In the Chui Gong Hall, beside the eucalyptus, Emperor Liu was teaching his young son Liu Yao to write stroke by stroke. The father and son, one dared to teach and the other dared to learn, were both attentive and their expressions were particularly focused.
However, this warm scene did not stay for too long, and his body soon couldn't bear it any longer. After telling him to "practice on his own," Emperor Liu sat aside, beating his waist, and sipping hot tea.
Yantuo walked quickly inside, stopped in front of the emperor, looked at the father and son, and bowed and saluted: "Guan family, the younger one has come to return his life."
"Is the matter done?" Hearing this, Emperor Liu didn't even raise his eyelids. He stood up and stood behind Liu Yao, observing his movements.
Yantuo responded: "I'd like to inform you that Uncle Hechuan has passed away..."
"Nothing happened, right?" Emperor Liu asked.
Yantuo held up his hands and said, "Uncle Hechuan passed away peacefully!"
Emperor Liu nodded and ordered: "When it's time to mourn, let Liu Zhao (the tenth prince) hold the memorial ceremony for you!"
"yes!"
Obviously, Hechuan Bokang Yanze died of illness under the secret arrangement of Emperor Liu. Kang Yanze's "death of illness" was basically the result of Emperor Liu's likes and dislikes. It was triggered by the death of Wang Yansheng, and Emperor Liu selectively vented it, a kind of seeking psychology. The act of compensating.
From a legal point of view, Kang Yanze was a little unjust. He did not break the law himself. The villain's actions are despicable, but it is only from a moral level. But from a rational point of view, he brought it upon himself, and he himself had already been punished by Emperor Liu. Having created a bad impression, Emperor Liu regarded him as the cause of Wang Yansheng's death, and it was not too strange that he ended up "died of illness".
There is a saying that Kang Yanze also set a precedent. Emperor Liu adopted such a simple and crude method to secretly execute a distinguished minister. This was the first time in decades, which shows the imbalance of Emperor Liu's mentality in this matter.
From Wang Yansheng to Kang Yanze, plus Chang Ning Bo Haijin who had been executed, in less than ten days, the Han Dynasty had lost three meritorious officials, a county prince, and two first-class uncles, all of whom were extraordinary. Normal death. In the twenty-sixth year of Kaibao, in this unpleasant and even depressing atmosphere, we are heading towards summer...
"Today is the day of Wang Yansheng's funeral!" Emperor Liu said sadly after thinking for a moment.
"Yes! Many distinguished ministers went to the funeral." Yan Tuo reported.
"How are the arrangements for the Duke's funeral going? I heard that the brothers had quite a conflict!"
"The official ordered Wang Yingjie to seize the title, but Wang Yinghao refused to accept it. The two brothers had many quarrels. It is said that the two of them had another argument in front of the funeral the night before. They almost wanted to fight. Wang Yinghua, the third son of Pingliang Gong, also proposed to divide the family property. The three brothers were entangled. It has already spread in Beijing..."
After listening to Yantuo's description, Emperor Liu was full of surprise. After a while, he said excitedly: "The bones are not cold and the soul is not far away, and they start fighting for the family property? Wang Guanglie'an Wang Guanglie, what sin did you commit to give birth to a child?" Such a wolf-hearted person! With all your good intentions, you have fed such beasts, and I am afraid that even under the circumstances, you will never find peace!"
Although Emperor Liu's rebuke was not aimed at himself, Yantuo was also a little frightened. In recent years, what frightened Emperor Liu's servants the most was his moodiness and uncontrollability. However, the old emperor was becoming more and more angry and irritable, which often made people angry. Caught off guard.
Yan Tuo was like this, and the others were even more unbearable. The few palace ladies waiting around were all silent, with lowered eyebrows and lowered their heads. Even Liu Yao couldn't help but stop writing and raised his head, curious and curious. He looked at his old father with fear.
Taking a deep breath, Emperor Liu quickly calmed down. It was not worth venting his anger on the Wang brothers. However, since he knew about the fight between the Wang brothers, he had to react, otherwise Emperor Liu It was difficult to calm down. For the old emperor, it was very important to feel comfortable and have clear thoughts.
Therefore, without any extra thought, Emperor Liu opened his mouth and ordered: "According to my decree, all three traitorous sons of Wang Yansheng will be deposed as common people, and they will all be demoted to the northwest to feed horses! They have also lived well for several decades. The days have passed, and they don’t know how to cherish them, so let them truly experience the pain of their father guarding the border and starting a business!
As for the title and property, summon Wang Zhekai to Beijing to inherit it!"
"Yes!" Yantuo responded, and couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart. With such unworthy descendants, the decline of the Wang family is expected, and at the same time, he really disdains the stupidity and short-sightedness of those brothers.
After drinking a cup of tea, his anger dissipated a little more, and he was about to teach Liu Yao some calligraphy again when Wang Jien, an old eunuch, came excitedly. Looking at his appearance, Emperor Liu became interested and touched Liu Yao's head. , showing a gentle smile: "Let's go play!"
"Son, please retire!" Liu Yao was overjoyed when he heard this. He seemed to be able to escape. This was a real escape. Although Emperor Liu loved his younger son more, Liu Yao was really afraid of his old father.
Turning his face, Emperor Liu's expression became serious, his eyes became a bit colder, and he stared directly at Wang Jien: "There is a result!"
After hearing the question, Wang Jien immediately took out a booklet from his arms, presented it solemnly, and said: "After investigation by Xiao and others during this period, there are 78 powerful families related to Kang Ning, 14 of whom have close contacts. , there are twenty-five families with debts... This is a small list, please take a look at it!"
"Bring it here!" Emperor Liu frowned and stretched out his hand. Yantuo immediately took it from Wang Jien's hand and carefully handed it to Emperor Liu.
Opening it slowly and reading it carefully, Emperor Liu's expression also went through a complex and interesting change. The weight of this list is really not light, including distinguished officials, court ministers, and even relatives of the emperor.
"Uncle Guo also reached out to borrow money?" Emperor Liu couldn't hide his surprise and looked at Wang Jien.
Wang Jien lowered his head and said cautiously: "Yes!"
"He will also be short of money?" Emperor Liu couldn't help but wonder.
Emperor Liu had reason to be doubtful. Uncle Guo
Li Ye is a money-making boss. When he was the chief official in Yuanzhou, he made a lot of money by smuggling tea and horses through his domestic slaves. Every time he served, he never lost anything. In the years since he left the prime minister, he made a lot of money. , has also been running industries. If we talk about business, it may not be any worse than Corning.
It was unbelievable that Li Yehui was short of money. Seeing Emperor Liu's doubts, Wang Jien did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly assured: "The specific situation needs to be investigated, but there is conclusive evidence that the uncle did borrow 20,000 yuan from Kang Ning." money......"
"Go, call me Li Ye!" Seeing Wang Jien's vow, Emperor Liu couldn't hide his anger anymore and ran away from the rock.
He continued to flip through it, his movements became more and more urgent, his face became more and more ugly, and finally he threw the list on the ground: "The imperial court has so much salary every year, and it has never been short of it. Isn't it enough to support a family? A big man has so many honors." It is the most ridiculous thing in the world for you to be reduced to borrowing money to survive! Where is your face? Where is your decency?"
"The officials should calm down!" Seeing that Emperor Liu's eyes were about to burst into flames, Wang Jien was slightly startled and instinctively comforted him.
"This Kang Ning is worthy of being the leading wealthy businessman in the Han Dynasty. He is generous and willing to make money!" At this time, Emperor Liu's tone was so serious that it made people's hair stand on end: "What does he want to do? He wants to borrow those stinky people. Money, to control the powerful men of the Han Dynasty? They are so bold and have a heart that can be killed!"
Compared with the nobles who borrowed money, what made Emperor Liu even more angry were the bureaucrats who held important positions in the court and held real power. Compared with the nobles, their corruption and damage were obviously greater.