He Zhongkai had calmed down at this time. Zhao Zhi's seemingly unintentional glance made him nervous. He Zhongkai was naturally not an incompetent person to be able to live in the position of prime minister for more than three months. Zhao Zhi was recuperating from the ill for more than three months and handed over all the political affairs to the prince Zhao Xun. When his condition did not improve much, he suddenly came to the court meeting. This was not an ordinary thing in itself. He must have felt something about to happen, so he had to come out. With him, the situation would not get out of control.

Zhai Hongliang then slowly said.

After the drought broke out, the capital city transferred grain to various places to provide disaster relief. Taxes from Jiangnan and support from other prefectures and counties could not be arrived immediately, which caused unprecedented food in the capital city and its prices to rise steadily. In response, Zhao Zhi ordered that before the drought end, all banquets in the palace would be cancelled and issued strict orders to implement a ban on alcohol in the capital city. It was not allowed to brew wine, which was the same as the crime of manufacturing price. This punishment was extremely severe.

Tanhua Building is a famous restaurant in the capital. It has very high-end specifications and is not allowed to enter unless it is a court official or aristocratic family. However, this Tanhua Building ignores Zhao Zhi's ban and openly sells alcohol. The quantity is very considerable. In addition, the grain shop affiliated with the He family also takes the lead in raising grain prices.

The He family involves many businesses, such as casinos and pawn shops. They secretly borrow money for high profits and others are anxious about it. The interest rate is extremely high. If the borrower cannot return it on time, the consequences will be very miserable. At the very least, the hands and feet will be broken, and at the worst, the lives will be lost. In the end, Zhai Hongliang accuses He Zhongkai of indulging his subordinates, being arrogant and domineering, oppressing the people, acting rampantly, and taking human lives aside.

After saying that, Zhai Hongliang took out a stack of paper from his arms, which was a lawsuit filed by some ordinary people.

Liu Congxi put the paper on the table. Zhao Zhi took a look, but did not pick it up, but frowned slightly and said to Zhai Hongliang: "Are you secretly monitoring the He family?"

Zhai Hongliang shook his head: "I don't have the time to do it or the ability. These are all lawsuits that the people sued the He family. However, He Zhongkai is in the prime minister and the government dare not interfere in offending them. He will not be punished. I also got these things unintentionally."

Zhao Zhi nodded, looked at He Zhongkai beside him, and said indifferently: "He Prime Minister, do you know these things?"

He Zhongkai quickly stood up and bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been in charge of all kinds of things since I entered the position of the Political Affairs Hall more than ten years ago and have been busy with government affairs. I no longer pay attention to the family business. I really know nothing about what Zhai Hongliang said."

Zhao Zhi said indifferently: "As a prime minister, the He family has been passed down for dozens of generations. It is rich enough to rival a country. Some things need to be done?"

"After I go back, I will investigate it thoroughly. If it is true as Censor Zhai said, I will never tolerate it."

Zhao Zhi finally said: "No matter whether it is true or false, as a prime minister, you should wake up by yourself."

"I know the crime."

He Zhongkai replied bitterly, returned to his seat, looked at Zhai Hongliang who was also retreating, and his face was gloomy and terrible.

He Zhongkai was indeed unaware of the matters about Zhai Hongliang's impeachment. What he told Zhao Zhi was the truth. Since becoming the prime minister more than ten years ago, He Zhongkai has divided all the family's business equally with his three sons, while he is concentrating on politics and not asking about anything else.

As Zhao Zhi said, the He family has been passed down for dozens of generations, for more than 500 years, but not a family of officials, but a family of merchants.

The origin of the rise of the He family was in the chaotic period when the Jin Dynasty was not established. The ancestors of the He family quickly became rich by selling horses and salt and iron. Over the past few hundred years, the family business has been very large and very rich. They are one of the several wealthy people in the Jin Dynasty. However, the status of merchants has always been very low. Therefore, although the He family is rich, its overall status is not high. It has been the generation of He Zhongkai's grandfather. The family has produced talents. He Zhongkai's fourth uncle entered the official career by taking the imperial examination and high school. The Tanhua Building that Zhai Hongliang mentioned just now was built during that period.

He Zhongkai's fourth uncle was very talented and capable, and he was very good at being a good official. He was only thirty-five years old and died of illness at the age of 10. However, it was because of this person that after his help and teaching, the He family began to enter the officialdom one by one, so that he came to He Zhongkai. Because of his financial management ability, He Zhongkai was greatly appreciated by Zhao Zhi and promoted repeatedly. He was less than 40 years old and entered the Political Affairs Hall as the Prime Minister, becoming the youngest among the nine Princesses in the Political Affairs Hall at that time.

"Today, there is no need to talk about other people except you. This is almost your court meeting alone. Are you satisfied now?"

Liu Chongji whispered angrily, he had to report something, and it was a matter that was related to his family. Liu Chongji did not want to complete it through the Political Affairs Hall. That was too complicated and easy to change. He directly passed the emperor and decided on the spot. That was the best, but it was more than two hours after Zhai Hongliang's case. With Zhao Zhi's body, today's court meeting would definitely be ruined.

Zhai Hongliang remained silent and frowned slightly. He was still a little dissatisfied. The few things he said were all serious crimes, but the emperor seemed very dull and had no statement. Of course, despite his dissatisfaction, Zhai Hongliang would not say anything more, because this was also the rule of the court, or Zhao Zhi's style of dealing with things.

Since Zhao Zhi ascended the throne, he has given great preferential treatment and courtesy to civil officials. Even if the evidence of the crime is conclusive, Zhao Zhi will pass the three officials' yamen. After the trial and punishment and other complete procedures, after the opinions of each department, the punishment results will be issued. As for the removal of the prime minister, it must be resolved by the common resolution of civil and military officials of the court meeting. Therefore, under normal circumstances, Zhao Zhi will not issue an order on the spot to pronounce the verdict. Although the ending has been confirmed, he will still go through the procedures afterwards, or the officials will write a letter to resign themselves. This is why Zhao Zhi gave them face.

"Your Majesty, it's not too early, should you continue the following issues?"

Right Prime Minister Yang Daolin asked at this time.

Zhao Zhi said indifferently: "I am a little tired. If you have decided to deal with other matters together, you will jointly decide to deal with them. If the matter is not a major matter, don't notify me."

Hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Yang Daolin's eyes. Some people hated Zhai Hongliang, but he really liked it very much. Many things can be suppressed later and not exploded immediately. The prince is now the governor of the country and he is the right prime minister of the head of all officials. As long as there is time, many things can be solved slowly.

A smile appeared on Zhao Zhi's face, but this smile was a little inexplicable.
Chapter completed!