Since the beginning of the new year, Liu Yang and Emperor Liu have met very rarely. Even at the Qianyuan Imperial Banquet on New Year's Eve, there was not much communication. The reason is that Liu Yang does not want to irritate Emperor Liu more.
Nowadays, the relationship between the emperor and the prince can only be described as ambiguous and complicated. Even Liu Yang feels that it is difficult to grasp the sense of propriety and has to act cautiously.
Stepping into the Chui Gong Hall again, Liu Yang could not help but sigh a little in his heart. When he saw the emperor's father, his emotions became more complicated. At least from the outside, Emperor Liu's condition was not good. The imperial court was still aloft, but it was almost entirely shrouded in shadow, making his face unclear and seeming to be hiding wounds and flaws.
Looking closer, you can clearly see the tiredness on the old emperor's face, his messy gray beard, thick dark circles under his eyes, crack-like wrinkles, and the whole thing has completely fallen into a state of twilight.
The aloof figure made Liu Yang feel a little sad. However, he quickly calmed down and behaved as usual, saluting Emperor Liu calmly: "Your Majesty, Liu Yang, is here to see you!"
Emperor Liu was sitting there like a sculpture. After a while, there was movement. He waved his hand to Liu Yang and said, "Flat body! Give me a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"How are you recovering from your illness?" Emperor Liu asked as Liu Yang sat down.
Liu Yang had asked for leave from Emperor Liu on the pretext of illness, and he had been staying in the East Palace recently to "recuperate" with peace of mind. Of course, Liu Yang did need to recuperate. After all, he was in his forties and no longer young.
Liu Yang's actions in his twenties and thirties were almost a replica of Emperor Liu's back then. He was diligent and conscientious and never slacked off. However, compared to Emperor Liu, he did not suffer from some diseases due to running around, but his body was always overwhelmed. . Not to mention anything else, Liu Yang's complexion looks much better after just the rest of the month.
Therefore, Liu Yang answered calmly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! After this period of rest, my health has improved a lot and my energy has doubled!"
"You have worked hard these past years!" Emperor Liu nodded calmly and sighed: "For the sake of the country, the country, the country, and the world, we must take better care of your health!"
These words really surprised Liu Yang, and even felt unreal. The last time Emperor Liu cared about Liu Yang's health, was it ten years ago or twenty years ago?
But no matter what, when the old emperor said these words of care, Liu Yang was still moved in his heart. After all, it was too rare, so he hurriedly thanked him and dealt with it.
However, a little warmth seemed to be just an illusion. Immediately afterwards, Emperor Liu asked coldly and quietly: "What do you think of Zhang Xun and Lu Mengzheng?"
Liu Yang was obviously prepared for this turn of events and was not surprised. He thought about it for a moment and said, "Judging from my previous experience of working with these two people, they are very loyal!"
"They colluded with those court officials to build momentum, and together they forced me to go to the palace and demanded that Wang Jien be dealt with. What do you think of such behavior?" Emperor Liu said with a cold tone, staring at Liu Yang.
After hearing the question, Liu Yang felt awe-struck and did not dare to be careless. He responded in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's words are serious! In my opinion, they don't have the courage yet, they just have a plan!"
"What do you want?" Emperor Liu's voice immediately rose a little higher, and he said sadly: "Wang Jien, is he worthy of such a clique? Listen to the rumors in the capital, he is such a 'twenty-eight virtuous ministers', What do you think?"
Liu Yang paused for a moment, cupped his hands and said: "The common people are mediocre and ignorant. They are just rumors and what others say."
"It is true that others are following what others say, so who spread it first? Who is behind it?" Emperor Liu's old eyes glowed with a fierce light: "Bullshit 'Twenty-Eight Wise Ministers' are just rebellious ministers! If they are gentlemen and virtuous ministers, then What am I? A foolish king? A tyrant?"
"Your Majesty, calm down!" Seeing Emperor Liu's sudden attack, Liu Yang immediately stood up, knelt down and bowed down.
Looking down at Liu Yangfei lying on the ground, Emperor Liu remained silent for a while and asked coldly: "From what you said, you mean to excuse Zhang and Lu. Do you think Zhang Xun, Lu Mengzheng and others should not die?" ?"
At this point, Liu Yang's expression became truly solemn. According to his thoughts, of course he couldn't kill all the twenty-eight people. The crime was not worthy of death. If he killed them rashly, the consequences would be too great and the impact would be too wide.
However, facing the old emperor at this time, can he express his opinions directly? What on earth was the old emperor thinking? Did he really want to kill Zhang and Lu Twenty-eight Ministers? How should I answer it myself?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Liu Yang's mind. At the same time, Xu Shilian's words in the Hongde Hall seemed to ring in his ears again. It would be safest to follow his words and answer according to the old emperor's thoughts. .
However, did the old emperor really have murderous intentions? It should be, then Jiang Mu has already given a very clear signal.
Seeing Liu Yang's hesitant expression, Emperor Liu said with some impatience in his tone: "Does this question of mine embarrass you?"
After this brief calculation, Liu Yang also made up his mind. Facing Emperor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, Liu Yang stood up and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, Zhang, Lu and others are suspected of seeking loyalty directly, but according to the court Control, indeed the crime does not deserve death!”
After saying this, Emperor Liu's expression became obviously gloomier, and his eyes became sharper, even threatening, staring directly at Liu Yang. Under such circumstances, Liu Yang was naturally under a lot of pressure. The old emperor's gaze made him feel like a thorn in his back, but he did not dare to make the slightest move and just tried his best to stay calm.
It was like a silent confrontation. After a while, Emperor Liu's straight body collapsed, leaning back on the back of the throne, as if he had put away his fangs, and asked in a gentle tone : "What about Wang Jien?"
Feeling the change in the old emperor's tone, Liu Yang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling like he had overcome a dangerous difficulty. Faced with the new problem, after thinking for a moment, he handed over his hands and said: "Wang Jien has been loyal to His Majesty for forty years. If there are some mistakes and omissions, he must deal with them. He should only obey His Majesty's will. Foreign ministers have no right to interfere!"
Emperor Liu did not express his position, and then asked: "Where is the Imperial City Department?"
"How can the emperor destroy his own ears and eyes?" Liu Yang's answer became more straightforward, concise and powerful.
The expression on Emperor Liu's old face slowly relaxed. He looked at Liu Yang in front of the emperor and said leisurely: "You are not completely ignorant, why do you still want to intercede for Zhang, Lu and the others?"
Regarding this, Liu Yang thought for a moment and then replied calmly: "After all, Zhang and Lu are ministers of the imperial court, and Lu Mengzheng has been promoted by your Majesty. Although the imperial court is full of talents, ministers of this level are still rare. Therefore, I cannot bear it and dare to speak out."
After listening to his explanation, Emperor Liu didn't say anything for a while, and there was even a little confusion in his old eyes. After a long time, Fang said indifferently: "I originally planned to impose the death penalty on these ministers who are arrogant and have ulterior motives. However, Since you’re begging for mercy, then let’s give him a lighter sentence!”
In fact, although the anger was overwhelming, Emperor Liu's brain had not been burned out, and he did not know the serious consequences of directly killing Zhang and Lu's twenty-eight ministers.
However, if there is no punishment, how can it deter those bureaucrats and ministers? On the other hand, the momentum has already been done before. If he is promoted lightly, it will only make people think that he is a strong man but a cadre, and make those bureaucrats despise his old age even more.
Therefore, after the prince begged for mercy and remonstrance, Emperor Liu would be merciful and avoid his death, which became a smooth solution. Of course, Emperor Liu also had second-hand plans. If the prince did not plead for mercy, then he would be killed. If they wanted to be loyal and virtuous, he would grant it to them.
"Relegate all those people to serve in the northwest!" Emperor Liu made the final decision, but soon realized that it was wrong. He immediately changed his mind and said coldly: "You dare to be so unscrupulous and collude to cause trouble in the court. If you come to If you put them together in different places, you will no longer give them the opportunity to make trouble! You can handle them separately by distributing them!"
Emperor Liu's suspicious performance still made people breathless, but fortunately his life was saved, and Liu Yang could only solemnly respond: "Yes!"
"You have rested for a long time. If you are in good health, please go back to the political affairs hall to manage the affairs. Otherwise, the ministers will say that you, the prince, are slacking off!" Emperor Liu turned his attention to Liu Yang again and looked at him calmly. He said leisurely.
Obviously, Emperor Liu's attitude towards the prince has returned to normal. As for what he said, he was just looking for a reasonable excuse to let both father and son down.
After leaving the Chui Gong Hall, Liu Yang looked up at the sky under the high eaves of the palace. He actually felt like he was out of a prison. His back felt cold. Even though he was in the hall, under the heavy pressure, he could not help but sweat on his back.
