In the spring and March of the twenty-sixth year of Kaibao's reign, Prince Yansheng of Pingliang passed away at the age of seventy. The emperor was grieved endlessly and issued an edict to abolish the court for three days.
Regarding Wang Yansheng's death, there are only a few words in the historical records, and the writing style of Spring and Autumn Period is relatively obvious.
There is a relatively complete record of the cause and course of his death. It was probably because Wang Yansheng was drunk and got excited, so he went to Baoguo Lake in the back garden of the palace at night. On a whim, he danced with a knife. He accidentally lost his footing and fell into the lake, drowning. Death... Of course, this is the final conclusion given by the official, and the real situation was investigated clearly one day after the incident and submitted to Emperor Liu.
In the secret investigation report of the Imperial City Division, there is sufficient evidence that Wang Yansheng committed suicide.
"What's so hard to think about? Why do you choose to die?" In the palace garden, Emperor Liu stood on the edge of Ming Lake, leaning on his staff, silently looking at the rippling water, and murmured.
There was a sentimental look on his old face, and his eyes were even a little red. After learning the news of Wang Yansheng's death, Emperor Liu finally recalled the words in Wang Yansheng's mouth the night before yesterday.
What does "account" mean? The life of a hard-working and meritorious nobleman is enough to explain everything, and it is enough to eliminate all dissatisfaction in Emperor Liu's heart. After all, the deceased is dead... What happened today is like yesterday. The scene reappeared: Zhang Dinghou (formerly Duke Zhang Yanwei) was severely reprimanded by Emperor Liu for complaining and making nonsense at the wedding banquet of the eldest princess Liu Jia. Out of fear, he committed suicide in the palace.
This matter caused a stir at the time. After all, Zhang Yanwei was also a veteran of Emperor Liu's Yuan Cong, and in terms of qualifications, he was even higher than the generals on the right.
This time, Wang Yansheng was also convicted for his words. Although Emperor Liu didn't react much on the surface, and their situations were different, Emperor Liu's attitude and handling methods were similar.
The equally desolate endings of the two people also show that they have similarities, but Wang Yansheng's death is relatively smooth and convenient for some modifications... If we say that when faced with Zhang Yanwei's death, Emperor Liu's The reaction was that of a cat crying over a mouse. Faced with Wang Yansheng’s death, the elements of surprise, surprise, and sadness took up more of the element.
After all, although Emperor Liu was angry with Wang Yansheng's remarks, he really didn't think about taking his life. He sent people there just to beat him up.
Of course, this was Emperor Liu's self-righteous thought, but in the end he ignored the feelings this action brought to people.
The older Emperor Liu is, his heart is getting harder and harder, and he can be said to be as solid as a stone. However, at the same time, he can be easily moved under certain circumstances, such as the death of old friends. After all, for Emperor Liu, it is like being in love. Look at yourself.
If it was a normal death, it would be enough to express sadness, but unfortunately, Wang Yansheng, a veteran general, died.
"Accident", and the direct cause was himself, which made Emperor Liu unable to accept the matter calmly.
Although he didn't know whether it was guilt or self-blame, Emperor Liu was obviously in a very unhappy mood, and there was a sigh of relief in his heart.
"Do you think I killed Wang Yansheng?" After standing in the wind for a long time, Emperor Liu suddenly spoke again and asked Yantuo and Wang Jien who were waiting beside him.
The two of them had a relatively clear understanding of this matter, so Emperor Liu asked his question without any cover-up, but straight from the bottom of his heart.
Upon hearing this, the two old enemies glanced at each other subconsciously. Wang Jien comforted him and said: "Jungong Wang accidentally fell into the water and died. What does it have to do with the official family? Why should we blame ourselves? I also ask the official family to express their condolences. Your body is more important." Yeah!" Listening to his words, Emperor Liu had no expression on his face, just the same indifference. He raised his hand and called in a cold voice: "Yantuo!"
"Young one is here!" Yan Tuo responded quickly as his body tensed slightly. Emperor Liu ordered: "Deposit 50,000 yuan from the internal funds, half of which will be used to supplement the family income of Pingliang Duke, and half of which will be used to fund the overseas expansion of the colonial team he organized."
"Yes!" After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu asked: "I have heard to some extent that Wang Yansheng's three sons are all useless. To the point where Wang Yansheng needs to borrow money, I am afraid that the reason for this is that he is a prodigal son. Are there any talents among this generation?" After hearing this, Wang Jien thought about it for a moment, and then handed it over and said: "As far as I know, among the eight descendants of the Wang family, only the second grandson Zhekai is calm and careful, and he has been worthy of it for a long time!"
"Wang Zhekai?" Emperor Liu asked, "Whose son is this?"
"Wang Yingjie, the second son of Duke Pingliang!"
"Second son!" Emperor Liu whispered: "How old are you? Where do you live and what is your position now?"
"I am twenty-two years old and have a military rank of 100 generals. I have been guarding the border in Kuozhou for two and a half years!" Wang Jien replied. He knew everything about the Wang family.
There was no further question. If what Wang Jien said was true, then Emperor Liu had already obtained enough information.
With regard to the qualities displayed by the descendants of the Wang family, one can only choose the taller among the short ones. It is no longer easy to find someone who can see through them.
"It's a blessing for him. He gave birth to a good son!" After a moment of silence, Emperor Liu sighed softly: "The edict is sent to Wang Yingjie to attack the nobility!" After hearing this edict, the two eunuchs couldn't help but look surprised, and Yan Tuo He plucked up the courage and reminded carefully: "In the official family, the eldest son of Duke Pingliang is Wang Yinghao..." After hearing this, Emperor Liu turned his head, stared at Yantuo with a strange look, and even came closer to the two. Stepping forward, he asked: "Don't I know? Do I need you to remind me? Do I need you to check and review when I make a decision?" He asked three questions in a row, which confused Yan Tuo and faced Emperor Liu's gloomy look. , Yan Tuo couldn't help but trembled, and shrank his neck: "You are too talkative!"
"Your talkativeness is not just once or twice, nor is it a day or two!" Emperor Liu scolded him coldly.
For Yan Tuo, these words were serious. His legs went weak and he knelt down. He said with a flustered expression: "I'm sorry, official! I'm sorry, official!" On the other hand, seeing Yan Tuo's embarrassed look, Wang Jien's mood was... I was so happy that I couldn't help but raise the corners of my mouth.
After the rock fell off and he was embarrassed, Wang Jien bowed to Emperor Liu again and said: "In the official family, Pingliang Duke's government borrowed money from foreign countries in the past two years. It was just because the government was extravagant and spent huge amounts of money that it could not make ends meet. The creditor There are roughly two parties, one is the squire and county magistrate from the ancestral home of Pingliang Gong, and the other is the wealthy businessman Kang Ning in Beijing. According to the investigation, these are all done behind the scenes by the Wang family. Pingliang Gong did not know about it at first because he was borrowing money. , the countrymen and commanders in Jiannan Prefectures have done many illegal things by taking advantage of the authority of the government. As for Kang Ning, no irregularities in the affairs of Duke Pingliang have been found out. Before the final meeting with the official, Duke Pingliang went to find him. He passed by Kangning and paid off his debts with famous horses, jade, and swords. In addition, according to the current investigation, Kangning has made friends with powerful people over the years. In addition to the Duke of Pingliang, many dignitaries in the government and the public have borrowed money from him, and some in the court have The same is true for officials..." After hearing Wang Jien's report here, Emperor Liu's attention had already been diverted from Yan Tuo. He was stunned for a while, and then he said in a somewhat irritable tone: "It's all you said. real?"
"Yes!" Wang Jien gave an affirmative response.
"There really are surprises waiting for me behind!" Emperor Liu smiled. There was no sadness in his old eyes. Instead, there was a hint of solemnity: "This Kang Ning is really a businessman. He will not change his nature and is still restless. !”
"How much did the Wang family borrow from him?"
"It is said that there are eight thousand strings in total. The exact number still needs to be verified!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu had a cold expression on his face. After thinking about it, he raised his hand and ordered sternly: "Check! Keep giving. Let me investigate! Let me find out all the people and things involved in the Pingliang Duke's debt. Anyone who violates laws and disciplines will be severely punished. And Kang Ning, how many powerful people he has debt relationships with, let me find out. I would like to see what kind of profit web he has weaved, and how many powerful people in the Han Dynasty have degenerated..."
"Yes!" Faced with Emperor Liu's instructions, Wang Jien felt a rush of heat flow into his heart. This was an opportunity for him to show off his skills.
"Stand back!" After the instruction, Emperor Liu became a little interested and waved his hand.
"My dear, please excuse me!" The chamberlains and guards were waiting at a distance, leaving Emperor Liu enough space to be alone. Emperor Liu sat on a stone platform with one leg in his arms, looking at the lake and continuing to be lost in thought. There seemed to be something written on his old face.
The word "lost". He was still thinking about Wang Yansheng's death. Various signs showed that Wang Yansheng originally planned to commit suicide, but in the end, he chose to jump into the lake and make the illusion of falling into the water. The purpose of this was obviously to make Liu It was easier for the emperor and the court to disguise this matter and cover up the truth.
Everyone said that Wang Yansheng was rude and domineering, but his delicate thoughts were often shown at critical moments, before he died, and he could even consider such details. Otherwise, it would be a pleasure to kill himself, but what would be left is a mess with a bit of odor. It is neither easy to clean up nor good for future generations.
And after Wang Yansheng's actions, the old scores of Pingliang Gongfu can basically be wiped out.
"I have been galloping on the battlefield all my life, winning more and losing less. This last battle was won even more beautifully. Even I was caught..." Unknowingly, a smile filled the corners of Emperor Liu's mouth.
"I thought it was because of me, but I never thought that there are financial problems in it! There are three unfilial piety, not having children is the worst. However, if they are all prodigal things, it is really better to die. The tiger father and the dog son will not be yours. Words are probably the greatest sorrow! However, you did give me a wake-up call with your life..." As he murmured to himself, the smile at the corner of Emperor Liu's mouth turned into a cold arc.
