor's unstinting support. Even though some important ministers who came from Jiangnan families had mixed feelings about the results of the Northern Expedition, at least they would not ruin the scenery by talking nonsense openly.

Li Duan listened to the praises of the ministers in the palace and remained sober in his heart. He knew that these people said so, but they may not think so in their hearts.

He has been fighting with these representatives of Jiangnan families for more than ten years, and he knows very well what kind of thoughts are hidden under their lotus-tongued appearance.

"The most important thing right now is to continue to provide assistance to the border army, and we must select a group of capable officials to go north to appease the people and establish the government. We cannot waste the territory that the border army soldiers have regained with their blood and lives..."

Li Duan thought this silently in his heart, becoming more and more confident.

The court gradually became quiet, and suddenly a slightly harsh voice interrupted Li Duan's reverie.

"Your Majesty, I would like to inform you that Kong Jian, the imperial censor, is impeaching Shen Qingzhong, a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, for not repairing the curtains and harming the moral education!"

An official in his thirties came out to report. His face was thin, his body was turned upside down, and he felt uncomfortable when he looked at him.

Li Duan faced the ancient well, but he felt disgusted in his heart. He just couldn't rebuke the censor directly. After all, the censor's platform was a magic weapon to maintain the purity of the government. As the emperor, he must be tolerant. .

However, when he remembered what this person had just said, he couldn't help but said in a slightly cold tone: "What did you say?"

"Reporting to your majesty, I impeach Shen Qingzhong, a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, for not repairing the curtains and harming the moral education!"

Kong Jian stretched his neck and had a tough attitude.

The officials were in an uproar.

Shen Qingzhong, a bachelor's degree scholar at the Hanlin Academy, was in the fourth rank of the imperial family. He was thirty-six years old and had always been famous for his articles. He was promoted to Bachelor of Arts three months ago, and many people thought he had the potential to be a prime minister.

He has a white face, a short beard, and an elegant temperament. However, at this moment, he seems to have been greatly humiliated. His face has turned red. Because the emperor has not spoken yet, he can't say anything to defend himself.

Almost everyone in the court had been impeached, but Kong Jian's impeachment against Shen Qingzhong was too vicious.

What does it mean to have a thin curtain and not repair it?

This statement refers to the mixing of men and women in the family and the subsequent filthy relationship. For an official, it is an accusation that can ruin his career and reputation.

This is the reason why a modest gentleman in Chong Qingzhong cannot control himself.

Li Duan glanced at Shen Qingzhong, who was blushing, and said to Kong Jian in a deep voice: "Kong Yushi, do you know what you are talking about?"

Kong Jian said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I know that I am not talking nonsense, and I dare to confront Academician Shen face to face!"

At this moment, Shen Qingzhong finally couldn't bear it anymore and said angrily: "Kong Yushi, please stop spitting blood and insulting my name!"

"Clear your name?"

Kong Jian smiled coldly and then said: "Scholar Shen, where does your widowed sister-in-law live?"

Although Shen Qingzhong was furious, he did not lose his mind and quickly replied: "The Shen family has not divided the family property. The whole family lives together. Although my widowed sister-in-law and young nephew live in the Shen family, they are independent." They live in the courtyard, and except for the courtesy greetings and exchanges, I never do anything inappropriate. In the opinion of Kong Yushi, should I drive them out?"

All the ministers beside him nodded. This situation is not uncommon among aristocratic families.

Kong Jian hummed softly: "What a glorious scene! Dare I ask where Master Shen was three days ago?"

Shen Qingzhong thought for a moment, a flash of panic suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he forced himself to answer: "I am at home."

"Since Scholar Shen is hesitant, let me ask the official to help you recall."

Kong Jian took a step forward and said solemnly: "That day is your sister-in-law's birthday. After the Shen family's family banquet, Bachelor Shen sent his widowed sister-in-law back to the hospital. She entered at noon and left at sunset. Moreover, Bachelor Shen also screened out all the servants and maids. , is there such a thing?!"

Several important ministers frowned almost simultaneously.

Shen Qingzhong raised his hand and pointed at Kong Jian, his body trembling uncontrollably: "You are slandering me! I spoke to my widowed sister-in-law because she was depressed that day, and there was nothing wrong with her!"

"If you want people not to know, unless you do nothing yourself."

Kong Jian dusted his sleeves and said in a cold voice: "Is it possible that Academician Shen doesn't know what Li Xia said in the melon field? Your Excellency's behavior is enough to bring shame to His Majesty and the court. You actually dare to be so righteous in the court. You are really shameless. How to write it!" Shen Qingzhong's eyes were red and he said with great injustice: "Your Majesty, I have never done such shameless and ridiculous things. I beg your Majesty to send someone to investigate thoroughly! Give me and my family justice!"

Kong Jian did not argue with it.

Li Duan looked at Shen Qingzhong who had lost his composure, and the manic depression in his heart gradually rose. How could he investigate such a thing? Even if someone from the Sutra Weaving Department takes action, they can only confirm what arrangements you have for that day through your maids and servants. But if you and your widowed sister-in-law are alone in a room, how can others know what you did?

If this matter is really investigated, you will be like mud stuck in your crotch, and you will not be able to clean it up no matter what.

The only thing to blame is that you acted inappropriately and got caught.

Thinking of this, Li Duan said in a deep voice: "I believe that Shen Qingzhong will not be so ridiculous, but after all, this matter is due to your own negligence. That's all, you can go back to your house to reflect on yourself behind closed doors, and resign on your own initiative in a few days."

Shen Qingzhong stood in a daze. Why didn't he know how much mercy the emperor gave him? Otherwise, this matter could be big or small, but how could he be willing to do it?

Han Chuang studied hard for more than ten years and finally achieved the status he has today, but now he lost everything because of one careless move.

Several court guards walked into the palace and helped Shen Qingzhong out, who was in despair and pale.

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely solemn. At this moment, another person came out of his shift and stood up. Li Duan looked coldly and saw that it was Ning Zhongyu, the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"Your Majesty, Shen Qingzhong was just an editor of the Hanlin Academy three months ago. He was originally not qualified to be promoted to a fourth-grade bachelor's degree. Only because of the strong support of the Right Prime Minister, he was able to rise to the position. Now you can see the character of Shen Qingzhong His misdeeds are simply not enough to take on the important responsibilities. Therefore, I impeach Mr. Xue, your right minister, for knowing people without knowing others and conferring official positions without permission!"

Ning Zhongyu's tone was sonorous and his expression was cold and solemn.

In fact, when Kong Jian impeached Shen Qingzhong, Li Duan was vaguely aware of something wrong. Although Shen Qingzhong was a civil servant, he strongly supported his Northern Expedition decision, which was appreciated by him and his right minister Xue Nanting. After two years of observation, Lift him up.

If there are no accidents, Shen Qingzhong's promotion route will be bachelor's degree as lecturer, bachelor's degree as scholar, and bachelor's degree as scholar. In the future, he can transfer to the Ministry of Rites and then enter the center.

In other words, Shen Qingzhong was the young minister Li Duan had prepared for the future Northern Expedition.

If Kong Jian was impeached on other charges, Li Duan could naturally let Yousi go and investigate, and he must clear Shen Qingzhong's name, but it was the kind of private matter that could not be explained clearly and would arouse great interest from both the government and the public. Shen Qingzhong can only be temporarily withdrawn from the court and look for opportunities to promote him in the future.

Li Duan wanted to settle the matter, but someone did not intend to do so, and the timing of his attack was precise enough.

He looked at Ning Zhongyu's awe-inspiring posture, secretly suppressed the anger in his heart, and glanced aside, resting on Xue Nanting's face.

Xue Nanting raised his head and looked at the emperor. His eyes were calm and not a little anxious, which made Li Duan feel relieved.

"Shilang Ning, although I made a recommendation regarding Shen Qingzhong's promotion, the evaluation given by the Ministry of Personnel at that time was "middle to upper", and this proposal was approved by the Ministry of Personnel and the Hanlin Academy. Although I The official does not agree with Kong Yushi's impeachment of Shen Qingzhong, but even if he committed the exact crime, should he be investigated for three years based on the past?"

Xue Nanting turned to look at Ning Zhongyu, with a calm and indifferent tone, and continued: "If Ning Shilang thinks that I am guilty in this matter, how can you stay out of it? How can the officials and the Imperial Academy stay out of it? Furthermore, since Since His Majesty ascended the throne, hundreds of officials have been imprisoned. According to Ning Shilang, all the officials recommended and supported are guilty. Looking back, I want to see how many people can still stand in the court afterwards. above."

Ning Zhongyu was speechless immediately.

Xue Nanting did not pursue the fight fiercely, but his tone became solemn: "Of course, the impeachment of Ning Shilang can be a warning message to me and all the officials in the court. We should be more cautious when promoting officials in the future. The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of official evaluation. We should be more careful about this matter.”

Ning Zhongyu could only lower his head and said: "The right prime minister taught you a lesson."

Li Duan was quite pleased, but before he could say anything to set the tone, a storm suddenly broke out in the court.

"Your Majesty, I am going to impeach the right prime minister for his lax governance of the family. The second son of the right prime minister is bullying good people outside and has repeatedly committed barbaric acts."

"Your Majesty, I impeach the Xue family of Qingyuan for using the name of the Right Prime Minister to embezzle land in Qingyuan Mansion and force the people to become slaves of the Xue family!"

"Your Majesty, I have violated the law by impeaching the residence of the Right Prime Minister!"

……

The crowd was furious and the momentum was astonishing.

More than a dozen officials stepped forward one after another to conduct a comprehensive impeachment of Xue Nanting from all angles, launching a full-scale attack on him, his family, his clan, his residence, etc.

This kind of scene is unique in the more than ten years of history of Southern Qi.

What is slightly strange is that no one impeached Xue Nanting for his full support for the Northern Expedition.

This time Li Duan no longer looked at Xue Nanting worriedly, his cold eyes swept towards Xue Nanting's side.

It fell on the old man.

(End of this chapter)