"I just received the news," Zhu Zhanji said with a perked expression: "Wang Xian has rescued his aunt, his father, mother, brother and sister-in-law on Xugong Island, and has also captured Ji Gang and his gang alive, and is on board the navy's fleet.
If we drive back, we can reach Beijing in three or two days."
"That's great!" Zhu Zhanqi jumped up excitedly: "I know there is nothing that Brother Wang can't do!"
"Thank God!" Zhu Gaochi was also very happy and said happily: "Your mother and concubine pray at home every day. It is indeed the blessing of Bodhisattva!"
"Father," Zhu Zhanji said solemnly, "Wang Xian and the others are fine. Let's quickly think about how to deal with the next situation."
"That's right!" Zhu Gaochi also tensed up and said with a worried look on his face: "What is your grandfather's attitude..."
"Grandpa Huang, hey..." Zhu Zhanji said with a distressed expression, "I'm afraid I don't want to kill them all..."
"Of course," Zhu Gaochi nodded and said: "Tiger poison can't even eat its children, not to mention that the father always feels that he owes his second son." He frowned and said: "But if I show mercy this time, how can I show it to the world?
Explain?!" When Zhu Gaochi thought of the tens of thousands of loyal and brave soldiers who died in Zhenjiang City, his face turned red and he hissed: "We must punish them severely!"
"Father," seeing his father's expression, Zhu Zhanji sighed and whispered, "I'm afraid you can't do this..."
"Why?!" Zhu Gaochi muttered.
"Because Grandpa Huang, I don't want you to do this..." Zhu Zhanji said softly, and Zhu Gaochi was stunned with just one sentence. He listened to Zhu Zhanji detailing everything about Emperor Yongle these days, especially
What Zhu Di said to his grandson last night... How could Zhu Gaochi not understand that he was asking his grandson to give his son a message, hoping that he could intercede for the King of Han!
"I'm afraid..." Zhu Gaochi lowered his head, thought for a moment, and finally raised his head and said, "I can't do it." After hearing his father's words, Zhu Zhanqi, who had a tense face, relaxed.
"Father," Zhu Zhanji advised: "Even if you help intercede, my second uncle is finished this time, and he will never be able to stand up again. To us, it doesn't matter whether he is dead or alive, as long as
As long as he loses the threat forever!"
Zhu Gaochi listened silently. He knew that his son was telling the truth. Indeed, Zhu Gaojiu was completely ruined this time, even if there was even a glimmer of hope for a comeback. At this time, interceding for him on his behalf would not only please his father, but also comply with the expectations of civil servants.
I hope that I can leave a good name for benevolence and righteousness in the history books.
There seems to be no reason not to do this kind of good thing that comes at no cost.
"Father, you'd better say this," Zhu Zhanji naturally wouldn't say it so straightforwardly. He still had to save his father's face, but I believe his father would understand. "Otherwise Grandpa Huang will be heartbroken!
"
"Everything you said is right," Zhu Gaochi nodded slowly. Just when Zhu Zhanji was relieved and Zhu Zhanquan showed a disappointed look, he suddenly heard him sigh and said slowly but firmly: "But I can't make the heroic spirits in the sky sad.
!" Zhu Gaochi said with more determination: "They sacrificed their precious lives to protect me. If they knew that I spoke for their enemies for my own benefit, they would definitely hate me..."
"Father, we have a hundred ways to repay them in the future!" Zhu Zhanji urged: "If we make Grandpa Huang angry, we will have a difficult life in the future..."
"How sad can it be?!" Zhu Gaochi was determined and said coldly: "Father, can you still destroy me and pass on the throne to the third child?!"
"This..." Of course Zhu Zhanji knew that this was impossible. He said that King Zhao was still suspected of assassinating the emperor. From the perspective of the emperor, how could he not see that his third uncle would definitely be the emperor if he became the emperor?
He was a dissolute and immoral emperor. So in the context that the King of Han was doomed, his father, the prince, was really a bit confident.
But if this happens, he will be caught between his grandfather and father, and life will be difficult...
"That's it." Zhu Gaochi ended the conversation and sighed quietly: "As a son, as an elder brother, I can remain silent and not say a word... But if you want me to ask for mercy, no! Can! Enough!"
"Father..." Zhu Zhanji felt a little annoyed that his father didn't listen to him, but he saw Zhu Zhanqun said with admiration on his face:
"Father did the right thing! You have to be conscientious!"
Zhu Zhanji glared at his second brother fiercely and became silent...
As the carriage entered the capital, Yang Shiqi sent Yang Rong home first, and then ordered the carriage to return home.
It was quiet in the carriage, and Yang Shiqi was the only one left.
Looking at the pouring rain outside the window, Yang Shiqi recalled Yang Rong's words and thought about the consequences of doing so. He had to admit that it would be more beneficial to the civil servants to let the King of Han go instead of holding on to him. The emperor's anger would be
From the king of Han, it was transferred to the entire military commander group!
There was a dull thunder in the sky, and Yang Shiqi suddenly shuddered... He finally understood the truth. Civil servants are no more soft-hearted than military attachés when killing people! And they are more vicious and vicious!
The carriage drove straight into the courtyard of Yang Shiqi's house. The housekeeper held an umbrella and took his master off. As soon as Yang Shiqi got off the car, he saw the eunuch Li Yan next to Zhu Di standing on the porch looking at him.
"Eunuch Li." Yang Shiqi hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Why do you come here in the rain?"
"Your Majesty declares that Bachelor Yang is here to see you." Li Yan said with a smile: "Bachelor, let's leave quickly."
"Oh, okay." Yang Shiqi responded, looked down at his plain robe, and said to Li Yan: "My father-in-law, please wait a moment. I will change into court clothes."
"Bachelor, please." Li Yan nodded and watched Yang Shiqi go to the back.
In the main room in the backyard, Yang Shiqi's face was solemn. While changing into court clothes, he lowered his head and pondered... Yang Rong guessed right, the emperor summoned him as soon as he returned to the capital, but Yang Rong probably didn't guess that the emperor would be so anxious!
Yang Shiqi raised his head and looked at himself in the mirror, who was gradually getting dressed. He gradually came up with an idea! After experiencing so many twists and turns and conspiracies, his colleagues were either killed or defeated by Zhu Gaoxu, but he persisted hard.
I have waited until today. What supports me is nothing but a belief - justice will prevail!
If I exonerate Zhu Gaoxu as Yang Rong said, I may make the military commanders group pay a heavier price in the future. But at this moment, justice that has been long overdue will be absent again... One can imagine how miserable the people of the world will be.
Disappointed? A hundred years later, how will the history books evaluate these civil servants?
No distinction between right and wrong, no discernment between good and evil, no character, just like the same raccoon dog!
Thinking of this, Yang Shiqi finally made up his mind. He decided that this time, he would not listen to anyone and only speak according to his own conscience!
Yang Shiqi took the official hat, put it on his head, and then walked out with his head held high...
When Yang Shiqi followed Li Yan into the palace, he discovered that Jian Yi had also arrived. It turned out that the emperor was not summoning him alone...
The two exchanged glances briefly, then stood outside the palace, waiting for Zhu Di's summons.
It was still windy and rainy outside, and the two of them were thinking about their own thoughts. Suddenly a bolt of lightning flashed across, and Yang Shiqi vaguely saw a person kneeling in the yard under the pouring rain...
'King of Han...' A name suddenly popped into Yang Shiqi's mind. He looked at Jian Yi in surprise and found that the other party was also looking at the courtyard in surprise. Apparently he also noticed the man kneeling in the rain...
Another bolt of lightning flashed through the rain, and the sky and the earth were as bright as day. This time the two of them could see clearly. The one kneeling in the rain was indeed the King of Han!
Moreover, the two men could clearly see that the King of Han had his upper body naked and was carrying something like a thorn stick on his back. It seemed that he was carrying a thorn stick to plead guilty. It seemed that it was not Zhu Di who captured him, but that he took the initiative to plead guilty.
!
Just as he was surprised, Li Yan came back and said softly to the two of them: "You two, go in, the emperor is waiting."
The two of them quickly threw away their random thoughts, straightened their clothes, took a deep breath and entered the palace.
In the palace, Zhu Di was dressed in a Taoist robe, with a lake blue jade-inlaid forehead mop on his head, and was walking up and down on the soft carpet with his hands behind his back.
"I will pay my respects to the Emperor!" The two men quickly knelt on the ground.
"Get up." Zhu Di waved his hands, without looking at them, and said in a low voice: "When I left, I asked you to take care of my home." He said in an annoyed voice, "What happened?
?!How did you look after my house?"
"I know that I am guilty, please punish me!" Yang Shiqi and Jian Yi were depressed, thinking that your son has led thousands of troops to fight, and we civil servants can do nothing? But who makes the other party the emperor?
Well, I can only think about these slanders, and I have to apologize honestly on my face.
"What's the use of punishing you?!" Zhu Di also felt that he was going too far and waved his hand: "Besides, in that situation, you won't be of much use!"
"Your Majesty..." The two of them looked grateful, saying in their hearts that at least you haven't regarded us as scapegoats.
"Get up." Zhu Di asked the two of them to get up. He looked at Jian Yi first and said slowly: "I heard that there was chaos in the capital and you fled to Zhenjiang?"
"Your Majesty, the situation was extremely chaotic. First, Qingshou Temple was bombed into the sky with a loud bang, and then the troops in the city began to mobilize." Jian Yi had already thought of his words and said with a sad look on his face: "I want to figure out what to do.
I wanted to go to Yingtianfu Yamen to find Xue Juzheng, but I met people from Fusi in Beizhen on the way. They said that the King of Han and Ji Gang had rebelled, and without any explanation, they put me in a carriage and drove me out of the city. When I was released, I was already there.
Arriving in Zhenjiang..."
"So, you didn't take the initiative to go to Zhenjiang to join the prince?" Zhu Di squinted his eyes and looked at Jian Yi, but there was no emotion or anger in his voice.
"Yes!" Jian Yi is a sensible person and knows that the emperor is very concerned about whether the minister is loyal to the prince or to himself as the emperor, so he said categorically: "If I can choose by myself, I will definitely stay in the capital and will not go anywhere...
"As he spoke, he smiled bitterly and said, "But when a scholar meets a soldier, he can't explain why..."