mtl008 Chapter 487 Second Audience
Chapter 487 Second Audience
The gray-robed student was about to open his mouth to say something when Yun Ting threw a stone at him, hitting him in the knee. He was caught off guard and fell to his knees. The severe pain made him unable to make a sound.
"There's something wrong with that guy!" Yan Qing whispered beside Yun Ting, frowning and staring at the man who was kneeling there in pain and unable to speak.
"Yeah." Yun Ting responded, staring at the gray-robed student with sharp eyes.
He had been observing this man in person since he discovered the anomaly. From the beginning, this gray-robed student had been guiding and provoking the people around him, asking them to speak out against the emperor.
"You wait."
Yan Qing moved through the crowd and soon came to the student in gray robe.
He had been helped up by the other two students and was talking to them with an indignant look on his face.
Yan Qing walked over and asked with concern: "Brother, are you okay?"
The gray-robed student looked at Yan Qing with his eyes lowered, and then said: "Nothing, I have never seen this brother, how should I address him?"
He would be held accountable by the emperor next, but there was no sign of nervousness on his face about being the first to be blamed.
Yan Qing smiled politely and replied, "My name is Qin Yan."
This was followed by another round of compliments.
After a cup of tea, Yan Qing disappeared into the crowd and returned to Yun Ting.
In just a moment, Yan Qing had found out all the details about the gray-robed student.
"His name is Zhou Ziyi. He is from Tongzhou. He came to Beijing to participate in the imperial examination and stayed at the Ping'an Inn on Qingshi Street."
A proud smile spread across his face; when it came to gathering intelligence, he was one of the best.
Yun Ting responded without any expression, just said "retreat", and the two turned around and retreated from the crowd.
The subordinates looked at Liu Fang blankly, not knowing whether to continue arresting the person who led the trouble.
"Continue!" Liu Fang ordered.
Since the emperor has not issued an edict, what needs to be done must continue.
Tutor He, supported by his grandson He Yulin, looked at the direction Zhao Xuan left. He gradually came to his senses and his expression became clearer.
Came to Zhang Zhong and his friends.
"Old Master." Zhang Zhong spoke. He knew that Master He would definitely say something at this moment.
Tutor He's eyes swept from Liu Fang to Duan Xu, his gaze unusually firm and clear.
"Inside and outside the prison, please show mercy. Everything will be discussed after I go to the palace to see His Majesty."
"Yes." Zhang Zhong responded.
"Don't worry, Master." Duan Xu agreed.
He has seen clearly that Zhao Xuan is trying to take the blame for those who spoke up for him!
Zhao Xuan devoted all his energy and efforts for more than ten years to help the people of Xiangzhou get rid of the slavery of the Wang family. He used himself as bait to lure jackals, tigers and leopards, and in the end he had to carry everything on his hunched body.
How dare he treat such a person harshly!
The people in charge of the case in the Dali Temple got on their carriages and went back. Zhang Zhong followed them, leaving behind a few of his men to take the ringleaders, including Zhou Ziyi, back to the Ministry of Justice.
*
The emperor returned to the Qinzheng Hall with a gloomy face. Eunuch Wan brought him a cup of heat-reducing tea. After the emperor drank it, his emotions calmed down and he began to think calmly.
He originally wanted to push Su Heng out for the Yushan County incident, but he didn't expect Su Heng to bring up the incident that happened seven years ago at the critical moment.
This is Su Heng's warning.
On the tenth day of February seven years ago, an urgent letter was handed to him by the Marquis of Zhenbei, stating that the war was urgent and requesting the dispatch of troops to reinforce the northern border.
At the same time, Su Heng also brought a letter of denunciation, saying that the Marquis of Zhenbei wanted to establish himself as king in the northern border.
During his thirteen years on the throne, the reputation of the Marquis of Zhenbei grew, and there was even a Marquis of Zhenbei Temple in the north.
He is the emperor!
He doesn’t even have a temple, how dare a mere minister like him!
That letter was the timing!
Not only did he fail to send troops to support, he also cut off the food supply to the north.
Su Heng is willing to do everything, but the prerequisite is to take away the document with the seal on it as a life-saving talisman.
At that time, he trusted Su Heng very much, and thinking that he also had some leverage over Su Heng, he gave him the memorial.
After the death of Zhenbei Hou, unexpectedly, the situation snowballed and became more and more serious.
All the officials and common people in Beijing pleaded for the Marquis of Zhenbei and wanted to clear his name.
These people can only die!
Thinking that the sealed memorial was still in Su Heng's hands, the emperor's face became increasingly gloomy.
This is the best Su Heng can do!
He knew Su Heng's bottom line, and Su Heng also knew his bottom line.
That letter was Su Heng's last trump card, and he would not take it out easily.
Once it was taken out, they would fight to the death. Therefore, he was sure that Su Heng would not use it easily.
This idiot Zhao Xuan has already admitted to all his crimes. As long as Zhao Xuan is executed, the banditry case in Yushan County can be solved, and no one will question the emperor's supreme power anymore.
Thinking of the insults Zhao Xuan had just given him in front of everyone, the emperor's anger began to surge again, and his eyes became sinister.
Just as the imperial edict was drafted, the eunuch came in to report that Grand Tutor He wanted to see him.
The emperor's eyes darkened.
The emperor could guess what he wanted to say after two audiences in one day, and his face darkened. After a moment of silence, he ordered the eunuch: "Announce."
When Tutor He came in, he did something that was beyond the emperor's expectations. He did not give a long speech.
"Today is a happy day. The rumors have been dispelled. Why is Your Majesty still frowning?"
The emperor looked at Grand Tutor He with doubt for a moment, then his displeasure disappeared. He said in a cold voice, "Grand Tutor, you ask knowingly. How can I be in a good mood when Zhao Xuan speaks rudely in public?"
"Your Majesty, what are your preparations?" asked Taifu He calmly.
"Of course it's Lingchi." The emperor stared at Tutor He, wanting to see how he would object.
However, Grand Tutor He's expression did not change at all. He immediately nodded respectfully and said, "This man played with your majesty, our ministers, and the students and common people. He deserves this punishment. Your majesty is wise!"
After saying this, Master He bowed and saluted.
Seeing that Grand Tutor He did not stop him, the emperor was naturally happy and laughed loudly, "I thought Grand Tutor would stop me, but I didn't expect that Grand Tutor would understand me."
He Taifu smiled and said, "I am your Majesty's minister, so I naturally understand you and consider everything for you. I am just worried that you have fallen into Zhao Xuan's trap, so I came to ask you, how do you plan to deal with those students?"
The emperor frowned, "A trap?"
"Yes." Taifu He said with indignation, "Zhao Xuan is a man with deep thoughts! His last words were meant to anger Your Majesty, hoping that Your Majesty would kill us all in a rage. I don't regret dying, but I am worried that Your Majesty will be too busy with government affairs, and no one will share the difficulties in the future."
The emperor stared at Master He, thinking about what he had said.
Indeed, Zhao Xuan's last few words were indeed full of resentment, trying to anger him. But it was not like asking him to kill them, but mocking him for being incompetent as an emperor.
The emperor sneered, feeling a little better, and leaned back in his chair. "Master, are you worried that I might implicate them?"
“This…” Imperial Tutor He lowered his head, looking as if he had been seen through. He stopped beating around the bush and bowed respectfully: “Your Majesty is wise!”
The emperor waved his hand, and Eunuch Wan handed the written imperial edict to Tutor He.
As soon as he entered the hall, Tutor He saw the imperial edict. He went through several detours just to take a look at it before it was issued.
A quick glance: Zhao Xuan will be executed by slow slicing at the execution ground at noon tomorrow, and no one else will be punished.
Master He's heart suddenly tightened.
The emperor did not pardon the students.
Imperial Tutor He put away the imperial edict, held it respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Xuan wants to damage your reputation. Your Majesty has an opportunity to establish your reputation. Why don't you use it?"
"what chance?"
"Those students will all be your Majesty's subjects in the future. They have been deceived and made mistakes now. Although severe punishment can make them fearful, it is not as good as the grace of giving them a new life."
The emperor now sat up straight and looked at Tutor He with scrutiny. He also saw his true purpose.
Who among the emperors of all dynasties would easily punish a second- or third-rank official? He Taifu's worry was unnecessary.
"Master, is this what you came here for?" Although it was a question, he was very sure of it.
Grand Tutor He did not refute. "The reputation of 'wise ruler' is enough to overshadow Zhao Xuan's slander. Your Majesty may even gain a group of staunch followers in the future. What do you think?"
"Very good."
Eunuch Wan brought the blank imperial edict again, and the emperor drafted a new edict.