No one expected that things would develop like this.
Originally, they all thought that this meeting was because of Wang Yun's incident, but they did not expect that these people from Sangong's Mansion would appear here.
What's more, I didn't expect that His Majesty, the young man in the palace who almost never leaves home, would have found out about them so clearly!
Qiao Zheng and others were greatly frightened. How could they know that the emperor was so aware of such a hidden matter?
Qiao Zheng's expression changed and his hands trembled. The emperor's sudden attack caught him off guard.
"I know that I am guilty, and please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Just as Qiao was thinking of a countermeasure, some people behind him fell to the ground in fear and begged for mercy.
Liu Bian stared at Qiao Zheng with cold eyes and said, "Pick it up and show it to me!"
Qiao Zheng looked at the memorials scattered on the ground, and vaguely saw the names of 'Zhang Rang' and others. His heart trembled, his face turned pale, and he knelt down with a thud, unable to say a word.
Only then did he wake up. The imperial court would not pursue the members of the Eunuch Party, but that did not mean that the court had no evidence of those who bought offices from the Eunuch Party!
Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Dong Zhuo and others sat upright with their heads lowered and their expressions could not be seen.
Zhong Yao, Li Ru, Liu Biao and others secretly frowned. They knew nothing about so many things!
"Somebody come!"
Liu Bian snorted coldly and said: "Pull him out and put him on death row!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the guards rushed in to seize these.
"Your Majesty, spare your life, Your Majesty, spare your life!"
"Your Majesty, I am being forced. It is all Qiao Zheng. It is him who is forcing me..."
"Your Majesty, I was wronged. I was not involved..."
"Your Majesty, I know that I have sinned. I beg your Majesty to spare my life..."
"Step aside!"
Suddenly, a gray-haired old man of about half a century broke free from the guards, stood up, and roared at Liu Bian: "Wang Yun disrupted the government, killed officials, and forced to death orphans and widows. Your Majesty will not hold him accountable, but... Open up the old case and refuse to surrender!"
Another middle-aged man broke away from the guard, with a sad face, and said generously: "I was just deceived and did not commit a crime. Since your Majesty took the throne, you have favored traitors, stayed away from direct ministers, disturbed the court, and made the loyal and good worried! Today, I am willing to die to remonstrate, please Your Majesty to change his ways, eliminate the traitors, and clarify the court!"
As he spoke, he was about to hit the pillar on the side.
The guards grabbed him and pinned him to the ground.
Yang Biao, Wang Yun and others have changed their minds. If someone really bumps into and dies in the Jiade Hall in public, then His Majesty will be labeled as a "foolish king" who "directs his ministers to die for remonstrance".
"Pull out!"
How could Liu Bian be frightened by such a trick? He said coldly: "Find a place where no one is around and let him hit him. If he dies, he will be buried on the spot!"
Without saying a word, the guards dragged more than thirty people out.
The crowd howled and shouted for mercy.
Liu Bian sat upright, scanning the courtiers on both sides with his peripheral vision.
These people bowed their heads and did not dare to speak.
Inside the main hall, it was as quiet as there was no one around.
Liu Bian's eyes turned around and fell on Zuo Li.
Zuo Li understood, quietly retreated, and walked out from the side door.
Liu Bian watched Xiao Huangmen take back the scattered memorials on the ground, and said calmly: "Tell me about the reduction of redundant officials."
The ministers remained calm and their eyes were focused on Wang Yun.
"Wang Yun killed Yin Tong and forced his entire family to die. Are you going to ignore the matter?" 'Many people said secretly.
This kind of thing cannot be suppressed. Even if His Majesty the Emperor does not pursue it, Wang Yun will be drowned in the saliva of the government and the public!
Wang Yun felt frustrated and depressed. He raised his hand and said with a sullen face, "Your Majesty, it is expected that 200 people will be laid off today. It will last for ten days, and the total reduction will be 1,921 people. The decision will be finalized before the end of the year."
Liu Bian nodded and said: "Everyone in the family has heard this. I hope that all the members of the family can work together to eliminate interference, put state affairs first, and put all kinds of thoughts away."
Seeing Liu Bian's calm expression and calm and authoritative tone, all the courtiers in the palace felt inexplicably awe-inspiring.
This young majesty is becoming more and more dignified.
"I will receive the order."
People here understand the 'big picture', watch the 'wind direction', and raise their hands respectfully.
Liu Bian's eyes moved back and forth on the faces of Yang Biao, Wang Yun, and Dong Zhuo, and he said: "I will hand over the salt administration matter to Li Cao and Hu Cao to jointly implement it. What do you think?"
"I accept the order." Yang Biao raised his hand and said. He was eager to push everything out, not to mention that Yanzheng wanted to stir up a hornet's nest.
Others raised their hands and said, "I'll wait for the order."
The matter of salt administration has been prepared for a long time. All the winds that should blow have blown, and no one is willing to take on this thankless task.
"The ministers have no objections, so let's make this decision." Liu Bian said.
Ying Shao has arrived in Jizhou, and controlling the output of the salt farm is just around the corner. Even if Liu Yan from Yizhou is disobedient, without Liu Bian’s nod, the salt from Yizhou cannot enter the seven northern states!
It’s time to tax salt!
Yang Biao took advantage of the opportunity, raised his hand, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of Zuo Pushe, I believe that we must investigate carefully and not convict based on a few words of the courtier."
Liu Bian glanced at him and then turned to Wang Yun.
Wang Yun did not expect that Yang Biao would actually explain it to him, bowing with a stern expression and lowering his eyes.
Suddenly, Zuo Li walked in from the side door in small steps, came to Liu Bian, bowed and whispered a few words.
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows. Is there such an unexpected gain?
Zuo Li quietly stepped back and stood next to Liu Bian.
Just as Liu Bian was about to speak, a man from Zhonghuang Gate hurriedly came in from the other side. He looked panicked and handed a memorial to Liu Bian. He said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, the memorial was just received by the Chancellery."
Liu Bian remained calm and reached out to take it. After opening it, he just glanced at it, his eyes suddenly changed and he was as sharp as a knife.
This is Yin Tong's memorial, which directly admonishes Liu Bian: unfilial to his grandmother, abandoning the mountains, favoring traitors, killing courtiers, making direct officials frightened, scholars fearful, the world is in chaos, and the country is about to be destroyed, etc.
"What a courage!"
Liu Bian's eyes were cold and he raised his head to look into the palace.
The courtiers in the palace were still in a state of confusion and had not yet recovered from the matter of Qiao Zheng and Wang Yun. Seeing Liu Bian's expression, they couldn't help but be secretly frightened.
What happened again?
Liu Bian suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, looked at the small yellow door, and said, "Who else knows about this memorial?"
Xiao Huangmen lowered his head, his face turned slightly pale, and said: "The household duty officer and the villain."
Liu Bian nodded, regained his expression, and handed the memorial to Zuo Li.
Zuo Li faced Liu Bian's eyes with serious murderous intent, his face tightened, he took it silently, and quietly withdrew.
Liu Bian sat up straight, turned to the courtiers, with a spring breeze smile on his face, and said loudly: "Qiao Zheng and others confessed that they were the ones who poisoned Yin Tong, forced Yin Tong's wife to death, and framed Wang Qing's family."
All the ministers looked at Liu Bian, with the word 'confused' written all over their faces.
Wang Yun who was framed by Qiao Zheng and others? Such a coincidence?
Besides, His Majesty should be happy that Wang Yun has been cleared. How could he have that expression just now?
What does that memorial say?
Liu Bian looked at everyone again, then stood up suddenly and said: "Qiao Zheng and others, all of them will be executed. That's it for today."
"Retreat from the court." Pan Yin shouted loudly and quickly followed Liu Bian out of the side door.
More than thirty people are waiting at the execution bridge!
The courtiers looked at Liu Bian's back in horror, with shock and doubts in their hearts.
The original expectation that Wang Yun would be convicted and imprisoned did not happen. Instead, someone came out and cleared Wang Yun's name.
Even after Liu Bian left for a long time, the Jiade Hall was still quiet, no one spoke, and no one left.
Yang Biao had a sullen face and looked at himself with dignity. He glanced at the crowd from the corner of his eye and smiled at Wang Yundao: "Master, this is a blessing in disguise. Congratulations."
Wang Yun had no expression on his face and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was ready to die. He never thought that he would have a way out after all the hardships he had faced.
'Is it really Qiao Zheng and others who set up a trap for me, or is His Majesty deliberately trying to protect me? '
Wang Yun was unsure, and said to Yang Biao with a stiff face: "Thank you, Prime Minister, for speaking uprightly."
Yang Biao's fat face trembled, and he said with a smile: "You and I are colleagues, as it should be."
He Yong, Zhong Yao and others saw each other and looked at each other quietly.
What happened today happened too suddenly and unprepared, leaving them with too much confusion.
Especially after His Majesty read the memorial, Jiang Qiao was waiting for more than thirty people to be executed.
Your Majesty has always considered himself to be 'lenient', but this is the first time that more than thirty people have been executed in one sentence!
The other courtiers were also thinking about this matter and had already ignored Wang Yun, who was about to fall.
Wang Yun sat there, and it took him a long time to calm down. His eyes slid over the faces of everyone in the hall, cold and indifferent, and he was inferring in his mind what other traitors were involved in framing him.
"Everyone, what else do you have to say about the reduction of redundant officials?" Wang Yun's voice rang out in the quiet hall.
Everyone looked stern, and many people unconsciously bowed slightly to Wang Yun with respectful expressions on their faces.
Qiao Zheng is about to be executed in his thirties. Who dares to make irresponsible remarks about the reduction of redundant officials?
Yang Biao looked at Wang Yun, suddenly feeling very wary.
After what happened today, Wang Yun not only survived, but his position became more stable and his power increased greatly!
Seeing that no one said anything, Wang Yun turned to Yang Biao and said, "Prime Minister, what do you mean?"
Yang Biao immediately looked friendly and said with a smile: "Master, let's do it according to your wishes. Just draw up the terms and ask me to seal it."
Wang Yun looked unmoved and said, "Are we discussing matters at the Chancellor's desk?"
Yang Biao stood up and said with a smile to the others: "Everyone, let's discuss matters at the Chancellor's desk."
Following Yang Biao, Wang Yun stood up, and others followed suit, quietly looking at each other with familiar people, instead of gathering in twos and threes to discuss as before.
He Yong and Zhong Yao had just left Jiade Hall and walked together, away from the crowd.
He Yong said: "Zhong Tingwei, you said, is it really Qiao Zheng and the others?"
Zhong Yao said: "It's all yes or no."
He Yong understood and remembered Liu Bian's expression as he read the memorial. He clearly felt the killing intent in Liu Bian's eyes.
He Yong's relationship with Liu Bian was not as close as that of Xun You. He didn't have the courage to ask, and he always felt uneasy.
"Xun Shangshu, are you going back to Beijing soon?" He Yong asked.
Zhong Yao nodded and said, "I received his letter yesterday, probably within the next day or two."
He Yong hummed, but kept thinking.
He found that without Xun You, Liu Cao actually lost his backbone, everything was not going smoothly and it was difficult to make decisions.
Speaking of which, Shangshutai seems to be peaceful now, but in fact there are factions and estrangements are clearly visible.
As the prime minister, Yang Biao was neither a friend nor a party, but invisibly, he was the most powerful one. He was the prime minister after all.
Next is Wang Yun, who handles the most court affairs and is in charge of the "cutting off redundant officials". Everyone in the government and the public must be polite and dignified when they see him.
Then, there are six Cao Cao, headed by Li Cao Shangshu Xun You, three Cao Cao and one Cao Cao.
As for the Jiuqing outside, many of them are the "remnants" of eunuchs and relatives, and their thoughts are unpredictable.
Zhong Yao, He Yong said, and came to the meeting hall of Shangshutai. They were startled when they entered - Bohai King Liu Xie was also there.
Liu Xie is here, not surprising, this was decided more than two months ago. What made them stunned was that Liu Xie was not sitting aside as before, but sitting side by side with Prime Minister Yang Biao!
Not only the two of them were stunned, but others were also puzzled.
Including Liu Xie himself.
He sat next to Yang Biao. Compared with the fat Yang Biao, Liu Xie looked very thin.
Liu Xie had a stern face and sat upright. Even though he was precocious, he was still very nervous when facing the eyes of so many court officials.
He was full of worries about Liu Bian's arrangements, but he couldn't resist, so he had to cooperate.
When Yang Biao saw that everyone had arrived, he said solemnly and solemnly: "Today, we will talk about the reduction of redundant officials. The Minister's Office has set a time limit of ten days. If you have any difficulties, you can feel free to speak freely."
No one spoke, most of them were just pretending and thinking.
Qiao Zheng and others, more than thirty people jumping up and down, were about to be executed. Who dared to say anything?
Yang Biao glanced at Wang Yun, turned to Liu Xie beside him, and said with a smile: "What do you think, Your Highness?"
Liu Xie's little face remained motionless and he said: "My lords are discussing matters. I am here to listen to the government. I do not make any comments and have no right to make decisions. Please feel free to discuss politics and don't pay attention to me."
Yang Biao blinked his little eyes, and then said with a smile: "That's it for today. Will Your Highness join me in presenting to His Majesty?"
Liu Xie looked at him and said, "I am going to take my grandmother to the palace for the New Year, so I won't be with the Prime Minister."
Yang Biao's expression remained unchanged, but he was secretly surprised in his heart.
Accept Empress Dowager Dong into the palace? Why?
Who doesn't know that Empress Dowager Dong wanted Liu Xie to succeed to the throne? When the late emperor died, she was the master of the Twelve Constant Attendants.
Empress Dowager Dong had a huge responsibility for that palace incident!
Not only Yang Biao was alarmed, but Wang Yun, Zhong Yao and others were also secretly wary.
At this time, in Yongle Palace.
Queen Mother He had a cold face and shouted to Liu Bian: "I don't agree, let the old woman die on the barren mountain!"
(End of chapter)
