Inside the imperial cabinet, Liang Jingyi sat on his seat, with his head raised, leaning against the back of the chair, his eyes closed, not knowing whether he was sleeping or awake. I don't know how many years ago, Liang Jingyi has always looked like this, showing that he is old and dim.
In addition to him, Zhou Qing and He Lanyi were also sitting separately, checking and organizing documents. The two of them said nothing, and the whole room was silent.
Not long after, Zuo Fengyuan stepped in. Zhou Qing said: "Mr. Zuo Ge, you are finally here. Both of us are almost overwhelmed."
Since the court meeting, Jia Chengdao, Li Taiyue, and Gu Tinglan were all imprisoned, and the cabinet was suddenly empty, leaving only these three directors.
Zuo Fengyuan looked bad and sat down without saying a word, minding his own business. For the sake of the stability of the court, he went to all parties before the court meeting to persuade them to put the overall situation first. But in the end, none of them listened to the advice. He worked hard for a long time, but in vain.
Nowadays, most of the entire imperial court is made up of disciples and former officials of the Liang family, and their power is really overwhelming, reaching its peak. But Zuo Fengyuan understood that this situation was the most dangerous, and the emperor would not allow this courtier's family to dominate.
While Zuo Fengyuan was in a daze, Liang Jingyi slowly opened his eyes, looked at Zuo Fengyuan and said, "Axiang is here. There happens to be something here that I want to discuss with you."
Zuo Fengyuan came to his senses, quickly raised his hands and said, "If the Grand Master has any instructions, please speak directly."
"The evidence of Jia Chengdao's collusion with the demon clan is conclusive and the crime cannot be pardoned. This will definitely bring disaster to the entire family and the nine clans. My son Liang Yuan was bewitched by him and he deserves to be punished. I have already submitted a confession to the Holy One. , wait and see." Liang Jingyi said slowly: "There is still the matter of Li Taiyue and Gu Tinglan. Compared with Jia Chengdao, their crimes are not serious, but they still need to be punished. What do you think Ya Xiang should do? "
Zuo Fengyuan glanced at Zhou Qing and He Lanyi. He knew in his heart that both of them wanted to kill them. Therefore, Zuo Fengyuan said: "The Holy Sage had already made a decree when he came to the meeting, and ordered the Ministry of Punishment and the Yushitai to interrogate and understand. In my opinion, let Shen Qingyi and the others interrogate first, and then submit the results of their interrogation to the Holy Sage. The Holy One decides.”
Hearing this, Zhou Qing frowned slightly and felt a little unhappy. He thought to himself: Zuo Fengyuan, this old fox, really knows how to push the envelope and will never get himself involved.
When Liang Jing heard this, he nodded and said: "The Holy One has decreed, and we will naturally comply with it. But since the Ministry of Punishment has been ordered, I think I will let Li Taiyue judge himself."
"This..." Zuo Fengyuan said in shock: "How to do this?"
Liang Jing said: "Li Taiyue has been in charge of the Ministry of Justice for many years and has implemented new laws. He will naturally deal with it impartially. What do you think?"
Zhou Qing smiled and said: "I agree with what the Grand Master said. Li Taiyue has always been selfless and enforces the law. Even if he is himself, he will never bend the law for personal gain."
He Lanyi hesitated again and again, but had no choice but to say: "With the people from Yushitai here, nothing will go wrong."
Zuo Fengyuan remained silent and forced Li Taiyue to kill him. Only Liang Jingyi could come up with such a vicious plan.
…………
In the Sixth Prince's Mansion, Baili Hanran was playing with the caged birds on the corridor. Standing beside him was Gu Shuci, looking panicked and his face was pale and bloodless.
All the crimes committed by his father were caused by him, but they have not been exposed yet. He was scared and ran to Baili Hanran to ask for countermeasures.
"Sixth Prince," Gu Shuci said, "Now, what should I do?"
Baili Hanran teased the bird, but did not answer. Instead, he said: "Shu Ci, you see, the name of this bird is Zhukong. It has been practicing flying since it was born. It wants to get rid of the protection of its parents as soon as possible and yearn for the sky above its head."
Gu Shuci didn't understand what he meant. Baili Hanran turned around and said to him with a smile: "Although your father is imprisoned this time, it seems that it is because of you. But in fact, it is because your father left with Li Taiyue." It was too close, and the implementation of the new law attracted opposition from the courtiers, which led to today's disaster, so you don't need to blame yourself too much."
Hearing this, Gu Shuci seemed to think it made sense, and asked, "But what should I do now?"
Baili Hanran played with the ring in his hand and said: "Everyone who knows the inside story, except you and me, has been silenced. Are you still afraid that I will tell this matter? I have asked the Prime Minister to give you an errand." , in the future, he will not be worse than your father in the imperial court, aren't you satisfied?"
When Gu Shuci heard this, he felt happy and said quickly: "Thank you to the Sixth Prince for making it possible!"
Baili Hanran said: "Don't worry, after surviving this disaster, there will be time for you to show off your skills in this court!"
"I will never forget the kindness of the Sixth Prince!"
…………
The prison was dark, with no light from the sky.
Song Zheng sat cross-legged and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and saying nothing. He seemed to be somewhat used to his days in jail, but unfortunately it was meaningless.
In the cell next to him were Gu Tinglan and Li Taiyue. Liang Jingyi deliberately arranged this so that he was not afraid of the two of them colluding in confession.
Gu Tinglan sighed and said to Li Taiyue, "I am the one who has caused you trouble."
Li Taiyue shook his head: "You and I both understand that what they want to get rid of is not you and me, but the new law. As for these methods, without you, he will find someone else. In fact, it was me who harmed you, and I shouldn't have dragged you away. Enter the reform process."
Gu Tinglan said: "If you die for your country, you will have no regrets even if you die."
"Well said!" Song Zheng shouted from the side: "It is an honor for Song Zheng to be imprisoned with these two adults!"
The two of them didn't answer. In this situation, it was not the time to admire each other.
After a while, someone walked in and said to Li Taiyue: "Master Li, pack up, we will wait for you to change clothes and ascend to the hall!"
Li Taiyue was puzzled: "I am a prisoner now. Since I am going to be tried, why should I abolish Zhou Zhang?"
The man smiled and said: "The Grand Master has ordered that you, Mr. Li, will interrogate yourself this time, so I have to change your clothes!"
Li Taiyue was stunned when he heard the words, and immediately understood what Liang Jingyi meant, and sneered: "Master Liang thinks I am a mediocre person who is greedy for life and afraid of death, and only seeks fame? I am reforming the court, is it to fulfill my own fame?" Can’t do it?”
Gu Tinglan was puzzled and asked, "Isn't this a good opportunity for you and me to clear our names?"
Li Taiyue shook his head and said: "You are my best friend. I will find a way to let you live. As for us... we can only let Xinfa live!"
After saying that, Li Taiyue stood up and followed the officers and left. Gu Tinglan didn't understand what Li Taiyue meant, but Song Zheng shook his hand and saluted: "Send it to Mr. Li!"
In the lobby, Shen Qingyi, Cheng Sijian, and Wei Zhengyan were pacing back and forth, shaking their heads and sighing.
Not long after, Li Taiyue, dressed in official clothes, walked into the hall. Shen Qingyi came to greet him. Before he could speak, Li Taiyue said first: "I already understand your intentions. Let's review the case!"
The three of them looked at each other, helpless, and then sat down with Li Taiyue.
The Li brothers and their respective wives were brought in front of the hall. Li Xiao and the tiger-beating woman were so frightened that they trembled all over and begged for mercy again and again.
Li Taiyue said: "The interrogation between the two of them is useless. Three days later, Ling Chi will be sent to the street to serve as a warning to others!"
Li Xiao and Tiger Fighter immediately collapsed and almost fainted from fear. This is exactly what it means: "A good wife is a virtuous wife, but a poisonous woman does evil and brings harm to the whole family. If you don't believe in taking advantage of the Li family, it is better to meet a kind person than to be rich."
Li Sheng and his wife Ruilian were released in court and returned to the Imperial College to serve as supervisors. All the family property seized by Li Xiao was also returned.
After dealing with the Li brothers, Wei Zhengyan said: "Master Li, there is something fishy about Li Xiao entering the Imperial Academy and being released as an official. We should investigate carefully."
Li Taiyue waved his hand and said: "There is someone behind this matter. I know it well without telling you directly. Since it was done deliberately, they will not give us a chance to investigate. Zhou Yuanxiong, who took Li Xiao to the Imperial Academy, has committed suicide. Two A head of the Ministry of Personnel who was responsible for the release of officials also committed suicide out of fear of guilt. He left a confession before his death because he was coerced by Mr. Gu and I."
Cheng Sijian said, "But you and Mr. Gu have no motive to do this. How can we finalize the case?"
Li Taiyue said: "They have already found a motive for me." As he said that, he handed a memorial to Cheng Sijian.
But it turned out that a censor bribed Li Taiyue to investigate local officials. After interrogation, he learned that this person was promoted by Li Taiyue and agreed to repay the favor after he took office.
Wei Zhengyan said angrily: "The three of us have only been away for a few years, how did this Yushitai become like this?"
Shen Qingyi sighed: "Even the Yushitai has become the lips and tongue of Liang and Zhou. How can this great power last long?"
Li Taiyue stood up and said to the three of them: "I, Li Taiyue, sold my official position and won a title due to corruption and bribery. Gu Tinglan didn't know it. He was just guilty of negligence. According to the law, I should be dismissed from office and exiled to the frontier. I, Li Taiyue, committed a heinous crime and asked for his car to be broken up in the city." !”
"this……"
"Master Li, you absolutely must not!"
"Let us investigate this case again, and we will never let Mr. Li suffer this unjust injustice!"
Li Taiyue shook his head and walked out, saying as he walked: "This is not what I meant, and it is not what Liang Jingyi meant. This is what the Holy One means. Only if I die, the new law will not die!"
The three of them watched Li Taiyue leave. Wei Zhengyan slapped the table and said bitterly: "Master Li is going to die, how can we still be officials in the government!"
Cheng Si admonished, "I'm going to write my resignation right away. I can't stay here any longer."
"If we want to resign, the three of us should resign together," Shen Qingyi sighed and said, "Let's see Mr. Li off for the last time, and then leave Taiyue City!"
The three of them made a frustrated agreement and dispersed.
This turbulent court meeting has finally come to an end. Under the command of the Four Kings and Three Kings, Baili Longteng had already arranged for them to kill all the three kings and control the territories under their rule. Except for King Nanyue, all the territories in Daqian finally returned to the imperial court.
Jia Chengdao colluded with the demon clan, executed everyone in his family, and implicated nine clans. Although Liang Yuan was an "accomplice", he was also executed. Liang Jingyi was demoted to three levels and remained the chief minister of the cabinet. Liang Chen of the Shangzhu Kingdom won the title and became a general, taking charge of the war in Qiongzhou.
Li Taiyue, the Minister of Punishment, was sentenced to death for being guilty of corruption and corruption. Gu Tinglan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was dismissed from office and exiled, and was expelled from Taiyue City.
Meng Wan Palace was restored to the title of queen, and Baili Changkong was re-established as prince. She will return to Taiyue City in the near future.
After this battle, the imperial court finally came under the control of the Liang family, and the second prince Baili Qingfeng was regarded by the court officials as the successor.
But no one could guess what the emperor on the throne was thinking.
