Once the war hall joined in, it meant that none of the officials in Dingzhou who had resigned would be able to escape. They would have to honestly confess everything. Since it was the officials working together to oppose the torture hall and court, then the crime of the Ding manor rebellion would be completely shouldered by them.
Countries did not easily kill scholars, but so many people had died, including people from Torture Hall. Torture Hall had to start a killing spree.
The entire matter could no longer be decided by any of the officials present.
The so-called impeachment of Fang Yun earlier had already become a great joke.
Many of the officials who had stepped forward with memorials could neither take them back nor not take them back.
The atmosphere in the throne room was unprecedentedly awkward.
After a few breaths, Wu Hanjiang said unyieldingly, "We are participating in Fang Xusheng not only because of the Ding manor rebellion, but also …"
The Overwatch Council Minister He Mingxiang scolded, "Enough! When did the Overwatch Council Imperial Censors become people with glib words? "
Wu Hanjiang closed his mouth and gritted his teeth tightly.
He could oppose Fang Yun and impeach anyone. If he opposed He Mingxiang, he would be impeached by most of the Imperial Censors.
The other Imperial Censors of the Overwatch Council looked at Wu Hanjiang with different expressions. They all had one thing in common, which was some regret.
Using normal experience, the Ding manor rebellion was too serious. Even the Left Prime Minister could not escape the blame. Impeaching Fang Yun was almost certain. Even if he couldn't have Fang Yun resign, he could at least have him stripped of his title or demoted. Thus, Wu Hanjiang's words earlier could be understood.
However, Fang Yun had relied on his previous arrangements and plans after the event to forcefully reverse the situation in the Ding manor and directly take care of all the officials in the manor and nine counties. This had already exceeded anyone's expectations.
Losing to Fang Yun was not shameful. It could even be said that it was inevitable.
Thus, no matter what position the other Imperial Censors took, they would not speak up for Wu Hanjiang at this time.
This was the throne room, an important place of the court. Hundreds of officials were here. If such words were said, even the monarch and empress dowager could only admit their mistakes after failing to provoke Fang Yun, let alone a third-level official.
Wu Hanjiang swept his gaze over his former colleagues and saw his end in their eyes.
He looked at Sheng Boyuan, the Minister of Rites. Sheng Boyuan slowly turned his head and did not look at him.
He looked at the Empress Dowager and Jing Jun. Through the curtains, he couldn't see the Empress Dowager's face clearly.
Wu Hanjiang sighed softly and said, "I am not good at using people and monitoring people. I am no longer suitable for a position in the Overwatch Council. Today, I will ask the Empress Dowager to resign and return to my hometown to study hard. When I have learned enough, I will serve the court again!"
The Empress Dowager tried to persuade Wu Hanjiang to stay, but Wu Hanjiang knew that he couldn't keep her, so he firmly refused and turned to leave.
Everyone stared at Wu Hanjiang's back and remained silent for a long time.
This was not the first official to leave because of Fang Yun, and he would not be the last.
After a while, Sheng Boyuan cleared his throat and said, "Since the Punishment Hall and Battle Hall have taken over the Ding Residence's chaos, it has nothing to do with us. Everyone, let's continue with today's topic of how to deal with the various clans. "
Fang Yun said bluntly, "Deal with it as you see fit. If the relatives of the bandits attack the court, will Minister Sheng also bring it to the court for discussion?"
"How can you treat the various clans as bandits?" Sheng Boyuan asked.
"That's true. The bandits are indeed not as evil as they are. I apologize to the bandits," Fang Yundao said.
Sheng Boyuan took a deep breath and said with an ashen face, "Since Fang Xusheng has said so, then the various yamens will follow Fang Xusheng's words and do business as usual! However, I have something to ask. If this matter is not handled properly and leads to a more serious incident, who will bear the responsibility? "
"Oh? These words sound familiar, "Fang Yun said casually.
Some of the officials lowered their heads and snickered. Wu Hanjiang had not gone far when he said this.
Sheng Boyuan did not give up and said, "May I ask Fang Xusheng, if the various authorities do not handle this matter well, who will bear the responsibility?"
Fang Yundao said, "Whoever breaks the law will bear the responsibility. As for whether the matter is not handled properly, the Overwatch Council will participate and the Ministry of Personnel will evaluate it. Minister Sheng need not worry about it. Since Minister Sheng is so concerned about this matter, may I ask if you have any good ideas? "
Sheng Boyuan said, "I don't dare to say that I have a good idea. Since so many people oppose the overly harsh crackdown and reform, as long as we delay it, everything will naturally be solved. "
Fang Yun asked, "May I ask Minister Sheng, if they oppose the reform and delay it, does that mean that no matter what decree the imperial court issues in the future, as long as a minority of people oppose it, the decree will be withdrawn? If they oppose it, what about the people who support it? Do you only see the tens of thousands of people who oppose it and can't see the tens of millions of people who support it? Minister Sheng, the matters of the imperial court are not to smooth things over or talk about business. As an official of the imperial court, if you can't do things in the face of opposition, you are only worthy of being called a peacemaker. You are not worthy of being called an official. "
Sheng Boyuan said angrily, "Are we just going to watch those people eat, drink, and defecate outside and surround the palace? I don't care what excuses you have. If this matter cannot be resolved, I will participate in every court meeting! "
Fang Yun ignored Sheng Boyuan and faced the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"What's the matter, Minister Fang?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Fang Yundao said, "I heard that during the Spring and Autumn period, the common people of the human race could discuss politics in the village schools. It was a virtuous matter. The human race has existed for thousands of years. Even now, there are scholars, but there are no village schools. Should we retreat or advance? Confucius once praised the Legalist sage for his son's property, and if the property does not destroy the village schools, how can we forget the teachings of the Legalists? Therefore, your humble subject wishes to reopen the village councils in various places, and also to establish an official office called the Council of Ministers, which will record the opinions and suggestions of the village councils, compile them into a book, and give it to the cabinet officials to peruse and choose which ones to follow. However, this matter is complicated and cannot be spread throughout the country. It will be set up as a pilot in the capital. I recommend Cai He to be the acting head of the Council of Ministers. "
The village schools were the grass-roots government schools in ancient times.
Fang Yun suddenly mentioned it in public, so the Empress Dowager couldn't answer immediately. After pondering for a long time, she asked, "What do you think of the Council of Ministers?"
Sheng Boyuan said, "Absolutely not! Once this example is set, everyone can discuss the state affairs. Wouldn't the world be in chaos? "
Fang Yun sneered and said, "If the common people and scholars discuss the state affairs, it will cause chaos in the world. There must be a big problem in the world first!"
"If everyone can discuss the state affairs, what do you need us officials for?"
"If everyone can't discuss the state affairs, what have we officials done?" Fang Yun retorted.
Some officials cheered for Fang Yun in their hearts.
Sheng Boyuan was in charge of the Ministry of Rites and abided by the rules. He was far from being a match for Fang Yun in the debate in the imperial court. Moreover, he was only opposing Fang Yun. He didn't think it through, nor did he stand on a fair position. As a result, he was rendered speechless by Fang Yun.
Sheng Boyuan defended himself. "Jingguo's great ancestor didn't set this rule."
"The great ancestor didn't say that you had to be born and look like you, Minister Sheng," Fang Yundao said.
Some officials couldn't help but chuckle.
Sheng Boyuan said angrily, "You're twisting words and forcing logic. A few days ago, you said that if the old ceremony was restored, no one would be allowed to carry it out if there were objections. Why are you going back on your word now? "
"This is the law, not the ceremony. Are you saying that Zichan's punishment on the cauldron is illegal? "
During the Spring and Autumn period, the sage of the State of Zheng had once cast the law on a large cauldron for the people to see. This was also the first official law in the history of the human race, not the previous "unknown law, unfathomable power".
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