Han Shizu

Chapter 1453 The Influence Expands
The steed galloped recklessly on the streets of Fangli, splashing the remaining snow, making rapid and carefree hoofbeats, and did not stop until the rich gate of Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

Being in a high position all the year round didn't seem to affect Zhao Kuangyin's agility. He leaped off the horse easily and landed with a crisp sound.Looking down at the snow slag on the ground, he immediately walked towards the gate of the mansion and said to the guards: "Let someone clean up the snow slag in the place, the servants in my house are all lazy, this place is a mess, can't you see it?"

"Yes!" The guard in front of the door obviously maintained the style of the army, as if he was listening to a military order, without any hesitation, he clapped his hands, and he was not responsible for the left and right.

Zhao Kuangyin was dressed in a suit that didn't match the winter scenery. The vermilion robe was a bit showy, but what was redder than the clothes was the face that smelled of wine.This time, he was called into the palace by Emperor Liu, drinking and chatting with him, watching his demeanor, it was obviously a pleasant exchange. Recently, there are fewer and fewer ministers who can enjoy the treatment of Emperor Liu. Those who are qualified Also gradually withered.

Throwing the whip to the attendant chicly, started walking, and went straight back to the house.As soon as he stepped into the gate of the mansion, he saw Zhao Dezhao who heard the news and came out to greet him: "Father, Fourth Uncle has been waiting for a long time to come to the mansion!"

"Oh?" Zhao Kuangyin was a little surprised, but soon smiled, and said, "Kuang Mei is here! Just in time, our brothers haven't seen each other for a while, just let him have a few more glasses of wine with me!"

Zhao Kuangyin used to be a good drinker, but now he can be described as an alcoholic, and his way of socializing is often through wine, the closer he gets, the happier he drinks.Knowing about Zhao Kuangyin's hobbies, in these years, besides calling him to drink together from time to time, Emperor Liu would also specially reward him with some good wine if he received it, as a sign of admiration. Therefore, in the wine cellar of the Rongguo Mansion , but there is no lack of royal wine.

"Father!" Seeing the excited look on Zhao Kuangyin's face, Zhao Dezhao hesitated a little.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Kuangyin noticed the veil on Zhao Dezhao's face.

Zhao Dezhao cupped his hands and said, "Fourth Uncle came to the house, I'm afraid he didn't ask you for a drink. I saw that he was preoccupied, and he seemed to be in trouble!"

"What's the matter?" Zhao Kuangyin finally regained his composure.

Zhao Dezhao shook his head: "Fourth Uncle refuses to say anything!"

"Where are the people?"

"I will lead my fourth uncle to the study room, serve tea and wait!"

"Go! Go and have a look!" Zhao Kuangyin quickened his pace.

In the study room of the mansion, a young man was sitting silently, his sitting posture was not very correct, and he was a bit depressed. It was Zhao Kuangyin's fourth younger brother Zhao Kuangmei.His face was serious, and he was faintly out of his mind. The tea on the small table was already completely cold, and he didn't ask the servant to add water.

It wasn't until he heard the movement outside that he came back to his senses. He couldn't wait to stand up. Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's burly figure, he hurried forward and greeted him as if he had seen a savior. He said in awe, "Second brother!"

The relationship between Zhao Kuangyin's brothers has always been good. The eldest brother is like a father, and Zhao Kuangyin is also very caring for his younger brothers.Looking at Zhao Kuangmei's forced smile, Zhao Kuangyin nodded, sat down behind the desk, looked at the fourth brother who seemed a little at a loss, stretched out his hand, and said in a deep voice, "Sit!"

Probably because of having a backbone, Zhao Kuangmei sat a little more stably, but her body was a little tense.Observing his performance all the time, Zhao Kuangyin stared at him for a while, then said softly, "You haven't been around the house for a long time!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangmei opened her mouth, her face was a little hot, she didn't dare to look at her elder brother, hesitated for a while, and said, "Let me see my second brother!"

Zhao Kuangmei's reaction was to have a panoramic view. Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "There is nothing to talk about between us brothers. If you have anything to say, just speak up!"

Perhaps what Zhao Kuangyin wanted was Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Kuangmei was a little excited immediately, but with a mournful face: "Second brother, you have to help me!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's heart sank immediately, and he reprimanded: "Talk about something!"

"Second brother, Zhang Jin has a case."

As soon as it started, Zhao Kuangyin glared and said in a very stern tone, "You have also participated in it!"

If there is any sensational event in the court during the twelfth lunar month, it is the major corruption case in Huazhou. Although the officials who committed the crime are not of high rank, the circumstances are serious, and it is a case that the emperor and the prince are watching.

More importantly, no matter what Zhang Jin's identity is, he is a core child of the Xungui Group family.Although it is only a small Zhang Jin, it is unavoidably arousing associations.

For a long time, the 24 ministers of Qianyou, these nobles and their descendants seemed to be shrouded in a layer of brilliance, which was a kind of preferential treatment close to immunity. Although there was no explicit privilege, they did enjoy this heavy favor.

Even if something is committed, even if it is dealt with according to the law, as long as the bottom line is not broken, or the crime is in the hands of some strong people, there is room for maneuver.

However, this seemingly unbreakable halo seems to be fading and losing its effectiveness.Just like the case of Han Qingxiong back then, this time, almost everyone knew that Zhang Jin was finished, and no one could save him unless Emperor Liu gave him an amnesty.

However, Emperor Liu's imperial edict had already been issued, and his attitude was strict and clear. If he were to be severely investigated and dealt with severely, then this person's fate was almost doomed.Although Zhang Jin's death is not a pity, it is inevitable that things will hurt his kind, and people share his sorrow.

Compared with Han Qingxiong, Zhang Jin may be even more miserable. At least one of Han Qingxiong died, and he was treated extrajudicially.

But Zhang Jin, perhaps after the punishment was clearly ordered, the political power of Duke Yu was completely defeated and depressed until it disappeared among the upper class of the Han Dynasty.

This is probably the unfriendly place in the Hanjue system formulated by Emperor Liu. Wang Zhang had no son, which made it impossible to pass on his fame and achievements in his life, and he really died for three generations.

But no matter what, Zhang Jin is Wang Zhang's closest bloodline. With Emperor Liu's "nostalgia", this time there is no sympathy, which inevitably makes some people feel anxious.

However, the matter seemed to be on Zhang Jin's side, and there was no end to it. The influence was expanding and the involvement was increasing. It was originally just a corruption case of the river workers, but it became more and more serious, and it evolved into a large-scale government clean-up movement.

Originally, it only involved the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Households, and Huazhou. However, this anti-corruption movement gradually expanded and its influence continued to ferment. More and more people were involved in the case, and more and more officials were taken down. more.

Up to now, it has not been limited to the Huazhou case. The investigation of many cases is often like this. With the deepening of the interrogation and investigation, more and more related crimes have been implicated. Only the criminal department has filed thirteen cases. as much.

Some things, if you really don’t check it, you won’t know it. If you check it, you will be shocked. Facts have proved that the so-called political clarity of the big man also has great limitations. Under the sun, there is always a shadow.

But as the matter fermented, more and more people were involved, and the court began to feel uneasy, and even everyone was in danger. A political tide caused by corruption seemed to be raging.

Zhang Jin naturally has a circle, and the people who belong to his circle are, undoubtedly, most of them belong to the sons of honored nobles. His family and friends will inevitably be involved when the case is discovered. Even if it is not the Huazhou case, there are other things exposed come out.

As for Zhao Kuangmei, a member of that circle, she was just a little surprised about this matter at first, but as the Huazhou case became more and more influential, even some noble children were also arrested because of various incidents. Zhao Kuangmei became frightened when the Ministry of Punishment invited her to interrogate her.

When you encounter trouble, there is no doubt that the first person to seek help is only your own brother.

The atmosphere in the study was shrouded in low pressure. Zhao Kuangmei's eyes were a little dodgy. Facing Zhao Kuangyin's stern questioning, she was too frightened to speak.

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin became angry, and said: "I tell you, if you are involved in the case, then I can't save you, and you don't need to go to my house for help. Since you go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice to surrender, all I can do is to put on an old face. , to intercede for you, that's all!"

"Say!" Zhao Kuangyin sternly said, making Zhao Kuangmei tremble.

(End of this chapter)