The Eight Sages were very satisfied with Yan Qi's performance.
The emperor also recognized Yan Qi's words.
Jiang Dongqu saw it and was anxious in his heart.
He didn't want Yan Qi to overdo it and steal his limelight, so he immediately changed the subject, pointed at Xia Ming, and yelled: "Xia Ming, the guilty minister, are you still not pleading guilty in front of the emperor and the Eight Wise Kings?"
Xia Ming took the risk, no longer afraid of death, and answered resoundingly and forcefully.
"First, since I took on the role of grain inspector, I have worked conscientiously and never neglected my duties. I have been overseeing grain for ten years, and this is the only time I have lost a batch of grain. I admit this."
"The second point is that I have a sincere heart for Dahua, and I have no second thoughts about the emperor. I am willing to devote myself to Dahua even until my death."
The emperor frowned after hearing this.
I couldn't help but feel moved.
The Eight Wise King smiled coldly: "When a man is about to die, he starts to flatter him? Haha, what's the use of saying nice words? Can you return the prince to the sun? If you can do it, I am willing to shorten my life by ten years. . Do you know how sad I am that the prince died in Hongcheng? Alas, the prince is my favorite rising star of Dahua. But... he was framed by you and Cao Chunqiu like this. "
As he spoke, Cao Chunqiu began to cry.
Everyone couldn't help but admire.
"The Eight Wise Kings really have feelings for the prince."
"Prince Jiuquan will definitely be filled with emotion when he learns that the Eight Wise Kings miss him so much."
"The Eight Wise Kings are virtuous and noble, and they value friendship. He is such a good prince."
…
The Eight Sages asked Jiang Dongqu, Wei Shun, and Gao Linxiang: "Are you sure that it was Xia Ming who lost the food and grass?"
"certainly!"
"Xia Ming is the person behind the scenes?"
"certainly!"
"Xia Ming and Cao Chunqiu colluded to harm the prince?"
"certainly!"
The Eighth Sage King slapped his chair, stood up suddenly, took the three people's memorandums, and knelt in front of the emperor: "Your Majesty, today, Jiang Dongqu, Wei Shun, and Gao Linxiang sued Xia Ming for being involved in danger, deliberately losing food and grass, and murdering the prince. .Please give me a severe punishment, Your Majesty."
The emperor hesitated for a moment: "My brother is a little impatient. When trying a case, you can't just look at the witnesses, but also the physical evidence. Now, there is no physical evidence. How can we convict Xia Ming?"
The Eight Sages argued: "Although there is no physical evidence for Jiang Dongqu and the others, the three people's confessions are consistent and there is sufficient witness."
"Furthermore, Jiang Dongqu is the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Wei Shun is the governor of Guangxi, and Gao Linxiang is the governor of Yunnan.
Governors, they are all high-ranking officials and prominent officials in the border areas. Their character is endorsed by the imperial court. They are not only honest, but also trustworthy. They stick to their word and never lie. "
"So, the credibility of these three people is more effective than any physical evidence."
The emperor frowned: "This..."
The Eight Sages were so excited that they pointed at Xia Ming and roared loudly: "Who is Xia Ming? Your Majesty, let me tell you that Xia Ming is actually Cao Chunqiu's student."
"What?"
When the emperor heard this, his eyebrows were filled with surprise.
This time, even he couldn't sit still.
"Royal brother, are you telling the truth?"
The Eight Wise Kings sneered: "How can this be false? Once upon a time, every New Year, Cao Chunqiu would not accept gifts from anyone, only Xia Ming's gifts. I have been observing this for many years."
The emperor stared at Xia Ming with increasingly cold eyes: "Xia Ming, is what the wise king said true? Are you really Cao Chunqiu's student?"
Xia Ming has given up everything and will not hide and choke.
"Back to the emperor, I am indeed Cao Chunqiu's student."
The Eighth Sage King fanned the flames: "Brother Emperor, what I said is true, right? Xia Ming is Cao Chunqiu's student. This matter is certain and no one can deny it."
"Be bold!"
The emperor's eyes narrowed to a slit, his face flushed, and he stared at Xia Ming, breathing rapidly: "Are you a student of Cao Chunqiu? Okay, but you have been hiding for so many years? Tell me, why do you want to hide your identity?"
Yan Qi was also very curious about this.
Logically speaking, teachers and disciples should be recorded in files.
Especially Cao Chunqiu and Xia Ming, both were high-ranking officials. How could the relationship between master and apprentice be kept secret?
There must be a story here.
Xia Ming said eloquently: "Back to the emperor, my parents died when I was a child. My family was very poor. I was poor and had short ambitions. My horse was thin and hairy. I was poor and had no way out. I was illiterate and had no future. So I took a bunch of children to fool around. . Sometimes I’m so hungry that I steal things to satisfy my hunger.”
"I was so courageous that I once took my children to a cemetery to steal something. Just when there were steamed buns to eat in front of the tombstone, the children were so hungry that they rushed over and ate the steamed buns and drank the wine. Who would have thought , this tombstone is the spiritual place of Cao Chunqiu’s father.”
"Cao Chunqiu was teaching at the home of a senior official at the time, and he happened to block us and wanted to punish us."
Speaking of this, Xia Ming recalled with emotion: "Xia Ming threatened me: if you steal the fruits on the tombstone, you will be sentenced to ten years in prison, have your face tattooed, and be sent to the frontier. The children were so scared that they peed.
Trousers, no one admits to stealing the tribute. "
"Cao Chunqiu is furious and wants to arrest everyone."
"When I saw that my friends were still young, I stood up and said that I stole the tributes. If you want to arrest them, arrest me. I will go to jail."
"Unexpectedly, Cao Chunqiu not only didn't arrest me, but also said three good words in a row and laughed very happily."
Everyone was also confused.
The Eight Wise Kings were confused.
The emperor was also puzzled: "Why is Cao Chunqiu laughing?"
Xia Ming held back his energy and said nothing.
No one can figure it out.
Only Yan Qi smiled and said nothing.
The emperor asked Yan Qi: "Do you know why Cao Chunqiu is laughing?"
Yan Qidao: "Of course I know."
The emperor said: "Are you so confident?"
Yan Qi said loudly: "First, Cao Chunqiu definitely thinks that Xia Ming is very responsible. Second, his ability to stand up and protect other children in times of crisis shows that he has a kind and brave heart."
Jiang Dongqu curled his lips: "Yan Qi, you know everything, do you really think you are a know-it-all? You can even guess such a difficult question? The emperor asked you, you really dare to answer. Haha, what is this called? This is called Yelang is arrogant."
Yan Qi smiled: "If you don't believe me, Minister Jiang, you can ask Xia Ming."
Jiang Dongqu looked at Xia Ming: "Do you think Yan Qi is talking nonsense?"
Xia Ming was amazed and ignored Jiang Dongqu. He looked at Yan Qi with admiration on his face: "Shilang Yan, you are so amazing. You actually guessed what Cao Chunqiu was thinking."
Everyone was in an uproar.
The emperor was stunned for a long time before asking Xia Ming: "Is Cao Chunqiu so attracted to you?"
Xia Ming shook his head: "Cao Chunqiu just has a good impression of me, it's not about whether he likes me or not."
"Later, Cao Chunqiu saw that I was very hungry and took me to eat. While eating, he asked me again: "You are so old, why don't you study? I tell it like it is. "
"Cao Chunqiu learned about my life experience and asked me if I wanted to study. If you are willing to study, you can go to the home of the member of staff he teaches and study secretly. There is a big tree behind the school, and you can peek from that place."
"From that time on, I secretly went to listen to Mr. Cao Chunqiu's lectures every day, changed my appearance, and studied hard. Later, I finally passed the examination for scholar, and then passed the examination for civil servants, until I became an official and so on. So, Cao Chunqiu He must be my teacher, but not many people know about it."
