Tang Dynasty: The seventh rank of official residence, and you will be given the Ten Thousand People

Wu Zetian actually didn't have a good impression of the prince surnamed Li who had taken refuge in her.

Just think about whether a person who betrayed his entire family could be loyal to others.

The reason why she valued Li Ai was simply because she needed him to deal with Li Tang's old ministers in the court.

When the remaining evildoers of Li Tang are eliminated, they will lose their value.

By then Wu Zetian will eradicate this weakling without hesitation!

What surprised her was that Li Ai was very capable and confiscated 500,000 copper coins within a few days of taking office.

Seeing that Wu Zetian was rarely in a good mood, Shangguan Wan'er came over and smiled.

"It has become a general trend for the Queen Mother to become more powerful. King Fan Yang is a smart man. He wants to gain a foothold in the court, so he will naturally work hard to curry favor with you."

"Unlike that Fan Xin, who even gave up his official career for the sake of friendship in his heart."

"Wei Chen has seen a lot since he entered the officialdom, but he has never seen a man with such a strong character."

"Yes, among all living beings, how many people can give up their career, fame and fortune, but this Fan Xin is the only one who can swim against the current. This alone surpasses most men in the world."

Recalling the scene in the past when Fan Xin bloody remonstrated with the court, Wu Zetian is still shocked to this day.

A dignified seventh-grade county magistrate, in order to seek justice for a mortal woman, actually wrote a blood test in the court hall. How many civil and military officials in the court could do this?

This is why instead of punishing him, she gave Fan Xin the Golden Dragon Sword.

Sensing Wu Zetian's appreciation for Fan Xin in her words, Shangguan Wan'er rolled her eyes and bowed.

"Congratulations to the Queen Mother. Congratulations to the Queen Mother. Before the new dynasty was established, we have obtained a minister who will govern the world. This is a good sign from heaven."

Wu Zetian laughed out loud at these words and pointed at Shangguan Wan'er.

"You, it's just your mouth that makes people like you, but you are right, every time a prosperous age comes, there must be a virtuous minister."

"Di Renjie is one, Fan Xin is one, and there will be more in the future!"

Just when Wu Zetian was high-spirited and thinking about the future, a woman wearing heavy armor quickly walked into the Guanfeng Hall and clasped her fists on one knee.

"To inform the Queen Mother, the Imperial Guard intercepted a team escorting boxcars in front of the palace gate. According to the team leader, they were under the orders of Shi Fanxin, the governor of Bozhou."

"Escort the stolen goods seized in Li Chong's case to Beijing. This is a secret message from Fan Xin to you." After saying this, Xiao Jing held the memorial in both hands.

"People sent by Fan Xin?" Wu Zetian frowned slightly, feeling that something was wrong.

Fan Xin was Li Ai's assistant. As usual, it was enough for the governor to send people to escort the stolen goods. Why was it replaced by his people?

Moreover, he sent a subordinate to deliver a secret letter. Could it be that there is another secret behind this matter?

With doubts, Wu Zetian took the secret fold and opened it and took a look.

However, after just one glance, he became furious and slapped the memorial on the major case.

"What a Li Ai, how dare you blatantly deceive me? Do you really think that I am easy to fool?"

She never expected that Li Ai and others would be so bold. As soon as they took office, they would transport more than 400,000 gold and silver jewels back to their home.

It's ridiculous that I just praised Li Ai for her ability in doing things, and her love of five hundred thousand is just a small amount!

If this spreads out, wouldn't it make the world laugh?

Thinking of this, the murderous intention in Wu Zetian's heart became stronger and stronger.

a long time.

Wu Zetian took a deep breath and glanced at Shangguan Wan'er and Xiao Jing who were kneeling on the ground.

"Get up, I'm just angry with that bastard Li Ai."

"The stolen money of 950,000 guan, Li Ai actually said in the memorial that it was only 500,000 guan."

"I have been in charge of the Tang Dynasty for more than ten years, and this is the first time I have encountered such a big corruption case."

"If it weren't for Fan Xin, these stolen money would have fallen into the pockets of those corrupt officials!"

Upon hearing that Li Ai and others embezzled 450,000 copper coins, Shangguan Wan'er and Xiao Jing's expressions both changed, and the latter said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, embezzlement of more than 400,000 yuan in ink is punishable by death according to the law of the Tang Dynasty. Should you send internal guards to Bozhou overnight to arrest Li Ai and bring her to Beijing?"

Unexpectedly, Wu Zetian shook his head and said calmly: "We can't catch him yet."

"Why is this?" Xiao Jing was a little confused. Is there anyone in the world that the Plum Blossom Guards cannot arrest?

Seeing the doubts on their faces, Wu Zetian took out a thick confession from the bag and threw it on the imperial case.

"You guys, let's take a look. This is the confession of the prisoner Fan Xin caught while recovering the stolen money."

Shangguan Wan'er and Xiao Jing looked at each other and each picked up a confession to read.

When they saw that Wu Sansi, Wu Chengsi and several important ministers in the court were involved in the corruption case, they suddenly took a breath of cold air.

No wonder Empress Dowager Wu was hesitant. These corrupt people were all important officials of the imperial court. If they were to be caught, the entire government and the public would be shaken.

The most important thing is that these people are all important members of the martial arts ministers. Whoever arrests them will support the Queen Mother to ascend the throne.

After thinking about this, Shangguan Wan'er regretted: "It's a pity that Fan Xin's hard work was wasted like this."

"If I let him know, I don't know how angry he would be."

Wu Zetian smiled bitterly and raised her head to look at the Luoyang City Road in the distance.

"Based on my understanding of this boy, I'm afraid he won't be able to pass this hurdle and may resign his official position and return to Wushui County."

As soon as these words came out, Shangguan Wan'er and Xiao Jing were both shocked.

"Queen Mother, it's impossible, isn't it? Fan Xin is an official from the fifth rank after all. How many people may not be able to get into this position in their lifetime, and he just quits if he doesn't want to?" Xiao Jing said in disbelief.

If Wu Zetian hadn't said this, she would have thought she heard it wrong.

Knowing what she was thinking, Wu Zetian snorted coldly.

"This son has a loyal character. If he valued his official position, he would not risk his life to submit such a memorial."

"Forget it, it concerns the overall situation of the imperial court, and I can only wrong him once!"

After speaking, he walked to the imperial case and began to write on the silk.

After a while, Wu Zetian handed the imperial edict to Xiao Jingdao.

"Go to Bozhou in person and read out this decree in public to appease Li Ai and other local officials."

Xiao Jing received the imperial edict and clasped her fists and said: "It's just a scolding for poking such a big bag. Looking at the government and the public, there is only Fan Xin. The Queen Mother's protection of him is really enviable by the ministers.

They are all elites in the officialdom, how can they not understand the meaning?

Although Fan Xin's pile of confessions was beneficial to the country and the people, it offended too many people. If Li Ai and others were dealt with according to the law, it would definitely cause a counterattack from the courtiers.

Fan Xin's situation will only become more difficult by then.

After holding her fist towards Wu Zetian, Xiao Jing turned around and walked towards the palace door. When she was about to step out of the door, Wu Zetian's voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"and many more!"

"Queen Mother, you?"

In Xiao Jing's confused eyes, Wu Zetian stepped forward and tore open the imperial edict with a solemn expression.

"I have thought about it. Fan Xin, the sword of the Tang Dynasty, cannot be folded here!"

"Aren't they just a few corrupt ministers? If I can't even protect Fan Xin, how can I talk about ascending the throne and proclaiming myself emperor?"

"Here comes someone to draw up an edict! Li Ai, the governor of Bozhou, committed a grave crime against Gu Sheng'en in vain. The court was outraged and the world was outraged. He was immediately escorted to the capital by the inner guards to be punished!"

"Wu Sansi, Wu Chengsi, Zhang Guangfu...each will be punished for ten years, and the servants involved will be beheaded on the spot!"

"Sima Lu Kuishan of Bozhou, who was able to take the initiative to recover the stolen silver without fear of life and death, was the first to report a major corruption case, and was rewarded with ten taels of silver!

"As for the governor of Bozhou, Shi Fanxin, despite his humble position, he is still full of passion and loyalty to the country. I am very pleased."

"Therefore, I agree with what he said, exempting the women and children of Li Chong from the death penalty of more than 2,000 people, and instead sentenced him to Lingnan for life without pardon!"

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