In the first year of Xianqing (656 AD), November 25, the hour was five quarters.

Taiji Palace of Chang'an City, on the east side of the left Yanming Gate, is where the province of Menxia is located. In the courtyard of Menxia Province, there is a political hall in the north, which is the highest authority of the Tang Dynasty. Li Jiuju sat on the main seat, twisting his eyebrows and sinking like water, and glanced at the important ministers in the hall.

The officials who can discuss politics are all genuine prime ministers, including the governors of the three provinces, the three products under the Tongzhong Shumen, and the governors. The three provinces are Shangshu Province, Zhongshu Province and Menxia Province, and the highest governors are: Shangshu Ling, Zhongshu Ling and Shizhong. Before Li Er ascended the throne, he served as Shangshu Ling, so no one dared to serve anymore, and the left and right servants were in charge of Shangshu Province.

Shangshu's right servant shot Chu Suiliang, who was completely cool, and no one replaced him for the time being. Therefore, the supreme governor of the three provinces: Shangshu Zuo Servant shot at Zhining, Zhongshu Ling Laiji, and served Han Ying; Tongzhongshu Menxia three products: Sikong Li Tao, Taiwei Changsun Wuji, Huangmen Shilang Du Zhenglun; Governor of Political Affairs: Zhongshu Shilang Li Yifu; Responsible for the drafting of records: Wang Dejian, a member of the Chinese Scholars.

The emperor and the seven prime ministers were silent, and the atmosphere was very depressing. Han Ying received Wuji's eyes, coughed lightly twice and said: "Your Majesty, since the beginning of August, Yongzhou has continued to frost and rain. The official road was muddy, and the transportation of grain from Hanjiacang was blocked. It was the minister's suggestion that His Majesty drive Luoyang Palace and take the people to Luozhou to eat. ”

Li Jiu glanced at everyone, said lightly, and looked at Du Zhenglun. Lao Du hurriedly spoke: "In the past ten years, Yongzhou has been frequently affected by disasters, resulting in a shortage of food in Chang'an, and famine occurs from time to time. In order to prevent the government from being affected, it was suggested by the ministers that the capital be moved to Luoyang City, Luozhou. ”

The bombshell was dropped, the eldest grandson Wuji's pupils shrank, and Han Ying and Lai Ji changed their faces. Yu Zhining glanced at Han Ying, and then took over the words: "Chang'an City is too big, with a population of more than one million, and there is too much demand for food. Every year, it spends manpower and material resources to transfer grain from Luozhou Hanjiacang, which really costs the people and money. It is Yichen who believes that it is feasible to move the capital to Luoyang City. ”

The three ministers of Guanlong knew that Chang'an was their base, and the fundamental purpose of moving the capital was to get rid of the Guanlong gate. Without Brother Wuji's instructions, Laiji retorted: "Moving the capital is not trivial, you must be cautious, and you need to convene hundreds of officials to discuss." ”

Most of the officials were born in Guanlong, and the results of the discussion were self-evident, and Li Yifu responded coldly: "It is imperative to move the capital, and under the whole world, Luoyang is the most suitable." As we all know, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the granaries of the Tang Dynasty, and the grain goes through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and goes straight to Luozhou Hanjiacang. Wudu Governor introduced Zhancheng rice, and the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions had a bumper harvest, and the situation was even better. ”

Lai Ji sneered, going around in such a big circle, or to excuse Wu Yu, he must not agree. Coldly looked at Li Yifu and said-for-tat: "At the end of the trial of the three divisions, Wu Yu confessed, and he has signed and detained, and he is convicted of disrespect." He also asked Li Shilang to be cautious that he was not the governor of Yuezhou, but a prisoner on death row to be executed. ”

The atmosphere was depressed again, and Han Ying immediately supported: "Xingbu Shangshu Tang Lin, Dali Temple Qing Duan Baoxuan, and Yuan Gongyu in the Imperial History have signed jointly. Wu Yu's verdict is on His Majesty's written case, and His Majesty is requested to make a decision immediately. On the selected day, he will be beheaded by Wu Yu, punished with the Ming canon, and blocked the mouths of the people. ”

Li Jiu looked at the verdict, couldn't come back to his senses for a long time, and sighed helplessly. Slowly looking up, the eldest grandson Wuji and Li Tao were both closing their eyes and recuperating. Han Ying and Laiji looked righteous and awe-inspiring, and the rest bowed their heads and were silent. After careful consideration, Yu Zhining was named: "What do Yu Aiqing think of the results of the triage of the three divisions?" ”

Yu Zhining was silent, entangled for a long time, and said: "Kong said to be benevolent, and Meng said to take righteousness." Wu Kang is not a scholar, but he is better than a reader, and Zhining's five bodies are on the ground. However, the law of the country is greater than the sky, and great disrespect is a fact, and the human and material evidence is there, and the minister has nothing to say. ”

Li Jiu couldn't hide his disappointment, thinking of Mei Niang's crying, he had a headache and was helpless. She washed her face with tears every day, lost her indomitable strength, like a weak woman. Although I am the Son of Heaven, I cannot act arbitrarily, and I must seek the opinion of the Prime Minister.

If you want to save his life, unless the seven prime ministers are co-signed, unless the Taiwei and Sikong support. The former is impossible, the latter is even more impossible, there is really no way. After being silent for a long time, he decided to try again, and his eyes swept Li Yifu.

Li Yifu received the signal, instantly lowered his head, and secretly complained in his heart. Wu Kang is kind to me, if it weren't for his mention, I wouldn't be where I am today. It's a pity that there is no way, before the trial of the three divisions, I can desperately maintain it. After I was convicted, I couldn't speak, it was heinous and it would affect my reputation.

Du Zhenglun also bowed his head, making it clear that he was out of the matter, and he couldn't count on it at all. Now the only people who can help are Uncle and Li Tao, as long as they support, there is room for maneuver. Thinking of Mei Niang's plan, Li Jiu instructed Wang Dejian: "The hour is almost up, let the palace people pass the meal." ”

Wang Dejian agreed, left the political hall, and ran to the Shangshi Bureau. Half an hour later, the palace mermaids rushed in, and there were only nine bowls of rice porridge. The prime minister was puzzled, in the past, the lunch in the political hall, four points of mutton to half wine, and a large bowl of fine rice and mutton porridge, why is it so shabby today?

Seeing the sage moving, they picked up chopsticks one after another, and the porridge was saltless and ginger vinegar, and it was tasteless to eat. After the free lunch was eaten, the dishes and chopsticks were placed next to it, and the palace people did not come to clean it up. Li Jiu glanced at everyone and asked with a pleasant face: "Ladies and gentlemen, how does it taste?" ”

This is not easy to answer, there is no taste, Li Tao suddenly spoke: "In the past, I escorted Wukang, and I ate Zhancheng rice in Wuzhou, which is sweeter than rice from all over the world. The porridge that Fang Cai ate is no different from Champa rice, and I ask Your Majesty to clarify your doubts. ”

It's still Wukang's business, the eldest grandson Wuji frowned, and Han Ying looked at each other. Li Jiu took out the golden jar from under the bookcase, and Wang Dejian stepped forward to take it over, asking the prime ministers to appreciate it. Seeing the three words of Wanhu Altar, the eldest grandson Wuji was disgusted and handed it to Yu Zhining.

Yu Zhining sighed lightly, passed it to Han Yuan, and after appreciating it layer by layer, he returned to Li Tao's hands. Seeing the sage's earnest eyes, he returned the altar to Wang Dejian, Li Tao slowly spoke: "This is Wukang's Wanhu Altar, carved with golden fluorite, sent by the elders of Wuzhou." ”

The book case in the jar, Li Jiu said with emotion: "It was the third year of Yonghui, the first time in Wuzhou to support the peasants, and the people who got the chicks sent a grain of rice into the altar of ten thousand households. Later, it was customary for the people to send a grain of autumn harvest rice after the autumn harvest to express their gratitude. I am grateful for Wu Kang's dedication to farming, the improvement of agricultural tools, the introduction of rice seeds, and the gratitude for eating food. ”

Glancing at the hall, the words were chiseled: "Every year on the Shangyuan Festival, Wukang takes the rice in the altar, boils it into white rice porridge, and eats it with Wuzhou officials. The people of Wuzhou praise that the official eats 10,000 households of rice, and 10,000 households support officials. What you ate just now is 10,000 households of rice, more than 20,000 households in Wuzhou, and a grain of rice harvested in autumn. ”

The needle drop in the lobby could be heard, and the prime minister's face was weird, and he subconsciously smacked his lips. Yu Zhining picked up the bowl, the chopsticks were gently dialed, and the rice grains at the bottom of the bowl were in his mouth. Han Ying also picked up the chopsticks, ate the rice on them, and continued to hang his head silently. Li Yifu stretched out his finger, dipped the rice in his mouth, and said with emotion: "Better than the delicacies of the mountains and seas, the first delicacy in the world." ”

The show worked well, and Li Jiu took out the weird purple robe from under the bookcase. Wang Dejian took over, walked to the prime minister, and solemnly unfolded. Dense pieces, smaller than copper coins, combined with a wide purple robe, like a turtle's back.

This is Wu Kang's clothes, Zai looked at each other, and Li Tao was slightly moved. The eldest grandson Wuji closed his eyes, and Han Ying was ashamed to come, so he simply looked at his nose and his nose and heart. Yu Zhining sighed, Du Zhenglun pursed his lips, and Li Yifu was envious.

The purple robe was folded, and Li Jiu stroked it gently, with guilt in his words: "This robe, I gave it to Wu Kang at the beginning, but I didn't expect it to become a life talisman." Cut into countless pieces and distribute them to the victims of the disaster in the state, saving countless families. Tens of thousands of Wuzhou residents learned that Wukang was in trouble, so they went to the governor's mansion and sent back the pieces of cloth in their hands. ”

Li Yifu saw the stitches: "The purple robe is His Majesty's clothing, which can ensure the prosperity of the family and can be used as an heirloom." The people took the initiative to return it, which shows that he has won the hearts of the people. The minister also heard that Wu Kang did not ask for cloth in vain, so he scattered his family wealth for this. It is respectable and lamentable, deeply moving, and the minister is ashamed. ”

Li Jiu was noncommittal and continued: "Mrs. Xingyang put it together, sewed up with stitches and threads, and the holy robe was restored again. Wang Shuyuan Jiami reported that on the day of the escort of Wukang, Wuzhou was empty. The prisoner car could not move an inch, and the Qincha and the guards were thrown eggs by the people. The elders blocked the city gate, and the people on both sides of the official road lined up from Wuzhou to Hangzhou. ”

Picked up the Wanhu Altar, pressed it on the turtle robe, and looked at the eldest grandson Wuji: "At first, I didn't believe it, I thought it was exaggerated, and then I asked Sikong about it, and it was not bad with what Uncle Wang said." But I still didn't believe it, and it wasn't until yesterday that the queen sent ten thousand altars and holy robes that I had to believe it. ”

The lobby was silent, Li Jiu got up and left the case, and walked to everyone: "When the elders blocked the door, they asked Qin Cha two questions, one was 'The lives of tens of thousands of homeless people are not as good as a robe', and the other was 'Can't the court tolerate good officials'." Now, I invite you to answer these two questions and come to Qing's house first. ”

After coming to Ji for a long time, he was speechless for a while, and bowed his head in shame. No one answered, Li Jiu couldn't help but snort coldly, and directly named Han Jin, his tone was extremely stern. Han Ying knelt down directly, buried her head on the ground, bit her lip and pretended to be deaf and dumb.

Li Jiu's anger surged, and his questioning voice was fierce: "All the people return their clothes, Wuzhou is empty, and the people are intercepted." Is such an official what you call a treacherous and snobbish servant? You forced Wu Kang to death and caused the court to lose a pillar, what is your intention? ”

This was said very seriously, and Han Ying and Laiji immediately confessed their crimes. Everyone knows that this is referring to Sang scolding Huai, and directly pointing to the eldest grandson Wuji. A few minutes later, the eldest grandson Wuji coughed lightly, Li Jiu turned to look, and Li Tao opened his eyes.

He got up slowly, made the courtesy of the monarch and ministers, and replied tepidly: "The prince violates the law, and he is guilty of the same crime as the common people, and the law of the country is greater than the sky." If Wu Kang is pardoned, then Tang Law's discussion will be reduced to empty words. The old minister thought that he should be punished and rewarded. Wu Kang is benevolent and sacrificing himself to save the people, and he deserves to be rewarded. ”

Li Jiu's face sank like water, anger flashed in his eyes, and his hands were clenched in his sleeves. Li Tao sneered, glanced at the eldest grandson Wuji, and continued to stay out of the matter. The prime ministers are sitting in danger, this matter is a foregone conclusion, and there is no room for recovery.

The eldest grandson Wuji raised his head and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "The old minister suggested that Wu Kangfa have a wife Cui and add a first-class Mrs. Chu. 2,000 households, in Wuzhou and Chang'an, each gave a mansion; Wukang's only daughter, Wu, was originally the Jun of Jinhua County, and was crowned Mrs. Dongyang, a three-grade Dongyang lady, and a thousand households in Shiyi. ”

As soon as these words came out, including Li Jiu, they were all shocked. A first-class civil and military official, or the wife of the mother of the country, can be named the wife of the first-class country. The state of Chu is comparable to the state of Qin, and the queen's biological mother, Mrs. Daiguo, and Mrs. Yuan's sister, Mrs. Han, are not as good as Mrs. Chu.

The most important thing is that all foreign women are in name only. The princess and other women can enjoy the food, and there are 2,000 households, more than most princesses. Even Wu Kang's daughter, who is not yet three years old, has a thousand households. Such a reward can be described as heavy, and it is also the right thing to do.

At the same time, it also declares that the eldest grandson's heart to kill martial arts is as unswerving as a rock. Li Tao frowned, and completely made up his mind to kill the eldest grandson Wuji before he died. Jingye beat Changsun Chong, the culprit was Wu Kang, and Changsun Wuji blocked the saint's mouth in order to avenge him.

He won't let go of Wu Kang, nor will he let go of dedication, if I die in front of him, the family will be in great trouble. Just like Fang Xuanling, he was exterminated by his family. After thinking about it for a long time, he still shook his head helplessly, Wu Kang's iron case could not be overturned, unless he joined forces with the eldest grandson Wuji.

Li Jiu laughed miserably, completely exhausted, and Wu Kang would definitely die. Han Ying looked at each other, saluted together, and shouted "seconded by the minister". Yu Zhiningjue's is a blessing in misfortune and the best result. There was only so much I could help, so I got up and seconded it.

Seven prime ministers, four agreed, Li Tao was silent, and the overall situation was decided. Du Zhenglun also seconded the proposal, trying his best to fight for Wu Kang, and the reward for his wife and daughter. Li Yifu stood up, suddenly his heart trembled, and he sat back in place in an instant. He also followed the example of Li Tao, closed his eyes, and reserved his opinion.

He has a strong premonition that those who propose a reward and those who seconded the reward will not end well. Your Majesty and Empress Wu will not let them go, especially Empress Wu, who will definitely retaliate wildly. Only by reserving opinions and not offending Empress Wu can she be safe and sound.

Before Li Jiu returned to the case, he picked up the cinnabar pen, stared at the verdict, and said to himself: "At the beginning of the Great Water in the Wannian Palace, Aiqing saved my life regardless of life and death. Not only did I not repay you, but I will kill you, and I am sorry for you. ”

His face gradually turned hideous, hating himself for being incompetent, and hating being controlled by others. The killing intent was fleeting, the Zhu pen shook rapidly, and at the end of the verdict, Zhu criticized the blood-red word "quasi". On the fifteenth day of the lunar month, at two o'clock in the afternoon, in the west city of Chang'an, the execution of beheading.

There was movement behind the hall, Li Jiu dropped the red pen and hurriedly entered behind the curtain. Everyone was dumbfounded, and soon knew that their faces were very strange, this is the council hall. The eldest grandson Wuji glared, staring at the bead curtain and gritting his teeth, His Majesty was too much. Last time in the Hanyuan Palace, this time in the Council Hall, the Wu family should be damned.

Li Tao got up slowly, stopped in front of him, and comforted him: "The queen and Wu Kang have a deep relationship. His Majesty once said that the queen was so sad that she washed her face with tears all day long. It is understandable to worry about the safety of his cousin, and the captain does not have to be angry. ”

The prime ministers were all silent, and they all turned away, not daring to participate in it. The eldest grandson Wuji stared at Li Tao, his eyes were full of disdain, he snorted coldly, and brushed his sleeves away. There was no one in the council hall, Li Tao looked at his back, and his eagle eyes flashed fiercely.

In the Taiji Palace of Yanming Gate, Mei Niang walked quickly, Li Jiu followed closely, and the guards followed from afar. All the way into the harem, Li Jiu chased a few steps, stopped in front of Mei Niang, and said apologetically: "Li Tao stayed out of the matter, Taiwei was forced to force each other, and I had nothing to do, Mei Niang wanted to understand me." ”

Mei Niang wiped away her tears and forced a smile: "Your Majesty doesn't have to blame yourself, it's not your fault, it's that bastard who deserves to die." The concubine implored His Majesty that on the day before the execution, the concubine would see her brother alone. Cook him a severed head, clean up his appearance, and change into clean clothes. ”

Li Jiu was very embarrassed, and said after a moment's struggle: "Send the maidservant girl to go, or ask Mrs. Han to clean up for Wu Qing's house." The cell is extremely yin, you just gave birth to Zhe'er, and your body is still very weak... Oh, don't cry, I promise, don't be sad anymore. ”

Wu Kang, who was in prison in Dali, heard the bad news, and laughed a few times. The official of the Criminal Department who came to report the news took out a pen and paper from his calculation bag, put it on a low table, and said: "According to the practice of the Criminal Department, death row prisoners who have been executed are allowed to leave suicide notes. I also asked Wu Gong to write it, and Guangzong promised you that he would hand it over to his wife. ”

Wu Kang came back to his senses, felt very familiar, and quickly pulled out a light smile. Picking up the pen, he said to himself: "I feel very wronged, comparable to the five major unjust cases." Brother Tai may not know that the five major unjust cases in my dynasty are the death of Sheng Yanshi by Gaozu; Taizong killed Li Junxian with proverbs, killed Zhang Liang with proverbs, and killed Liu Gong by mistakenly believing slander; Princess Gaoyang rebelled, and the eldest grandson Wuji killed Li Ke. ”

Liu Guangzong's eyes were slightly red, and he suddenly reacted, turned around and ran out of the cell. Seeing that there was no one around, he let out a long breath, ran to the outside of Dali Prison, and ordered his subordinates to guard the door. Returning to the cell again, he cupped his fists and pleaded: "Duke Wu, please be cautious, don't criticize the emperor at will." ”

On the fifteenth day of the lunar month, he opened the knife and asked for the beheading, there was nothing to be afraid of, and he didn't care: "Sheng Yanshi beheaded Li Mi, shot Wang Bodang, and made great achievements for the Tang Dynasty." When he quelled the rebellion, he ordered Wang Bo to go to Tanzhou to collect grain, and Li Yiman, the assassin of Tanzhou, had a dirty relationship with Wang Bo, and did not open a warehouse to release grain. After quelling the rebellion, Li Yiman was detained, but Gaozu issued an edict to release him. Before the edict arrived, Li Yiman died in prison, so he killed Sheng Yanshi angrily. ”

Take a look at Liu Guangzong and continue to popularize science: "During the Zhenguan period, there was a book "Secret Notes" in the market, which said, 'After the third generation of the Tang Dynasty, the heroine Wuwang has the world'. Taizong was unhappy, always suspicious, and wanted to find out the female martial artist. In the twenty-second year of Zhenguan, Taizong invited military attachés to a banquet and made a wine order to talk about the name of the milk. ”

motioned for him to sit down, and continued: "Li Junxian calls himself the fifth lady, Taizong shuddered, the fifth is the same as Wu, and the lady is a woman. He worships General Wuwei, seals the county prince of Wulian, and is from Wu'an County, all of which have martial characters. Therefore, Taizong thought that the proverb was Li Junxian, so he found an excuse to kill him. ”

On a certain level, he blocked Mei Niang's gun. Wu Kang laughed and said to himself: "Zhang Liang's unjust case, Li Ke's grievances, presumably my brother and Taiwan understand, I won't say more." What hurts me the most is the unjust death of Liu Xianggong. Chu Suiliang slandered, he wants to emulate Huo Guang, a big joke. Liu Gong is upright and upright, and he can be called a virtuous minister who governs the world, how can he follow suit? ”

Liu Guangzong got up suddenly, clenched his fists and bowed to the end, with tears in his eyes: "Don't dare to deceive Duke Wu, the Liu Xianggong you are talking about is my father." The ancestor was recognized by Duke Wu, and Guangzong was grateful. Ran Guangzong said lightly, but the official of the Criminal Department couldn't complain for you. ”

Wu Kang hurriedly got up, clenched his fists respectfully, and said: "It turned out to be Liu Gong, Wu Kang was disrespectful, please get up quickly." ”

The two met late, and they exchanged pleasantries for half an hour. Wu Kang wrote a suicide note, handed it to Liu Guangzong, and said in a chiseled manner: "Last night, I dreamed of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and she said that if I kill myself, there will be nobles to help. The name of the nobleman is called Mao Jindao, and now that I think about it, it is Liu. ”

Liu Guangzong was stunned, patted his chest after a while, and swore to promise: "The queen treats me well, and Duke Wu understands his father's grievances, and he is Guangzong's benefactor." If the Bodhisattva manifests his spirit, he will really use Guangzong, and he will do his best. The time has come, Guangzong said goodbye, and Wu Gong took care. ”

Wu Kang sent him out and sat quietly on the bed, tears streaming down his face, not as calm as he imagined. I didn't dream last night, but I had a strong premonition that I would escape this time, and the key to survival was in Liu Guangzong...