While Jiangdu was dealing with Yang Shen, Yang Ming and other clan members involved in the interference case, a case was also being tried in Chang'an City. The person on trial was none other than Li Yan, who had just escaped from death in Shangyong.
In the battle of Shangyong, the Sui army's target was Li Jiancheng, so although Li Yan and Li Zicheng were defeated, they still fought their way out and fled back to Chang'an. But what awaited them after returning to Chang'an was not comfort and praise for their narrow escape, but scrutiny for their dereliction of duty.
As Li Yan once said, the capture of the prince was a shame for the entire dynasty. How could the face-saving Li Yuan get off the stage? Of course, he would not let go of the generals who followed Li Jiancheng to attack Jingxiang and selected a few scapegoats from them. One explanation for Jingxiang's defeat is naturally Li Yuan's best choice.
Li Zicheng was from a royal family and had a noble status. Naturally, there were people in the court who spoke for him and protected his life. But Li Yan was self-righteous and aloof, and had no friends at court. Li Jiancheng, who admired him, was imprisoned in a prison in Jiangdu, and no one said good things for him. In the end, he was naturally unlucky.
But Li Zicheng wanted to protect himself and get rid of his own guilt, so he desperately put the shit basin on Li Yan's head. In the end, Li Yan's guilt changed from dereliction of duty to treason of colluding with the Sui army and assassinating the prince. Although Li Yuan knew that this matter must be false, for the sake of Tang Dynasty's face and to prove that Jingxiang's defeat and the prince's capture were not a decision-making error, nor that the Tang army was inferior to the Sui army in combat effectiveness, sacrificing Li Yan was naturally the best choice.
In the dark and damp dungeon, Li Yan sat on the old wooden couch with a dead heart, his face was pale, and he stared blankly at the empty wall, feeling like a knife was cutting through his heart. Just an hour ago, the imperial decree for his execution had been issued. Tomorrow at 3:00 noon, he will be beheaded for treason.
Li Yan was a very traditional scholar. He could endure the court's review of his dereliction of duty. When the prince was captured, he did have an unshirkable responsibility as a general under the prince, but he could not bear the crime of treason charged on him. To him, it was an insult to his character and a stain that could never be erased even after his death.
"Whoosh, whoosh!"
The harsh knocking sound of the chains woke up Li Yan, who was struggling in pain. He suddenly raised his head and saw his wife Hong Niangzi walking over under the guidance of a jailer.
"Madam, why are you here?"
Li Yan stood up in a hurry, rushed to the fence in a few steps, and asked eagerly.
"Husband!"
The red lady couldn't help but burst into tears when she saw that Li Yan, who was originally gentle, elegant and handsome, now had disheveled hair, dirt on his face, and only a tattered single coat on his body, resembling a beggar.
"Ms. sir, I am here to deliver food to you."
As she spoke, the red lady raised the basket she was carrying in front of Li Yan, took out the food and handed it to Li Yan, and said softly: "Husband, I made this myself, please eat more!"
When Li Yan saw the red lady's gesture, he immediately understood and asked with a long face: "Do you know everything?"
Tears shone in the red lady's eyes, "Husband, the court has posted a notice on Zhuque Street, and your husband will be executed at 3:30 noon tomorrow!"
"Haha, hahaha!"
Li Yan looked up to the sky and laughed when he heard this, with crystal tears shining in the corners of his eyes.
After a long time, he lowered his head, his eyes flashing with deep hatred, "Old thief Li Yuan, I, Li Yan, was so blind that I accepted you as my master. I didn't expect you to be such an insidious villain, willing to do anything for your own face." I'm going to die!"
The red lady heard this and said with some indignation: "Husband, I will save you even if I risk my own life!"
"Matchmaker, don't do anything stupid!" Li Yan dissuaded in a low voice, "The prison is heavily guarded. Even if you risk your life, you can't save me. Don't waste your life. I'm already dead." !”
Although the red lady is bold by nature, she is still a woman. After hearing what Li Yan said, she immediately panicked and burst into tears, "Then husband, what should I do? I don't want my husband to die!"
Li Yan said in a deep voice: "Let's go, you go quickly. The old thief Li Yuan is extremely vicious. He will not leave you in this world. When you go back, run away and one day kill Li Yuan for me to avenge him!"
The red lady shook her head vigorously, "Husband, if I don't leave, I will die with you. I don't want to stay alone in this world!"
Li Yan was so angry that he stamped his feet, "You are stupid. What's the point of dying like this at such a young age? If you and I both died like this, then who will avenge this blood feud for us? Who will remember us? Everyone in the world will treat us like this." We treat them as sellers seeking glory!”
The red lady sobbed softly for a while, and when she raised her head, her eyes were full of determination, "Husband, don't worry, no matter how difficult it is, I will definitely avenge this bloody revenge for you!"
"Okay, it's almost time. The prison visit can end." The jailer outside the cell suddenly shouted.
"I know, let's go now!"
The red lady responded, slowly straightened up and was about to walk out.
"Madam, you... take care of yourself!"
Li Yan crossed the fence, grabbed the red lady's hand, and said reluctantly.
At this time, the jailer outside the door anxiously shouted again, "Girl, leave quickly! If you don't leave, I will be scolded by my boss."
The red lady didn't dare to stay, so she picked up the basket and walked out, her tears flowing down like a broken thread. Walking out along the dim and damp passage, the red lady secretly swore in her heart: "Li Yuan, you harmed my husband, and one day I will pay for it with your blood!"
. . . . . . . . . .
"Ding dong, Li Yan's death has been detected. Li Yan's score is 90 in command, 72 in force, 93 in intelligence, and 83 in politics. Because Li Yan died at the hands of Li Yuan and had nothing to do with the host, there is no soul point reward."
Yang Gao, who was reviewing the memorial, was startled suddenly by the system. He was stunned for a moment and muttered to himself in confusion: "Li Yan is dead. What happened? Wasn't he infiltrated into Li Yuan's staff? How could he be taken over by Li Yuan?" Executed?"
After staying for a long time, Yang Gao suddenly realized, "I understand, it must be that Jingxiang's tragic defeat made Li Yuan embarrassed, so he found a scapegoat. It's just a pity that Li Yan was reborn in this world, but he still died in the lord's death." What a fate in your hands!”
"Your Majesty, a message came from the Prince of Changping County. The Tang Dynasty envoy Liu Wenjing has passed Wuguan and is heading towards Jiangdu. He is expected to arrive in Jiangdu in ten days!"
The eunuch's report outside the door interrupted Yang Gao's sigh. He immediately came back to his senses and focused on the subsequent negotiations with the Tang Dynasty. Although Li Yan was a relatively powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty, he was just a wave in the river throughout history, not to mention that Li Yan was not his subordinate, so there was nothing to feel sorry for.
