Chapter 804 How can the three words 'unnecessary' convince the world?
"Bianliang... I really didn't expect that in less than half a year, the former capital of the Song Dynasty would look like this!"
Han Zhongyan, dressed in white, opened the curtain of the carriage, looked at this very strange city, and expressed emotion.
In the past few months when the imperial court moved south to Jinling, the place that had undergone the greatest change, besides Luoyang, which was tortured by the Liao army, was probably Bianliang.
This capital city, which once had a population of one million and was extremely prosperous, was always busy with traffic and overcrowded at the city gate. The queue of people entering the city was so long that it was impossible to see the end. But now it has become sparse and deserted all of a sudden.
There was no other way. All the officials and important civil and military officials had fled. As long as they had some money, they would naturally follow the swarm of swarms and flee to the south of the Yangtze River, to the Sichuan Gorge, to Guanzhong, and anywhere else as long as they were not in Henan.
As a result, a large number of shops closed, at least half of the 72 main restaurants were no longer in business, house prices collapsed, and prices skyrocketed, ultimately leading to a depression.
As Prime Minister, Han Zhongyan, even though he has resigned and is preparing to return to his hometown in Xiangzhou, he still can't help but come to the capital to take a look. The scene he saw was not surprising, but his mood still became uncontrollably sad: "What if
If Wuyou Cave was not destroyed by Gongsun Zhao, perhaps it would have perished by this time. I wonder if Your Majesty would regret moving the capital when he saw what Bianliang had become like?"
The personal butler saw it and quickly comforted him: "Don't worry, Alang. The Liao army has retreated, and Bianliang has been designated as the central capital. It will be prosperous again soon!"
Han Zhongyan sighed: "We haven't retreated yet. The main force of the Liao army is wreaking havoc in Hengshan. They are really greedy. Let those blind people take a look!"
"The Northern Barbarians will not even spare the territory of Xixia. If they enter Yanmen and return to Yanyun, the consequences will be disastrous. The sycophant in the court is still pretending to be deaf and mute. As for the officials..."
"Oh, I'm exhausted mentally and physically. I really can't argue with them anymore. Let's go into the city!"
In the end, he couldn't help but feel ashamed.
Compared with Fan Chunli, who was also the son of Fan Zhongyan, he still stayed in the court even though he was seriously ill. As the son of Han Qi, he resigned and returned home at the difficult moment of the Song court, which seemed like an escape.
It's just that he was really tired of the court that was fighting all day long. Even if he forced himself to stay, it would be increasingly useless. The letter he wrote to Zhang Dun before leaving might be the last responsibility he fulfilled.
Entering the city from Lijing Gate, not far away is the Yuquan Hall.
The place is open, and the business is still very good. Apparently the war period has stimulated people's demand for martial arts practice, and the sound of passionate martial arts training can be heard from far away.
Han Zhongyan was not interested in martial arts, but looked at the academy opposite, listening to the sound of books, and gently stroking his beard: "Is this the Sui'an Academy founded by Lin Yiyong?"
The steward said: "Yes."
Han Zhongyan received a letter from home and knew that the establishment of the Xiangjun was closely related to his younger brother Han Jiayan. He also had a good impression of the Xiangjun: "This man is both civil and military, and he has made great achievements in recovering Yanyun. He will be an official in the future."
It will be even more perfect if I can achieve success in the imperial court and become a Jinshi in high school... The imperial examination has been postponed due to the war, so we should make arrangements early..."
After all, he was getting older, and his thoughts began to wander. He suddenly considered the imperial examination: "I wonder how the underachievers in the family are doing academically. When I go back, I will have to take more exams!"
"Alang! There is movement ahead!"
Just as he was thinking about it, the butler's expression suddenly changed and he protected him. The dozen or so guards following him also stepped forward to protect the retired prime minister.
Han Zhongyan looked over with his dim eyes, only to realize that a large group of people were coming in front of him.
In the peak period of Bianjing, this kind of crowd was nothing at all, but now during the Great Depression, this huge crowd passing by on the street is very eye-catching, especially those clustered in the center, which still looks like
A family that is not wealthy attracts special attention.
Han Zhongyan squinted his eyes and said in a low voice: "Go over and ask, what happened?"
The housekeeper went over to inquire in person, and returned not long after, with a strange look on his face and said: "Tell Alang, this group of people came out of the city to welcome the emperor's chief minister, Gao Tiju, and the leader is the Gao family..."
Han Zhongyan was stunned. After a moment of silence, he said, "Let's follow up and take a look!"
With the help of the butler, he got into the carriage, turned around, and left the city again.
After following for a while, the crowd stopped at the official road and began to wait silently.
Everyone was extremely patient. Not only did they not leave early, but people kept coming from all directions after hearing the news, which made the scale continue to grow. In order to avoid being surrounded, the carriage had to retreat again and again.
If you retreat further, you will no longer be able to see clearly. Han Zhongyan walked down on his own initiative, and then found that no one cared about him as the former prime minister. They all looked into the distance expectantly.
"Here it comes!! Gao Qingtian is here!!" "Don't squeeze! Don't squeeze!" "Quickly step aside and let Mrs. Gao pass!"
Finally, the cheers from the people in front spread quickly to the rear like a wave. All the people who came spontaneously rushed forward first, and then someone shouted, and the crowd separated again consciously.
Seeing this scene, Han Zhongyan held his breath, and when he looked at Gao Qiu, his eyes widened.
Because there were thousands of people coming all the way there, including knights full of martial arts, angry scholars and scholars, and simple people.
Crowds of people from both sides gathered together, surrounded by Gao Qiu, who was wearing a wooden shackle, a torture instrument, on one side, and Gao's father on the other side.
Gao Qiu looked at the old father who had once sent him to the Yamen and bowed down: "Father! I'm back. The child is unfilial!"
Father Gao looked at his son who once had no knowledge and only knew how to cause trouble. His eyes were full of pride. Then he looked at the instrument of torture he was wearing. In addition to being excited and sad, tears welled up in his eyes: "Son! If you are unfilial,
How many people in the world can be called filial? With such a son who serves the country and the people, I will die without regrets!"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Gao Qiu's body trembled violently, tears welled up, and he kowtowed: "Father must never say such things. Please rest assured, your Majesty will definitely pardon the child.
The child should honor you well when he comes home!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone around him echoed: "That's right! That's right!" "It's unreasonable for Gao Qingtian to have such a great achievement and not reward him with rewards, but instead be convicted and sent to the capital!" "It's all treacherous ministers who are slandering, and the officials will not do this this time.
I will be deceived by the traitor again!"
Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Han Zhongyan, who watched this scene from a distance, said with great solemnity: "No matter what Gao Qiu was before, he is now our hero of the Song Dynasty. There is absolutely no reason to send him to the capital. Your Majesty will never do it."
Unjustly accuse Zhongliang, otherwise the people in the north will lose all their support and there will be chaos!"
…
"Have you all thought about what crime Gao Qiu will be convicted of?"
In the Jinling Palace, Zhao Ji sat on the dragon chair, looked at the silent ministers, and asked again.
The ministers were silent again.
From the official inquiry, the implication was obvious. Gao Qiu could not be charged with resisting the edict, lest the court lose face. Instead, he was looking for another crime!
But it just so happened that no one dared to speak.
During the previous alliance between Song and Liao Baoyou, they all knew that after the Liao army passed Yanmen Pass, they would definitely regret attacking Yanyun. However, the peace faction did not panic at that time, because if the Liao army really regretted attacking Yanyun, it would be lost in the history books.
The ones who left the infamy are undoubtedly the dishonest Beilu and Zhao Ji who made a futile peace negotiation. They are not to blame.
Looking back at this time, since disobedience cannot be used to convict someone, no one is willing to bear the infamy that will go down in history for a minister who restored Yanyun.
Zhao Ji's eyes flashed with anger, and he stared at the newly appointed Prime Minister He Zhizhong.
This person is from Longquan, Chuzhou, that is, from Longquan County, Zhejiang Province. He is currently a leading figure in the Jiangnan faction that is rapidly rising in the DPRK. After Han Zhongyan resigned, Zhao Ji immediately promoted this person to prime minister.
Of course, this person also has qualifications. He was a Jinshi in the Shenzong Dynasty. He not only had local experience, but also served as Minister of the Ministry of War, Minister of the Second Ministry of Work and Officials, and concurrently as a minister. Historically, he was also one of the prime ministers of the Huizong Dynasty. During his tenure, he catered to the emperor's wishes in many ways.
, in order to whitewash peace and at the same time cater to Cai Jing. Although he was not very famous and did not make much contribution, his official career was stable and prosperous, and he was canonized all the way to Rong Guogong, and died in good health.
He Zhizhong felt the official's gaze and wanted to lower his head lower, but stopped abruptly and remained in the state of a clay wood sculpture.
But at this moment, the silence in the palace was broken by a weak voice: "I believe that Gao Tiju is not guilty and should be rewarded heavily for his contribution to the restoration of Yanyun!"
The ministers started to stir slightly, and Zhao Ji's cheek muscles twitched. He looked at Fan Chunli, who was dragging his sick body to the court, and said slowly: "Mr. Fan is sick and weak. If you don't know the details, don't worry about such important matters in the court!"
Fan Chunli breathed a sigh of relief: "Although I have been ill at home for many days, the recovery of Yanyun Land is related to my long-cherished wish of the Song Dynasty for hundreds of years. How can I not know the details?"
Zhao Ji said calmly: "Fan Gong really doesn't know that although the Yanyun land has been recovered, there are no officials to report it, and there is no household registration. It has been divided by the rural army established by Gao Qiu. I am worried about it!"
The ministers were silent.
If there had not been the previous covenant that allowed the main force of the Liao army to go to Yanmen Pass, then this behavior would undoubtedly be a treasonous attempt to separate one side. However, after that incident, even the most shameless officials were embarrassed to ask why the rural army is still there now.
Occupying Yanyun, I can only say that the official family deserves to be an official family...
Of course, Zhao Ji also has a trump card: "The thing I am most worried about is the 'Zuo Ming' who appeared outside Yanmen Pass! I appointed Gao Qiu to be promoted to the Imperial City Secretary, and his purpose is to track down this great treason, but
So far there is no clue, but now 'Zuo Ming' appears in front of Yanmen Pass inexplicably, what is going on?"
Having said this, he sighed deeply: "Gao Qiu is my old minister. I have always trusted him in every possible way and have no doubts. Why is it like this... Alas!"
This sigh was a signal. In Taichung, the censor Wang Fu (fu), who had a righteous face and had been prepared for a long time, stood up: "I impeach Gao Qiu for colluding with the treason and plotting to commit crimes. Such a traitor is as loyal as a man and harbors evil intentions.
You must be severely punished according to law!"
There was an uproar among the officials, and even He Zhizhong raised his head suddenly. He never expected that the officials wanted to convict Gao Qiu of treason, which would target the three tribes!
When Fan Chunli heard this, he was even more angry: "Colluded with 'Zuoming' and intended to rebel? Is this the crime you want to accuse a minister who has just liberated Yan Yun? Where is the evidence! Where is the evidence!!"
Wang Fu said without hesitation: "'Zuo Ming' is a big treason, how can we get detailed evidence of the crime? It is related to the Song Dynasty, and His Majesty's safety is in danger. If the incident is unfounded, then he can be convicted!"
Fan Chunli's eyes were about to burst: "How can you convince the world with the word 'unfounded'? Your Majesty must never convict Gao Tiju, let alone make it unfounded!"
Zeng Bu and Cai Bian couldn't stand it anymore. They knew that they couldn't be persuaded, but they still came forward and knelt down: "I second my opinion, Duke Fan! We must not convict this serious crime, we must investigate it thoroughly!"
Even He Zhizhong wanted to step forward to dissuade him, but he hesitated for a long time under the gaze of Dao Senhan on the dragon chair, raised his toes, and finally retracted.
When he didn't come out, there was no movement from the officials of the Jiangnan faction. Only a few agreed with Fan Chunli and the other three. Looking at the court, most of the officials actually acquiesced.
Zhao Ji stood up as expected and said calmly: "I am still willing to believe Gao Qiu in my heart. The matter has not been convicted yet. We will discuss it again when he arrives in Jinling!"
After that, with the shrill sound of the chamberlain's retreat, the figure of the Ninth Five-Year Master disappeared into the Daqing Hall. Only Fan Chunli's old and desperate voice still echoed: "It can't be like this! It's absolutely impossible!!"