Fang Yun's handling of the matter won widespread approval throughout the court and beyond. Even Assistant Prime Minister Yang Xuwen, who clearly favored the imperial family, publicly praised Fang Yun for his clear judgment and pure intentions, calling him a true model for all officials.
Some censors in the Censorate regretted not having reported the offense first, while others envied Luo Yu's performance evaluation. Most, however, approved of Fang Yun's approach, believing that he had set the best possible example for the Grand Secretariat by giving the Censorate the fairest treatment while ensuring its considerable independence.
Thus, He Mingxiang, the chief censor of the Censorate, ordered the censors in the capital, Dongyun Prefecture, and Yan Prefecture to report officials who violated ritual propriety as soon as possible and fulfill their duties as censors.
Several censors objected, for they understood that the chief censor was repaying a peach with a plum, deliberately steering clear of Mi Prefecture, Xiang Prefecture, and Jiangzhou.
But He Mingxiang paid no heed to their objections. An ordinary censor could act as he pleased, but as the Censorate's highest-ranking official, he had to follow certain rules of officialdom.
If Fang Yun had given the Censorate such a generous gift and he, as its chief, offered nothing in return, what faction would support his continued tenure or even his promotion in the future?
Over the next few days, the Censorate reported more than a dozen officials of varying standing. Although their ranks were low, no higher than the sixth rank, this sent a clear signal to the outside world: the Censorate was not opposing Fang Yun, but handling official business impartially.
The Assistant Prime Minister's Office continued forwarding the relevant memorials to the Left Prime Minister's Office. Fang Yun's punishments for the newly reported offenders were less severe