Chapter 22: Lin Xiangqi missed the mark by one move and ended up in jail!

The moment Li Chengde noticed Lin Ruofu taking out the memorial, he stepped forward first.

Emperor Qing seemed to be forced to sit down again, "Li Chengde, who do you want to report?"

Li Chengde said bluntly, "Your Majesty, I want to report to the Prime Minister Lin Ruofu!"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the court was shocked.

As everyone knows, not long ago, the Censorate jointly wrote a letter to impeach the Fourth Prince.

But it has only been a few days, and the two sides have joined forces? Otherwise, how could they impeach Prime Minister Lin at the same time?
Even a talkative person like the Censorate can be subdued. His Highness the Fourth Prince's methods are truly unfathomable!

Emperor Qing had a barely perceptible smile on his face, but his eyes were extremely sharp as he rebuked, "Prime Minister Lin has made great achievements, how can you judge him? You are not allowed to do that."

Li Chengde did not stop, but continued to tell the story, "More than 20 years ago, a scholar from a poor family passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar of that year."

"He was soon sent to Suzhou to be a judge, but after just a short visit, he was transferred back to Kyoto to be the chief clerk of the Zhanshi Palace."

"Then he was transferred to the Southern Court as a rank official, and then to the Censorate as a Seal Holder, and then to the Imperial Academy as a Bachelor."

"During the new policy more than ten years ago, he took the opportunity to enter the six ministries to take charge of specific affairs. He successively served as the Minister of Personnel and then the Minister. His promotion was so fast that it was simply jaw-dropping!"

"In just ten years, this former poor student has already assumed an important position in the Qing Kingdom's court!"

The Fourth Prince did not say who the poor student was, but all the court officials knew that this was the glorious resume of the prime minister of the current dynasty.

Civil service, military position, supervisory position...it can be said that the Prime Minister has experienced all the officialdom of the Qing Kingdom!
This experience is truly legendary. It is impossible to say that no one suspects that there are some invisible transactions behind it, but no one has ever been able to find evidence.

It seems that the Prime Minister relied on his own abilities, step by step, to reach the position of the head of all officials.

But is this really possible?

He had no one to rely on in the inner palace, nor did he have any complicated relationships. He even offended the powerful and wealthy class in Qing State, and the people did not like this treacherous prime minister.

No matter how you look at it, it seems impossible for Lin Ruofu to reach the position he has today.

So, the question is, what kind of secrets are hidden behind this?
All the ministers pricked up their ears and listened carefully, afraid of missing any details.

"Twenty-one years ago, before taking office, the newly appointed top scholar of Suzhou found his teacher, the then Minister of Rites, and made some deals with him."

Li Chengde took out an account book, "It records in detail the money transactions between Lin Ruofu and the Minister of Rites back then."

"By bribing his own teacher, Lin Ruofu was promoted all the way and entered the Imperial Academy."

"At this time, he was not satisfied with the status quo, so he gave gifts to his teacher and the then Minister of Personnel, and successfully entered the Ministry of Personnel and became a minister."

"Afterwards, the Minister of Personnel was dragged into the New Deal turmoil by Lin Ruofu's false accusations, and finally had no choice but to resign. Lin Ruofu thus deceived Your Majesty and took charge of the Ministry of Personnel."

"Speaking of this, everyone may find a problem. Lin Ruofu was born in poverty. Where did he get so much money to bribe the six ministers?"

"It's simple, just be greedy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the court took a deep breath.

"hiss!"

Behind the Prime Minister's seemingly legendary experience, is it actually money that has always paved the way?
This completely shattered their view of Lin Ruofu!
However, this is consistent with the stereotype of the people.

Lin Ruofu stood there in a daze, feeling a little bitter in his heart.

The reason why he was promoted so quickly was actually entirely because of the eldest princess!
Although he was not clean and had accepted a lot of bribes, the so-called currying favor with the six ministers did not exist at all!
All the evidence in the Fourth Prince's hands, without exception, was fabricated!

He had no idea whether the eldest princess was involved in these fabricated things.

After all, many people knew about his promotion history, and the Fourth Prince didn't need to collude with the Princess to insert plots of him bribing his superiors in every link.

But at the same time, he was also extremely sure that the eldest princess did not mind helping the emperor get rid of himself.

There is one more point in particular. Although he can use the Censorate, the Censorate is actually the sphere of influence of the Princess.

Therefore, if someone said that the Fourth Prince did not cooperate with the Eldest Princess, he would never believe it even if he was beaten to death.

Lin Ruofu pondered for a moment, he felt that it was time for him to fight back, "Your Majesty, I also have a memorial here. I want to report to the Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi!" When these words came out, many people were stunned.

All the civil and military officials in the court knew that the Minister of Rites had always been a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister. So what was the Prime Minister doing? Was he trying to defame himself to prove his innocence?

Lin Ruofu hadn't finished speaking yet, "I would also like to report the Minister of War, the Minister of Punishment Han Zhiwei, the Minister of Personnel Yan Xingshu, and the Vice Minister of Revenue Fan Jian for suspected corruption!"

Among this group of people, Fan Jian’s position is not Shangshu, but in fact he is equivalent to Shangshu in the Ministry of Revenue!
Good guy!
All six ministers have been reported!
They all belong to different factions, but at the same time they are all part of the civil service system.

Your Excellency the Prime Minister is going to use the entire civil service system to confront His Majesty the Emperor!

"Your Majesty, we cannot allow mistakes to go unchecked and crimes to go unpunished. I suggest that we open a case to investigate the above-mentioned people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi stepped out first and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is right. Whoever violates Qing law should be investigated, even if I am the Minister of Rites."

"I also ask Your Majesty to grant the Prime Minister's request, thoroughly investigate this case, and clear my name!"

The interests of the other several ministers were not completely consistent with those of the prime minister, so they did not stand up at the first time.

But the officials of the six ministries stepped forward one after another, "Your Majesty, we cannot let mistakes go unchecked and guilt go unpunished. I beg Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this case and clear everyone's name!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Not only officials from the six ministries, but also officials from the Dali Temple, Taichang Temple, Guanglu Temple, Hanlin Academy... people from each government office stood up to ask for instructions.

The civil service system is in chaos!

This left all the military personnel dumbfounded!

Everyone's eyes were shining as they watched the performance of the civil servants. They were just about to take a stool and sit aside to eat melon seeds.

At this time, Li Chengde spoke up, "Your Majesty, I was originally planning to present the evidence of Lin Xiang's clique, but now it seems unnecessary."

"Look at the gentlemen in the court. The situation is very clear. Prime Minister Lin has indeed formed a clique!"

After saying this, Lin Ruofu's heart skipped a beat, but he was not panicked. The entire civil service system was headed by him, and His Majesty the Emperor would always have to weigh his considerations.

If they really wanted to investigate him, the entire Qing court would soon be paralyzed!
For the stability of the country, His Majesty the Emperor must swallow his anger.

Even though the two sides have already torn their faces apart, as long as he can get through today, he can still use various methods to prove that the current Qing Kingdom cannot function without him.

Emperor Qing's face was as cold as ice. "Li Chengde, you said you have found evidence that Prime Minister Lin is suspected of forming a clique for personal gain? I allow you to present it."

As soon as Li Chengde signaled, the imperial guards had already carried several wooden boxes into the hall. "Your Majesty, all the evidence is here. You can find someone to check it!"

Emperor Qing didn't even look at him, he flew into a rage, "Lin Ruofu, I trusted you so much, is this how you repay me?!"

Lin Ruofu's face suddenly changed.

His Majesty the Emperor is determined to deal with him and doesn't care at all what kind of turmoil it will cause in the court!
However, he is not without a backup plan.

His Majesty the Emperor will soon understand that without the Prime Minister, the six ministries and various government offices will be nothing but decorations!

So, Lin Ruofu knelt on the ground and said, "Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to say. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Since you want me to punish you, I will grant your wish!" Emperor Qing swung his sleeves and said, "Temporarily detain Lin Ruofu in the Dali Temple prison and order the three courts to hold a joint trial!"

"The five ministers of the Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of War, as well as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Fan Jian, are suspected of corruption and are temporarily detained in the Dali Temple prison. The three courts are to hold a joint trial and find out the truth as soon as possible!"

"Li Chengde, you will be in charge of this case!"

"My son, I accept the decree!"

(End of this chapter)