Drunk Bamboo

The largest restaurant in Zhongdu City is Anhe Restaurant. In addition to being a place to eat and drink, it is also a place where news and gossip circulate.

No matter how bizarre or strange the things happening from all over the world are, the more exciting the discussion will be.

"Have you heard about the recent major events in Zhongdu?" the middle-aged man asked the person sitting at the same table mysteriously.

"Are you talking about the Princess Feng beating the drum to report the incident or the man-made disaster that befell the Han Mansion?" asked the companion young man.

"What happened to the Han Mansion was not a man-made disaster, it was clearly a natural disaster!" The old man at another table suddenly interrupted.

"Natural disaster? Isn't it said that the Prince Feng's Mansion did it secretly in revenge for Lord Han's complaint against Prince Feng for not abiding by palace rules?" the young man asked puzzled.

"It is obvious that Lord Han bribed the guards to falsely accuse King Feng!" the old man said firmly.

"Do you know anything about this?"

The people around him gathered around unconsciously.

"The relative of the servant of my cousin's niece's wife works in the palace, and he heard it with his own ears from the people in the palace." The old man stroked his beard and said slowly.

"Tell us what's going on?" Everyone's curiosity was aroused.

The old man said, "Prince Feng entered the palace holding the peony jade token to ask the imperial physician to save the life of the Grand Tutor. However, Lord Han falsely accused Prince Feng of violating palace rules and forcing his way into the palace with a sharp weapon. Don't you think this is just a fabrication? The imperial physician said that if Prince Feng had arrived a moment later, the Grand Tutor would have died."

"So that's how it is. The Wind King is not guilty and has even made merits?" The young man got the gist of it.

"Who says it's not true? The Queen Mother has issued an imperial decree, agreeing that the imperial physician can leave the palace to treat the Grand Tutor. But Lord Han insisted that the decree was issued by the Queen Mother, and Prince Feng took the imperial physician out of the palace without permission, which is a serious crime."

"Lord Han, do you have a grudge against King Feng? How can you just frame him?"

"Lord Han asked the guards to be witnesses. Princess Feng was indignant on behalf of Prince Feng, so she beat the drum to accuse Lord Han of false accusation."

"Haven't you heard? Those two guards committed suicide in prison last night. Where can we get the witnesses?" Someone said.

"It seems that King Feng was really wronged. If it weren't for this drum, King Feng would have been wrongly killed by Lord Han." The young man said suddenly.

"This drum was set up by His Majesty himself. Anyone can beat the drum if they have a grievance."

"But before beating the drum for reporting, one must be flogged! How many people can bear that?"

"I heard that this time the Wind Prince and his wife were punished together. It's a good story that the couple is of one mind."

"Your Majesty is wise. If you have any grievances to redress, you are willing to suffer a little."

"Yes, the drum set up by Your Majesty has paved another way for us ordinary people to seek justice!"

……

Everyone spoke one after another, and in the end they all praised Your Majesty's benevolent behavior.

This is the power of people's words.

Soon, the whole city of Zhongdu was proclaiming Your Majesty's wisdom.

Who cares how things start and end?

The masses follow blindly, and if more people say it, it becomes true.

After the court session, the emperor had breakfast with the Imperial Noble Consort in Fu'an Palace and had just returned to Baoping Palace for a short rest as he still had to review memorials later.

Eunuch Dong lit some calming incense, served some tea, and stood by waiting quietly.

The emperor closed his eyes and asked casually, "Is there anything interesting happening outside the palace recently?"

Normally, when the emperor was bored, he would ask Eunuch Dong this question. Eunuch Dong would then tell the emperor some interesting stories from the folks to make him happy.

Today is the third day of the incident between Prince Feng and Lord Han from the Ministry of Justice. The Emperor asked this question not just because he wanted to hear some interesting stories to relieve his boredom.

Eunuch Dong understood the emperor's thoughts very well. He lowered his eyes and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

"I haven't heard of any interesting things, but there are two things that people in Zhongdu have been talking about the most these past two days. The first is the princess beating the drum to report to the emperor."

"What are the people talking about?" The emperor raised his eyebrows and opened his eyes slightly.

"The people are all saying that your majesty is wise and has set up the drum for reporting complaints. Without this drum, how could the love between the prince and the princess be as strong as gold, and how could the people know fairness and justice. In the past two days, the drum for reporting grievances outside the Zhongdu government office has also been beaten by several people. The people all believe in your majesty, and believe that as long as your majesty is here, they will not be wronged and will get justice."

Eunuch Dong knew how to obey the emperor's wishes.

After saying this, the emperor's face showed a look of joy.

After hearing what you want to hear, the second thing is interesting.

"What's one more thing?"

Eunuch Dong smiled and said, "The second thing is the natural disaster in the Han Mansion."

"What do you mean?" The emperor found it interesting.

Eunuch Dong served new tea: "Ever since Lord Han was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, things have not been going well for the Han Mansion. Lord Han has been unwell for several days, and the plaque on the door of the Han Mansion has inexplicably fallen. The people all say that Lord Han wronged a good person, so the disaster happened. These are just jokes from the people after dinner, Your Majesty, don't worry about it."

It seems that Han Jian's reckless words in the court that day indirectly offended Eunuch Dong.

It was Eunuch Dong who said it, and he decided which thing to talk about first and how to say it.

The emperor knew that the natural disaster in Han Mansion was definitely a man-made disaster, but he also knew that the praise of the people in Zhongdu for the setting up of the Dengwen Drum was also due to human effort.

He said lightly: "Since the people say it is a natural disaster, then it is a natural disaster. The Han Mansion has suffered a little, and it will be fine if the wrath of heaven is appeased."

Eunuch Dong: "Your Majesty is right."

At this time, someone came to the door and reported: "Mr. Feng, the Minister of Justice, and Mr. Sima, the Censorate, want to see you."

"Xuan."

"Yes."

After a while, the two adults bowed and stood before the emperor.

The emperor stood up and sat in front of the desk, and asked, "The three-day deadline has come. What results can the two adults come up with?"

Lord Feng: "Your Majesty, Zhang Hu and Zhao Long committed suicide last night out of fear of punishment. They left a confession, confessing that they falsely accused Prince Feng of bringing a sharp weapon into the palace. Lord Han did not know the inside story and was deceived by them. Imperial Physician Qi explained that he voluntarily followed Prince Feng out of the palace because he was worried about the Grand Tutor's heart disease. At that time, the Queen's decree had been issued, but it had not yet arrived at Baoping Palace."

This result is not surprising.

The emperor raised his eyes and asked, "What is the verdict?"

Lord Feng did not raise his head and continued to report:

"It is true that Prince Feng violated the palace rules by taking the imperial physician out of the palace, but he also saved a life and his merits are worth it. Lord Han was deceived and went to the palace to file a complaint without verifying the facts. He is guilty of negligence and should be fined for half a year. Imperial Physician Qi left the palace without permission and should be sentenced to death."

"Is this the result of the two adults' joint discussion?"

Lord Sima, who had been silent until now, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, yes."

Lord Feng had cold sweat on his palms, but he tried to appear calm.

The emperor flipped open the memorial and said calmly, "Since the culprit has confessed his crime and committed suicide, let's not create any more trouble and cause death. Imperial Physician Qi has been in the palace for many years and has superb medical skills. His death penalty will be waived and he will be demoted to a medical officer. Lord Han will be fined three months' salary."

Lord Feng breathed a sigh of relief.

The two gentlemen bowed at the same time: "I obey your order."