When Luo Erhu rushed into the front hall of the Wuping Jiedushi Office carrying a bloody human head, Li Yuan and all the Wuping generals present stood up immediately and listened to the big black man swearing and describing the backyard. Such a situation, I was extremely angry but secretly rejoiced that after all, King Zheng and Zhou Xingfeng's conspiracy did not succeed.
The thrilling farce came to an end, and now it was time for reckoning. Li Yuan had no time to reminisce with this sworn brother. He just patted the honest man on the shoulder with a grateful look and returned to his seat.
Today, Wuping civil and military officials gathered together. They were supposed to enjoy the joy of promotion together, but unexpectedly, this joy was mixed with such a heavy shadow.
Of the three culprits, Zhou Xingfeng was the most rational. When he vaguely recognized that the human head that fell to the ground in the hall was Yang Shifan, he already knew in his heart that this life-and-death gamble was a clean loss.
As a loser, he did not feel the slightest regret. He just looked at the shivering King Zheng Li Congjia and the unconscious Zhongshusheren Zhang Zi not far away, shaking his head and smiling as if he was mocking himself.
At this time, the generals in Wuping were already in a state of excitement, and the civil servants who followed the trend also followed suit, and all demanded that Zhou Xingfeng and Zhang Zi be sentenced to death.
Some people even suggested that they simply cut Zheng Wang and Li Congjia into eight pieces, so that the Tang Dynasty could stand on its own. After all, this time Li Yuan actually stood in the position of the victim. As an important minister of the country with great military exploits, not to mention his power and position. It was almost taken away, and even the family papers were almost lost. Since the imperial court is unkind, don’t blame the ministers for being unjust...
Although "lower and higher" is indeed commonplace in this era, and the reckless behavior of Zheng Wang and Li Congjia this time just gave Li Yuan an excellent excuse to rebel, but it was difficult for Li Yuan to make up his mind to take this crucial step.
It is true that the insidious conspiracy of Prince Zheng and others this time, just the idea of taking the family papers in the backyard, has completely touched Li Yuan's bottom line. Why doesn't he want to cut them all into pieces? But if Li Congjia is really killed at this moment and then falls out with the court, he will inevitably bear the thunderous wrath of the Southern Tang Emperor Li Jing who lost his beloved son.
Not to mention that there are still hundreds of thousands of available troops in the south and north of the Yangtze River. The 70,000 Wuchang army closest to Langzhou can go up the river and directly into Dongting in five days. At present, Dongxi has finally stabilized, and the south is facing the Han army. The main force is fighting fiercely. With the 20,000 sergeants available in Langzhou City, how can they stop this elite army trained by Liu Renzhan in the past?
After all, it was not the best time for Li Yuan to fight against the imperial court at this time.
Xu Shi saw Li Yuan and counselor Xu Kuangheng whispering secretly. Li Congjia, the king of Zheng who was held hostage by Zhu Kuangcong, seemed to see some meaning. He turned his eyes and patted Zhu Kuangcong's arm, signaling him to loosen his grip slightly. He shouted loudly: "Li Yuan, no, the Governor! Today's matter, this king is really confused! It's all because of Zhou Xingfeng's deception! Alas, you are a great hero of our dynasty, and my father has always regarded you highly. Come on, I can’t help you..."
Glancing at Zhou Xingfeng, who looked gloomy, Li Yuan chuckled and said, "Your Highness, that's not what you said half an hour ago! Didn't you keep claiming that the governor was a traitor? By the way, there is also the matter of Shouzhou. , that person testified Duan Chong——"
"What bullshit witness? That was Feng Kangqu's trick..." As soon as these words came out, not only everyone present was shocked, but even Li Congjia himself felt speechless. After he stopped in time, he showed an embarrassed smile and said: "Grand Governor, you are sensible. After all, I am young and have only been involved in government affairs for a few months. It is understandable that I was deceived by others without noticing..."
"Excusable circumstances?" Li Yuan suddenly changed his expression and angrily rebuked: "Without His Majesty's will, he killed an envoy of a town without permission, and even murdered the envoy's family. How can such a heinous crime be excusable? Can it be settled?"
Li Congjia was so shocked that he trembled and hurriedly said with a smile: "This, I have already said, it was Zhou Xingfeng who bewitched..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Yuan's eyes revealed a cold murderous intent, and he waved his hand and said: "Your Highness, regardless of whether you are bewitched or not, this governor only recognizes that the person who issued the order is you, Prince Zheng! If you don't give me an explanation today, don't blame me. This governor does not care about the righteousness of the king and his ministers!"
"Swish, swish, swish", Wu Ping's generals and all the sergeants raised their swords, and their sharp eyes clearly told Li Congjia that as long as Li Yuan nodded, he could be chopped into pieces in an instant.
Li Congjia's legs and feet were almost weak. If Zhu Kuangcong hadn't been holding him tightly behind him, he would have fallen down immediately. Under such tremendous psychological pressure, Li Congjia was filled with the idea of escape at this moment. In his heart, he just cursed Li Yuan and Zhou Xingfeng and others beside him, and asked in a weak voice with a pale face: "Big brother." Governor, what kind of explanation do you want? Just tell me, as long as this king can do it, I will obey it and obey it!"
Like a magic trick, Li Yuan immediately regained his calm expression, waved his hands and said with an intriguing smile: "Your Highness, you are the prince, and this governor is just a minister, but he cannot bear the words 'obey everything'." !Does His Highness think that the Governor is threatening you?"
"Hahaha......"
"What a bullshit prince! Look, he's about to pee!"
"Killing this trash will really dirty our knife..."
Hearing the harsh laughter all around, Li Congjia, who had never been so humiliated before, even though he felt strong dissatisfaction in his heart, still managed to suppress his impulse in the face of life and death, swallowed his saliva and said with a smile: "Grand Governor, you I am a loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty, so naturally I will not threaten this king! This king misunderstood the traitor and made such a big mistake. In terms of emotion, reason, and court laws, I really should give an explanation to the governor, otherwise how can I live up to my father? The emperor’s trust?”
"Yeah." Li Yuan seemed quite satisfied, and then waved his sleeves and ordered Zhu Kuangcong to loosen his arms. Li Conongjia immediately bent over and took a deep breath with relief. He didn't care about the eyes of everyone. His clothes were messy and he just looked for a clean place to sit cross-legged. He was in a state of panic and despair, not even looking like a prince at all.
Li Yuan watched Li Congjia's actions calmly, frowned and thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "Your Highness, is it really the surrender of General Zhou Xingfeng that deceived General Zhou Xingfeng into what happened today?"
Without waiting for Li Congjia's answer, Zhou Xingfeng, who had been silent for a long time, said in a deep voice: "Li Yuan, there is no need to embarrass Your Highness anymore! All the planning this time, including killing you to seize power, plundering your family documents in the backyard, etc., are all done by me, Zhou Xing Whenever someone has an idea, Your Highness is just forced by me!"
"First Evolution"
Li Yuan shook his head disdainfully and said: "Forced by you? You are just a small governor, what can you do to coerce the prince of the dynasty? Governor Zhou, in the eyes of this governor, you are still a figure! After all, you will die. Why should we bear the blame for others in vain?"
Zhou Xingfeng frowned and replied loudly: "The five thousand Sizhou soldiers on this trip are evidence of my crime. Li Yuan, don't say any more, and take my life quickly!"
Li Yuan naturally understood the meaning, and then asked Xu Kuangheng next to him according to his inner thoughts: "Sir, based on today's situation, what punishment should be given to Zhou Xingfeng?"
Xu Kuangheng handed over his hands without thinking and replied: "Back to the Governor, he beguiled and coerced the prince of the dynasty, with the intention of murdering the envoys of the town. This is a heinous crime that cannot be tolerated by heaven and earth! He should be punished by breaking a car into pieces!"
Li Yuan asked softly: "Have you heard? Governor Zhou, the punishment of being quartered by five horses. Is it worth it?"
Zhou Xingfeng did not reply, but turned his head to look at Li Congjia, who had an earthy face. After some eye contact, he nodded calmly, as if conveying some kind of secret last wish.
Now that the matter has come to this, Li Yuan decisively ordered: "Left and right, take down the traitor Zhou Xingfeng! Immediately punish him with the punishment of breaking a car into a car in the busy city!"
Several personal guards immediately stepped forward and replied, "Yes!"
"Your Highness, although the traitor has been killed, I still have to ask you to personally write a memorial to the court to explain today's events. Otherwise, I will not be able to explain clearly!"
"Okay, okay, I'll just write it down! I just don't know when I can return to Aurous Hill..."
"But there is no rush! I am afraid that Zhou Xingfeng may have an accomplice this time. To ensure the safety of His Highness, after the imperial court sends someone to reply, I will order someone to escort His Highness back to the court!"
.....
