Chapter 577 The most impoverished and suspiciously honest official in Dayan
Yan Qing took the order and left.
After Yan Qing left, Wang Lin pondered for a long time alone in the imperial study. The faces of many important officials in the court kept appearing in his mind, and he frowned.
He knew clearly that this matter had nothing to do with good or evil, but only political interests.
As long as politics and power are involved in things in this world, everything will become impossible to reason with common sense, and even more difficult to measure with standards of right and wrong.
No matter how you look at it, Na Min and Sun Zhiliang are both honest and upright ministers, and they are definitely not treacherous or evil people.
But from the perspective of the old party, being able to unseat Han Ting and even many new party backbones will consolidate the old party camp. Moreover, in terms of the personal political interests of Sun Zhiliang and Na Min, this also means that the future
Opportunity to enter the cabinet.
Wang Lin sighed softly and suddenly felt a little headache.
He was actually a very simple man, but sitting in the position of emperor forced him to become a conspirator.
Wang Lin had a strong premonition in his heart that the final settlement of this matter would cause a huge shock in the court.
Neither the new party nor the old party will be winners.
How can one live like an ascetic with such an extremely high salary?
Yu Zhongchao deliberately maintained his image of integrity, which made people suspicious.
"I have always heard that Your Majesty Yu is an upright and honest official, and I can't believe it when I see you today. I am a minister of my great Yan Hu Gu and an important minister at that time. You actually live in this humble house and live a simple life. I really can't believe it.
"
Wang Lin walked along the quiet long street. Because most of the people living on this street were high-ranking officials from the court and middle government, there were few pedestrians in the streets and it was very quiet.
His cloak of integrity has become his exposed weakness.
Wang Lin smiled softly: "There is no need to say more to Aiqing. You are in the prime of life and will be fine after recovering from your illness. I will never mention the idea of begging for bones again. I will not be sure."
There is only a small patio in the outer courtyard of the Yu family, and two rows of tile-roofed wing rooms. Near the door of the woodshed, two old-looking yellow horses are tied.
Wang Lin was silent for a moment, waved his hand and said, "Explain it."
In fact, the environment of the Yu family's inner house is even more primitive, with almost no valuable furnishings. However, the courtyard is neat and tidy, which shows that the owner is capable.
The cabinet is headed by Li Gang. Generally speaking, as long as there are major matters in the government, Li Gang insists on discussing matters with everyone in the office of Zhengshitang, and rarely has private meetings at home.
It is said that among the high-ranking officials in the court, he was a poor person after Li Gang and Zongze. He had simple food and clothing, lived in a shabby house and was content.
Among the high-ranking civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty who were of third or higher rank, Yu Zhongchao was considered one of the ministers that Wang Lin admired more.
To all the ministers in the military department, I also refer to it as the humerus.
He once served as a Hanlin scholar in the imperial court, then served as an academic and political official in Shu, and then served as the chief official of a local state government for two terms. Before entering the imperial court, he served as the transfer envoy of Huainan Road. Although he was not very young, he had very senior qualifications.
The dignified commander of the Jinyi Guards actually appeared at the Yu family at this time...and Li immediately saw Wang Lin standing behind Yan Qing. She looked carefully and looked horrified.
Yan Qing cupped his hands as a courtesy: "My lord, Yan Qing, may I ask if Mr. Yu Zhongchao is here?"
…
Unexpectedly, he was caught by the emperor.
In addition, the basic salary is not only paid in money, but also in kind such as food (salary) and clothing materials (clothing gifts), which are also distributed according to different levels of official positions.
Li Gang, the highest-ranking civil servant in the cabinet, has a monthly income of 100 guan, while Wu Min, Zong Ze, Guo Zhishun, and Huang Qishan earn 90 guan.
For example, we, who had nothing to do with His Majesty in the past, are now in the position of prime minister and assistant? I hope you will not do this kind of putting the cart before the horse again in the future, which will arouse His Majesty's disgust, which is not good."
Your Majesty, I have been an official in the local area for many years, and I know how difficult people's livelihood is, so..." Yu Zhongchao seemed to cough violently because he suddenly said so many words. Mrs. Li hurriedly stepped forward and stroked his back for a long time.
, Yu Zhongchao calmed down.
Wang Lin had a brief chat with Yu Zhongchao at home, and seeing that he was out of breath and low on energy, he left hastily. With the support of Mrs. Li, Yu Zhongchao stood up forcibly, tremblingly sent the emperor and his entourage out of the house, shouting "Long Live Farewell"
.
"But Xiao Yi, don't you think it's strange?"
After walking for a while, Wang Lin suddenly stopped and turned around to look at Yan Qing, who had a somewhat emotional expression on his face. He smiled lightly and said, "Xiao Yi, how do you feel?"
Wang Lin walked towards Yu's house.
On the other hand, it doesn’t matter whether you are an old party or a new party, no matter how great your achievements are, if you dare to deceive me and bring trouble to the government, I will..."
That's all.
Wang Lin rejected Yu Zhongchao's begging for bones, and ordered Deng Pinzhong to promulgate his oral instructions to comfort Yu Zhongchao to rest in peace and recover from his illness.
Let's talk about the emperor at the other end, before entering the palace, he finally made a major decision: "Xiao Yi, order the Jinyi Guards to detect high-ranking officials above the third rank. Regardless of the old or new party, whenever there is a private gathering, I will be the first to do so.
Time knows.”
The servants were horrified when they saw that the emperor had arrived at the house incognito. However, he was stopped by the Jinyi guards who came in later. He was so frightened that he did not dare to say a word and allowed the emperor and Yan Qing to enter the inner house.
Na Min and Sun Zhiliang were so ashamed that they handed over their hands and stopped defending.
A woman's tired voice came from the room: "Xiulan, come in. It just so happens that the master has just taken medicine and needs some porridge."
Yan Qing bowed to receive the order.
The key is that as an emperor, even if he is not a winner, he must not become a loser.
Not long after, as expected by Wang Lin, Li Gang, Wu Min, Guo Zhishun, Huang Qishan, Zong Ze, Na Min and Sun Zhiliang were all in the Li Mansion. When they heard that the emperor had suddenly arrived, they had to come out of the house to welcome him.
Wang Lin raised his eyebrows. Deng Pinzhong was also a backbone of the old party. Just after the court meeting, Deng Pinzhong entered the palace to pay a visit. This was obviously a bit unusual.
Since Zhongchao took charge of the Yushitai, the atmosphere of government officials has suddenly become more solemn. There are rarely any false accusations and accusations, which shows Zhongchao's ability and skill.
Wang Lin sat on the main seat and said with a smile: "I went to visit the Yu family today. When I walked to the door of Prime Minister Li, I suddenly felt thirsty and wanted to ask for a glass of water. Unexpectedly, all of you are here."
Wang Lin smiled: "Mrs. Yu, please get up. I heard today that Mr. Yu is seriously ill, so I took the liberty to come to visit you. Please forgive me, madam."
…
The woman calmed down and felt slightly blessed: "It turns out that Marquis Yan is here to visit. I am the Li family, and my master is at home."
Regardless of whether it is a new party or an old party, as long as they serve the Yan Dynasty and are loyal to their family, country and the world, they are all good ministers. I will not treat any good minister badly in the future.
"The salaries of officials in our dynasty are even more generous than those in the previous Song Dynasty. This is due to the high salary and integrity that I advocated. Yu Zhong was an official for twenty-eight years. Even if he was not corrupt, he could still live with his normal salary.
How come you live such a miserable life with plenty of food and clothing?" Wang Lin said calmly.
Wang Lin's eyes were like daggers, he looked around at everyone and said slowly: "I will never be merciful! If you verify one person, kill another person, if you verify one party, I will kill the entire party!"
Li Gang and Wu Min looked at each other, feeling slightly embarrassed.
The chief officer of the Yushitai, Yushidaofu.
The candlelight in the main room was weak, and two figures were swaying.
This is an extremely simple house, with only one entrance and one exit. Compared with the mansions of many high-ranking officials in the surrounding areas, it is so eye-catching.
As soon as he finished speaking, a Jingchai woman in her forties, a commoner woman, pushed out the door. She was standing at the door and was about to call Xiulan, the only maid of the Yu family, when she suddenly saw Yan Qing in front of her, who was dressed in rich clothes and had an imposing look on her face.
Stay for a while.
It has an excellent reputation among both the government and the public.
Wang Linxin walked and stopped in front of Li Gang's mansion. He pondered for a while and directly ordered the Jin Yiwei to go and pass the message.
The lights in the room were dim. Yu Zhongchao stood up tremblingly and wanted to stay to see the emperor, but was stopped by Yan Qing.
Yan Qing was stunned: "Your Majesty..."
Even the gate of the palace was rusty and ventilated. As night fell, Wang Lin took Yan Qing and a few guards out of the palace and stood in the street where the Yu family was located, staring at the Yu family not far away.
Silent for a long time.
"Your Majesty, Yu Zhongchao, Yu Zhongchao, is seriously ill and cannot afford it, so he sent someone to the minister's house to ask him to convey to your majesty his memorial for begging for bones."
Wu Min and others looked at Na Min and Sun Zhiliang.
Of course, Yu Zhongchao is not necessarily a corrupt official, but he must be a person who is good at showing off and hiding.
His visit to Yu's house aroused Wang Lin's suspicion precisely because the Yu family was so poor, to an outrageous level.
"I don't like luxury. The simple food is enough for food and clothing. Although the shabby room is small, it is enough to shelter from the wind and rain. Compared with many poor people in the world, this is a rare enjoyment for me.
"Your Majesty, please give me some advice. I am all ears."
"Wait..." Li Gang's face turned red. He was about to explain a few words, but the emperor said unconcernedly: "Okay, dear friends, don't think too much. I'm here today, and Na Min and Sun Zhiliang are also here.
Just a few words to say.”
The woman has obviously heard of Yan Qing's name. It's no wonder that as the commander of the Royal Guards beside the emperor, everyone in the capital knows the name of Marquis Yan, not to mention that she is also a second-grade concubine.
Wang Lin looked at the veteran cabinet ministers kneeling in front of him, smiled slightly, waved his hand to signal them to get up, and then directly entered the flower hall of Li Mansion.
Therefore, I hope that there will be no chaos in the DPRK.
The basic salary of Dayan officials is first and foremost the salary.
At this time, the female official Shangguan Qing came to report: "Your Majesty, the Censor Zhongcheng Deng Pinzhong wishes to see you."
The use of troops requires stability in the rear.
Wang Lin said calmly: "Get over yourself. Deng Pinzhong, are you coming to see me to force me to remove Han Ting? If so, there is no need to speak."
Li was actually a little shocked.
Wang Lin suddenly laughed: "It is indeed too miserable. Ordinarily, I, the second-rank high-ranking official of Dayan, Dr. Zijin Guanglu, the chief official of the Royal Censorship Station, should not live such an ascetic life."
The following Jin Ziguanglu officials, such as Yu Zhongchao, the imperial censor, have about 60 guan, and even the lowest ninth-grade sesame official has a monthly salary of 7 guan.
Wang Lin fell silent and continued walking forward.
Wang Lin raised his head and looked at Deng Pinzhong: "What's the matter?"
When she first entered the palace to pay homage to the empress, she had met the emperor once.
The side rooms on both sides were dim and dim, with only dim candlelight coming from the archway leading to the back house.
But his mentality has changed now.
I trust all of you, including Na Min and Sun Zhiliang.
Yu Zhongchao? Begging for bones?
Wang Lin was stunned: "How old is this year in the Yu Zhong Dynasty?"
With all these things, it is difficult not to remind Wang Lin of those "poor and corrupt officials" who were good at pretending and performing in his previous life.
Yu Zhongchao was actually Deng Pinzhong's superior officer.
I can only tell you one thing, if your Majesty is displeased, even if you remove all the people from the Military and Aircraft Department, you will not be able to join the cabinet!"
I hope that Li Xiang can convey my wishes to the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
There is also a well in the courtyard and a lush ancient locust tree.
…
Wang Lin walked for a while and then suddenly said: "Xiao Yi, ordered someone to privately check Yu Zhongchao's family assets. After decades of ups and downs in officialdom, he must have accumulated a lot of wealth because he is so poor and frugal.
All the cabinet ministers gathered at the Li family, which in the eyes of the emperor probably became a fact of forming a party.
However, since the end of last year, Yu Zhongchao suddenly fell seriously ill and was bedridden. He has been taking leave of absence in the mansion to recuperate. The affairs of the Yushitai are basically decided by the Deputy Chief Yushi Zhongcheng Deng Pinzhong.
In fact, Na Min and Sun Zhiliang had just arrived when the emperor arrived.
Yan Qing sighed and said: "Your Majesty, I have never seen an official as honest and honest as Mr. Yu. It seems that even famous officials in ancient times are just like this."
Yu Zhongchao's face turned red and he said: "How dare I, an old minister, to accept your Majesty's praise? I am really ashamed.
Wang Lin glanced at Yu Zhongchao's bright eyes even though he was ill, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, you should be a role model for courtiers! Throughout the dynasties, I am afraid of those who have been poor and happy, diligent in serving as officials, and never tired of doing so.
There is only one of you, Sir!"
Li Gang said solemnly: "Guys, you must keep His Majesty's words in mind and never knowingly commit any offences! Otherwise, you all know His Majesty's methods. The so-called thunder, rain and dew are all the kindness of the Lord. Don't ruin the good situation in the DPRK where the monarch and his ministers get along well with each other.
.”
The current situation of the government depends entirely on the concerted efforts of all the cabinet ministers. I don’t want to see any dispute between the old and new parties, let alone someone making trouble behind the scenes.
"Your Majesty, please come in!"
Yu Zhongchao Mansion.
Deng Pinzhong hurriedly walked into the imperial study, bowed and paid homage: "Your Majesty, Deng Pinzhong, long live my emperor, long live him!"
The emperor's appearance left a deep impression on her.
Deng Pinzhong cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is the year when your Majesty just knew your destiny."
Wang Lin frowned: "You are only in your early fifties, and you are ready to beg for bones and return to your hometown? Now is the time for the government to employ people. Yu Zhongchao is a rare and honest minister. You tell him, I will not allow it."
Wang Lin and Yan Qing followed Mrs. Li into Yu Zhongchao's bedroom. There was only a couch, a table, two chairs, and a wardrobe. Other than that, there was nothing else in the room.
There was only an old and frail servant at the door of Yu's house. He was drowsy with his eyes closed at the moment. The emperor and Yan Qing had already walked in the door, and he suddenly realized that he shouted and caught up to block the way.
I am old, weak, and seriously ill, so I have the heart to beg for bones. It is not that I am unwilling to serve your Majesty and the court, so please forgive me."
Wang Lin took a deep breath and said: "Xiao Yi, call the door."
Zongze angrily scolded: "Okay, don't defend yourself. I believe you are not behind the scenes, but I know your evil thoughts.
Mrs. Li was frightened and immediately knelt down and said, "My concubine, Mrs. Li, long live my emperor, long live him!"
After a while, Wang Lin suddenly waved his hand and said: "Xiao Yi, come with me to visit Yu's house."
"Okay, I've drank the tea, so I won't disturb your chat." Wang Lin stood up and walked away.
Yan Qing took a deep breath: "Your Majesty's words are reasonable and correct. Yu Zhongchao's salary is generous, and it shouldn't be like this."
Huang Qishan also said meaningfully: "Your Majesty knows people well and makes good use of them. He never relies on his origin or qualifications when employing people. As long as you are loyal to the country, your talents will be of great use."
Their faces turned red, and they bowed together and said, "My dear sirs, I know I'm wrong, but I really have no ill intentions, it's just..."
Wang Lin originally believed that he should treat people with sincerity. For high-ranking officials of third rank or above, since he re-appointed them, he should do so without doubting those he employed.
But today at the court meeting, Na Min and Sun Zhiliang suddenly stood up to impeach Han Ting, causing quite a stir. Wu Min was worried after leaving the court, so he called several cabinet ministers to the Li family, and then brought them to the Li family.
Na Min and Sun Zhiliang called for questioning.
Deng Pinzhong smiled bitterly and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, how dare I force you to do so! This time I came to the palace not to impeach Han Ting, but to report something else."
The ministers formed a clique in private. Although it was a kind of involution, the ultimate goal of their clique was to try to evade the imperial power.
In addition, let others check his condition."
"Since I ascended the throne and proclaimed myself the emperor, the people in Xianning, Hainan, live and work in peace and contentment. And it is precisely because of your hard work that I can lead my army in the northern expedition to regain the old land of Yanyun. In the future, I will also destroy the Jin Dynasty, open up new territories, and restore the Han and Tang Dynasties.
grand occasion.
Wang Lin saw that there were two shocking patches on the quilt that covered Yu Zhongchao's body. He had mixed feelings in his heart and didn't know what to say.
Deng Pinzhong retreated.
However, this is just the inner thought of the emperor. Before there is actual evidence, he will not easily ruin the reputation of an official. Even if he pretends to satisfy his personal vanity, as long as it does not harm the country, Wang Lin
I will never expose him.
Yu Zhongchao was also an official whom Li Gang valued highly and highly recommended.
Li Gang and others said goodbye to the emperor with sweating profusely, and then returned to sit down in the hall.
"Old minister... How dare you be Your Majesty's personal visit to see a patient? I am guilty..." Yu Zhongchao's voice was hoarse and weak. He sat up and leaned against the white wall.
Yan Qing stepped forward and knocked gently on the door.
The small group of officials of third rank and above is not within the scope of the Jinyiwei's detective group.
In fact, before he was reused in the Zhong Dynasty, Wang Lin had asked the Jin Yiwei to secretly investigate the background of the Zhong Dynasty. He had an excellent official reputation in various places and had high popularity among the people. The key point is that this person was also extremely clean and honest. He had been an official for twenty-eight years and was hard to fault.
Something is wrong at all.
People like Li Gang are not in serious trouble now, but what about the future? He can't guarantee that someone else won't have different intentions.
Although for the current Dayan Court, the clique among courtiers is only the first sign, Wang Lin will not sit idly by and ignore it. He has made up his mind to completely cut off such undesirable signs.
Whoever dares to show his head will be killed with a sword.
Yan Qing knew the change in the emperor's mentality and bowed solemnly: "I accept the decree!"