The morning light was bright outside, but you couldn't feel it in the cell. It was gloomy and dim, mixed with a putrid smell, making it almost impossible to tell the difference between day and night.
"Are you still allowed to eat this?"
Xu Bangchui shouted, looking at the bucket of rice left outside the cell door, it was so dark that he couldn't tell what it was.
The jailer just pretended not to hear and turned away.
Xu Bangchui angrily took a bowl of it himself.
"It's good to be able to eat this meal." Someone in the cell next to him said, "By the time he's done eating, he'll be dead."
Xu Bangchui ignored it and squatted down to eat.
"Bah, it tastes really bad," he said.
"I used to eat more food that was tastier than this!" Fan Jianglin shouted in a low voice.
"Then I've been eating very well recently..." Xu Bangchui said. When he saw Fan Jianglin staring, he quickly shrank his head and raised the bowl, "I'll get used to it after a few more days..."
"I won't be able to eat for a few more days." The person in the cell next to him couldn't help but said, "The people here are all awaiting trial. When the trial is over, they will either be released and continue to eat delicious food, or they will be sentenced.
When you are exiled to the prison city and work as a laborer, you can’t even get a meal like this if you work as a laborer, or... it’s just a good decapitation meal, and you won’t be able to eat the good or bad ones in the future..."
Except for Xu Bangchui, the others also took bowls and scooped out food. They either sat down or squatted and ate silently, but no one spoke.
But this didn't stop the people in the cell next to them from continuing to talk.
"...Hey who are you? You must have a big background, right? Not to mention being beaten and tortured here, no one even dares to scold you..."
"...I know even if you don't tell me, you are the most dangerous...either it's okay, or it's a big deal..."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was the sound of footsteps and a smell of fragrance came.
"Hey, you guys, don't eat that." The warder shouted, putting down another barrel.
Everyone looked over when they heard the sound and smell, and saw a bucket full of mutton.
Xu Bangchui groaned, ran over, stretched out his hand and grabbed a big bone.
"Hey, hey, don't be in a hurry to eat. This, isn't this a decapitation meal?" shouted the man in the cell next to him.
Hearing what he said, the other brothers who gathered around were stunned for a moment.
The jailer still didn't speak, turned around and left.
"Probably not. If it were, I would definitely say it."
The man in the cell next to him said, while looking at Xu Bangchui's dim cell. His face was obscured by messy beard and hair, and his expression was hard to see clearly, but you can imagine the man's surprise.
"Hey, who are you? Why are you so taken care of?"
Xu Bangchui and others ignored him.
"Okay, okay, thank you for taking care of me, I'll give you some good wine." Xu Bangchui shouted vaguely to the warder who was walking away.
Several other brothers also laughed.
"Yes, let's get some good wine." They said, grabbing the mutton and eating it.
Fan Jianglin took two meat bones, walked to the wall, and handed them to Xu Maoxiu.
"Here," he said, sitting down and taking a big bite of another piece.
Xu Maoxiu took it but didn't eat it.
"What? You've died once and you're still scared?" Fan Jianglin asked with a smile.
"Don't be afraid." Xu Maoxiu exhaled and shook the meat and bones in his hand, "What happens sooner or later is nothing to be afraid of, but she must be angry and anxious outside. If we die, she will be so strong and proud.
I'm afraid I'll have scars for the rest of my life. Thinking of this, I really can't let go... dragging her down like this..."
Fan Jianglin ate the meat, remained silent for a moment, and finally sighed.
"It's all fate," he said.
Old Mrs. Chen had walked around the yard several times, and the back of his thin clothes was slightly damp with sweat.
"Master, take a rest." The old servant who followed advised him.
Old Mrs. Chen stopped, took the crutches handed to him, and exhaled.
"Is the master back?" he asked.
The old servant hurriedly asked the boy next to him. The boy ran away and came back soon.
"The master is back," he said.
Old Mrs. Chen had no expression on his face. He stood and beat his waist with one hand.
"Are you going to invite me?" the old servant asked.
Old Mrs. Chen shook his head and remained silent.
"Master, Master." Another boy came running over, "Ms. Cheng is here."
Old Mrs. Chen's expression changed.
"It's finally here." He said to himself.
Chen Shao in the study was also saying this in his heart at this time, but he said one more words than his father.
Came so fast!
She knew the conclusion that was just decided this morning so quickly?
Chen Shao can be sure that there will be no more than ten people who know this news. Who are the people who can deal with it? Where did this woman get the news so quickly?
Qin family?
Today Shi Qin talks about taking turns to rest...
Tong Neihan?
Since he came back to life, he is no longer obsessed with gold and stone, but his fascination with Taoism has become even deeper.
Because the person who saved his life was the direct disciple of the legendary Taozu Zhenren.
What does this mean? It means he has a destiny!
Therefore, Tong Neihan, who recovered from his illness, did not take off his leave and still stayed at home, but instead of recuperating from his illness, he was cultivating immortality at home.
As for the Zhou family, there is no need to consider it. They can't even get through the door of Zhongshu Province, let alone the inner palace of the palace.
Could it be that this woman knows some important person in Beijing?
In other words, he is overthinking.
In fact, this woman just came to ask for help. A few days ago, she thought it was a trivial matter, so she left it to the Zhou family to deal with, but to this day she still can't figure it out, so she came here.
The maid holding tea withdrew, and the two of them sat across from each other in the study.
"I have taken the liberty to come here just to save the lives of my brothers. Please be considerate?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked straight to the point.
Sure enough, I thought too much...
Chen Shao shook his head and laughed at himself.
"You've heard it too." He said with a facelift, while sighing, "You believed me, so you didn't come to me after the incident. Naturally, I wanted to take care of it for you. However, this matter involves the military affairs of North Korea and China. Is it legal?
It’s hard to break the law.”
Cheng Jiaoniang nodded.
"I know that there are many things involved in the desertion issue," she said. "The execution of several of my brothers is nothing more than an attempt to cut the knot quickly and prevent my lord from taking the opportunity to investigate military affairs, so your lord, you are very angry now."
Chen Shao looked slightly shocked, then smiled bitterly.
"Why, has my dear lady heard about the dispute in the court?" he said.
"Then are you going to give up?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked, without answering his question directly.
"Admit defeat? Of course not. Deserters should be punished according to law, and omissions must also be thoroughly investigated. Corruption in military affairs is the cause of desertions. Failure to investigate will not be enough to prevent future troubles," Chen Shaosurong said, "Wang Butang and his party deceived the emperor and ignored him.
Those who fight for personal gain and ignore state affairs are worthy of death. This defeat is a calamity that will last for many years. However, some people still want to protect and connive with the intention of resurrecting. In ancient times, there was a man who saw King Zhou using jade and knew that Yin was about to die.
Wang Butang and others deceived the emperor so brazenly, controlled the northwest military affairs for personal gain, embezzled military pay, turned defeat into victory, deceived the court for so many years, and yet they still sheltered, condoned and retained them. Isn't it disrespectful of the country! Chen, you can't see the emperor.
I was deceived and refused to speak up. I will never give up until I get rid of this evil sycophant!"
The tone was sonorous, as if he had returned to the time when he was dealing with it in front of Shicai Hall.
Gao Tongshi is a bunch of shameless people who are messing around. If they can't argue, they will argue. If they can't argue, they will make a fuss. They just don't want to admit that Wang Butang is bullying the emperor.
Speaking nonsense becomes less and less scrupulous.
Unfortunately, many of the people under his command were not qualified enough for you, so he was often alone in the huge court.
Chen Shao took a few deep breaths and looked at the dull-looking young lady in front of him. He noticed that he was losing his temper and hurriedly coughed to cover it up.
"You young people should not ask about these matters," he said.
Cheng Jiaoniang saluted.
"Your Majesty's heart is clear." She said, raising her head again, "Since a thorough investigation of the long-standing evils is serious and killing a few of his people will not help, can we spare their lives and allow them to atone for their sins?"
Chen Shao coughed lightly.
"The crime must be punished. This is the law of the Ming Dynasty. Madam, you cannot follow the law as you please," he said.
"Although it is a crime, the situation is unavoidable. Can we tolerate the situation outside the law and tolerate it in vain?" Cheng Jiaoniang said.
"Ms. Cheng." Chen Shao coughed slightly and said, "The way of heaven is clear, and people's hearts are self-evident. Everyone knows that the military affairs in the northwest are corrupted, and Chen will never let this matter go. As long as your majesty gives permission, he will send important ministers to the army to inspect and investigate.
Then the traitor can be convicted. At that time, justice will be given to those who have been wronged."
"If you are not in your position, you will not do what you want," Cheng Jiaoniang said, "I just can't figure out why I have to die to repay this justice?"
Chen Shao was silent for a moment and looked at Cheng Jiaoniang.
"Ms. Cheng, there is a poem that says that heaven and earth are the reverse journey of all things, and time is the passer-by of hundreds of generations. Life is like a dream. [Note 1]" His expression was a little softer, a little solemn and a little sighing.
He said, "No matter who you are, if you can get what you want in this dream, your journey to this world will be considered worthwhile."
"Your Excellency is thorough." Cheng Jiaoniang said, looking at him, "Then, what do you mean, Your Excellency, is that they must die this time?"
From beginning to end, all she wanted to ask was this one sentence, and she kept asking.
There was a silence in the room, which seemed to have passed for a long time, and seemed to only last for a breath.
"Yes." Chen Shao slowly uttered one word with a firm expression.
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Note 1: Li Bai's "Preface to a Spring Night Banquet in My Di's Peach and Plum Garden" (to be continued)
