Dawn is approaching, and tensions are rising inside and outside the imperial city.
Yuan Laoshangshu never returned to the military formation, but stood under the imperial city. The morning breeze blew, and the old man's old body swayed slightly. After all, he was old. Even if he only stood for an hour, it would be very difficult. With great difficulty, Yuan Moxian stood beside his father and looked at his stubborn father. Although he was concerned, there was also a hint of surprise in his heart.
The old minister has been an official for many years, but he has always stood firm in this complicated court. Of course, this is because he is highly respected and has disciples all over the world, but the most important thing is that the old minister has never been involved in the disputes in the court.
The old minister has been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for many years. Everything he does is carried out in accordance with the laws of the country. No one can find fault with him. He is a fair official. Even the four hereditary princes at the time were all courteous to this old minister. point.
While the Sima family was fighting to the death with the King of Huainan, the old minister stayed in his vegetable garden and ignored what was going on outside the window, as if the disputes in the court had nothing to do with him.
Yuan Moxian has been working under his father for many years, and he has also learned how to pretend to be deaf and dumb. He will never be involved in anything that has nothing to do with him. Even if it does have something to do with him, he will only take care of three things.
But what Mr. Yuan Lao Shangshu did this time was completely different from his previous official duties.
The old minister is getting old, and it will not be long before he can retire and return to his hometown. At this juncture, no matter what happens in the capital, the best choice is to stay at home, as in the past, and ignore what is happening outside the window. But this time When the old minister learned that soldiers and horses were entering the city, he put on official robes and rushed to the imperial city overnight.
What surprised Yuan Moxian even more was that among the many civil and military officials, no one took the initiative to step forward, but it was his father who took the initiative to come to the foot of the imperial city, preparing to persuade Qining to leave the city.
Yuan Moxian really didn't know why his old father wanted to get involved in this matter so actively. He saw the old man in the wind with his eyes closed and the white beard fluttering under his chin, but he didn't dare to say anything.
Hearing footsteps coming from behind, Yuan Moxian turned around and saw Xiao Shaozong walking over with a chair. He hurriedly bowed his hands and saluted. Xiao Shaozong smiled slightly, placed the chair next to Yuan Laoshang, and said softly: "The boss is old. It’s high, don’t stand for a long time, sit down and wait!”
The old minister then opened his eyes and glanced at Xiao Shaozong, but did not refuse and sat down.
Xiao Shaozong waved his hand, and the surrounding shield soldiers moved quickly, forming a protective layer like a copper wall and an iron wall around them. The old minister raised his hand to stroke his beard, staring at Xiao Shaozong, but did not speak.
Xiao Shaozong pondered for a moment, and finally said: "The troops approaching the city are not what the king wants, but they have to do it."
"Is it true that the prince wants to kill Qin Ning just because of his regicide and rebellion?" Lao Shangshu looked into Xiao Shaozong's eyes and asked.
Xiao Shaozong did not nod immediately, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Old Shangshu is very wise, and Xiao Wang admires him. Qining committed regicide and rebelled, and for the sake of our country and the country of Chu, he naturally deserves to die, but... Xiao Wang has murderous intentions for him. , but it’s not just this time, Xiao Wang had thought about killing this person a long time ago.”
Yuan Moxian on the side was startled and his lips moved slightly, but of course he knew that it was not his turn to say another word at this time.
"I didn't understand what the prince meant." The old minister seemed very calm: "Could it be that Qining has been rebellious for a long time?"
Xiao Shaozong shook his head and said: "Whether he was rebellious in the past, Xiao Wang doesn't know, but from the day he was born, he was destined not to live in the world, or...!" He pondered for a moment, then said: " Or maybe he shouldn’t have been born into the Jinyi Qi family!”
Only then did the old minister show a hint of surprise.
Xiao Shaozong looked up to the east and said calmly: "This person's rebellious heart is destined by nature. If he doesn't rebel today, he will rebel tomorrow."
The old minister naturally heard something in Xiao Shaozong's words, thought for a moment, and then said: "Master Lu asked something before, what is the reason for Qining's regicide and rebellion?" He raised his hand and stroked his beard and said: "Qining's surprise attack on the northwest , and made great military exploits for Da Chu. The old minister really can't figure out what his motive for rebellion is?" Staring into Xiao Shaozong's eyes, he said slowly: "To be fair, although he is from the Jinyi Qi family, he has no ability to rebel at all. , the Qinhuai Army was not under his control. The soldiers and horses of the Chu State that attacked the northwest came from Xichuan. He led the troops to attack the Northern Han Dynasty, and those soldiers and horses naturally followed him. However, if he wanted to rebel, the soldiers and horses stationed in the northwest would never be able to do so. For its use.”
Xiao Shaozong smiled lightly and said, "Does the boss think that he does not have the strength to rebel?"
"At least the old minister really can't see where he has the strength to rebel?" Lao Shangshu sighed softly: "If you just say that he doesn't have the strength to rebel, it is not enough to prove that he has no intention of rebellion. The most important thing is that sentence, he Why do you want to rebel?" He looked up at the imperial city: "Now he is trapped in the imperial city, surrounded on all sides, and it is impossible to escape. Qining is not a fool. When he entered the palace to kill the king, he should have thought of the consequences. Like this As a result, the old minister did not see any benefit he gained, but instead completely ruined himself and the Jinyi Qi family."
"Xiao Wang said that he was destined to be rebellious from birth." Xiao Shaozong sighed.
The old minister said: "The Jinyi Qi family is a family that has made great contributions to the founding of the country. The two generations of princes are the pillars of the empire. The Jinyi Qi family is also one of the most glorious families in our country. So I don't understand what the prince's words mean. What do you mean?" His eyes showed suspicion: "Your Majesty said that he was rebellious from birth. With all due respect, this will not only fail to convince the people of my country, but will even make everyone think it is ridiculous."
"Because Qining is not from the Jinyi Qi family!" Xiao Shaozong said calmly.
The old minister's body was shaken, and his face changed drastically. Even Yuan Moxian, who was hanging his head silently, suddenly raised his head, showing a look of horror.
After a long time, the old minister said: "Your Majesty, I didn't hear you clearly. What did you say?"
"Qining is not a member of the Jinyi Qi family." Xiao Shaozong repeated: "This person is not of the Qi family's blood, so the Qi family's loyalty cannot naturally be extended to this person."
Although the old minister was shocked, he was still able to control his emotions and shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, although Qining rebelled, there are some things that cannot be said. Although Qining rebelled, the Jinyi Old Marquis and General Qi both They are loyal ministers of the empire. They have made great military exploits for our great Chu. Although they are no longer here, their heroic names cannot be blasphemed."
Xiao Shaozong claimed that Qining was not a bloodline of the Jinyi Qi family, which was of course a ground-breaking thing.
Throughout the ages, everyone from the royal family to the peddlers and foot soldiers have attached great importance to the inheritance of their descendants. A family with great achievements in the empire, such as the Jinyi Qi family, naturally pays special attention to the inheritance of their family bloodline. Qining inherited it. With the title of Marquis of Jinyi, in the eyes of the world, it is naturally the extremely pure blood of the Qi family.
If someone says that Qining is not of the Qi family's blood, that would of course be a huge insult to the Jinyi Qi family.
The old minister is in charge of the Ministry of Rites, so he is naturally very concerned about human ethics. Xiao Shaozong said that Qining is not a bloodline of the Qi family. The old minister was shocked, but also a little angry. If Xiao Shaozong just talked nonsense to criticize Qining, then the old minister Shangshu really despised such words and deeds.
"Of course Xiao Wang knows that this is not a trivial matter." Xiao Shaozong said slowly: "So until now, Xiao Wang has never disclosed this matter to others. It's just that the old minister wanted to know the motive of Qining's rebellion, so Xiao Wang had to tell the truth. "
After a moment of silence, the old minister said: "Since the prince said so, of course he has evidence?"
"There is at least one witness who can attest to the fact that this is not false."
The old minister shook his head and said: "So, the prince also listened to what others said? Could it be that the witness the prince mentioned would not lie?"
"No!" Xiao Shaozong said with unusual certainty: "In Xiao Wang's opinion, if there is only one person in the world who can tell the truth, it can only be him. If he knew who he was, Old Shangshu would not doubt what Xiao Wang said. .”
"Who is the witness that the prince mentioned?" Old Shangshu looked directly into Xiao Shaozong's eyes.
Xiao Shaozong shook his head and said: "It's not that Xiao Wang is trying to hide his secrets. I have no choice but to tell the old minister the truth today. Before getting the consent of the witness, Xiao Wang can't reveal his identity." After a pause, he said: "Xiao Shaozong Wang only hopes that the old minister can believe what Xiao Wang said. As a last resort, in order to protect the reputation of the Jinyi Qi family, Xiao Wang does not want to reveal this matter to anyone." Seeing the old minister narrowing his eyes, Xiao Shaozong whispered: "As long as After successfully quelling the rebellion, killing Qi Ning, and stabilizing the capital, Xiao Wang will definitely ask the witness to tell the truth to the old minister personally. I wonder what the old minister wants?"
The old minister pondered for a moment, then said: "What the prince said is really hard for me to accept, and it's really hard to imagine...!"
"Old Shangshu has been an official for many years. Even without leaving home, Lao Shangshu will know everything that happens in the capital." Xiao Shaozong said softly: "Others may not know much about what happened to the Jinyi Qi family back then. But the old minister should not know too much."
"What does the prince mean?"
"General Qi's wife, Mrs. Liu, was pregnant with Liujia, and everyone in the market knew that Mrs. Liu was about to arrive." Xiao Shaozong said slowly: "When Mrs. Liu was pregnant, the servants in the mansion were still talking about the Qi family's impending birth. But as far as I know, just when Mrs. Liu was about to give birth, the Qi family suddenly became silent and no one mentioned it. General Qi suddenly came back at that time, and soon there was news that , Mrs. Liu saved the child due to dystocia, but... Mrs. Liu died because of it." Staring at the old minister, he asked softly: "The old minister should know this matter better than Xiao Wang, right?"
The old minister narrowed his eyes slightly, as if recalling the past. After a moment, he nodded slightly and said, "It is true."
"Then what happened next?" A faint smile appeared on Xiao Shaozong's lips: "After all, Mrs. Liu is also the wife of the general and the daughter-in-law of the Jinyi Qi family. If she passes away, she should be buried with a generous burial. But as far as Xiao Wang knows, the Jinyi Qi family seems to have I have never held a funeral for the Liu family, old minister, I wonder if what Xiao Wang said is correct?"