Zhu Yijun's voice was loud and his expression was ferocious. No one in the hall spoke. Everyone was listening quietly. The hall was so quiet that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard. Even the sound of breathing was much softer.
"Your salary and the people's blood and sweat. No one can bully my people like this. Daming will not allow such an official to exist!"
"Where is the Ministry of Justice?" Zhu Yijun's cold gaze swept across everyone as he shouted loudly.
Xu Xuemo, the Minister of Justice, trembled. He quickly stood up and bowed, "I'm here!"
"This is the punishment. Did the Ministry of Justice send it here?"
Zhu Yijun held a file in his hand and said loudly, "Zhao Deqian was exiled to the army for three thousand miles. That's it?"
"This is the punishment of the Ministry of Justice?
Selling an official position and accepting bribes is a serious crime. Exiling to the army for three thousand miles? "
Xu Xuemo was speechless. This was indeed the punishment of the Ministry of Justice, but it was too light.
However, they were all civil officials. They had to save some face. Plus, they had to show some respect.
If the punishment was too heavy, what would the other officials think of them?
Their reputation was also very important!
"I'm guilty!" Xu Xuemo knelt on the ground and said loudly.
Zhu Yijun looked at Xu Xuemo and didn't say anything. He turned his head and looked at the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, Sun Piyang.
This person was trained by Zhu Yijun to be the next minister of the Ministry of Justice. After Xu Xuemo was dismissed, he would be the next minister.
"Sun Piyang!" Zhu Yijun called out in a cold voice.
"I'm here!" Sun Piyang stood up and said loudly.
When Zhu Yijun called out to Sun Piyang, all the officials were shocked. What was the Emperor trying to do?
Although Sun Piyang was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, he didn't have the right to speak here.
The emperor first scolded Xu Xuemo and now he called Sun Piyang. This wasn't a good sign.
"You are the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. Let me ask you, are you familiar with the Law of Daming?" Zhu Yijun nodded and asked calmly.
"Your Majesty, I'm familiar with the Law of Daming," Sun Piyang quickly replied.
Zhu Yijun nodded again, "I remember that there is a Law of Officials in the Law of Daming. In the Law of Officials, there are clear rules on officials taking bribes and bending the law. Tell me, what does it say?"
As soon as he said this, everyone's expression changed. They were done for.
"Your Majesty, according to the Law of the Daming, corruption and perverting the law are both crimes. All the people in the Ministry of Personnel are guilty of corruption and perverting the law. They should be punished severely for both crimes."
"According to the Law of the Daming, those who break the law will be demoted by one rank, and their names will be removed from the list. Officials will be dismissed from the military service. Those who have money will be demoted by one rank, and those who have no money will be demoted by two ranks. Those who have committed a crime will be punished severely."
"Swindler, seventy lashes, one hundred miles."
"Up to five strokes of the staff, eighty strokes of the staff, one hundred and fifty li."
"Fifty strings of strings and above, one hundred strokes of the staff, three thousand li."
"More than eighty strings of strings and above, hanging, confiscation of family properties, and banishment to the army."
Zhu Yijun nodded, looked at Sun Piyang, and said, "Not bad, you remember it very well. Then let me ask you, how should the people in the Ministry of Personnel be punished?"
"Your Majesty, all the people in the Ministry of Personnel should be sentenced to hanging, confiscation of family properties, and banishment to the army!" Sun Piyang lowered his head and replied loudly, his voice was very calm.
Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Xu Xuemo, "Xu, you, tell me, is the Law of Daming just for show?
Since the Law of Daming clearly states it, how does the Ministry of Justice punish them? "
"In my opinion, these people in the Ministry of Personnel should not only be hanged, but they should also be skinned and hung outside the Ministry of Personnel's yamen."
When Zhu Yijun said this, it really scared everyone. How many years had it been since someone had skinned someone and hung them outside the Ministry of Personnel's yamen?
This won't do, this definitely won't do!
It was too scary.
Skinned someone and hung them was originally used by Zhu Yuanzhang to scare the civil officials.
After the corrupt officials were sentenced to hanging, the skin would be skinned and dried, then stuffed with straw.
A flagpole would be buried in front of the yamen, and the straw filled human skin would be hung on the flagpole, fluttering in the wind.
Later officials would see that this was how their predecessors died.
They would see it every day when they went in and out of the yamen, it would scare them to death. Let's see how much courage they had to collect money.
Now, these civil officials had only heard of it, but no one had seen it. But it was already scary enough to hear about it, and if it was really done, it would be even scarier.
Thinking of this kind of punishment falling on them, everyone shuddered violently.
This can't be!
Thinking of a flagpole buried in front of the Ministry of Personnel's yamen, with a dozen human skins stuffed with straw fluttering in the wind, it directly made people shudder.
Thus, everyone's eyes turned to Shen Shixing, the meaning was clear: Minister Shen, speak!
Shen Shixing cursed in his heart. What is this? What does this have to do with me?
I'm not the one who took bribes and perverted the law. I'm not the one who tried the case, and I'm not the one who sentenced them. In the end, so many messy things happened, and you want me to replace the Emperor. Is this something a human should do?
Although he was very reluctant, Shen Shixing still had to stand up. After all, he was the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, the highest official position.
"Your Majesty, I don't think this is appropriate!"
Shen Shixing stood up and said with a serious face. As the only person in the court besides Zhu Yijun who had a seat, Shen Shixing's position was quite important.
Zhu Yijun turned to look at Shen Shixing and said with a gloomy face, "Shen, you, what do you think?"
Hearing the Emperor's unfriendly tone, Shen Shixing suddenly felt a headache coming on, but he still braced himself and said, "Your Majesty, there is a saying that I think is very good. Since the Law of Daming has a clear written rule, it is better to act according to the Law of Daming."
"The court has its own rules, so everything should be done according to the rules. If everyone doesn't act according to the rules, what is the use of the rules?
I accuse Minister of Justice Xu Xuemo of bending the law. "
Zhu Yijun looked at Shen Shixing deeply and couldn't help but curse in his heart, "Old fox!"
Shen Shixing's words seemed to open the mouths of the officials. Vice Minister of the Cabinet Yu Youding also stood up and said, "I think what Minister Shen said is very right. The Law of Daming should be the standard."
"I will agree!"
At this time, the officials in the Ministry of Personnel couldn't care less about the people's lives. They wanted them to die, because they deserved to die.
As for Minister of Justice Xu Xuemo, sorry Old Xu, the situation was urgent, so he couldn't care so much.
Seeing that all the officials said so, Zhu Yijun's face was gloomy. After a long time, he said unwillingly, "Do you all think so?"
No one said anything.
Zhu Yijun swung his sleeves, walked back to his dragon chair, and sat down. He said to Sun Piyang loudly, "Sun Piyang, what is the crime of bending the law?"
When everyone heard this, they immediately heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, the Emperor's evil aura was suppressed.
As for the crime of bending the law, the Emperor said that he would punish Xu Xuemo, it seemed more like he was venting his dissatisfaction.
Sun Piyang also knew that he had to say something at this time, so he hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, those who bend the law will be reduced in official position, fined in salary, or punished with caning, depending on the situation. Those who have evidence will be punished severely."
Hearing Sun Piyang's words, Zhu Yijun was stunned. This punishment was really reasonable.
Glancing at Xu Xuemo, Zhu Yijun didn't have the heart to criticize him, so he said directly, "Then half a year's salary will be deducted!"
In fact, Zhu Yijun also knew that he wasn't targeting Xu Xuemo today, but the case of Zhao Deqian and the Law of Daming.
Zhu Yijun shouted so fiercely, but his real purpose was to change the Law of Daming.
However, he couldn't show this attitude now, because it wasn't the right time.
Xu Xuemo just happened to be at the right time. Of course, he wasn't qualified to do this.
Zhu Yijun wouldn't use this matter to teach Xu Xuemo, because it would make him, the Emperor, seem too petty.
Of course, this also had something to do with Zhu Yijun knowing that Xu Xuemo still had to deal with Dalei.
Although the case of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice hadn't been exposed yet, it would be soon.
When the case was exposed by the Department of Law and Discipline, Xu Xuemo's position as the Minister of Justice would come to an end.
After Xu Xuemo left, Sun Piyang, the successor of Zhu Yijun, would naturally be Sun Piyang.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xu Xuemo hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude.
Xu Xuemo struggled to get up from the ground and almost fell. Fortunately, Sun Piyang supported him from the side.
The Emperor had just gotten angry, and the officials used him as an example, which scared Xu Xuemo.
Now that he heard that he would only be fined half a year's salary, Xu Xuemo immediately heaved a sigh of relief.
Shen Shixing and the others were the same. Compared to the Emperor's attitude just now, a half a year's salary penalty was really considered light.
"The case of Zhao Deqian from the Ministry of Personnel will be dealt with according to the Law of Daming," Zhu Yijun added indifferently.
At this time, no one objected to Zhu Yijun's words. That idiot, Zhao Deqian, should just go to hell.
After much effort to appease the Emperor, no one dared to ask for leniency for Zhao Deqian.
Zhu Yijun glanced at Shen Shixing and said, "Shen, you."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shen Shixing quickly answered and bowed.
"The Cabinet has drafted a decree. From now on, all government offices inside and outside the capital should be dealt with according to the Law of Daming. No one is allowed to bend the law. Those who violate it will be punished severely," Zhu Yijun said indifferently.
Shen Shixing and the others were shocked. Everything should be dealt with according to the Law of Daming?
After being an official for so many years, Shen Shixing knew one thing. The law and principle in the officialdom was nothing more than human feelings. Many times, officials would play some small tricks in this, which would be difficult to deal with in the future.
This was not the key, but the Law and Discipline Department.
If the Law and Discipline Department found a few more cases, what should they do?
Who knew when they would find out who? If everything was dealt with according to the Law of Daming, those who embezzled 80 strings of coins would be hanged.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Although there were many thoughts in his mind, Shen Shixing did not dare to say it. He did not know where to start.
The Emperor's request was not unreasonable. How could he oppose it?
"Well, that's all for today!" Zhu Yijun nodded, left this sentence, and turned to leave.
The mood of the officials was very complicated, but Shen Shixing had a glimmer of understanding in his heart. This was all because of the salary increase. He knew that it was not so easy to get the money.
The Emperor of the Zhu family was narrow-minded. It seemed that the Emperor was no exception!
If the salary was increased, then corruption should be strictly investigated. You can't say that you have enough to spend, right?
It was not a day or two that the officials complained about being poor. Now that the Emperor wanted to punish corruption, it was good.
"Minister, what happened today?"
As they walked out, the people surrounded Shen Shixing and asked hesitantly, "What should we do?"
"Go back and control the people below. Do your work well." Shen Shixing left this sentence, turned around, and left.
Although Shen Shixing had roughly guessed what was going on, he could not say it, because it was useless to say it.
It was useless to say that the Emperor would investigate corruption. This was the Great Way.
If you were corrupt, it was natural to punish you. There was no reason to talk about it.
The Emperor wanted to clean up the bureaucracy and the governance of officials. This time, Shen Shixing had made up his mind not to participate.
When he went back, he would write a memorial to the Emperor asking for an investigation of the governance of officials and clearly express his attitude.
In Shen Shixing's view, a storm was coming, and protecting himself was the key.
The contents of this court discussion quickly spread throughout the bureaucracy. The imperial edict from the Cabinet also spread to all the yamens in the capital.
Instantly, countless people panicked, especially after knowing the sentence of Zhao Deqian and the others.
All the human traffickers were hanged, their properties confiscated, and their direct blood relatives were sent to the army.
For a time, the reputation of the Law and Discipline Department rose to the point that it was hated by people and dogs.
When the officials saw the people from the Law and Discipline Department, they all took a detour, for fear of being targeted by them. It was simply terrible.
At this time, another news broke out. The Imperial Censorate established a new yamen called the Corruption Department.
It was the same level as the Law and Discipline Department, specializing in official corruption. The doctor of the Law and Discipline Department was called Qi Bian.
He was originally a capable general of the Law and Discipline Department and was responsible for the case of Assistant Minister Zhao Deqian.
Before everyone could digest this news, another piece of news came. The Right Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censor, Wang Jiaping, was transferred to the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments.
The person who took over the Right Imperial Censor position was Assistant Minister of Revenue Zhao Lian of Nanjing.
Although the Right Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censor was not a small position and changing people would certainly cause discussion, it would not cause a huge uproar.
However, this time was different. Everyone now knew that the Right Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censor was in charge of the Law and Discipline Department of Daming and the newly established Corruption Department.
Changing people at such a crucial time could not help but make people's imaginations run wild.
Especially when Zhao Lian's qualifications were revealed, it could be said that it caused a huge uproar.
Zhao Lian's previous qualifications were not much. Although he had been promoted quickly, people did not care. There were not many people like this in Daming, but there were still quite a few.
However, this time, Zhao Lian was promoted and transferred to the Right Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censor, in charge of the Law and Discipline Department and the Corruption Department, mainly because of his actions in Nanjing and Fujian.
Investigating the Fortune Longevity Ointment case and the Zhen family's collusion with the Japanese, these two cases were not small.
It was said that because of these two cases, hundreds of people had been executed.
As Zhao Lian entered the capital, the number of people had increased. When Zhao Lian arrived at the gates of the capital, the number had increased to more than 3,000.
As for Zhao Lian's image, he basically had all the ruthless officials had, and all kinds of stories were spread about him.
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun sat on the Dragon Throne and listened to Zhang Jing's report. A smile appeared on his face. "I hope that after Zhao Lian hears this news, he will not collapse."