Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 444 We will not rest until mediocre officials are eliminated.

Upon hearing this, Xue Tao's expression froze instantly. He immediately pushed himself up on the table, plopped back down, and looked down at his superior with a haughty air, saying, "This matter has nothing to do with you! As for your arrogant attitude and failure to bow upon entering the hall, is this the proper etiquette for meeting a superior?"

Zhang Dai wasn't afraid of this guy back then, and he's even less afraid now. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Young Master Xue is using this to question me. Have you forgotten what position I've just assumed? The fact that I'm even bothering to come to your office to ask is already an effort to save face for you. Otherwise, I would have directly complained to the Director in Taichung, and then a clerk would have come to escort me!"

The Censorate had a very strong power to impeach and investigate. Even Zhang Yue, who was serving as the Grand Secretary at the time, was impeached and directly imprisoned in the Censorate prison for interrogation.

As for officials like Xue Tao, as long as there is reasonable suspicion and inference, they can be directly summoned to the Censorate for investigation. Of course, such an order must be issued by the Grand Censor and the Vice Censor-in-Chief; Zhang Dai did not have that authority.

However, if he impeaches a high-ranking official and the director of the Censorate does not respond or conduct an investigation, he can continue to impeach the director for inaction or even for forming a faction. Of course, such impeachments would require a direct report to the prime minister or the emperor. If he cannot bring down the other party, then his career in the Censorate is over.

"you dare!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Tao was furious. He immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting angrily.

"How much courage do I possess? Xue Shaoqing has pondered this for years, yet he still cannot discern it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai spoke again and turned to walk a few steps away.

"Mali is outwardly hypocritical but inwardly cunning. He obeys orders but makes many excuses, and he is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. He flatters his colleagues and secretly builds his own faction. We were deceived in the past and mistakenly believed that he was a good person. Now that he feels that his term is coming to an end, his lack of pretense and his bad behavior are gradually being exposed, and he has been discovered."

Seeing Zhang Dai turn to leave, Xue Tao then said loudly, "Since our previous understanding was flawed, it must be corrected now. We must not allow this fellow to continue to charlatan and deceive the world for personal gain!"

"What crime have I committed to deserve such a harsh evaluation from you, Junior Minister..."

At this moment, Ma Lizheng hurriedly went outside the hall after tidying up his appearance. Upon hearing this, his face turned pale and he asked in a grief-stricken voice.

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Dai couldn't help but laugh in anger. Language is truly wondrous; different stances and perspectives can describe a person or an event in completely opposite ways.

Just look at how Xue Tao actually described a hardworking, good-natured person as currying favor with colleagues. If Zhang Dai were to speak up for him, he would be considered one of his cronies. This shows how utterly immoral this guy is.

He rose to the rank of third grade through nepotism without any hardship, while dismissing the hard work and dedication of others as worthless. He completely failed to understand that if it weren't for these hardworking and selfless individuals maintaining the rule of the Tang Dynasty, these rentiers would probably not even be able to afford hot food!

“I know who Ma Xielu is, but he is quite different from what Xue Shaoqing saw. The Ma Xielu I met was well-versed in classical texts and music theory, kind-hearted and helpful, and praised by his colleagues in the department. He was also competent in everything he did. I have never seen anything like the things Xue Shaoqing described.”

Zhang Dai composed himself slightly and looked at Xue Tao, saying, "Since I have heard that someone has falsely accused him, I will defend him to the end! If you, Xue Shaoqing, still insist on your own opinion, then we may have to move to Taizhong to argue further."

"You didn't see anything? You were absent for many days over the past year but still managed to take the exam. You yourself are not innocent, so what right do you have to defend anyone? Besides, Ma Lizheng is in the same department and holds the same position as you. You two are covering for each other. If I need to take this to the Magistrates' Court, I will naturally discuss these matters calmly!"

Upon hearing Zhang Dai's words, Xue Tao's eyes turned cold, and he sneered, "Don't think that just because you've joined the Censorate you can act recklessly. You even dared to question and humiliate me when I was the chief official! Let alone the Censorate, even in the imperial court, I have no fear of arguing with you!"

"No, no... I am but a lowly official, why should I trouble myself to appeal to the court... I am guilty, I beg Lord Xue for forgiveness! Zhang Xielu, Zhang Xielu, thank you for speaking up for justice, but I... alas... I thank Zhang Xielu for getting me into this mess for no reason!"

Ma Lizheng had hoped that Zhang Dai could turn the situation around a bit, but he didn't expect Xue Tao to be so tough. Seeing that even Zhang Dai, who spoke up for him, was being implicated, he was naturally very uneasy and hurriedly said in a trembling voice.

Zhang Dai knew that since the Crown Prince had entered the world after the mourning period, Xue Tao, as his father-in-law, had become much more arrogant. Now that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was his home turf, he would naturally not easily bow down to him, a supervisor who had only recently been promoted.

But having come this far, he certainly couldn't back down easily. He knew Xue Tao's real weakness was the Crown Prince, including his revenge against Ma Lizheng, which stemmed from Ma Lizheng's failure to wholeheartedly celebrate the Crown Prince's birthday. Therefore, to force Ma Lizheng to submit, he had to start with the Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince, being a saint, was a sensitive nerve, not easily provoked; the degree of force required was difficult to control. For example, the incident with Yuan Qianyao's son, even though it wasn't directly related to the Crown Prince, merely evoking a connection in the saint elicited such a strong reaction. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Zhang Dai didn't want to start with the Crown Prince.

"Why is Xue Shaoqing doing this? If things don't go well, you can try your best to coordinate. Ma Xielu didn't do this intentionally, or perhaps he lacks the ability, but he doesn't deserve this. With a stroke of your pen, Shaoqing, Ma Xielu's career is ruined. Everyone in the department knows how diligent he has been in his duties. If he ends up like this, how can the hardworking staff in the department feel at ease?"

After weighing the options in his mind, Zhang Dai raised his hand and bowed to Xue Tao, saying, "I misspoke in my haste and did not mean to offend you. Please forgive me, Young Master Xue!"

"Your words may be unjust, yet you are so arrogant. How can anyone forgive you?"

When Xue Tao saw that Zhang Dai was actually willing to bow down and submit to him on this matter, he was momentarily stunned. Then he smiled and said, "Since you say that Ma Lizheng is diligent in his duties and everyone in the department knows it, then gather all the department staff in front of the hall, and you can then speak on his behalf and see what the public thinks..."

"No need, no need at all! I have been wronged by this infamy! Since it was bestowed upon me by the Junior Minister, I must have failed in my duty and offended my superior, and I deserve this punishment. I admit my foolish and presumptuous schemes that implicated Zhang Xielu in the matter. Zhang Xielu, please leave. There is no need to plead for me anymore!"

When Ma Lizheng saw that Xue Tao was going to use his case to gather a crowd to humiliate Zhang Dai, he was also extremely ashamed. He first bowed to Xue Tao repeatedly to admit his guilt, and then turned around and pushed Zhang Dai out of the hall.

Zhang Dai softened his stance slightly because he didn't want his momentary impulsiveness to ruin Ma Lizheng's reputation and future. However, seeing that Xue Tao showed no intention of settling things peacefully and instead seemed pleased with himself for having his weakness in his grasp, Zhang Dai was naturally extremely resentful.

"Xue is a mere nepotism operative who has served in the office for several years without uttering a single useful word. He acts willfully and recklessly, ruining people out of spite. I previously feared your power and swallowed my anger, but I never expected this madman to become even more outrageous, making it impossible to tolerate him any longer! Tomorrow I will submit a memorial to impeach him. I will not rest until this mediocre official is removed!"

He stood in front of the hall, pointed at Xue Tao, and said angrily. Then he turned around and walked to the steps under the corridor, shouting to the officials of the various departments of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices: "Xue Tao is a mediocre man who holds a position but does nothing. Now I am impeaching him. If any of the officials in the department know of his dereliction of duty, abuse of power, and incompetence, they can all come and tell me! I will secretly report this to the emperor and will not implicate a single person!"

"How dare you! How dare you, you madman... Shut up! Shut up!"

Xue Tao was shocked by Zhang Dai's strong reaction. He jumped down from the hall and chased after him, pointing at Zhang Dai and angrily shouting for him to stop. He also ordered the officials around him to step forward and restrain Zhang Dai.

However, just as Zhang Dai said, he had no real skills and relied solely on his official authority to act arrogantly in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Today's harassment and retaliation against Ma Lizheng was just another ordinary incident for him. His popularity and prestige in the office were not even comparable to Zhang Dai, whose official rank was far below his.

Today, Zhang Dai could no longer tolerate his arrogance and shouted in the government office that he would kill him. Everyone who saw this was very pleased.

Although the officials, under his orders, had no choice but to step forward to stop Zhang Dai, the registrar Zhao Ling and others quickly rushed forward and surrounded Zhang Dai, escorting him out of the government office while shouting, "Zhang Xielu was just joking! Everyone, return to your posts and perform your duties. We are accompanying Zhang Xielu to the Music Bureau to supervise the classes. Disperse! Disperse!"

"You all leave immediately! Who gave you permission to leave the office!"

Upon witnessing this scene, Xue Tao became even more enraged. Pointing at Zhao Ling and the others, he roared, "Zhang Dai is arrogant, shouting in court, and committing insubordination! Anyone who dares to accompany him will be punished along with him!"

His words only made things worse, as they drew everyone to Zhang Dai even faster, especially Zhao Ling, who practically wanted to carry Zhang Dai away. They had all benefited greatly from their previous outburst with Zhang Xielu, and almost two years had passed since then; it was time for them to improve further.

Xue Tao's shouts were ignored, and the crowd, following Zhang Dai, rushed out of the Taichang Temple office, then through the Zhuque Gate, and headed towards the Music Bureau in the east of the city.

Even Zhang Dai was put on the defensive by these people. He wanted to stop and scold Xue Tao a few more times to vent his anger, but in the blink of an eye, he arrived outside the capital. He had no choice but to go east with the crowd to the Music Bureau to collect petition materials.

Xue Tao never expected that Zhang Dai, a fellow like himself who only worked sporadically, would be so popular in the office. People even dared to disobey their superior and follow him. He was furious, but when he thought of the harsh words Zhang Dai had said before leaving, he couldn't help but feel scared. He loudly dismissed the crowd of officials who were watching the commotion in front of the hall, and then quickly left the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

(End of this chapter)