Strictly speaking, Song Wenyi was an eunuch, so to deal with him, only the emperor's oral instructions were needed, and no imperial edict was needed at all.
However, after all, this incident caused quite a stir in the court. Important ministers like Yu Qian personally came forward to impeach him, so naturally there must be a result.
Therefore, on the second day after Yu Shiyue and others were summoned, an imperial edict was issued. However, even if there was an imperial edict, it was sent to the inner court. As a foreign minister, Yu Qian would definitely not be able to see it. The reason why Yu Shiyue could see it was that
This is because according to the regulations, the imperial edict should be drawn up by the cabinet, and the edict to punish Song Wenyi was written by him while watching the Zhongshu Sheren next to him, so he naturally knew the contents clearly.
"Twenty rods and three months' salary?"
As expected, after hearing the final decision, Yu Qian still frowned and said with displeasure.
"Is this your Majesty's treatment? It's too lenient."
"Song Wenyi is so arrogant and domineering. At least he should be removed from his title and assigned to Fengyang to guard the mausoleum. Moreover, even if we don't mention his punishment, since His Majesty admits his guilt, then no matter what, he should order Huangzhuang to return the fields. Why?
Not a word was mentioned in the decree?”
As expected, this was the reaction. Yu Shiyue sighed and said.
"Yu Shaobao, this matter is not as simple as it seems on the surface. Yesterday, His Majesty summoned us to the palace and briefly explained the inside story. This matter is actually..."
Afterwards, Yu Shiyue recounted to Qian what he heard in the palace yesterday.
After hesitating for a moment, he looked at Yu Qian's thoughtful face and spoke out the emperor's warning word for word.
"...His Majesty said that he would like to become a good story between the king and his ministers, but you also need to know the appropriateness, and let us advise you to remember your duties as a minister."
After the words fell, the lobby fell silent. Looking at Yu Qian who frowned and said nothing, Yu Shiyue felt a little uneasy and said.
"Ting Yi, you should know that this is the most appropriate way for Your Majesty to deal with Song Wenyi's matter. This matter is best so far. The government is busy now. It is unwise to be angry with Your Majesty over trivial matters.
ah!"
Facing Yu Shiyue's sincere persuasion, Yu Qian's expression changed. Finally, he sighed and said.
"But after all, this is illegal!"
"Not to mention whether Song Wenyi deceived His Majesty or whether the inside story was true, His Majesty deliberately responded to protect the eunuch. This is already the second time. This was the case last time with the Xuanfu incident and this time with the Huangzhuang incident.
Mr. Tsusuke, you should also know that this is not a good sign."
This time, Yu Shiyue fell silent. His words were irrefutable. Logically speaking, the incident involving Shu Liang in the Xuan Mansion was enough to make him lose his head, but the emperor was determined to protect him and finally protected him, even for a few months.
However, as soon as the storm subsided, Eunuch Shu returned to his position as the eunuch supervising the East Factory as if nothing had happened.
This time, Song Wenyi appeared again. Although the things the two did were completely different, it is not an exaggeration to say that they were partial and protective.
Seeing that Yu Shiyue didn't speak, Yu Qian's face became even more worried and he continued.
"Furthermore, although Song Wenyi claimed to seek justice for the tenants of Huangzhuang, in the final analysis, the land was transferred to Huangzhuang's name by him and was not returned to the tenants.
His selflessness is hard to believe."
The words became more and more outrageous. The hidden meaning in the words made Yu Shiyue's expression change and he said.
"Yu Shaobao, don't talk nonsense!"
Although what Yu Qian was talking about just now was Song Wenyi, the deeper point was that, to put it bluntly, it was actually the emperor. After all, Huangzhuang was the private property of the emperor, so this sentence actually pointed to the emperor's greed for money.
No wonder Yu Shiyue suddenly felt uneasy after hearing these words.
However, Yu Qian didn't react much. Seeing that Yu Shiyue understood what he meant, he went a step further and said.
"Since the War of Oara, the national treasury has shrunk. Your Majesty's inner treasury has subsidized many flowers for state affairs. In addition, your Majesty has reopened the draft. There are many more concubines in the palace, and the expenditure has also increased.
In addition, Nangong also relies on the inner treasury. Since returning to the capital, the Supreme Emperor frequently has concubines and has excessive banquets. All these things require money from the inner treasury."
"In the past, in addition to the annual revenue, the inner treasury relied more on the benefits of the imperial store's mutual trade on the border. However, since last year, there has been civil unrest on the border, and the imperial store's income has dropped sharply. However, the inner treasury's expenditures have been heavy. Your Majesty, if you have any
It is not impossible to rely on Huangzhuang's thoughts instead..."
"Tingyi!"
Yu Qian said these words in a leisurely manner, but Yu Shiyue's face became increasingly ugly. At the end of his words, he couldn't help but scolded him and said:
"You are talking nonsense about your Majesty!"
Yu Qian was silent, with a complicated expression on his face, and said softly.
"Is this a false argument?"
However, it only took a moment for him to recover, shook his head and said.
"Yu is also willing. This is nonsense. However, Mr. Second Assistant is in the cabinet and should know more than Yu."
"Song Wenyi is the mining tax eunuch. When he forcefully bought and sold these fields, he used many methods. One of them was to designate the homes of wealthy households who were unwilling to sell their fields as mining sites.
Forcing them to pay mineral taxes is tantamount to robbery."
"The imperial court originally had a system for collecting mineral taxes, so why would a eunuch have to collect them again? Nowadays, such behavior is already happening in Gyeonggi Province. If it is ignored, all the eunuchs in the future will follow this example and collect 'mineral taxes' in various places.
Real disaster!"
These words made Yu Shiyue frown.
He didn't expect that Yu Qian was thinking so deeply. Indeed, their eyes were all focused on the imperial village, but they ignored Song Wenyi's identity as the mining tax eunuch and his method of using the name of mining tax in the process of seizing the land.
At the same time, he did realize that what Yu Qian just said was probably not unfounded.
Because if the matter of seizing the land was an accident, then the position of the mining tax eunuch was undoubtedly the intention of the emperor. There was no such position in the inner court. However, after Cheng Jing left the capital, the emperor specially created this position.
Gave it to Song Wenyi.
In other words, the emperor was probably aware of the methods used by Song Wenyi now and tacitly approved of them.
It can be deduced from this that Yu Qian's worries are indeed justified. The establishment of the mining tax eunuch is likely to create new financial resources to make up for the loss of the imperial store...
Yu Shiyue's face looked a little ugly for a moment, but after a moment, he still shook his head and said.
"Now these are just guesses and cannot be made accurately. In short, Your Majesty has made a clear decree regarding Song Wenyi. If you still hold on to it, you will be suspected of forcing your Majesty. What's more, the affairs of the court are complicated now. If you don't have time and energy, If you waste time on this matter, you may lose more than you gain."
Although the words were euphemistic, the meaning was clear.
Yu Qian pondered for a moment. Although he was a little reluctant, he finally nodded and said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Cifu, Yu is not a person who doesn't know how to advance or retreat. I will not continue to participate in this matter in the court."
This time, Yu Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief and advised.
"Ting Yi, you don't have to worry too much. Although Song Wenyi's matter has been settled now, he has been punished after all. As for the eunuchs you are worried about following suit, it is still too early. After all, Song Wenyi is only one person. Mine tax If the eunuch wants to go to various places to 'collect' mining taxes, he must give your Majesty's approval. If your Majesty really has such an idea, it won't be too late for us to give him a warning."
However, Yu Qian was not as optimistic as him. A trace of worry flashed across his face, but he still said in the end.
"I hope so..."
This was said a bit perfunctorily, which made Yu Shiyue still feel a little uneasy.
After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke.
"When I came just now, you said that Governor Fan came here to discuss corruption in the military government with you. I wonder what the specific status of this matter is?"
Logically speaking, this is the government affairs of the Ministry of War. It is a bit inappropriate for Yu Shiyue to ask questions at this moment. Therefore, his question makes Yu Qian a little strange.
However, strange as it is, this matter is not a secret, so after a moment's hesitation, Yu Qian still spoke.
"It's basically settled. Governor Fan just came over to arrange some papers. If nothing happens, the memorial will be delivered to His Majesty within three to five days."
It should be said that after Zhang Xi reported the progress of this matter to Wang Qinqi in the court last time, it was quite useful. At least Fan Guang also speeded up the progress, but...
After hearing this, Yu Shiyue gently nodded and said.
"This is as it should be. However, although this incident is over, I am afraid that the military government's rectification has just begun..."
Seeing Yu Qian frowning and seeming a little confused, Yu Shiyue explained.
"Before this matter, when you first returned to Beijing, I mentioned that this corruption case originated from the report of Zhang Shi, the governor's colleague. His purpose of raising this matter at that time was to get back the enemy troops for the British government. It was just that later, His Majesty used Wang Qin to prevent him from achieving his wish."
"However, the corruption scandal is just an introduction. The problems in the military government are far more than what Zhang Xian was involved in at the beginning. Since Governor Fan has come to see you, he must have mentioned some inside information. Although this time it is to investigate corruption, However, many problems were exposed, such as fraud, free payment, nepotism, withholding military rations, wasting training, etc. It was very complicated."
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"Therefore, although this situation is over, the military government must be rectified without delay. I think the reason why Zhang Shi has been urging the government to end this situation is precisely because of this."
Yu Qian also knew a little about the inside story, but during the time he returned to Beijing, he had been busy organizing the follow-up of the military camp, so he didn't care about it.
Hearing Yu Shiyue mention it at this moment, he also vaguely understood and said.
"Master Cifu, what you mean is that Zhang Shi still wants to take this opportunity to fight for the power of the military government again?"
"good……"
Yu Shiyue nodded and said.
"With your Majesty's character, now that these problems have been exposed, it is impossible to ignore them. Moreover, now that the border is stable and the grassland is civilly unrest, it is a good time to rectify the military government. In the past, most of the officials in the military government were subordinates of various distinguished families.
, I am afraid that this situation is not what His Majesty wants to see, so it is imperative to rectify the military government."
"It's just that I'm afraid it's not easy to choose who should be the person in charge..."
So, Yu Qian also thought for a moment, and then said slowly.
"Yes, the Military Mansion is in charge of the world's military affairs, and its responsibilities are very important. If your Majesty wants to organize it, he will definitely encounter a lot of resistance, especially the nobles from various families, who will secretly obstruct it. Therefore, either the Ministry of War takes the lead, or there are enough nobles among them.
If a person with weight and prestige is not like this, it will be difficult for him to achieve results."
The current situation of the military government is essentially divided among various noble families, and there are very few people who are not involved with them. Therefore, if the military government is to be reorganized, their interests will inevitably be affected.
If you want to organize things smoothly, then you must either have a civil servant who has no connection with the nobles, or you must be a person who can do it well among the nobles.
There is no other choice for civil servants. If they want to be justified, they can only have the Ministry of War take action. There is no doubt about this.
As for Xungui's words...
"If Your Majesty does not allow the Ministry of War to intervene, then there are not many people to choose from. The Marquis of Changping Yang Hong, the Bo of Jing'an Fan Guang, the Duke of Feng Guo Li Xian, and the other two princes will step in."
Yu Shiyue continued Yu Qian's words and continued.
"The Marquis of Changping has always had military exploits, especially this time Yang Jie and his party have great prestige in the capital and are favored by His Majesty. They are the best choice. However, since the return of the Xuan Mansion and his party, the Marquis of Changping has become bedridden.
It is said that I have been vomiting blood continuously today, and my body may not be able to support it for much longer."
"As for Governor Fan, he is related by marriage to Prince Min's Mansion, and he is also the Governor of the Chinese Army Governor's Mansion. He can legitimately preside over this matter, but..."
"But Governor Fan is also in charge of the capital camp and can only investigate corruption. If he continues to preside over the rectification of the military government, he will be too powerful and will not do anything!"
Yu Qian shook his head and categorically denied this possibility.
Although it was said that Fan Guang had a close relationship with him, and he even recommended Fan Guang for the first important job, but one code should be the same, and personal emotions should not be mixed with court affairs.
The scale of the rectification of the military government this time must be large. Even if Fan Guang has no selfish motives, he will definitely take this opportunity to promote his own people. Even if he does not promote his own people, after this incident, he will definitely be with other nobles.
Have closer ties.
As a result, his control over the military government was greatly increased. The military government and the Beijing camp were all in his hands, and he had the power to threaten the imperial power.
After experiencing the corruption scandal in the military government, Fan Guang has gained a firm foothold in the military government. He is no longer suitable to participate in the next events.
Therefore, either Fan Guang surrenders the capital camp or rectifies the military government. He can only stay out of the matter, and at most he can help from the side. However, the capital camp is the most powerful army in the capital, and it must be placed in the hands of reliable people.
At present, apart from Fan Guang, it is difficult for the emperor to find another person who can be trusted enough to take charge of the capital camp.
Therefore, it would be difficult for Fan Guang to personally preside over the rectification of the military government. In fact, if the emperor wanted to use him, Yu Qian would be the first to object.
Later, Yu Qian said again.
"Not even Feng Guo Gong. Although he has a high position, he lacks ability and energy. As for Cheng Guo Gong, he is too young and lacks prestige. Moreover, since His Majesty has used Wang Qin, he cannot allow Cheng Guo Gong to enter again.
Military Mansion, so..."
At this point, Yu Qian paused, then Yu Shiyue spoke up.
"Therefore, the only one who has enough weight among the nobles to push this matter forward, and does not have much real power in the court, is the British government."
"Although Zhang Shi is not a British duke, he has been in Beijing for many years, has a deep knowledge of the military government, and is related to the Duke of Chengguo by marriage, so he has the ability to be the presiding officer. But in this way, his
Official position is bound to be mentioned, and he will become one of the real power holders of the military government..."