When Lu Zhuoxu and Mao Jingyu arrived at the Hall of Heroes, they found the hall filled with the Imperial Guards. The emperor was sitting on the dragon throne with a dignified air.
Lu Zhuoxu was an elder of the three dynasties and was previously a scholar in charge of the Zhijian Hall. After Su Xun was dismissed, he took over as the minister of the Supreme Court.
"Mao Jingyu."
"Your subject is here!"
"How many state capitals are there in the country?”
"Your Majesty, including the sixteen states of the Tranquil Cloud Prefecture, there are a total of 171 prefectures and 935 counties.”
"The people of Great Song are really simple and honest. In a year, there are only eleven people on death row. I know that there are hundreds of heinous criminals.”Zhao Xu stared at Mao Jingyu.
Mao Jingyu was a dark and fat man with a weathered face. He was once Di Qing's trusted subordinate. He was stubborn and simple, and was already close to sixty years old.
"Your Majesty, the number of death row prisoners in the country is far from this. Some cases are already ironclad when they reach the Ministry of Justice, but when they reach the three judicial departments, they inexplicably become ordinary criminal charges.”Mao Jingyu said.
"Where is Li Cuowu of the Imperial Censorate?"
"Your Majesty, Li Cuowu is sick. The imperial physician is treating him.”
Wang Yong bowed.
"Then, Lu Zhuoxu of the Supreme Court, tell me what's going on. Are the laws of the Great Song child's play in your hands?”Zhao Xu questioned.
"Your Majesty, in the past, we have always done this. It has been like this since the Renzong Dynasty. We treat the people with leniency and leniency.”Lu Zhuoxu said fearfully.
"Don't use the previous dynasty's decree to justify yourself. I want you to faithfully follow the laws of the Song Dynasty. I will investigate how much money the three judicial departments have taken in the past few years. Now, I announce that Lu Zhuoxu, Mao Jingyu, and Li Cuowu of the three judicial departments have all been removed from office and sent to prison. Prime Minister Sima Guang, Hanlin Academy's Professor Su Dongpo, and Minister of War Yu Hui will take over the three judicial departments. Someone come."
"Yes!" The royal guards shouted from the side.
"Arrest all of them. All the officials who can come into contact with the death penalty will be imprisoned. From today onwards, Prime Minister Sima Guang will be in charge of this matter.”
With Zhao Xu's order, Lu Zhuoxu and Mao Jingyu were arrested and repeatedly claimed that they had been wronged.
"Take him away." Wang Yong waved his hand, and the royal guards dragged the two important officials out.
Only Zhao Xu and Wang Yong were left in the hall. Wang Yong took out a piece of Xuan paper and bowed: "Your Majesty, this is the evidence of the three judicial divisions taking bribes. There are 56 witnesses 'testimonies. It's already an ironclad case that the three judicial divisions took money to avoid death and reduce their sentences.”
"Very good, everything depends on evidence. As long as the evidence is conclusive, anyone who violates the law must be severely punished. Go and convey this emperor's edict to Sima Guang and tell him to put aside the matter at hand and catch this matter first.”
"I will obey!" Wang Yong bowed and left.
……
Four days later, the corruption cases of the Three Judicial Departments were all investigated. Other than Mao Jingyu, who did not take bribes, the others, including Lu Zhuoxu of the Supreme Court, Li Cuowu of the Imperial Censorate, and other officials, all confessed.
The verification of the death row prisoners continued, and many cases were reopened. Mao Jingyu was allowed to remain in his position as the Minister of Justice, cooperating with Sima Guang to investigate the crimes of the Great Song.
After this incident, the court was shaken. The officials knew that the emperor did not allow any hidden rules to exist and implemented strict laws.
Those who committed heinous crimes, murderers must pay with their lives, and those who embezzled more than 100 strings must be beheaded, including the ministers of the Supreme Court and the scholars of the Imperial Censorate.
After this big case ended, the provincial examination officially began. The outstanding students who passed the provincial examination came to the capital to take the provincial examination. Those who passed the provincial examination would then take the court examination.
The palace examination was created by Zhao Kuangyin, the Song Taizu. The person who passed the palace examination was the Son of Heaven's disciple and did not need to go through the Ministry of Personnel's examination to become an official.
The provincial examination was organized by the Ministry of Rites and held in the Imperial College.
In the early days, the imperial examination was held every year or two. It was only during the Yingzong period that it was fixed to be held once every three years. The provincial examination (provincial examination) in spring, the provincial examination (general examination) in autumn, and then the court examination.
This year was the first year of Xining. There were 1,300 students who stood out from the provincial examination and took part in the general examination. The quota was 300, and one out of four students was selected.
Most of these 1,300 people were from Jiangnan, while the Northwest had the least.
Zhao Xu saw Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui on the list. They were both under 20 years old and came from Jingzhou and Qiongzhou respectively. They had both won first place in the provincial examinations.
The fragrance of osmanthus was fragrant. The sky in August was blue and clean. The autumn wind was refreshing. The outer walls of the examination hall were painted new.
Scholars from all over the country came to the capital at their own expense to gain fame and official positions. If they failed, they would have to wait another three years.
Some of the scholars were already white-haired, and their hunched bodies were still struggling on the road to the imperial examination.
Ouyang Xiu was appointed as the chief examiner by Zhao Xu, and Xu Lirong, the Minister of Rites, was appointed as the deputy chief examiner.
The day before the imperial examination, Ouyang Xiu and Xu Lirong were summoned by Zhao Xu to the Hall of Heroes.
According to the reform of the imperial examination, many Confucian classics had been removed from the examination this time. Instead, the contents of the examination were about the national economy and the people's livelihood, persuading farming and mulberry, and answering policy questions.
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