News spread that the Song family's ancestral grave had been disturbed overnight. There were many people guarding the city gate. Xiao Yan led the black-armored guards in and out. The coffin that was carried into the city was not covered up. In the morning of the next day, Many people have heard about what happened last night.
Knowing that Song Xi's lineage had been expelled from the Song clan and that the coffin had been moved to the back of the unfinished academy, many people whispered.
Some said that the Song family deserved it, while others scolded Tang Ning for being disobedient and unfilial. Of course, more scolded Xiao Yan for using his power to bully others.
It was customary to go to court in the morning. Just after the business was done and it was time to retire, someone came out to impeach Xiao Yan for using his power to oppress the Song family.
Qian Baokun was the first to stand up: "What does it mean to misuse one's authority?"
"The Lord of Yiyang County has long since obtained His Majesty's permission to draw a clear line with the Song family. Moreover, this matter also involves the rebellion of King Cheng and Song Hong. It is only a matter of time before the tombs are moved. Governor Xiao is only exercising his authority to run errands. How can Just using your power to bully others?"
Cao Dejiang also stood aside, holding the white jade tablet in his hand and said quietly: "Have the black-armored guards ever broken into the Song family?"
The courtier who spoke said anxiously: "In full view of everyone, the black-armored guards entered the Song family..."
"Whose eyes?"
After Cao Dejiang's words, everyone subconsciously looked at Xiao Yan, who was standing at the front. Seeing him looking over with a cold expression, those people suddenly realized how familiar this scene was.
Once upon a time, the words "in full view" made the person who impeached Xiao Yan be flogged in front of the palace every day. Remembering that he broke a pair of knees while kneeling two days ago, he voluntarily resigned from office and returned home with his whole family, so he reluctantly gave in to His Majesty. Excluding the Censor He who had "endorsed" in front of her, everyone bowed their heads in unison.
Song Hong is not the only one in the Song family who is in the court, but there is also someone who has entered the Shaofu. Although his official position is not high, he also has a share in the court.
Xiao Yan saw Emperor An yawning with a bleak look on his face. He was obviously in low spirits. He raised his eyes and looked at the Song family official: "Since Du Siye used this to impeach him, we might as well ask the Song family."
"Shizhong Song, I was in such a hurry last night that I disturbed everyone in your house."
The Song clan official's face turned pale when he was called. He hugged the wat board and stepped forward, lowered his head and whispered: "My lords, you have misunderstood. Although Governor Xiao brought people to the clan last night, he never harmed the Song clan members. , and the Lord of Yiyang County also knocked on the door and paid a visit without any offense."
"The head of Yiyang County informed the clan about the removal of the clan registration a few days ago. Later, after looking for people to check the time, he decided to do it last night. This matter was approved by the Song family. As for moving the coffin, it was just for convenience. The county lord goes back to worship."
"Song Rong, you!!" The person who had previously impeached Xiao Yan suddenly widened his eyes: "Last night, the black armored guards surrounded the Song family. They were so aggressive that they almost smashed the Song family ancestral hall. Why should you be afraid of him in front of His Majesty..."
"Master Du misunderstood."
The official of the Song family spoke quickly and urgently: "The black-armored guards only guarded the door of the Song family and never came close to the ancestral hall. Besides, opening an ancestral hall and moving graves is a major event in the clan. It is not necessary for the elders of the clan to discuss this matter with the county leader. It is not appropriate for outsiders to know about it. Governor Xiao was worried that someone would take the opportunity to spy on us and make speculations, and misunderstood the Song family and the county master, so he kindly ordered people to guard the door."
Although Xiao Yan had kept his mouth shut about what happened at the ancestral grave last night and no one knew about it, he, his father and several elders of the Song family knew it clearly.
The coffins of Song Xi and his wife were dug up, the bones were messy and damaged, and even the tomb was full of unclean things. It would be good if Song Tangning did not lead anyone to destroy the Song family.
They were angry at first when Xiao Yan forced the Song family to open an ancestral hall, and they had thought of letting Tang Ning know how serious it was to abandon the clan, but then something happened about the ancestral tomb, and now they only felt guilty.
At this time, they were hoping that Tang Ning and Xiao Yan would not make the Song family angry because of this matter. How could the entire Song family dare to make trouble with the matter of expulsion.
Xiao Yan has a bad reputation, so what will happen to Yushi He? Song Rong lowered his head and said:
"Your Majesty, Governor Xiao is also kind-hearted, and it is definitely not like Master Du's speculation. Moreover, although the Yiyang County Lord has left the Song family, the Song family still treats her like the daughter of the clan. It was the Song family who treated her badly before. , the ministers and everyone in the clan only hope that she will be well in the future."
Master Du's face turned pale.
Qian Baokun snorted and said, "No one from the Song family has spoken, but Mr. Du is very attentive. Those who don't know this would think they are digging the ancestral graves of your Du family."
"I only give advice for the sake of peace and stability in the court..." Mr. Du said anxiously.
Hearing this, Cao Dejiang stood aside, glanced at the courtiers from aristocratic families, and said with a cold expression: "Since it is an advice, you should be cautious. As an important official in the court, you want to impeach without knowing the facts. Du Siye wants to Did you do something to our Yushitai?"
"If not, will I give this position to you?"
"Mr. Cao..." Mr. Du's face turned even paler. He turned around and looked at Emperor Shou'an with an impatient expression. He knelt down and said, "I have no intention of doing this. I am just worried that someone in the court will use his power well. Hei The wanton transfer of Jiawei will lead to outside speculation and bring disaster to His Majesty’s holy name..."
"Since Your Majesty has put the Black Armored Guard under the control of the Privy Council, there is no need for others to comment. Everyone in the court performs their duties and has never exceeded their authority. But Du Siye, you, a civil servant, are watching the Privy Council to investigate the case. Have you crossed the line?"
Cao Dejiang always kept his mouth shut and hit the nail on the head when he spoke, "And instead of staring at the Privy Council, it would be better for Du Siye to take good care of the students in the Imperial College and prevent them from causing a few erotic scandals. This might make the court more happy." A bit of face."
Emperor An impatiently knocked on the dragon chair and paused when he heard this: "What erotic news?"
Cao Dejiang said softly: "Half a month ago, Teng Jianping, a student of the Imperial College, was wandering around the fireworks place. He and another student were fighting over the newly listed oiran in the fireworks willow alley, which also affected the people who were in the flower building that day. .”
"Because the injury was so serious, the matter went to the Jingzhao Mansion Office. It is said that Teng Jianping owed Hualou hundreds of dollars on credit, which caused several flower girls to cry in front of the government office. Later, it was Du Siye who went to Jingzhao Mansion to redeem him. I just don’t know if Du Siye has settled the money with others."
Qian Baokun was talking next to him: "This is really the biggest joke in the world. The emperor's gate, the Imperial College, carefully select future court officials, and even shopping in a flower house has to be paid on credit..."
He made a "tsk" sound, and Emperor An's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
The Imperial College Secretary Ye was on the verge of collapse and fell to his knees with a bang.
Xiao Yan didn't say much from the beginning to the end. Lord Du failed to impeach him, but was impeached by Yushitai for official misconduct and was dragged down.
Seeing someone fold in, but Xiao Yan didn't get into any trouble at all, the courtiers from the aristocratic families turned green in the face, secretly cursing Cao Dejiang and Qian Baokun for getting involved with that castrated dog.
Xiao Yan looked at the angry but helpless courtiers, and calmly stepped forward and said, "I was going to report last night's incident to His Majesty, but Du Siye was too anxious."
"King Cheng hoarded weapons and conspired to rebel. He was imprisoned for many days and refused to speak. Wei Chen used some tricks to get him to confess. Because the matter was related to Song Xi and his wife, Wei Chen took people to the Song family overnight."
Andy became more energetic: "He did it?"
Xiao Yan said "Yes" and handed the confession of Prince Cheng, as well as the confessions of several people from the Ministry of War and the Department of Ordnance, to the servant Feng who came forward, and asked him to hold it and hand it to Emperor An.
Seeing Emperor An looking down, Xiao Yan said: "According to what King Cheng said, he, Hou Rui, the minister of war, and Gong Jinghao, the supervisor of the weapons department, all met through the Lu family. The minerals in his hands are used to refine Su iron. All the other things were obtained from the Lu family."
"When Song Xi was still alive, he discovered that the aristocratic family colluded with the prince for personal gain. He and Lady Rong did not die accidentally, but were killed by others."
Others in the court suddenly made a noise, and a courtier from a noble family said angrily: "You are obviously slandering. King Cheng had no contact with the Lu family in the past, and Song Xi has been dead for many years..."
"No matter how many years you have been dead, as long as you have done something, there will be traces left. It is not unheard of for the case to be overturned many years later." Xiao Yandan looked at the speaker: "As for Prince Cheng and the Lu family, although they have no contact, they are not The representatives did not collude."
"Prince Cheng personally confessed that he had been in contact with the Lu family before the late emperor left. Later, after His Majesty ascended the throne, the Lu family alienated him on the surface to avoid suspicion, but secretly they never broke off contact with him."
"In the case of grain embezzlement, Song Lushi once reported that the Lu family was helping people in the capital transport goods on the southern land transportation. The account book also stated that, and there was a cloth farm under other people's names under King Cheng. He has used Lu family merchant ships to transport iron ore into Beijing several times to avoid checks at various checkpoints in central Beijing."
The expressions of those aristocratic families changed greatly. The Lu family had never mentioned this matter. Even those who were involved in the Caoliang case had never known about the iron ore luck.
They subconsciously looked at Emperor An, and sure enough they saw that Emperor An, who was still sleepy before, now had a gloomy face.
Before the late emperor left, something happened to Prince Li, and Prince Cheng became the most popular candidate for the East Palace. At that time, the Lu family did not hesitate to support Emperor An, who was still the prince at the time, and even brought other aristocratic families together. For this reason, after Emperor An ascended the throne, the Lu family A female talent will become a queen.
The support back then was the family's greatest reliance. Even if Emperor An repeatedly targeted the family, he would not dare to go too far. He could not bear the reputation of being ungrateful, so even if something happened to Lu Zhao and Lu Chongyuan was grounded, Emperor An would not touch him. Queen Lu.
But now the so-called help is mixed with water. The Lu family secretly colluded with King Cheng, and they have always been eating from two families. This is worse than their corruption.
An Di looked at the things in his hands and said coldly: "What else did Xie Tianyu say?"
Xiao Yan said: "That's all for the time being. He didn't want to reveal anything about the Lu family, but he spoke because he couldn't bear the torture. He fainted now, so it's hard to re-examine, but Hou Rui and the two confessed a lot, and their The confessions are all here, so it is enough to accuse King Cheng of treason."
"Enough for what?"
Emperor An was full of coldness and his expression was sinister: "Since he dares to collude with the Lu family, who knows if he has other evil deeds. Let me continue to interrogate him, and I will definitely interrogate him clearly."
He was talking about a treason case, but anyone could tell that his target was the Lu family.
Xiao Yan had long expected Emperor An's intentions, and also knew that Emperor An would not let it go if he had to deal with the Lu family regarding Prince Cheng. He lowered his eyes and said respectfully, "I will obey the Holy Will, but Prince Cheng's matter is a long time ago. If the trial continues, I’m afraid a lot of people will be involved…”
"So what? Dare to collude with King Cheng and attempt rebellion is a serious crime. You will be tried carefully by me. No matter it was before or now, anyone related to this case will not be leniently spared!"
With Emperor An's words, Xiao Yan achieved his goal today.
He lowered his head and raised his lips silently: "I obey your order."
…
