The punishment of Liu Xin, in the final analysis, is a question of whether to kill or not to kill, and whether to kill or not to kill is only between Liu Chengyou's thoughts. And this point is also the entanglement in Liu Chengyou's heart, at least on the surface.

That night, in the middle of the line, there was news that the Son of Heaven wanted to correct the emperor's uncle. Early the next morning, Murong Yanchao hurried to the palace to ask for a meeting.

"The official family really doesn't want to take care of the feelings of uncles and nephews?" The meeting etiquette was indifferent, and Murong Yanchao opened his mouth with a questioning tone.

was reading a book, looking at this anxious and black-faced man, Liu Chengyou behaved like a stop in water, and asked: "Why did Uncle Huang say this?" ”

"I heard that the official family wants to kill Liu Xin!" Murong Yanchao's voice was raised.

Liu Chengyou's face was calm, he opened an album, and said unhurriedly: "Where did Uncle Huang hear it, it's just a rumor!" ”

"The officials don't have to prevaricate with me!" Murong Yanchao didn't accept this, but forced to ask: "The court is over, and the crime is admitted, the official family, please speak up, how do you plan to punish Liu Xin?" ”

"Then what does Uncle Huang think I should do?" Liu Chengyou paused for a moment, his voice became colder, and asked.

Hearing this, Murong Yanchao also simply beat a snake and put a stick on it, and explained his thoughts: "In my opinion, demote, demote, and punish him, let him reform himself, and that's it!" ”

"Huh! Uncle Huang sentenced it simply! Such a felony has been exposed like this? Liu Chengyou expressed his appreciation slightly.

Hearing his words, Murong Yanchao's dark face turned purple with a solemn expression, and he asked in a deep voice: "Then according to the meaning of the official family, what should you do, do you really want to use a knife on your own family?" ”

Liu Chengyou's tone was already very cold: "Uncle Huang also joined the court for trial, don't you know how serious and bad Liu Xin's crime is?" Evil deeds are manifested, and heaven is intolerable! ”

Murong Yanchao seemed to be in a hurry, and said loudly: "Does the official family really want to be scolded by the people of the world? ”

"Uncle Murong Huang! You're presumptuous! Liu Chengyou has already directly reprimanded: "Can you represent the people of the world?" ”

Murong Yanchao's tone was tough: "Although I can't represent the people of the world, I can represent the Liu family!" ”

Hearing the answer, Liu Chengyou immediately slammed back, his voice was high, and his words were resolute: "I, but I want to represent the people of the world!" ”

This is probably the first time that Liu Chengyou has treated this imperial uncle with such a stern attitude, facing the emperor's indifferent eyes, Murong Yanchao's excited emotions were like being poured cold by a bucket of cold water, and he opened his mouth.

"Stand down, I have my own place for Liu Xin's crime!" Liu Chengyou glanced at him and said lightly.

Seeing Liu Chengyou's look of urgency, Murong Yanchao took a deep breath, snorted coldly, and turned around to leave.

As soon as he took two steps, he heard Liu Chengyou's cold and sympathetic advice, or warning: "Uncle Huang, Liu Xin is now a criminal minister, so don't run to the state prison again!" ”

Without answering, Murong Yan brushed his sleeves away.

After he left, Liu Chengyou closed his eyes slightly, took a deep breath, eased his mood, and said flatly: "I really don't like this feeling of being forced to collide!" ”

Wang Pu waited on the side, accompanied by the reading, and the conversation between the uncle and nephew was all in his ears, and he did not express any opinion. At this time, listen to his words, let alone not hear them, it is really difficult to accept them.

However, Liu Chengyou directly focused on Wang Pu and made a stunned appearance: "Qi Wu, I am now, I am in a dilemma, on the one hand, legal reason, on the other hand, reasonable, all difficulties are taken into account." Do you have any advice to solve the dilemma! ”

In the face of the Son of Heaven's inquiry, Wang Pu's expression was not relaxed, he thought seriously for a while, and replied hesitantly: "Your Majesty, there are pros and cons to everything, how to weigh it, it depends on Your Majesty's thoughts." ”

Wang Pu said this a little mysteriously, obviously he saw something clearly, however, what he said was almost the same as not saying it.

Liu Chengyou had no intention of playing dumb riddles, muttered for a few breaths, and suddenly raised his head and asked him openly: "If I strictly deal with Liu Xin with national law, and punish him canonically, what do you think?" ”

Wang Pu's face was embarrassed, although he was young and vigorous, his brain also knew that Guo Wei didn't dare to judge things, how dare he talk more.

"Just express your heart directly, I don't ask for guilt with words!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou stretched out his hand and signaled: "However, I have to listen to the truth!" ”

After hesitating for a while, Wang Pu said cautiously: "If it is dealt with as Your Majesty's words, the notoriety of killing your uncle will definitely be borne by Your Majesty!" ”

"Even if the gravity of his sin?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Noticing that Liu Chengyou did not have a gloomy face, Wang Pu nodded: "This matter is recorded in the annals of history, and the people of later generations may praise His Majesty for his righteousness for the people, but the people of the present world ......."

"Will the people of the world still sympathize with him?"

"The people of Xuzhou, suffering from it, unforgettable, are very happy!" Wang Pu also put it bluntly, and said eloquently: "Outside of Xuzhou, it is difficult to protect his heart!" ”

After a pause, Wang Pu continued: "Liu Xin, not only Your Majesty's Imperial Uncle, but also Xuzhou Jiedu, Central Plains Town, if you kill him for this crime, then the world's Jiedu will be suspicious!" And, Taiyuan ......"

When Wang Pu mentioned this, Liu Chengyou's expression was directly solemn, his eyes flashed left and right, and he finally had some excitement in his words: "I just saw that since three generations, the feudal towns have been powerful, and the festivals have been more domineering and chaotic, reckless and light, and I want to use the matter of Xuzhou to deter the towns!" ”

This is probably the most sincere sentence Liu Chengyou said since Liu Xin's case.

Wang Pu suddenly, nodded in agreement, and said quite calmly: "Your Majesty, no matter how the matter of Xuzhou ends, the world will never be as unscrupulous as before!" ”

Liu Chengyou asked: "When things come to this extent, how can the people of Xuzhou be appeased and how to vent their grievances?" ”

Wang Pu said: "Your Majesty does not show favoritism, and personally orders to investigate the crimes of the imperial uncle, and the people are already happy!" ”

In the communication with Wang Pu, although the specific disposal was not mentioned from beginning to end, Wang Pu's suggestion has already been indicated.

Sitting behind the imperial case, thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou instructed Wang Pu: "Prepare an edict, with the privy envoy Guo Wei, to inform the officials, soldiers and civilians of Xuzhou about the crime of the emperor's uncle Liu Xin!" ”

Wang Pu was slightly stunned, a little confused about the meaning of Liu Chengyou's move, and still didn't say anything about the specific treatment of Liu Xin, did he want to arouse the people's indignation again?

Although he had doubts in his heart, Wang Pu still quickly drafted the edict and printed it to circulate it.

Zhang Dejun entered and reported to Liu Chengyou: "Official, after the imperial uncle leaves, I will go directly to see the Queen Mother!" ”

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou sneered, got up and said, "Let's go!" ”

Zhang Dejun followed, slightly stunned: "Where does the official family want to go, the little one will go to prepare for the imperial chariot." ”

"What kind of chariot to use!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "Don't bother the Queen Mother to summon her!" ”

At the end of the Queen Mother, Murong Yanchao had already left, and after the ceremony, there was no longer a greeting on weekdays, Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Uncle Huang is here to disturb my mother?" ”

"It's all a family, so why bother!" Li Shi looked at his son, who was anxious and a little stubborn, still gentle, but sighed slightly.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou didn't say much, and as soon as he raised his hand, Zhang Dejun, who was waiting, immediately presented the thick court trial file.

Liu Chengyou handed it to the Li family and said in a deep voice: "This is a crime committed by the emperor's uncle, with clear rules, please take a look at the queen mother!" ”

Li took it, but didn't open it, and responded: "Put it here, I'll see it!" ”

Noticing Li's calm demeanor and nodding his head, Liu Chengyou got up, bowed down and said, "This case, there should be a result, and my son won't stay with my mother for longer!" ”

"Go ahead!"

From beginning to end, the Li family did not directly excuse Liu Xin in front of Liu Chengyou, let alone press him with the dignity of the queen mother and cause trouble for him. At this point, Liu Chengyou was both moved and respected.

However, before Liu Chengyou stepped out of the threshold, Li still said to Liu Chengyou in her gentle tone: "Erlang, Liu Xin violated the law of the country and committed a heinous crime, so he should be punished according to the rules to help the people." But he is your uncle after all, in order to avoid criticism, please spare his life! ”

In Li's words, two or three points were intercession for Liu Xin, but Liu Chengyou could hear that more was thinking about his reputation.

turned around and solemnly saluted the Queen Mother.