Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Yi Xin scolded Zhu Fengbiao harshly. Quan Qing, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and said, "Regent, please calm down. Regent, please calm down. I do have a solution that can help resolve this difficult situation..."

Yi Xin nodded and said, "Then tell me."

Quan Qing replied, "Your Highness, there are now over a hundred vacancies in Shandong, which is indeed a difficult situation for the Ministry of Personnel. Furthermore, our Ministry of Justice is also in a difficult situation. We have so many cases to try, and they are all officials. I don't need to explain the hidden relationships behind this, and Your Highness is also well aware of them. Therefore, I think we can find a compromise..."

Yi Xin asked, "A compromise?"

Quan Qing nodded and replied, "Yes, I think we can ask the Emperor to issue an edict to demote some of them to show His Majesty's grace and generosity. Secondly, we can transfer relevant officials from other places to Shandong, and then demote the officials in Shandong who have been convicted to fill these positions. This will not only solve Master Zhu Fengbiao's problem, but also..."

Yi Xin immediately understood what he meant. This wasn't a solution; it was clearly a compromise. However, with so many people involved, it was difficult for the two ministers. Furthermore, Liu Ye and the others couldn't handle these matters on their own. If Liu Ye wasn't put under some sort of shackles, the resentment within the government and the public would be too great.

Yi Xin pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the two Empress Dowagers and asked, "Empress Dowagers, please accept my Excellency's words. What do you think?"

Ci'an said, "Although these officials deserve punishment, the law does not punish everyone. At the same time, the punishment is too harsh, which may chill the hearts of the ministers. I think what Master Quan said makes sense. We can follow Master Quan's advice. After all, the emperor is still young, and excessive punishment will damage his moral character."

Cixi frowned and asked, "Sixth Master, if this is the case, what about the Shandong Governor's Office?"

Yi Xin said in a deep voice, "Empress Dowager, the Shandong Governor's Office only wants to clarify the administration of officials. As for how these officials are dealt with, they will probably not make any further comments. Of course, in order to deter evildoers, the sacrifice of a few heads is still necessary."

Upon hearing this, Cixi said no more. She had received a secret letter from Liu Ye. Liu Ye wanted to carry out a massacre in Shandong. Without bloodshed and harmony, how could he deter those greedy people below? Now that Ci'an and Prince Gong were unwilling to commit more murders, and the important officials below were also unwilling to do so, it seemed that Liu Ye's wish would be difficult to achieve.

Wen Xiang stepped forward and said, "Empress Dowager, Prince Regent, I think what Master Quan said is absolutely right. The Emperor is young, and it is time for him to listen to the truth and distinguish between good and evil. Letting him issue an edict at this time can also let all officials in the court see that the future Emperor is a benevolent ruler with great grace. At the same time, it can also appease the ministers below and let them do their work with peace of mind. Otherwise, if so many officials are implicated, I am afraid that the people below will be paranoid and worried. Moreover, now the Shandong Futai, Fantai, Neitai, and Admiral are all Liu Ye's people. Except for one Xuetai, they all follow Liu Ye's lead. This has already lost the balance of a monarch. If Liu Ye has ulterior motives, then Shandong will rebel if it wants to. We still have to be careful."

Ci'an frowned, saying nothing. Could Liu Ye possibly do such a thing? Impossible. For three years, Liu Ye had fought countless battles, toiling away for the imperial court. Wenxiang, he was making a fuss about nothing. It was just that by saying this, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Prince Regent could find fault with him. This was the advice of a seasoned minister, not to mention that Wenxiang was a Grand Secretary and concurrently held the position of Grand Councilor.

Yi Xin was even more astonished. What had happened to Wen Xiang today? Didn't he know Liu Ye was on his side? Why was he trying to sow discord between the two concubines and Liu Ye at this time? Furthermore, Wen Xiang hadn't even discussed this sensitive matter with her beforehand. How bizarre!

The two of them were just a little surprised, but Cixi was a little furious. What Wenxiang said was obviously aimed at Liu Ye. Every word was hurtful! If these words got into the hearts of Donggong and Lao Liu, then Liu Ye's life would be much more miserable in the future! This is really outrageous!

Cixi's face was expressionless as she said in a cold voice, "Lord Wen, according to what you said, Liu Ye will raise the flag of rebellion in a few days, is that true or not?"

Wen Xiang felt a chill in his heart, knowing that he had spoken out of turn. This kind of criticism was no different from an ordinary impeachment. It was saying that Liu Ye had rebellious intentions.

"I dare not. I have spoken without thinking. I simply believe that we must be on guard. After all, if the foreign vassal states become too powerful to be controlled, the imperial court will be hampered in every way. The separatist regimes of the Tang Dynasty are a lesson for us!"

Cixi said coldly, "Nonsense! Liu Ye was the late emperor's beloved general, and he saved the emperor, me, and the empress dowager from danger. In the Battle of Miyun, he and his dozen men faced nearly a thousand men led by Sushun, and they didn't flinch at all. Their blood was splattered all over the emperor. How can you make such a cruel statement?"

Wen Xiang was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to speak.

Ci'an looked at Cixi deeply and said, "Forget it, sister, Wenxiang can't be blamed for this matter. After all, he was speaking for the country, not just attacking each other privately. We all know Liu Ye's loyalty, and the Sixth Master is also very clear about it. Naturally, he won't take it to heart."

Cixi's expression eased a little, and Ci'an stepped forward to smooth things over for Wenxiang. Of course, she couldn't hold on to the issue any longer.

Cixi said in a muffled voice: "Alright, sister, you and Sixth Master can handle this matter. We won't say much. However, one year has passed since the three-year period in Shandong. It is time for Liu Ye and others to show their talents. The court must not hold them back."

Yi Xin replied, "What the Queen Mother said is true. After a year, Shandong Province has begun to show a new look. Although it can't be said to have been completely transformed, the introduction of the tax-free policy has attracted a large number of merchants to Shandong, who have begun to open mines and set up factories. Places like Jinan Prefecture have indeed prospered a lot. It seems that Liu Ye really has some skills..."

Cixi stopped talking. Yixin turned around and said, "Quanqing, the investigation will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice. According to the severity of the crime, all will be given lenient sentences. Of course, a few heads will be left to show the officials of Shandong. If you don't want to lose your head, then you should be clean and do your job honestly. The court will naturally not treat them unfairly. If you still don't know what is good for you, you will not be forgiven!"

Yi Xin's meaning was very clear, that is, to hand over the power of this matter to Quan Qing and let Quan Qing handle it with full authority. In this way, the Ministry of Justice would have the final say on how to sentence the person, and Quan Qing would naturally feel much more relaxed!