Faced with Yuan Shao's confession, Liu Xi could not say anything. After a long time of consolation, he sent Yuan Shao away from the palace. Looking at the hunched back of Yuan Shao, who looked very old, Liu Xi felt really uncomfortable. From the time of Emperor Xiaokang, Yuan Shao The Yuan family is probably the most feared family and at the same time the most targeted. Because of the records in the Heavenly Book, the Yuan family is far more feared than others.
Because according to the records in the Book of Heaven, the power of the Yuan family is so powerful, Yuan Shao was the first one who dared to speak out against Dong Zhuo. In the temple, Dong Zhuo strongly demanded that the emperor be deposed. None of the officials dared to speak, but Yuan Shao was the only one who was angry. He stood up and cursed Dong Zhuo angrily. Dong Zhuo was furious and asked, "Do you think my sword is not sharp enough?" At that time, Yuan Shao's answer was, "Do you think your sword is the only one that is sharp?"
In the battle against Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were so powerful that no one could match them. Even Cao Cao was just a follower of Yuan Shao at that time, but Sun Jian and others were followers of Yuan Shu. The only one who can compete with them is Gongsun Zan. If the two brothers work together, no one else will be able to do anything. It is for this reason that the emperor is particularly afraid.
People like Cao Cao and Liu Bei are strong because of their personal talents. If they are used well, they will become capable ministers of the Han Dynasty, just like they are now. But Yuan Shao is strong not only because of his talents, but also because of his talents. His family had disciples and old officials all over the world, and Dong Zhuo was also one of the old officials of the Yuan family... Therefore, the power of the Yuan family made the emperors try their best to target them, but the process of targeting them was not easy.
After all, the Yuan family has been loyal and diligent for generations, and has made great contributions to the Han Dynasty. For generations, they have been busy with state affairs. If they are directly eradicated for innocent crimes, how will the people of the world view the royal family?
However, Liu Xi's fear of them was not as strong as that of Emperor Xiaokang and Emperor Xiaoxian, just because his master, his master, was one of the biggest traitors in the Book of Heaven. He dared to burn the north and the south. Palace, he dared to proclaim himself emperor directly, regardless of what the world thought of him. He was such a strong, rebellious, unconventional, arrogant guy who looked down on everyone. Under the guidance of He Zi, he became an indelible spirit. The stars twinkle in the night of Han Dynasty.
He fought countless battles and made great achievements. In terms of political achievements and contributions to Confucianism, few could match him.
At this time, Liu Xi had some understanding. No one was born a traitor, and no one would think about trying to usurp the throne after birth. Success depends on others. Under this premise, Emperor Xiaoxian did not When Yuan Shao was abolished as one of the three princes, he was always given priority. In terms of talent, he might be inferior to people like Cao Cao and Liu Bei, but in terms of success, he could often accomplish some almost impossible things with the help of his clan.
Liu Xi was also afraid of the Yuan family, but at the same time, he had some concerns about the Yuan family. Yuan Shu was probably the person who had the greatest influence on him in the world.
Now, the grain draft that made him extremely angry gradually took shape, and he naturally found a reason to deal with the Yuan family. If he wanted to bring down the Yuan family, this was the best time. Yuan Tan stole the grain and stole it from Dali. To put it bluntly, this was provoking a relationship between the military, the local government, and the temple. This was undoubtedly treasonous. This evidence alone could bring the entire Yuan family together. However, Liu Xi felt a little hesitant in his heart.
If it were another clan, perhaps there wouldn't be the slightest hesitation.
Liu Xi thought about it and decided to rush to Tingwei Prison in person.
When the emperor arrived at Tingwei's prison, Man Chong was shocked and hurriedly came to see him. At the same time, Yuan Shang also came after hearing the news. However, they were unaware of what happened in Houde Hall. Liu Xi looked solemn.
, looking at the two ministers who were paying homage to him, he didn't say anything more, and directly asked Man Chong to open the door of the prison and walked in. A group of people followed the emperor and made guesses about the purpose of the emperor's sudden arrival.
.
After entering the prison, the emperor stopped in front of Yuan Tan's prison cell.
Yuan Tan was sitting on his knees in the prison cell, sitting upright without any panic or uneasiness. He opened his eyes and saw the Emperor outside the door. He slowly bowed to him. The Emperor and Yuan Tan were acquaintances. Yuan Tan used to come here often.
When visiting Yuan Shu, Liu Xi still had a good relationship with him at that time. Liu Xi looked at him and looked him up and down. Finally, he asked: "Why are you doing this?"
Everyone was shocked when they heard this. Could it be that Yuan Tan was responsible for the theft of food and grass?
Man Chong didn't know where the emperor got the information. When he looked at Yuan Shang, he found that Yuan Shang was equally shocked. He looked at his brother in the cell in disbelief, his eyes dull.
When Yuan Tan heard this, he laughed and asked, "Does your Majesty know?"
"Sikong came today and reported you."
Yuan Tan nodded, calmly. He seemed to have been prepared for a long time. Seeing that he was silent, Liu Xi asked again: "Why did you do this? You didn't take the food for yourself, but instead let it go."
In the treasury?”
"Your Majesty... Ever since my Yuan family ancestor Yuan Liang, my Yuan family has been dedicated to serving the public... Our ancestor Yuan Liang was born as a commoner, but he took the Ming Dynasty as an official and eventually served as the prefect of Guangling... The people of Guangling were all impressed by the great governance of Guangling.
An, because of his moral conduct, he is filial and honest, able to recognize people, respected and loved by the officials and the people, strict in government, fair in prison sentences, solemn in the capital, and famous in the court. When Dou's relatives were tyrannical, only my ancestor Yuan An was not afraid of the powerful.
, stayed true to his integrity and wrote to me many times...The world admires him..."
"My ancestor Yuan Jing was very intelligent in his early years. He studied Meng's Yi and wrote "Nan Ji", a book of 160,000 words. Confucian scholars admired him..."
"Ancestral Yuan Wei, who acted with determination and integrity, thought he was Sikong..."
"Ancestor Yuan Tang helped the victims of the disaster, and he cared about the common people, thinking that Situ..."
"As for my grandfather, Yuan Feng, my uncle Yuan Shu, my father Yuan Shao..."
"My Yuan family has been loyal to generations!! Why should I be bullied like this??"
"I didn't steal those grains and grass. My father used my Yuan family's property to get them. I took away my own things. How could it be stolen? The ministers in the temple all gave their own suggestions. My Yuan family was almost bankrupt.
I have just made your plans successful, but no one has ever paid attention to them. In your eyes, my Yuan family is powerful and has a lot of money, so why not use some of it to do things? But these are also the hard work of my family from generation to generation.
Gain!!”
"I, the fifth and third prince of the Yuan family, have been loyal and good for generations. What fault did I have to commit the act of destroying the family to become a king?!" Yuan Tan roared angrily. Liu Xi looked at the irritable him and said nothing.
Man Chong on the side had already grasped the sword at his waist. Yuan Shang was stunned for a long time, looked at him and said: "Brother?? Just for this?? Money is nothing. The predecessors can earn it and keep it.
We can do it too...why bother..."
"Shut up!!" Yuan Tan looked at him and said angrily: "How are you better than me? You just look like my father, so you accepted a good job and followed His Majesty. Now because of your family status, , as the so-called messenger of embroidered clothes, what qualifications do you have to teach me a lesson!!"
Yuan Shang looked at him, but was speechless.
Liu Xi turned around and left, and walked to the outer courtyard. Liu Xi sighed, but Man Chong asked: "Your Majesty, can I be executed now?" Yuan Shang on the side was a little frightened and said quickly: "Your Majesty , He just..." Liu Xi stretched out his hand so that neither of them had the chance to speak anymore. Liu Xi thought for a long time and then said: "No problem, no problem, Yuan Tan will be removed from his official position and demoted to a commoner. Tell the world what he has done... As for the others, forget it..."
"For Sikong's sake...for Xianfu's sake, let's give it up."
When Man Chong heard this, he immediately frowned and said, "Your Majesty, you can't let it go so easily. Otherwise, what will happen if people in the world follow suit in the future? Your Majesty, you must be severely punished!!", after hearing Man Chong's words, In response to Chong's words, Liu Xi turned around, looked at him, and said, "Just do as I said..." Man Chong was dissatisfied, but looking at the emperor in front of him, he couldn't refute. He could only turn his head and express his dissatisfaction.
"Xianfu, you too, stop thinking about it and go see Sikong..."
When Yuan Shang returned home and approached the study, he heard laughter coming from the study. This was his father’s laughter???
He didn't understand why his father could still laugh in such a time!!
Entering the study, Yuan Shao was holding a child and chatting with him. The child saw him. The child looked very cute, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes. He shouted: "Cousin!!!" , Yuan Shang nodded towards him, Yuan Shao just glanced at him, continued to look at the child in his arms, and asked: "Yao'er, what do you want to do in the future?"
"I want to be a general!!"
"oh?"
"Why?"
"Because my father is a general and he is very good at fighting. It is said that everyone is afraid when they see him!!"
"Who told you this?"
"It's Uncle Hua!"
Yuan Shao teased the child in his arms, raised his head, looked at Yuan Shang, and said: "You also sit down..." Yuan Shang sat next to him, Yuan Shao pointed at him and said: "Yao'er, look, I am also old, and your Uncle Hua is also old, but your cousin is still young. From now on, if you are bullied, go to your cousin and he will break down the door to catch the bad guys!!", heard Yuan Shao's words , the child raised his head in surprise and looked at Yuan Shang.
"Really?"
Yuan Shang nodded, looked at Yuan Shao, and said: "Father, eldest brother, he..."
"No need to say more..."
"Your Majesty did not convict you of any crime, he just dismissed him from office and demoted him to a commoner..."
"Well... Yao'er, you play in the front yard for a while, I'll find you later..." Yuan Shao asked little Yuan Yao to leave, then looked at Yuan Shang and said: "Don't go for these things. Never mind, I will handle it myself... Also, Shang'er, our Yuan family is a big family, and we must be loyal and loyal from generation to generation... We must not let it fall into the hands of you or me... You must always Remember your brother's lesson, and you must also teach the younger members of the clan well..."
Just as Yuan Shang was about to speak, Yuan Shao stood up slowly, "I'm going to see your brother... I'll contact you in the evening... study hard..."
Yuan Shao took a bottle of wine from under the desk and left the study tremblingly.
When he arrived at Tingwei's prison, Man Chong was angry at Liu Xi's order and simply avoided seeing him. Yuan Shao waited in front of the door for a long time before Man Chong was released, but he left the place angrily, even
Neither of them said a word to Yuan Shao.
Entering the cell, Gao Gan and Yuan Mai had been sent away, leaving Yuan Tan alone.
Seeing his father, Yuan Tan looked very complicated. He wanted to say something, but couldn't.
Yuan Shao asked everyone to leave, walked into the cell, put the drinks on the ground, and the father and son sat facing each other.
"Father...I..."
Yuan Shao didn't say anything more. He took a sip of wine, shook his head and said, "No need to say more. Let's have some wine with my father..."
Yuan Tan also took a sip. The taste of the wine was very bitter, bitterer than any wine he had ever drunk.
Both father and son couldn't help but look disgusted, they were very similar.
"Tan'er, this time, you are totally wrong... I heard that you told the merits of the ancestors of the Yuan family in front of His Majesty today... Then let me ask you, have you ever done anything?
What about the great things that benefit the country and the people? Have you ever been worthy of being their descendants?"
"Father, I have no chance..."
"My ancestors were able to establish such a prominent clan as ordinary people. How can you say that there is no chance?"
"I..."
"Tan'er, what's the use of money? You can't take it away even if you die... Keep it, put it in state affairs, and let my Yuan family continue to prosper. Why not?"
Yuan Tan was speechless.
The two ate and chatted for a long time.
"Father... I know I was wrong... I had some wine at that time, and when I saw my father selling off his property, he became so angry that he was really unreasonable... uh... uh..." Yuan Tanzheng
As he spoke, he suddenly choked. He covered his abdomen. The severe pain from his abdomen made him particularly uncomfortable. His whole body was shaking, and blood came out of the corner of his mouth. He said in horror: "Father! I feel uncomfortable. I
I can’t breathe, I’m afraid!!”
Yuan Shao slowly walked to his side and hugged him tightly.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here, I'm here..."
Yuan Tan cried softly. Soon, he stopped moving, and blood continued to flow from the corners of his mouth. Beside him, Yuan Shao hugged him tightly. Similarly, blood continued to flow from the corners of his mouth.
, for a time, the whole cell fell silent, except for the pot of wine on the ground, which still gave off a bitter and unpleasant smell.