Just as the officials of the imperial court were filling out their votes, a large herd of cattle suddenly appeared on the official road east of Chang'an. There were thousands of them. Each cow carried two horns.
A strip of white cloth with large ink characters written on it.
‘Oppose King Jin’s accession to the throne!’
'Protect Li Tang Sheji!'
This was a protest against Guo Song replacing Li Tang. When the herd was still two miles away from Chunming Gate, thousands of internal guard cavalry rushed out of the military camp and rushed towards Chunming Gate like lightning...
Since the city gates of Chang'an are not closed at night, a large number of newly built residential buildings have appeared outside Chang'an City, especially on the east and west sides. Dense buildings have been built outside Chunming Gate, stretching for seven or eight miles, and are home to tens of thousands of households.
There are various shops on both sides, and they are no less lively than in the city.
The official road was crowded with people watching the excitement. Some people couldn't help but cursed at the owner of the cattle. Some even rushed to tear up the cloth. The people living outside the city were all the beneficiaries of the Jin King's new policy.
Wang's policy of not closing the city allowed a large number of people to buy land and build houses at low prices, and they had their own place in Chang'an.
Now that King Jin has ascended the throne and is expected by the public, some people use despicable means to discredit King Jin. Many people are angry and point at the cattle herders and curse him.
At this moment, yellow dust was billowing in the distance and the sound was like muffled thunder. A cavalry of two thousand people was rushing towards this direction. A soldier ran in front and shouted: "The cavalry is coming, everyone, step aside!"
The people on both sides retreated one after another. In a moment, two cavalrymen rushed like arrows from both sides of the official road, surpassing the herd of cattle in an instant. Dozens of cattle herders were so frightened that they turned around and ran away, but they were overtaken by the cavalry. They surrounded them and ordered dozens of people to do so.
Kneel on the ground and hold your head with both hands.
Wang Yue saw the cloth strip on the horns and ordered with a dark face: "Tear off the cloth strip!"
The inner guard soldiers worked together to tear off all the cloth strips from the cattle. The soldiers then drove the cattle to a small military camp not far away and temporarily stored them, and sent hundreds of soldiers to guard them.
"If someone comes to ask for a cow, just tell him that the cow can be taken back, but he must first go to the internal guard office to go through the handover procedures!" Wang Yue ordered a school captain.
"I understand the humble position!"
Wang Yue then pointed at the dozens of cattle herders and said, "Take them back to the internal guard office for interrogation!"
Dozens of cattle herders were taken back to the government office by internal guards. Although the incident ended quickly and no commotion broke out, there was still a lot of discussion in the Chunmingmen area.
As soon as a spy comes to the "Kyoto Express" newspaper office to sell the news, if the news is true and adopted, the spy can get a reward of one hundred cents. This is the favorite thing of many Chang'an idlers.
At this time, various ministries, temples, and provincial stations of the imperial court were collecting votes and sending them to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for statistics. According to regulations, the results would be released today. Dozens of officials from the Ministry of Personnel were busy reporting votes and counting, and officials from the Yushitai were supervising.
Du You came to the official office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and saw two groups of people in the lobby constantly reporting and counting votes, also using the method of writing "zheng". There were soldiers standing guard outside the lobby and no outsiders were allowed to enter.
At this time, Dugu Mingren, the Minister of Civil Affairs, saw Du You and rushed out to greet him. Du You asked, "Have they all been delivered?"
Dugu Mingren smiled and said: "I have received most of them. Only Dali Temple and Guanglu Temple have not been sent yet. I have sent someone to rush them."
"What's the result?" This is what Du You cares about.
"It's similar to the previous survey. The vast majority are in favor. Currently, there are more than 500 votes in favor, and there are only 23 votes against."
Du You's heart dropped, and he asked curiously: "Who is opposed? Is there a record?"
Dugu Mingren shook his head, "The opponents are all anonymous, who are they?"
"It really doesn't matter who it is!"
Du You smiled and said: "Try to end it today!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several officials were seen rushing over holding two cardboard boxes. One cardboard box said Dali Temple and the other said Guanglu Temple. That was all. Du You simply did not leave and waited for the final result.
In less than a quarter of an hour, all the statistics were completed, and the number of negative votes was finally locked at twenty-three.
Du You was completely relieved now. This was his idea in the first place. If it turns out to be self-defeating in the end, he would really have no shame in meeting His Royal Highness, Prince Jin.
According to the regulations drafted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the final number of votes is composed of one thousand votes, of which the army accounts for 400 votes, the court accounts for 300 votes, and the local prefectures and counties account for 300 votes. Now that the army is all in favor, then all 400 votes are obtained.
Already.
After excluding the proportion of dissenting votes, the court officials could get about 290 votes. Now the total number of votes actually in favor of His Royal Highness Jin's enthronement has reached 690, which is more than half of the total votes. Then local state and county officials will not count.
If everyone votes against it, the result will not be changed, and His Highness King Jin's accession to the throne is a foregone conclusion.
Du You hurriedly walked towards Lantai and reached the middle courtyard. Han Yu came forward and said, "The commander of the inner guard and commander Zhou are reporting the situation to His Highness?"
"Did something happen?"
"It seems that someone is causing trouble in the street and is opposed to His Highness's ascension to the throne. I don't know exactly why he will be demoted."
Du You frowned. If there was such a thing, he nodded, "Then I'll just wait a moment!"
.........
In the lobby, Wang Yue and Zhou Min were reporting to Guo Song about the Chunming Gate incident that occurred in the morning.
"Because the number of cattle was too large, I believed that the cattle owners would definitely come to ask for the cattle back. At noon, more than twenty cattle owners came. They were all landowners from various counties in Jingzhao Prefecture, and they all owned at least a thousand acres of land.
, they all hid near the capital, not showing up, but hired people to drive the cattle. They were all arrested and tortured one by one. It was a man named Li Zhuangyi who asked them to do this and promised them that if the cattle were lost, they would be punished.
Compensate them for their losses!”
"anything else?"
Guo Song asked coldly: "Why did they agree?"
"Your Highness, these landowners are very dissatisfied with Your Highness's Abolition of Slavery Law. They believe that the Abolition of Slavery Law seriously affects their interests, so if they can put pressure on Your Highness to cancel the Abolition of Slavery Law, they are willing to step forward, not to mention that the organizers are willing to compensate
They have been compensated in cattle money for their losses, but this group of people is greedy. After receiving the compensation, they want to take the cattle back, so they all go to the military office to collect the cattle."
"Who is this Li Zhuangyi?" Guo Song asked.
Next to him, Zhou Min said: "The humble position has been monitoring Wei Huan's movements. This Li Zhuangyi should be his chief steward Zhuang Yi. The cattle money to compensate these landlords is not only the burden of Wei Huan, but also Pei Yanling, Cui Yuanfeng, Dugu Dashi and others. They may
There will be other actions.”
"Any other moves?" Guo Song asked with murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"Maybe they want to create God's will, such as inscriptions, fish-belly brocade books, etc. In short, they will continue to build momentum and put pressure until His Highness cancels the abolition of slavery."
"Dugu Dashi was also involved?"
"He did participate. He not only contributed money, but also conspired with Pei Yanling and Cui Yuanfeng several times. He is very active these days."
Just as he was talking, an employee reported at the door, "Your Highness, the guard said there is an emergency to report."
Wang Yue and Zhou Min were startled at the same time. They looked at each other. What happened?
Guo Song ordered in a deep voice: "Come in and report!"
Not long after, a guard walked in quickly, knelt down on one knee and reported, "Your Highness, someone picked up an ancient stele from the Ba River, and there are words on it that are unfavorable to Your Highness."
"What are you talking about?" Guo Song asked quietly.
General Lang took out a piece of cloth, presented it and said, "Your Highness, please take a look!"
Guo Song took the cloth and opened it. On it was an inscription inscribed with ink. There were only eight words, 'Li Tang is reviving, and the Guo family must be destroyed!'
Guo Song suppressed the overwhelming anger in his heart and asked again: "Where is this monument?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, the stone tablet was carried back to the inner guard office. The fishermen who found the ancient tablet were very good. They wrapped the ancient tablet tightly with fishing nets and never untied it. Although there were many people who came to see the ancient tablet, almost none
No one saw the writing on it."
Guo Song nodded, "Go and reward the fishermen with twenty guan each."
"I humbly obey orders!"
General Lang went down, and Guo Song said to Wang Yue and Zhou Min: "It seems that it is impossible not to take action. We must arrest Wei Huan and his son Wei Min immediately. We must torture Wei Min severely and ask him to identify Wei Huan, Pei Yanling, Cui Yuanfeng and
Dugu Dashi is from the Wei Tang Society."
Guo Song immediately said to Zhou Min: "Add the names of the four of them to the list of Wei Tanghui. Tonight, arrest Pei Yanling, Cui Yuanfeng and Dugu Dashi. Tomorrow, we will ask the Yushitai to impeach Pei Yanling and Cui Yuanfeng!"
Zhou Min felt awe-struck in his heart, His Highness the King of Jin had not yet concluded the Wei Tang Hui case, so he was just waiting here!
Guo Song narrowed his eyes and said again: "Those twenty or so small landowners are also regarded as members of the Wei Tang Society, and their homes will be ransacked and executed!"
The two of them bowed and said: "Follow the order!"
After the two left, Guo Song ordered again: "Please invite Du Xiangguo to come in!"