"Liu Bozhou is Liu Yushi's eldest son?" He Qizhou suddenly asked.
"Yes, Liu Jin'an was serving as a military advisor under Yang Zheng at that time, and his ingenuity was not inferior to that of He Qingshan. Lianjie outside the Pass had his credit, so after escaping from danger, he was promoted rapidly. At that time, his son was arranged to serve as a reconnaissance cavalry in the rear army."
"What about Wang Zhiyi?" He Qizhou continued to ask.
Zhang Zhiren said: "I have actually investigated this. Shortly after he was questioned by the Ministry of Punishment, he drowned. Someone witnessed him drowning himself in the river. The Ministry of Punishment concluded that Wang Zhiyi was unable to accept the defeat in the war and his colleagues died tragically.
He chose to commit suicide. When his family came from Hebei to collect the body, they made trouble for a while, and then left after receiving the pension from the court."
"There seems to be something wrong with this. There must be a suicide note or something, right?" He Qizhou said.
"No, even if there is a problem, there is no evidence. After so many years, there is no way to investigate." Zhang Zhiren sighed.
"By the way, the file says that Ye Xu was an orphan from Jiangling Prefecture with no relatives or friends. He later joined the Huashan Sect and then went on an expedition with the Huashan disciples. Do you know who he went to the Huashan Sect with? Who did he study under?" He Qizhou said again
asked.
Zhang Zhiren said: "About Ye Xu, he was the one who made the most detailed investigation at that time. He is from the same hometown as you and is also from Jiangjun County. After his parents died when he was nine years old, he was raised by his uncle's family. When he was fifteen years old, two members of his uncle's family
The old man also passed away, and he went to Huashan to study. After being recommended by He Qingshan, he became a disciple of Elder Zhongfeng, and later followed He Qingshan into the army. Due to He Qingshan's rebellion, many people suspected that Ye Xu was lying.!"
He Qizhou asked again: "Why is this not in the file? How did you learn about it?"
"For this case, these contents are not very important, because there are too many files, and they have all been transferred to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for follow-up investigation. I went there once two years ago, and I have looked through the files there no less than three times.
." Zhang Zhiren said.
"By the way, I found out that the chief prosecutor of the Privy Council is Liu Jin'an. I guess he also investigated these, right? Isn't he from the Pioneer Army? Why did he also participate in the investigation?" He Qizhou asked.
Zhang Zhiren nodded and said: "I did look carefully enough. Liu Jinan is the highest-ranking surviving officer in Yang Zheng's vanguard army. Having him participate in the investigation can, firstly, convince the soldiers who escaped. Secondly, he does have this talent.
It was the emperor's order to transfer him to the Privy Council, and it was meant to comfort Yang Dang. Besides, he was also familiar with the situation at that time. As for Ye Xu's origins, he did learn about it after extensive investigation.
Later, Ye Xu was transferred to the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Liu Jinan was neither a member of the prince nor a confidant of the three families, so the emperor also transferred him. On the one hand, he wanted him to continue investigating the case, and on the other hand, it was also to balance the imperial court.
The strength of all parties.”
"Can I ask Yushi Liu about the investigation of the case? Or meet Ye Xu?" He Qizhou asked.
Zhang Zhiren hesitated for a while and said: "Actually, I have already asked everything that should be asked. I suggest you not to ask anymore. If you really don't want to, I won't stop you. Just be careful not to make too much noise."
"Yes, I understand. Mr. Zhang, in the next few days, I want to go to the Ministry of Punishment to take a look at Wang Zhiyi's case. Can I ask you for leave?" He Qizhou said.
"Okay. That's the prince's territory. I've never found a reason to check their files. You can just go and take a look. Maybe you can actually find out something. Again, keep the noise low." Zhang Zhiren
He nodded, although He Qizhou would face some difficulties, but he would not be able to sleep well if he could not find the truth.
…
The next morning, after He Qizhou arrived in Huazhu, he first went back to the military equipment hall. As soon as he entered the small courtyard, he was grabbed by the anxious Liu Junzhi: "Oh, why are you back? My father will send someone to the Privy Council early in the morning to find you.
you."
"What's the matter?" He Qizhou asked.
Liu Junzhi hurriedly pulled He Qizhou into the room, closed the door, and whispered: "My father said that your plan has caused trouble. It will be brought to the court by Chen Yu this morning. He can't stop it. My father said
If I ask you to add more details right away, just say that you are young and ignorant, and some of your ideas are really unrealistic..."
He Qizhou said: "I know it will offend some people, but since I have written it, I am not afraid of taking it to the court for discussion. What does it matter?"
Liu Jun said anxiously: "Are you stupid? If you don't do it well, you will lose your head! Last night my father specially called me back to tell you how to remedy it. You hurry up and draft it, and I will tell you how to write it!"
He Qizhou said: "Thank you, and your father. I know you have good intentions, but I'm not afraid, and I won't do anything to shrink back from the battle. I'm going to the Ministry of Justice now. If I have any questions, I'll talk about it tonight.
"
He Qizhou said goodbye to Liu Junzhi, who was still looking frightened, and went straight to the Ministry of Justice. When he arrived at the concierge, he asked people how to access the files.
The official on duty at the concierge immediately greeted him enthusiastically. He Qizhou was now well-known and had the opportunity to serve him and build up personal connections. How could he let it go so easily? He Qizhou was taken to the archive room with brisk steps.
He Qizhou didn't expect that it would be much more convenient for the Ministry of Justice to access archives than it was for the Privy Council. The people in the archives room asked him about the area he wanted to check, and after a year, they took him directly into the archives and told him how to search. With He Qizhou's rank, as long as he didn't take it out,
, all files can be read, and of course, there will be someone watching to prevent tampering and theft.
With the guidance of the supervisor, He Qizhou quickly found the files from the Xifengkou trial, which were almost the same as those submitted to the Privy Council. There was just an extra record after Wang Zhiyi's confession. It was about Wang.
After my father and brother received two hundred taels of pension money from the Ministry of War, they came to the Yamen of the Ministry of Punishment to cause mischief.
Because Wang's brother made a big fuss, he was given twenty canes in court and kicked out. Wang's father went to the Metropolitan Procuratorate to file a complaint, but the Metropolitan Procuratorate kicked him back to the Ministry of Punishment. Unable to bear the harassment, the Ministry of Punishment did not dare to complain.
The military officials were too harsh and allocated four hundred taels of silver from the treasury before sending the father and son away.
He Qizhou vaguely felt that something was wrong, but could not find the crux, so he started thinking hard in the archive room. At this time, the Jianji Palace was already very noisy...
"Your Highness, what are you waiting for? How can we be lenient with such outrageous remarks! If these thieves don't get justice on the spot, how long will it take?" shouted Ding Qishan, the Minister of Rites. Ding Qishan, the Minister of Rites, was a close confidant of the King of Wu and a die-hard Chen party member.
"What is Master Ding's name? Can't you say something properly?" Liu Yan accused.
When Chen Yu saw Liu Yan speaking, he no longer remained silent and said: "Sir Liu, this proposal despises the ancestral law and should be punished as a crime of gross disrespect. It is understandable that Ding Shangshu is filled with righteous indignation."
Zhang Zhiren said: "Mr. Chen, is there any unchangeable method in the past dynasties? The sages said: the people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least. How to consolidate the government and how to benefit the people's livelihood, that is the feasible method. Although this twist
It’s radical, but its original intention is not bad, and it seems that it shouldn’t be concluded in vain.”
Chen Yudao: "What Mr. Zhang said is absolutely true, but this proposal is very similar to the previous dynasty's favor order. It caused the kings to rebel and the world was in chaos. Wouldn't Mr. Zhang not know about it?"
Wan Zhiyuan, the Minister of Criminal Affairs, said anxiously: "Master Chen, today is different from the past. That was thousands of years ago. At that time, the prince had a large army in his hands! And after the rebellion was suppressed, the world was peaceful for a long time."
Zhu Xinchuan, the minister of the Ministry of War, said unconvinced: "Then you can guarantee that nothing will happen again this time? How can we go to fight with the Northern Zhou Dynasty if something happens?"
"If the army and the people work together, we can fight!" Xu Qinghan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, said with a hoarse throat. He was the only person who fully agreed to implement this proposal just now, and he also received the most questioning.
Pang Yuan, the censor of Youdu, finally said: "I also think we can try some of the contents. Mr. Xu has seen too much suffering among the people in the past two years. As ministers, we have to think of a solution."
"Pang Daren means that the sufferings of the people are all caused by the Jiang family? Or does Mr. Xu think so?" King Cheng, who was sitting opposite the prince, finally couldn't help but ask.
"I don't dare to be an official," Pang Yuan said hurriedly. He was considered to be Qingliu's second-in-command, but when faced with King Cheng's questioning, he suddenly lost his confidence.
"Master Xu?" Jiang Gui asked Xu Qinghan again.
Xu Qinghan said: "The suffering of the people is not caused by the royal family. Natural disasters, wars, and corrupt officials are all caused. However, if the reform can be successful, the people will be prosperous, and it will be a great good thing for the royal family."
"Could it be that He Qizhou's memorial was ordered by Mr. Xu?" Jiang Di, the minister of Dali Temple, suddenly asked. He was one of the few capable figures in the Xiao family in the court.
"That's what I originally intended. You can think whatever Mr. Jiang wants to think." Xu Qinghan's original intention was to wait until the war to propose the reduction of the vassal state. Seeing He Qizhou rashly proposed, his idea was even bolder than his own. If he didn't stop him,
The guy in front is really in trouble.
Zuodu Yushi Liu Jin'an said: "I believe that Mr. Xu and He Qizhou both have innocent hearts, but the reform cannot be solved with a simple sentence or two."
"Yes, this reform has changed over and over again, but in the end it is the people who suffer. Mr. Xu, don't forget the lessons learned from the previous dynasties."
"Our Jiang family has conquered the world. If we pay taxes and divide the land, will we all be forced to farm in the future?" a clan member yelled.
"Sir Xu, that leak may shake the foundation of the country. What are your intentions?"
"He Qizhou is young. He just got the reward and forgot about it. He spoke without shame and made such rebellious lies. If this trend continues, how can we deal with it?"
"The war is imminent, and those who raise this issue should be punished for shaking the morale of the military!"
…
For a time, there was constant verbal and written criticism, all from the Chen Party and the Xiao Party, and many clan members also joined the fray, drowning out the several voices defending He Qizhou.
"Stop!" Prince Jiang Shan shouted: "It's getting late, let's discuss it tomorrow."
"Retreat from the imperial court——" Eunuch Tang ended the argument with an expressionless expression.