Yu Mansion.
A group of royal guards were lingering at the entrance of Yanyi Mansion.
"Boss, the superiors asked us to search the Yu Mansion, what should we do?!"
The leader of the team was Xu Haoxue, deputy commander of Jinyiwei North Town Fusi and Qinglong's subordinate.
His parents hoped that he could make progress in learning, but Xu Haoxue had no talent for reading. Instead, he had good attainments in martial arts and torture. He rose through the ranks and became a royal guard at the age of twenty-nine. The deputy commanding officer of Beizhen Fusi.
He can definitely be regarded as the Mesozoic elite among Beizhen Fusi. If he is lucky enough to break through Dongxuan, then he is the most qualified person to be the next commander of Beizhen Fusi.
Facing the questions from his subordinates, Xu Haoxue rolled his eyes, and then said angrily, "How dare you disobey the Holy Order?!"
All the imperial guards shook their heads. They were not senior ministers and they dared to refute the emperor's imperial edict.
"But Mr. Yu, he is a good official!"
Even Jin Yiwei admired Yu Yanyi's reputation.
Xu Haoxue shook his head, "You have been working for so many years, why are you still so naive?! How many sanctimonious people are there in this court?! Among the officials we investigated before, which one was not a good official before being investigated?!"
The salaries of officials in the Zhou Dynasty were low. Although they had received two salary increases, the starting point was too low. Even so, it was still difficult for them to live on their salaries.
It's okay for senior officials like Qian Muqian and Zhao Mengke who come from rich families, but officials who started from humble beginnings can't even maintain their basic dignity if they don't make some extra money.
Xu Haoxue asserted that it would be nonsense to say that all officials above the court were corrupt.
But if he catches every other person, there will definitely be only those who are innocent and not unjust.
This is the system of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It is not that these people are heinous and corrupt officials, but it is determined by the system of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Okay! Stop talking nonsense and go and ransack the house!"
Xu Hao acted vigorously and resolutely, and immediately led people to rush into Yu Yanyi's house.
"The Jinyi Guards are searching the Yu Mansion. Anyone who dares to stop him will be killed!"
But Xu Haoxue soon discovered that his words made no sense at all.
Yu Yanyi was the chief assistant of the cabinet, and had the title of Minister of War and Prince Shaobao. However, in his huge mansion, there were only one servant, one old servant, and two maids who served his wife's family.
These people have no ability to stop Jin Yiwei from doing anything.
Outside the door, the experts from the six gates who were originally responsible for protecting Yu Yanyi looked at this scene with clenched teeth.
"Boss, are we just watching these Jin Yiwei people doing evil in the Lord Yu's house!?"
"..." The six-door arrester led by him remained silent.
The emperor has issued an edict, what can they do? !
The young catcher watched the vicious Jin Yiwei rush into the Yu Mansion, but his boss did nothing and laughed in anger.
"Hahaha, I came to Liumen to serve the country, not to be a pawn of a cowardly king and a sycophant! This court doesn't want to wait for you!"
The young catcher tore off his uniform, threw away his sword, and walked away.
Several young agents followed his lead and took off their clothes.
How could a young man tolerate this kind of arrogance? !
The middle-aged policemen, led by the senior policeman, did not speak. They had passed the era of being alone and carefree.
Even if it was for the sake of their family, it would be impossible for them to do such impulsive things.
Xu Hao sat in the main hall of the Yu Mansion like a golden sword, waiting for the results of the house raid. He wanted to see how much money could be confiscated from the home of Yu, a great scholar who was praised by both the government and the public.
A cup of tea, a stick of incense, a quarter of an hour, a little half an hour.
The Jin Yiwei who went to search various places came back one after another, and brought back many valuable things.
Twenty-five taels of broken silver, six jars of rice, half a jar of rapeseed oil, four jars of wine, twenty-two bundles of dry firewood, a set of four imperial treasures, a box of jewelry, and a sword - Qixing Longyuan, The scabbard was extremely worn.
"Ha! Is it well hidden?!" Xu Haoxue looked at Mrs. Yu aside, "Is this box of jewelry the dowry of Mrs. Yu?!"
Xu Haoxue slowly drew out his sword, "Tell me, where is the money in the house hidden!? The late emperor should have rewarded the poor enough to keep a lot of money! Who can show me this poor appearance?!"
Mrs. Yu looked at Xu Haoxue and shook her head.
"Summer insects cannot speak of ice!"
Xu Haoxue felt angry when he saw Mrs. Yu being so uncooperative.
"Search for me! Even if you dig deep into the ground, you will find the stolen money hidden by Yu Yanyi."
The Yu Mansion was given by the former Emperor Taizongwen, so it was no small matter to search it thoroughly.
Xu Haoxue started from late afternoon until Youshi, when night fell, and led twenty Jinyi guards to dig out the fish ponds in the mansion, but there was no harvest.
Just when Xu Haoxue thought he had made a mistake in judgment, a guard in Jinyi suddenly came to report and found a small room next to the woodshed with a locked wooden cabinet inside.
Xu Haoxue couldn't help laughing loudly when he heard this.
"Hahaha! Come with me!"
Go through the central courtyard and come to this small room. Xu Haoxue glanced around and said, "Yu Yanyi is good at hiding. This room is next to the woodshed and is really inconspicuous."
After saying this, Xu Haoxue took the lead in entering the room.
In this remote room, there was only a wooden cabinet. It looked a bit old and was still locked. It was unknown how much dirty silver was hidden in it.
Although this wooden cabinet cannot hold too much silver, if it were replaced by banknotes...
Without saying a word, Xu Haoxue drew his sword, raised his hand and dropped the sword. He cut off the lock on the cabinet with one sword and opened the cabinet.
What appeared in front of him made Xu Haoxue freeze on the spot, not knowing how to deal with it.
Shame, admiration, anger, dissatisfaction... came to my heart all at once, a mixture of emotions.
This cabinet did not contain gold, pearls, jade, or deeds of money. There were only two things lying quietly in the wooden cabinet in the dark - the python-robed monk Fang Jian.
This was specially awarded to Yu Yanyi by Emperor Taizongwen when he was dying in order to commend Yu Yanyi for his achievements in the Battle of Jinyang. Although Yu Yanyi accepted it due to the emperor's order, he never showed it to others to show his glory. Instead, he locked them up. Except for Emperor Wen and Yu Yanyi, only those who participated in the reward knew about it.
When Xu Haoxue looked at the python-robed monk Fang Jian, he knew he was wrong! How wrong!
Xu Haoxue, who had always accumulated great authority in front of his men, couldn't help but slap himself in the face, then carefully closed the door of the wooden cabinet, exited the room, and restored everything to its original state.
"Do you have any money on you?!"
All the Jin Yiwei looked at the young and unruly deputy commander of the Jin Yiwei.
"Give it all to me, I'll lend it to you!"
Everyone took out money from their pockets. Jin Yiwei's salary was not high, but Xu Haoxue had the ability to make money, so his cronies were not poor. Everyone pooled their money together and found a total of one hundred and eighty taels of silver notes. Sixty-two taels of silver and some copper coins.
The money carried by dozens of royal guards was several times the wealth of a second-rank official in the imperial court.
Xu Haoxue carefully held the silver and came to Mrs. Yu.
"Master Yu, you are a good official, and even more a good person! I am ignorant, I will give you... and Master Yu, kowtow and apologize!"
Xu Haoxue placed the silver notes on the ground, "Exiled to Longmen, I am going away from the bitter cold. Madam keeps these silver coins so that they can be used in emergencies..."
After Xu Haoxue finished speaking, he knelt on the ground, kowtowed heavily three times, then stood up and said to everyone in Jin Yiwei, "Mrs. Yu and everyone in the house please leave!"
…
----------------------------------
The next day, there was a court meeting.
The biggest issue today is the crime and punishment of Yanyi.
However, Yang Qingyuan did not appear here. He knew that no matter how hard he argued and argued, today's result would not change.
In this case, there is no need to waste words with these people.
"How should I be punished for my rebellion against Yanyi?!"
As soon as Zhu Zhankun finished speaking, Cheng Qingsong, the censor of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, stood up.
"Your Majesty, why bother to accuse me?! Your Majesty, what crime did you commit? Please make it clear, Your Majesty."
Zhu Zhankun glanced at Li Hongyi, and Li Hongyi knew that it was time for him to take action. He was quite the chief minister of the cabinet, but he was unwilling to contribute. How could there be such a good thing in this world?
"Sir Cheng, Yu Yanyi intends to commit rebellion. This crime has been decided for a long time. What is discussed today is how to punish him."
Although Cheng Qingsong is over sixty years old, his slightly stooped figure is as tall and straight as a pine tree.
"I dare to ask Grand Scholar Li, how can the word "will" convince the world?!"
"..."
Just when Cheng Qingsong was about to continue his attack, Cao Shouzheng suddenly took out a memorial from his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, since Cheng Yuan is asking for evidence, I happen to have one piece of evidence here."
Cao Shouzheng glanced at Cheng Qingsong with a smile. This old guy really couldn't understand the situation.
"I learned that Yu Yanyi had funded Zhongnanshan Chongwen Academy, so I sent someone to investigate, and sure enough I found an article written by Yu Yanyi, slandering the emperor and harboring resentment!"
Cao Shouzheng took out a manuscript and said, "Mr. Cheng should recognize this handwriting!"
This is an article written by Yu Yanyi as an academy student. It discusses the principle that the people are valued more than the monarch.
There are indeed articles here that elaborate on Mencius’ thoughts: It is said that one man, Zhou, was executed, but regicide is not heard! There are other articles: the people are the most valuable, the country is the second most important, and the king is the least important. Put in the current context, it seems quite dazzling!
"It can be seen that Yu Yanyi had two intentions towards the imperial court and even the late emperor, and had long had the intention to rebel. This also confirms Yu Yanyi's intention to rebel."
"You..." Cheng Qingsong was so angry that Cao Shouzheng was speechless.
The ancient Confucian thought of valuing the people and despising the emperor, but in Cao Shouzheng's words, it became evidence that Yu Yanyi was disloyal to the emperor.
"What Cao Qing said is reasonable. When this article was written, the late emperor was still alive. It can be seen that this person has always harbored evil intentions, and his intentions should be punished! His crime should be executed!"
"Your Majesty! No!..."
"This is a big fallacy!"
All the ministers came out to argue.
Just as the ministers were speaking one after another, guards suddenly came to report. The Jin Yiwei commanded the deputy envoy to inspect the Yu Mansion and came to report the order.
Zhu Zhankun was overjoyed when he heard this. Later, Yu Yanyi's greedy money will be placed in front of these ministers to see what else they can say.
According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as long as corruption exceeds one hundred and fifty taels, it is a death sentence.
This is still the revised law. In the era of Emperor Taizu Gao, sixty-six taels was the penalty for beheading.
Xu Haoxue, deputy commander of the Jinyiwei, entered the palace according to the order and walked up to Zhu Zhankun as if there was no one else around.
"Xu Haoxue, the deputy commander of the Weichen Jinyi Guards, has returned from inspecting the Yu Mansion under the order. All the treasures he obtained are in the memorial. Please check it with your Majesty."
A smile appeared on Zhu Zhankun's face, "No need, read it out loud to these adults, let them know what kind of sanctimonious person this traitor Yu Yanyi is!"
When Xu Haoxue heard this, a hint of joking flashed in his eyes. Yesterday's incident had made his dissatisfaction with the new king, Nichen, reach a critical point. If he had such an opportunity to slap him in the face today, he would naturally not let it go.
So what if the emperor takes responsibility afterwards? Isn’t that what you asked me to read aloud? !
"Wei Chen accepts the order!"
After Xu Haoxue stood up, he faced the court officials and unfolded the memorial.
Everyone's eyes in the hall were focused on Xu Haoxue.
"I was ordered to search the residence of the traitor in Yanyi, and now I have seized..."
"Thirty-five taels of silver, six jars of white rice, about two stones, twenty-two bundles of dry firewood, half a jug of rapeseed oil, four jars of self-made wine, a set of the Four Treasures of the Study given by the emperor..."
"Shut up!" The smile on Zhu Zhankun's face froze.
Not only Zhu Zhankun, but also all the ministers in the palace were shocked and couldn't contain themselves. This was not an ordinary petty official's house.
This is the residence of a second-rank official in the imperial court, the chief minister of the cabinet, and the Minister of War in charge of the seven states.
Although Qian Muqian and Cheng Qingsong were not involved in corruption, they were originally from wealthy families. Although Yu Yanyi's ancestors were officials, they had already declined by his father's generation.
What kind of noble character is this? ! What kind of firm intention is it? !
How can ten thousand bells be of any use to me? !
Everyone in the hall looked at Zhu Zhankun. Such a noble and incorruptible person was framed by you for treason? !
After listening to what Xu Haoxue said, Li Hongyi closed his eyes and trembled all over.
The eternal stigma can never be washed away!
Cheng Qingsong knelt tremblingly in the main hall.
"The late Emperor!
Yu Yanyi... was wronged!
"
Cheng Qingsong's cry of injustice resounded throughout the Hanyuan Palace and echoed throughout the imperial city!
----------------------------------------
The Prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
Yang Qingyuan stood at the door in a green and white outfit, holding a sword in his left hand and a food box in his right hand.
As soon as he reached the door, Yang Qingyuan was stopped.
At this time, the defense of the Penal Department's prison had been taken over by Xichang, and the people guarding the gate of the Penal Department's Tianlao were also from Xichang.
"Who are you?!"
"Prince of Dali Temple, Yang Qingyuan! I have been ordered to come and meet Lord Yanyi."
The West Factory Guards had obviously received the order in advance, "Now that we know your purpose, please ask Mr. Yang to untie the sword here!"
Yang Qingyuan glanced at Zhan Lu in his left hand and shook his head slightly, "This sword was a gift from Master Yu. It is of great significance for finding out this case. It will be regarded as evidence of this case. Please forgive me. "
The two leaders of the West Factory looked at each other and said, "No."
"Is it possible that the people in the West Factory are afraid of being invaded by someone who rescues someone from the prison alone with a sword?!"
The two people in Xichang were a little embarrassed by Yang Qingyuan's attitude.
"Young man named Yang! Don't be shameless." Yang Qingyuan's attitude made the head of the West Factory Guard very unhappy. "In the past, you Yang Qingyuan was deeply trusted by Taizong and didn't take our West Factory seriously at all, but it's different now. In the past, did you still think you were the minister of Dali Temple who turned his hands to make clouds and rain?!"
"presumptuous!?"
Just when the two were about to continue taunting, Wang Zhi, the stall owner of Xichang, appeared at the right time and said.
"Master Yang is a Marquis of the imperial court and a third-rank minister of Dali Temple. How can you, a few petty officials, stop him?!"
I don’t know whether he was sincere or had ulterior motives. Wang Zhi seemed very polite and courteous, without any disrespect.
Yang Qingyuan nodded to Wang Zhi, and then entered the prison under the leadership of the jailer.
After Yang Qingyuan walked away, Wang Zhi's face darkened.
"Who asked you to embarrass him?!"
The two thousand households in Xichang looked at each other. Hasn't the man named Yang fallen out of favor? Beating up a drowned dog has always been a glorious tradition in the West Factory, right?
"Don't think that since he is in the same position as the new monarch, there is nothing he can do to deal with you two. Even if he does not have an official position, he is still the top Dongxuan swordsman in the world. Even the governor may not be his opponent."
When Wang Zhi spoke, he gave Yu Huatian some face.
The fact is that Yang Qingyuan is determined to kill Yuhuatian, and Yuhuatian will never survive.
"Now he is still the third-ranking Shaoqing of Dali Temple in the imperial court, and his prestige in the army is still unparalleled. Even the emperor dare not humiliate him easily. Who are you two?! Even if he just killed you two, who will? What can we do to him?"
Xichang's power comes from the emperor's favor and trust, so the two thousand households in Xichang subconsciously believe that Yang Qingyuan's power is also the same. Without the emperor's trust, Yang Qingyuan will only fall into ruin.
But Yang Qingyuan is different from Xichang. He was born as a civil servant in the orthodox imperial examination, ranked second in the local examination, and studied in the Hanlin Academy for five years. This is the orthodox path to civil service promotion, which also includes military merit.
If Yang Qingyuan were to be fake for another ten years, he might even be an auxiliary minister at the Tuogu level.
The kind that all new kings would look at his face.
Even now, Zhu Zhankun needs a reasonable reason to attack Yang Qingyuan.
Otherwise, it will be idle at most.
Dealing with Yu Yanyi has already touched the bottom line of the civil service group, how about dealing with Yang Qingyuan again?
That is to really break up with the civil servant Wu Xun!
It is estimated that Zhu Zhankun will consolidate his power after finishing dealing with Yu Yanyi, and only after his die-hard loyalists have come to power will he be free to continue to deal with Yang Qingyuan.
"But at the big stall, he entered the prison with a weapon. This..."
Wang Zhi was so angry that he hit two Qianhu on the head.
"Do you think Yang Qingyuan is you?! You would come up with such a bad strategy?! If he really chooses to use force to save people, then the factory governor and His Majesty don't need to worry. Snatch the rebel and treat him directly as an accomplice of the rebel Just the party.”
The two thousand households nodded in understanding. With their political IQ, they would only be a thousand households in this life.
…
Yang Qingyuan entered the prison with his sword in hand.
Under the guidance of the jailer, he arrived outside the cell where Yanyi was imprisoned.
Hearing that someone was coming, Yu Yanyi, who was meditating with his eyes closed, opened his eyes. When he saw the person coming, a free and easy smile appeared on Yu Yanyi's face.
"Qingyuan, you are finally here! I have been waiting for you for a long time!"
