Since ancient times, the Imperial Court's control over the local regions had always been a headache for those in power.
In the late period of the previous Emperor's reign, not only was the Imperial Court affected by his actions, but the local regions were also affected.
After Shang Junlin ascended the throne, he first dealt with the Imperial Court's problems before dealing with the local regions. Until now, most of them could be said to be clean.
But there were always exceptions.
For example, the Subei officials that were dealt with not long ago, and Hanzhou City's current problem.
In the end, Shang Junlin handed this matter over to the Prime Minister and Lord Duan to deal with. Since there was a problem with the transfer of officials, they would more or less bear some responsibility.
The officials that were transferred to the capital had all passed the Imperial Court's test. The test wasn't just based on the results, but a comprehensive consideration of all aspects. Only those who had the ability and didn't make any major mistakes could be transferred back to the capital.
Since Lord Xu was transferred to the capital, it meant that he had passed the test. As for why the matter in Hanzhou City wasn't discovered, it was a matter for the Prime Minister and Lord Duan to investigate.
When Shang Junlin returned to the Yuzhang Palace and saw Shen Yu standing by the window, the anger in his heart dissipated a little.
"Your Majesty is back?" Shen Yu turned around when he heard footsteps.
Shang Junlin walked over without a word and hugged her, "Is there any news from Hanzhou City today?"
"Have you found traces of the King of Yue?" This was Shen Yu's first reaction.
"Not yet. It's the Xu Family's matter. That daughter of a concubine was speaking the truth. The Xu Family's actions in Hanzhou City were far more than that."
"Your Majesty is angry about this matter?" Shen Yu raised his hand and caressed the man's back.
"How can such a person be transferred to the capital? I …"
"Your Majesty didn't know about it in the first place. But now that you know, he will naturally return to where he should be. Those who make mistakes will receive their due punishment. Your Majesty doesn't have to think too much about it." Shen Yu comforted.
With the first clue broken, the following matters were much easier to investigate.
Hanzhou City
"What happened during the Autumn Hunt? Why would Junjun offend the Imperial Emperor? What's the Xu Family's current situation? "
Madam Xu's family, the Cheng family, fell into a state of panic.
When the news came, the Cheng Family immediately made their plans. The Cheng Family had been rooted in Hanzhou City for many years, and they were the biggest family in Hanzhou City. Furthermore, because of their marriage with Mr. Xu, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that they could cover the sky with one hand.
If it weren't for their overwhelming power, they wouldn't have been able to force the victim's family to swallow their grievances. On the surface, they were in the limelight, but behind their backs, their hands were stained with the blood of countless innocent people.
"Master, what should we do now? The people from the Imperial Court have already arrived in Hanzhou City, and with the news from the capital, many people no longer listen to us. "
"What's the point of saying all this now? It's not like you don't know the current emperor's style. Unless he can't find out, none of us can escape with what we've done all these years! "
The room fell into a deathly silence.
After a long while, someone couldn't help but ask, "Is there really … no room for negotiation?"
"Where is that lord? Didn't you say that you needed us to temporarily shelter a noble? Our Cheng Family has done so many things for him, so he can't just leave us … "His voice became softer as he spoke.
At this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on the leader.
The Cheng Family's Patriarch closed his eyes and said, "I will contact that lord."
Another person stood out and said, "Things haven't reached the worst stage yet, so don't panic."
Compared to the cold atmosphere in the Cheng Family, those small families that had been suppressed for years were rejoicing.
"Didn't the Cheng Family boast that they were superior to others?"
"If it wasn't for Mr. Xu's protection, would the Cheng Family be so arrogant all these years? Now that their umbrella is gone, let's see how long they can be proud of themselves. "
"The Imperial Court has sent a lord to investigate the matter of the Xu Family's daughter. Those who have grievances in their hearts can finally vent their anger."
"It's also a sin. A good daughter, just because she dressed up a little, she encountered such a thing. It's not just one family, right?"
"Of course it's not just that. What we know is because the Cheng Family has some power. Those small families that need to rely on the Cheng Family to survive don't dare to say anything even if something happens."
"Didn't the young miss who was engaged to the Li Family's Young Master hang herself the night before the wedding? Perhaps she was also killed in the dark."
"I remember that there was a period of time when the Xu Family's Young Master and the Li Family's Young Master were very close. After that young miss passed away, the Li Family quickly moved away. I'm afraid there's a big connection between the two."
"Do you still remember an old incident that happened many years ago? When Mr. Xu took office, he had a family. It was the young miss of the Cheng Family. Relying on the Cheng Family's power, she insisted on being his concubine. After that, Mrs. Xu changed, and the original Mrs. Xu never appeared in front of anyone again."
With the Cheng Family's loss of power, those old matters that they didn't dare to talk about in the past were dug up one by one. The Cheng Family had been domineering for many years. It was fine when they were at their peak, but once they fell, there were many people who hit them when they were down.
Not to mention those who had grudges in the past. With such a good opportunity in front of them, how could they miss it?
After the initial difficulties, the officials sent by the Imperial Court to Hanzhou City made rapid progress. The cases of the Xu Family and Cheng Family flew to the capital like snowflakes.
"I have underestimated them. They're just a local aristocratic family, and they can actually do so much." Shang Junlin looked at the reports from Hanzhou City with a cold expression.
"It's normal for them to have guts when they're far away from the capital and have someone backing them." Shen Yu sat on the couch and smiled. "The further away they are from the Imperial City, the easier it is for such things to happen."
Power nurtured people's desires. When there's no external force to restrain them, it would eventually drag them to the abyss.
"The Cheng Family can't be allowed to stay." Shang Junlin made a decision in his heart.
"Your Majesty, why don't you wait a little longer? The people who kidnapped King Yue might be bringing him to Hanzhou City, and their destination might be the Cheng Family. Along the way, the Hidden Dragon Guards did not find any traces of them. So why don't we just wait for them at their destination?"
Shen Yu only recalled it two days ago. When King Yue rebelled in his previous life, the Cheng Family was his loyal supporters. It was said that they had sought refuge with King Yue a long time ago. But what about now? Regardless of whether they had colluded or not, the Cheng Family was still an anchor point.
"If their destination is Hanzhou City, and if it wasn't for the Xu Family, the Cheng Family would be able to protect King Yue when they reach Hanzhou City." Shen Yu continued.
"According to A Yu's words, those people must not have heard of it beforehand. Now that my men have already started to move, will they still follow the original plan?" Shang Junlin was doubtful.
"But they have no other choice." Shen Yu smiled. "They must have sensed the presence of the Hidden Dragon Guards. How long can they hide like this? They have so many people, and they must have supplies. In their original plan, Hanzhou City was their supply point. So even if they know that there's a trap, they can only bite the bullet and charge in. "
The truth was just as Shen Yu had thought.
The middle-aged man brought King Yue all the way. After a period of time, King Yue had recovered a little. However, the journey was bumpy, and he had to avoid being discovered. Hence, he could only eat and drink sparingly.
Aside from the time in the prison, King Yue had never suffered such grievances.
"The Emperor has already sent men to Hanzhou City. Wouldn't we be walking into a trap if we go over?" King Yue asked as he sat by the door in the dilapidated temple.
"Do you think that after so many days, your fiefdom is still under your control like it was before? If you go back directly, you will be walking into a trap. "The middle-aged man unhappily said.
"Where are you guys bringing me?" After so many days, no matter how slow-witted the King of Yue was, he could sense that something was wrong. These people did not treat him with respect at all, and they were never willing to listen to him. He thought that he had escaped with his life, but after going around in circles, he was still under their control.
"Your Highness, you will know when we get there. Don't worry, we will not harm you."
King Yue was not at ease at all. He hated the feeling of being controlled.
"You guys saved me, but what's next? What else can I do if I can't return to my fief? "
"Your Highness, you don't have to be anxious. There are some things that you can do even if you don't return to your fief, as long as …"
That person did not say what it was.
Aside from the war with the Northern Desert, the most discussed topic in the capital was the Ministry of Works' assessment.
The date was delayed for a period of time due to various reasons, but it finally started under everyone's anticipation.
Shen Yu was interested in the first assessment. After it ended, he asked Shang Junlin about it.
Shen Yu: "Your Majesty, how many people did the Ministry of Works recruit this time?"
Shang Junlin: "A total of 48 people were recruited. 12 of them were officially recruited. They are all outstanding in a certain aspect. Currently, these 12 people have chosen to work in the Ministry of Works. Other than that, there are also 36 candidates. They will be tested for a period of time. If they are suitable, they will be decided."
Shen Yu: "Who thought of this idea?"
Shang Junlin: "It was the Minister of Revenue. For this assessment, the Minister of Works always went to the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Rites was annoyed, so he called the other ministers every time. Except for the Minister of Revenue, who was always there, the others found all kinds of excuses to decline after being invited twice."
Shen Yu: "This idea is quite good."
Shang Junlin: "Some of the remaining people are illiterate. Illiterate people are troublesome, so the Minister of Works intends to use this time to teach them some basic words."
In Da Huan, those who could read more or less had some family background. Because the cost of printing books was too high, the price of books was also very high. People who didn't have a family background couldn't afford to buy them.
"I remember that A Yu asked his subordinates to sell basic literacy books at a low price. Many people in the capital bought them."
After all, compared to the normal price of other books, this book with little content was ridiculously cheap. Many people bought one and put it at home. It was more convenient for them to learn to read than to let others do it for them.
"It's good that people bought it. I was planning to let them do some activities and sell more if there weren't many people buying it." Shen Yu picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. "Did the aristocratic families realize that something is wrong?"
"There are too many things going on in the court recently. They can't take care of this. Even if they realize, they won't have time to deal with it."
"That's good. It's best to wait for them to take it seriously. When the dust has settled, they won't be able to do anything."
Ordinary people could also afford to read books. What could the aristocratic families use to be superior?
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