Chapter 135 The storm is coming! (Here it comes!)

The office opened on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, but Zhang Heng waited until he was twenty before going to look for Fan Zhongyan with the information in hand.

But what Zhang Heng saw was Fan Zhongyan, an old man with a frown and a very haggard appearance.

Zhang Heng couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It's not easy.

It was just the beginning of spring, and Fan Zhongyan was immediately faced with challenges.

The first is the matter of Teng Zongliang.

As soon as this New Year passed, Wang Gongchen seemed to have eaten too much during the Chinese New Year and was particularly energetic. He had just started working and immediately impeached Teng Zongliang. Fan Zhongyan couldn't bear to let Teng Zongliang be demoted again and kept defending him.

Oh, yes, this Teng Zongliang’s nickname is Teng Zijing.

[In the spring of the fourth year of Qingli, Teng Zijing was relegated to Baling County...] The Teng Zijing.

In November of the second year of Qingli, due to his good border management and outstanding military exploits, on the recommendation of Fan Zhongyan, Teng Zongliang was promoted to Tianzhangge to wait for the system, and was deployed in Huanqing Road. He succeeded Fan Zhongyan as the governor of Qingzhou.

In September of the third year of Qingli, that is, last year, shortly after Teng Zongliang transferred to the capital, the Shaanxi Fourth Route Horse Infantry Army stationed in Jingzhou was deployed. After some appeasement and recruitment, the envoys reported that Teng Zongliang had abused government money in Jingzhou.

Then the supervisory censor Liang Jian also impeached him, accusing him of spending 160,000 yuan on envoys in Jingzhou.

Immediately, the Chinese envoy Dr. Taichang Yandu was sent to Pizhou to investigate the matter.

Teng Zongliang was panicked for a moment, fearing that innocent people would be implicated, so he burned all the account books and pension lists, and found out the charges. The "Jingzhou Misappropriation of Public Funds Case" caused an uproar.

Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu and others all defended Teng Zongliang and tried their best to save him, so that Teng Zongliang was only demoted one level and still served as a waiter in Tianzhang Pavilion. He was demoted to the prefect of Fengxiang Prefecture and later to the prefect of Guozhou.

But just after New Year's Eve, Wang Gongchen continued to impeach Teng Zongliang, believing that Teng Zongliang's crimes would not be enough to convince the public if he was only demoted one level.

This matter seemed to be Teng Zongliang's own business, but Teng Zongliang was a general under Fan Zhongyan. When Fan Zhongyan had just decided to change, Teng Zongliang was immediately impeached. Zhang Heng believed that there was definitely something fishy in this matter.

And now, even though Teng Zongliang had been demoted again and again, Wang Gongchen still refused to give up and had to send him far away before giving up, which is even more surprising.

Zhang Heng has already felt the impending storm.

With the implementation of the New Deal, Zhang Heng has heard a lot of voices similar to "Ren Zi's kindness is not good, grinding is secret, and those who are lucky are inconvenienced". They have also been attacked from many aspects. Some censors even attacked them for being a clique.

Forming a faction is a "clique".

Sure enough, apart from Wang Gongchen's attack on Teng Zongliang, there were constant rumors during the Spring Festival. This was something Zhang Heng only found out about when he came out of Liu Neiquan.

During the Spring Festival, many people were spreading rumors that Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu and others were going to rebel, and the rumors were very convincing. It was said that Shi Jie had written to Fu Bi, the deputy privy envoy, and Shi Jie asked Fu Bi to imitate Huo Guang of the Western Han Dynasty.

The emperor at that time was abolished and a new emperor was established. Some people even claimed that Shi Jie had drafted an edict for Fu Bi to abolish the old and establish the new.

So much so that Zhao Zhen canceled the Lantern Festival lantern viewing celebration. Of course, the reason Zhao Zhen gave was that he had insufficient funds and in order to save expenses, he canceled the celebration.

But anyone who is interested can see that this reason is not very reliable, because the celebration has been planned for a long time, and if it is canceled at this time, the money spent will not be recovered, so it is probably influenced by this rumor.

Zhang Heng went to ask Wu Yu about this matter, but Wu Yu did not hide anything and told the story in many twists and turns.

It is said that in March of the third year of Qingli, Fan Zhongyan was recalled from Shaanxi to serve as deputy privy envoy, Ouyang Xiu and others were appointed as admonishers, and Lu Yijian was dismissed as prime minister.

In April, as soon as the new Privy Councilor Xia Song returned to the capital, he was impeached by the admonishers and was removed from office.

The Imperial College at that time spoke directly to Shi Jie, believing that Zhao Zhen was dedicated to seeking governance, and Fan Zhongyan and others actively carried out reforms, and felt that there was hope for reforming the political situation.

So Shi Jie wrote the "Qingli Shengde Poem" to express his inner joy. In the poem, he praised Renzong for recruiting Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu and others, who were regarded as heroes.

The rumors circulating this time were actually a letter written by Shi Jie to Fu Bi, deputy envoy to the privy council, instructing him to assist Renzong in reviving the Song Dynasty like Yi Yin of the Shang Dynasty and Duke Zhou of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Shi Jie's original book is actually "Yi, Zhou". Anyone with a discerning eye knows that it is Yi Yin, Duke of Zhou. However, in rumors, it is said to be "Yi, Huo", which means that Shi Jie wanted Fu Bi to imitate Huo Guang of the Western Han Dynasty.

Depose the current emperor and establish a new emperor.

One word difference makes a huge difference.

All kinds of things were happening one after another. Fan Zhongyan was running for Teng Zongliang and explaining the rumors to Zhao Zhen. He was so busy that he had to devote his attention to dealing with the changes. He was probably very tired.

Just when Zhang Heng was feeling unfair for Fan Zhongyan, Fan Zhongyan frowned and shouted: "Why, after just one Spring Festival Eve, I have become so lazy, why are you here now?"

Zhang Heng was immediately angry when he heard this - this piece of shit doesn't deserve sympathy at all!

Zhang Heng felt angry and placed the information in his arms on Fan Zhongyan's desk. "I have been thinking very hard about the changes in political participation. I even worked overtime in Liuneiquan during the Chinese New Year. I have been busy for nearly twenty days.

I just sorted out this information, but I didn’t expect that this kid would become lazy again when he was participating in politics, which is really chilling!”

Fan Zhongyan was hesitant. He picked up a book of information scattered on the table and looked at it. His face suddenly became solemn.

Zhang Heng estimated that he would not finish reading it in a while, so he handed over his hands and planned to go back to Liuneiquan first. However, Fan Zhongyan pointed to the chair next to him and said: "Sit down, I still have questions to ask you."

Fan Zhongyan raised his head and continued to read the information. During this period, someone came in and was dismissed after a few words. Fan Zhongyan also ordered people not to let anyone in.

…

"... This Chuzhou magistrate embezzled 50,000 shi of relief grain. When giving porridge to the victims, he mixed chaff and gravel into the rice. Can this be taken seriously?"

"Seriously, three embassies have confirmed this matter, and I have also checked. Chuzhou has indeed received 60,000 shi of grain. The quantity is consistent."

…

"...The magistrate of Changshan County, Xinzhou, colluded with local wealthy families to invade and occupy people's fields. The invaders were beaten to death. His father also died for complaining, and his mother hanged herself at home. It is suspected that the magistrate was responsible. Can this be taken seriously?"

"...I don't know, kid, if you have any doubts about participating in politics, you can just ask the magistrate of Xinzhou to inquire."

…

"... This recorder from Yuyao County, Yuezhou, who joined the army, really committed adultery with his wife and daughter. He also occupied his land, killed his husband, and even dug up his ancestors' graves?"

"...This is probably true."

…

Fan Zhongyan didn't ask any questions when he saw what was happening behind him. The anger on his face became lighter and lighter, and by the time he saw it, he was almost expressionless.

Zhang Heng understood Fan Zhongyan's mood very well. In fact, when he was sorting out these things, he was very angry, but after reading more, his heart became numb.

But Fan Zhongyan sighed softly: "These beasts can be officials, no wonder the Song Dynasty is getting worse and worse..."

Zhang Heng said nothing, but he fully agreed.

These beasts can be officials, but the people who ask them to be officials are really blind.

Oh, no, there are a lot of them in the court. It should be said that they are the same kind!

"...However, if we continue to deal with it as you have given, I'm afraid the place will be in chaos!"

Fan Zhongyan took a photo of the large stack of lists.

Of course, it is a very thick stack. Although each official is only marked by his official position, plus the crimes he has committed or the merits he has made, the materials of 20,000 to 30,000 people are not that much. This is already what Zhang Heng has classified.

Simple and simple things.

Zhang Heng chuckled: "Didn't I say before I joined politics that I was going to stab the sky? Didn't you also support me? Why, are you scared now?"

Fan Zhongyan glanced at Zhang Heng and said, "Who made these things?"

Zhang Heng said: "It's the boy himself and his two brothers."

Fan Zhongyan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You must be careful in your actions. If people know that these things were made by you, you will never be able to live in peace in the future."

Zhang Heng shook his head and said: "With the cooperation of the embassies in various places, it is inevitable that the information obtained from the ministerial treasury will be leaked."

Fan Zhongyan looked at Zhang Heng for a long time and said, "You really don't care about your life when you do things."

Zhang Heng bowed his head to the end: "I always think about making a career in doing things. How can I do things well? I can only give up halfway."

Fan Zhongyan was shocked, and there was blood floating across his haggard face in a daze, and then he became angry: "If everyone is like you, how can you reach a high position and do real big things! What a nonsense!"

Zhang Heng said calmly: "If everyone was like me, there would be no big deal in this world."

Everyone is just like me. Naturally, we are in a peaceful and prosperous age, so there is no need for change.

Fan Zhongyan was originally angry, but when Zhang Heng said this, his anger subsided and he couldn't help but laugh: "You are very confident."

Zhang Heng chuckled and said, "Young man's family has a lot of money. There is no need to make money to be an official. The greed of civil servants is the basis of corruption. If everyone is like this young man, the world will naturally be clear. There is no need for you to feel inferior in this regard."

Fan Zhongyan suddenly remembered that Xu Yuan said that Zhang Heng, like his teacher Zeng Gongliang, was a master of financial management. He had already become a wealthy family two years ago. It seemed that there was no need to worry about his corruption.

But he still shook his head: "It's not that simple. Some people not only seek wealth but also sex when they become officials, and some even exercise power. They are always dissatisfied..."

However, this matter is a casual matter. Fan Zhongyan waved his hand and said: "You can go back."

Zhang Heng did not move: "Then participating in politics, this..."

Fan Zhongyan said impatiently: "I know, you don't need to worry about this matter anymore. I will naturally ask someone to investigate. After you go back, keep secret about this matter. Don't say too much, otherwise people will know about it. You kid, be careful about your behavior."

life."

Zhang Heng pointed to another part of the book and said: "Participating in politics, that's not what I mean. What I mean is that there is another document you can look at. That one is dedicated to more honest and capable officials. Fan Participating in Politics

If they can be placed in the vacated positions, the state affairs will eventually be better..."

Fan Zhongyan said impatiently: "Okay, okay, go away, go away."

Zhang Heng ran out in despair and cursed in a low voice: "This old boy is a dog-faced man. I have done so much work for him and I can't even hear a nice word from him! Bah!"

Zhang Heng left cursing.

Fan Zhongyan, on the other hand, looked at the piles of information in a daze.

This matter is really going to break the news.

With such a large list, it is estimated that there are about a thousand officials involved. If they are all taken down, it will be a major case that has not happened since the Song Dynasty!

The key point is that now he is involved in rumors of rebellion. Although the officials personally tell him that they trust him, this kind of thing would be troublesome for anyone.

At this time, you should hide your strength and bide your time. It is best to find an excuse to go somewhere to avoid suspicion, and then look for opportunities to come back later.

If you start a storm that sweeps across the country now, pull down all officials, big and small, and appoint officials one by one, it will look like you are excluding dissidents, gathering party members, and seeking to usurp the throne!

That is really a way to die!
Chapter completed!