The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Calculating and Malicious

After hearing the news from Shang Jingwang, to ensure its authenticity, he even went out of his way to ask his nephew.

His nephew charged him a hundred taels of silver for the information under the pretext of clear accounts between brothers, before selling the news to him. Of course, since it was his own uncle, he also provided additional information about Shang Jingwang, such as the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella presented by the people when he left a certain place in Qinzhou; and the severe banditry issue in Huainan Prefecture when he first became the Huainan Prefect, how he worked tirelessly to eliminate the bandits and pacify the people...

Jiang Yuhuo was instantly stunned. Shang Jingwang was clearly a capable official, but no one in the Capital City knew about the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella, and the Emperor was unaware of it. Most of the credit for eradicating bandits was claimed by Yu Shikui, with only a very small part of the rewards reaching Shang Jingwang.

With his merit in bandit suppression, he should have been promoted four years ago, but it was repeatedly delayed. However, precisely because of this, during this epidemic in Wangshan Town, the people were blessed to have such a Prefect personally on the scene, overseeing everything. He believed the epidemic would be eradicated just like the bandits, thanks to Yu Shikui.

Upon confirming this, Jiang Yuhuo was excited. How could such a good official, such an outstanding Prefect in our Nanxia, remain unknown? It was a failure on the part of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, as well as the Imperial Censor.

After all, the Imperial Censor is responsible for reporting dereliction of duty, not restricted by rank, and they would dare to confront any error directly.

But when encountering someone like Shang Jingwang, they naturally have the duty to praise and extol.

He felt ashamed for his dereliction of duty and was moved by Shang Jingwang’s years of dedication. Conveniently, there was an early court the next day, and he stayed up all night writing a thick memorial consisting of seventy-two couplets, reporting Shang Jingwang’s affairs to the full Court.

There were two matters he reported: first, the outbreak of an epidemic in Wangshan Town.

The epidemic is related to people’s livelihood, and this matter can be big or small. It is a national issue and cannot be taken lightly.

Only then did he mention the person Shang Jingwang.

Regardless of his previous achievements, just his courage to personally visit the epidemic center, such dedication and self-sacrifice for the people deserves great praise.

The Emperor was also surprised, who could make this rigid and upright Imperial Censor write a seventy-two couplet memorial? Did each couplet only contain one word?

When he opened it, it was densely packed with small script, almost outlining Shang Jingwang’s entire life. Jiang Yuhuo’s hundred taels for the news were worth every penny; the Shadow Pavilion charged a friendly price.

Of course, the Shadow Pavilion collects various kinds of information, but not all of it sells at a high price, and many pieces may never be purchased.

The Emperor insisted on reading all seventy-two couplets in court.

The matters in the memorial were detailed and clear, with many details and events, of course not all could be explained clearly with just seventy-two couplets, Jiang Yuhuo only picked a few significant matters to mention.

After the Emperor finished reading, he conducted inquiries and verifications. Even Gu Hanmo, the usually disinterested Dean of Wenbo Academy, mentioned Shang Jingwang. Since what Jiang Yuhuo reported was true, if such an official is not rewarded, then who should be?

However, first, Shang Jingwang was still in the epidemic center, the epidemic was as ferocious as a tiger, and there was still the question of whether he might contract the disease and endanger his life. Additionally, Jiang Yuhuo, unafraid of death, also mentioned Yu Shikui’s appropriation of credit and deliberate suppression.

Yu Shikui was recommended by Marquis Anning, and the Emperor still valued Marquis Anning greatly, plus the matters concerning Yu Shikui needed investigation. Thus, the Holy Decree regarding Shang Jingwang did not directly confer reward. Although there were commendations and encouragement, the final reward was left until after the epidemic was over, to be granted upon entry to the Capital City.

Now the imperial envoy had already left the Capital City, and was almost at the location, yet the epidemic situation was still unclear, and someone had already submitted an accusation against Shang Jingwang?

Jiang Yuhuo, of course, was the first to step forward in anger!

He Tizhu, backed by Marquis Anning, though somewhat intimidated by the rigid and blunt Jiang Imperial Censor, still stood straight ”arguing the case” with reason: ”What is Mr. Jiang saying? You and I both shamefully hold the title of Imperial Censor, the responsibilities involve praising those of merit and admonishing those at fault. Could it be that Mr. Jiang feels, because Shang Jingwang, Lord Shang, took his frail body directly into the epidemic’s danger zone, serving as an example, that all other faults can be canceled out?”

Seeing that he acknowledged Shang Jingwang’s courage to enter the danger zone and set an example, Jiang Yuhuo’s expression softened slightly, and he snorted, ”I want to see what you can accuse him of!”

He Tizhu sneered coldly in his heart.

Receiving the message sent by Marquis Anning last night, he was prepared, knowing Jiang Yuhuo, being so straightforward, would undoubtedly directly confront him. Without first settling this Jiang-surnamed gentleman, how could he carry out what was to follow?

At this moment, facing the Emperor, he spoke with righteous indignation, his concern and anger evident in his words: ”Your Majesty, court officials have ranks and clear hierarchies, and matters should be reported upward step by step, without bypassing one’s superiors, as that will inevitably create chaos. And yet, although Shang Jingwang personally entered the epidemic center, his subsequent actions were highly inappropriate. How could an epidemic in just one town not be controlled by a single Prefect’s resources? If it couldn’t, the Prefectural Governor’s resources should suffice. Yet Shang Jingwang delayed in reporting the epidemic to the Governor or the Governor’s office, and instead directly sent a memorial to the Capital City. To alarm the Emperor over such a trivial matter, imposing burden on the Emperor already busy with national affairs, is the first crime; failing his superiors and maliciously designating guilt, is the second crime! The most terrifying aspect is that such behavior has a far-reaching negative impact, if all Nanxia officials were to emulate it, the officialdom of Nanxia would surely be in chaos, Your Majesty!”

Indeed, the normal memorial procedure was to report step by step, not directly bypassing one’s superiors.

He Tizhu exaggerated this matter, raising it to the level of deliberately scheming against one’s superiors and potentially causing officialdom chaos.

This was a heavy accusation, and even beyond Marquis Anning’s faction, others might find it quite reasonable.

The Nanxia court gathered for a grand meeting every first and fifteenth of the month, with all officials above the Seventh Rank in the Capital City required to attend.

Once a week was the mid-ranking meeting, with officials above the Fifth Rank participating.

Once every three days was the minor meeting, with officials above the Fourth Rank participating.

Daily meetings required, with a seven-day rest period, were for the high-ranking courtiers.

Today was the first day of the month, a grand meeting.

Almost all courtiers in the Capital were present, Huangfu Yuxuan held an official position in the Ministry of Personnel and was also in attendance, as well as the Crown Prince, Prince Li, and even the confined Prince Liang.

Although the lower-ranked officials were positioned far behind and couldn’t clearly hear what was being said at the front, the words of He Tizhu would undoubtedly spread, and their influence was indeed significant.

The Emperor slightly furrowed his brows.

During the grand meeting half a month ago, he personally issued a commendation decree; would he have to contradict himself at another grand meeting half a month later?

Jiang Yuhuo was upright, if he believed he was right, he would inevitably confront it.

But he also had to admit that there was some truth to He Tizhu’s words.