From now on
The curtain of the Spring Festival is slowly opened, the first year of Chengqi is quietly leaving, and it has been two years since Chengqi.
According to the law, from the Spring Festival to the Shangyuan Festival, scholars, peasants, businesses, and businesses in all parts of the Wei Kingdom take annual leave.
But... The bell and drum tower on the south side of the city wall rang at the same time during this period, which was the horn to call the residents of the whole city.
Qi Yan and Du Zhong on the city wall and a group of officials from the capital have already taken their places. Fifteen prisoners kneeling under the city wall wearing prison clothes shivered in the cold wind.
Under the guidance of the officers and soldiers, the residents of the city quickly gathered under the city wall, including those who had surrendered before and had not been resettled.
Du Zhong looked at the crowded crowd under the city, and said to Qi Yan, "Your Highness, most of the people in the city should have arrived."
Qi Yan nodded, came to the gap in front of the city, took out a scroll of handwriting from his sleeve, and read aloud: "After investigation, fifteen people in the city abused their power and used their power for personal gain. Taking advantage of the natural disaster, they made a lot of money and were greedy for ink. Relief money, food relief, equivalent to 300,000 taels of cash, not only deducted the disaster relief porridge privately, but also was so mad that he added sand into the disaster relief rice, which is a heinous crime and cannot be forgiven!"
There was a commotion in the crowd under the city walls, and almost everyone had angry expressions on their faces.
If I hadn't seen many officers and soldiers maintaining order, I would have wanted to attack them in groups.
Qi Yan: "Before this official was ordered to leave the capital by the emperor, His Majesty had repeatedly instructed: Huainan natural disaster cholera, people's life is not easy, you and I can't understand the suffering, we must deal with it leniently, guide the people who have gone astray to return to the right path, and give An opportunity for them to change their minds.”
Qi Yan bowed his hands to the sky and continued: "Your Majesty's order, the minister did not dare to forget for a moment. However, His Majesty also bestowed the sword of Shangfang, which specifically intended to have the discretionary power of life and death for officials in Huainan who committed treason and crime. According to this dynasty According to the law, the 15 people in the audience who had the most serious circumstances would be executed, and the rest would have their property seized and their jobs exiled. However, the official thought again and again, the actions of these 15 people were inhumane, sympathetic, and innocent. Forgive me. Then I used the sword of Shangfang bestowed by Your Majesty and dealt with it with the law. Fifteen people in the audience were all beheaded and executed at three o'clock in the east of the city tomorrow at Caishikou. His Majesty has sent two silver coins to rebuild the homes of the disaster-stricken people in Huainan, and issued 20,000 copies of the amnesty volume. Everyone can receive them. They can be given to relatives and friends, old friends, and the order of rebuilding their homes this time: those who have no males at home, or Those who have the youngest sons of Gaotang will sign up with Master Du later, and they will be given priority to build houses after verification. The rest, regardless of their background, will be decided by drawing lots, and the order cannot be changed or exchanged. In addition, the imperial court is also planning to purchase 300 fat pigs If you are willing to sell it, buy it at 20% of the pre-disaster market price, and come to Mr. Li beside me to sign up. These 300 fat pigs are used for all the people who are willing to return to the right path, and those who are involved in the city with special , have a full meal, and eat as much as you want."
Some of the people in the audience showed envious expressions, but they were basically happy, because at least this could save Huainan from the war. Who would want their hometown to be reduced to a scorched earth
Smart as Qi Yan, how could he not know the thoughts of these people? Rebellion is not only not punished but also eaten, so how can it be done
Qi Yan changed his words and continued: "But this meat is not free, Your Majesty is kind, and this special is the only time I have heard of it. After eating the meat, let them join the ranks of repairing the house, and I will share with you all. Together with the sergeants of the imperial court, only meals are provided every day to provide accommodation, and the work will be slightly heavier than the others. If the rest of the people are not repairing their own houses, each person will receive ten coins per day."
There was a burst of cheers from the crowd. Ten grains of money could buy ten steamed buns and five steamed buns in Huainan. They were all villagers. They had no other plans. Why not do it
Qi Yan left with cheers, and the fifteen people in the audience were cold from head to toe. Several officials of the Ministry of Punishment had a little doubt in their hearts: some of these fifteen people had nothing to do from beginning to end. No explanation, and no definite problems were found, why did Qi Yuanjun send people down like this
Qi Yan didn't explain it to anyone, some things can only be understood and cannot be explained in words.
All the signs show that these masked people are behind the scenes, that there is a problem in the jurisdiction of these 15 people, and those who can be found to be corrupt are not as scary as those who are "clean and innocent".
Not for money, then for what
The shadow of the masked man is not yet suitable for a household name, lest there will be another incident.
But these five people, Qi Yan thought about it... For the stability of the society, I would rather kill them by mistake than misplace them.
Even though all these things were done for Nangong Jingnu, Qi Yan exaggerated the emperor's grace in front of the people, and told them from the side: His Majesty's house is kind and it is his decision to kill them.
…
The capital, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, is the Shangyuan Festival.
There is no curfew in the capital tonight. Although it is a national mourning, there are still many elegant lanterns hanging on the street, which are a bit more elegant than the red and green lanterns in previous years.
The streets of the capital were crowded with people, but the Ministry of Works member Wai Lang's mansion was cluttered, and there was even a sense of desolation.
There was only a single lantern hanging in the doorway, the door behind the door was closed, and there was not even a housekeeper at the door.
The courtyard is even darker, and there are few fires.
A black shadow that seemed to be integrated with the night, easily jumped up on the courtyard wall of Li Qiaoshan Mansion, a worker from the Ministry of Works.
Li Qiaoshan said that he was sick at home since a few years ago, and it has been a long time since he closed the door to thank guests. He felt his eyelids throbbing since the morning. It was difficult to sleep, so I came to the study with clothes on.
Hei Ying knocked on the housekeeper at the door with ease, but sneaked into the dark bedroom but was completely empty, so he searched for the candlelight again and came to Li Qiaoshan's study.
The shadow stuck to the pillar beside the door, raised his hand and pushed the door of the study, and found that the lock was locked from the inside.
"Tuk Tuk Tuk"
A knock on the door broke the silence of the night, and Li Qiaoshan in the study was shocked to drop the scroll in his hand. After a long silence, he asked, "Who?"
Hei Ying lowered his voice and replied, "Master, someone has come from the palace, saying that His Majesty gave you a typical dish, please go out to the palace to welcome you."
Li Qiaoshan always felt that the voices outside the door were a bit familiar, but he did not dare to neglect the things bestowed by the emperor. The Wei Kingdom has this rule: on New Year's Eve and Shangyuan, the palace will give some dishes to the ministers. Not everyone in the mansion has it, but it is an invisible commendation. Those who have been given regular dishes are unavoidable to be promoted to rank in the coming year.
However, at this moment, Li Qiaoshan couldn't be happy no matter what, the shadow of death was hanging over him, and after another long silence, Li Qiaoshan still came to open the door.
You can't let your servants take the dishes on your behalf, you must come in person.
The sound of the door bolt sliding just sounded, but the door of the study was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and the tall but vigorous body of the shadow rushed into the study, and opened his big hands like pliers to hold down Li Qiaoshan's lower face, pushing As he entered the study, Li Qiaoshan failed to even call for help.
Hei Ying didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, a dagger with cold light appeared in his hand, which accurately touched Li Qiaoshan's neck. Although he turned his back to the door, he just moved the door twice with his foot and closed it again. , seems to be a kung fu master, and is also very familiar with the terrain of Li Qiaoshan's house.
Li Qiaoshan's face was ashes, but there was a hint of happiness and relief in his eyes. He had sent Gaotang's mother, wife and young son to a safe place a few years ago. He didn't leave, but he wanted to use his own life to save his family. After all, he offended him. The hands and eyes are open to the sky, and the other party will not give up unless he dies.
I have been anxious for so many days, and it is good to have a happy one.
After he figured it out, Li Qiaoshan opened his arms and said, "Go ahead."
Unexpectedly, the shadow laughed lightly, removed the dagger from Li Qiaoshan's neck, and tore off the mask: "Master Li is so brave."
The person who came was one of the personal guards around the masked man: Wu Er, the younger brother of the Wu family brothers.
Wu Er turned around and locked the door of the study, walked to the table and lit the lamp, and said, "Master Li, please take a seat."
Li Qiaoshan looked at Wu Er cautiously: "What exactly do you want to do? Someone Li asked himself that he had never betrayed His Highness, why would he be so heartless and kill him?"
Seeing that Li Qiaoshan didn't sit down, Wu Er sat by himself. He didn't answer Li Qiaoshan's questions, but took out a wooden box from his arms and threw it on the table with a bang: "This is a gift from the master. Lord Li's gift to the Yuan Dynasty, I hope Lord Li will accept it with a smile."
Li Qiaoshan stood there for a while before coming to the table. He picked up the brocade box and exclaimed. Inside the brocade box was a finger and a thumb.
There is also an emerald green wrench on the finger. The wrench is crystal clear, round and lustrous, but it looks a bit scary because of the blood.
There was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and the housekeeper's call came in: "Master?"
Wu Er, however, sat in the distance without fear, bending his fingers to look at his polished nails.
Li Qiaoshan's body trembled uncontrollably, tears were trapped in the eye sockets, choked several times, and finally the tears dripped into the wooden box and onto the emerald green finger.
This wrench is the heirloom of Li Qiaoshan's mother. The old man loved his daughter and added this wrench to the dowry before Li Qiaoshan's mother got married. After Mrs. Li took charge of the Li family's size, the wrench was taken out. It has been more than 20 years since I wore it on my hand.
How could Li Qiaoshan not remember this finger-wrench? His mother was not in good health, and only gave birth to his own son. Fortunately, the eldest grandson also took the position of the mistress of the house. Li Qiaoshan's father was a former court official. After his death, the mother and son depended on each other for life. Li Qiaoshan Shan's filial piety is notorious.
But he never imagined that he would hold one of his mother's fingers on this New Year's Eve night, a day that should have been a happy family day.
Jia Ding: "Master? Don't you worry?"
Li Qiaoshan finally recovered his senses, staring at the blood-red eyes and roaring outside the door: "Go away, all go away for Lao Tzu, all go, go!"
Jia Ding: "...Yes, yes, the little one will go away."
The door was clean, Wu Er said slowly, "Master Li, can you recognize me?"
Li Qiaoshan put the wooden box on the table, raised his sleeves and wiped his tears, turned around and knelt in front of Wu Er, and kowtowed loudly: "Murdering is no more than hitting the ground, not the wife and children. Qiaoshan asks himself that he has never done anything to betray his master. If the king wants a minister to die, he has to die. If he wants to kill him, he must kill him. Even if he asks me to hang himself immediately, I have nothing to say. Baby."
The laughter on Wu Er's face disappeared, and he was replaced with a cold face, as if he was not looking at a living person, but a corpse.
Wu Er: "The moment you provide the wrong information to the master, you are already dead. Whether you can keep one for you depends on the master's intention."
At this moment, Li Qiaoshan has already lost all his thoughts and even regrets it. Why did he get on the thief ship of the former princess
Just because the princess of the previous dynasty saved her mother's life because of her excellent medical skills, Li Qiaoshan has left high officials and wealthy people for so many years, and became a lackey, to the point of no redemption today.
Li Qiaoshan lowered his head in resignation and muttered: "It's all up to the master's instructions, let me do anything. My mother was in her sixtieth year, and her old man's life was saved by the master himself, so I asked the master to watch it for many years. For the last act of kindness, let her go to the old man, and my child... hey. If I die, Madam, he won't live alone, and he will always leave a person for my mother who will fall into the basin at the end of the day, right?"
Wu Er: "Don't worry, as long as you do as the master says, you will be able to repay the merits of this matter. Your mother, child and wife will be properly arranged by the master."
Li Qiaoshan: "I would like to be driven."
Wu Er took out a pile of things from his arms. The materials and sizes of the things were different, including silk cloth and rice paper.
Li Qiaoshan took the pile of things from Wu's second hand and said, "This is?"
Wu Er: "These are the articles Qi Yan has written over the years and the correspondence between her and the master. The master orders you to sound the imperial drum of the inner court as soon as the court opens tomorrow."
Li Qiaoshan: "Master, is this asking me to sue the imperial court?"
Wu Er: "That's right."
Li Qiaoshan's face turned pale again: "Who in the world doesn't know that Qi Yuanjun's holy favor is very good, and Ding Yi, who was a while ago, was imprisoned for impeaching him for not being a father and son. I..."
Wu Er: "Why, are you afraid?"
Li Qiaoshan: "Zuo is just a death. As long as I can save my family, I recognize it, but... I'm afraid that I won't be able to defeat Qi Yuanjun with these things alone. Besides, what position should I take to sue the imperial court?"
Wu Er smiled slightly, and there was a twist of excitement and cruelty in his eyes: "Then I will tell you another secret, Qi Yan is not only the prince of Beijing, she is also a woman! You shouted this news out in the courtroom. , as for the position..."
Wu Er took something out of his arms and handed it to Li Qiaoshan: "The master has already thought about it for you, so you can take power and treat yourself as a traitor who regrets the beginning. This is the master's personal seal, which is in the Hongwen Museum of the Inner Court. There should still be the master's articles from the past years, and this seal is stamped. If you hand it in, it means that you stole it at the risk of dying to prove that what you said is true. You also stole these things from the master's study. Yes, you must let the courtiers hear clearly, no matter what the situation is, first of all, let everyone know that Qi Yan is the prince of Beijing, or a woman who has colluded with the princess of the previous dynasty, intending to subvert the regime of Wei State. Qi Yan participated in the burning of the ancestral tomb of the Nangong family and the Weiming Palace. Over the years, he used Nangong Zhenzhen to murder Zhongliang and poison the emperor's heir. The latter...you can say as much as you want. Death is inevitable. , but you have to bite Qi Yan into the water at all costs, and your family can be saved after the event is complete, understand?"
Li Qiaoshan slumped on the ground and nodded mechanically: "Understood." Got it, he understood everything.
Even if he didn't betray, he would have already become the "abandoned son" of others. Qi Yuanjun has a deep foundation and has a deep prestige in the court and the people. If you want to overthrow him, or she...you must have one. It is possible for people who don't care about their lives. The reason why Ding Yi and his son failed before was because they lacked the courage to burn jade and stone.
The masked people that Li Qiaoshan knew would never do anything unsure, that is to say... Maybe the moment she ordered herself to visit Qi Yan, who was still her concubine in prison, she was already planning.
That inconspicuous thing in those days, if it is scrutinized today, it will become evidence of the collusion between himself and Qi Yan, that is to say, no matter whether he is loyal or not, whether he has sent the wrong information, as early as two years ago... Doomed.
Li Qiaoshan now has no energy to surprise the famous imperial husband, Qi Yan and Qi Yuanjun are actually a woman's business.
After tonight... I may never see the sun in the future.
Collusion with the previous dynasty, conspiracy with the imperial husband to subvert the regime, even the first complaint... will not survive the day when the case is closed.
The day Qi Yuanjun was sentenced was also the time of his own death.
Wu Er: "What?"
Li Qiaoshan: "Excuse me... Tell the master, I will complete my mission, I just ask her... to spare my family."
Wu Er: "You don't need to worry about this, the master has always kept his word."
…
In the second year of Chengqi, February 24th.
Spring has come to Huainan. Under the auspices of Qi Yan, Huainan has successively recovered three cities without bloodshed, and there are still three cities that are stubborn and unresolved but are lonely cities without assistance.
Since the story of Qi Yan punishing those fifteen corrupt officials spread, although many well-educated scholars did not agree with Qi Yan's handling of the law, and they were still carrying out executions in the first month, Qi Yangui was the emperor's husband and had the blessing of Shang Fang's sword. , these people only dare to talk about one or two behind their backs, or write a few innocuous poems, insinuating Qi Yan.
But the vast majority of people, especially those affected by the disaster relief food mixed with sand, all applauded.
Many of them were afraid that once the emperor's husband left, these people would make waves again, and their lives might not be guaranteed, but Qi Yan used her thunderous means to completely dispel the doubts of the people.
Since then, the amnesty volume has been in short supply for several times, so Qi Yan had to send a special document to write it, and finally it was written by herself, and the last three cities also had people who came out of the moat almost every day, willing to Refreshed.
As for those who fell on the mountain to become pirates, Qi Yan asked Sanwa to lead the way, and Du Zhong led his army to attack Yuanbao Mountain. He captured Yuanbao Mountain without any resistance and found a lot of ordnance in the cave mentioned by Qian Yuan. .
In short, Huainan is on the verge of rejuvenation, and the smiles of the people are coming back. Every day, they perform their duties to rebuild their homes...
February 24th.
An imperial edict and a team of Youzhou sergeants arrived in Huainan with an imperial edict...
Qi Yan was working with the people with her sleeves rolled up, and was found by Du Zhong.
Du Zhong: "Your Highness, Your Highness... someone has arrived in the palace, and there is a decree."
Although Qi Yan was a little surprised, she didn't think much about it. After washing up, she came to the main hall of the mansion.
Chamberlain: "Qi Yan accepts the order."
Qi Yan lifted the hem of her robe and knelt on the ground: "My minister, Qi Yan takes the order."
In-house attendant: "Fengtian carries the emperor, and the edict said: Qi Yan will leave for Beijing immediately, and there must be no mistake. I respect this."
Qi Yan frowned, everything in Huainan was prosperous, but there were still three cities that could not be recovered. If he returned to the palace at this time, it would be like a handsome man before the battle. come
The servant glanced at Qi Yan and said in a unique voice, "Omiya, please accept the order? Don't make it difficult for our family."
Qi Yan raised her eyes, only to realize that behind the servant was a group of majestic Youzhou soldiers armed with swords and armor.
Qi Yan: "My minister, take the order."
The maid flicked the whisk: "I also asked a few people to pack up the luggage for the palace. The carriage is already waiting outside the yamen. After packing, we will set off immediately."
After Qi Yan came out, Du Zhong, who had heard the passing outside the hall, greeted him: "Your Highness... What's this...?"
Qi Yan responded with a consoling smile to Du Zhong, and said lightly, "Your Majesty ordered me to return to Beijing immediately, and everything after Huainan will be fully handed over to Master Du."
Du Zhong was a little puzzled, glanced at the Youzhou army behind Qi Yan, took a step forward and lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, doesn't Your Majesty know the situation in Huainan? Everything is going well now, I believe Huainan will be in another month. It can be decided, at this juncture, it is announced that you will return to Beijing, this… do you want to write a letter to Your Majesty?”
Qi Yan understood the meaning of Du Zhong, and the implication was: Huainan took it back without a single soldier and a single soldier. This credit is ancient and brilliant, as long as you wait for the last month, this credit will be taken by Qi Yan. , at this time Qi Yan is gone... Then what kind of person is he Du Zhong
Hasn't he become a villain who steals the fruits of other people's labor
Qi Yan patted Du Zhong's arm: "It doesn't matter. Huainan can still be safe today, and Lord Du also makes a great contribution. Besides, I am deep in the inner court.
Du Zhong sighed: "So, the lower officials deserve to be ashamed."
Qi Yan: "It's time and luck; please feel at ease, Lord Du."
Du Zhong: "Then... the lower official will send it to His Highness."
Du Zhong didn't understand why His Majesty was so eager to summon the emperor's husband back to Beijing, without even giving himself a chance to say goodbye to practice.
It was almost useless for Qi Yan to do anything, Qian Tong and Youzhou government soldiers quickly helped her pack her luggage, Qi Yan was invited to the carriage, and the waiter sang loudly: "Let's go!"
The sharp voice came from far away, and the accompanying officials and the people of the city crowded outside the city gate to see Qi Yan off.
Before the carriage had left, someone in the crowd shouted, "The imperial husband, Chitose!"
The people and officials knelt down one after another and shouted, "The emperor is a thousand years old!"
When Qi Yan heard the sound, she opened the car window and headed out. Seeing everyone kneeling to see them off, Qi Yan felt a little excited in her heart. She opened her mouth, but she didn't know what to say.
Qi Yan is not without feeling that all the officials in this line have stayed in Huainan, and she was taken away alone, and according to her temperament... Even if there is an urgent matter, she will send a private letter to herself first, and then the imperial decree will arrive.
I'm afraid... This time it will be less fortunate to go back.
Qi Yan hooked the corners of her mouth and looked out the window. She didn't have too many waves in her heart. Maybe it was because she had imagined the scene of this moment too many times on this day. When it really came, she felt relieved for no reason. Still a little dazed.
The team traveled day and night for six or seven days. When they came to the Hanzhong boundary, Qi Yan was sleeping and was suddenly awakened by Qian Tong's call.
Qian Tong: "What are you doing?!"
"Don't mind your own business, and serve the purpose!"
"Ah!" The inner servant's scream came, followed by a burst of fighting.
Qi Yan pushed open the door of the carriage and saw that Qian Tongzheng was fighting with two Youzhou soldiers. Although Qian Tong's skills were good, he was able to fight against one opponent and two Youzhou soldiers who had experienced many battles for a while. Difficult to understand, can't get rid of it.
Qian Tong: "Master, run!"
Although the number of Youzhou troops in this team is not large, there are still six people left, how could Qi Yan be able to run
Qi Yan saw two Youzhou soldiers walking towards him, with their sabres still attached to their waists, and said, "Qian Tong, stop!"
When Qian Tong heard the words, he jumped back two steps and got out of the battle circle.
Qian Tong: "Master!"
Qi Yan: "Go down first and wait for me fifty paces away. If they want to kill me, they have already started."
Qian Tong: "...Yes."
The two Youzhou soldiers looked at each other, one of them waved his hand, and the remaining six walked thirty steps in different directions, forming a circle with the carriage as the center.
Qi Yan: "What do you two have to say, let's talk."
Youzhou Army: "Your Majesty has a decree to give you this carriage and the silver under the deck. From now on, the sky is high and the sea is wide, and the emperor is free. You are ordered not to step into Gyeonggi for the rest of your life. If you violate it, you will be killed without mercy. "
Qi Yan looked at the speaker with unblinking eyes, and saw that the other party had forgotten what he should say afterward, and it was only after his companion stabbed him that he remembered, and took out another thing from his arms and handed it to Qi Yan: " This is a letter of resignation written by His Majesty, and the seal has already been put on it, you have put it away."