Pei Huaijie was so angry that his eyes seemed to burst out with fire. He glared at Dai Zhou angrily and gritted his teeth and said: "You also know the law? Which law stipulates that a case of 'insult' requires the audit of the account books? You are in charge of the imperial judiciary, but this
It is so shameless to ignore the law!"
Outside the hall, all the officials from Henan Prefecture also stared angrily.
After staying in the same yamen for many years, no matter what the factions are, the basic interests of each other are constantly involved. Everyone will be prosperous and everyone will suffer losses. Now these big bosses insist on auditing the account books. Once something is found out in the audit, it will be difficult to end it.
After all, Pei Huaijie was a second-rank official, a feudal official, and even had a talisman like "Zhenguan Xunchen", which meant that he would serve until he retired. But once officials like them were affected, not only would they not be able to protect themselves, but their whole family might even suffer.
…
Seeing that he had offended the public, Liu Xiangdao sighed and said to Pei Huaijie: "Originally, His Majesty told him that he would only come to interrogate the 'insult' case this time, but with Pei Fuyin's denial and resistance, we can't hide it, so we can only
To tell the truth: when Yushitai received the memorial to impeach Pei Fuyin, it was not just about 'insulting', it was about 'protecting the aristocratic family and concealing the secrets', using money to buy corvee and persecuting good people, 'relocating good people to annex their fields'...
One by one, does Pei Fuyin really want to take them out and examine them one by one?"
Pei Huaijie's face was ashen, but he had to shut up.
How can aristocratic families remain prosperous for decades, hundreds or even hundreds of years?
It's actually very simple - annex land.
In a farming society, with land comes wealth, with wealth comes Dingkou, and with Dingkou you can thrive for a while, and then establish a solid family business, shelving countless books, and only allowing your own children to study and monopolize knowledge.
At this point, you can monopolize the way to get an official position.
Imperial power and aristocratic families have never had the same interests, but the emperor has to rely on the children of aristocratic families to govern the country, because all the scholars in the world are descendants of aristocratic families. What can the emperor do? You can't let illiterate peasants govern the country, right?
The family clan is getting stronger and stronger, forming a vicious circle.
As the governor of Henan and the "spokesperson" elected by the aristocratic families, Pei Huaijie had the obligation to assist the aristocratic families in the land annexation.
However, land annexation has never been gentle and polite, and it is a gradual process. The process is accompanied by sin and blood, natural disasters, lending, usury, bankruptcy, selling oneself, and slavery... The nobles of the aristocratic families opened their bloody mouths and swallowed up the common people bit by bit.
, using the flesh and blood of the common people to nourish the luxury of the nobles.
The several crimes listed by Liu Xiangdao are exactly the methods used by the aristocratic family to devour the common people. How could Pei Huaijie stay out of it?
These things are done all over the world, but they are against the law no matter what. As long as they are listed one by one, the evidence will be conclusive and irrefutable.
Of course, this is a "hidden rule" that everyone knows, and usually no one would use this as a means of struggle.
But now is not an ordinary time. Since His Majesty is determined to suppress the family, it is natural that he must fundamentally destroy the foundation of the family. It is very likely that Pei Huaijie will become the first "family spokesperson" to be cut off after the founding of the country...
…
Pei Huaijie had to give up resistance, but Liu, Dai, and Zhang did not go to war violently. Instead, they steadily advanced one by one, investigating witnesses, collecting evidence, and verifying account books at the same time, without any rush or haste.
It doesn't seem to be fully activated.
…
Taking off his official robe and holding an oil-paper umbrella, Pei Huaijie wore a round-collared uniform and a futou and walked on the drizzling streets. His mood became more and more depressed because of the weather. With a cold face, he walked among several servants.
Accompanied by his wife, he left the city from Xuanrenmen in the East City, walked eastward along Xuanrenmen Street, and arrived at a temple in Guiyifang.
The temple is small and dense with ancient trees. The Han Canal, dug from the northern foot of Mang Mountain to divert water from the Han River, flows southward on the east side of the temple, connects with the Cao Canal in the south of Guiyi Square, and then flows southward into the Luoshui River.
Sitting in the monastery facing the Han Canal, Pei Huaijie felt a little relieved after opening the window and looking at the wide waterway under the misty rain and the green willow trees on both sides.
After drinking two cups of tea, the attendant took Zhang Liang inside.
Pei Huaijie motioned to the servant standing beside him to bring a new pot of tea, and motioned for Zhang Liang to take a seat: "We have been friends for many years, why should we be so polite? Hurry up and take a seat."
Zhang Liang didn't say much, gathered up his clothes, and knelt down opposite Pei Huaijie.
The servant made a new pot of tea, bowed and left.
Pei Huaijie held the pot and poured tea with his own hands.
Zhang Liang thanked him, took a sip of tea, savored the sweetness, looked out the open window and admired the scenery, and sighed: "The royal aura of Chang'an is condensed, simple and heavy, but it is not as luxurious and beautiful as Luoyang. My brother has guarded Luoyang for many years.
It is really enviable to have outstanding achievements and enjoy glory at the same time.”
In the first year of Wude, Zhang Liang and Li Ji surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. In the fourth year of Wude, Li Ji was ordered to attack Liu Heita and ordered Zhang Liang to guard Xiangzhou. However, Zhang Liang was afraid of the enemy's power and abandoned the city and fled. Later, he was recommended by Fang Xuanling.
Only then was he able to defect to the King of Qin Li Shimin and enter the "Tiance Mansion" as a chariot general.
At that time, Zhang Liang was not well-known and was reduced to the lowest rank among the generals in Tiance Mansion, while Pei Huaijie was also firmly suppressed by Yu Shinan, Du Ruhui, Chu Liang, Yu Zhining and others. The two neglected brothers hugged each other to keep warm.
There was also a warm friendship.
Pei Huaijie said angrily: "Right now, my brother is in danger and I can't protect myself. Are you saying this to take pleasure in others' misfortune?"
"how can that be possible?"
Zhang Liang shook his head, glanced outside the door, and then whispered: "Liu Zhongshu asked me to send you a message. You must resist it no matter what. As long as the strike and production shutdown continue in the salt field, the situation will inevitably change. By then, my brother will be able to escape."
.”
Pei Huaijie glanced at Zhang Liang in surprise, and then realized that Zhang Liang was actually Liu Ji's person...
From this point of view, Liu Jie was not suppressed as the outside world rumored and became the most incompetent Zhongshu Ling since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
After thinking about it for a while, he felt a little unsure and asked, "What is Liu Zhongshu's plan?"
It is possible to support him, but the consequences of being rejected are also very serious. Once Liu Jie cannot influence His Majesty's thoughts in court, then once he is found to have assisted aristocratic families in annexing land, randomly changing household registrations, apportioning corvees, etc., he will not be able to do anything illegal.
No room for error.
Zhang Liang said: "Why does Liu Zhongshu need to make any plans? The clan is now in an uproar and will change sooner or later."
Pei Huaijie nodded.
In fact, there is no need for real changes in the clan. As long as the turmoil continues, His Majesty will definitely change his mind and put all his efforts on appeasing the clan and stabilizing Guanzhong. How can he care about the "land of three rivers"?
Be it the Hedong Saltworks or our own side, all crises will be lifted immediately.
Without making an immediate decision, Pei Huaijie poured tea and asked, "What's going on with Fang Jun? Is it because he's so tough? Is it His Majesty's command, or is it Fang Jun's arbitrary decision?"
Mentioning Fang Jun, Zhang Liang still had lingering fears. In fact, he had been suppressed too hard by Fang Jun in the past few years, but the dignified minister Zhenguan was begging for mercy like a dog-legger: "I don't know yet, but whether it was His Majesty's idea or Fang Jun's,
The consequences of this nonsense are really serious. I am afraid that a secret message has arrived from His Majesty at this moment, asking Fang Jun to make concessions."
The current Hedong Saltworks has attracted the attention of the entire world. Everyone knows that this is a fierce struggle between the imperial power and the aristocratic family. The victory or defeat here will mean the future relationship between the imperial power and the aristocratic family. If the imperial power wins, it will inevitably lead to a great victory.
The power is sweeping the world, and all aristocratic families will follow in the footsteps of the Hedong aristocratic family; if the Hedong aristocratic family wins, the imperial power will definitely shrink back to Guanzhong, and they will no longer dare to covet the foundation of the aristocratic family.
Until now, it was unanimously believed that Fang Jun was at a disadvantage.
The Hedong Family was too decisive. They went on strike and stopped production. Millions of people were faced with the situation of having no salt to eat. The impact was too great. If Fang Jun was not careful, it would trigger a violent turmoil and he would be trapped in it.
, it’s hard to extricate yourself.
Therefore, it is more likely that Fang Jun will give in in the end.
Pei Huaijie shook his head and sighed: "Fang Jun is worthy of the words of Emperor Taizong that he is 'a talented prime minister and assistant'. He is indeed remarkable."
Even if it ends with Fang Junzhi's concession, the division of interests in Yancheng, Hedong, will never return to what it was before. The so-called concession is that Fang Jun's "nationalization" of the salt farm has failed, but in fact, the interests of the Hedong family have lost at least 30%.
This is already a huge victory.
Zhang Liang nodded, with lingering fear: "That guy is indeed a capable man. His achievements today are definitely not due to the favor of the late emperor or his father's connections."
He was both "afraid" and "respectful" of Fang Jun, and would never dare to confront him head-on.
Pei Huaijie was silent for a while and said: "You should go back first, so as not to be found out by King Wei if you have been out for a long time."
Once the King of Wei discovered that he was conveying news to Pei Huaijie in private like this, he would most likely attack Zhang Liang...
"Then I'll take my leave for the time being. I'll take care of my brother in Chang'an in the future and get drunk before resting."
"Then let's look forward to the day."
…
Zhang Liang left, and Pei Huaijie sat there alone, having someone bring him a plate of cakes. He drank tea and ate the cakes. It was drizzling outside the window, the willows were green, and the pavilions and pavilions in the distance were rippling.
wide.
With Zhang Liang ventilated, he understood that His Majesty would not do anything to him. The purpose of ordering the "Sanfasi" boss to Luoyang with such great fanfare was to force him to resign and become an official. The purpose was to build the Eastern Capital for King Wei.
And Xu Jingzong measured the acres and cleared obstacles.
That being the case, what else is there to be afraid of?
All he has to do is control the situation and hold on while he can. It is best to hold on until the situation changes and everything will return to the original state. Even if he cannot, as long as he gives up at the most critical moment, His Majesty will most likely transfer him back to Chang'an.
Nothing goes wrong.
After finishing the pastries on the plate, he washed his hands with water and rinsed his mouth. Pei Huaijie stood up, straightened his clothes, took the oil-paper umbrella from the servant, and was about to go out and return to the official residence in Dongcheng.
A fast horse galloped forward, and the sound of hoofbeats was very clear in the drizzle and silence. When Pei Huaijie reached the door of the temple, he saw the knight arriving just in front of him. He dismounted and came quickly.
"Reporting to the governor, the Royal Navy came from the south of the canal, led by the Grand Governor Su Dingfang personally, and has arrived at Mengjin Ferry!"
Pei Huaijie's heart tightened. Su Dingfang led the navy to go north to Luoyang at this time. What was going on?