The earthquake in Yandi stretched for thousands of miles, and the whole country was in panic.
Three days later, the wrath of the earth dragon finally subsided, but at the same time, rumors spread everywhere.
No one dares to ignore the warning from the sky, why is the god so angry
People of insight dare not talk about it due to the royal authority, but the common people are different—they are ignorant but also more direct. Compared with the emperor who is far away in the sky, they are more afraid of the illusory gods, and they all speculate on how the emperor offended the heavens , Is it because of the inhumanity of the emperor, or is there a traitor who framed Zhongliang? Could it be that the anger of the gods has not subsided, and the next one will fall on him
The emperor couldn't stop everyone's mouths, and he didn't want to cover his own ears, and he also knew that defending the people's mouths was better than defending Sichuan. Even though he was unwilling in every possible way, after the earthquake ended, he still led all the civil and military officials to Huguo Temple to open an altar to worship heaven, and made a confession of guilt.
He specially arranged for people to read this mansion newspaper in the streets and alleys of various places every day, so that the common people could hear it, so as to change the hearts of the people.
"... I always hate that I don't have enough hard work. After three days of natural disasters, I bathed and burned incense in the palace day and night to pray for God's mercy and pray for the people. I dare not eat a grain of rice or drink a water. He has experienced it. Fortunately, Qin Tianjian spoke first, and I sent the three princes to lead the army to prevent disasters and evacuate the people in time. This is the virtue of heaven, and specially warned Xu Zhen to save the people in the water and fire. God Mingde, The lives of tens of thousands of people in Yandi are protected. However, I did my best, but there are still thousands of dead and injured. I am deeply regretful. Today I sacrifice to the heavens to avenge my crimes, and I hope the heavens have mercy... "
After reading this, Gou Liang lost the desire to read on.
"The emperor's old man is so cute, tsk tsk, don't eat or drink for three days and three nights to pray for the people, such a publicity with gongs and drums is enough to fool people."
Gou Liang put the mansion newspaper aside, with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.
However, no matter how much the emperor shirks responsibility, this matter will ultimately require a scapegoat to appease the wrath of God's punishment and stabilize the hearts of the people, and this person must have a high status, but I don't know who he will choose.
Gou Liang immediately thought of the claustrophobic former prince, and many thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he thought of Li Yan.
Although the disaster in Yandi was very serious, because the parents and officials of the most severely affected counties and counties were threatened or persuaded by Gou Liang's people, although they did not receive the emperor's order, they still transferred the people in advance, so the casualties were minimized.
It’s just that there are countless property losses, and the people have left their hometowns, and now it’s hard to return to their homeland, so they are inevitably depressed, and wailing can often be heard in the refugee shelters.
Fortunately, the imperial court was willing to spend a lot of money this time, and sent truckloads of silver and food for disaster relief, and sent troops to help rebuild their homes. Emperor Wu also stated in his decree that after the disaster, they would be rezoned according to the land registered in the government office, so that the desperate refugees could regain hope.
King An took the opportunity to show his presence in front of the refugees. He went to the refugees to comfort the people, and ate porridge with them. He gave a big speech to encourage them to face the new life bravely. vividly.
This reputation spread all the way back to Beijing, Li Yan was so angry that he smashed the inkstone, and said bluntly to Zhong Yue: Li Mu must not be allowed to return to Beijing alive! Otherwise, in the capital, there would be no place for the palace above the imperial court.
Now, the killer he sent was already on his way to Yandi.
Thinking of this, Gou Liang ordered: "Zhong Quan, be careful with others, don't let King An die."
"Yes, master."
"However, his life is useful, other things are fine..." He showed a malicious smile, "Come here with your ears."
Zhong Quan squatted down, Gou Liang leaned against his ear and gave instructions like this, Zhong Quan took the order and left.
After finishing Gou Liang's arrangement, he was about to return to the study to report, but was stopped by Wang Li.
Wang Li has dressed up with care today, her makeup is pretty, her clothes are gorgeous, her belt is tightly tied to her slender waist, her breasts are wrapped in lotus color and embroidered with red peonies, which is very eye-catching—seeing Wang Li walking towards the big blind spot with her chest up and smiling, Gou Liang Leng snorted: I'm afraid that others won't notice that she is flirting, but let's see how Zhong Quan handles it!
"Li'er met benefactor."
Wang Li bowed like a weak willow in the wind, showing what she thought was the most beautiful smile, and raised her head—Zhong Quan had already stepped past her and left.
Wang Li's smile suddenly froze on his face, his face was red and his ears were full of tears, but he still held back his temper, took a step behind and shouted: "Benefactor, please stay!"
Zhong Quan stopped, Wang Li was overjoyed, but he heard him say coldly: "Miss Wang's benefactor is not here, don't call the wrong person."
Wang Li said anxiously: "Benefactor, don't underestimate yourself so much. Li'er will always remember the kindness of Mr. Li'er who rescued you, but if you hadn't been in front of Li'er that day, Li'er would have been decapitated. Such a great kindness, Li'er Son-"
Zhong Quan: "Following orders is nothing to worry about. On that day, whether it is to save your life or kill you, as long as it is the master's order, I will do it for him. Miss Wang, the sea is very windy, so it's better not to walk around casually." , if you fall into the water, no one on board will save you without the master's order."
"Engong, please wait! My daughter has no other intentions, but just wants to know the name of Engong, so that I can pray for Engong in front of the Buddha in the future to repay the grace of saving my life..."
Before she finished speaking, Zhong Quan had already disappeared. She bit her lip and stomped her feet, "Stupid goose, do you know me..." As she spoke, she blushed for some reason, and ran back to the house with her skirt up middle.
Gou Liang, who witnessed everything: ... What the hell is this girl thinking
Zhong Quan didn't take this episode to heart. After reporting as usual, Gou Liang asked him to listen to some secret matters again, but he frowned before he could say anything: "Take three steps back, stay away from me .”
Zhong Quan didn't know why, seeing a trace of disgust in his eyes, he took three steps back in fear, and asked a little uneasily, "Master, why is this?"
Gou Liang sneered, "You are quite blessed, where does the smell of makeup come from? Yes, there is only one female Jiao'e on this boat. I think her appearance really favors you as a lifesaver. Plus, I delayed your good marriage..."
Zhong Quan didn't care to offend him, interrupted him hurriedly, and said anxiously: "Master, you have misunderstood! This subordinate ran into Miss Wang today, and only said a few words, nothing else."
"Oh," Gou Liang didn't believe his words at all, "then tell me what you said to him verbatim."
Zhong Quan paused, and then told what Wang Li and himself had said.
Gou Liang's face became more and more ugly.
"Hehe, what a benefactor! I'm afraid she won't be able to repay her life-saving grace, so let me promise you with my body!"
"This subordinate has absolutely no such intention!"
"Absolutely no such intention? If you hadn't done unnecessary things, how could she, a lady of the family, dare to express her love to you so bluntly? If she hadn't been too close, how could you have smelled of her powder on you in just a few words! "
"Subordinates never—"
"Enough! How dare you argue!"
Gou Liang was so angry that he couldn't help but smashed the teacup at his feet.
The porcelain shattered all over the floor, and some sharp fragments scratched Zhong Quan's face. Gou Liang's anger stopped, and he woke up for a while, angry and regretful, he squeezed his palms to suppress his anger and said: "Forget it, I'm tired, You just step back."
"Owner-"
"I tell you to get off, can't you hear me!"
Seeing his red eyes and furious look, where is Zhong Quan willing to go? He stood up and walked towards Gou Liang, then knelt in front of his knees again: "Master, don't be angry, this subordinate and her are really innocent, and have never had any contact with her."
Gou Liang turned his head and refused to listen, Zhong Quan held his face in his hands and stood up anxiously, "Believe me, Zhong Quan has no second thoughts about you!"
With his face covered by his big hand, there was no way to avoid it, Gou Liang's teeth were clenched, he suddenly pinched Zhong Quan's throat, and said coldly: "Tell me honestly, have you and that Wang Li already had a relationship?" ? Has she already climbed into your bed?!"
"No! Master, today is the first time this subordinate has met her on this boat, and after a few words with her, he hurried back to his life. Because of the strong smell of powder on her body, it was slightly contaminated."
He didn't smell it, but Gou Liang followed the old man to smell fragrances and identify medicines recently, and his nose was extremely sensitive, Zhong Quan did not suspect him.
I only hate that shameless woman, and I don't know how much incense was used to make him suffer this innocent disaster and make the master angry for no reason.
Thinking of this, a murderous look flashed in his eyes.
"Really, you are capable enough to make a body of a thousand pieces of gold treat you so recklessly." Gou Liang squeezed his throat harder and harder, "You'd better answer me honestly, what did you do to her that day to make her Treat you differently? Did the hero save the beauty, or did you touch her?"
He stared at Zhong Quan, and his eyes told Zhong Quan: If your left hand touches her, I will chop off your left hand, and if you touch her with your right hand, I will chop off your right hand!
It was clear that killing intent was on the rise, but Zhong Quan's heart throbbed, seeing his face flushed with anger, he felt a little bit of joy in his heart.
"Never!"
Zhong Quan didn't seem to feel the pain in his throat, and said repeatedly: "The subordinate was ordered to go that day, and only saved Li Xi. Maybe she and Li Xi were too close to cause this misunderstanding."
"Is it."
Gou Liang loosened his fingers a little, looked down at him, the murderous intent in his eyes not only did not fade but became more and more obvious, he said in a condensed voice: "It is a fact that she secretly promised you, you say, you can be moved ?”
"Absolutely!" Zhong Quan couldn't help but hugged him tightly into his arms, put his lips next to his ear and said in a hoarse voice: "Master Mingjian, this subordinate only wishes to be by Master's side all the time in this life. If she annoys you, subordinate Get down here and kill her!"
The scarlet color in Gou Liang's eyes finally dissipated, he let go of Zhong Quan's neck, and did not push him away, but said flatly: "Since they are the guests I invited on board, how can they just say that they are killed?" Kill? It's just that I'm really upset."
"Owner… "
Zhong Quan turned his head to look at him, and whenever Gou Liang wanted something, he would do it for him.
But Gou Liang didn't go on talking. He paused for a long time before he frowned and sighed, "Forget it, it's good that you recognize your identity. Zhong Quan, remember the oath you made yourself. If you dare to ... If you have an affair with others, I will definitely tear you to pieces!"
His voice was extremely cold, and no one would suspect that he was just threatening.
Zhong Quan only felt his heart beating like thunder, and the enthusiasm in his eyes couldn't be hidden from the close distance, looking at Gou Liang's ruddy lips, he suddenly had the following sinful thoughts.
He tried his best to bear it, and replied: "This subordinate will keep it in mind."
Gou Liang continued to ask him: "Even if you think about others, it's not okay even for a moment! If you dare to think about it, you should hide it. If you let me know, from now on, you don't have to appear in front of me again."
Zhong Quan's heartbeat became more violent, and the indifference and murderous look in Gou Liang's eyes were like honey, making him intoxicated.
[Ding, target favorability is updated, current favorability: +95.]
He couldn't help but put his side face against Gou Liang, raised his hand to stroke his neck, and said softly: "Master, I never think about others. You are the only one in my heart, and I miss you all the time—"
"Ahem, what are you two doing?"
The old man's voice suddenly sounded, Gou Liang was startled, his face blushed suddenly as if he had been scalded, and only then did he realize that he was too intimate with Zhong Quan at this time, so he pushed him away suddenly, and scolded in a low voice :"presumptuous!"
He hastily straightened his clothes again, stopped looking at Zhong Quan who was kneeling in front of him, and tried his best to maintain a normal look at the old man: "Grandpa, why are you here?"
The old man chuckled, "It's really my fault for disturbing your conversation, but it's time for a pulse check today."
Gou Liang's face turned even redder, and he couldn't help but glared at Zhong Quan viciously. The latter let go of his hands and stood up, with an unprecedented smile in his eyes, standing behind him, silently staring at the ruddy ears of Gou Liang. .
The old man took his pulse, and after a while, he said with a straight face: "Calm down, don't think too much."
Gou Liang blushed, coughed weakly, and tried his best to calm down his fast heartbeat.
After a long while, the old man withdrew his hand and said with satisfaction: "It's recovering well. You can walk a little longer in the future. If you keep at it, your legs may recover sooner than I expected."
Gou Liang couldn't hide his joy: "Thank you, Grandpa!"
The old man waved his hands, looked at Gou Liang and then at Zhong Quan, gave a smirk, and said, "Then you go ahead." Then he left.
Gou Liang's face, which had recovered to normal, turned red again, and he glared at Zhong Quan again, and said displeasedly: "Go out if you have nothing to do, you don't have to wait on us today!"
Zhong Quan looked at him quietly for a while, knelt down and straightened the blanket covering his knees, and then said: "Subordinate, obey."
He walked out of Gou Liang's sight, and the sound of footsteps went away... Gou Liang watched the big blind spot turn back silently, and fell back to stand guard outside his house. His heartbeat will be ruined by him (〃w〃)!
On September 13, King An was assassinated in Xingtang and nearly died.
The assassin was captured alive, and after being severely tortured, he forced a confession to reveal the mastermind behind the scenes, pointing the finger at the prince!
Previously, when the prince was injured and returned to Beijing, he arranged for people to spread the word, and implicitly pushed his own assassination on King An, but later, because of the severe earthquake disaster, such remarks seemed pale—after all, King An is now acting as the prince. It is an act of great benevolence and righteousness to leave the place of narrow escape.
Now, King An was assassinated for his outstanding achievements in disaster relief. Even though the emperor wanted to suppress this incident, the prince's reputation still plummeted.
Folk rumors revived, saying: The prince was not assassinated that day, but because he heard the celestial phenomena measured by the Qin Tianjian, he was afraid and dared not take risks, so he pretended to escape from his injuries.
The emperor was dubious, and asked the imperial doctor who diagnosed the prince to question. Under Tianwei's power, he really tricked the imperial doctor into fabricating the fact that Li Yan was ill.
The emperor was furious in his heart, but at this eventful time, he could only help the prince cover it up. He pressed the matter down, and asked his cronies to re-diagnose Li Yan's pulse.
Li Yan knew immediately that the matter was over, but Imperial Physician Wang was escorted by the Imperial Forest Army, so even if he wanted to coerce and lure him, he couldn't do anything.
Sure enough, shortly after Wang Taiyi left the East Palace, the imperial chief came to pass on the emperor's oral order, saying: "The prince is seriously injured and is bedridden. My heart is sympathetic, and the commissioner of the imperial hospital is authorized to stay in the East Palace to heal the prince. Don't worry about government affairs before you recover."
The emperor knew that his injury was fake, but issued such an oral order, wasn't he grounding him in a disguised form to expel him!
Li Yan was startled, and asked: "Then if Bengong recovers from injury—"
The chief steward of the imperial court said again: "His Royal Highness can rest assured and heal his wounds. You don't need to worry about other matters. Your Majesty also said: I will hide what happened that day for the sake of the royal family's face. If you don't know how to repent, then don't blame him for being unfriendly to King An." I will deal with it fairly!"
The imperial chief had left for a long time, but Li Yan was still sitting there, his face as white as paper.
"Hikoro..."
Seeing this, Zhong Yue was startled and anxious.
Li Yan just returned to the country god, stood up with force, and asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"... Your Majesty has ordered that you heal your wounds and loneliness in the Eastern Palace, and specially order me to accompany you."
Zhong Yue didn't know what the emperor said in the oral order to Li Yan, but his face was also solemn - the emperor was always afraid that he would have a close relationship with Li Yan, and the intention of passing such an order to him for no reason at this time was really suspicious.
Li Yan took a deep breath and said, "Father already knew that Bengong's injury was fake, but let Bengong rest in peace of mind to recuperate in the East Palace. Bengong was not allowed to intervene in government affairs. Do you know what Father is saying?"
Without Zhong Yue's answer, Li Yan continued: "He is trying to dethrone me, maybe one day I will die in this East Palace due to serious injuries under the order of my father!"
"Is this what you said was foolproof?"
"If you hadn't made such an unnecessary move back then, it would not be Li Mu who has made contributions in Yandi to win the hearts of the people, but me! Now, it is not Li Mu who is loved by all people, but me! Now, Li Mu is not dead. When he returns to Beijing, maybe I will The crown prince is about to abdicate to the virtuous! Could it be that this is the disaster of life and death you mentioned? It didn’t happen in Yandi, but in the capital!”
"Don't you understand why your father asked you to come here? As a direct descendant of the Zhong family in Tianji Mountain, you are not even as good as Qin Tianjian, a descendant who was taught by the expelled generation of the Zhong family!"
"He asked you, a trash, to be my companion! So that we can live and die in the East Palace together!"
Zhong Yue slapped him across the face suddenly, and asked coldly: "You said just now, who is trash?"