Wang Jian died, but the Wang family did not mourn. In fact, Wang's mansion has been defeated.
Those who participated in the rebellion were executed, and those who had committed crimes were convicted. The remaining people with innocent family backgrounds were mostly from the Wang family's side branches and were not taken seriously by Wang Jian. Therefore, they had little authority and did not even have the opportunity to commit crimes.
Now they are afraid that Wang Jian's death will have repercussions and implicate them again. Therefore, the remaining clans began to divide their families and sell off their property.
The Wang family mansion was sold at a very cheap price, and then the gold was divided. The remaining people were like sparks in the ashes, blown away by the wind, and then hidden in the darkness, where no one could find them. It's their turn.
There was a big Wang family, and overnight, the entire family was shattered.
And Wang Jian's eldest son, Wang Ben, is still alive.
It is true that he did not participate in the rebellion, but after all, he knew about Wang Jian and Wang Heng's plans, so he did not report the knowledge. Also because of his outstanding military exploits, Wang Ben was not executed, but was sent to the Western Regions to develop the frontier.
Before his execution, Wang Ben visited Shangjun's courtyard.
Li Shui received him generously.
Wang Ben's current status is still a prisoner, guarded by two petty officials.
After seeing Wang Ben, Li Shui smiled slightly and said to the two officials calmly: "You guys, please step aside and go have a glass of wine and eat something. Wang Ben won't dare to touch me even if you measure him."
The clerk looked at the body armor of the banished immortal and the more than twenty guards standing around him, and felt that it was indeed safe enough, so he responded and went to eat.
Li Shui asked Wang Ben curiously: "General Wang, why do you want to see me?"
Wang Ben said calmly: "I'm here to thank you."
Li Shui raised his eyebrows: "Thank me?"
Wang Ben sighed: "Wang Li's death is mostly due to his own fault. My Wang family has outstanding merits and is at the top of the court. This child was confused by these illusory scenes. He is arrogant and extravagant and treats others with contempt. He has a fiery temperament and is extremely irritable. He I don’t blame you for dying because you gambled your life.”
"As for my father, his heart is like a snake swallowing an elephant. After listening to Wang Heng's words, he wanted me, the Wang family, to regain power. I had known that this day would come. Therefore, it is not surprising."
"These two things have nothing to do with you, but if you think about it carefully, I can't blame you."
"And you once suggested to His Majesty that you should be dealt with lightly. Otherwise, my father would not be able to keep his whole body, and I, Wang Ben, would not be alive. I am afraid that the entire Wang family will be left alone. Therefore, I come to you. thank."
Li Shui looked at him with a strange expression, then nodded: "You're welcome."
Wang Ben smiled slightly, turned around and left.
The craftsman next to him whispered: "Sir, this person may have bad intentions when he comes to express his gratitude. It's better to eradicate the root cause."
Li Shui shook his head: "No need, he is already devastated and there is no threat anymore."
The craftsman asked in confusion: "How do you know, sir?"
Li Shui said: "I have seen the look in his eyes."
The craftsman looked confused.
Li Shui smiled. Li Shui had indeed seen Wang Ben's look in his eyes. That was in later generations, in some simple small temples deep in the mountains. There are some old monks there who look down on the world and are indifferent to everything.
Wang Ben's eyes were exactly the same as those of those old monks.
It seems that he is idle at home and has been thinking about this life. Coupled with the recent great changes, he has really realized something.
After Wang Ben left, Li Shui lamented endlessly and secretly warned himself: The world is very wonderful, but you must not follow Wang Ben's example.
At this time, another craftsman came and said to Li Shui: "There is someone outside who calls himself Zou Gou and comes to pay homage to the banished immortal."
Li Shui said calmly: "Have you paid?"
The craftsman said: "This man said that because of his crime, his family property was confiscated and his official position was also lost. Therefore, he is now penniless and wants to join the master and do his job."
Li Shui then remembered who Zou Gou was, the one who was beaten severely by Wang Jian in the court hall.
Li Shui said with a bit of a headache: "It's really ridiculous. What can he do when he comes? Do you think that my Shangjun Courtyard can allow cats and dogs to enter?"
Li Shui said to the craftsman: "Go and tell him that we will be recruiting new workers next year. If he is interested, he can learn how to farm. Maybe he will be able to use it then."
The craftsman responded and went to the door to deliver the message.
After Zou Gou heard this, he suddenly became furious: "What? I have a lot of knowledge and have been an official in the court for three generations, but you let me be an employee?"
But Zou Gou calmed down and suddenly realized that he seemed to have nothing to do except farm work.
I was dismissed from office. If I wanted to be an official again in this life, I would definitely not be able to do it. Moreover, all the family property had been confiscated, and even food for tomorrow was in doubt.
Even if you try to condescend yourself and work as an accountant in a wealthy family by relying on your own literacy, they will not want to get into trouble because you are a criminal...
In this situation, is there any other way out besides being an employer?
The more Zou Gou thought about it, the sadder he became. In the end, his face turned into ashes: Farming is really difficult.
He thought about it and finally decided to take a gamble and visit Chunyu Yue's house.
To be honest, he was not very familiar with Chun Yuyue, and he did not believe in Confucianism before. But everyone knows that Chunyu Yue is a good person. Now that he is in trouble, maybe he will help him for the sake of his colleagues.
Zou Gou went to visit Chunyu Yue with a shameless face. He waited at the door for a long time, but Chunyu Yue did not come to see him.
Only Chunyu's housekeeper, Chunyu Jia, came out.
Chunyu Jia bowed his hands to Zou Gou and said: "My master said that Master Zou cursed his late master Wang Jian in the court hall in order to clear up the relationship. It was nothing more than a few scoldings, but he actually took the initiative to beat him. It was really extraordinary. What a gentleman does is disgusting.”
"Therefore, my master does not want to see Mr. Zou. I hope Mr. Zou will take good care of himself and change his ways."
Zou Gou gritted his teeth, endured the shame and said, "Thank you, Lord Chunyu, for your words."
He turned around and wanted to leave, but Chunyu Jia stopped him again.
Chunyu Jia took out an ingot of gold and handed it to Zou Gou: "My master gave this to you. My master said that after all, he and Master Zou once served as officials in the same dynasty. Now that you are in trouble, it would be really unbearable if you ignore it." .”
"I hope you will accept this ingot of gold. You can buy a few acres of thin farmland to make a living, or you can do a small business."
Zou Gou took the gold, with tears in his eyes, bowed to Chunyu Mansion several times, then turned and left.
Chunyu Jia then turned over and returned to Chunyu Yue.
After Chunyu Yue heard this, he didn't pay much attention and just nodded slightly.
He held up the book in his hand and sighed as he read: "Your Majesty's reputation is so high in Xianyang City now."
Chunyu Jia said: "Isn't this a good thing? If your Majesty wins the hearts of the people, Da Qin will win the hearts of the people, the world will be stable, and the people will live and work in peace and contentment."
Chunyu Yue stood up and said distressedly: "However, the reason for this people's support... was created by the shameless person Huai Guzi. I always feel that it is not true."
"Nowadays, every time I read the word "people's hearts", I feel a little uncomfortable. I'm really worried that Huaiguzi will destroy the study of sages."
Chunyu Jia stood nearby, not daring to interrupt.
Chunyu Yue waved his hand: "That's all, don't worry about it. Mr. Fusu sent me a letter a few days ago and asked me some questions about governance. I have already written a reply. You can send someone to send it back now."
Chunyu Jia responded, took the letter, and then said with a smile: "I heard that Mr. Hu Hai also sent a letter, but it was written to Mr. Tingwei."
Chunyu Yue smiled: "Li Si and Wang Wan, these two people are somewhat familiar with Master Hu Hai. I can also guess Li Si's reply. It is nothing more than severe punishment. What's new about it?"
Chunyu Jia smiled and said: "Your Excellency, you are really good at predicting things. If we talk about novelties, the letters between the Exalted Immortal and Prince Fu Yao are truly novel."
Chunyu Jia snorted and asked, "How do you say that?"
Chunyu Jia smiled and said: "It is said that Mr. Fu Yao sent a letter to the banished immortal, saying that if he wants to do business in Beidi County, he needs a thousand yi of gold as capital."
"Now the Immortal has gathered people and sent it to him. Also sent along is a piece of paper, which contains the gold, what percentage of the shares the Immortal holds, and how many shares Master Fu Yao holds."
Chunyu Yue laughed loudly: "Master Fu Yao is young and ignorant, Huai Guzi is ridiculous, these two people get together. What good things can they do?"
"I want to use the power of a county to spread the trade of merchants. Little do I know that merchants are only interested in profit. In the future, this North County will probably be a place dedicated to raising villains."
Chunyu Jia nodded with deep approval.
…………
In Chu Di, Wang Jia was sweating profusely and ran for unknown places before finally contacting Wang Heng.
Wang Heng led five hundred people and occupied a small valley.
Xiang Pi and the child were firmly controlled by Wang Heng. Now Wang Heng ordered his soldiers to pretend to be thieves and rob houses everywhere.
He is waiting for news and gathering strength.
If good news comes from Xianyang City, then everything will be easy, and we can take these people back in glory. You can even kill Xiang Pi's ancestors and grandson, treat them as the remnants of the King of Chu, and claim credit from the emperor.
If bad news comes from Xianyang City, then there is only one way to rebel. Wang Heng thought he was a smart man and he would not make the same mistakes Xiang Liang made again.
He felt that he could become the king of Chu and even capture Xianyang. When he thought of this, Wang Heng's heart felt hot and his palms itched.
At this time, one of his subordinates reported that the steward Wang Jia was here.
Wang Heng didn't have much favorable impression of Wang Jia. In the past, when Wang Heng was down and out, this housekeeper often bullied him.
However, time has changed, and now he is the young head of the Wang family. He may even be the king of Chu or the emperor, so his structure and mind cannot be so narrow.
Therefore, Wang Heng asked someone to bring Wang Jiahaosheng over.
Wang Jia bowed down in front of Wang Heng with a haggard look on his face, and said with tears streaming down his face: "Young Master, the villain has finally found you."
Wang Heng's heart was beating loudly, but he pretended to be calm and asked: "How are you doing in Xianyang City?"
Wang Jia gritted his teeth and said: "Congratulations, young master. Congratulations, young master. After the old general returned, he was immediately promoted to a noble rank. The young master's father also returned to his original position and restored his title. Many courtiers saw that my Wang family had recovered. They lost their past glory and came here one after another."
Wang Heng's eyes lit up when he heard this, but soon he said with great suspicion: "The chaos in Chu has been pacified, why does your majesty still reuse my Wang family?"
Along the way, Wang Jia had already become familiar with these rhetoric, so he said: "Now Huaiguzi and Li Xin are making trouble in the court, causing Xianyang City not to have a moment of peace."
"His Majesty has placed great emphasis on me, the Wang family, with the intention of competing with Huaiguzi. Now my position as the Wang family has little to do with military power, and is more like a civil servant."
Wang Heng nodded: "This is much more reasonable. Chunyu Yue is a good old man and cannot argue with Huaiguzi. Wang Wan and Li Si are unwilling to take sides. It is really necessary for me, the Wang family, to join the court to check and balance this shameless villain."
Immediately afterwards, Wang Heng asked again: "Doesn't your Majesty have any doubts about our contact with Xiang Liang?"
Wang Jia said: "The old general did it very cleanly. Xiang Liang also found an opportunity to commit suicide on the way. There is no evidence at all about Chu Di. Li Ji and his group probably did not dare to make false accusations and ask for trouble. Therefore. After returning to Xianyang City, no one mentioned this matter again."
Wang Heng nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, very good."
Wang Jia smiled dryly and said: "Nowadays, some official positions are vacant in the court. Those who have passed the imperial examination want to compete for it. And the old general wants to recommend the young master. Therefore, he specially sent a villain to I urge the young master to go back immediately."
Wang Heng said: "Okay, you have come a long way and it's hard work. Let's take a rest first and have some food and wine. I will discuss with the generals about returning home."
Wang Heng agreed happily and went to eat.
The centurion beside Wang Heng asked: "General, when will we set off?"
Wang Heng said calmly: "There is no rush. How can we be hasty about such a big thing? First, send one or two people on fast horses to investigate near Xianyang City to see if it is really as Wang Jia said."
The centurions were stunned for a moment and said, "Wang Jia is the housekeeper of the palace. He has always been loyal. He shouldn't lie, right?"
Wang Heng said: "I also know that he probably won't lie. But... it's a matter of life and death, so we have to be cautious."
Several centurions thought about it and felt that it was not far behind in a day or two. So he immediately selected two smart and capable people and rode on their fast horses to the north.
That night, just after Wang Heng and others went to bed, a soldier hurried in and said, "General, Wang Bing from the mansion is here."
Wang Heng was stunned for a moment: "Wang Bing? Isn't that my father's personal servant?"
Wang Heng called Wang Bing in.
Wang Bing's dress was much more miserable than Wang Jia's. After he came in, he cried bitterly and said in a very sad voice: "Young Master, the Wang family is finished. The old general was arrested just after he returned to the city. Now not only the Wang family, but also the courtiers who were good friends with the Wang family are all Put into prison."
"The young master's father tried many ways to smoothen the relationship and finally sent the villain out of the city. The villain ran wildly for more than ten days and finally found the young master."
"Xianyang City has become a dragon's pond and a tiger's den. You must not go back."
Wang Heng looked at Wang Bing with a gloomy face.
He wanted to ask: Is this true?
But he soon realized that Wang Bing had no motive for lying.
Wang Heng stood up slowly, grabbed the sword beside him, and said quietly: "Some people are lying. Some people want to lie to me. They are hateful and should be killed."
When Wang Bing heard this, he trembled immediately: Is this... are you talking about me? How did he find out?
