Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

He needed to inform the Ministry of Rites that he had arrived.

After finishing their business, the two went to inquire about Master Zhiquan.

As it turned out, the old monk had died of illness several years earlier.

In the evening, a middle-aged man, over forty years old,

He arrived at the inn dressed in official's casual clothes.

After finding out the room number, I hurriedly went upstairs and knocked on the door.

"Disciple Feng Xie greets his revered master!"

A middle-aged man bowed outside the door.

Hu Quan opened the door, bowed, and said...

"Brother, please come in."

Xiao Chu examined it carefully, then smiled.

"I haven't taught you for more than a few days, there's no need for that."

Feng Xie said, "A teacher for a day is a teacher for life."

Xiao Chu didn't bother with such matters and gestured for Feng Xie to sit down.

"You've already taken up an official position in the new dynasty?"

Feng Xie was from Anyue, Sichuan, and replied,

"After my father passed away,"

"Students escorted the coffin back to their hometown to observe mourning."

"When His Majesty raised troops to pacify Shandong,"

"The students saw that the rebels did not plunder the people,"

"Therefore, he took the initiative to go to Shandong to serve His Majesty."

"He was initially the magistrate of Yingshan County, and is now a secretary in the Ministry of Rites."

"I saw your name at the Ministry of Rites today,"

"So he inquired along the way and came to pay his respects."

"Well done."

Xiao Chu nodded in approval.

Feng Xie was somewhat agitated.

"If you had come to the capital three months earlier, sir,"

"We will also be able to see Zhao Yiruo (Zhao Yang)."

"He was previously in the Hanlin Academy,"

"After Lord Cao recovered Zhejiang,"

"He was transferred to Zhejiang to serve as a county magistrate."

Xiao Chu said, "Since you are serving as officials in the new dynasty,"

"I will do my utmost to assist the wise ruler in bringing peace and prosperity to the people and the nation."

"The students will remember your teachings!" Feng Xie quickly said.

Xiao Chu asked, "How is the new dynasty?"

Feng Xie sighed, "The new dynasty is good in every way."

"It's just that the officials are being treated too harshly."

"Although no one dared to complain,"

"But I'm afraid there are many who will have complaints."

Hu Quan couldn't help but ask, "How is it harsh?"

Feng Xie explained in a low voice,

"The salaries of minor officials and clerks have all increased."

"Officials of the fifth rank and above have seen their salaries reduced significantly,"

"All other favors were also cancelled."

"When you're an official in a local area, you have less money to freely use."

"Also, it's more tiring than being an official before,"

"It added a lot of trivial tasks for clerks."

Hu Quan couldn't help but smile.

He figured it out.

Compared to the Song Dynasty of the past,

Officials in the new dynasty did a lot of work but received little reward.

Of course, this is not the case for all.

The salaries of lower-ranking officials have increased.

Some clerks also started receiving formal salaries.

Feng Xie continued, "The Censorate... that was formerly the Imperial Censorate,"

"The power is now greater."

"The Left Censor-in-Chief, Chen Dong, is very young,"

"Acting without considering the consequences,"

"They even dare to investigate His Majesty's confidants!"

"The other officials are naturally not worth mentioning."

"This year alone, the number of people dismissed from office due to corruption,"

"There are more than 120 people who are of the seventh rank or above."

"Thirty-odd of them,"

"They were exiled to southern Sichuan and Xihe,"

"It shall never be used again."

"Even their descendants are forbidden from taking the imperial examinations,"

"Only great-grandchildren can take the exam to become officials."

Hu Quan was speechless with astonishment.

Xiao Chu was also quite surprised.

Although he also disapproved of corrupt officials.

But this was somewhat unexpected.

Feng Xie became gossipy.

"The magistrate of Linjin County is named Yang Huai'en,"

"Because he was reported for imposing exorbitant taxes,"

"I heard that the Censorate has arrived in the prefectural city,"

"He was so frightened that he voluntarily went to Hezhong Prefecture to turn himself in."

"But he was a corrupt official who turned himself in."

"Just honestly hand over the stolen money,"

"Then they can avoid exile to the frontier,"

"And grandchildren can participate in the imperial examinations."

"Of course, if the amount of embezzlement is really too much,"

"His dismissal and imprisonment are certain,"

"Even my son failed the imperial examinations."

Chapter 1836 Well Done the Flattery!

Hu Quan clicked his tongue in amazement: "In the old Song Dynasty, such a thing would never have happened."

"Officials levied exorbitant taxes and levies."

"It doesn't even count as embezzlement,"

"There is absolutely no basis for criminalizing it."

Feng Xie said, "It's precisely because corruption was so common in the previous dynasty."

"Many officials were unable to change their ways after arriving in the new dynasty."

"Even though the imperial court has strict rules,"

"Corruption and dereliction of duty are also rampant."

“Every month, there are officials who are dismissed due to corruption.”

"Many officials are already reminiscing about the old Song Dynasty,"

"Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi,"

“Some officials even defected to the puppet regime.”

"To defect to the puppet dynasty established by the Jurchens?"

Hu Quan found it hard to believe.

Feng Xie said, "More than just one or two have defected to the false dynasty."

"It's all because I heard the censor is going to investigate me,"

"He fled with his family to evade punishment."

Xiao Chu angrily retorted, "You scoundrel who can't distinguish between Chinese and barbarians!"

"If caught, they must be executed!"

In fact, there were still corrupt officials who went to see Emperor Huizong of Song this year.

Not long after he ran there, Li Bao led his troops to attack...

The three of them talked until midnight.

They even had the restaurant deliver the food halfway through the trip.

After Feng Xie left, Xiao Chu smiled and said to Hu Quan,

"The new emperor is so powerful,"

"We are all capable of great things!"

Not all officials expect a "benevolent ruler".

Xiao Chu and Hu Quan's faction favored strong monarchs.

Strictly speaking, Hu Anguo's faction was also keen to assist a strong monarch.

How can a monarch be a sage king if he is not strong?

Two days later, an imperial eunuch came to deliver the imperial decree.

He took Xiao Chu to the palace for an audience.

These officials who were recruited through conscription,

According to procedure, the emperor must personally inspect the process.