Han Shizu

After one sentence of instructions, within a quarter of an hour, Yan Tuo returned to the hall and bowed to Emperor Liu who was already in high spirits: "Officials, the drummer is waiting outside the hall!"

"Xuan!" Emperor Liu instructed with a calm expression.

Soon, under the guidance of the audience, the young man walked in. It was really hard to hold back in this magnificent hall, and he appeared extremely cramped, with a tense expression and hesitant eyes.

Before entering the hall, the audience urgently explained some precautions, but when it came to His Majesty, all he could remember was kneeling down.

Emperor Liu looked at this person, and had to say that, just from his appearance, he didn't like the gloomy look on his face.Seeing his terrified appearance, Emperor Liu couldn't help but think to himself, how dare he come to sue for impeachment?Not even as good as the old farmer back then.

"Who are you? Where is your family name? Where did you come from?" Emperor Liu asked lightly.

Faced with these three consecutive questions, the man seemed to have come back to his soul, and answered with his head buried in his head: "Your Majesty, the name of the people is Xue Che, the family of Dunqiu in Kaifeng Prefecture, and his family is in business."

"What did you sue for? Who did you sue?" Emperor Liu's tone gradually became severe.

Hearing this, Xue Che was obviously a little nervous, but after a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said: "Return to Your Majesty, Xiaomin does have a grievance! Xiaomin sued Zhang Jinjie, the Inspector of the Imperial City Department, for killing people." , Destroy the family and seize wealth. Xiaomin's family, all of them were harmed by him, and they only saved themselves, there is no way to sue, and now they risk their lives to sue, and implore Your Majesty to avenge Xiaomin's grievances!"

Hearing the mention of Zhang Jinjie by the Secretary of the Imperial City, Emperor Liu's heart moved, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his eyes seemed to be condensed into sharp blades, pointing directly at Xue Che who was kneeling: "Oh? Be clear, the Zhang Jinjie Festival, how did you ruin your family?"

Hearing and asking, Xue Che's eyes immediately turned redder, bursting out with strong hatred, and just looking at this look can add a little bit of conviction.Xue Che said: "Xiaomin's family was originally engaged in some jade business. After three generations, it can be regarded as a small achievement, and there is no need to worry about food and clothing. My father, Xue Xian, bought a piece of Hetian Qiyu more than [-] years ago. It was of high quality and invited skilled craftsmen. According to its shape, it will be carved into a jade Buddha and enshrined in the family as a family treasure.

However, last year, I don't know where Zhang Jujie learned about the Jade Buddha, and found my father to ask for the Jade Buddha.At that time, my father loved this thing very much, politely refused, and then discussed it with Xiaomin, but it was still difficult to feel at ease.

The prestige of the imperial city is well-known, and that Zhang Jie is the son of the imperial envoy. Xiaomin and his son are terrified that it will lead to disaster, so they decide to donate the Jade Buddha.But on the next day, the Dunqiu county government sent arresters to surround the house, ransacked the house and locked up the people, and sealed up the shops he was running.

I wanted to try to save each other, but unexpectedly within three days, my parents and brothers were sentenced to death, the family and servants were all sent to Anxi, and Xiaomin was also wanted and hunted, and fled everywhere.

Xiaomin originally wanted to go far away and hide his name to save himself, but every time he thought of his parents and brothers who were murdered, he was in pain, so he boldly sneaked to Luoyang and risked his life to sue, please Your Majesty.

As he spoke, Xue Che took out a blood test from his bosom and held it in both hands.His description is very emotional, and it is inevitable to make people feel sympathetic, but Emperor Liu listened with an expressionless face.

He took the dirty blood chart from Yantuo, browsed it for a while, put it down, pondered for a while, and then asked: "Are you telling the truth?"

"Everything that Xiaomin said is true! Don't dare to deceive His Majesty the Emperor!" Seeing that the Emperor seemed suspicious, Xue Che panicked, and immediately kowtowed his head heavily to show that he was sure.

"Huangcheng Division and Dunqiu County, in what name did they ransack the house and lock up people? What crimes were they used to sentence your family to death?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Xue Che wept and said: "Xiaomin's family was falsely accused of being involved with the Kang family, and died for treason! Involvement, just sold a piece of jade to a member of the Kang clan in the early years."

Emperor Liu finally frowned a little, pondered for a while, stared at Xue Che and said, "What you said is all one-sided, do you have evidence?"

Xue Che beckoned and said: "The tragedy of Xue's family, the neighbors in the county, all have rumors, Zhang Jinjie's actions are rampant, as long as a little investigation, the truth will be revealed!"

Looking at this person calmly, after a long time, Emperor Liu Fang sighed softly: "Just for a Jade Buddha, is it worth going to such a big fight that you will destroy your family?"

"Xiaomin dared to sue His Majesty that it was not from the Xue family. As far as Xiaomin knew, there were dozens of good merchants and good people whose families were destroyed due to Kang's rebellion. , why only a Jade Buddha is the wealth of the Xue family!"

"Is there such a thing?" Emperor Liu squinted at Yan Tuo.

Noticing Emperor Liu's expressionless face, Yan Tuo thought about it quickly, cupped his hands and said, "I don't know. However, because of Kang's rebellion, it has indeed implicated many merchant families. As for whether there are grievances, it remains to be seen." Look at the specific investigation situation..."

Underneath, Xue Che seemed to have thought of something again, and continued: "Besides, Xiaomin also inquired about a piece of news that the Jade Buddha of my family was sought after, and it was intended to be presented as a gift for His Majesty's Jiaqing birthday..."

After saying that, Emperor Liu's old eyes narrowed again, with a little dangerous light.However, his eyes full of suspicion fell directly on Xue Che, so far, he also had a basic judgment on this person.

Staring at Xue Che, Emperor Liu's old face was so serious that he said in a deep voice, "Raise your head!"

Xue Che slowly raised his head, revealing his haggard young face full of stories.

"Tell me honestly, who ordered you to beat the drum to complain?" Emperor Liu asked slowly.

Hearing this question, Xue Che was stunned, and panic flashed across his face, followed by worshiping: "Xiaomin bears a deep hatred and was wronged for Xue, and would rather die with the villain."

"Answer me directly!" Emperor Liu said coldly: "When you are in front of the imperial court, you still dare to speak falsely. I don't care whether your case is wronged or not. If you dare to evade your words, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor first!"

"Your Majesty, Xiaomin." Seeing Emperor Liu's anger, Xue Che's face turned pale again, and he hesitated.

"Speak!" Emperor Liu already had a little murderous intent on his face.

Seeing this, Xue Che didn't dare to hesitate anymore, kowtowed and said: "Don't dare to lie to your majesty, Xiaomin went to Luoyang Mansion before suing the imperial court. Xiaomin heard that the governor of Luoyang Lvfu is fair and selfless, and he is not afraid of the powerful, so he asked to come to the door Go, make all the grievances.

Lu Fuyin said that the case is serious, the Imperial City Division belongs to the imperial government, and the Luoyang Mansion has no power to enforce the law. If the common people want to clear up their grievances, only Dengwen Yujuan can express their grievances, and only His Majesty can pay them back. Xiaomin's parents and brothers are innocent and just."

Another Lu Mengzheng appeared!In Emperor Liu's mind, turmoil gradually rose, and this matter seemed to be more and more "interesting".

"Not only that!" Looking down at Xue Che, Emperor Liu still had that penetrating expression, and said coldly, "I'm afraid not a fugitive who is wanted and arrested can find out what you have said! The case of Kaifeng is difficult even for Lu Mengzheng." Know everything, and how you sneaked into Xijing, and you can still see Lu Mengzheng!"

At this point, it is naturally impossible for Xue Che to hide any more, and he told what he knew like a bean: "Your Majesty, the report was indeed instructed by the Lord of the Lu Mansion, and some of what Xiaomin said was indeed from the Lu Manor. Yin.

As for Xiaomin's ability to escape the hunt and successfully go to Luoyang to file a complaint, he had to be guided and assisted by a hero."

"There is also a righteous man, who is quite capable!" Emperor Liu chuckled, "Who is this so-called righteous man?"

"Xiaomin doesn't know, but his surname is Zheng. He heard that my family was wronged, so he helped."

"Secretly, you little boy!"

When asked here, Emperor Liu had no other interest in Xue Che, waved his hand, and ordered to Yantuo: "Take this person down, so that he can be guarded!"

Soon, the Chuigong Palace became quiet. Emperor Liu's old waist could not bear to sit upright for a long time. He quickly tilted down and leaned on the throne, but his expression was still serious, obviously thinking about what Xue Che said.

After a while, Yan Tuo called tentatively in a low voice: "Do the officials have doubts about what this man has told you?"

"Why, you are also interested in this case?" Emperor Liu's words shocked Yan Tuo.

Yan Tuo hastily shook his head and said: "I just think that if the little man said, the plot is really serious, and it is really sensational and frenzied to pretend to prepare birthday gifts for the officials and harm people to collect money."

"Hehe." Emperor Liu laughed twice, and immediately rushed to the Yan and said: "You go to the Imperial City Secretary and inform Zhang Dejun of Xue Che's appeal. I want to see how he reacts!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo's heart moved slightly, and he obeyed his orders and left.

And looking at Yan Tuo's ridiculously flexible back from behind, Emperor Liu's gaze revealed a trace of suspicion as well.

Apparently, the old emperor had already noticed that a big net was being weaved subtly and rushed towards the Imperial City Secretary.A Zhang Jinjie is insignificant, and the real target is probably Wang Jien, the envoy of the imperial city.

The already exposed Lu Mengzheng of the Luoyang Mansion and the so-called "righteous man" surnamed Zheng are probably just the tip of the iceberg, and who is behind them and what forces may be more concerned about Emperor Liu.

As far as Emperor Liu is concerned, what is more concerned at the moment is not how many evil things the Imperial City Secretary has done, but who is targeting Wang Jien, the most trusted eunuch of Emperor Liu.There can be no waves without wind, and Emperor Liu would not have believed it if there had been no rumors.

And the first object of suspicion was Yan Tuo, after all, Emperor Liu had only expressed his dissatisfaction with Wang Ji'en in front of him.

If so. Thinking of this, Emperor Liu's heart became even colder. Yan Tuo was his personal servant, the head of the internal servant. If he had ties with foreign ministers, the consequences could be imagined.

This is already intolerable to Emperor Liu, and what he resents even more is that there are always people who like to guess his thoughts and attitudes and act accordingly.The older Emperor Liu is, the more he hates those behaviors that presumptuously speculate on Shangyi, and even self-righteously use "Shangyi" to achieve personal goals.

The Secretary of the Imperial City, the chief eunuch, and Wang Jien, the envoy of the Imperial City, also stared coldly at the back of Yan Tuo who was leaving triumphantly.In the hall, only two of Wang Jien's "Four Great King Kongs" have arrived, except for Wang Shouzhong who is resident in the office to assist Wang Jien in handling general affairs, the "righteous master" Zhang Jinjie.

Among the four names, Zhang Jinjie is the youngest, the best-looking, handsome, and mature with a mustache. It is hard to imagine that he is a ruthless eagle dog leader outside.

Of course, on weekdays, Zhang Jinjie is also the one who acts the most insolently and has the cruelest style.However, at this moment, he couldn't be arrogant any more, kneeling there with his head drooping, like an eggplant beaten by frost, there was even a little panic on that handsome face.

On the side, no matter whether it is Wang Jien or Wang Shouzhong, their faces are as sinking as water.Wang Shouzhong lowered his head, frowned and thought deeply, while Wang Jien kept pacing, turned around after a long time, and vented his anger towards Zhang Jinjie: "Look at what you did! It's okay to eat so ugly, and you can't clean up your hands and feet." It’s so clean that someone actually reported it to the official’s house!”

Faced with Wang Jien's accusation, Zhang Jinjie also looked annoyed, not because of anything else, but because of negligence and not cleaning up the troubles.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Jinjie solemnly said: "Father, please rest assured that the disaster was caused by my son, and I will bear it all my own, and I will never implicate you!"

However, this statement only ushered in Wang Jien's more severe reprimand: "Still talking stupid things! Now that things have happened, you think it's for you. Haven't you heard the story about Xiang Zhuang's sword dancing for Pei Gong? Haven't you?" See that old dog Yan Tuo's proud attitude? This is coming for me!"

Wang Ji'en's words shocked the two brothers Wang and Zhang, and Zhang Jinjie even blurted out, "They dare!"

"Father, is the situation so serious?" Wang Shouzhong couldn't help asking anxiously.

Wang Jien's old face twitched a few times, clenched his fist with his right hand, and said in a deep voice, "Whether it's serious or not depends on how the officials look at it!"

Wang Shouzhong answered immediately: "Your Majesty asked the old thief Yantuo to pass on the message. What is the meaning of this?"

Hearing this, Wang Jien walked a few more steps, stopped abruptly and looked at Zhang Jinjie, and said slowly: "This time, the officials have been alarmed, and even I may not be able to protect you. If you are punished by Ming Zhengdian Don't blame me!"

Hearing what Wang Jien said, Zhang Jinjie couldn't help but change his expression. Facing Wang Jien's cold and serious eyes, sweat could not help oozing from his forehead. After a certain amount of mental activity, he kowtowed and said, "Father is so kind to my son, and I am very grateful." , how can there be resentment? If you can not implicate your father, you will die without regret!"

As he said that, Zhang Jinjie laughed twice, and continued: "These years, my son has enjoyed all the glory and wealth, that's enough!"

Wang Jien carefully observed Zhang Jinjie's performance, and refused to let go of a single detail. After a long time, he took two steps forward and stroked his head with his hands: "I know your filial piety! Don't worry, as long as your father can get through In this pass, we must keep your little family and keep your incense alive!"

"Thank you father!" Zhang Jinjie kowtowed when he heard the words.

"Come here! Put this traitor into the cell!" Wang Jien turned around and changed his face, and ordered the guards outside.

Without escort, Zhang Jinjie took the initiative to go down to the cell.However, as far as Wang Jien was concerned, not only did he not relax a little in his heart, but he was even more worried.

"Father, what should we do next?" Seeing Wang Jien's seriousness, Wang Shouzhong asked proactively.

"Order to go down and throw out all the people. Also, send a letter to Shouyi and Jinren to report this matter. Check it out for me and keep an eye on the relevant people to check it out!" Wang Jien said coldly: "I want to see , Who is going to make things difficult for me, Mr. Wang!"

"Yes!" While Wang Shouzhong agreed, he reminded: "Your Majesty, do you want to go there?"

After thinking for a while, Wang Ji'en said solemnly again: "It's natural, I will enter the palace immediately! Didn't someone call me a strangled dog? I don't know how to look at the master for beating a dog?"

When he said this, Wang Jien's old face was almost contorted together. It had never been so ugly before. The resentment on his face might not be washed away by the water of the Yellow River.