We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Hearing the sharp explosion outside, Li Che wiped his tears and raised his drooping head.

The moment the soldier screamed, several night watchmen ran out and pinned him to the ground.

Li Che naturally would not bother with a small soldier and waved his hand behind him.

The night watchman immediately warned him not to tell anyone and then let him go.

Being interrupted like this, Li Che couldn't stay any longer and walked out.

Looking up at the cold moon in the sky, Li Che sighed and exhaled a long breath of white air.

The eight people who died were all people he could call out by name, including a veteran of the Criminal Battalion who had followed him from the beginning.

People are all made of flesh and blood, let alone comrades who have experienced life and death together. Li Che was truly heartbroken for their deaths.

But Li Che did not regret this matter. If he raised it high and let it go lightly, corruption would become more and more serious.

The Fengtian Army system, which was established with great difficulty, would decay and collapse within a few years under the erosion of corruption.

Li Che was silent for a moment, then turned and returned to Fengtian Hall.

The Fengtian Hall was brightly lit with candles.

Li Che walked to the desk and sat down. The desk was piled with secret reports from the Ministry of Justice and the night watchmen.

The paper was densely packed with information about the generals and civil officials' businesses, social connections, and verified scandals, both overt and covert.

The amount of silver above was shocking, and even Li Che, who had seen a lot of the world, couldn't help but frown.

This is just the situation in Fengguo. Even in Daqing, the officials of Fengguo are considered the most honest.

It is hard to imagine how corrupt the imperial capital and the north are, and how shocking the situation is in the south where the aristocratic families control the situation.

"Killing people alone won't solve the root of the problem." Li Che seemed to be talking to Qiu Bai, who was sitting below him, but also seemed to be talking to himself.

"Greed is inexhaustible. If you kill eight today, eighteen more will appear tomorrow."

"We must make them afraid to be greedy, unable to be greedy, and finally... unwilling to be greedy."

Corruption cannot be eradicated, and no country can do it even in modern times.

However, corruption can be suppressed through the system to minimize the damage it causes to the country.

Li Che began to think about the systems used by various dynasties to deal with corruption, hoping to get the answer from them.

After an unknown amount of time, Qiu Bai in the audience felt a little sleepy, and Li Che finally woke up from his thoughts.

He pushed the list aside, took a blank edict and threw it to Qiu Bai in front of him.

Qiu Bai understood what he meant and immediately spread out the imperial edict in front of him and picked up the pen.

Li Che pondered for a moment and said, "Draft an order."

"First, establish a 'maintenance silver'. From this king down, all civil and military officials will receive a year-end bonus of double their salaries. In addition, a special fund will be allocated from the annual tax revenue to distribute additional 'maintenance silver' based on rank, political achievements, and military merit."

"Tell the Ministry of Revenue that anyone who dares to deduct even a cent from this money will be skinned alive by me."

This article draws on the Qing Dynasty's system of maintaining integrity through high salaries.

Some officials in Feng State climbed up from the bottom. Their family property was relatively small, and their expenses increased every day after they came to Fengtian.

They don't have to be greedy, but they have to be greedy.

Not everyone can stay clean and untainted by the mud, and everyone has the desire to compare.

When they see their colleagues showing off their wealth, they naturally want to have the same. When they see their colleagues hugging their beautiful wives and concubines every day, they naturally want to hug them too.

This is how corruption arises.

Distributing the money to maintain integrity will prevent these people from taking such risks. As for the expenses involved...

It's not a big problem. Japan's silver mines are inexhaustible and are currently more than enough to cover this expense.

"Secondly, expand the Night Watch's functions by establishing an independent supervisory department, stationed in each military region and prefecture."

"The Supervisory Office does not interfere in government affairs. It is solely responsible for conducting secret investigations and reporting directly to the King."

"In addition, 'drums for reporting corruption' were set up in each city, allowing citizens to report officials. If corruption is proven, the informant will be rewarded with half of the stolen money."

This method originated from the petition system of the Ming Dynasty.

Since ancient times, it has been considered a crime for citizens to sue officials. No matter whether you are right or wrong, it is wrong to commit the crime of disobeying your superiors, and you will be beaten first.

This is also the reason why when military pensions were embezzled, no one among the people dared to make a big fuss and come out to appeal for justice.

The biggest problem with corruption is officials protecting each other.

What Li Che needs to do is to let the people get involved and use the power of the people to help him supervise.

"Third," Li Che looked at Qiu Bai and said in a deep voice, "Reopen the 'Inspector' system, and have the Supervisory Department select officers to patrol on behalf of the emperor."

"Holding this king's imperial seal, you can directly inspect the treasury accounts, interrogate officials involved in cases, and in the event of serious corruption, you have the power to make arbitrary decisions on the spot."

"Inspectors rotate annually and are not allowed to associate with local officials."

This was the inspector general system in the Tang Dynasty.

The purpose is to eradicate the corruption in the local area, at least to prevent the local officials from having the chaotic situation of "three years as a clean magistrate and one hundred thousand silver coins".

Of course, Feng State does not have enough territory now, and the inspector is just a rehearsal.

After Li Che inherits the throne and takes over Daqing, that will be the time when the inspector general can really come into play.

"Fourth, Zhuge Zhe will lead the charge and work with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice to draft an Anti-Corruption Law for this prince."

"Previously, the laws were vague about sentencing for corruption. From today on, I will make it clear for you!"

"How much silver was embezzled? What crime was committed? What is the sentence? Will it be beheading, exile, or confiscation of property? Write it down clearly and publish it to the world!"

“Let everyone know!”

"Fifth," Li Che paused, his voice even colder, "implement the 'collective responsibility' and 'recovery of stolen goods' systems."

"Once a corrupt official is found guilty, his immediate superiors who fail to properly monitor people and manage their subordinates will be punished three levels less severely than the same crime!"

"Even if all the embezzled money is spent, it must be recovered!"

"Deduct it from his family property, from his clansmen, and even from the future salaries of his descendants until all is paid off!"

"Even if you die, you must pay your debt to this king!"

Qiu Bai froze and quickly lowered his head to write silently, not daring to speak.

Your Highness has become so cruel that the officials in the court must be trembling with fear.

Fortunately, Qiu Bai is clean enough and has never been involved in corruption.

Qiu Bai has always been by His Highness's side, and has never missed out on any reward. His family fortune has far exceeded that of an ordinary wealthy man.

"Tomorrow, submit this edict to the cabinet and let the ministers discuss it. If there are no problems, it will be implemented throughout Fengguo."

Qiu Bai bowed and agreed.

The next day, the cabinet received Li Che's order and quickly began to draft the bill.

It was finally passed unanimously.

Soon, the new system spread throughout Feng State.

Officials in various provinces under the rule of the Fengtian Army received increased salaries and "anti-corruption silver".

I also saw the details of the Anti-Corruption Law posted at the entrances of various county government offices, as well as the strict clauses regarding supervision, inspections, reporting, and collective responsibility.

They got more money, but there were more eyes staring at them and the swords hanging over their heads were sharper.

In just half a month, several corruption cases that were committed in defiance of the law or were deeply hidden were uncovered by the Supervisory Commissioner.

This time, Li Che did not carry out large-scale executions, but strictly followed the Anti-Corruption Law.

Those who should be exiled were exiled, and those whose property should be confiscated had their property confiscated, and their superiors were also implicated and demoted.

Extremely efficient and ruthless.

The smell of blood seemed to have faded, but the invisible fear and restraint were engraved more deeply into the bones of every official.

It was not until the New Year that the anti-corruption storm came to an end and officials finally breathed a sigh of relief.

. . . . . .

On the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, in Fengtian City, the accumulated snow had been swept to the sides of the streets, revealing the dark blue cement pavement.

Red lanterns were hung under the eaves, emitting balls of warm light to dispel the cold of the winter night.

The air was filled with the aroma of fried cakes and stewed meat. Children wearing new clothes, holding candied haws or small firecrackers, were running and laughing among the crowd.

The whole city is lit up tonight and there is no curfew. This is Li Che's special order.

He changed into an ordinary cotton robe, covered with a black cloak, and did not wear a crown.

Just like an ordinary scholar with an upright figure, he walked silently in the bustling crowd with Qiu Bai and Qu Jinshan who were also dressed in casual clothes.

The noise was overwhelming.

The hawkers' shouts, the children's screams, the faint beats of gongs and drums from the distant stage...all kinds of sounds mixed together, but strangely formed a soothing noise.

Li Che walked past a stall selling stove candy. The old man had a smile on his face and was carefully breaking off a piece of candy for his grandson.

He walked past a small tavern where several men in old military jackets were clinking glasses with red faces and talking loudly about their battle achievements during the conquest of the Mohe.

He walked across a newly built stone bridge. The river under the bridge was frozen, and several half-grown children were laughing and trying to slide on it.

At an intersection, a large group of people gathered.

In the open space in the middle, several men were dancing with a long paper dragon. The dragon's head was held high and its body was tumbling, which attracted constant cheers from the people around.

The drum beats were exciting, and the smell of fireworks mixed with the white air exhaled by people rose up, blurring the remaining snow on the eaves.

Li Che stopped where he was and watched quietly, the light and shadow flickering in his eyes.

It was a peaceful year.

Qiu Bai whispered, "Your Highness, it's windy outside, is it..."

Li Che raised his hand to stop him, still watching the jubilation.

He watched very seriously, as if he wanted to engrave every smiling face and every cheer into his heart.

Many people were killed and a lot of blood was shed this year.

But at this moment, looking at the lights all over the city and listening to the joyful sounds, he felt that everything was worth it.

Isn't this what you are looking for?

Let this Fengtian City and the land under his rule be a place where children can play peacefully, the elderly can enjoy their old age, and the blood shed by the soldiers will not be in vain.

Corruption must be investigated, officialdom must be cleaned up, and enemies must be killed...

But what ends up happening is a warm and lively New Year.

A child holding a candied haws was not paying attention and almost bumped into Li Che.

Qiu Bai's eyes sharpened and he took half a step forward.

The child apologized hurriedly, looked up and saw Li Che's calm eyes, and somehow felt relieved.

He couldn't help but smile innocently, and squeezed into the crowd noisily.

The corner of Li Che's mouth seemed to move very slightly.

He took one last look at the dancing dragon and turned to blend into the crowd.

"Go back."

The warmth only lasts for this moment, and the new year is destined to be turbulent.