Without further discussion, the people from Hunan received an imperial edict from the emperor and sent their officials to ride fast horses to Jizhou to pick up the people. The bearded businessman heard that the imperial court had sent someone and knew that something had happened. He was about to pack up his luggage and run away when he was stopped at the gate of the factory.
When Fan Shang arrived at Dali Temple, he saw that the emperor was also present to hear the trial. He felt that he could not escape death and looked up to the sky with a sigh. But after taking two steps, he saw Zeng Liang standing next to him. His eyes suddenly brightened and he thought to himself: "There is a saying here called " It was the lesser of two evils. If he only talked about the matter with Ye Yongjia, the worst possible outcome would be to be deported back to the country; if Zeng Liang was surrendered and it was confirmed that he had stolen official money, he might be in danger of death. '
So regardless of his many years of friendship with Ye Yongjia, he instead agreed with Zeng Liang and confessed: "The villain did not conspire with Zeng Hubu, but Ye Bingbu had some evil intentions in his heart and just made false accusations."
"Then it's true that he gave you benefits?" Guoxiang people pressed the case and asked.
Fan Shang lowered his head and said: "Ye Yongjia has repeatedly told me that he wants me to benefit from the heavenly dynasty so that he can be famous for all ages. Therefore, officials are not allowed to check the accounts, and those who do will be punished. The villain deeply regrets that he was wronged. I am ashamed of my kindness and am willing to be punished!"
Zeng Liang was overjoyed when he heard this. Before the Hunan people could say anything, he turned around and knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, have you heard this? Ye Yongjia colluded with the Fan people and betrayed the country for glory. They will rebel in the long run! Please send troops immediately to capture Ye Yongjia." Chao Jing, calm people's hearts!"
The emperor behind the curtain was silent for a while, and then slowly replied: "People naturally exaggerate in order to save their lives, so they cannot be completely believed. Although Ye Yongjia is undoubtedly guilty, he still needs to be summoned for questioning to see what his attitude is. If it does not agree with me, Arrest immediately."
How could the Xiang people let go of this opportunity to defeat the Ye Party? He hurriedly said: "Ye Yongjia is full of tricks. If he were to wait for an opportunity to escape, wouldn't it be a crime for the ministers? I hope your Majesty will ambush the forbidden soldiers on all sides first, and then Summon Ye Yongjia, if he speaks disobediently, he can be captured and killed on the spot!"
Zeng Liang added: "The good prince's strategy is very good. But the foreign ministers are not aware of this matter. Killing him without authorization will easily arouse suspicion. It is better to settle the case first and announce the case to the courtiers. They will naturally attack in groups." At that time, it is not too late to obey the will of God and people's hearts and kill the rebels."
The emperor expressed deep approval. After nodding his head, he waved his hand and said, "Go away." Then he drove back to the palace, and everyone chanted "long live the song."
When Fan Shang saw that the people had left, he chased Zeng Liang out of Dali Temple and asked him with a smile: "I am expressing my position all because of you, sir! Sir, you have to intercede for me."
"What do you mean, keep running your factory?" Zeng Liang shook his head and smiled, "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't."
Ye Yongjia had been waiting for the trial for many days, and it finally came to an end. He was not surprised by this result. He just complained about "bad luck". When he returned to the Penal Department Yamen, he saw an open letter hanging on the table in the lobby, a corner of it being blown up by the breeze. He looked around and saw no one around, wondering in his heart. He glanced at it a few times, then carried it into the inner courtyard and asked Cui Yi, "Who sent this letter?"
Cui Yi stretched his neck and took a look: "I've never seen it before, my official. Who wrote this?"
"Dong Sheng sent it from the border," Ye Yongjia said, "saying that Zhang Chenghuai was dishonest. He also recently sent me a memorial to impeach me and asked me how to deal with it."
"Oh, then I'll go to the reception room and ask."
Cui Yi took the letter for a while, and then came back and reported to Ye Yongjia: "Let me ask clearly, this letter was delivered this morning. The messenger also sent Dong Sheng's words, saying: 'Captain Zhang has quite a lot of connections in the court. , he heard the news before the case was closed, and wrote the memorial long ago, but only waited until today to submit it. If Mr. Ye wants to take action against him, he can use this to act, and he should do his best to cooperate and collect physical evidence.'"
"This Dong Sheng didn't even offer any practical opinions," Ye Yongjia frowned and waved his hand quickly, "It's been so long, how can I care about him..."
Cui Yi rolled his eyes and said cautiously: "This may be our glimmer of hope..."
"How to say?"
Cui Yi said: "Zhang Chenghuai has a high position and is isolated. He has no support from the party. If we can wait for an opportunity to kill him, it will be enough to shock the court and regain our lost prestige. This strategy is actually not difficult to implement. All we need to do is look at His Majesty the Emperor." the meaning of."
"You've been talking for a long time, why don't you have to rely on others?" Ye Yongjia glanced at him, "Your Majesty is still furious. It is a grace not to remove us from our posts. How can you allow me to take charge of the government again?"
Cui Yi slowly replied: "As the saying goes, do your best and listen to fate. Your Excellency, you can go to the palace to test it out before making a decision."
"How to test?"
"Retreat to advance."
When Cui Yigang said these four words, he suddenly heard a hurried shout from outside the door: "Master Ye! Your Majesty has an edict and summons you to the palace to answer!"
Ye Yongjia's heart suddenly rose, and he had no time to listen to Cui Yi anymore. He hurriedly adjusted his official uniform and strode out the door. When Cui Yi saw this, he waved his sleeves and followed him: "I'm with you, sir."
The corridor leading to the palace was unusually quiet. Not only was there no one around, there was no dust on the stone floor either, indicating that it had just been cleaned. Ye Yongjia could only hear the footsteps of the two of them, and suddenly felt a cold wind. He stood still, looked around, and saw a shadow shaking on the corner on the east side of the hall.
He turned back and asked Cui Yi: "Why...am I feeling uneasy."
Cui Yi saw through his mind and comforted him: "Don't panic. It's not a human figure there, it's the shadow of a willow tree."
"Oh, that's right..."
Ye Yongjia didn't take it seriously and walked straight into the hall; while the sound of clashing weapons began to be heard outside the hall, and the shadows of intertwined swords were reflected on the paper windows, seemingly getting bigger and bigger, getting closer and closer to Ye Yongjia.
"The guilty minister Ye Yongjia is here to see Your Majesty." Ye Yongjia climbed up the steps and bowed deeply while looking at the golden curtain.
"You don't have to be so anxious to give yourself the name of 'guilty'," the emperor said softly, "If you feel that you are really guilty, just confess it honestly. I don't care about anything else."
"I accept the decree." Ye Yongjia kowtowed timidly.
The emperor pointed at the Xiang people beside him. The Xiang people understood, and then said: "Master Ye, according to Fan Shang's statement, Zeng Liang's stealing of salt and silver was completely false, but he mentioned his long-term friendship with you. Regarding this point, Can you admit it?"
"I dare not deceive you. This matter is indeed my fault. I am willing to listen to the punishment and will not argue. I am willing to confess in person."
"Where is Chief Cui?"
"I am quite aware of this matter, but I deeply regret not being able to expose it and have nothing to say."
The Xiang man then faced Ye Yongjia again: "Then according to your opinion, you must have also confessed to the fact of 'framing a colleague'?"
Ye Yongjia didn't expect that he would suddenly ask such a pointed question, as if he was stabbed into the heart with a sharp knife, and his life would be lost in just a moment.
