Seeing their expressions, Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "I'm going to let you, Wang Jiaping, be in charge of the Law and Discipline Bureau and strictly investigate the corruption of officials."
Although Wang Jiaping was in charge of the Law and Discipline Bureau, Zhu Yijun was going to transfer a group of people from the Internal Factory over to handle the matters.
Rumors were unreliable, and there was no decent supervisory body among the civil officials.
Although Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard were in charge of this, they mostly carried out the Emperor's orders and were the Emperor's weapon against the civil officials. Their stance was skewed.
Zhu Yijun was very clear that it was impossible to do the right thing with the wrong system.
In fact, after the fall of the Imperial Bodyguard, Zhu Yijun didn't really want to use them anymore. Breaking the old system and building a new one was the way to go.
No matter how the old system was modified, it was fundamentally rotten.
It was better to replace the poison with a new one. In fact, abolishing the Imperial Bodyguard was already part of Zhu Yijun's plan.
When the Law and Discipline Bureau was established and supplemented by the Internal Factory, the Imperial Bodyguard would basically be of no use.
After this special stage, the responsibilities of the Internal Factory would also change. Zhu Yijun's position in the Internal Factory would be the national security.
The Law and Discipline Bureau was a disciplinary committee, and the establishment of criminal justice would also have to be carried out, but that would be left for later.
It wasn't that Zhu Yijun hadn't thought of creating a new system, but with his wisdom and the thinking of this era, it was too difficult. It was better to think of a way to integrate the institutions of the future with the ones of this era.
It was the crystallization of the wisdom of countless people with lofty ideals, and they could only complement each other.
Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping left the palace in confusion. They didn't look too good, because they already had some guesses in their hearts.
The Law and Discipline Bureau reminded Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping of Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard.
Further away were those ruthless officials who had left their names in history. They had caused countless major cases and beheaded countless people.
When they returned to the Imperial Censorate, before the two of them could catch their breath, someone came to report that there was a newcomer in the Imperial Censorate.
Both Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping were stunned. A newcomer?
I haven't heard of any newcomers coming over recently!
However, since the other party specifically wanted to see the two of them and was holding a document from the Cabinet, they had no choice but to meet them.
Not long after, a man in his forties walked in from outside.
Upon seeing Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping, the man smiled and cupped his hands. "I'm Qi Fei. Greetings, Sirs!"
The two of them didn't say anything. They just sized up Qi Fei. This person was very unfamiliar. They had never seen her before.
However, neither of them said anything. Wang Zhuan said directly, "At ease!"
Qi Fei stood up and said respectfully, "This is my document. Please take a look." Then, Qi Fei handed a document to Wang Zhuan.
While Wang Zhuan was reading Qi Fei's document, Wang Jiaping was sizing up Qi Fei, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Looking at the official uniform he was wearing, it was the uniform of a fifth-rank civil official, but looking at his movements, he didn't have much of a scholarly air about him.
Of course, Qi Fei didn't have much of a scholarly air about him because he had just put on a civil official's uniform.
Qi Fei was actually from the inner factory. He was originally the person in charge of the inner factory in Shandong, which was Qi Da.
Because he had performed meritorious service in thoroughly investigating the White Lotus Society in Shandong, he had been arranged to enter the Law and Disciplinary Department and become a member.
On the surface, Qi Fei was from Jinan, Shandong, and had been a Jinshi in the eighth year of Wanli.
However, after becoming a Jinshi, Qi Fei went home to mourn and had never been appointed. In fact, this was also the arrangement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Qi Fei was also one of the few Jinshi in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
It wasn't difficult for the Emperor to help someone cheat to become a Jinshi. After all, it was normal for the Emperor to know the examination questions in advance. However, Zhu Yijun couldn't do that.
The people in the inner factory didn't have a high level of education. In addition, they had very little daily training, so it was very difficult for them to pass the examination.
Qi Fei was one of the best. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been appointed as the person in charge of the inner factory in Shandong.
After making a great contribution in Shandong, Qi Fei had finally completed his transformation.
Qi Fei's information was recorded in detail in the document that Qi Fei had given to Wang Zhuan. It was very detailed and flawless.
The only flaw that could be seen was that Qi Fei's use was very abrupt, and he had directly entered the Law and Disciplinary Department.
Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping weren't fools. If they didn't understand that this person was someone the Emperor had secretly recruited, there must be something wrong with their brains.
Handing the document in his hand to Wang Jiaping, Wang Zhuan asked, "The document says that you are the Minister Counsellor of the Law and Disciplinary Department. Do you know what the Law and Disciplinary Department does?"
According to Daming's official position, the head of a department was a doctor, and it was the same for the Law and Disciplinary Department. However, the Emperor had put Wang Jiaping in charge of the Law and Disciplinary Department. Obviously, this was a high position, which meant that the Emperor thought highly of the Law and Disciplinary Department.
Although the Minister Counsellor was an adjutant, he was obviously a clerk in the Law and Disciplinary Department.
Qi Fei, who was well-prepared, bowed and said, "Since Lord has asked, I shall show off my slight skill in front of an expert!"
After saying some polite words, Qi Fei began to talk about the role and purpose of the Law and Disciplinary Department. She started with the advantages and disadvantages of the rumor, then talked about the investigation and arrest powers of the Law and Disciplinary Department, and then talked about the responsibilities of the Minister Counsellor and the doctor.
Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping were silent. They didn't know as much as Qi Fei did.
After Qi Fei's explanation, Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping actually felt enlightened, but they didn't feel good.
When Qi Fei finished speaking, the two of them looked at each other with grave expressions.
"According to what you said, the Law and Disciplinary Department specializes in investigating officials?" Wang Jiaping looked at Qi Fei and asked calmly.
Qi Fei nodded and said in a deep voice, "The people in the Law and Disciplinary Department can confirm that an official has done something illegal through the rumor and report it to the doctor. The doctor will then decide whether to file a case for investigation. If the case is filed for investigation, someone will be sent to collect evidence.
"Once it is confirmed that the official has done something illegal, an arrest can be carried out."
Wang Jiaping nodded. He suddenly felt that the Law and Disciplinary Department seemed to be a lot more interesting than he had thought.
Wang Zhuan thought more than Wang Jiaping. He had worked in the Imperial Censorate in Nanjing, so he knew very well about the messy things here, especially the rumor.
The Law and Disciplinary Department was obviously dissatisfied with the power of the rumor. After weighing the pros and cons, Wang Zhuan couldn't think of a reason for the time being.
"In order to prevent omissions, the Law and Disciplinary Department has the power to submit secret memorials. If the official involved has a high position or position, they need to bypass the cabinet and submit a secret memorial to His Majesty."
Qi Fei added again. He had familiarized himself with the system of the Law and Disciplinary Department these days.
Wang Jiaping and Wang Zhuan looked at each other and realized that Qi Fei seemed to be in charge of the Law and Disciplinary Department.
The emperor had placed the Law and Disciplinary Department in the Imperial Censorate, and it seemed more like he was borrowing the reputation of the Imperial Censorate.
"Sirs, these are the rules and system of the Law and Disciplinary Department. Please take a look."
Qi Fei took out a booklet from his arms and handed it to the two of them respectfully.
In fact, Qi Fei could have taken out this booklet a long time ago. The things he had just mentioned were all in the booklet.
The reason why he chose not to take it out was mainly because he didn't want to be looked down upon and establish his position in the Law and Disciplinary Department.
To Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping, he was an outsider. Even if he was a spy brought in by the emperor, they wouldn't give him face.
After what had happened before, the two of them naturally didn't dare to do so.
After taking the booklet, Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping looked at each other and then said to Qi Fei, "I need to study it in detail. If there's nothing else, you can leave first!"
"I'll take my leave!" Qi Fei answered, bowed, and left.
After Qi Fei left, Wang Zhuan and Wang Jiaping smiled bitterly. They knew that it wasn't easy to be an official in the Imperial Censorate, and now it seemed that it was indeed so.
The Law and Disciplinary Department was obviously in charge of arresting officials, and its reputation would definitely be notorious.
Not to mention anything else, they would definitely be labeled as a ruthless official, and they wouldn't be able to get rid of it even if they wanted to.
However, judging from the emperor's intentions, they had to do it whether they wanted to or not.
Compared to Wang Zhuan, Wang Jiaping didn't care much. Anyway, he could decide who to investigate or not. Moreover, many officials had indeed gone overboard, so it wasn't a big deal to investigate them. No one knew what would happen now, so they would just wait and see!
Along with the news of the huge increase in salaries, there was another piece of news. It was that the Imperial Censorate had set up the Law and Disciplinary Department.
This news was an imperial edict, and it was announced to the world. This was a major event.
An imperial edict couldn't be casually issued, especially one that was announced to the world.
The imperial edict detailed what the Law and Disciplinary Department would do. Some people were worried, some were cautious, and some didn't care at all.
Although everyone had different opinions, the Law and Disciplinary Department was quickly being set up, and soon, it was set up in the Imperial Censorate.
Nanjing.
Xu De had originally thought that his trip to Nanjing would be very happy. The aristocrats in Jiangnan didn't cause trouble and were busy doing business all day. As a factory official, he didn't have any other tasks, so it would be good to walk around.
As a servant, although it was more convenient for Xu De to leave the palace compared to others, it was still impossible for him to walk around.
Now that he had arrived in Nanjing, he could take a break. However, he hadn't expected the secret edict to arrive so quickly, and Xu De's good mood instantly disappeared.
After learning about the matter that the secret edict wanted him to investigate, Xu De's mood instantly became extremely gloomy.
"Eunuch, I've brought Cui Fu!" The young eunuch who served Xu De bowed and said beside Xu De.
Xu De nodded, put down the teacup in his hand, and said lightly, "Bring him in!"
Not long after, Cui Fu came in from outside. As a eunuch guarding Nanjing, Cui Fu was considered a big shot in Nanjing, and many people had to give him face. These years, he had been living like a prince.
However, his sense of superiority had to be seen in different places, and he didn't dare to show it in front of Xu De.
As a eunuch, Cui Fu knew a lot more than others. The Eunuch Xu in front of him wasn't simple either.
Not to mention his position in the Department of Rites, and not to mention his position in the Inner Censorate, just the Holy Favor alone wasn't something he could compare with.
Among the officials, they might compare official positions and backgrounds, but among the eunuchs, only the Holy Favor was compared.
Not to mention himself, even Dongchang's Eunuch Chang's Holy Favor was inferior to Eunuch Xu's Holy Favor.
"Greetings, Eunuch Xu!" Cui Fu hurriedly bowed to Xu De with a very respectful attitude.
Xu De nodded, and he still had the proper attitude when facing Cui Fu, "Cui Fu, I asked you to come here because I have a few things to ask you." For Cui Fu, Xu De didn't want to play any tricks, so he went straight to the point.
"Please ask, Eunuch. This servant will tell you everything I know!" Cui Fu hurriedly said with a smile.
"You offered some things to the capital, and among them was the Longevity Ointment, right?" Xu De said lightly, squinting at Cui Fu.
Cui Fu was stunned, and he was overjoyed. Was Eunuch Xu also interested in the Longevity Ointment?
This was a good thing!
He was too far away from the capital, and he didn't have enough Holy Favor. If he could climb up the big tree, Xu De, he might be able to be transferred back to the capital.
Although it was good to be a eunuch guarding Nanjing, people wanted to go higher, and water flowed lower. Who didn't want to go further?
"Eunuch Xu also likes the Longevity Ointment?"
Cui Fu said with a flattering smile on his face, "This servant still has some. When I go back, this servant will arrange for someone to send it to Eunuch Xu."
"Good!"
Xu De nodded, and he said with a smile, "When you go back and send it to me, I will ask you, where did you get the Longevity Ointment?"
When Cui Fu heard this, he muttered in his heart. What was Xu De trying to do?
Could it be that the Imperial Majesty liked it, and he wanted to take it from him?
This couldn't be done. This Longevity Ointment was obtained with a lot of effort, and he still hoped to use it to get Holy Favor!
"Eunuch Xu, how much do you want, just tell this servant. Why do you have to buy it yourself?"
Although Cui Fu was unhappy in his heart, he didn't show it on his face. He still flattered and said, "This servant has it here, and I will give it all to Eunuch Xu."
Hearing Cui Fu's words, Xu De smiled, and then his expression became serious, "Cui Fu, do you think that I am trying to steal your Longevity Ointment?"
Speaking up to here, Xu De suddenly slammed the table and loudly scolded, "Cui Fu, the Longevity Ointment is an addictive poison. You actually dare to give it to the Imperial Majesty, do you know your crime?"
When Cui Fu heard this, his face sank. Xu De, you are trying to kill me!
Is it necessary to steal a Longevity Ointment?
You are a big shot, but I am not a soft persimmon!
"Eunuch Xu, isn't this a bit too much?" Cui Fu looked at Xu De and said indifferently.
"Too much?"
Xu De took out Zhu Yijun's secret edict and said, "Cui Fu, this is the Imperial Majesty's secret edict. He ordered me to thoroughly investigate the Longevity Ointment case. Do you think that I am faking the imperial edict?"
When he saw the secret edict, Cui Fu's face changed and he directly fell to the ground.
"Eunuch Xu, please investigate, this servant didn't know it was poison!"
While crying, Cui Fu tried to defend himself. He was really scared. Offering poison to the wilderness, he had to die from a thousand cuts!
Xu De glanced at Cui Fu. He knew that this would be the result. As for Cui Fu offering poison to the Imperial Majesty, Xu De didn't believe it. He wouldn't dare even if he had a hundred guts.
However, he still had to scare him. After all, the Imperial Majesty wanted him to investigate the source of the Longevity Ointment. He didn't say anything about investigating Cui Fu. Obviously, the Imperial Majesty didn't believe that Cui Fu would offer poison.
Of course, Cui Fu also had to be investigated. What if this guy was bewitched?