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Integrity officials inspect places, usually with the cooperation of local officials.This is the first time that peasants and soldiers have been directly recruited locally to handle affairs. It is obvious that the emperor no longer trusts Quzhou officials.

Mei Zhuyou left the Forbidden City and rushed back to Quzhou by fast boat.

Zhao Han asked Ding Shijing, who was writing notes on his daily life, "Are any of your clan members serving as officials?"

Ding Shijing didn't know the details of the case, he only guessed that there must be a big case.He put down his writing brush and said, "Your Majesty, although I was born in a poor family and was treated with cold eyes when I was young, after becoming an official, some members of the clan also appeared. One clan uncle is serving as county magistrate, and another clan brother is serving as county magistrate."

Zhao Han asked again: "If one day you become a minister, will your uncles and brothers use your cover to do evil in the local area?"

"This..." Ding Shijing thought about it carefully, and finally said, "Uncle Chenna is upright and rigorous, and he will definitely not act like this. But brother Chenna has a good face and an out-of-the-box personality. If I become a minister, he will Don't take bribes and break the law, and will publicize your relationship with your ministers everywhere."

Zhao Han asked: "If your clan brother did evil, and he did it in your name, how should you be punished?"

"This... this..." Ding Shijing had already guessed that the family members of a certain important official had broken the law. How could he dare to speak nonsense, he could only ambiguously say, "The official lives in Nanjing and has not been in contact with the clan for a long time. The clan uses the name of the minister Evil, I really don’t know about it, and if I get severely punished because of this, I must feel very wronged. But the state has national laws, and if it is really implicated by the clansmen, I have nothing to say."

Zhao Han turned to Li Xiangjun and said, "Call Xiao Huan here."

Li Xiangjun left Yingmin Hall and sent a female official to deliver the message.

About an hour later, Xiao Huan rushed over, cupped his hands and said, "Kowtow to Your Majesty."

Zhao Han pointed to the investigation report of the anti-corruption officer: "You can read it yourself."

Xiao Huan returned the report with his hands in his hands, sat down and looked through it carefully, the more he looked at it, the more frightened he became.

In terms of the facts of the case alone, the case in Henan last year was even worse. The entire province's grain transfer system was almost broken, and the amount of money and food involved was astronomical.

However, the thunderstorm in Quzhou prefecture firstly implicated several central government officials, and secondly involved occupation of land for mining.

In the new dynasty of Datong, the land has always been a red line, and anyone who dares to step over half a foot will die.

Zhao Han said: "I can trust Li Aiqing (Li Banghua). He must have been ignorant and used by his tribe. What is your impression of this Zheng Tongfu?"

Xiao Huan replied: "Zheng Tongfu is a capable official and extremely diligent. He has not returned to his hometown for several years and has been an official in the capital. In the Ministry of Industry, he came the earliest every day until He will only leave when it is dark. There is no mistake or omission in the projects he has handled. He is usually on vacation, either resting at home or going to the Wenhua Palace to borrow books. He has never been to the Qinhuai River, and he has never participated in any literary meetings. He can be regarded as a role model for officials. I forgive you bluntly, Zheng Tongfu...it's a pity that he met such bad parents."

"That's why I'm so sad," Zhao Han said with a sad and angry expression on his face, "Zheng Tongfu is hardworking, capable, honest, and an insurgent scholar. Such a perfect official will surely become an official within ten years." Shang Shu, I will personally promote him to be Shang Shu. What kind of father is this? Is there anyone who deceives his son? His father even said that the surname of Tianxia is Zhao, and the surname of Quzhou is Zheng. Does the Zheng family want to rebel! "

Xiao Huan was silent.

Zhao Han asked again: "Where is Liu Anfeng?"

Xiao Huan said: "Liu Anfeng is a close friend of Chen Shangshu (Chen Maosheng)."

Chen Maosheng's best friend, this is not an answer, but it is better than an answer.

Chen Maosheng is a staunch revolutionary, has not changed, has always been so pure, and has offended many colleagues in the past few years.

Among the civil and military men of the Manchu Dynasty, only Liu Anfeng could become close friends with Chen Maosheng, one can imagine what kind of person Liu Anfeng is.

Zhao Han suddenly said: "Go to the Ministry of Officials and look for the file of that Liu Anyong!"

The next day, Xiao Huan came back to his life.

Xiao Huan said: "Your Majesty, I have not only checked the files of the Ministry of Officials, but also inquired about it. Liu Anfeng was born in a poor family, but Liu Anyong was born in a wealthy family. Although the two are brothers, they are separated by three villages. It was after Liu Anfeng became famous. , then Liu Anyong came to seek relatives."

After hearing this, Zhao Han felt a little better, at least the central officials are fine.

But the fact that the central officials are fine does not mean that their relatives are fine.Just like this Liu Anyong, who can come out to marry three villages away.Which important minister is not a lot of relatives?

Zhao Han said: "The case in Quzhou will be handled by the Metropolitan Procuratorate according to the rules. As for the ministers of the central government, I will personally decide and leave it to the court meeting in three days. You, make arrangements!"

Three days later, early morning.

All the ministers sat in the hall with relaxed and happy expressions, waiting to chat with the emperor.

They are used to the court meeting three times a month, and each time there is a special topic.In the first few times, they were talking about Europe and America, which really broadened the horizons of the ministers.

Later, I talked about the benefits of opening the sea, and summarized the disadvantages of Daming's sea ban.

Then talk about the tax policies of the past dynasties, and tell the topics in advance, so that officials can go home and read the history books.

The good morning court was actually turned into a banquet by Zhao Han.

What are we going to talk about today?

Everyone was looking forward to it, because every court meeting, there were always officials who were praised by the emperor.

Zhao Han said: "Today we will talk about corruption. Corruption among officials is not uncommon. This is the beginning of the corruption of officials. If corruption is not properly punished, this new dynasty of Datong will sooner or later become like it was before."

"Your Majesty's words are true!" All the officials agreed.

Zhao Han directly called the names: "Mr. Li Ge, what do you think about corruption?"

Li Banghua said: "Severe punishment without mercy!"

Zhao Han said: "If... I mean, if the relatives of Li Ge's family committed evil and perverted the law, how should we deal with it?"

Li Banghua said: "You should be beheaded, you should be imprisoned, and you will never show favoritism!"

Zhao Han asked again: "What if the relatives of Mr. Li's family, using Mr. Li's name, are so frightened that the local officials dare not take care of them, or even join forces?"

Li Banghua frowned and said: "This... If the minister knows about it, but ignores it, it is a crime of connivance. If the minister does not know, then he should punish himself for self-examination, and only punish his relatives according to the law. The minister is not speaking for himself , but the court officials, it is inevitable that some family members commit crimes in the local area. As long as the person does not know, he should not be severely punished, otherwise the court officials will put everyone in danger."

"How do you judge whether Li Ge always knows or doesn't know?" Zhao Han asked.

Li Banghua was speechless.

Zhao Han pointed at Xiao Huan: "You tell me!"

Under the puzzled eyes of all the ministers, Xiao Huan stood up slowly, cupped his hands and said: "Liu Anyong, the governor of Quzhou, and Zheng Hongyi, a wealthy businessman in Quzhou, colluded with each other. The six murders committed by members of the Zheng clan were all covered up. The murderer is at large. The Zheng family colluded with the government, cut corners when building embankments, and deducted workers' wages for a long time. The Zheng family bullied the market, colluded with village and town officials, corrupted the local peasant association, and exploited and oppressed the people. It also raised thugs. It is suspected that a murder case is underway. During the investigation, there were dozens of cases of wounding. The Zheng family’s mines were operating across borders, occupying people’s land and mining..."

Zheng Tongfu, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry, was already dumbfounded.

He has been an official in Nanjing for several years and has never returned to his hometown. Why did his family do such a thing?

Xiao Huan was still saying: "Zheng Hongyi has a son, Zheng Tongfu, who is the doctor of the Ministry of Construction and Repairs. He has another son, who is the nephew and grandson-in-law of the cabinet minister Li Banghua..."

As soon as this remark came out, the whole court was in an uproar, and Li Banghua was actually involved.

Xiao Huan said: "Zheng Hongyi said that the surname of the world is Zhao, and the surname of Quzhou is Zheng. He also said that he led the horse for the emperor. As long as he does not rebel, officials at all levels can't control him. He also said that he and Li Ge are always in-laws. Fu also has to give three points."

Li Banghua's whole body trembled slightly, he was outraged that someone really pulled his tiger's skin.

Xiao Huan said: "Liu Anyong, the governor of Quzhou Prefecture, is the brother of Liu Anfeng, the Minister of the Household Department. He also secretly accepted Zheng Hongyi's niece from the concubine clan as his concubine, and it seems that he has a dividend in Zheng's mine..."

Finally Liu Anfeng couldn't sit still anymore, stood up abruptly and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Anyong is indeed the brother of the minister and a fellow from the same town. But our two families are almost out of business. The minister was poor when he was young. , did not get help from the clansmen, but received all the cold eyes of the clansmen. After the minister became an official, the clansman came to cling to him. The minister restrained the family, not to be involved with the same clan, and not to favor the same clan. Then Liu Anyong should really be killed, but with The minister has nothing to do with it. The minister is innocent, and there is no room for this stain..."

After speaking, Liu Anfeng took off his official hat, knelt down and kowtowed: "I request you to resign and return home!"

There was dead silence in the hall, and the Minister of the Household Department actually resigned.

Chen Maosheng stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, I guarantee with my life that Liu Shangshu will never condone the tribe."

With a sigh, Li Banghua also took off his official hat and knelt down: "I invite you to become an official!"

Well, the matter has exploded, and the second assistant to the cabinet will also resign.

Zhao Han squinted his eyes halfway, and said angrily, "Are you threatening me?"

"Don't dare!"

Li Banghua and Liu Anfeng answered in unison.

Zhao Han asked Xiao Huan: "Has the Quzhou case been verified?"

Xiao Huan replied: "Basically, it has been verified, and the arrest has been ordered. The charges mentioned by the minister just now are definitely not wrong. After the arrest and interrogation, new cases may be involved."

"Then, without waiting for the case in Quzhou to be concluded, I will personally determine the officials involved in the central government," Zhao Han glanced at the ministers, "Li Banghua, the second minister of the cabinet, is not strict in his family management, and has taken away his titles and appointments." .Retain the secondary assistant position, and pay a three-month fine. If there is any corruption among members of his clan, he will be dismissed immediately and return to his hometown!"

Xiao Huan was taken aback and suddenly raised his head to look at the emperor.

Cao Guan, who was recording the content of the court meeting, was also shaking with fright, and a ball of ink was fainted on the paper.

Conquering nobles, there are not many nobles in the Datong New Dynasty, and there are some who are not officials like Zheng Zhilong.Directly winning the title, the punishment is already extremely severe.

As for the added official, Li Banghua's added official is the Prince Shaoshi, which is also an extremely honorable title.

The official was also taken away!

What did Li Banghua do?

He is a grand-niece of the clan, who is only married to Zheng Hongyi's son.

Li Banghua has lived in Nanjing for several years, and has many nephews in his clan, so he probably doesn't know about this marriage.

Xiao Huan really wanted to persuade him, but he didn't dare to persuade him, so he could only sit there in a daze.

Other officials did not dare to intercede.

Zhao Han said again: "Liu Anfeng, for not being strict in family management, he was demoted to one level, and dismissed from the position of Minister of the Household Department. Change it...to what, let the Ministry of Officials arrange it!"

Liu Anfeng roared angrily: "Your Majesty, please resign! You are not lax in managing your family, don't be so stigmatized!"

Zhao Han thought about it carefully: "Okay, you can become an official."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Liu Anfeng picked up his official hat, returned to his seat and sat down.

Zhao Han continued: "Zheng Tongfu, demoted to five ranks, transferred to Lu Song, not allowed to return for ten years!"

The man is completely devastated.

Although the Ministry of Industry's Ministry of Construction and Maintenance Division doctor, although he is only the fifth rank, he is a real position with real power, and his status crushes the magistrate of the fourth rank.

Moreover, Zheng Tongfu, as the leader of the Youshui Yamen, was honest, capable and diligent, and had long been remembered by the emperor.This kind of person, as long as he lives another 20 years, he will be a minister at worst, and maybe he can be the chief assistant!

Now he has been demoted to five ranks and thrown to Luzon, plus he is not allowed to return to the court for ten years.

This is more cruel than killing him directly!

Zheng Tongfu's soul has been shelled out, like a dead body, and he can't hear what Zhao Han said at all.

The next day, Zhao Han received the news that Zheng Tongfu committed suicide after returning home.

Chapter 535 [Farmers and Soldiers Hearing Orders]

Xu Laosan was a retired soldier who was shot through the shoulder by Wu Zhenchao of the Tartars at close range.

Although the injury has healed, the right arm cannot be exerted too much strength, and even doing farm work is somewhat affected.After he retired from the army and returned home, he served as the chief instructor of farmers and soldiers in the town. He had no grade or salary, but he could go to the county government to receive an instructor's subsidy every year.

Going to the fields to farm when he is busy, and calling farmers and soldiers for training when he is free, this is the living condition of Xu Laosan.

The seedlings are about to be jointed. One month from transplanting to jointing is a critical period for the rice harvest, and a large amount of nutrients are needed to grow rice organs.

The eldest son is in elementary school, and the second son and eldest daughter, who have not yet reached school age, all come to help fertilize the seedlings today.

Xu Laosan and his wife each carried a basket of silkworm dung, a son and a daughter followed them, spreading the silkworm dung evenly in the rice field.Don't topdress too much at one time, it will kill the seedlings, so you have to apply appropriate amount of topdressing every three to five times.

After being busy for a while, someone came to the edge of the field and asked loudly, "But veteran Xu Zhengliang?"

"It's me." Xu Laosan looked at him suspiciously.

This person stood on the ridge of the field, opened his bag, took out a piece of clothing, and quickly put on the white uniform on his body: "Cao Benshu, the Inspector of Integrity of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, was ordered by the emperor to thoroughly investigate corrupt officials in Quzhou. The Ministry of War has dispatched orders here. Veteran Xu Zhengliang immediately returned to the team to assist the Integrity Inspector in arresting criminals!"

"Yes!"

The farmers who had just bent over to fertilize, straightened their backs like a conditioned reflex, and saluted the incorruptible officials in the sun.

Xu Laosan put the silkworm manure on the edge of the field, told his wife and children a few words, and then followed Cao Benshu away.As he walked, he said, "The Ministry of War sent me an order to take a look at. The Shangguan took it, and I can just look at it. I touched the silkworm dung with both hands, and it was still dirty."

Cao Benshu took out the dispatch order from the Ministry of War, and then took out his waist badge, and explained: "The officials in Quzhou are very gangsters. They are afraid of leaking the news, so they can only summon the peasants and soldiers to arrest people."

"It should be caught!"

Xu Laosan no longer doubted, and said: "We peasants and soldiers are not allowed to manage local affairs, and we can't do anything when we see corrupt officials. It's good that you come here. The mayors, village chiefs, and peasant association chiefs here are all bad people. They Don’t dare to provoke farmers and soldiers, but dare to bully farmers who have no support. The canals that everyone built together, now let other farmers irrigate the fields after they irrigate the fields.”

"Is there such a thing?" Cao Benshu was even more angry.

Xu Laosan said: "These bastards can do a lot of bad things."

Cao Benshu said angrily: "Village officials and peasant associations can occupy the canal, so who will contribute to repairing the canal in the future?"

"Isn't it?" Xu Laosan said angrily, "Going back a few years, the village head and the peasant association ordered that the whole village, men, women, and children, go to build roads and dig ditches. Now there is no more shouting, and everyone is unwilling to contribute , the village head had to lead someone to whip him with a whip."

"The first one is to arrest the village chief!" Cao Benshu was furious.

Xu Laosan's trouser legs were still rolled up, and mud remained on his feet and calves.He walked to the drying yard in the village, where there was an iron plate hanging, which could be used as an iron bell to ring.

"Dang Dang Dang Dang!"

From time to time, farmers and soldiers who were working quickly came from the field, and seven or eight of them came in a blink of an eye.

Xu Laosan commanded: "Xu Er, you go to the east of the village to ring the bell. Liu Si, you go to the west of the village to ring the bell. Zhang Da, you go to inform the peasants and soldiers of Huangtou Village. Zhang San... when all the groups are assembled, we will Gather at the training ground outside the town!"

"Yes!"