Yang Bin and Su Fengji were summoned to the palace to meet the emperor. Mrs. Yang was called to Ciming Palace by the Empress Dowager Li. When she was in Jinyang, Yang Bin was the most important minister under Liu Zhiyuan and had close contacts. There was also a relationship between the Empress Dowager and his wife. It's a bit of a sentimental thing. Now that I have to return to Beijing alive, I have to show something, which is also in line with Emperor Liu's "lenient" performance.
Knowing that Yang and Su's clothes were rudimentary, worn out by the travels, and tired from traveling, Liu Chengyou specially ordered the palace officials to take them to bathe in the imperial pool and put on clean clothes to gain dignity.
Although many people knew that Emperor Liu usually brought his true confidants to Qionglin Garden to entertain them. However, for Yang Bin and Su Fengji, being able to bathe and change clothes in the palace was beyond their imagination. of preferential treatment.
After taking a bath and changing into new clothes, my energy and spirit have indeed changed. However, it is more of a feeling. When facing the chambermaid Gong'e, I feel completely uncomfortable.
The two old men sat quietly, silent. After entering the palace, they walked along the way and saw the magnificent towers and majestic palaces. It seemed that there was not much change, and some familiar memories could be vaguely found. , However, when I look back on the past, I don’t dare to express my feelings no matter how much I feel.
Su Wenzhong was lucky enough to enter the palace with his grandfather. As a young man who basically grew up in the Western Frontier, it was his first time to see a majestic city like Kaifeng and appreciate the elegance of the imperial capital. When he entered the palace, he was even surrounded by railings. Jade bricks, Qionglou and Yuyu are dazzling.
It turned out that the palace in Kaifeng that his grandfather had spoken about actually looked like this. It was indeed majestic and extraordinary. The young man's mind was gradually filled with awe, and at the same time, he was particularly curious about the mysterious and serious palace.
Seeing his grandson fidgeting and looking around, Su Fengji couldn't help but lecture him: "Wen Zhong, meditate! Sit still!"
He noticed that his grandfather's eyes were extremely serious. In Su Wenzhong's impression, Su Fengji would only show such an expression when he was not serious about studying. He immediately calmed down and said "yes" respectfully.
Su Fengji then said: "The imperial palace is no better than other places. It is His Majesty's grace that you have the honor to come together. Please observe the etiquette!"
"The rules in the palace are indeed very strict!" Seeing Su Fengji teaching his grandson, Yang Bin sighed softly.
This can be clearly felt. When they were at their peak, there were no strict restrictions and restrictions on entering and exiting the forbidden palace, words and deeds, and the court etiquette was obviously imperfect. But now, with strict hierarchy and orderly life, The people in this splendid cage all play their roles strictly and dare not go beyond them in the slightest.
"Have the two seniors taken care of themselves? Your Majesty has ordered me to welcome you two to the Long Live Hall!" At this time, a middle-aged official in light scarlet clothes walked in, with a graceful demeanor and a gentle manner. gesture, bowing to both of them.
After hearing the question, Su Fengji stood up and returned the greeting: "The guilty ministers and others have been packed up, please lead the way!"
"Please!" The visitor had a warm smile on his face, and his words and deeds were gentle and gentlemanly. When asked about the name of this impressive young official, his name was Shi Xizai, who was elected in the Qianyou five-year system Jinshi, he served successively as Zuo Shiyi, Supervisory Censor, Yuancheng Order, and knew Xuzhou. After returning to Beijing not long ago, he was transferred to Chongzheng Hall as a bachelor to carry out the imperial decree. Because of his honesty, etiquette, magnanimity, and courage to speak out and give advice, he was quite popular. Appreciated by Emperor Liu.
He walked with his head bent all the way, passed through the palace gates, and passed through many palaces. It took more than a quarter of an hour to arrive at the Long Live Palace and wait for the summons. When the general eunuch announced the summons, before entering the palace, Yang Bin raised his head and stared at the "Long Live Palace" "Three big characters, it seems that they haven't changed much since then.
"Sinner Yang Bing (Su Fengji), please see Your Majesty!" After entering the palace, they only glanced at each other and both of them fell down in obeisance.
Young Su Wenzhong followed beside him, kneeling respectfully, pressing his forehead tightly to the cold ground, not daring to make any sound. The sense of awe in his heart inexplicably surged. It seemed that only this kind of posture of prostrate to the bottom could make him stand. He feels more comfortable.
"No courtesy! Stand flat! Take a seat!" Emperor Liu's voice was rich, steady and powerful.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Regarding Yang Bin and Su Fengji, Liu Chengyou originally thought that when they saw each other again, his emotions would be very complicated. The grievances, power struggles, and conflicts between emperors and ministers back then could be enough to write a book. As the winner, Emperor Liu, after more than ten years, Years later, when we had reached the pinnacle of our lives, we met again. This interview should have been very meaningful.
Even Emperor Liu was ready to vent his early depression and talk freely with the two, especially Yang Bin, about the past and reminisce about the past...
However, when he really saw Yang and Su, Liu Chengyou suddenly lost his interest. For a moment, he didn't even know what to say. The two old men, whose combined age was nearly 130 years old, lived in exile. , after all, it was unbearable, gray-haired, thin and old. Although they were dressed in brocade and splendid clothes, they were very inconsistent with their rickety figures. It was completely unimaginable that they would be the powerful ministers in charge of the affairs of the Han Dynasty more than ten years ago.
Emperor Liu rarely felt sympathy, but at this time, after seeing the appearance of these two ministers, he sighed rarely. To be honest, Emperor Liu didn't care that much about Yang Su. After so many years , after experiencing so many things, every feeling has faded away.
Summoning the two back to Tokyo not only showed his Emperor Liu's "tolerance", but also revealed the unhappy thoughts that he had in his chest at the time. However, now I feel that it is really not necessary. Emperor Liu's achievements and achievements are not needed at all. For a passer-by like Yang Su, there was no need for him to show off his power in front of these two people...
Sitting on the dragon bed, he watched the two of them silently. They did not dare to sit down, but stood humbly, their old bodies trembling slightly, as if they might fall at any time. Noticing that Yang Bin and Liu Chengyou were even a little bit I lament that Mr. Yang, who was neither humble nor arrogant, but strong and strong, seems to be gone.
After a long time, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "The two elders are suffering in Jingyuan!"
Hearing this, Su Fengji prostrated again and choked with sobs: "The sinners deserve what they deserve. I only regret that the suffering is not enough, and I cannot repay it and make up for my mistakes!"
Su Fengji's consciousness is still very high. Ever since he fell from the peak to the bottom, lost his power, wealth and became a wandering criminal, he woke up from his confusion and regained his intelligence.
From his words, Liu Chengyou could feel the fiery emotion. He couldn't help but smile and looked at Su Wenzhong: "Are you Mr. Su's grandson? What's your name?"
Upon hearing the question, Su Wenzhong, who had been kneeling, was stunned for a moment, and then calmed down the inexplicable emotions in his heart. Emperor Liu's eyes seemed to be very oppressive, and he did not dare to raise his head, and he responded respectfully: "Little citizen Su Wenzhong!"
"Your grandfather is old. Kneeling for a long time will not do any good. Help him up and sit down!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"Yes!" Not daring to neglect, Su Wenzhong complied.
After sizing up Su Wenzhong, Liu Chengyou added: "I think this son is quite heroic. I hope he can become a pillar of the country in the future!"
As soon as these words came out, Su Fengji was very excited. He trembled his lips and thanked Emperor Liu, and asked Su Wenzhong to kneel down again. Emperor Liu raised his hand, which was understandable. After all, this was a complete release of the Su family's ban.
Looking at Yang Bin again, Liu Chengyou found that although Yang Bin was in a submissive posture at this time, he still felt that there was still a spine in this weak body that was not easy to bend.
Noticing his calm old face, Liu Chengyou pointed at the Long Live Hall and chuckled: "Mr. Yang, you still remember that it was in this hall that the late emperor handed over the critical responsibilities of the country and the country to me. You are also here. Therefore, I accept the late emperor’s commission and help me!”
Hearing Emperor Liu raise this matter, Yang Bing subconsciously raised his head, looked at Emperor Liu, raised his hands and said with a bitter smile: "Your Majesty has lived up to the late emperor's trust, but the old man and others have no self-awareness, are not worthy of their duties, and their virtues are not worthy of their duties. So. Your majesty is so wise and powerful, why do you need an auxiliary minister, or do you need the support of an old man like us?"
From Yang Bin's attitude, Liu Chengyou felt a kind of magnanimity. And listening to his words, he couldn't help but smile. Obviously, Emperor Liu's achievements over the years and the development of the Han Dynasty had conquered Yang Bin. Perhaps, Today's worship in the palace was the first time that Yang Fang was willing to surrender.
Feeling inexplicably relieved, he paused for a moment on Yang Su and the two of them, and said solemnly: "Regardless of past grudges and mistakes, you two are old men who served the late emperor and me after all, and have made great contributions to the great Han Dynasty. In the upcoming National Day ceremony, I Two seats are reserved for you two to attend the meeting!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" When Emperor Liu said these words, both Yang and Su could not help but express their moved emotions.
The interview with Yang Su ended in a dull atmosphere. Emperor Liu didn't say much during the whole process, and he didn't have any in-depth exchanges with the two. He just exchanged simple greetings and formally issued an edict to pardon the two. They were allowed to move back to Tokyo for their sins. Then, it was over.
"Yantuo, if I demoted you to the border and endured hardship for more than ten years, and then pardoned you, how would you feel?" After Yang Su resigned, Liu Chengyou asked Yantuo with great interest.
There was something wrong with these words. Yantuo rolled his eyes and replied: "Of course I am grateful!"
"Is it so easy to forget after more than ten years of torture and suffering?" Emperor Liu smiled lightly.
"Officials have always been clear about rewards and punishments. If you are severely punished, you must have deserved it. How can you dare to complain?" Yan Tuo replied.
After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu shook his head and said calmly: "How can a person with such a big heart be criticized by me to this extent?"
If Emperor Liu's words were heard by Yang Bing and Su Fengji, they would probably be worried and uneasy. In fact, Emperor Liu has never pardoned anyone over the years, let alone any act of amnesty for the whole world. The reason is
For this reason, he does not believe that those who have suffered and endured hardship will have no resentment in their hearts.
Even if he doesn't show it, he just doesn't dare and has no chance to retaliate.