You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 118 The treacherous minister himself has revealed himself!

Liu Zhengzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was furious. First, he hadn't expected Jiang Qingyun to appear in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Second, he hadn't expected to be served imperial food.

It's like a hunter crouching in the forest, having just aimed at his target and drawn his bowstring, only to find his prey staring at him with clear eyes.

So embarrassing~
The anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance members, who were scattered throughout the hall, frequently exchanged glances.

"Impeachment?"

"Should we still impeach him?"

……

Liu Zhengzong craned his neck, searching for the three princes who were in charge of deliberation. As expected, Mandahai, Nikan, and Bolo were also hesitant.

The more times you watch it...

Empress Xiaozhuang discovered it.

Emperor Shunzhi also discovered it.

Because sitting in the Golden Palace and looking down is like a teacher standing on a platform looking at students, with every little movement clearly visible.

Emperor Shunzhi frowned:

"Empress Mother, what are these people doing?"

"Let's see and then talk."

……

"Imperial Censor Jiang, please enjoy the venison and fine wine bestowed by His Majesty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Chief Steward Wu."

Wu Liangfu walked away with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face. He had a deep impression of Jiang Qingyun and knew that he was not someone to be trifled with.

"Gentlemen, shall we eat?"

"You eat, you eat."

Jiang Qingyun only offered a perfunctory polite remark before starting to eat. The venison, paired with wine, was delicious, and his energy quickly returned to his dantian.

Ah~ I'm reminded of Kong Sizhen again.

Multiple doors and windows, wonderfully indescribable!
The small building was cold, I was tense, and the conditions were rudimentary. I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be in a warm, comfortable, and undisturbed place.

As Jiang Qingyun ate voraciously, he fantasized, his body rapidly filled with aggression, and his entire being was brimming with a fighting spirit.

Perhaps it's a meeting of minds~
He looked up and his eyes met those of Liu Zhengzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

……

Jiang Qingyun pretended to drink, using his sleeve to cover himself from possible prying eyes from the direction of the dragon throne, and made a horizontal cutting motion with his left hand on his neck.

"Imperial Censor Jiang, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, my neck was just itchy."

Some people have itchy scalps, some have itchy vulva, and naturally some have itchy necks; these are all normal and reasonable phenomena.

The person at the same table who asked the question didn't think much of it.

But Liu Zhengzong, who witnessed this highly provocative "throat-cutting" gesture from two tables away, was shocked. His hair stood on end and his arms trembled.

"Minister Liu, you don't look well?"

"it's okay no problem."

There are no secrets in Beijing. The news that Liu Zhengzong is going to become the Minister of Personnel has been circulating widely for three days now, and the threshold of Liu’s residence is almost worn down by people walking around.

……

Liu Zhengzong felt a strong and concrete threat!

However, no matter how hard he stared, Jiang Qingyun stopped looking at him and turned to chat with three young nobles from Khorchin at the next table.

"Want to go horse racing sometime? The bet is 50 taels of gold."

"you?"

"Yes, I am particularly skilled at horseback riding."

The three noblemen from Khorchin laughed heartily, assuming the Han man was simply drunk.

"How about it? Do you dare?"

"It's a deal, brother. Cheers! We'll definitely come find you."

"Dry!"

Jiang Qingyun downed several cups in a hearty manner, which aroused the interest of the three Mongolian nobles. Horse racing was not allowed in the Forbidden City, but drinking contests were!

……

Liu Zhengzong stared at Jiang Qingyun with resentment, unable to let go of his anger for a long time.

This scene was witnessed not only by Emperor Shunzhi and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, but also by many civil officials.

Ning Wanwo was sitting next to Fan Wencheng.

The two raised their glasses in perfect unison and took a small sip.

"happy New Year."

"Yeah."

……

Xie Sheng, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, repeatedly signaled to Liu Zhengzong with his eyes: Give up the impeachment! Give up the impeachment! Give up the impeachment!
However, it is ineffective.

In desperation, he could only use the excuse of offering a toast to get up shakily and walk to Prince Li's table.

"This old minister wishes Your Highness good health."

As he spoke, he kept shaking his head, frowning, and his eyes were full of dissuasion.

Mandahai was extremely conflicted. Nikan, sitting next to him, was urging the plan to proceed as scheduled, but Xie Sheng, his capable assistant, was desperately trying to stop it.

In the Jinluan Palace.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's face darkened.

Emperor Shunzhi, who was standing nearby, also put down his chopsticks and cast an extremely dissatisfied look at the three princes who were in charge of governance.

……

The originally harmonious atmosphere instantly turned strange.

Wu Sangui, Kong Youde, Shang Kexi, and Geng Jimao, who were sitting at the table closest to the imperial steps, were the first to sense that something was wrong. They put down their chopsticks and sat up straight.

Now that things have come to this~
Knowing there was no way out, Liu Zhengzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, downed a cup of wine, and under the influence of the alcohol, gritted his teeth, left the table, and walked to the middle of the main hall.

He knelt down with a thud.

Instantly, it attracted everyone's attention.

The chief eunuch, Wu Liangfu, hurriedly waved his hand: "Stop the singing, dancing, and drumming! Quickly, get out of here!"

After all the irrelevant people had left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Liu Zhengzong removed his official hat, revealing a head of white hair, and looked up at the hall with a sorrowful expression.

Shouting:

"Your Majesty, this old minister is here today to impeach a great traitor, Jiang Qingyun!"

……

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Qingyun.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiang Qingyun, his face flushed, quickly wiped his mouth, then stood up, leaning on the table, his expression bewildered, innocent, and loyal.

"Brother, your name is Jiang Qingyun? You're the treacherous minister he's talking about?"

Beside him, a Mongolian Taiji who was clearly a bit dim-witted actually burst out laughing.

He was immediately silenced by his companions.

Due to the effects of alcohol, Jiang Qingyun's reactions were noticeably sluggish. He staggered off the table, walked over, and knelt down next to Liu Zhengzong.

Then, she turned to look at him.

Liu Zhengzong felt a chill run down his spine and wanted to stay far away from him.

Shunzhi's angry voice suddenly rang out:

"Minister Liu, what are you planning to do at my New Year's Eve banquet?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I must impeach Jiang Qingyun, for his crimes are heinous."

"Is that so? Tell me, I'm listening."

Shunzhi's eyes were sinister. He had already made up his mind that if Liu Zhengzong could not produce conclusive evidence today, he would kill this old fool who did not know the times.

You dare to disrupt the New Year's Eve palace banquet? Do you think I'm the easy-going Emperor Longqing?

……

"Jiang Qingyun, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, has committed eight major crimes."

First, misuse of public resources for private purposes.

Second, the inferiors disobey their superiors.

Third, mistreating meritorious soldiers on the front lines.

Fourth, accepting bribes from subordinates.

Fifth, placing personal agents in positions of power.

"Sixth, setting up private soup kitchens."

"Seventh, bullying colleagues."

"Eight, mistreatment of the flag soldiers."

~
Liu Zhengzong's voice was passionate and impassioned, and his arguments were well-reasoned, righteous, and eloquent.

"I have finished speaking. I have ruined a perfectly good New Year's Eve palace banquet. I deserve to die, but for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, I will die without regret."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang watched this scene with great interest. It was not a bad thing that someone was taking the initiative to dig into Jiang Qingyun's past.

Whether they're treacherous or not, let's put them to the test.

……

Inside the Golden Palace, discussions rose and fell.

Buzzing~ It sounds like a swarm of bees.

Emperor Shunzhi was in a very unsettled state of mind.

The eight major crimes that Liu Zhengzong just accused were too shocking, especially Jiang Qingyun's mobilization of troops to besiege the Prince of Pingxi's heir, which was simply appalling.

He turned his questioning gaze to Jiang Qingyun, but seeing that the man looked completely unconcerned, he felt much more at ease.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang said softly:

"Fulin, what is fake cannot become real, and what is real cannot become fake."

"I know you trust Jiang Qingyun, so I'll take this opportunity to thoroughly examine him. If he's innocent, you can confidently appoint him in the future."

"The Empress Dowager is right."

While saying this, Shunzhi's eyes drifted to the three princes who were in charge of governance.

Suddenly, an extremely bold idea popped into his head.

Let's just pour some more oil on it.

"My dear ministers, who else supports Vice Minister Liu? Please step forward now."

(End of this chapter)