The front hall of Dongsheng Palace was simply tidied up and temporarily used by the prince to entertain guests.
This palace only undergoes daily cleaning and cleaning, and there is no other maintenance. For example, if it is renovated every year, only the outermost part will be renovated and the facade will be decorated, so that it does not look shabby.
Therefore, when viewed from a distance, this palace looks very grand. However, once you get inside, you realize that everything here is shabby.
The red paint on the pillars is mottled, and the metal nails on the doors and windows are already rusty.
What is on the ground is hard to see now. After cleaning, a new felt carpet was laid on it. Once this carpet was laid, it felt like it was trying to cover up. If the terrazzo floor was really that good, why bother with it?
In addition, there must be smoke leaking from some gaps in the ground dragon, and there is some faint smoke in the main hall, which further proves this point.
If you look at the new curtains hanging in the entire hall, you will become more and more convinced that this East Palace is really in embarrassment. The new is used to complement the old, which makes it even more shabby.
One by one, they were ushered in to take their seats. Many people could not help but frown, and then showed a bit of disgust.
Maodu looked around and saw that the Duke of Mao's palace was located relatively close to the front. Apart from the clan, there were theirs and the British Duke's palace. The old British Duke was ill, and here came the British Duke's son. The two houses were almost opposite each other.
Maodu whispered to his father, "Dad, please don't say anything later. Whatever the prince says is what he says, do you understand?"
The Duke of Mao said "hmm" and became silent.
The old Maoguo Gongguo passed away, and the second generation Maoguo Gongguo lost an arm in chaos. He has been in the government these years and rarely interacts with diplomacy. Now it is his son who is always in trouble in the government. If it weren't for the prince's post, he would also
Won't leave the house.
Sitting in his seat, Maodu looked at the eloquent talkers and said to himself, "Everyone of them doesn't know how to live or die."
When a person in power doesn't even have the most basic dignity, it's a signal, a very dangerous signal. Unfortunately, no one understands this.
Treating guests in the shabby East Palace gave him a chill down his spine.
Tongtong entered the hall first without waiting for Link. Under the guidance of the waiter, she sat in the front.
Because of the marriage, she was the concubine. In fact, she could sit anywhere. But since the fourth master asked him to sit at the front, she flicked her sleeves, sat down on the seat prepared for her, and looked down.
She sat upright, raised her eyes and glanced around, and the whispers disappeared instantly. So, when the princes and princesses came in, the hall was quiet. Seeing them come in, she stood up to greet them!
Tongtong also stood up and respectfully waited for the others to sit down.
The eldest prince looked around, since he was having a treat, why should he be so serious?
Just when the Sixth Prince was about to speak, he saw Lin San with a solemn face above him, and he shut up instantly.
Then, the prince arrived belatedly, and his clothes and accessories were no different from those of Shiro before. At this time, he had to greet the prince again.
The fourth master and Tongtong helped the eldest prince and others up. The fourth master sat down and then said with a smile: "Everyone, sit down! You are all distinguished guests invited by me, so just sit down."
The atmosphere suddenly relaxed and everyone sat down with a smile.
The fourth master then waved his hand, and Shi Jian led others to serve tea. Tea was served, one cup for each person.
The Fourth Master smiled and said: "Today, I would like to invite you all to drink tea. What kind of tea is it? Chrysanthemum tea! This chrysanthemum tea is produced on the mountain where the fairy girl lives. Two real people picked it and dried it with their own hands. I got a lot of it.
I’m reluctant to drink it, so today, I invite you all to come and taste this chrysanthemum tea.”
The Marquis of Huaiyang smiled hurriedly and said: "Mingcui Mountain is the place where the immortal girl practices, and it must be filled with immortal energy. Every plant and tree produced in this mountain must have immortal roots. How can ordinary people like me drink such good food?"
Tea, this is the kindness of the fairy girl and the prince, and I am so grateful that I burst into tears."
I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude.
The fourth princess almost vomited. It was strange that she had to ask these people to participate in political affairs. It looked so ugly. She looked askance at the prince, why did they bring so many people here? What's the use of the hearts of these people?
The fourth master picked up the tea cup and opened the tea lid. Only then did the others move, and there was really a small shriveled chrysanthemum floating in each tea cup. The tea was slightly yellow, and when you drank it, it tasted really good.
It's hard to describe.
For chrysanthemum tea to be delicious, in addition to the appropriate use of chrysanthemums, it is best to have some rock sugar to neutralize the taste. It would be even better if it can be garnished with wolfberry.
But this tea... looks like water mixed with firewood.
The Fourth Master asked: "How do you like this tea?"
No one said anything! No matter how much I wanted to flatter you, I couldn't say anything good.
Fourth Master chuckled, "Isn't the tea good to drink?"
Everyone laughed sarcastically.
The fourth master said with a bit of sadness, "Yes, the tea must not taste good. But I drank this tea back then, do you still remember it?" Without giving everyone a chance to speak, he continued: "
The old man Taizu left a note, clearly recording one thing. In the early winter of that year, Taizu had only 3,000 soldiers under his command. They traveled long distances and had an irregular diet. The army rations only had fried black noodles.
They stuffed them with snow to satisfy their hunger. Most of the soldiers had dry and sore throats and hoarse throats after eating. It was Taizu who, with his personal entourage, found wild chrysanthemums that had dried up in the wild, dug them out from the snow, and then
I picked dried chrysanthemums back and boiled them with water every day, and ordered every soldier to drink this water every day. It took half a month for the soldiers to get better."
After saying that, he looked at Huaiyang Hou, "You are the one who experienced it, do you remember this?"
Marquis Huaiyang's tears immediately came down, "Yes! Taizu led his people to inquire with the fellow villagers, and then went over the mountains and ridges to find dry chrysanthemums from under the snow. The thing was so small that it would take enough for so many people to drink.
Easier said than done? Taizu's hands suffered from chilblains as a result. Throughout his life, the chilblains were never eradicated..."
The Fourth Master nodded, "Yes! Tai|zu has never forgotten the difficulty of starting a business. Every battle and everyone's achievements are recorded in the notebook... Since Gu became the crown prince, the emperor's uncle gave Gu the first
This thing was not the crown prince’s seal, but the thick handwritten letter. After reading the handwritten letter all night long, I couldn’t calm down for a long time. Your merits are the first thing that the crown prince wants to remember, so I thought
Here, I can meet you all, and I also want you to meet me. Let’s sit together, drink a cup of tea from that year, and recall what happened back then..."
In the main hall, there were first sobs, and then weeping, and everyone called Taizu and long live.
Tongtong glanced around the hall and became emotional.
Immediately afterwards, Fourth Master spoke, "Taizu has never forgotten you, the Holy One has never forgotten you, and I dare not forget you. These days, I have alerted the six departments and asked them to collect your information.
I want to know if we, the meritorious officials who founded the country, are living well now..."
"The prince is so concerned about you, and the senior ministers are so grateful that they shed tears of gratitude."
The eldest prince sighed in his heart. Who was Shiro really grateful to? It was definitely not like this. At that time, he did a lot and said little. Why bother to set up this dragon gate formation?
As soon as the fourth master raised his hand, someone came over carrying several boxes.
After putting it away, Fourth Master stood up and lit the first box, "This is what the Ministry of Etiquette has brought up. I've looked through it all. I didn't know if I didn't look at it. After a quick look, I realized that all of you are related to each other."
! Two generations in a row are married, and the relationship is so close, it’s so comforting to be alone.”
The crying in the hall suddenly stopped.
The eldest prince was stunned and turned to look at the second prince, who obviously didn't know. He looked at the fourth master uncertainly, and the fourth master lowered his eyelids and nodded in affirmation.
The eldest prince broke into a cold sweat instantly.
These people are far away from the center of the court, and you can't even think of them. As long as they don't accomplish any big things, no one usually pays attention to them. But there are just such people who marry each other in private. Of course, in the founding of the country, the status is very important.
Wait, mutual marriage is actually nothing. But if there is another marriage immediately after, then this combination must not be taken lightly.
Then the fourth master said again: "This box belongs to the Ministry of War! The Ministry of War has simply recruited generals, and there are many generals stationed in the local area. After asking carefully, I found out that many of them are your old troops! They have been in frequent contact over the years! Such a handsome appearance
The feeling is so lonely and vivid."
He paused as he spoke, with a look of sincerity on his face, "Ke Gu was thinking again, Taizu did not allow close relatives to get married. Do you still remember this?" After saying that, he stood up, walked down, and looked at each one of them.
, asked, "Do you still remember what Taizu said?"
Everyone stood up and knelt down, no one dared to speak!
The fourth master sighed and said, "It seems that you remember it! Taizu was afraid that future generations would forget your merits, so he left a note to remember them, lest future generations would not know about your merits and make you feel wronged. Recently, I have often seen your stories.
, I keep saying that I cannot betray Taizu... So I dare to ask, do you think you are betraying Taizu?"
I wait... I wait... I wait, I wait. I am scared.
"Don't be afraid!" Fourth Master turned around, walking slowly and slowly, and then clicked on the box from the Ministry of Works, "The Ministry of Works presented the least, and Gu Gang started to feel worried! I guess this mansion is not repaired.
, it can be seen that life is difficult. Gu specially summoned the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and then he realized that after the renovation of the mansion, there were many irregularities. But no one thought that it should be corrected, so he was not admitted to the Ministry of Industry. He violated the regulations and overstepped the rules.
There was an impeachment by the Ministry of Rites. After the Holy Emperor issued an order to rectify it... there was no follow-up. Taizu repeatedly said that the prince's crime is the same as that of the common people. A word of the law should not be touched lightly. Have you ever remembered? Don't you remember? Gu Gang
Please recall. Before conferring titles on you, Taizu hosted a banquet in honor of you. At that time, Taizu said that he did not want the killing of meritorious officials to happen in this dynasty. Therefore, he repeatedly warned, "You must abide by the court discipline and laws."
, Don’t betray human relations and bully the people. He also warned him repeatedly, don’t force him to cry and peel off the skin and break the bones! What do you mean, Taizu regards you as flesh and blood, and is unwilling to break any of you. Now, Dazu
Chen Jiangshan remains the same, but who else remembers what Taizu said that day? Everyone, is this considered betrayal of Taizu?"
Your Majesty... you are guilty!
The hall was filled with kowtows and shouts of guilt.
The Fourth Master moved to the box brought up by the Criminal Department again, "None of the cases here are big cases! And none of the cases have been brought to the Yamen! But they have not been brought to the Yamen, and they have been confiscated with money, so that's it.
Are you here? There are those who occupy the land, some who bribe officials to get promotions for their generals, some who ride their horses to trample people to death, some who rob civilian girls, some who force good girls to be concubines, and some who start a rebellion but end up abandoning it.
, there are those who kill each other, there are those who set up private torture chambers, there are those who abuse the subordinates... You guys! If you bully your superiors, the Holy Spirit will consider your merits, so there is no harm in being lenient. But if you bully your subordinates, what crime should be committed?
You were all the heroes who followed Taizu to conquer the world. Taizu had strict military laws, embezzled people's money, and took advantage of people's daughters. What's the crime?"
Kill without mercy!
Everyone kneeling here is sweating from their heads.
The Fourth Master sighed, "Of course, these are just one-sided words. I can't listen to one side or believe it! I also want to hear what you have to say and see how much you can argue with. The man who exceeded the regulations is an official of the Ministry of Industry.
Is it not arranged? Or the officials of the Ministry of Rites did not make it clear in advance. When the imperial edict was issued to order rectification, was there something wrong with the edict and did not explain it clearly, causing you to resist the edict and disrespect it? Or maybe the cases submitted by the Ministry of Punishments are all false.
, is the Ministry of Punishment wantonly setting up a trap?"
After saying this, the Marquis of Huaiyang immediately kowtowed, "Your Highness is wise, but the ministers are so rough. How could you know so much... Of course it was the officials sent by the imperial court who said it, why did we listen..."
The fourth master said 'oh' and then laughed, "Then this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites, the responsibility of the Ministry of Works, and the responsibility of the Ministry of Punishments. It is also the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel to remove officials. If the Yushitai impeaches you, then
Naturally, there is also the responsibility of the Yushitai. If this is the case, the land will be under the control of the Household Department, and the Household Department will not be able to escape the blame! Even the Ministry of War, did your old department ask you to promote them for them? I am afraid they know best..."
After saying that, he slowly sat down and said, "In this case, there is no urgency about the matter. I will investigate it thoroughly and give you an explanation! This is not something that can be found out in a day or two. In this way, I will send you all there first.
Go to the imperial mausoleum! You have violated the Taizu in many ways, but there is no way to refute it. Go ahead and reflect for a while to forgive your sins."
Everyone thought that they actually disliked their Shang Zhezi's involvement in Southwest affairs, so they found an excuse to divert it.
They didn't dare to say anything more at this moment. They just sent him to guard the emperor's mausoleum to think about his mistakes, which was already a mercy.
Hurry up! The best thing to do is just say a few words.
The eldest prince thought to himself that this was a handle to force people back. In this way, things can be pushed forward.
But who knew that the situation would take a turn for the worse the next day.
The Yushitai impeached these old ministers, and all kinds of charges were overwhelming.
In addition to the Yushitai, the six ministries took turns to fight, all proving how these veterans had betrayed the Taizu's kindness and betrayed the Taizu's righteousness over the years. They were hateful and deserved to be killed.
The eldest prince looked at Shiro standing on the side of the Nine Dragon Wall, and it was only at this moment that he suddenly realized.
Shiro is waiting here! Yesterday, he seemed to be defending the old ministers, and his words were full of insubordination, but did he really involve everyone in the court?
If such a meritorious minister is not guilty, then all six ministries are guilty! When a new crown prince is established, he must choose one party to establish his authority.
This is a situation that is blocked at both ends! If the officials up and down the court do not exert their efforts towards the nobles, then he will really find a few of these officials to establish their power. If the officials in the court exert their efforts, then the nobles will
He used it to establish his authority.
In short, as the prince, he had to cut it off with this knife.
The people standing in the court are not those retired nobles. They are as clever as ghosts. They are dead Taoist friends but poor Taoists. They can only stand up and try their best to prove the guilt of these noble and veteran ministers.
I heard Shiro asking Xiao Yun from above: "Master Xiao, what do you mean? The noble and veteran ministers are the heroes who founded the country. How can the Holy Spirit bear to kill such heroes?"
Xiao Yun knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Taizu has said that the law is so strict that one cannot use meritorious deeds to offset guilt!"
"That's right! They conquered the world, and Taizu rewarded them. Over the years, there has been no shortage of wealth and honor. Now that we have received rewards, we should respect the laws of the court..."
"Exactly! Your Majesty, please don't condone this!"
Everyone was kneeling up and down.
The eldest prince looked at Shiro who was standing on top and saw his hand crossing the pile of impeachment papers. Then he turned around and burst into tears in an instant. Then he slowly knelt down and said, "My Lord, please give me your orders."
The three departments will review the case of the veteran minister and make a decision with caution."
The eldest prince: "..." Okay! Now it is the courtiers who want to kill the hero. They have nothing to do with the royal family, let alone the affairs of the prince and the emperor! Didn't you see? The prince cried! Didn't you hear? The prince is now
They are all asking for a chance for the old minister to be retried.
The second prince gave the eldest prince a hand, and the eldest prince knelt down immediately.
As a result, the hall was full of people kneeling down.
Emperor Wen Zhao stood up slowly, then staggered. Lu Cheng shouted in panic, "Your Majesty, take care of your dragon body!"
The eldest prince: "..." My father really feels sorry for me! I feel so sorry for him!
Isn't it? Didn't you hear it? Emperor Wen Zhao said with a choked voice: "The quasi-prince is playing! The three divisions will review, and an old minister must not be wronged! But if it is really an old minister... I... I can only..." I can only do what
?
Before he could finish his words, the Holy Emperor left the scene choked with sobs.
Thus, the joint trial of the three departments began.
Within a month, a list of candidates was placed in front of the Fourth Master.
There were eighteen people who deserved to be killed. With a stroke of his pen, Fourth Master killed all eighteen heads.
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the place of execution was crowded with people.
Eighteen prisoners were detained, and eighteen heads were cut off and rolled all over the ground.
The others were all imprisoned. Except for the sacrificial fields that were reserved for descendants, all other titles and properties were confiscated.
The heavy snow was still flying. In the palace, the eldest prince and the second prince stood in front of Emperor Wen Zhao.
Emperor Wen Zhao took out the day's papers and pushed them to them, "I asked each of you for your opinion on how to deal with these old ministers. Your answers were different, except for Shiro who said the word 'kill'! Then, you
Look at this test paper again."
He simply responded with two sentences, neither far nor close, but full of comfort.
He made up his mind to kill, and before he made a move, he would not make a move. Once he made a move, he would hit with one blow. First, he would use his strength to force everyone in the court to his advantage, in order to achieve his purpose of killing.
This thing was done without a single leaf being touched.
It is reasonable, legal and reasonable, but does not bear the charge of risking the death of the hero.
In this matter, he achieved several goals: first, he established his authority, the world knew that there was such a prince, and the court knew that this prince was not a showman; second, the affairs in the southwest were easily solved after killing these people who were in the way;
Third, all the necessary supplies for disaster relief are sufficient.
While they were talking, Lu Cheng came and said, "The prince handed over the book."
Emperor Wen Zhao took the fold, glanced at it, and then handed it to Dalang, "Look at what is written on this fold."
The eldest prince took it, and Shiro wrote a plea on the note, begging that these guilty officials should be buried beside the imperial mausoleum.
The second prince turned his head and looked at it again, and couldn't help but said: "This play has been completed in full!"
Emperor Wen Zhao sighed, "How can this be a show? They were heroes back then, and their crimes will disappear after they die, but it's just like this." After saying that, he looked at the two of them, "Don't you always want an answer? This answer,
Is it enough?"
Both of them were speechless.
Emperor Wen Zhao looked at Dalang, "If I insisted on killing him at the beginning and handed the matter over to you, what would you do?"
The eldest prince pondered for a moment, "Your Majesty... I will start from the evidence of previous impeachments against them. If someone is found to have exceeded the limit, I will first detain the person. Whoever is discovered, he will be detained, and then he will be questioned slowly.
Taking this as a thread, if you think about it, all of them will be involved in it. Even if they cannot be sentenced to death for the time being, they will still be imprisoned... As time goes by, they will inevitably bite each other, and this matter can be solved easily.
.”
Emperor Wen Zhao lowered his eyelids and asked Erlang again, "If this matter is left to you, what will you do?"
The second prince frowned, "Since my father is determined to kill me, I can handle the matter quickly even if I ask someone to pretend to be a bandit."
Emperor Wen Zhao glanced at Dalang and asked: "Your method is indeed feasible, but have you ever thought about the extent of their contacts with the old ministry? Do you know the extent of their contacts? If the contacts are very deep, they are detained here.
We got the news over there. This one has gone against us, and there has been a backlash over there. What should we do then?"
The eldest prince frowned, "I don't think their old subordinates would do such a stupid thing."
Emperor Wen Zhao sighed, "Can you be sure? Can you be 100% sure? You can't. Sitting in this position is like holding a leaf across a big river. You don't dare to have any surprises! You can't.
Put the world on the test of human nature. Anyone can be in this world. You think a normal person shouldn't be so stupid, but how do you know that the person opposite happens to be someone who doesn't act according to common sense? What if you get hit?
What if you lose the bet? Why did Shiro want to cut the knot quickly? This is what he was prepared for. If the road had not been blocked by heavy snow and it was inconvenient to deliver the news, Shiro would not have asked for a three-judge trial at all, and he could have ordered the murder at that time. Evidence
Whether it is sufficient or insufficient, it does not matter at that moment. Even if it is insufficient, it will be made up for later. If you do it step by step, you will be wrong!"
The eldest prince fell silent and said no more words.
Emperor Wen Zhao looked at Erlang again, "Your method is even stupider! Once the method that cannot be put on the table is used, it will be a sign of chaos in the world. What kind of place is the court? The court is a place where rules are followed. The person who is the king is subject to the rules.
But as a king, you must also be able to play with the court in the palm of your hand. You have also seen that Shiro regarded the laws of the court, the yamen of the court, including the adults in the court, as his hands
He can play like a fish in the water! This is like playing in water. Those who can't swim are in danger of drowning. Those who can swim can play like a fish in the water. Ask yourself, is it the person who can swim or the one who can't swim?
person."
After saying that, he stood up and said, "Go! You brothers, go back and think about it yourself. This is the answer I give you!"
The majestic palace and the flying snow.
The two brothers stood on a high place and looked at the magnificent landscape of mountains and rivers covered by heavy snow.
Are you willing?
My mouth asked my heart, my heart asked my mouth, my mouth and my heart asked each other countless times - still no answer!