Listening to Xu Jingzong's heart-wrenching words, Pei Huaijie's face trembled uncontrollably. However, no matter how panicked and anxious he was in his heart, as Fang Jun said, there was not much time left for him. Every time he delayed, there would be
Maybe one more official will plead guilty, accept punishment, and be convicted.
But how can he be willing to ask him to order the boycott to be canceled and make huge concessions to make up for his previous wrong judgment?
Pei Huaijie suddenly realized that something was wrong. Since it was an edict issued to the world, it should be clearly stated to the world. Countless messengers would set off from Chang'an and go to all parts of the world. All the post stations were activated. After the messengers arrived at the state capitals, they would be passed down from state to level.
edict.
Although the Hedong Saltworks is not the seat of the state government, Fang Jun and the "Three Law Divisions" gathered there, so naturally there should be messengers there.
Compared with Chang'an to Luoyang, it is obviously faster to travel from Chang'an to Hedong Yanchi. Fang Jun and others should have received the imperial edict first. But why did they rush to Luoyang in full force as if they didn't know about it?
During the interrogation, he didn’t care whether the entire Henan government overreacted because of this?
The only explanation is that Fang Jun and others already knew the contents of the edict, so they made a time lag and came to Luoyang to interrogate the Henan officials and quickly convicted them, making these people's crimes a solid case.
In this way, when many officials were convicted and the "redemption" system was abolished, they had to make huge concessions. Otherwise, how could they watch those convicted officials have their careers cut off and never be hired?
As Xu Jingzong said, these officials are the most outstanding children of each family. How many such outstanding children can each family have?
If once destroyed, the Henan family will never recover...
Pei Huaijie looked at Fang Jun and Xu Jingzong in shock and anger, how vicious they were!
If they had known about the edict in advance, the officials of Henan Prefecture would naturally not have bowed their heads and confessed. In this way, they would not have been deeply involved in it and would have been restrained everywhere. Even if they compromised, the price paid would not have been too high. Nowadays, people are under the knife, so I am.
Fish and meat can only be slaughtered.
When the officials have already pleaded guilty, if they want the "three-law division" to cancel the trial results and not pursue the results, the price they have to pay is simply unimaginable...
However, Xu Jingzong didn't know Fang Jun's plot behind him, and he didn't think about it at the moment. When he saw Pei Huaijie staring at him in shock and anger, he felt a sense of pleasure in torturing his prey, so he smiled and said: "Pei Mansion
Has Yin figured out the pros and cons? Or should he seize the opportunity? Now that His Highness is here, he can still order the "Three Laws Division" to open up a little. But if he waits until His Highness changes his mind, others will not be able to take care of the officials of Henan Prefecture even if they are willing to take care of them.
It’s because of a weak will.”
Pei Huaijie knew that now was not the time to be resentful. Even if he was shamelessly led into the trap by these people and lost his troops and territory, he could only try to minimize the losses.
Taking a deep breath, he ignored Xu Jingzong and looked at Wei Wang Li Tai: "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and everyone in Henan Mansion heartily supports him. We are willing to serve your Majesty's great cause."
He did not care at all whether "abolition of punishment and redemption" would cause violent turmoil in the world, because he could not wait. If this edict of "abolition of punishment and redemption" was implemented in the world, then the officials of Henan Prefecture would suffer disaster.
This was also a ruthless expenditure by Fang Jun and others, who did not give the Henan aristocratic family a chance to react calmly. They either stood firm and strongly resisted the central government, or they stopped and expressed surrender, and opened up the access control of the aristocratic family members for the policy of "measuring acres of land".
Pei Huaijie didn't dare to gamble, as he and the Henan family would never be able to bear the consequences.
Li Tai raised his eyebrows: "This matter is not my responsibility. You should talk to Xu Shangshu."
Pei Huaijie said calmly: "In the past, this man was sitting in the dormitory of Emperor Taizong, doing nothing, but now he has stepped up to take charge of the ministry. He is just a lucky person, how can he take on such a big responsibility?"
These words did not take Xu Jingzong seriously at all, and were more or less "resentful" of His Majesty's mismanagement of personnel.
Although Xu Jingzong was furious in his heart, his face remained unchanged and he said indifferently: "In the past, I had few talents and little knowledge. Naturally, I didn't dare to steal high positions as shamelessly as some people. Otherwise, if the area under my jurisdiction is governed only by the aristocratic families and not the central government, how can I be worthy of it?"
How can Emperor Taizong's sincere teachings be worthy of His Majesty's kindness?"
Pei Huaijie's face was ashen. This was a complete denial of his political achievements over the years, saying that he only had eyes for the aristocratic family, not His Majesty... But he couldn't refute it, because that was the fact.
But he was also aggrieved. Since Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty established the Sui Dynasty, nowhere in the world has this not been the case? Not only the feudal officials have to look at the eyes of the family members, and they can only govern with the support of the family members, even the underground state and county officials.
They are all children of aristocratic families. These official positions not only guarantee the way for the children of aristocratic families to become officials, but in turn can also safeguard the interests of the family.
Both the Sui and Tang dynasties were founded by aristocratic families. Transferring local governance power to aristocratic families was a compromise between the center and the local government. This was the prerequisite and foundation for the stability of the world.
Why has it become a sin to be attached to a wealthy family now?
*****
The edict of "abolition of penalty and redemption" was issued all over the world. The first place to make waves was naturally Chang'an, which gathered the largest number of meritorious officials, officials, aristocratic families, and nobles. These people suddenly woke up and found that the privilege of "penalty and redemption" had been abolished. It was equivalent to
How can you be willing to obey even if you take off a layer of amulet from them?
A huge wave suddenly set off, and it was so powerful that it crashed on the shore.
This wave first started among students in Chang'an, especially in higher education institutions such as Guozixue, Taixue, and Simenxue. Most of the students obtained their admission qualifications from "Yinmeng", which was due to their family background, or
Meritorious service or family background are all beneficiaries of "penalty and redemption". Now that "penalty and redemption" has been deposed, there is naturally an uproar and the sky is full of uproar.
Even under the obstruction of some people, many students walked out of the school, walked into the streets, and headed straight towards the imperial city, intending to reach Chengtian Gate and try to persuade His Majesty to take back his orders...
Officials and dignitaries in the city also wrote letters one after another, and the memorials flew into the Zhongshu Province like snowflakes. Faced with these fierce memorials, more than ten general officials suddenly felt overwhelmed.
It is not easy to organize them in batches, and there are many fierce words in the memorials. Some people even wrote sentences such as "treacherous traitors harm the country", "the emperor is ignorant", "treacherous traitors cherish evil intentions and disrupt Taizong's laws and regulations of the country" and so on.
The words are also endless. If they are all reported truthfully, wouldn't it set off a vigorous prison?
They can only be sorted out in batches and submitted to the political hall for the prime ministers and assistants to consider and choose.
The small general secretary is only a sixth-rank official, and he cannot bear too many responsibilities. It is better to let the big-headed ministers and assistants carry it...
In the political hall, the prime ministers, ministers, and counselors were all calm. From the time when the edict of "deposing, punishing, and redeeming" was drafted in the Wude Hall, they had already foreseen that this move would inevitably arouse opposition from all over the world, and it was understandable that there would be ups and downs.
But different camps, different interests, and different ways of handling things will be different.
Li Xiaogong, the prince of Hejian County who served as the Minister of Rites, looked angry and slapped the table and cursed: "Are you all out of your mind? Even if you misunderstand your Majesty's edict, you should give reasonable advice and advice, but you actually said, 'The king is ignorant'"
Such disrespectful words, how can you see the slightest sign of superiority or inferiority in your eyes? Immediately inform Dali Temple to send people to arrest all these people and interrogate them strictly. There must be someone behind it who intends to bring trouble to Chao Gang!"
There has been an undercurrent brewing in the clan for a long time. Wouldn't adding this trend now add fuel to the flames?
Once the clan comes into contact with the outside world, no one can control the direction of the situation, and the consequences will be disastrous.
This trend must be severely stamped out.
Liu Jie had a different opinion: "Why is the prince so irritable? The officials collectively wrote a letter just to express their own opinions because the matter was huge and had far-reaching influence. Even if the words are a little radical, it is understandable. Datang
There has never been a case of being punished for speaking out. Could it be that the prince is planning to set a precedent for obstructing remonstrance and isolating China and foreign countries?"
Most of the people making trouble in Chang'an City are civil servants from the Six Ministries and Nine Temples, as well as some students from Guozixue, Taixue, and Four Schools. And these students are all reserve officials and are considered to be within the "civilian" system. If this is
Everyone was arrested, which was a huge blow to the civil service system, and an immeasurable blow to Liu Jie's prestige.
On the contrary, although the nobles were dissatisfied, because the top Zhenguan ministers were gradually withering away, the remaining two or three kittens did not dare to make trouble...
And this is what Li Xiaogong didn't like very much about Liu Ji. He only cared about factional disputes and only talked about each other's positions, not only ignoring right and wrong, but also ignoring national interests.
"Liu Zhongshu's words are wrong. If the current trend is allowed to go unchecked, where will the authority of the central government be? Where is the majesty of His Majesty? The edict to abolish the 'punishment and redemption' was a conclusion reached by His Majesty and all the ministers together. Since the ministers and ministers also
The imperial edict was signed and stamped, so why are you now shifting all responsibilities to His Majesty? Since Liu Zhongshu regards those officials and students as his lords and subordinates, please come forward to refute the rumors at this time and set the record straight."
The two of them were quarreling and fighting endlessly, while the other prime ministers stood aside and did not interfere.
Everyone knows that His Majesty is merciful and will definitely not hold Shangshu officials accountable, let alone arrest those students who took to the streets to make noise and make trouble. This matter can only be left alone. Anyway, tens of thousands of troops are guarding Chang'an inside and outside the city.
, no one can cause too much trouble.
Now, we should pay more attention to the clan, lest those princes and heirs with ulterior motives take the opportunity to incite officials and students to make a fuss that cannot be ended.
However, Prince Hejian, who has great prestige within the clan, did not mention a word about this, and Zong Zhengqing, His Royal Highness King Han, seemed to disappear, leaving others surprised and not knowing how to intervene.
Is it possible that there is something hidden in it?
So everyone can stay calm.
Moreover, although the current situation is full of rumors and the whole city of Chang'an is in a quarrel, compared with the collapse of the earth when Changsun Wuji and King Jin rebelled twice, it is really only a small scene.
After reorganizing and reorganizing, the Bei Ya Forbidden Army has fully taken control of Guanzhong, and Chang'an City is as solid as a rock. Anyone who wants to have the slightest idea is in vain.
Since the edict of "deposing, punishing, and redeeming" has been approved by the Prime Minister and promulgated throughout the world, it is a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed.
On the contrary, all states and counties in the world, especially those places where aristocratic families are deeply rooted, need to be careful to avoid unexpected disturbances...
Liu Jie and Li Xiaogong quarreled for a while, then changed the topic and reminded: "It's okay in Chang'an City. After all, the world is at the feet of the imperial capital. There is no chaos even if you want to. But now the 'Three Law Divisions' have gathered in Luoyang to challenge the officials of Henan Prefecture."
Large-scale interrogations were launched, and the law of 'penalty and atonement' was abolished, and criminals were not allowed to pay for their crimes with money. As a result, countless officials in Henan Prefecture cut off their official careers, and I am afraid that the entire Henan Prefecture will be in chaos."