The Blood Crown

Xie Zhongren was escorted to Tai Chi Hall.He was dressed in a prison uniform, his gray and white hair was messy, his cheeks were deeply sunken, his back was bent, and he walked very slowly. He looked old and tired, and it was very difficult for him to live in prison.

Yan Sikong looked at Xie Zhongren steadfastly, but what flashed in his mind was the image of him wearing brocade clothes and flocking to him everywhere he went, how beautiful, how majestic, and how important this eunuch was once. With the power in his hands, he can do whatever he wants, and now he is in such a mess, he really looks like a local dog that everyone shouts and beats.

You have today too.

Xie Zhongren was stunned when he saw Yan Sikong in a red robe and kneeling on the ground with a shackle. Under his loose eyelids, a pair of gray eyeballs rolled around, and he immediately guessed something. , his body trembled uncontrollably.

The voices of the officials whispering were like countless mosquitoes flying in the air above the Tai Chi Hall, which gave people a headache.

Meng Duo said loudly: "Your Majesty, the guilty minister Xie Zhongren has arrived, and Yan Sikong should be ordered to present the memorial to the emperor, or read it directly."

Cai Zhongfan also stood up: "I think that Prince Consort Yan should read it."

Zhu Lanting also said: "The minister seconded the proposal."

Emperor Zhaowu nodded, and at this time he was already a bit confused.

Both hands of Yan Sikong were stuck in the torture shackles, which was very inconvenient, but he still struggled to unfold the memorial. Before speaking, he took a look at Xie Zhongren.

The eyes of the two faced each other, and the cold hatred and murderous aura in Yan Sikong's eyes made Xie Zhongren feel chills all over his body.

Yan Sikong moved his eyes back, and read aloud with awe-inspiring momentum: "The right minister of the Ministry of War, Yan Sikong, is sincerely grateful for the grace of heaven. I am always ashamed to share with the treacherous eunuchs. I can't escape the guilt. Now I am admonishing my guilt and sacrificing my life. Reporting, begging for the Holy Judgment to eradicate the evil thieves and clear the universe. Today there are barbarians Di Zhuoletai who are forcing the border, and inside there are traitors Xie Zhongren who misled the country, and the country is in crisis. Only the internal thieves will not go, but those who can get rid of the thieves, Therefore, Chen Xie Zhongren has eighteen major crimes! One of the crimes is tyranny and arbitrariness..."

Xie Zhongren huddled aside, looking at Yan Sikong tremblingly, not knowing whether he was angry or afraid.

Yan Sikong read Xie Zhongren's crimes neither humble nor overbearing, each of which was well-founded and well-founded, and the civil and military courts of the dynasty could match several of them just by what they heard, witnessed, and personally experienced. It's outrageous to hear.

The more Emperor Zhaowu listened, the more ugly his face became. There were layers of sweat on his forehead. Yu Ji took out a silk handkerchief to wipe it for him, but he snatched it away, lifted the jade handle, and wiped it tremblingly.

The memorial was read for nearly an hour, and when he read that they framed Guangning to defend Yuanmao, his voice trembled unconsciously, and an indescribable pain almost gushed out of his chest, but he suppressed it, he knew this It's a long time ago, it's hard to verify, and it can't be a fatal blow.After Xie Zhongren was impeached, his main party members were brought out one by one for "sentence", including several shameful things that Yan Sikong himself participated in, and they were mercilessly put on paper, and because he revealed himself, The more evidence in hand, the more convincing it is.

When Yan Sikong finished the last sentence, "Kowtow to the Holy One", his back was already drenched, his mind was in a trance, his legs were shaking violently from kneeling for a long time, although his lips were pale and his face was sallow, he seemed to be going to collapse , but his eyes were never distracted, instead he glared at Xie Zhongren even more sharply.

He still risked everything, if he couldn't get rid of Xie Zhongren, he would be defeated.

At this time, above the main hall, the officials who had already knelt down halfway fell on the ground and shivered.

It took Xie Zhongren a long time to regain his senses. He knelt and climbed to the middle of the main hall, crying, "Your Majesty, this old slave was wronged. Yan Sikong spurted blood. It's unbelievable!"

Emperor Zhaowu was stunned for a long time before he said feebly: "My lords, do you have something to say?"

It was Meng Duo who was the first to stand up and question loudly: "Xie Zhongren, do you know what is dead ammunition? This Xiezhi crown and red robes began in the Han and Tang Dynasties and were handed down to our dynasty. They are of great significance. Who would dare to play tricks? After your lord dies, there must be solid evidence, how could he lose his wealth and life just to slander you?"

"Nonsense!" Xie Zhongren tremblingly said, "Yan Sikong is a villain, a villain who sees the wind and the wind. When Yan Ge was alive, he was more filial than his son before his sick bed. When Yan Ge died, he flattered and flattered me. Seeing me in prison now, he comes to make trouble again, he is sinister and vicious, he is cunning and cunning, he... he is the traitor!"

Meng Duo said: "Yan Sikong has already confessed his crimes, and he cannot escape the guilt. The person he impeached should also be tried by the three courts." Dali Temple!"

"Your Majesty!" Yang Yuqing, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, shouted, "How can you listen to Yan Sikong's one-sided words and punish him hastily? Your minister is wronged!"

All the eunuchs shouted together: "I am wronged."

Yan Sikong's ears were filled with chaotic voices of disputes, the two factions were not enough to insult and accuse each other, they were almost jumping into a fight, his legs were so painful that he would not be able to kneel.These days, in order to sort out the evidence and write the memorial, he can't sleep at night, and he can't remember to eat. His body has never been so weak.

After reading the impeachment memorial, it was as if he had accumulated energy for 17 years and was suddenly released. At this moment, he could no longer support himself, and his eyes darkened, and he fell to the ground...

-

When Yan Sikong woke up, he was not surprised to find that he had been locked in a prison.

He confessed his crimes, all of which are true, and of course he will go to jail awaiting trial. As for Xie Zhongren and others, he knows that Meng Duo and others will not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and a monarch who lacks opinions like Emperor Zhaowu is no match for those The minister of dragon and phoenix among people.

However, he still didn't dare to take it lightly. He also thought that the prince, who was in the cabinet with a large army, would definitely be able to slaughter the eunuchs, but he didn't want the ending to be so tragic.

He was lying on the hard couch that smelled of mildew, and his mind was in a mess. He really wanted to know what the scene of the bloody storm caused by him was like now, but he was already in jail, and the rest The next thing can only be left to Meng Duo, Zhao Fuyi and others. As for whether he can leave here, the key is probably up to Wan Yang.

He looked at the gray top of his head, and suddenly laughed at himself.

Finally, he came in too.He has done his best, if the sky has eyes, let the evil not overpower the righteous, let Haiyan Heqing, let him avenge this sea of ​​blood!

-

He stayed in prison for two days, and no one paid attention to him except the food delivery man. On the third day, he met Meng Duo, who wanted to interrogate him.

According to the law of Dasheng, regardless of innocence or innocence, ten lashes of the lash must be given before the interrogation.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and said: "Master Tingwei, I confess everything, can the ten lashes be spared?"

Meng Duo looked at him with a stern face: "Meng is the minister of Dali Temple, how can he know that the law is illegal, Lord Yan, please feel wronged."

Yan Sikong was put on the torture apparatus, the jailer took down the torture whip, and fell heavily on the ground, with a bang, it made people's hearts tremble.

Yan Sikong smiled lightly and said nothing.

The jailer swung his whip and whipped it towards Yan Sikong's back.

A long fire dragon suddenly ignited on his back, the pain only pierced his forehead, and he gritted his teeth hard.

The whip was whipped on his back one after another, bloodstains oozed out of the snow-white prison clothes, until the ten whips were over, Yan Sikong was covered in cold sweat and his teeth were trembling.He knew that the jailer had shown mercy, otherwise his flesh and blood would be torn apart by now, and he might not even be able to stand up.

The jailer put Yan Sikong down and let him sit in a chair. His back was in severe pain, so he didn't dare to lean on him, so he could only lean forward awkwardly.

Meng Duo said: "Yan Sikong, if I ask you, you must answer truthfully."

"How is Xie Zhongren?" Yan Sikong asked first.

Meng Duo was stunned for a moment, and the jailer shouted: "Bold, it's Mr. Ting Wei who is interrogating you now, and it's not your turn to speak!"

Yan Sikong turned a deaf ear and just stared at Meng Duo.

Meng Duo was silent for a moment, then waved his hands: "You all go down, I will interrogate him alone."

"Yes!" Several jailers left one by one.

Yan Sikong asked: "Master Meng, what happened to that dog?"

"Your Majesty has ordered the three judges to thoroughly investigate everyone and everything you mentioned in the impeachment letter. Xie Zhongren was sentenced today, he should..." Meng Duo let out a deep breath, "I can't turn over. "

Yan Sikong's eyes became hot, and tears rolled down unsuspectingly. If it wasn't for the pain in his back that made him sober, he almost thought he was dreaming.

Xie Zhongren was sentenced, and he will be severely interrogated. Regardless of whether he can survive in the end, Emperor Zhaowu has completely abandoned him. As Meng Duo said, it is impossible for him to stand up again.

In 17 years, he finally ushered in this day, and everything he gave was for this day!

Meng Duo looked at Yan Sikong's tears and frowned deeply: "Master Yan, General Zhao told us to trust you and help you complete the impeachment before leaving. , Get rid of that traitor for the people, but what you have done these years really puzzles Meng."

Yan Sikong said calmly: "I have a sworn feud with that stray dog. After the teacher died of illness, I just lived by his side, just to collect evidence and wait for an opportunity to take revenge."

"So that's how it is." Meng Duo sighed with emotion, cupping his hands, "Master Yan endured humiliation and endured humiliation, and for this he did not hesitate to bear the infamy, which is really admirable."

"Don't dare to do it." Yan Sikong laughed mockingly, "I am also a member of the eunuch party. Although I didn't do it out of my heart, I also helped the tyrant to abuse. The crime is unforgivable. I just ask Mr. Ting Wei to think of my atonement and meritorious service. Your Majesty is going to plead for me."

"Your Majesty Yan is worrying too much. If the crimes reported by Master Yan are true, then you will not be guilty of death. Your Majesty Yan is a son-in-law, and General Zhao and Commander Zhu are pleading for you. His Majesty will definitely punish you lightly." Meng Duo said again, "We will also speak well for Mr. Yan."

"Thank you, Lord Tingwei."

"Meng's interrogation of Mr. Yan today is mainly to verify the crimes of the eunuch party. It is enough for Mr. Yan to answer truthfully."

"I know everything."

Meng Duo raised his eyebrows slightly: "Since you know everything, why not start with how Lord Yan and Xie Zhongren became enemies."

Yan Sikong was startled and fell silent.

"Why, Mr. Yan is unwilling to say? Your enmity with him must also be included in your crime of impeaching him."

Yan Sikong took a deep breath: "To tell you the truth, the next official is originally from Taining."

Meng Duo was surprised: "You are from Liaodong? But you..."

Yan Sikong nodded: "21 years ago, Han Zhaoxing lost Qingzhou, His Majesty decreed to abandon the seven prefectures in northern Liaoning. My family died of illness and starvation on the way to the south, and my family was ruined." He closed his eyes. Young, recalling it now, his heart is as calm as water, but the pain in it is destined to be a nightmare that accompanied him, "I concealed my background, changed my accent, and became an official in the court because I was afraid that the eunuchs would find out."

"You became an official in the court just for revenge?"

"That's right, but I advise Mr. Ting Wei not to include this matter in the trial, otherwise he will be caught by the eunuchs and accuse me of using public affairs for personal gain."

"Don't worry, I understand." Meng Duo looked at Yan Sikong's eyes, adding a little pity.

The two talked for a full two hours, and Yan Sikong confided everything he knew, thinking that his impeachment would increase its weight, and together with the evidence that could hardly be pulled by a cart, it would be a boost to send the eunuch to the execution ground .

After the interrogation ended that day, Wan Yang also came to visit him in prison at the right time—his belly bulged slightly.

Seeing her, Yan Sikong felt more or less confident, and said with a smile: "Madam came to see me."

Wan Yang looked at Yan Sikong with extremely complicated eyes, and she whispered: "I can't understand you more and more."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand it?" Yan Sikong endured the whip wounds, and slowly climbed to the iron fence, "Madam has brought wound medicine."

Wan Yang took out a bottle of high-quality golden sore medicine from the wooden basket she was carrying, and she frowned at Yan Sikong: "You...are you seriously injured?"

"Flesh wounds, nothing serious."

Wan Yang pursed his lips, but in the end he didn't say anything: "This is the soup made by the mother, and there are some dishes you usually like to eat."

"Thank you Ma'am." Yan Sikong was not polite, holding a bowl and started eating.

Wan Yang watched Yan Sikong gobble it up, wanted to ask a few times, but hesitated to speak, and finally, she turned her head to look at the jailer beside her: "You, get out."

"Your Highness, when visiting criminals, the younger ones need to..."

"This princess is visiting my husband, who will allow you to stand here as an outsider." Wan Yang Xing stared, "Get out!"

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

"Why, don't you take this princess seriously?" Wan Yang said loudly, "If Meng Duo has any objections, tell him to come to me by himself."

"The little ones don't dare, the little ones will go down now!" The jailer retreated in fear.

Yan Sikong also put down the bowls and chopsticks, and said solemnly: "Your Highness, the eunuch party is over, and it is time for liquidation, and it happens to be able to push all the unjust cases of the Feng family to Xie Zhongren. If your majesty intends to redress the Feng family, My biggest bargaining chip with Feng Ye, I must get out of here as soon as possible."

Wan Yang said in a low voice: "I know, I will go to the palace tomorrow to ask my father, but I have a question, and you must answer it truthfully."

"Please say."

"Why are you helping my cousin?"

Yan Sikong said without hesitation: "I am a minister of Dasheng, to quell the civil strife and relieve the king's worries, what reason do I need?"

"I don't believe it!" Wan Yang sternly said, "Stop fooling me with these high-sounding words, I've been married to you for three years, and I still don't know who you are? You have nothing to gain, and who knows what you're planning for yourself .”

Yan Sikong said with a smile: "If I can say that I have surrendered to Feng Ye, it will be a great achievement. It will not only save me from guilt, but also make His Majesty appreciate me more. Besides..." He said sincerely, "Feng Ye You are your cousin, how can I bear to see you suffer like this."

Wan Yang's heart trembled, she looked at Yan Sikong fixedly, her bright eyes flickered, obviously very moved.

Yan Sikong cupped his hands: "Your Highness will leave everything to you. General Zhao Fuyi will also recommend me to send troops to suppress the rebellion. Your Majesty is working hard on eunuchs at this time, and has no time to take care of me. As long as Your Majesty softens his heart, this matter will be accomplished."

Wan Yang nodded: "Leave it to me."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Wan Yang put away the bowls and chopsticks, and said hesitantly, "You...recover well." After speaking, he lowered his head, picked up the wooden basket, got up and left.