At the end of the fifth year of Yongping, Ning Xiaochuan and his party finally returned to Yindu after a lot of hardships.

The morning court was particularly lively that day, and almost every envoy who went out received commendation, especially Ning Xiaochuan, Yu Gongming and Tong Xuesi.

Tong Xuesi returned to the Ministry of Rites again and became superiors and subordinates with Ning Xiaochuan. In Ning Xiaochuan's view, Tong Xuesi was more suitable for the Minister of Rites than himself. Ning Xiaochuan was somewhat uncomfortable to let him be his subordinate.

As night came, like his father, Gao Yuan was also an emperor who was diligent in politics. When the cold wind blew, Gao Yuan subconsciously wrapped the cotton fur on his body.

A moment later, a sound of footsteps sounded, Hu Shangyi and Wei Zhengchun walked quickly into Gaoyuan's study, and both bowed and knelt down at the same time, "I'm the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is the one who is

"Two beloved friends, flat." Gao Yuan put down the red pen in his hand, smiled and reached out to signal the two of them to ask for it.

The little eunuch beside him brought two embroidery stakes, put them down, and then bowed and left. The three of them were left in the study.

"Your Majesty, I'm calling me here late at night. Can I give you any important instructions?" Hu Shangyi bowed and said.

Gao Yuan was still impressed by Hu Shangyi. The first time he met was Hu Tongxun in the Hu Mansion. Hu Tongxun was then valued, and then Gao Yuan loves the house and Wu began to be willing to promote Hu Shangyi.

However, Hu Shangyi's ability is indeed good. Perhaps with his father's guidance, Hu Shangyi is better than some old ministers in the court in many aspects.

Needless to say, Wei Zhengchun is the one who had already had contact with Gao Yuan when he was still the prince.

At that time, they were still in the Imperial College, but I don’t know if they had their own will. Yu Gongming and Wei Zhengchun welcomed the new emperor ascended the throne as soon as they completed their studies from the Imperial College. In addition, Gao Yuan was willing to cultivate his own power, and they quickly gained Gao Yuan’s attention because of their outstanding abilities.

It is proof that Yu Gongming was able to serve as the official and go to the border to discuss peace.

"Both of you are my own people. I really have important matters to discuss when I called you to the palace late at night." Gao Yuan looked serious and had a serious expression. Wei Zhengchun and Hu Shangyi looked at each other. It seemed that today's matter should not be a trivial matter.

"Your Majesty, please speak, we are willing to share your worries." The two of them bowed and said.

There are talented people in the world. Today's era is the era of their younger generation. Whether they are famous in history or are memorable will be answered in the near future.

"You and others think, what about Yan Shisong, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?" Gao Yuan said in a deep voice.

When Yan Shisong's name appeared, Wei Zhengchun and Hu Shangyi knew what Gao Yuan meant. Yan Shisong had no ability to serve as the Secretary of the House, and he relied on his own flattery to become the Secretary of the House.

The Minister of Revenue was a fat man, and the Minister of Revenue was more or less unclear in history, but it was the first time he saw him as bold as Yan Shisong.

The Ministry of Revenue, the counselor, and the minister of the Ministry of Revenue, did not spend money, at least 10,000 taels, or even 100,000 taels.

The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of finance, taxation and collection, because the one who has the closest contact with the Ministry of Revenue is the merchants. Dafeng and the merchants have a low status, but this does not prevent them from making money.

Among the six ministries of Dafeng, the Ministry of Revenue was the Ministry of Revenue. Within two years when Yan Shisong served as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, officials and businessmen colluded with each other, forged account books, accepted bribes, and the amount of embezzlement was jaw-dropping.

After the border war ended, if Gao Yuan wants to rectify the government and eliminate the administration of officials, he must first start with corruption, and Yan Shisong is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Hu Shangyi and Wei Zhengchun also heard about Yan Shisong's character and style. After a conspiracy between the emperor and his ministers, they quickly came up with an arrest plan against Yan Shisong.

"Your Majesty, Yan Shisong is a minister left by the previous emperor and has close contact with Xue Xun, the Minister of Justice. If we touch Yan Shisong, will it cause a misunderstanding of Lord Xue?" Hu Shangyi said cautiously.

Gao Yuan stood up and walked, and after some thought, "Yan Shisong's evidence of his crime is conclusive. Even if Lord Xue makes trouble in front of me, I have something to say."

"We understand."

Gao Yuan nodded and said, "Since that's the case, I will work hard for you. At that time, I will ask the Yindu Protectorate of the Imperial Army to help you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

...

December of the fifth year of Yongping, Dafeng.

The cold wind was biting and the snow was flying. On the bluestone road in the western city of Yindu, a group of prisoners in prison uniforms were tied up and taken to the execution ground. It was Yang Zhaosi who was responsible for escorting these corrupt officials.

Yang Zhaosi rode a maroon horse with a sword around his waist and walked in front of the team. Behind him, a group of yamen runners escorted prisoners with as many as thirty people to follow him.

These prisoners were thin and had undressed hair, and were shaking all over, with blue faces. This scene was already extremely miserable, and the snow fell on the streets made them even more desolate.

The one who walked in front of these prisoners was Yan Shisong, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of the Fengfeng Ministry. Yan Shisong never thought that he would fall into two newcomers.

When he fell, all the officials who were taken down were affected. The entire Ministry of Revenue had a great purge from beginning to end. When Gao Yuan, who was in the morning, learned that the entire Ministry of Revenue was corruption and bribed, he was almost angry and ordered all the officials to be sentenced to be executed. This made Xue Xun, who had originally wanted to speak up and protect Yan Shisong, dared not speak.

The snowflakes fell on Yan Shisong's face, and the biting cold. Yan Shisong pursed his cracked lips and said in a hoarse voice, "Mr. Yang, I'm thirsty, can I drink it with a saliva?"

Yang Zhaosi frowned slightly, looking at Lord Shangshu who didn't even look at him on weekdays, begging him so humbly, and he felt a little emotional and good at making people mess with others, but he couldn't blame others. They just blamed him for everything.

"I'm going to the execution ground soon. When I get to the place, I'll have people to drink water for you." Yang Zhao said helplessly.

There are rules for beheading in Dafeng. The beheaded prisoners are allowed to be escorted by the yamen runners down the street one hour before the execution. When the yang energy is the most powerful one day, they will kneel on the execution ground for a quarter of an hour before the beheading, so as to accept the slaughtered meal given by the people.

Generally, prisoners will eat silenced food before execution. If there is no people sending them to you, the officials in charge will prepare a copy so that they can set off with peace of mind.

After hearing Yang Zhaosi's words, Yan Shisong smiled helplessly. No one knew better about his reputation in Yindu. At this time, the people would deliver food to him. If they didn't throw eggs and leaves away, they would be more decent. Thank God.

The person in charge of the execution was Xue Xun, the Minister of Justice. It was snowing heavily. Seeing Yan Shisong and other officials kneeling on the execution ground, Xue Xun sighed.

Yang Zhaosi dismounted and bowed to Xue Xun and said, "Mr. Xue, prisoner Yan Shisong and other thirty-one people have been brought here. Please give me a speech."

"Go down."

Xu Xun waved his hand, Yang Zhaosi bowed and stood on the side of the execution ground. Soon, a group of executioners with bare arms and holding the Nine-ring machete came to the execution ground, holding the hilt of the knife in his hand, standing behind Yan Shisong and others.

The moment they knelt on the ground, the people rushed up with prepared meals, including rice, noodles, and some wine and meat with good conditions.

The officials on the execution ground were crying and eating their dead headed rice. This was their last meal before their death, and they were stuffed into their stomachs with no chance of life.

These officials usually oppress the people and act as a blessing, but at the last moment when they were beheaded, they came to send them and brought them the last meal with the people who were always bullied by them, which was more or less a satirical.

As Yan Shisong expected, no one came to deliver food to him from beginning to end. A burst of sad tears couldn't help but fall from the eyes of this corrupt official, with regret, unwillingness, and self-blame, but no matter what, there is no medicine for regret in the world, and everything is a foregone conclusion.

At this time, a bowl of steaming soup suddenly appeared in front of him. Yan Shisong raised his head unexpectedly and saw that the girl who appeared in front of him with the hot soup was actually a girl who looked only seven or eight years old. The girl was wearing a large cotton coat that had been sewn countless times, and her hands were exposed to her soup bowl, and her face was red with a chilled red.

Yan Shisong pursed his cracked lips and opened his mouth hard. The little girl put the bowl on Yan Shisong's mouth very sensible, rolling her throat, and drinking a bowl of hot soup. Although it was just a bowl of the most ordinary corn soup, in Yan Shisong's opinion, this was definitely the best soup she had ever drunk.

"Thank you, little girl." Yan Shisong's face showed a long-lost smile. This should be the most sincere time he has been an official.

The little girl didn't say anything, and ran back to her mother with an empty bowl, then hid behind the woman, looking at Yan Shisong timidly.

Yan Shisong looked at the little girl, tears burst out from her eyes, and she burst into tears in an instant, regretting that there were so many great ways in the world, but why did he choose a dead end?

"Bang."

It was already three o'clock, and the drums sounded, and the entire execution ground became quiet. Xue Xun, who was in charge of the execution, took out a red arrow with the word "Slaying" printed on the table and threw it out suddenly.

"Execution."

The executioner drank and sprayed a knife. The big knife was extremely shiny. Yan Shisong slowly closed his eyes, and the woman in front of him also reached out to cover the eyes of the little girl beside him.

"Bang..."

The sword fell, and the body separated, and the blood stained the falling snow on the execution ground red, making it dazzling.

After the execution, the little girl's mother took the little girl's hand and came to Yang Zhaosi. The woman said tremblingly, "Sir, according to your instructions, the porridge is also given. Look..."

Yang Zhaosi looked at the little girl and smiled slightly, took out a ingot of silver from his waist, slowly leaned over and placed it on the little girl, and at the same time gently touched the little girl's head and said, "Little girl, you are very brave. Tell me, are you afraid?"

The little girl shook her head and hid behind the woman with the silver.
Chapter completed!