Chapter 448: "Sexual Bribery" Shocked the Government and the Public
Chapter 448: "Sexual Bribery" Shocked the Government and the Public (5k)
Is the palace competition over?
Yuan Li was stunned for a moment, then looked up at the sun hanging high in the sky. He was not surprised at all: "What was the result?"
"The royal servants have won." The censor seemed quite excited and was eager to share the news he had obtained with others.
Won? Won? Yuan Li was also stunned, because Xue Shence had said so confidently that they would lose, so she was particularly surprised: "Oh? Tell me more about it."
The censor immediately danced with joy and narrated the story of how Zhao Duan defeated Xiao Ran with a peach wood stick, adding more details to it. This attracted many officials in the Censorate to come over and watch, exclaiming in amazement.
"As expected of Zhao Shaobao."
"Humph, a mere scoundrel dares to run wild in the capital. He deserves to lose face and go back."
The officials were talking about it. Although this matter seemed to have nothing to do with the court, it involved face. The palace had won a great victory, and all the officials were proud of it.
Is it him again... Yuan Li was slightly distracted, and the hand hidden in his sleeve was holding the document tightly, as if he had an idea.
"Let's go to the palace and congratulate His Majesty." Yuan Li said lightly.
Censor Chen Hong gave a bitter smile, thinking that our visit would undoubtedly dampen His Majesty's good mood.
……
In the Imperial Garden.
A large group of palace maids were scattered behind, but in front of the eunuchs and palace maids were the empress and Zhao Shaobao walking almost side by side.
In spring, the Imperial Garden is already full of green, with trees sprouting buds and flowers blooming.
Zhao Duan fell slightly behind and glanced at Xu Zhenguan's exquisite and sacred profile with his peripheral vision.
"You have learned the Peach Blossom Sword well." The empress in white did not look at him, but walked slowly, her casual clothes which were almost as long as her skirt almost dragging on the ground.
The hem of his robe was long enough to touch the ground, sweeping across the green grass as he walked.
In order to attend today's competition, she changed into slightly more formal clothes.
"I was lucky to win, thanks to Your Majesty's teaching of swordsmanship." Zhao Duan said sincerely.
Xu Zhenguan uttered "huh", tilted his head slightly, and looked at him with a half-smile:
"When I learned the Peach Blossom Sword, I was nowhere near as good as you."
Ah...this...how do you want me to respond? You can't just say that because this set of sword techniques is similar in meaning to the "Kai Tian" sword techniques passed down by your ancestors, and they are the same set, so I can learn it with twice the result with half the effort, right?
Zhao Duan laughed dryly:
"Just as Tang Gongfeng was willing to die for the honor of the royal family, I am also doing my best to maintain the face of our royal family."
Who said "we are the royal family" to you? Xu Zhenguan pretended to be angry, and was too lazy to correct him for taking advantage of him verbally from time to time in private.
"I have instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the trip south to offer sacrifices to the gods," she said suddenly.
The topic turned abruptly. Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment before he said with regret:
"When?"
Xu Zhenguan said as he walked:
"The Fengshan ceremony is a major event. In the new year, I ordered the Sitianjian to observe the stars and set a good time. It will be around this summer."
Summer... Isn't that when I traveled through time last year... Zhao Duan thought for a moment and said:
"Since Your Majesty has made up his mind, I will do my best to help you."
Xu Zhenguan bit his plump lips and looked at him strangely:
"I thought you would dissuade me."
Zhao Duan shook his head seriously and said:
"The Eight Kings are eyeing us covetously, the Eastern and Western Buddhist sects are also restless, and now Wu Xian Kui has challenged us to a duel... It would be a blessing for the world if Your Majesty could cross the threshold of a true celestial being as soon as possible. My little selfish desire is insignificant in comparison."
Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes stared at him quietly, and Zhao Duan looked at her calmly.
The divine consciousness of the fairy-like emperor enveloped the entire garden, and she could even hear the rhythm of the heartbeats of the people in front of her.
"You actually spoke the truth." Xu Zhenguan had a complicated expression.
Zhao Duan smiled generously:
"Your Majesty, do you think that I am really only thinking about dual cultivation and not caring about the country?"
At this moment, Zhao Duan, who was known as a "treacherous minister" outside and was always oily and had impure thoughts in front of the empress, had a calm and pure look in his eyes.
Xu Zhenguan bit her lips gently with her pearly teeth, a hint of tenderness and apology appearing in her eyes.
Well, although it was strange, she actually felt a little guilty at the moment, as if it was her fault for not practicing dual cultivation with the person in front of her...
She's like a bad woman who always ties a carrot in front of the innocent boy, encouraging him to work hard for her. But when he's about to eat the carrot, she pulls the carrot away.
"Your Majesty, are you going to Luoshan for the Fengshan ceremony? As I recall, this mountain is located in the territory of Jiancheng Dao." Zhao Duan frowned and raised the key question:
"Can't we change to another one?"
Jiancheng Road is the farthest place from the capital in the southeastern territory, except for Lingnan.
It is also the sphere of influence of Prince Jing. If the empress wants to go there to hold the Fengshan ceremony, it is conceivable that it will not be smooth.
Xu Zhenguan smiled helplessly, with a hint of doting in his eyes, as if Zhao Duan had asked an innocent question:
"Do you think that Fengshan is just a matter of finding a famous mountain? I am doing Fengshan in order to use this ritual to borrow the dragon energy of the country's destiny from the emperor and break through the barrier between heaven and man. Luoshan is the best choice.
I know what you are thinking. It doesn't matter. I have been on the throne for three years. Even after leaving the capital, my cultivation will not change much. My uncle... Haha, even if he is unwilling, he can't do anything to me.
It is nothing more than using some unconventional means to try to obstruct the ceremony, but it is no big deal. I will send people south in advance to make preparations in Jiancheng Road, and then, after I have settled the affairs in the capital, I will personally go south to Luoshan. "
Hmm, is this the confidence of a celestial being? Zhao Duan listened to her clear and logical arrangements, knowing that the empress's decision could not be changed.
"I dare to ask, Your Majesty, what are the chances of success in advancing to the next level in Fengshan?" He hesitated for a moment and asked this question which was a bit beyond the rules.
Xu Zhenguan said calmly: "Between six and seven."
Fortunately... it sounds like the probability is quite high... Zhao Duan breathed a sigh of relief, but then he thought again, would the Eight Kings and even the various cultivation forces in the Yu Kingdom really behave themselves and not cause trouble?
But if you think about it, from Zhenbao's perspective, there aren't many choices.
People cannot completely choose their own lives. The higher you stand, the more helpless you are.
In the garden, the two stood quietly, speechless for a while.
"Okay, let's not talk about this," Xu Zhenguan smiled sweetly.
"If you weren't here today, the royal family would really lose face. I have ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare delicious food. Please stay in the palace for lunch."
No, what I want to eat is not rice... Zhao Duan thought weakly and was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly noticed from the corner of his eye that at the end of the stone road in the distance, there was a young eunuch running towards him in quick steps, holding a whisk.
Seeing that His Majesty was with him, he hurriedly stopped and shouted from afar:
"Your Majesty, Lord Yuan has something important to discuss with you!"
Yuan Li is here? Asking for a meeting at this time? Zhao Duan was surprised.
Could it be that he learned about the royal family's victory and came to congratulate them? Well... if it was a lower-level official, it would be possible, but with the status of the "Clean Stream Party Leader", he would not be so flattering...
What Yuan Li called "important" must be of great importance... Zhao Duan's thoughts were fluctuating, and he cupped his hands and said:
"Mr. Yuan must have something important to do. Your Majesty, please go and meet him. I will go and look around on my own."
Xu Zhenguan said calmly: "Come with me to see Lord Yuan."
……
Royal study room.
When Zhao Duan and the empress returned, they had just sat down for a while when footsteps were heard in the corridor outside. Yuan Li, who was wearing a blue double-breasted official uniform of the Imperial Censor, stood at the door and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, I am sorry to bother you."
Behind him, his old acquaintance, the censor Chen Hong, bent down 90 degrees without saying a word.
"Come in and take a seat."
The empress sat behind a table covered with bright yellow silk, smiling gently. A palace maid immediately invited her to sit down, and Zhao Duan stood beside her.
"Thank you, Holy Grace."
Yuan Li sat down, Chen Hong stood respectfully behind him. The lady in blue looked up and saw Zhao Duan smiling at her, and nodded, saying:
"Before I entered the palace, I learned that Young Master Zhao had defeated the reckless man in Qingshan. This is cause for celebration."
"Mr. Yuan, you are too polite." Zhao Duan smiled. "It is just a small victory, but I would like to trouble you to congratulate me."
Xu Zhenguan smiled and went straight to the point:
"Mr. Yuan suddenly came to the palace, so it must not be for congratulations."
Yuan Li's expression became a little more serious, and he said, "I do have something to report, please have a look, Your Majesty!"
He took out the document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. Zhao Duan took a look at it and his DNA moved. He walked over and took it very familiarly and handed it to Zhenbao.
Well, when I was a beast of burden in my previous life, similar behavior became almost instinctive.
You are quite considerate... Xu Zhen glanced at him, and opened the document with her slender jade fingers. After just two glances, her bright face suddenly darkened, and anger surged. Her eyebrows were raised like iron hooks, and then she raised her eyes and stared at Yuan Li:
"Is there such a thing?!"
Yuan Li was not surprised by the empress's anger and shouted, "It is true!" "Bang!"
Xu Zhenguan threw the document on the table, and his good mood brought by winning the competition was gone!
Seeing Zhao Duan was confused, she suppressed her urge to get angry and said to him:
"You should also take a look."
What’s going on? Such a big reaction. I’ll be so angry that Kui Shui will burst out... Zhao Duan muttered in his heart, picked up the document and started reading it, and then his face darkened.
Rather than a document, it was more like an impeachment memorial, and the person impeached was the nobleman of the capital, Marquis of Lu'an.
Yes, a marquis!
Zhao Du'an was not very familiar with this marquis, but he had met him twice. This man was a descendant of a noble family. Because of his marriage to the royal family, he was relatively close to the royal family in the noble circle. He did not participate in the Xuanmen coup, and later when the empress ascended the throne, this Marquis Liu'an was considered to be well-behaved.
When the new policy was issued last year, Marquis Lu'an began to make frequent moves, trying to get a job in a new government office in the capital that was in charge of the new policy, namely, the "New Policy Office".
After the empress's investigation, she thought that although the Marquis of Liu'an was not outstanding in ability and was quite mediocre, he was still reliable.
In addition, the New Policy Department also needed to give the nobles some soup, so he was allowed to work there, and indeed nothing went wrong.
At the beginning of the year, the State of Yu rectified its administration and dismissed a large number of redundant officials. It was necessary to appoint new local officials to promote the new policy. Therefore, the Marquis of Lu'an, who had been in charge of this work in recent months, was suddenly impeached.
Crime: Bribery and selling official positions!
To put it in plain words, the Marquis of Lu'an took advantage of his position to accept benefits from the local government and treated the appointment and removal of new officials as a business.
Zhao Duan was not surprised when he saw this, but when he saw the areas involved in the sale of official positions, he understood the truth behind the empress's anger:
The road is built!
"I want to hear the details." Xu Zhenguan stared at Yuan Li with a sharp gaze.
The imperial censor Chen Hong, who was standing behind Yuan Li, stepped out and saluted respectfully:
"Your Majesty, this impeachment was a secret report by a censor of the Huai River Road. After it was delivered to me, I felt that the matter was serious, so I verified it first. I found some doubts and then submitted it to Lord Yuan."
Chen Hong first explained the origin, and then described the details of the process:
"After the New Year, because the appointment and dismissal of local officials in Jiancheng Dao had not yet been decided, His Majesty sent the Marquis of Liu'an to the south to inspect the local area in Jiancheng Dao. When the Marquis of Liu'an passed through the Huai River Road, he was received by a local fifth-rank official who invited the famous Qinhuai prostitute Xichun to accompany him.
Liu'an Hou fell in love with the prostitute at first sight and was quite fond of her. It is said that he stayed there for several days before continuing his official duties southward.
"Almost at the same time, Miss Xichun was suddenly redeemed by a local wealthy businessman named Yang and married into his family... But more than a month later, Miss Xichun changed her name and appeared in the private residence of Marquis Liu'an... And the candidate for the new prefect of Jiancheng Dao was also confirmed to be the fifth-rank official..."
Wow, wow... Zhao Duan, who was listening nearby, was amazed.
How can you still not understand that this is a typical case of "sexual bribery"?
The laws of the State of Yu stipulated that officials were not allowed to redeem prostitutes and actors, but there were no restrictions on giving them away as gifts to others. As a result, the practice of "emptying the money from the pockets" arose among the people.
That is, if an official fell in love with a girl, a merchant would often redeem her and then give her to the official privately.
This is a typical operation.
Zhao Duan was even certain that to be able to reach the rank of prefect was definitely not enough for just a courtesan, and that a large sum of money must have been paid to the Marquis of Lu'an.
And it is most likely an astronomical figure.
But how could a fifth-rank local official afford so much money? Zhao Duan thought about it for a moment and came up with the answer:
Huaishui gentry!
"...Your Majesty," Yuan Li spoke slowly, his expression solemn:
"If this is true, with a fifth-rank official status, he would definitely not be able to sell it to the Marquis of Liu'an. I suspect that some clans in the Huai River Road are secretly supporting him.
As we all know, the Jiangnan clans are extremely resistant to the new policy. If they can use money to pave the way, buy and sell official positions, and support some officials to take up important positions... this is very likely to happen. And if you want to solve this kind of thing, I'm afraid you still need a sharp knife."
Xu Zhenguan's face was as cold as frost, and he said calmly, "Someone come."
A female official immediately walked in from outside the door.
The Empress said without emotion:
"Order the Imperial Guard Supervisor, Ma Yan, to immediately arrest the Marquis of Liu'an and the people involved for interrogation. The Censorate will supervise. I will give you one day. By this time tomorrow, I want to know the result."
Yuan Li stood up and responded at the same time as the female official: "As you wish!"
Then, the three men walked out of the imperial study in a swift and decisive manner. As one can imagine, there would be another bloody storm later.
When it comes to such a big matter involving the New Deal officials, the empress will definitely catch an example and conduct a thorough investigation to make an example of him... How courageous he is, he is so lustful that he dares to accept any bribe... Zhao Duan shook his head and had no sympathy for such a stupid person.
"See? They have already started." Xu Zhenguan suddenly said.
Zhao Duan comforted him, "The matter has not been investigated yet. Just relying on the words of an inspector, it may not be certain..."
Xu Zhenguan sighed, she suddenly turned her head, shook her head bitterly and said:
"You don't have to comfort me. In fact, how much Liu'an Marquis collected or not is not the key point, right?"
Zhao Duan remained silent. He calmly revealed the truth:
"Those local nobles may not really expect this method to work. At least, they may not expect this to work. However, if one example occurs, Your Majesty will lose trust in those local officials."
Xu Zhenguan sighed softly and said angrily:
"I also want to believe it. But discovering one case often means there are many more hidden under the surface. Moreover, even if the officials who took office are all clean.
But after they take office, sitting in that position, facing those local nobles offering gold, silver, women, land...soft and hard means, how many of them can resist change? Can they withstand the corruption?"
Zhao Duan was silent.
Any reform is bound to be accompanied by such stubborn problems, especially since the Huai River and Jiancheng Road are adjacent to each other and many big families are related.
And with Prince Jing backing Jiancheng Dao, those local tyrants will act with impunity.
"Your Majesty, treating the symptoms without addressing the root cause will never work." Zhao Duan suddenly said.
Xu Zhen looked at him and asked, "What do you want to say?"
Zhao Duan sighed softly and said:
"Mr. Yuan has almost pointed it out just now. He also knows that in places where local clans are entrenched, the newly appointed local officials are alone and powerless. Marquis Liu'an is one, but he is definitely not the only one.
The only way is to hand over a sharp enough knife and beat up the clansmen. There is not much difference between humans and dogs, they are all beasts. If you beat them hard, the dogs will learn their lesson. "
Xu Zhenguan was silent.
Zhao Duan volunteered: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go and make this sharp knife."
Xu Zhenguan did not nod, but stared at him with her beautiful eyes:
"That's Jiancheng Road, Prince Jing's territory. He tried to assassinate you last time. Aren't you afraid?"
Zhao Duan smiled slyly: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that there is an informant of mine beside Prince Jing?"
Princess Jing? Lu Yan'er? The descendant of Pei Niannu?
Xu Zhenguan suddenly remembered this and her eyes lit up. The last time, Zhao Duan told her how he conquered Lu Yan'er and developed the princess into a spy.
Zhao Duan talked freely:
"Prince Jing's strength lies in his territory and his control over all the forces in Jiancheng Dao. He may also have private armies and masters... but in terms of powerful practitioners, there may not be many. Lu Yan'er is by his side, and I can always use Princess Lu to obtain intelligence. Of course, I will not joke with my own life, and I don't think that a high-grade divine chapter is enough to break into the Dragon's Den."
Xu Zhenguan seemed to have guessed something: "You mean..."
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Your Majesty, didn't you just tell me that you will arrive at Luoshan in the summer to perform Fengshan? Do you need someone to go to Jianchengdao in advance to prepare near Luoshan? I thought, why not do both things at once? I can use my identity as the White Horse Supervisor's envoy who is preparing for the Fengshan for Your Majesty, and go south along the canal to Jianchengdao.
While preparing for the Fengshan ceremony, I will also crack down on those troublemakers. As long as I bring enough experts and Your Majesty is behind me, I will be there soon... Unless Prince Jing rebels immediately, what else can he do except spit on me?"
Xu Zhenguan stared at him seriously:
"Have you really decided? You... have done too much for me. There is no need..."
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten what I once told you? If a warrior hides in the safety of the capital, he will never be able to advance. Only through tempering can a warrior become brave and diligent. I also want to enter the secular world as soon as possible. If..."
He paused, and said in an extremely serious manner:
"If Your Majesty succeeds in Fengshan and ascends to the celestial being, the Yu Kingdom will surely be stable. This is the best."
After a pause, he said, "If... Your Majesty fails to achieve your wish, if I can advance to the worldly realm, I can also use Dragon Soul to help Your Majesty reach the heavenly realm again."
Implication:
You use Fengshan to charge first. If you can't get through, we can practice together and fight again.
Add a double insurance to the promotion.
The empress's fair cheeks suddenly turned red, and she spat:
"You are talking nonsense. Get out of here. I want to call the ministers to discuss this matter."
No... I'm talking to you about something serious, why are you blushing... Besides, you promised to keep me for dinner? Zhao Duan opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but a jade hand gently pressed on his chest.
Zhao Duan stepped back lightly, flew out of the imperial study like a fallen leaf, stood in the garden, and watched helplessly as the double carved doors of the study closed.
No, it’s not…
Zhao Duan sighed softly, turned his head and glared at the many palace maids in the corridor who were secretly staring at him with strange eyes:
"What are you looking at? Have you ever seen flirting?"
The palace maids lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling, trying hard to hold back their laughter.
Zhao Duan sighed, walked out of the bedroom and headed straight for the Wugong Hall. Since he was preparing to go south to offer sacrifices to the gods, he had to bring Lao Hai with him.
Martial Arts Hall.
Song Jinxi was standing at the door. When he saw him coming, his eyes lit up: "Zhao Shaobao, Qingshan's group is leaving."
……
Help catch typos
(End of this chapter)