"Zeng Shangshu, we should toast you first!"
Gao Jizhi and others were celebrating the historical moment of overthrowing Niuyuan in a side room. Tongpao Chen poured a bowl of hot wine, said loudly, and handed it to Zeng Liang.
Zeng Liang took the wine bowl with both hands, blew it, only took a sip, and put it aside: "Shilang Chen, I'm overly praised. What contribution can I, Zeng, make? I just can't stand that traitor Niu Yuan, and I want to get rid of him for everyone in the world." That’s all.”
"Where, where!" Chen Tongpao said with a smile, "Zeng Shangshu didn't know that the attack in the court today was planned by Gao Shangshu and I. We have already discussed it."
Zeng Liang looked around blankly, and when he saw Gao Jizhi and Ye Yongjia nodding their heads, he suddenly realized what was going on and started laughing.
"But I didn't tell you. This is because you expressed support for Niu Yuan's proposal before setting off, so we had doubts in our hearts and did not dare to communicate with you. Who would have thought that you are impartial and unpartisan? It is really commendable to speak according to reason and not to care about human feelings. On the contrary, it makes me look like a villain!"
"I have been an official for several years, but I only know how to be upright. I have no other merits. What you said is really flattering to me." After saying that, Zeng Liang held up the tea again and glanced at Ye Yongjia, "But What I didn’t expect was that Ye Shangshu would abandon Liu Dang and join you? Could it be that this person has any evil intentions? "
Ye Yongjia remained silent beside him, not feeling a bit happy. Although he had no sympathy for Niu Yuan, and even felt a little disgusted, he also knew what this group of sanctimonious gentlemen did. Now he was just taking revenge through their hands, so why bother to be happy about this victory. So he kept his head down and drank tea for a long time. When he heard Zeng Liang ask him, he slowly raised his head and said, "Master Zeng misunderstood. Liu Zhennian and I have always had a hatred for killing our father and we are irreconcilable. However, due to the current situation, we have no choice but to I can only rely on others. Now that the time has come, as you said, of course I can 'reform'."
"Actually, it's not easy to say the word "anyway" now," Ye Yongjia continued. "There are ups and downs in the court, one rises and one falls. It's been relatively rare in recent years. What is good today will be evil tomorrow. You can't tell the difference between good and evil. , it’s nothing more than changing the court.”
After Zeng Liang heard this, he seemed to be touched in his heart. His face was filled with shame, and he turned away and became silent.
Chen Tongpao knew Ye Yongjia's character, so he was not surprised by his speech, but he toasted him with a cup of tea with a smile: "Tinglong is really wise, this passage is really thought-provoking. We should abandon the clique and clique. The heart is for the country!"
The day after Niu Yuan was thrown into prison, the imperial court announced the results of his punishment: for gathering cronies, deceiving the emperor and committing various serious crimes, he would be executed at a later date. This result seems to be expected, but it also takes a lot of trouble. In order to make Niu Yuan's imprisonment seem justifiable, the ministers collected his shortcomings everywhere and insisted on them no matter what. As a result, they accused him like a wave of "blatantly resisting the supervision of Prime Minister Liu in order to maintain his own power." The crony's move is to use other things to divert attention and falsely accuse the minister, which is extremely abominable! Fortunately, Prime Minister Liu had a clear idea and planned to capture him. Today, his head should be displayed to the public to comfort the world! "
After several exaggerations by some ministers, people in Kaifeng City began to think that Liu Zhennian's trip was just to get rid of Niu Yuan, except for Liu Zhennian himself. But he had accepted Niu Yuan's conviction and could no longer defend himself. He could only helplessly watch the rumors spread wantonly and helplessly watch Niu Yuan's fate towards death.
At this time, Niu Yuan was very calm. He strode towards the execution ground, neither blaming anyone nor asking for mercy. Instead, he walked past the crowd with a smile on his face and looked at the endless vast sky. His usual temperament actually changed, becoming so easy-going and fearless, and he even asked the executioner behind him: "Is this your first time in your life to kill a high-ranking official like me? Don't be nervous, just tie me up." Instead, with one knife strike, what’s the difference between humans and animals?”
"Oh, you're right." The executioner looked at this once all-powerful figure with a bit of awe, but he still seemed polite.
He shook off his messy hair, straightened his back, closed his eyes, and realized that all the ideals and ambitions he had had were gone. He had always dreamed of ruling the country with power, but now he didn't care so much about it, and he actually laughed a few times. I don’t know whether it’s because I’m discouraged, or because I’ve seen through the world and everything is unimportant. These false thoughts seem to turn into silver powder before my eyes, gently dancing in the dark curtain, until they float away and disappear. . He finally opened his eyes.
The cannon fired three times, thick smoke billowed, and heads fell to the ground.
The Liu Party's infinite glory was an almost perfect victory. This was imposed on Liuzhen by the bureaucrats. They rejoiced for it, played their hats to celebrate, and gave the old prime minister a team of players to play and play. They crowded the people northward and left Kaifeng Fucheng in a lively manner. The major corruption case that was supposed to be handled could only be left unsolved, but those officials who had already verified the case could not escape. Hu Chonglian was killed, and the prefect and others were also pushed into the execution ground and beheaded them all with one knife. The people were all happy that Mr. Liu had upheld justice for them. The cheers were loud and loud. This voice happened to be heard by Liu Zhennian, who was not far away.
Su Zongshan was still lying on the hospital bed at the inn. When he heard the news that Niu Yuan had been killed, he immediately knocked over the medicinal soup, broke the porcelain bowl, threw down the quilt, jumped up, laughed a few times, and suddenly realized his condition. Mostly recovered. When Liu Zhennian came back here, he went to see him with the support of his entourage. He immediately kowtowed twice and said, "The Prime Minister can distinguish right from wrong and except traitors, which is a blessing to the country. I hate that Su is not in good health and cannot accompany him." The Prime Minister is around, otherwise why go through such hardships and dangers? In my humble position, I usually think that serving the Prime Minister is just arrogant. I never thought that he is such a person. I am very sorry..."
Liu Zhennian held the sword at his waist and stared at him with wide eyes, his whole body still showing murderous intent. But his old body seemed unable to withstand such a breath and could no longer deter him.
At this point, the old prime minister had no choice but to put on a stiff smile and comforted him against his will: "I do everything with ease, how can I encounter difficulties? Now that the treacherous ministers have been eliminated, the government is clear, and it is probably possible to revive!"
Su Zongshan also laughed awkwardly: "That's, that's..."
The two chatted for a while, and after dinner in the afternoon, they prepared to return to Beijing. Liu Zhennian used the whip to spur his horse, still walking in front of the officials, but the heavy sun had quietly set on his back.
