In a high-gate mansion in Chang'an City, several trees with lush branches in summer are now withered, surrounding a small lake, and the path from the threshold to the house, after sweeping the fallen leaves, is also very clear at this time. On the house, the atmosphere of the view is not bad, the house is also finely carved, and the furnishings are extremely extraordinary. At this time, a person walked out of the house, this person was crowned with a broad belt, and his face was slightly happy, and the servant in the house shouted: "The master stays." ”

Then the attendant ran out and bowed to the man and said, "My lord is going to see an old friend today, but don't forget Madame's instructions." There are still some unprepared things in our Chu State Mansion, today is the Double Ninth Festival, I hope the master will come back on time after meeting friends. ”

When Jiang Jiao, the Duke of Chu, was young and befriended Li Longji, the king of Linzi who had not yet been proclaimed emperor, he participated in the congenital coup, moved to the palace and was named the Duke of Chu. Looking at his people, he can be regarded as standing on the right team, and now he is in full swing.

Jiang Jiao said: "I know this, tell my wife to wait for me to come back and feast on the Double Ninth Festival." ”

Jiang Jiao went out of the door, and he didn't take a sedan chair, he walked alone, Jiang Jiao saw that he was now the secretary of the ministry. This person is from the Boling Cui clan, and this person is also a confidant who helped to seize power before the current saint ascended the throne.

Walking to the place where he met Cui Riyong, Jiang Jiao raised his eyes and saw a restaurant standing impressively in front of him, he looked at the signboard and said to himself that this is it. After he walked in, he looked around, but there was no figure of Cui Riyong.

Jiang Jiao walked to the second floor in confusion, thinking about Cui Riyong's intention to meet him as he walked, a secretary was not on duty in the court, but he met with him in the restaurant, saying that he was talking about important matters, but he might have other private matters.

Just when Jiang Jiao was puzzled, a person came over and arched his hand in front of Jiang Jiao and said, "Chu Guogong, please." ”

Jiang Jiao said: "Are you Cui Shangshu's person?" ”

This person nodded and said: "Cui Shangshu is in the warm pavilion in front, Cui Shangshu asked me to ask the Duke of Chu, I heard from the people in your mansion that these days, the public security of Chu Guogong is in the mansion, and it is also a happy life to enjoy the flowers and the moon." ”

Jiang Jiao didn't know what he meant, but when he saw Cui Riyong in the pavilion, after Cui Ri used a few polite words, the two sat down opposite each other, and Cui Riyong took the lead in saying at this time: "I heard that my brother has not asked about the affairs of the government in recent months, is he ready to be like a lonely cloud and a wild crane, or do you have something else to think?" ”

At this time, Jiang Jiao didn't know what he meant, so he said: "How can there be the leisure of the lonely cloud and wild crane, but it's true that I don't ask about the government." Every few days I went to the palace to ask questions, that is, to fulfill my duties. ”

"Today's Chung Yeung Festival shouldn't disturb your joy at home, but there are still some things to say."

At this time, Cui Riyong waved his hand, pulled the subordinate back, leaned his head forward, and said to Jiang Jiao: "Tomorrow I want to go up with you to accuse Mao Zhong, the prince of Huo Guo, of the crime." ”

Jiang Jiao was puzzled: "Isn't this Wang Mao Zhong the hero who helped His Majesty ascend the throne that day?" Why is it that he is now pampered and arrogant, and does something inappropriate. ”

"What's more, this person has already aroused public indignation, not only extorting money, but also invoking officials privately to act as a confidant."

"Not like that, right? If this Wang Mao Zhong's behavior enters His Majesty's ears, it will not be a serious crime. ”

Cui Riyong said eagerly: "How could I lie to you, Wang Maozhong has already used a lot of secret chess with me, and placed many cronies in Beijing." ”

Jiang Jiao was shocked: "So he forced you?" ”

Cui Riyong explained: "Wang Maozhong already has a party in the ministry, and I, the secretary of the ministry, began to obey his wishes first because he took too much care of him, but Wang Maozhong couldn't be satisfied, and kept putting pressure on me. ”

Jiang Jiao only understood at this time, but the matter of impeachment cannot be simply discussed, Wang Maozhong is deeply favored by the emperor, and His Majesty treats him well, if there is no sufficient evidence, it will be difficult to overthrow. If you are bitten by it, it will not be able to explain it clearly in a few words.

Jiang Jiao retreated a little from this matter, Cui Riyong saw it, was a little anxious, and said, "It seems that you don't dare to say anything with me?" ”

In fact, Jiang Jiao means that it can be played, but it must be played secretly, and before playing secretly, you must first find the evidence, so that you can have no fear.

Jiang Jiao said again: "I am also quite disgusted by Wang Maozhong, but the evidence of his party and selfishness has to be found by Cui Shangshu, and I guess it is not so easy to find." ”

"I'm not afraid, since Brother Jiang can work with me to bring out Wang Maozhong's crimes, I will thank you at the mansion on the next day."

Cui Riyong is an old minister of several dynasties, and he can also denounce traitors like this, which is very rare in Jiang Jiao's eyes, and now that Datang has just come out of the chaos, there is such a traitor, which is really embarrassing. If Wang Maozhong really committed such a treacherous act, not only would he and Cui Shangshu denounce it like this, but His Majesty would definitely not let it go. Your Majesty has been a great hero since he practiced it, and at the same time, he has also wiped out the ministers who were once chaotic in the Tang Dynasty, which shows that His Majesty will never allow traitors to be in charge.

After Cui Riyong thanked Jiang Jiao, he said: "Then it's decided, I will go to find out Wang Maozhong's crimes, and you are ready to impeach Wang Maozhong with me." ”

Jiang Jiao nodded, and then drank a few glasses with Cui Riyong, but he couldn't help but say with doubts: "Dare to ask Cui Shangshu how to find evidence of Wang Maozhong's crime?" How could this Wang Mao Zhong easily expose the evidence of his crimes. ”

Cui Riyong said: "I have secretly learned that this Wang Maozhong occupies a lot of private land in the suburbs of the capital and uses it to build private houses, as long as I can find out how these places are in the hands of Wang Maozhong, I can explain his crimes." And this is only one of the crimes, and according to my visit, there is more than that. ”

Jiang Jiao was shocked when he heard this, although he didn't know much about Wang Maozhong, but after hearing Cui Riyong say this, he realized the disaster that Wang Maozhong had brought to the people of the capital.

Later, Cui Riyong and Jiang Jiao walked out of the restaurant and walked along the street, Cui Riyong said: "Today is the Double Ninth Festival, I know that Brother Jiang is going back to his house for the festival, so don't spend it here." ”

Jiang Jiao also said: "Don't leave it here." So Jiang Jiao walked towards the way home, and he had a lot of thoughts along the way, so he returned home slowly. When he walked to the front of the mansion, a servant was waiting in front of the door, and when he saw Jiang Jiao coming back, he hurriedly welcomed him into the mansion, and said as he walked: "Master, just now Xue Ne, the prince of Pingyang County, came with another person, saying that he was here to see you, but when he saw that you were not there, he left a letter and left." ”

Jiang Jiao was puzzled: "I don't have any contact with Xue Ne, why did you suddenly come to my house today." ”

After Jiang Jiao opened the letter and read it, he became more and more surprised, this Xue Ne and Cui Riyong said the same thing, but Xue Ne said that Jiang Jiao would go to Xue Ne's residence three days later to visit him, and he wanted to talk to him about Wang Maozhong.

The letter also said that Wang Maozhong's matter has become a fire and water, and if the Duke of Chu can participate in the joint overthrow of Wang Maozhong, it will be a miracle.

Jiang Jiao put the letter on the table at this time, not knowing what to do, until the next person said: "Grandpa Guo, Madame is waiting for you to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival." ”

Jiang Jiaocai moved to the backyard of the mansion and saw that the table was full of food and a small incense burner, which was already very well prepared in the house for worshipping gods and ancestors during the Double Ninth Festival. Jiang Jiao stood in front of the incense burner at this time, and after taking the incense three times, he closed his eyes and prayed for a while, and inserted it into the furnace.

Just as he was about to sit down, a subordinate came over there, leaned over and knelt in front of Jiang Jiao, and said, "Grandpa Guo, Your Majesty has sent someone here, right in the front hall, saying that the Double Ninth Festival palace wants to reward the Guogong Mansion with something." ”

Jiang Jiao stared and said, "What's the panic." ”

Xia said: "I am too excited to be, please forgive Grandpa Guo." ”

Jiang Jiao had to go to the front hall, but he saw a eunuch in the palace sitting on a chair, and when he saw him coming, he said, "Duke Chu Guo, please accept the reward." ”

Jiang Jiao looked at the whole box of silk and satin, and hurriedly kowtowed, and after the eunuch helped him up, he said: "These rewards were specially sent to me by His Majesty, which shows that Your Majesty still has some memories of the Duke of Chu. ”

Jiang Jiao said: "Yes, I have been in contact with Your Majesty from time to time in state affairs, and it has been many years since then. ”

At this time, the eunuch interrupted: "The Duke of Chu doesn't have to think back to the scene of the year, Your Majesty asked me to come this time with a message." His Majesty thought that the Duke of Chu had done a good job in the post of supervisor in the palace, so he held a banquet in the palace three days later to entertain the Duke of Chu. ”

Jiang Jiao said very respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." ”

"But in recent days, there has been an incident in Chang'an City, a few days ago someone accused Wang Maozhong of occupying people's land outside the city, His Majesty is impatient about this matter, this Wang Maozhong is also a close minister supported by His Majesty, committing such an incident, His Majesty has sent someone to find evidence, and is uncertain about the removal of Wang Maozhong."

Jiang Jiao was shocked at this time, who was so fearless that even His Majesty's favorite ministers were impeached, if Cui Riyong knew about it, he should be happy to close his mouth, and those who opposed Wang Maozhong should also be as surprised as himself at this time.

So Jiang Jiao asked again: "Who is the person who impeached Wang Mao Zhong?" ”

"It was Wang Maozhong's subordinates who personally went to the palace to cry out for the people."

turned out to be a disaster for Xiao Wall, Jiang Jiao couldn't help but think that Wang Maozhong was also negligent in guarding against his subordinates, so that a subordinate could make all the secrets public, and he could also see that Wang Maozhong was not cautious at all. However, at this time, Wang Maozhong estimated that His Majesty was making an explanation, but even so, how could His Majesty not blame one or two.

Jiang Jiao asked again: "Then since there is such a thing, will Your Majesty still hold a banquet?" ”

The eunuch said: "Your Majesty's order is like this, as for whether the date will be postponed, it is still waiting for a new decree, the Duke of Chu will wait." ”

After the eunuch spoke, he left the house, Jiang Jiao sat on the chair at this time and thought about Wang Maozhong, and his heart couldn't calm down for a long time, he didn't know if this was an unintentional turmoil or a human conspiracy.