When Jia Baoyu, Ye Qiong and others came to Xiyuan, they saw such a picture.

On the spacious and desolate square, more than 100 ministers lined up in a formation more than ten zhang wide horizontally and vertically, banging, banging, the sound of countless rods falling on the flesh of the buttocks, accompanied by the wails of some people, was very miserable.

Jia Baoyu, Ye Qiong, and Zong Zhe glanced at each other, stepped forward silently, and bowed:

"Grandson Jinghuan visits the Emperor."

"The old minister Ye Qiong sees the Emperor Taishang."

"Weichen Zongzhi see the Emperor Taishang."

The Emperor waved his hand to give up. It was nothing to Jia Baoyu and Ye Qiong, but to Zong Zhe, he was a little excited at this time.

Since the last time he saw the Emperor, he didn't know that it was a few months ago.

Now that I see the Taishang Emperor Dragon in good health, it is naturally much more real than what I heard from others.

He couldn't help but glance at the Emperor Taishang a few more times, trying to see from the Emperor's face that the Emperor Taishang could still reign in the world, so as to plan for the future......

The ministers who had been subjected to the board were carried back one after another by the soldiers of the forbidden army.

Some of them were silent, some were crying and wailing, and some were even convulsive and unconscious, although the whole looked bleak, but thankfully, it seemed that they were not killed.

The Emperor Taishang sat up slightly from the dragon chair (dragon chair brand wheelchair, I haven't seen it), and a eunuch said in a sharp voice: "Jing~!" ”

So the scene fell silent.

Emperor Taishang said: "Today, you ignore the courtesy of the monarch and the ministers, and insist on me, in addition to asking me to establish a new monarch, do you have any other requests?" ”

Although the voice of the Emperor was as calm as ever, the ministers who had just made dozens of boards naturally knew that the Emperor was very dissatisfied with them.

And although the emperor's words are light, the meaning in them is not light.

The Emperor Taishang personally said the words "disregard the courtesy of the monarch and ministers" and "requirements", which was already an extremely severe whipping for them, and he almost said that they were chaotic ministers and thieves.

Besides, the Emperor Taishang just expressed that he is the king of this great mystery, at this time, who dares to say that he is a new king?

Isn't this to be tough with the Emperor?

Other dynasties may have such courtiers, but under the rule of the Emperor Taishang, it has not been for decades.

So Wang Weiren hurriedly knelt back into the army and pleaded:

"Emperor Taishang Mingjian, the ministers have no intention of asking or coercing the Emperor, but the Emperor Taishang's dragon body has not fully recovered, and he still needs to recuperate.

At this time, the court must have someone to sit in the center and control hundreds of officials to help the court tide over the difficulties.

This person is best my Great Xuan Prince.

Therefore, for the sake of the court and the world, the ministers implore the emperor to establish the prince as soon as possible to improve the country's capital! ”

After Wang Weiren finished speaking, he kowtowed, showing great sincerity, and his words were very reasonable.

With you in charge, Daxuan doesn't have an emperor, but there must always be a prince, right?

The prince is also the foundation of the country, and he must not stand up.

Behind Wang Weiren, those who still had the strength to speak kowtowed: "I implore the Emperor Taishang to appoint the prince as soon as possible to improve the ...... of the country."

The Emperor Taishang didn't seem to think there was anything wrong, but just asked: "Then do you think that today, who is worthy of being the prince in the imperial court?" ”

Emperor Xu's gentle and weak voice gave everyone confidence, and there was immediately a humane person in the sect:

"We think that the position of the prince is not loyal to the prince, but the prince is the son of the emperor, and he is the prince of the prince, and his name is justified ......."

As soon as this person said this, those who had different minds couldn't sit still.

If the supporters of the king of the county are about to follow the "inflammation", fortunately, they were glared at by the king of the county who had already noticed it, so he shut up.

So, the Emperor Taishang rarely looked at King Zhongshun, "What do you think?" ”

King Zhongshun knew the emperor a little, he instinctively felt the danger, so he ignored the pain in his buttocks, and hurriedly shook his head and said: "The son doesn't dare, everything is in accordance with the will of the emperor...... father!" ”

The Emperor Taishang's expression moved slightly, and he seemed to smile a little, and then he looked at the sluggish ministers at the bottom of the stairs, and said, "Do you have any other candidates?" ”

Wang Weiren originally regretted that he had made a mistake just now and let the stupid people in the team speak first.

The posture of the Emperor Taishang, where is the appearance of listening to opinions!

Therefore, he opened his mouth first to gag others' mouths: "The ministers respectfully ask the Emperor Taishang for the holy will, and everything depends on the decision of the Emperor!" ”

"Everything depends on the emperor's decision!!"

The ministers chimed in.

A smile appeared on the emperor's face at this time, he leaned back into the wheelchair and raised his hand slightly: "In that case, Feng Xiang, make an announcement." ”

Hearing this, Feng Xiang bowed, and then took out a bright yellow holy decree from the hands of the eunuch behind him, and sang loudly:

"Emperor Taishang's holy decree, all the ministers kneel to welcome!"

Sure enough, where did the Emperor Taishang have the intention of speaking to the ministers, even the holy decree had already been prepared.

didn't have to think about it, Jia Baoyu, Ye Qiong, Zong Zhe and others who were standing in front of the steps also hurried down and knelt on the ground.

"Ministers receive orders ......"

"Emperor Taishang's holy edict, there is the fourth son of the emperor Jing Qi, who is the son of Emperor Mourning (Emperor Jingtai), diligent and studious, etiquette and filial piety, and is now the emperor's grandson ......"

The ministers looked sideways, how could they ......??

How could it be Jingqi, the fourth son of the emperor?

Not counting Jia Baoyu and the others, even the ministers behind Wang Weiren, there were at least two or three who witnessed Emperor Jingtai's secret being uncovered in the main hall that day.

Even if they weren't there, there were many people who had faintly heard some rumors.

Otherwise, why don't they obey the emperor's four sons?

You know, in the case of the death of the eldest prince and the second prince, who else is more qualified to inherit the unification than the fourth prince?

But on the contrary, the four princes are the most unlikely!

Because, nine times out of ten, the four princes are not the sons of Emperor Jingtai, but the evil seed of the demon monk Zhu Lan......

However, why did the Emperor Taishang appoint the four princes as princes...... Eh, the imperial grandson? Not a prince??

There are so many people who have doubts in their hearts that some people almost can't help but ask questions, so they can't hold back.

Feng Xiang glanced at them and continued to read meticulously:

"In addition, in view of the fact that the fourth son of the emperor Jingqi is still young, he specially appointed Prince Jing Yuan Jinghuan, Zhongshun Wang Yuanyu, Taishi Ye Qiong, and Cabinet Minister Zong Zhe as auxiliary ministers to assist the imperial grandson and govern the government.

Chin this. ”

A wave has not settled, and another wave has risen.

Well, even if the fourth son of the emperor is "justifiable" as the emperor's grandson, he is indeed young, so it is not wrong for the emperor to choose a few people with high moral integrity and honorable status for him to be auxiliary ministers.

But, what about Shoufu, where is Shoufu Wang Weiren?

No matter what, Zong Zhe can't go beyond Wang Weiren, right?

As a result, everyone who didn't understand what the emperor meant turned their eyes to Wang Weiren.

Wang Weiren was also extremely surprised in his heart, and then, he didn't know what to think, and his old body began to tremble.

Humiliate?

Still is......?

Wang Weiren couldn't figure it out for a while, but he knew that the Emperor Taishang's series of actions today must have deep meaning.

He had some guesses in his mind, but he couldn't be sure.

This is not the first time he has felt this way today, and every time, it makes him have a new fear of the Emperor.

He seems to have only discovered at this time that the political methods that he has been proud of in officialdom for more than 40 years seem so naïve and powerless in front of the emperor......

There is simply no way to compete with half a point with it.

He sat on the ground, looking up at the Emperor on the dragon chair above, as if trying to find the answer in his face.

Feng Xiang handed over the holy decree to Jia Baoyu's hands, and then under the reprimand of the eunuch next to him, he went back and took out another holy decree.

"Shoufu Wang Weiren received the order~~!"

"The old minister receives the ......"

Wang Weiren knelt down calmly, he knew that the meaning of the Emperor Taishang was in this holy decree that seemed to take care of him alone.

"Emperor Taishang's Decree:

Shoufu Wang Weiren, in the 42 years of the dynasty, self-discipline, diligent and hard-working, can be an example for hundreds of officials, especially the first assistant for nine years, assisted the emperor, and made many meritorious contributions to the court.

However, I observed that he was sixty and six this year, and sighed deeply that time flies, and the years of loyal ministers are gone.

Therefore, it was rewarded with 100 taels of gold, 100 acres of fertile land, and the prince of Jin was less protected. In addition, two royal horses are rewarded, and a palace car is driven, allowing them to return to their hometown with glory and live for a long time.

Chin this. ”

Wang Weiren was stunned, and the ministers were stunned.

Even Jia Baoyu next to him had his eyelids jump.

The Emperor Taishang was so decisive and resolute, but he didn't give any hints, and a holy decree was directly dismissed?

However, the resignation of this old thing is naturally a great thing for him.

Feng Xiang saw Wang Weiren sitting on the ground, his face was bleak and desolate, and he reminded very intimately: "Wang Shaobao, still don't you receive the decree to thank the emperor?" ”

"Minister...... Old minister......"

Wang Weiren had difficulty pronouncing words, looked up at it, and saw only a dragon face with no waves in an ancient well and slightly closed eyes.

So, he said dejectedly: "Old minister, thank you to my emperor Longen, long live my emperor...... Hooray~! ”

……

A menacing group of ministers kneeling down finally ended with a holy decree to dismiss the prime minister.

The injured ministers were escorted home by their own officers and soldiers, and after Jia Baoyu handed over the holy decree to the sect next to him, he went up the steps, personally pushed the dragon chair of the emperor, and turned into the palace of the dust.

In the same place, Wang Weiren held the holy decree, still looking a little lost and depressed.

Zong Zhe walked to his side and sighed: "The Emperor Taishang rewarded Yuanfu generously, and Yuanfu can be regarded as a glorious ending, so why should he be so disappointed?" ”

Wang Weiren's side, Wang Li heard this, and couldn't help but say angrily: "The elder of the Zongge is now full of spirits, among the four auxiliary ministers, only the elder of the Zongge is in the cabinet, and in the future, my father's position as the first assistant will naturally fall into the hands of your Zongge elder......"

It was Wang Weiren who waved his hand to stop Wang Li, but he only bowed his hand slightly to Zong Zhe: "The dog is reckless, please ask the old man of the Zong Pavilion to be strange." The old man is no longer the first assistant, presumably the old man in the cabinet is also clear, and there is no need for the old man to entrust him.

The old man still has to go home to pack his bags, so he won't talk to the old man of the Zongge......"

Saying that, Wang Weiren and Wang Li hugged each other and left lonely.

In the distance, a palace car and several chamberlains came, and the eunuch who was the leader stepped forward and said with a smile: "Lord Shaobao, this is the palace car given by the Emperor Taishang, and I will escort you back to the house first."

There is another one hundred taels of gold, and the minions will take care of it later and send it to the house for Lord Shaobao.

As for the 100 acres of fertile land, the household department will later write the prefect of the hometown of Lord Shaobao, and order the preparation of the ......"

"I'm tired."

Wang Weiren had suffered a lot of blows today, and because his eldest son Wang Li was also punished with a cane and was injured, he did not refuse.

The eunuch smiled: "How can it, after all, it is the last time to serve the young guard, even if the younger ones want to serve the master in the future, there is no chance, where can they not do their best?" ”

The slow mockery made Wang Li furious.

Fortunately, Wang Weiren stopped it, and then Wang Weiren looked at the eunuch coldly, and said: "Even if this official is not the first assistant, he is also a first-class official in the imperial court, the prince Shaobao, do you know what the crime of slandering this official is?" ”

The eunuch's mouth squirmed, but he didn't dare to laugh more, and bent down and said in a wooden voice: "Please, Lord Shaobao......"

……

After getting into the carriage, Wang Li was still angry.

But he found that his father had slowly calmed down.

"Father, are you willing to end up so dismal? What is the generous gift, but a mere hundred taels of gold and a hundred acres of land, what is it worth?

What kind of prince is still promoted, the court doesn't even have a prince, and the emperor does this, obviously with the intention of humiliating his father! ”

Wang Weiren frowned and glanced at him, and gestured outside, only then did Wang Li realize that there were people from the Emperor Taishang around him, so he lowered his voice.

Then Wang Weiren sighed lightly: "You should be glad that the Emperor Taishang did not punish me for capital crimes......"

Wang Li's expression changed, and he said, "What does my father mean by this?" ”

Wang Weiren shook his head and said self-deprecatingly: "It's because the old man thinks too much, and after being the first assistant for a few years, he really thinks how important he is to the court."

Indeed, when His Majesty was in power in the past, many things relied on the old man.

It is contrary to His Majesty's holy will, the old man and his ministers pressed it with righteousness, and His Majesty rarely disobeyed.

So, the old man thought that the courtiers really had the right to compete with the king and argue right and wrong.

And then I missed the most important point......"

Wang Li asked why.

Wang Weiren said with some remorse: "The old man forgot that the real reason why His Majesty has been so tolerant of us, the important ministers of the former dynasty, is just because of the existence of the Emperor......

When Wang Li heard this, he was slightly stunned, and then there was a cool feeling like enlightenment in his mind.

He seemed to understand something.

"Your Majesty is resolute and diligent, and he will ask the officials for many important things, and there are few arbitrary actions.

The old man thought that all those who were holy should be like this.

Wrong, very wrong! Imagine if there was no emperor, with His Majesty's conceit and diligence, how would he tolerate our old ministers so far?

I'm afraid that once the yellow dragon will be in the sky, it will be the time for me to unload my armor and return to the field.

However, the old man wants to use the power given to us by the Emperor to restrain and persecute the Emperor, isn't it extremely stupid?

Thinking of this, the old man was already in a cold sweat in his heart now.

Therefore, you should be glad, glad that the court is now eventful, glad that the court situation is unstable, and fortunately, the emperor is not willing to cause more trouble.

Otherwise......"

Wang Weiren shook his head.

The so-called authorities are fascinated, and bystanders are probably like this.

When he was deprived of his status as the first assistant, he could look at the past with such a calm mind.

Obviously, he really got on the wrong side.

The Emperor, really, didn't mean to be loyal to the prince at all,

The reason why he was not killed was just to maintain the weak stability of the current imperial court.

As for the real candidate for the throne in the emperor's mind......

It doesn't matter, anyway, it has nothing to do with him.