Li Shanchang died, and Hu Weiyong's remaining party investigated his crime, and more than 70 people in total, including his family members, were beheaded in public. He was seventy-seven years old. His grandson Li Mao was sentenced to death for accepting bribes from nine families. Only Li Shan's eldest son Li Qi, his daughter-in-law Princess Lin'an, and his grandsons Li Fang and Li Ying were pardoned and exiled to Jiangpu.
Before the execution, Zhu Yuanzhang met Li Shanchang alone in the camp for the last time. The two looked at each other, just like they had met for the first time in Chuzhou decades ago, but without the original ambition and heroic words, what was left was just the years. Wrinkles left on the face. The two old friends chatted for a long time in the camp. No one knew what they said. When Li Shanchang walked out of the camp, he went to the execution ground generously.
On that day, heads were rolling on the execution ground. On that day, the blood stained the stone slabs on the execution ground. After the execution, it rained heavily. The heavy rain fell all night long but failed to wash away the blood on the ground. In the following months, people could still see it when passing by this place. There was a strong smell of blood.
The death of Li Shanchang also brought the Hu Weiyong case to an end. The ruin of the noble family has become a topic of conversation for ordinary people after dinner. Most of what people talk about is the illegal things Li Shanchang did, but the achievements he once made for the Ming Dynasty. It's a pity that it has been forgotten.
Although Li Shanchang has been an official for many years, his influence in the court is still far-reaching. Over the years, many of Li Shanchang's students and former subordinates have become leaders of the court, and some officials who have a good relationship with Li Shanchang have risen through the ranks. collapsed, and the political opponents of these people finally began to violently attack.
Because Yuan Kai openly helped Li Shanchang speak in court, he was naturally labeled, and because he and Zhang Ren were kicked out of the palace with sticks, whether they were Li Shanchang's former political opponents or speculators in the court. They all began to attack Yuan Kai verbally, and even listed Yuan Kai's twelve major crimes. It was really difficult for this group of people to fabricate so many crimes against Yuan Kai, who was known for his uprightness and toughness.
Of course, there are also upright people in the court. In order to help Yuan Kai escape from guilt, these people directly helped Yuan Kai think of a way, which meant that Yuan Kai was crazy.
Some people in the court suggested that Yuan Kai be beheaded in public, while others said that he was crazy and should not be punished. The two groups were in a stalemate, and finally Zhu Yuanzhang made the decision. Isn't Yuan Kai crazy? Then find someone to see if it is true or not. As for the candidate, just look for that guy Zhang Ren.
Now those who attacked and annihilated Yuan Kai gave up. How could they not know that Yuan Kai and Zhang Ren were kicked out of the palace together? If they said that these two people did not have a personal relationship, they would not believe it. Of course, some people wanted to impeach Zhang Ren and Yuan Kai before, but considering that Zhang Ren is really stubborn, what if he goes crazy and beats people in public? Looking at Zhang Ren's past experience, he was considered invincible in the court, which dispelled their idea of impeaching Zhang Ren.
In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang finally gave in, and specially appointed a chamberlain to follow Zhang Ren to see if Yuan Kai was really crazy. At this time, the chamberlain was not like the Dongchang and Xichang later. As a close confidant of the emperor, now These father-in-laws are trustworthy in terms of character.
Zhang Ren, who was sitting leisurely on a recliner at home, received a new task.
Zhang Ren felt somewhat helpless after hearing this mission. Of course, he was also thinking about how to get Yuan Kai off the hook.
On the way to Yuan Kai's house with the waiter, Zhang Ren made a special excuse to secretly buy good sesame paste and icing sugar.
Yuan Kai's home is on Xiafuqiao Street, close to the inner city wall and Shuixi Gate. Although it is considered an inner city and not too far from the palace, the level of luxury is far less than that of major streets such as Dagongfang.
Yuan Kai's home is just a courtyard with one entrance, and there are only three rooms in the courtyard, which is many times worse than those mansions of nobles.
Because he was kicked out of the palace and suffered some injuries, Yuan Kai asked for leave because he was afraid that he would be an eyesore. After learning that Li Shanchang had been beheaded, he was even more disheartened and gave up his plan to go to court. Therefore, Yuan Kai still doesn't know that there is anyone Impeach him, not to mention that someone in the court said he was crazy in order to help him exonerate him.
There were knocks on the door in the courtyard, and the only servant in Yuan Kai's house stepped forward to open the door. This servant was somewhat dull and had no etiquette in dealing with others.
He only
He opened the door and took a look, then turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Master, someone is visiting!"
Yuan Kai also felt strange. He had neither relatives nor friends in Jinling City. Who would come to visit him? He limped out of the room, and what caught his eye was Zhang Ren's smiling face.
"Zhang Ren, why are you here? Get out quickly, you are not welcome here!" Yuan Kai's face was not good-looking. He wanted to say something harsh to drive Zhang Ren away, but after all, he had read books about sages for many years. I really can't say those dirty words out of my mouth.
Zhang Ren ignored Yuan Kai and said to the chamberlain beside him: "Look, father-in-law, he and I can be considered friends after all. We have known each other for a long time, so it is not surprising that a friend comes from afar. But look Seeing Yuan Kai kicking me out when he sees me now is crazy."
The chamberlain nodded slightly, but Yuan Kai stopped, "Zhang Ren! Who do you think is crazy? I'm not crazy!"
Zhang Ren still ignored him and said to the chamberlain: "My father-in-law, look at it, these crazy people usually don't admit that they are crazy. This is a normal thing. As a friend, I watched Yuan Kai become It makes me feel so uncomfortable."
As he spoke, Zhang Ren made an expression that looked like he wanted to cry.
Now Yuan Kai gave up. He had never expected to become friends with Zhang Ren, but Zhang Ren was better. He not only regarded himself as his friend, but also told others that he was crazy. It was really shameless.
Yuan Kai thought about the words to curse for a long time, but he was helpless to find that the sages' books did not teach people how to curse at all...
He couldn't say bad words, but the anger in his heart was building up. Yuan Kai couldn't bear it anymore, so he directly chose the most primitive way for animals to express anger, which was to use physical force.
This was his first time fighting against someone. He really had no experience, so he could only pretend to be fierce and lunge at Zhang Ren with a grin on his face, which startled the chamberlain next to him.
Zhang Ren smiled slightly and said, "Father, don't be afraid, my martial arts training is not in vain."
At this time, Yuan Kai had already arrived in front of Zhang Ren. How could he, a scholar, be Zhang Ren's opponent?
Zhang Ren took half a step back, grabbed Yuan Kai's wrist, and controlled Yuan Kai with just a slight goodbye.
Zhang Ren raised his eyebrows at the chamberlain and said, "Look, father-in-law, let me just say that my martial arts is good, right? But this Yuan Kai's madness is serious enough. Even a scholar can learn how to do it."
The chamberlain nodded and said in agreement: "That's right, that's right."
At this moment, Yuan Kai was extremely angry. He wanted to break away, but he couldn't do anything after trying several times. He could only yell at Zhang Ren again: "Zhang Ren! You thief, let me go quickly! I will follow you today." Fight!"
Zhang Ren had no time to pay attention to Yuan Kai, and the chamberlain was still there. He couldn't explain too much to Yuan Kai. He could only ask the chamberlain next to him: "Look, father-in-law, Yuan Kai is like this now. Are we sure that he is crazy? Can we go back to work?"
The chamberlain was an extremely strict person, and he could not be careless in Zhu Yuanzhang's instructions. The chamberlain looked at Yuan Kai, who was still chattering, and said, "I also think Yuan Kai is crazy, but after all, it is His Majesty's order, so it is better to observe more. "
Zhang Ren nodded, not forgetting to give the chamberlain a thumbs up. "My father-in-law, what you said makes sense. You are serious about your work. I think you will definitely gain His Majesty's trust in the future. I have a good idea to tell whether Yuan Kai is crazy or not."
The chamberlain then asked: "It is said that Mr. Zhang Qi is full of wisdom and tricks. Since you have an idea, just tell me."
But Zhang Ren shook his head and said, "It won't work if you say it. How about this? You wait for me at Yuan Kai's place first. I'll go out to find something and I'll come back soon to verify it."
The chamberlain nodded and said, "That's fine."
The chamberlain did not forget to look at Yuan Kai as he spoke, and continued: "But Mr. Zhang, please hurry up. Seeing Yuan Kai like this makes me a little scared."
