The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, hanging low in the sky, releasing infinite light, dyeing the white clouds under the blue sky red, and giving the palaces in Kaifeng a layer of brilliant color.
Chongzheng Hall, known for its majesty and solemnity, also looks magnificent under the light of the setting sun. After a day of exposure, the surrounding area of Chongzheng Hall is still warm, so the doors and windows of the temple are all open to prevent His Majesty is so bored that even so, it is difficult to completely eliminate the heat.
In the quiet room, Emperor Liu, with disheveled hair and single clothes, lay lazily on the recliner he had used for more than ten years, rocking gently.
The breeze at dusk seeped in, causing the gauze curtains hung around to sway. Zhang Dejun stood bowed in front of the emperor, holding a cattail leaf fan in his hand, fanning the wind gently and regularly.
This was supposed to be the job of the lady holding the fan, but Emperor Liu wanted to see Zhang Dejun alone, and everyone else had to step back to leave space for the two of them.
Including Yantuo, the head of the chamberlain, he had to stay far away. While he personally prevented others from disturbing Emperor Liu, he could not restrain his curiosity, concentrate, pricked up his ears, and couldn't help but look into the room.
But obviously, all the efforts were in vain and nothing useful was heard at all. Zhang Dejun's voice was so loud in front of him, but when he was in front of officials, he was like a mosquito.
I noticed that Zhang Dejun, who was waiting in front of Emperor Liu, stuck out his butt and bent over. He looked disgusting no matter how he looked at him. Villain! Nichen! Eagle dog! This is Yantuo's evaluation of Zhang Dejun.
"That's what happened. Please ask the officials for review..." Here, Zhang Dejun didn't know that Yan Tuo had slandered him. He reported the investigation situation wholeheartedly. After saying that, he bent even lower, cautiously and lowly. Waiting for Emperor Liu's response.
When Emperor Liu heard these things, he remained silent for a while, and there was no movement for a long time. When Zhang Dejun raised his head cautiously, he found that Emperor Liu's expression was a bit complicated, which can only be described as complicated.
There was no anger as Zhang Dejun imagined, and he looked very calm, but Zhang Dejun firmly believed that there must be turbulent emotions hidden under that calm face.
The official's beard swayed slightly in the breeze, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, making the wrinkles particularly clear. His eyes, which had always been calm and deep, now seemed a bit hollow and unfocused.
Even Zhang Dejun rarely saw Emperor Liu like this. Emperor Liu just raised his hand, and Zhang Dejun was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head, as if he hoped Emperor Liu would not notice him.
"Show me the charter of your investigation results!" Emperor Liu just spread his hands.
Hearing this, Zhang Dejun did not dare to neglect, and did not bother to fan himself. He quickly took out a memorial from his arms. In this memorial, in addition to the investigation report written by Zhang Dejun himself, it also included information about a series of related investigation subjects involved. Oral testimony.
In terms of evidence properties, none of these things constitute a complete chain of evidence, but it is a fact that the direction of the investigation points to the Prince's Palace.
In this kind of matter, it doesn't matter whether evidence is needed or not. The key is to see what Emperor Liu sees and thinks. As for what Zhang Dejun wants, just complete the task, be realistic and do not ask for merit, just hope. Thank God if the officials don't take their anger out on themselves.
Emperor Liu himself probably didn't know what emotions he was feeling. He was not surprised by such a result, and even had some expectations. However, when he actually received the report from the Imperial City Department, all kinds of feelings came to his mind, including understanding and disappointment. coexist, but there is not much anger.
It was impossible for Emperor Liu not to have no feelings for Liu Xu. After all, this was his first son. In addition, he lost his mother at birth and was an orphan. In the past, he could not help but feel a little more pity.
Although Liu Yang was appointed as the crown prince, Emperor Liu also placed a lot of effort on the other princes, especially the older sons.
Not only because he was standing in the position of an emperor, but also because he had a father's feelings in it. Even at this moment, Emperor Liu could still recall Liu Xu's early, wise, respectful and joyful appearance when he was young.
But now, my son has grown up, become independent, has his own ideas, and is no longer easy to control, at least it is no longer convenient for him to educate him as a father.
In the palace, Emperor Liu was still lying in that posture, looking a little weak, and the sound of reading the memorials drowned out the slight sound of the wind.
Seeing this, Zhang Dejun gently waved his fan again. After hesitating for a moment, he still lowered his voice and said: "Officials, these are just the confessions of the scholars and merchants. They can't explain anything. Maybe there are other hidden secrets in them... ..."
"What?" After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu stopped what he was doing and raised his eyes to glance at Zhang Dejun: "Do you think I still need your comfort?"
"You dare not! You're talking too much!" Emperor Liu's eyes made Zhang Dejun feel frightened. He quickly lowered his eyebrows and didn't dare to talk anymore.
It was just a not very thick memorial, but Emperor Liu read it for a long time. It had been a long time since he had read the text in such detail.
After a while, Emperor Liu gently placed these writings on the small case beside him. He still did not say anything, but just leaned there quietly, his expression completely silent.
This made Zhang Dejun even more uneasy. Although he was not sure what he was worried about, he just felt that the atmosphere in the quiet room was particularly depressing, and he also felt that Emperor Liu was in danger in this state.
After hesitating for a while, Zhang Dejun still bit the bullet and said: "The official family, according to the investigation by subordinates, has arranged for Murong Defeng to secretly investigate the matter."
"Oh?" Sure enough, Emperor Liu's attention was caught and he gave a little reaction.
"I'm aware of it. If I'm not aware of it at all..." Emperor Liu murmured, so low that Zhang Dejun, who was standing close in front of him, couldn't hear clearly.
He closed his eyes and thought for a long time. Just when Zhang Dejun's waist was sore and he thought Emperor Liu was about to fall asleep, he heard the sound of heaven again.
His movements were very slow, his speaking speed was very slow, but his tone was extremely serious: "Listen up!"
"Yes!" Zhang Dejun immediately cheered up.
"The investigation of this matter ends here!"
"yes!"
"I heard that there have been a lot of rumors in Tokyo recently, and the people in the city are talking a lot!" Emperor Liu continued: "I don't want any further rumors about this matter to appear!"
"yes!"
"The detective officers involved in this investigation will be rewarded. However, no leaks are allowed, especially to all the people involved. I don't have to explain how to deal with it!" When Emperor Liu gave this order, he looked at Zhang Dejun's face. His eyes were emotionless: "If I hear any rumors, I won't ask anyone else but you!"
Faced with Emperor Liu's somewhat unreasonable threat, Zhang Dejun felt a little aggrieved, but more importantly, he was nervous. He had foresighted that if he investigated this kind of thing, he would probably get himself into trouble. All he could say was, it was true.
"Back off!" Emperor Liu raised his hand in a lazy manner and pointed at the memorial on the case: "Take these and burn them!"
"Yes!" At this time, Zhang Dejun seemed to be able to answer yes.
After Zhang Dejun respectfully stepped back, Yantuo quickly came up and wanted to take care of Emperor Liu. However, seeing Emperor Liu's intimidating and indifferent expression, he did not dare to say anything, so he just picked up the cattail leaf fan and took it from Zhang Dejun. The responsibility of the wind.
At this time, Emperor Liu's emotions were all calm, his face was peaceful, his eyes were bright, but there were distracting thoughts in his mind.
Regarding this matter, if anyone, such as a minister, even Zhao Pu, wanted to attack political opponents and eliminate dissidents, the iron fist from Emperor Liu would be smashed directly.
But it happened to be his own son, which was the situation he least wanted to see. This made him angry, but also felt helpless.
Since ancient times, no matter how wise or powerful the emperor was, he would always appear hesitant and cautious when faced with the issue of heir. When it came to Emperor Liu, it was the same.
Although he had established the crown prince early, everything could not go as smoothly as he wished. With so many sons, involving so many political forces, there was only one throne. Even if he was Emperor Liu, how could he be imprisoned? To inhabit everyone's thoughts and let them completely follow their own will?
Even ordinary people can get into trouble because of inheritance issues, let alone the supreme position?
Liu Xu's problems are not surprising. There are obviously also Emperor Liu's personal problems. On the one hand, he established the crown prince, and on the other hand, he had to put pressure on him. On the other hand, he gave the princes power, entrusted them with important responsibilities, and cultivated their abilities. On the one hand, we also want them to keep to themselves, not to have any disloyal intentions, and to serve the court conscientiously and handle errands. Is this possible?
Liu Yang's position as the crown prince is now absolutely secure. Even if Emperor Liu is suspicious, he doesn't have much suspicion. He is determined to pass on the country and the country to him. After so many years of training, experience, and testing, Emperor Liu also believes in the future. Liu Yang can take over his duties.
However, how can things be absolute? At least for Emperor Liu, there was always a sense of crisis. Unless he died and his brain stopped spinning, everything would go smoothly.
This incident obviously caused Emperor Liu to think more about the issue of heirs. In the past, Liu Xu had always been serious and down-to-earth when serving in the imperial court, making few omissions and not showing anything unusual. Why was he suddenly ready to make a move? ?
Liu Xu is like this, what about Liu Xi? What about Liu Fang? Even the fifth Liu Yun who seems to have always been lazy and unmotivated? The seventh Wu Gong Liu Hui is very close to the civil servants in Jiangnan; the ninth Liu Shu
He has always been frivolous, so it is impossible for him to have the desire to seize the legitimate son. Even the tenth prince Liu Zhao, who is only 16 years old, is also the son of Empress Fu and the only legitimate son of Liu Min who succeeded Queen Wei. Would he have any ideas?
Woolen cloth?
Having more sons means more blessings, but for the Tian family and Emperor Liu, this may not be the case. What's more, these sons are not ordinary people, and there are many interests involved behind them, which makes Emperor Liu even more unhappy.