New Year's Day has just passed, and although the sun is shining warmly, the cold is still ruthlessly shrouding everything in Lin'an City. The cold and humid air made pedestrians on the imperial street shrink their necks. Only the Forbidden Army officers standing tall on the high wall and at the entrance of the palace, wearing armor and holding guns, remained motionless, guarding the Lin'an Palace.
Although today is not a morning court, because it is approaching the Lantern Festival and the funeral of the late emperor, the ruling minister Xuan Zhen rushed to the palace early in the morning to discuss state affairs with the emperor.
In just a few days, the Great Song Dynasty gradually stabilized after the turmoil of abolishing the imperial edict.
To put it bluntly, the scholar-bureaucrats of the Song Dynasty were the dominant family and seemed to be powerful, but in fact they were weak and fragile.
If the king wants his minister to die, he must die. Scholar-officials did not hold military power. Whenever the emperor wanted to attack ministers, the ministers had no power to fight back.
Thunder, rain and dew are all your kindness. The emperor did not give up his appreciation, and he hugged his thigh tightly to share his worries.
Xuan Zhen's mood at the moment was the same.
After getting off the sedan, I saw a large group of people kneeling outside the Hening Gate, dressed in white, with their heads bowed and shivering. Most of them were members of the Shi family, including men, women, old and young. They all had yellow hair, gray hair, and were all in a miserable state. It was unbearable, and it no longer looked as good as before.
Xuan Zhen suddenly felt lost and couldn't help but open his eyes wide.
Shi Miyuan's wife, Mrs. Pan from the State of Lu, his concubines, Mrs. Lin and Li Shuren from Korea, Shi Miyuan's two sons, Shi Kuanzhi and Shi Yuzhi, and more than a dozen daughters and grandchildren. Kneeling next to the Shi family were the family members of the accomplices Yu Tianci, Zheng Qingzhi, Cheng Mi and others.
Whether they are historians or non-historians, the vast majority of those kneeling are Siming people. No need to ask, the family members of these prisoners came to plead guilty, for fear that the emperor would settle accounts later and start killing again.
The grave crime of treason and usurpation, the rest of the life, the fish that slipped through the net, and if you don't come back to thank the emperor for his great kindness, you really don't know how to appreciate it, and don't understand the world.
All the nobles and nobles in the dynasty were from the Siming Dynasty.
Xuan Zhen couldn't help but shook his head slightly and sighed softly.
God knows what you did. Ups and downs, everything is just a cycle of cause and effect.
Now, who dares to have anything to do with the Siming historians? The same goes for Shi Miyuan's fellow villager and former in-laws. Cutting the mess quickly is the best choice.
The day after Shi Miyuan's rebellion failed, he ordered his son to divorce his wife and terminate the in-law relationship with the Shi family. At the same time, Shi Miyuan's other son-in-law, Zhao Rumou, a member of the Song Dynasty clan, was faster than him. On the day of the palace change, he gave up his relationship with Shi Miyuan overnight, without delaying a moment.
He has no choice. Now he is still involved in political affairs, a member of the Privy Council, and a minister of the Ministry of War. Naturally, he has to consider the Xuan family. He could not live with Shi Miyuan and share his fate. He was even more unable to resign for Shi Miyuan.
At this time, he was very lucky. Since Shi Miyuan had exclusive power, he had no power, but he had no fault. He was even more fortunate that he followed the rules, did not harm others, did not bully men, dominate women, or commit crimes, so he could continue to stay in the center.
Xuan Zhen shook his head and turned to leave. The historian's family came to express their gratitude. The people in charge of the front office must have reported it to the emperor, and there was no need for him to do anything on his behalf.
"I've met Xuan Xianggong!"
"I've met Xuan Xianggong!"
Several distinguished officials appeared and saluted Xuan Zhen.
They all knew that Xuan Zhen and Shi Miyuan's family had broken off their relationship, but they looked calm and composed and no one mentioned it.
The imperial court is investigating Shi Miyuan's party, and everyone is in danger. It is already rare to avoid adding insult to injury.
"My gentlemen, you are here too."
Xuan Zhen bowed to several people, looking embarrassed.
To be honest, at this time, he didn't want to have anything to do with the Shi family.
"Xuan Gong, such a big thing has happened to the Shi family. The emperor is so magnanimous. We are grateful, so how can we not come to express our gratitude?"
The sixty-year-old dark-skinned official who spoke had high cheekbones and three long beards. This person is Shi Miyuan's biological brother Shi Mijian, who is married to Princess Xin'an of the Song Dynasty royal family, and is officially worshiped as the Fujian Road Transport Envoy.
Among the three Shi Miyuan brothers, the eldest, Shi Mianda, has passed away. The third brother, Shi Mijian, who came to plead guilty, has always been at odds with Shi Miyuan. It is not known whether he did this deliberately to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.
"How could the Prime Minister be like this? He deposed and usurped the throne. He was treasonous and insane! Fortunately, the new emperor was so wise and powerful that my family, the Shi family, escaped disaster. Otherwise... hmph!"
Another official in his thirties was tall and powerful, with dark lines on his face.
This person is Shi Miyuan's nephew Shi Songzhi. He is an official in the Jinghu Zhizhi Company. He is smart and capable, with a good official reputation, but he is a bit overbearing in his work.
"This is really...hard to describe in words!"
Shi Songzhi's younger brother, Shi Yanzhi, who will be the Prime Minister, shook his head sadly.
The emperor is extremely kind and does not implicate innocent people. However, after this calamity, it is probably impossible for the historians to regain the brilliance of Shi Miyuan, or even for the prosperous official career of the historians' children.
"Mr. Shi, then I will go in and report to Your Majesty. However, from my point of view, Your Majesty may not be able to meet your ministers."
Xuan Zhen rarely told the truth to Shi Mijian and wanted to leave quickly.
Although he is not very worried about the emperor's liquidation, staying for a long time will inevitably make people worry.
The emperor wants to kill Shi Miyuan and his son, his wife, his father and his son. Does he expect others to be grateful?
“Mr.
Shi Mijian quickly took out a memorial from his sleeve, and Xuan Zhen took it in a daze.
“Mr.
After Shi Mijian finished speaking, he bowed and bowed to the ground.
"Shi Gong, this... this is really..."
Xuan Zhen was filled with emotions and didn't know what to say for a moment.
As Shi Miyuan's younger brother and a member of the imperial court, Shi Mijian chose to retreat at this time for the sake of the Shi family and to reassure the emperor.
"Uncle, do you want to think about it again? The emperor's kindness is so great, and the emperor has not blamed you, so why bother?"
Shi Songzhi persuaded his cousin in a low voice.
The two brothers Shi Song and Shi Yan were just side cousins of Shi Miyuan. They were separated by countless generations and were not directly related. Therefore, Shi Miyuan stumbled, and there was not much sincerity between the two of them.
Even Shi Miyuan's brother Shi Mijian was not implicated, so what were they afraid of?
But thunder, rain and dew are all your kindness. Things to save face still need to be done.
"You don't need to persuade me. My uncle is getting old. If he doesn't cultivate himself, I'm afraid..."
Shi Mijian's attitude was resolute. Halfway through his words, he was interrupted by noisy shouts and curses from the side.
"Historians, you too have today!"
"The sky has eyes! The sky has eyes!"
"Go to hell! You thieves!"
Everyone was startled and turned around to look, only to realize that while they were talking, many soldiers and people had gathered outside the palace gate. They surrounded the Shi family and the Cheng family who were kneeling in worship. They were filled with indignation and cursed loudly, attracting more and more people to watch.
"ban……"
Xuan Zhen secretly screamed that something was wrong and was going to ask the Imperial Army to maintain order, but when the words came to his lips, they got stuck again.
Public anger is hard to offend, Shi Miyuan is notorious, and it is human nature for scholars and people to get angry. If he joins in the fun, he may suffer the same fate as the Shi family.
Xuan Zhen was still hesitating, and countless clods of soil, vegetables, tofu, eggs and steamed buns were rained down on him. The Shi family and the family members of the accomplices were instantly hit with dirty heads and bodies, and were in a miserable state.
The Shi family did not dare to move. The adults protected the tearful child and allowed the angry insults and attacks from the soldiers and people.
"This...this is really sinful!"
Shi Mijian said goodbye to Xuan Zhen with a dark face, turned around, got on the sedan, and left straight away.
Shi Songzhi's brothers looked at each other in embarrassment and stood further away to avoid being recognized and causing harm to Chi Yu.
"Forbidden Army, not yet..."
Xuan Zhen finally shouted.
The historians' noses and faces were bruised and swollen. If the beatings continued, someone might really be killed.
"Stop! Are you going to cause trouble?"
Before Xuan Zhen could finish speaking, the officer shouted, commanding the Imperial Guards to step forward one after another and chase away the angry soldiers and civilians. The soldiers and civilians smashed some more steamed buns, eggs, vegetables, tofu and the like, and then became angry and dispersed one after another, entering the restaurants on both sides.
The leading Forbidden Army general witnessed all this, his face was calm, even a little careless, and he did not say a word to scold the soldiers and the people.
Xuan Zhen knew this general of the Forbidden Army. He was the emperor's new favorite and the acquaintance of the imperial minister Jiang Wanzai.
Xuan Zhen was secretly shocked, secretly lucky, and secretly shook his head.
If they wanted to dissuade the soldiers and the people, these forbidden troops would have come out long ago. Why wait until the soldiers and the people had committed violence before taking action?
Shi Miyuan's reputation spread far and wide, and everyone was angry. I don’t know what it will be like on the day of execution.
If he really went to ask the Imperial Army to drive away the people, he would be doing nothing and possibly getting himself into trouble.
His eyes glanced at Xue Ji, who was walking away from the crowd, shrinking his head, and sneaking towards the palace gate. Xuan Zhen hurriedly caught up with him and shouted:
"Xue Xiang, wait for me!"
Compared to his own impulsiveness, the old boy Xue Ji is much more cunning.
Xuan Zhen and Xue Ji entered the Chongzheng Hall uneasily. In the imperial study, the new emperor Zhao Hong and the other two ruling ministers Zhen Dexiu and Hu Ju were already waiting here.
"Your Majesty, the Jin people surrendered to Wuxian. After hearing that Peng Yibin had recovered the prefectures and counties in Shandong, he rebelled against Mongolia and returned to the Jin Dynasty. He killed Shi Tianni, the Mongolian marshal of Hebei West Road. Shi Tianze, Shi Tianni's brother, defeated Wuxian and regained it. Hebei Zhending.”
Xuan Zhen recovered his mind and quickly stepped forward to report.
Two dogs fight, play off. Mengjin is competing for it in the two rivers. For the Song Dynasty, there is nothing better than sitting on a mountain and watching the tigers fight.
"Peng Yibin? Didn't you ask him to withdraw to Shandong?"
Zhao Hong held the memorial and frowned.
"Back to Your Majesty, the imperial decree has just been issued, and there is Jinjing in between. Peng Yibin should not have received the decree to withdraw his troops and go south."
Xuan Zhen replied anxiously, looking embarrassed.
Li Quan's loyal army is still entrenched in the Huaidong border fortress. Li Quan and Peng Yibin don't get along, and he doesn't know whether the imperial decree can be delivered to Peng Yibin.
Zhao Hong shook his head secretly. The efficiency of the Song Dynasty court was indeed extraordinary.
"Who knows where Peng Yibin is?"
All in all, it had been more than a month since he had ordered Peng Yibin to go south, but no one had ever reported to him the movements of Peng Yibin's troops.
"Back to Your Majesty, the court has been busy with the funeral of the late emperor and the purge of Shi Miyuan's party, so I didn't have time to report. Peng Yibin's department should be in Zhending Mansion, Hebei, together with the Wuxian of the Jin Kingdom. Together we fight against the Tatar army."
Xuan Zhen still felt a little guilty. Li Quan was north of Chuzhou, cutting off the connection between the Song Dynasty and Peng Yibin's tribe. He really didn't know the movements of Peng Yibin's tribe.
"Isn't it nonsense to fight with the Jin people against the Tatar army? No matter what method you use, find Peng Yibin's tribe and ask Peng Yibin to immediately send his troops south and withdraw to the Song Dynasty. Tell Li Quan not to conflict with Peng Yibin, otherwise the court will definitely pursue him. !”
Zhao Hong looked ugly and immediately made a decree.
Of the two loyalist armies in Huaidong, one belonged to Li Quan. Although they were nominally under the control of the Song Dynasty court, they actually received the salary of the Song Dynasty, but they obeyed the orders but did not listen to the declaration, which was no different from independence.
The other one is Peng Yibin, who is relatively loyal to the Song Dynasty court. They were sent south to avoid being defeated by the Mongolian army.
I hope that Peng Yibin can accept the order and go south as soon as possible, and I also hope that Li Quan will not hinder him.
If one of the two loyal armies cannot belong to the Song Dynasty court, then he, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, has failed.
"Your Majesty, I will ask Zhao Shanxiang, the coastal envoy, and Xu Xiji, the Huaidong envoy, to pass the order to Peng Yibin and ask the navy to go to support Peng Yibin's troops moving south."
Xuan Zhen responded quickly with sweat on his forehead.
If he, the Minister of the Ministry of War, can't handle even this small matter, he may have to take the blame and resign.
