Chapter 503: The Cui Family Confessed Guilty

Chapter 503: The Cui Family Confessed Guilty

Deng Cui and Zhang Yin made a decision in the Western Regions, but there was no way to report the decision to the court in time. The envoys sent out were blocked by the misgivings of the cold winter and the countries in the Western Regions and could not move forward. The Chu army was desolate in Huzhu City When the New Year was celebrated, the capital still did not know that Deng Cui had returned to the city safely, much less that the two generals planned to defend Hancheng.

Han Ruzi had a very unhappy New Year. As the emperor, he had to make a decision as soon as possible, but the differences between him and his ministers had not been resolved. Now a new one has been added: the emperor feels that the Western enemy is a greater threat However, the ministers believed that the Xiongnu in the north were the big trouble.

The minister's evidence is very strong, the Western Regions are not conducive to the march of the army, and the Western enemy does not understand the terrain of the Great Chu, but the Huns are the enemies of the Central Plains for thousands of years.

There is also another piece of evidence, which is clearly stated in the final official document of Huzhucheng. Deng Cui once led his army to defeat the Western enemy, but was defeated by the Huns, which shows that the Huns are more worthy of prevention.

Han Ruzi didn't have any evidence in his hand. He only knew that the old Xiongnu Shanyu was by no means a timid person, but he made no secret of his fear of the gods and ghosts. In the end, the Xiongnu still chose to surrender.

He sent a number of envoys outside the Great Wall, including Jin Chunzhong, just to find out one thing, whether the Huns surrendered or split again, so far there has been no reply.

After the new year, Han Ruzi couldn't wait any longer, and finally passed an edict, requesting Deng Cui and Zhang Yin to return to the capital and transfer Huzhucheng to the countries of the Western Regions.

The Ministry of War took over all communication channels with the Western Regions and immediately sent people to deliver the imperial edict.

Han Ruzi left the Qinzheng Palace, always feeling uneasy, but he had no other choice. The minister's reason was very good. Deng Cui's whereabouts were unknown. It was extremely difficult for Zhang Yin to defend the Tiger City. It is a pity that the time does not wait for me, the enemy came too early.

In Lingyun Pavilion, many of the emperor's advisers gathered again, and they all supported the ministers in the court. Since the Great Chu Dingding, the Xiongnu has always been the most powerful enemy. This concept is deeply rooted, even if the Xiongnu has surrendered to another strong enemy, It is difficult to change the views of the Chu people.

The imperial decree has been issued, and regretting it is useless. Han Ruzi began to discuss the strategy of northern Xinjiang with everyone. He is in urgent need of a minister of military affairs, but he could not find a suitable candidate for a while.

In the evening, when Han Ruzi returned to the harem, he was in a better mood. Accepting the minister's advice had an advantage. Regardless of the final victory or defeat, the responsibility was not on the emperor.

This year has passed very hastily. The tenth day has not yet arrived, and there is not much festive atmosphere in the palace. After Han Ruzi greeted the two queen mothers as usual, he immediately went to Qiuxin Palace to find a moment of peace in the queen and princess.

Princess Rujun didn't know any worries, she always giggled and laughed every time she saw her father, which made Han Ruzi feel more affectionate and loving.

Han Ruzi wanted to stay in Qiuxin Palace for the night, but Cui Xiaojun advised: "General Deng's life or death is uncertain, His Majesty should go to comfort Concubine Shu more."

Deng Yun misses her brother very much. After returning to Beijing, she has been restless. When the emperor came, she was in a daze at Zhu, and even forgot to get up to greet her. After a while, she remembered the rules and got up hastily, "Your Majesty..."

Han Ruzi motioned for her to sit down, but he didn't know how to comfort him, "Deng Cui is good at winning by surprise, and he is not so easy to be killed. At most three months, he will definitely be able to return safely."

Deng Yun smiled reluctantly, "Does Your Majesty remember the dream I told you about?"

During the hunting tour, Deng Yun once dreamed that her brother was covered in blood, and Han Ruzi nodded, "The dream can't be taken seriously."

"After careful calculation, when I had that dream, it coincided with my brother's distress in the Western Regions."

Han Ruzi sat down, held Concubine Shu's hand, and said softly, "Even if there is an accident, don't be too sad. Deng Cui is a general and will inevitably encounter all kinds of dangers."

"That's what I'm worried about. My brother's temper has always been that of facing difficulties. The more dangerous he is, the more he has to rush forward. If he gets caught in the battle, it's fine. We have to fight a few more battles in the Western Regions."

"My will is very clear, and he will follow it." Han Ruzi was not particularly confident.

Deng Yun forced a smile again, pressing her other hand on her lower abdomen, "I have it."

Han Ruzi was stunned for a moment, and then said with great joy, "Really?"

"I haven't had my menstrual period for more than ten days. The imperial doctor diagnosed me today and said I already had it."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? The queen mother and the queen don't know about it, right?"

"I asked the imperial doctor not to disclose it, I want to tell your majesty in person."

Han Ruzi stood up, "That's great, I finally heard some good news. This child was conceived at a time of crisis, and it must be extraordinary."

Deng Yun smiled and said, "Maybe it's a princess. I think Your Majesty prefers princesses."

Han Ruzi smiled, "Aren't you afraid?"

Deng Yun was once frightened by Concubine Hui Tong Qing'e's giving birth to a child, and claimed that she no longer wanted children. At this time, she said, "I'm a little scared, but I'm still looking forward to it. This child is not only the descendant of the Han family, but also the hope of the Deng family."

Deng Yun was always open-mouthed, and Han Ruzi didn't care. He immediately sent someone to inform the Queen Mother and the Queen, and ordered the palace to celebrate and restore a little festive atmosphere.

The joy brought by the concubine's pregnancy quickly disappeared, and Han Ruzi was caught up in a series of affairs. After the Lantern Festival, he decided to solve the Cui family.

The foreign aggression was imminent, and the ministers thought that the emperor would no longer be obsessed with the issue of private slaves, and Han Ruzi had to show his determination to the world.

As long as the enemy has not yet reached the territory of Da Chu, Han Ruzi must first eliminate his internal worries.

In the Qinzheng Hall, Han Ruzi showed a memorial to ministers such as the prime minister and asked for his opinion.

The content of this memorial is to impeach Taifu Cui Hong, calling him a foreign relative, who on the surface is an official, but refuses to give up the power in his hands, colludes with foreign ministers, inquires about the secrets of the palace, thinks it for his own use, and plots for Cui's party. After the emperor ordered "borrowing slaves to reclaim wasteland", the Cui family only released a small number of private slaves to blame, and continued to conceal a large number of people.

Zhuo Ruhe and others looked at each other in dismay. In the recent period, there have been many similar memorials, not only the impeachment of Cui Hong, but also the ministers such as the prime minister. When the minister thought he had understood the matter, the emperor suddenly attacked, and the first target he chose turned out to be his father-in-law.

"The period of March has come, and the year is over." Han Ruzi glanced at the ministers in the hall, "It's time to hold the accountable, Da Chu can't drag his internal worries to deal with foreign enemies, he must first solve the problem of private slaves."

The minister was speechless, and the prime minister Zhuo Ruhe had to step forward and say: "Your Majesty's words are very true, the private slave problem should be solved, but is it not too urgent? Great Chu needs stability, and the world is shaken at this time..."

Han Ruzi said solemnly, "It is the only way to shake the world by allowing the families to continue to keep private slaves."

Feng Ju, the censor of Zuo Cha, opened his mouth and said: "At least there are hundreds of thousands of private slaves in the world, but there may be more than one million. How should so many people be resettled at a time? The government needs to provide crops, farming tools and other items. Too much has been lent out over the past few years and so far it has not been recovered, making it difficult to supply.”

Han Ruzi had thought of this problem long ago, and said: "The frontier is just at the time of employing people. Private slaves can be allowed to join the army and serve for three to ten years. They are divided into several grades. "

"Private slaves are not only men, but also family members." Liu Zeqin, Minister of Rites, reminded.

"Each family has kept private slaves for many years, how much grain rent is paid? You can't just let people go, you have to pay a certain amount of grain."

The ministers were stunned, the emperor not only wanted to continue to abolish private slaves, but even more ruthless.

"Let's not say so much, what should Cui Hong be guilty of, you can make up your mind."

Several ministers glanced at each other, but did not dare to speak, the emperor urged again, and finally Zhuo Ruhe said: "Let's not say that Taifu Cui is the father of the queen, just because of his illustrious merits for Chu, the court should also To open up to him, the minister thought that His Majesty should issue a letter to ask questions first, if Mrs. Cui is obsessed, refuses to confess guilt, and refuses to hand over private slaves, it will not be too late to punish him severely."

At the beginning of the prime minister, the emperor seemed to approve it, and the other ministers followed immediately and all expressed their support.

The inquiries were drawn up by several ministers on the spot and handed over to the emperor for review. Han Ruzi proposed amendments three times in succession, asking for more phrasing. It was only approved after noon, and immediately handed over to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and sent to the Cui Mansion by the officials in the mansion.

Cui Hong had heard the news, prepared the incense case and other items, accepted the inquisition letter in the attitude of accepting the imperial decree, kowtowed and apologized, and handed in a guilt memorial before nightfall.

Said to be guilty, Cui Hong still defended himself, denying colluding with foreign ministers to inquire about secrets, only admitting that he had asked the court for official positions for some friends. Either naturalization or release. If there is any concealment, it is likely that the people who are doing the work below make their own decisions, and the Cui family will conduct a review immediately.

The second letter of censure did not pass through the Qinzheng Palace and the Prime Minister's Palace, but was sent directly from the palace.

Han Ruzi did not summon Cui Hong, and all questions and answers were conducted in official documents. After going back and forth three times, Cui Hong finally pleaded guilty.

The matter was not over yet, Han Ruzi immediately asked the prime minister and the Ministry of Punishment to convict. The initial punishment was only fines and reprimands. Han Ruzi rejected it. One clan and two lords were cut down, even Cui Teng was no exception.

The punishment should have been heavier, but the emperor allowed the Cui family to atone for their past merits.

When the news came out, the capital was sensational, and it didn't take long for it to spread all over the place, triggering even greater repercussions.

There was little progress in the stalemate of the abolition of slavery for several months. It was not until the Cui family was convicted that a large number of wealthy families handed over their slaves.

During the remaining days of the first month and the whole of February, Han Ruzi was busy with this matter, pressing the imperial court more and more tightly. At the same time, he has been paying attention to the news outside Xinjiang.

The Western Regions fell into chaos, no news came from Tiger City, and the whereabouts of the decree sent were also unknown.

At the end of February, Jin Chunzhong and other envoys returned to Beijing and brought exact news that the Huns did not surrender as a whole, but split again, and some of the Huns who insisted not to surrender, in the name of the imperial concubine Jin Chuiduo of the Great Chu and the princess Cui Zhao of the Great Chu, went to the capital. The emperor asks for help.

At about the same time, several major families who were forced to hand over private slaves could no longer bear it, and joined forces to attack the emperor.