With the arrival of a large number of central troops, the fighting on the entire bank of the Luoyang River came to an end. All the rangers who had planned to assassinate Di Renjie and others in the Luoyang River, except those who died on the spot, were all brought back to the Dali Temple in Luoyang by Di Renjie.
The old madam on the painting boat was already petrified with fear when the fighting started. He hid in a small warehouse on the side of the boat and shivered. When he was found by the armed guards, he learned that among the people assassinated by the rangers, there were actually members of the Emperor's family. At that time, the old bustard fainted after looking at him on the spot.
But even so, the entire painted boats on both sides of the Luoyang River and nearby were either taken away by people from Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment, and Luoyang Mansion, or were under surveillance, waiting for the summons the next day.
This night in Luoyang City is even more disturbing than the rumors that spread in Luoyang City that day. In the streets and alleys of Luoyang City, on this night, there are the sounds of horse hooves, screams, hurried footsteps and roars. The sound never stopped.
The entire city of Luoyang seemed to have returned to the scene when Emperor Taizong came to Luoyang. The entire city, whether it was common people, officials, or wealthy nobles, almost stayed up all night. Like frightened birds, they raised their ears high and listened to the outside world. Nervous voice.
Some aristocratic families who were bold or had a clear conscience mobilized all their servants and generals to take up arms and guard the mansion all night long.
It was not until daybreak that the city gates were symbolically opened. Luoyang City, which had been noisy all night, gradually became quiet. Before the light mist in the morning cleared, rows of heavily armed people appeared at the gates of Luoyang City. , the heavily guarded Central Army, with horizontal knives and crossbows hanging on their waists, looked at every civilian and carriage entering and leaving the city with vigilant eyes.
In sharp contrast, at every city gate or in the streets and alleys, there are plastered with imperial paper notices issued by Li Hong last night to refute the rumors, which is a reassurance to Luoyang City who has been nervous all night. .
As the sun slowly rises from the east, it drives away the mist in and outside the city at a speed that is imperceptible to the naked eye. After a night of soaking, the mist-soaked stone road is covered with messy footprints from last night.
The shouts of hawkers throughout Luoyang City and the drums in the bell tower rang almost at the same time. The streets and alleys in Luoyang City returned to life, as if everything was no different from yesterday. The nervousness last night made people's hair stand on end. The sound of weapons clashing seemed to have been buried in yesterday's night at this moment.
But even so, in addition to the common people, the wealthy nobles headed by the five surnames Qi Wang can still smell the slightest trace of unusualness and faint murderous intention in the lively and noisy air of Luoyang City.
The servants hurried back from outside one by one, and basically everyone held a copy of the notice that had just been removed from the streets and alleys of Luoyang City.
Cui Xuanwei looked calm and even had the slightest excitement when he woke up in the morning. At this moment, he was discussing with Cui Xinggong everything that happened last night while slowly taking the notice handed over by the servant.
A servant's report came to my ears: "This was taken off from the gate of our farm, and no one stopped it. Although there are people guarding every notice, it seems that the military guards are eager for someone to take these notices away. Little After the first two people took it off, Wu Wei posted another one, took it off and took it home. "
"So, no one doubts that it was you who took it away?" Cui Xinggong was very surprised, and his heart was filled with doubts for a moment. After the notice was posted, although it was announced to the world, it was His Majesty's imperial edict after all, and it was not allowed. It was taken away by others.
"No one should be suspicious, because after the villain took it away, the guards didn't even look at the villain. Instead, they immediately took out one with the other guards and continued to post it. As for the onlookers nearby, The common people and scholars were all focused on the notice of the new post and the voice of the literate people in the crowd reading it. Presumably no one would notice that the villain had removed it, and after the villain had walked around several squares, We just took a detour and came back." The servant looked at Cui Xinggong, the official of Yizhou and the future head of the family.
Cui Xuanwei, who had been silent all this time, read the notice carefully. After making sure that he understood the meaning between the lines, he held the notice behind his back and praised the servant: "Well done, go down and have a rest." , I’m calling you if something happens.”
Looking at Cui Xuanwei with a very proud expression on his face, Cui Xinggong said with some worry: "Father, is there something weird here?"
"What's weird? I've read it carefully. You can take a look." After finishing speaking, Cui Xuanwei handed the notice to Cui Xinggong, then sat down in the gallery and said slowly as if he was relieved: "Look The assassination effect of those rangers last night finally made His Majesty realize and make concessions. We have won this battle. "
After finishing speaking, Cui Xuanwei ignored Cui Xinggong, who had been lowering his head and silently reading the notice. Cui Xuanwei clenched his fist and hammered his thigh, looking extremely proud and relieved.
After struggling with His Majesty for so many years, this matter has finally come to a conclusion that is beneficial to the noble and wealthy family headed by Wu Xingqi Wang. In any case, it is worth celebrating. The hard work and careful arrangements these days have finally been paid off. .
Looking at Cui Xinggong who was still studying the notice carefully, Cui Xuanwei said a little uncontrollably: "You still haven't understood it yet? In order to take care of your own face, His Majesty naturally cannot mention the pursuit of spreading rumors. If those people were prosecuted for their crimes, wouldn't it be a slap in the face for His Majesty himself? Therefore, the notice did not say anything about pursuing those who spread rumors and maliciously slandered us. It was Zhongshu and his disciples who left a mark on His Majesty when they drafted it. , to avoid embarrassment.”
"But... this notice didn't say that it's not my father to give up the pursuit of us? It just said that Your Majesty will not believe those rumors, and will not believe that our wealthy nobles headed by the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes will do what the rumors say. Such things shake the foundation of the imperial court and exploit the interests of the people, but he did not say bluntly that his Majesty will not pursue the charges of officials who risk their lives to remonstrate..." Cui Xinggong looked up and looked at his father who was indifferent, or seemed to be more energetic now. Suddenly I felt that all this was just a ploy by His Majesty to maintain stability in the court and the people of the world.
"Continue reading. Didn't you also write that since the autumn harvest is approaching, officials who have left their jurisdiction will be ordered to return to their jurisdiction immediately from today? Doesn't this mean that His Majesty has given up? To hold people accountable, they planned to make big things into trivial matters..." Cui Xuanwei has a good memory, not to mention that it is a notice related to their own interests, so he can even recite the above meaning word for word.
Cui Xinggong looked at his father who was relaxed and somewhat proud, and felt more and more uneasy in his heart. He couldn't help but shook his head, put down the notice and stood up. He looked at Cui Xuanwei and said solemnly: "Father, this majesty is not that majesty. Now I His Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, is very good at playing word games. This seemingly rigorously worded notice in support of our Five Surnames and Seven Hopes is most likely a ploy by His Majesty to paralyze us and maintain stability in the court and the people and scholars of the world. "
Cui Xinggong walked slowly in the corridor, but his brows furrowed deeper and deeper, as if analyzing or telling Cui Xuanwei, he murmured to himself: "Your Majesty's move is very likely to split the five of us. Qiwang's desire to unite and divide is a purposeful pseudo-concession. The notice seems to be biased towards us, but in the whole article, except for His Majesty's statement that he did not believe the rumors that arose in Luoyang City yesterday. , the rest... He didn't say anything at all! Father, if you don't believe me, take a closer look. Apart from what I just said, did your Majesty say any words or words in this whole article that were directly affirmative? No longer hold the officials with five surnames, Qi Wang, and those who risked their lives to remonstrate, and you said that all officials should be sent back to their posts, and that it would be from now on. But as an official in Yizhou, why has no one informed me yet? Is it time for me to return to my post? Doesn’t Yizhou produce food? There must be fraud in this, Father, we still have to think about it in the long run.”
Cui Xuanwei looked stunned at first, and immediately recalled the contents of the notice in his mind. When he was unsure, he grabbed the notice and compared it with what he had memorized in his heart.
But no matter how he looked at it, he felt that the entire notice was a carefully worded statement made by His Majesty to them and others for the sake of face, making concessions, pardoning, and not pursuing prosecution for risking their lives to remonstrate with officials. After all, it clearly stated: Because the autumn harvest is coming, the official who ordered the invitations will return to his post from now on.
"Are you too worried? Father, I have read it several times and didn't find what you said. Maybe you are under too much pressure these days. After all, as an important minister of the imperial court, I am pulling you back to fight against His Majesty. I'm afraid You're overreacting. Could it be that my father is so blind that he can't see things like this in black and white?" A smile appeared on Cui Xuanwei's face, but the smile at this moment was not as high-spirited and triumphant as before. , looking somewhat guilty and stiff.
And Cui Xinggong obviously did not feel relieved by his father Cui Xuanwei's words of comfort. He was still looking into the distance with a solemn expression, or his eyes fell on the notice and murmured: "No, it's definitely not like this." Yes, His Majesty has been on the throne for more than five years. As a court official, I have some understanding of Your Majesty. Your Majesty is never someone who gives up and gives in so easily. Otherwise, he would not be the current His Majesty with three thousand people. Running towards Dashi, in less than three months, the originally seemingly monolithic Dashi was broken into pieces, and yet he was able to calmly lead the central army back to Anxi, my country, safely and soundly in that critical situation... "
"Then tell me, what is the intention of His Majesty's notice? What is its purpose? Is it just for the autumn harvest, to deceive us? But how can you deceive us with black and white letters..." Cui Xuanwei was attracted by the somewhat nervous Cui Xinggong. , he was also a little upset. His originally cheerful mood in the morning was completely ruined by his cautiousness. It was really a sight to behold.
But what he didn't expect was that his son's words immediately plunged him into deep contemplation.
Cui Xinggong suddenly turned around, his expression became extremely nervous, and he pointed at the notice and said hastily: "Yes, it's the autumn harvest!"
"What do you mean?" Cui Xuanwei felt that he was almost startled by this treacherous son, and he jumped up from his chair in fright.
"In the Tang Dynasty, all the people who were asked to behead were Qiuhou, so after the three departments of the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple and Yushitai met, they would all add the four words "Qiuhou beheading".
"So what?" Cui Xuanwei felt as if his head was hit by a heavy hammer and started to buzz.
"Because in addition to the four words "Qiu Hou Wen Zhan", there are also the four words "Qiu Hou Settle Accounts!" At the end of his speech, Cui Xinggong was speaking word by word, but his voice was slightly trembling.
(End of chapter)