?????????The emperor's words moved the minds of both people in the palace. Wang Zhang's eyes brightened slightly, as if he saw a slight turning point. Wang Jingchong's face was calm and he maintained a respectful posture, looking like a loyal dog of the emperor.
"Dare you ask what your Majesty wants?" Wang Zhang asked Liu Chengyou tentatively.
Liu Chengyou obviously had a plan, and without thinking, he looked at Wang Zhang and ordered: "It has been nearly a month since Yang Bin's car was returned to custody, and it is indeed difficult to delay the matter any longer. Yang Bin has a special status, and I have been thinking hard about the person to ask. There is no suitable person. Now that I think about it, I want Wang Qing to be responsible for this matter. I think that with Wang Qing’s uprightness, he will definitely be able to uphold justice!"
Wang Zhang was greatly surprised by the emperor's plan, and he couldn't help but guess his intentions. However, a tangled look quickly passed over his face, and he responded cautiously: "I obey!"
"Wang Shilang knew about this case, so he supported Wang Qing in pushing for the throne!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Wang Jingchong again.
After hearing the order, Wang Jingchong immediately bowed and said: "Yes!"
"That's right!" With a flash of his eyes, Liu Chengyou looked at Wang Zhang again, and his tone was a little stern: "I don't bother the two masters about anything. As for the Yang family, Wang Qing will explain that they are running around Tokyo during this time. It’s disturbing people’s hearts, let them calm down!”
The two ministers retired and sat high behind the case. Liu Chengyou stared at Wang Zhang's old and abnormal back, his expression gradually calmed down.
Although Wang Zhang's performance today seemed fine, Liu Chengyou was really dissatisfied!
Wang Zhang had been estranged from the township party Yang Bin for a long time. It was during the period when the conflict between Liu Chengyou and Yang Bin was most tense. At that time, Wang Zhang's actions, in Liu Chengyou's view, were moving closer to him. At that time, Yang Bin was in charge of politics and Wang Zhang was in charge of finance. If the two were as "colluding" as ever, it would cause greater trouble for Liu Chengyou and Liu Chengyou's progress in seizing power would be even slower.
Later, because Wang Zhang was conscientious in his work, did not shy away from leaving messages, did not hesitate to gain fame, worked hard for the country, and managed the difficult finances of the Han Dynasty, Liu Chengyou also developed admiration for him.
However, at this moment, forgetting Wang Zhang's contributions and hard work, Liu Chengyou only had one thought: after all, he was not the same person as him...
Suppressing the slight unhappiness in his heart, Liu Chengyou put away his thoughts, picked up a stack of memorials from his desk, and flipped through them casually. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and a look of amusement gradually appeared on his face.
These memorials have one thing in common: they are all impeachments against Yang Bin for various "crimes" by the court officials. In the imperial court, there is no shortage of "smart people" who can adapt to the changing circumstances. Interestingly, many of these people are former officials of the Yang family!
Liu Chengyou was initially doubtful about taking over Yang Bin, fearing that it would cause chaos in the court. However, after returning to Beijing and carefully observing the reactions of the courtiers, he quickly calmed down. He highly valued Yang Bin's influence. After all, this was not a peaceful age. In an era when warriors were in power, how much weight could Yang Bin, a civil servant, have even if he was the founding hero of the country?
Raising his hand to pinch the sore root of his nose, Liu Chengyou was now thinking about how to deal with Yang Bin and how to end the matter. No matter what, Yang Bin's matter has already caused a political turmoil. He can ignore what most people think, but he can't help but carefully appease Wang Zhang and Guo Wei, who are still powerful officials in Hedong Yuan Dynasty.
And Wang Zhang's performance just now has given him a wake-up call!
Stepping out of Chongzheng Hall, Wang Zhang stayed in front of the hall for a while, with a gloomy expression on his pale face.
Realizing the emperor's intentions, Wang Zhang felt even heavier. The corner of his mouth curled up with a bitter arc, thinking about the activities of the Yang family mentioned by the Emperor. If Yang Fan was really conspiring to rebel, his family would have been captured in one fell swoop.
As for asking him to question Yang Bin, Wang Zhang didn't feel that he was betraying his face...
"What are you thinking, sir?" Wang Jingchong's respectful voice rang in his ears.
Turning his head to look, Wang Jingchong had a flattering look on his face, and in Wang Zhang's eyes, there was always something sinister about him. Without concealing his disgust, Wang Zhang said in a mocking tone: "I was thinking that Shilang Wang is loyal, which is rare in the world!"
His expression froze, and the cruel look in his eyes quickly disappeared. Wang Jingchong lowered his head, pretending not to understand what he meant, and said: "My husband is so complimentary, I really don't dare to be a lower-ranking official. As a king and the people, you should fulfill your duties loyally, Yang Fan In the case of a treasonous thief, if my husband gives orders, I will do my best to help you and I will not neglect you!"
"Hmph!" Wang Zhang responded with a cold snort and walked away.
Similarly, Wang Jingchong also snorted coldly, and after he walked away, he said to himself: "This old man insulted me, Yang Bing has fallen, how long can you still be arrogant, hahaha..."
Southwest of the imperial city, close to the Wude Si Yamen, is where the Han Dynasty's imperial prison was located. The prison was densely guarded and heavily guarded. After Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, he devoted himself to lenient sentences and simpler administration. The Kaifeng government has been screening unjust cases and cleaning up prisons, while fewer imperial edicts and prisons were used.
The huge prison is not as terrifying as the word suggests. The environment is not cold and damp, and there are no terrifying instruments of torture. It is just quiet, depressingly and terrifyingly quiet.
As the prisoner with the highest official position and the most power before being imprisoned, Yang Bin enjoyed the strictest custody. Since entering this area, no outsiders have been able to come into contact with him.
Although the cell is not big, it is very clean and tidy, with only a little mess. It is surrounded by copper and iron walls and has little light. Yang Bin stayed here silently, with sunken eye sockets, stubble growing wildly, a haggard face, and his figure was obviously much thinner than before. Obviously, although he was not tortured, the days in prison were always difficult, especially for Yang Xianggong, who was once high and powerful.
The cell door made of iron sheets was opened with difficulty, and a few rays of sunlight that was not very bright leaked in like water. For Yang Bin, it was a bit dazzling. He subconsciously raised his hand to block the light, and then he saw an official robe. Wang Zhang walked straight away from the door.
Noticing Wang Jingchong behind Wang Zhang, a surge of anger surged into his heart, and his face turned cold. But he quickly looked back,
Smelling the unavoidable smell of decay in prison, he looked at his old friend, stubbornly erecting his upper body and looking at himself. Although he was holding on, the embarrassment in his attitude could not be concealed.
With a slight sigh, Wang Zhang waved his hand: "You all go out and close the door!"
"Ms. sir, I'm afraid this is inappropriate!" Upon hearing this, Wang Jingchong, who was behind him, immediately expressed his objection.
"What's wrong? The Prime Minister wants to interrogate the prisoner alone. Does Wang Shilang have any objections?" Wang Zhang said calmly.
Seeing this, Wang Jingchong looked slightly cold and reminded in a deep voice: "My lord, please don't forget that Yang Feng is not an ordinary criminal! Furthermore, interrogation has its own rules. My lord, please don't violate the rules!"
Ignoring the warning in his words, Wang Zhang took a tough stance: "Your Majesty is taking charge of this matter as he is. I have my own considerations. There is no need for you to make any noise. Stand down!"
Under Wang Zhang's force, Wang Jingchong had no other choice but to watch the jailer close the cell door and isolate himself from the outside.
However, the moment the cell door closed, Wang Jingchong's expression changed and became indifferent, his eyes flickered, and a sinister smile hung on his face.
In Wang Jingchong's view, this was Wang Zhang himself who had given the handle to himself. He had already made plans on how to report this matter to Liu Chengyou. Wang Zhang behaved strangely, and retreated to the left and right, only to see the traitor Yang Bin. The two had a secret conversation for a long time...
"Brother, I'm afraid it's wrong to offend a villain like this, so be careful! What happened to me should serve as a warning!" The conversation between Yang and Wang started with Yang Bin's reminder to Wang Zhang.
