Chengdu, Shu Palace.
The vast palace occupies a quarter of the land in Chengdu, with ten steps to the first floor and one hundred steps to the first hall. The palaces are filled with famous trees and exotic flowers. Inside the palace, sandalwood is used as beams, crystals are used as lamps, pearls are used as curtains, and brocades are used. Pave the way and dazzle.
It's a pity that after winter, all kinds of famous flowers gradually decline, leaving only a few bare flowers. The maids were cleaning the palace seriously. It was not yet time for the morning court, but the ministers walked into the palace in a hurry. I heard that there were particularly many ministers here this time, and it seemed that even several generals from the border garrison came.
In the main hall, all the civil and military officials had already taken their seats on both sides. Only then did Liu Zhang arrive belatedly and sit on the throne in the middle. The chamberlain beside Liu Zhang then said as usual.
"When there is something going on, we will start, and when there is nothing going on, we will retreat."
Of course something happened!
Everyone looked at each other with strange expressions, but no one spoke first.
After a long silence, seeing that Liu Zhang was a little impatient, Fazheng took out a piece of silk cloth from his arms, put it in his hands, and said.
"Your Majesty, Xiaolian and scholars from all counties have arrived in Chengdu. This is a letter jointly signed by the scholars. Please check it out, Your Majesty."
Write on the bus!
Awesome!
Everyone was shocked and couldn't help but look at Fazheng, and the chamberlain quickly presented the silk cloth to Liu Zhang.
But Liu Zhang's face was not pretty, and he frowned in disgust.
"It's these gentlemen again! What do they want to do this time?"
With that said, Liu Zhang picked up the silk cloth and looked through it. Not long after, Liu Zhang slapped the silk cloth on the table with a bang and said angrily.
"Discussing government affairs indiscriminately! Discussing government affairs indiscriminately! It's Jiang Wan again! How dare you brazenly say that releasing Zhang Ren is what the people want! Dharma sacrifice wine, is this what you mean?"
Facing Liu Zhang's overwhelming anger, Fazheng's expression remained unchanged and he clasped his fists.
"That's not true. Zhang Ren sent troops privately to make enemies with the Chu State. The king was unjust, and I thought it was appropriate to behead him in public."
Liu Zhang punched the cotton and said in shock.
"What? You want to kill Zhang Ren? Aren't you friends?"
"The national law does not tolerate favoritism! Zhang Ren ignores his superiors, and I can't tolerate him anymore."
Fazheng was the head of the civil service, and Zhang Ren was the head of the military attache. The relationship between the two had been good before, and they seemed to be in harmony with each other. Unexpectedly, Fazheng did not even say a word to intercede for Zhang Ren this time.
Huang Quan was anxious and said quickly.
"Your Majesty, although General Zhang is sending troops privately this time, it is also for the Kingdom of Shu and for Your Majesty! Then Sun Ce failed in the Northern Expedition against Cao Cao, and he devoted all his country's strength to attack Liu Bei, leaving Jingzhou empty. This must-have area for military strategists is connected in all directions. The merchants are rich, if they can take it, the king can expect great achievements!"
With that said, Huang Quan also took out a letter from his arms and presented it to Liu Zhangdao.
"This letter was sent by General Yan Yan from Yong'an, asking me to deliver it to the king. General Yan insisted on checking the king's order when Zhang Ren sent troops privately and was imprisoned by Zhang Ren, which shows his loyalty to the king. Even General Yan also interceded for General Zhang and asked the king to show mercy."
This time, two more people supported Zhang Ren. Liu Zhang knew that the quarrel was far from over, so he silently looked through Yan Yan's letter presented by the chamberlain.
Sure enough, not long after Huang Quan finished speaking, Li Ping on his left spoke.
"General Huang's words are wrong. It is the king's decision to send Liu Bei's envoy away and not to start a war with Chu."
"Zhang Ren forged the king's order and sent troops to Jiangling. How could he just say 'for the king'? Just now Fa Jijiu said 'ignoring the emperor's will', huh, that's an understatement. Zhang Ren is clearly guilty of deceiving the emperor. !”
"If Zhang Ren is not dealt with, wouldn't everyone be able to just say 'for the king' and then deceive the king?"
Huang Quan was not surprised that Fazheng had been merciless for a day or two, but he did not expect that at this time, the military attache camp could not be united.
Huang Quan glared at Li Ping angrily, but saw Wu Yi and Meng Da saying one after another.
"What General Li said is reasonable, and I agree."
"What General Li said is reasonable, and I agree."
Huang Quan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You, you guys?"
Huang Quan suddenly felt that something was wrong, but at the moment he was so confused and had so many thoughts that he couldn't think of a reason for it.
Afterwards, seeing the situation, the civil servant camp came out one after another to ask Zhang Ren to be executed. In the blink of an eye, there was a scene that was criticized by thousands of people.
Not to mention Huang Quan, even Liu Zhang did not expect such a situation to occur.
At this time, Li Ping continued.
"Your Majesty, although Zhang Ren deserves death, his decision to send troops is full of doubts!"
"Where did his forged decree come from? It was more than a month after he sent out troops that the king received the news. It is absolutely impossible if Zhang Ren and his colleagues in the capital did not help him conceal the news."
"According to my steward, when he was out shopping, he bumped into Mr. Fazheng in disguise and secretly went to see Sun Qian. After that, Sun Qian left Chengdu. Now that Zhang Ren is bullying the emperor, Fajijiu will be the first to kill him. Zhang Ren, I have no choice but to be suspicious. Your Majesty, before beheading Zhang Ren, we need to interrogate him clearly."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
Everyone's eyes turned to Fazheng again.
Fazheng's expression was as normal and he didn't show any panic at all. He just glanced sideways at Li Ping and said.
"General Li seems to know my whereabouts very well. But the capital is so big and there are so many people. I'm afraid it's hard to convince everyone just by the words of General Li's steward. I have a clear conscience. Since General Li wants to investigate, let him Just check."
The matter has developed to this point and has involved the first and second people under the King of Shu. If it is found to be true, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the government and the public. No civil or military officials dare to speak easily at this moment.
Even Liu Zhang lost his lazy look just now, obviously feeling that things were a bit difficult. He stared at Fazheng blankly for a long time, and saw that Fazheng showed no fear and lowered his eyebrows. After a long time, Liu Zhang finally asked.
"Zhang Song, you've been pretending to be dead for a long time, tell me what you think?"
Zhang Song's short figure seemed to have shrunk again, and his already ugly face was filled with wrinkles.
"Your Majesty, although Zhang Ren has no direct relationship with me, he is a branch of the Zhang family, and I can still call him my clan brother in private. I'm afraid that I can't discuss this matter rashly."
Liu Zhang glared at Zhang Song and said impatiently.
“Let’s discuss it as I’m told, and stop being so long-winded.”
Zhang Song shrank his neck again before saying.
"What all my colleagues said makes sense. Zhang Ren's crime of deceiving the emperor must not be taken lightly."
"But since General Li has raised doubts, it will be difficult to clear Jijiu's innocence without a thorough investigation."
"In addition, our undeclared war with Shu has been politically unjust. We need to send envoys to test Chu's attitude. Zhang Ren's treatment may be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations."
"It's better to postpone dealing with Zhang Ren and talk while we investigate."
Um.
Liu Zhang nodded and suddenly felt that what Zhang Song said was reasonable.
The trouble caused by Zhang Ren's sending troops to the Chu State may be used to calm the anger of the Chu State with his head.
"What Zhang Aiqing said is very much in line with my wishes. That's enough. There's no need to discuss it further. Zhang Ren will postpone the decision and withdraw from the court."
"I'll take my leave."
All the officials bowed and left, leaving only the crown prince Liu Xun and Liu Zhang sighing.
After Liu Zhangping retreated, he asked Liu Xun.
"Xun'er, do you understand what these ministers are thinking?"
Liu Xun replied hesitantly.
"Since ancient times, it has been common for civil servants and military officers to fight for power, but I have heard Master Zhang say many times that Mr. Fa Zheng has the world in mind and is different. I think Fa Jijiu wanted to kill Master Zhang in order to uphold the law of the country and establish the authority of the king."
"As for Huang Quan and Yan Yan, it is human nature to want to protect Master Zhang, but I don't know why the three generals Li Ping, Wu Yi and Meng Da want to embarrass Master Zhang? General Meng Da was even with Master Zhang in Zitong We fought against Zhang Lu’s army and went through life and death together.”
"On the contrary, this person is Zhang Song. I originally thought that this person was unattractive and timid, but I didn't know why my father and the king valued him. Today I see that he is always thinking about the safety of our great Shu and wants to fight for the interests of the country of Shu. I know that my father and the king know this." The wisdom of man!”
Hahaha~
Liu Zhang rarely laughed and said to Liu Xun with a gentle face.
"You can't understand, but my father can see clearly."
"The families behind Zhang Ren, Zhang Song, Li Ping, Huang Quan, and Yan Yan are all local noble families. The families behind Fazheng, Wu Yi, and Meng Da are all noble families who fled to Shu after the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Now you are Think about it.”
Liu Xun frowned and thought for a while, then frowned and said in surprise.
"My father means that this matter involves party disputes!"
"Local nobles like Huang Quan and Yan Yan want to protect Master Zhang, while foreign nobles like Fazheng, Wu Yi, and Meng Da want to kill Master Zhang! But, Li Ping is also a local noble, why should he kill Master Zhang?"
Why?
Liu Zhang sneered and said.
"Of course it's to fight for power! If Zhang Ren is killed, Li Ping will naturally become the leader of the military attachés. If Fazheng is eliminated by the way, can Zhang Song be able to check and balance him with his timid appearance?"
"These guys keep saying it's for their father, but in fact, it's all for their own benefit. You are Gu's eldest son, and you will inherit Gu's legacy in the future. You should see more and think more about everything, and know how to check and balance. Although Zhang Ren is you Master, but don’t believe too much, you must know that from now on you are the king and he is the minister.”
Liu Xun was delighted when he heard this.
"My son, please remember this. So, my father is willing to spare Master Zhang?"
Liu Zhang's eyes flashed and he did not answer directly.
"Let's take a look. Your uncle Liu Ba is sick. You go to see him on behalf of your father. You must know that the people you can rely on most are the members of my Liu clan."
"My son, please remember this."
