Guo Chongtao has always been known for his incorruptibility, winning the respect of the world, the trust of the emperor and the admiration of his colleagues. However, since entering Kaifeng, Guo Chongtao has suddenly changed into a different person, making everyone afraid to recognize him.
He came straight to the point and took bribes openly.
Officials after Liang panicked at that time. In order to find out the attitude of the new dynasty towards them, whether to punish or stay, everyone got together to discuss. Someone suggested looking for Guo Chongtao, bribing him and buying peace.
This suggestion was immediately opposed: "I heard that that guy Guo Chongtao is very clean and doesn't interfere in anything."
Everyone was discouraged and didn't know what to do. Some people even think to themselves that if they can't do it, they will run away or resist.
If others don't give up, go to Guo Chongtao and give money. Guo Chongtao accepted it with a smile. Not only did he accept it, but he also sent people out of the door with a big smile on his face. Very polite. The news soon spread among the surrendered officials. As a result, all the ministers in Hou Liang saw hope. One by one, they stopped being afraid and went to Guo Fu with money and things.
In front of Guo Chongtao, the traffic is woven.
After the ceremony, these officials calmed down: With Guo Chongtao's support, what are you afraid of?
Ministers in the later Tang Dynasty were very dissatisfied when they saw it. They said that commander Guo was knocked down by the enemy's sugar-coated shells as soon as he entered the city. An old comrade-in-arms couldn't stand it anymore and advised, "You are a court minister and the most trusted person in your family. How can you be bribed? "
Guo Chongtao smoothed his beard and smiled and said diplomatically, I have no comment.
The old comrade-in-arms sighed and said that corruption, of course, cannot be said to be ugly.
Zhuang Zong knew this and was very upset. He asked Guo Chongtao, "Are you full?"
Guo Chongtao unhurriedly told Zhuang Zong that after Liang Gang was destroyed, the minister fell into a panic. At this time, he bribed to buy peace. If they don't accept it themselves, they will be even more frightened and doubt what the new dynasty will do to them, and may even cause misfortune. Are they unstable when they get the money now?
Zhuang Zong nodded and said nothing.
After a period of time, the later Tang dynasty slowly made time to digest the forces of the back beam, the situation gradually calmed down, and the contradiction between the enemy and ourselves gradually eased. At this time, a new problem came out. After the founding of the country, years of war, the state treasury was penniless. Zhuang Zong, think about it. Let's increase people's taxes.
Guo Chongtao stopped him. After the war, the people were very poor. How can they be rich? He sent someone to his house and turned over all the money he received to the state treasury. At the same time, he took out an account book and told the emperor that these were gifts from Hou Liang ministers at that time. They did this only to alleviate the country's financial difficulties.
Liang's ministers were ashamed and moved, and their hearts really calmed down completely. Moreover, they never looked at Guo Chongtao with the eyes of corrupt officials again.
When Guo Chongtao handed the book, he wrote this letter and asked the emperor to be demoted. There is a simple reason. As a minister, it is difficult to get rid of the suspicion of accepting bribes by taking other people's things without permission.
Zhuang Zong listened to the advice of two places at once. You did for your country and punished it. I think I will forget it.
Guo Chongtao declined the emperor's kindness and told him that the national law was ruthless. How can you say that?
Zhuang Zong had no choice but to demote Guo Chongtao.
Other officials in the class were shocked when they saw it, especially those who had seen Guo Chongtao take bribes in the past, and followed suit. Everyone took out their own bribes and filled them into the state treasury. They strictly reviewed themselves and were demoted.
Above the stadium, for a while, the atmosphere was clear.
Guo Chongtao takes bribes, killing three birds with one stone: stabilizing people's hearts.