On the way to Beijing, Hong Chengchou had heard about Wang Qiang's killing of officials and releasing grain, and the folk even said that Wang Qiang's legend was like a life-saving Bodhisattva, and he also heard that the people of Shandong and Zhili knew that Wang Qiang was on death row and was writing a series of letters about the people, asking the emperor to exempt Wang Qiang from the death penalty.

Hong Chengchou pondered for a moment, and had already made up his mind to intercede for Wang Qiang, firstly, because Wang Qiang's move won the hearts of the people, which was beneficial to the country and the people, and interceding for him could win a good reputation; Second, he heard that Wang Qiang won Chongzhen's favor, and now Chongzhen was forced to kill Wang Qiang in desperation, maybe he would regret it later, but put this account on his head, he knew that Chongzhen was jealous, and now, the front military is tight, Chongzhen will not do anything to himself, once the bandits are exterminated, they will surely be cooked by rabbits and dogs, and then this is a cause; There is a more important one, that is, the household department responsible for supplying the front-line grain is controlled by the Donglin Party, and there is bias in the supply of grain and salary, and unfair distribution is the most fundamental reason. After thinking about it, Hong Chengchou left his seat and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, Weichen asked the emperor to pardon Wang Qiang. ”

"Oh? He lost your rations, but why did you intercede for him? Chongzhen asked in surprise.

Hong Chengchou had already thought of his rhetoric, and said: "Wang Qiang's ministers have also heard about the killing of officials and grain release in Yanzhou, when hundreds of thousands of hungry people besieged the grain trucks, and among them, the remnants of the bandits were instigated and instigated in the middle, the situation is critical, and if a measure is not taken properly, it may cause a riot, and then not only will the food be not guaranteed, but I am afraid that the whole province of Shandong will be eroded." Wang Qiang made a decision on the spot, in the name of the emperor to release grain relief, not only thwarted the bandits' attempt to provoke a riot, but also for the court to clean up the people's hearts, but also to preserve the next part of the grain, it is really a double move, now the situation in Shandong and Zhili provinces is stable, it can be seen that Wang Qiang's move is effective. Wang Qiang killed the official, forgive the minister bluntly, it is said that Yang Lichang privately swallowed the grain in the warehouse, did not open a warehouse for relief, so that the starving people besieged the military grain, which belongs to the anti-decree, should have died, Wang Qiang, as a messenger, killed him without asking for a decree, although there was a mistake, but it was not for no reason, and it should be forgiven. As for His Majesty's worries about the front-line soldiers complaining, there is no need, most of the soldiers and horses led by the ministers are from Shandong and Zhili, they will only miss the emperor's relief of their hometown, and will not affect their morale because of this. ”

Listening to Hong Chengchou's words, Chongzhen actually breathed a long sigh of relief, he knew more clearly about Wang Qiang's situation in Yanzhou than Hong Chengchou at that time, and he also knew that Wang Qiang was wronged, and Hong Chengchou's words were indeed reasonable, Wang Qiang was much better than the corrupt officials who secretly swallowed the grain in the warehouse, he slowly sat back in the chair, leaned back on the back of the chair relaxedly, and the color of his face was better.

A group of courtiers in the cabinet have been observing words and feelings, and when they saw Chongzhen's expression, they all guessed the emperor's thoughts.

Zhou Yanru has always regarded Wang Qiang as a member of his own faction, and immediately went out to play: "Your Majesty, the ministers are also willing to intercede for Wang Qiang." ”

"Hmm." Chongzhen nodded reservedly and motioned for him to continue.

Zhou Yanru said: "The minister's move to watch Wang Qiang is not only innocent, but meritorious. Thinking that the king was strong in the midst of danger, he was bold and decisive, and avoided a riot, which shows his ability; Afterwards, he did not blame and escape, but went to the court with his own shackles to plead guilty, which shows his bravery; Regardless of personal safety, risking death to release grain, all for the sake of the court, and in the name of the emperor for disaster relief, not greedy for the merits of the sky, it can be seen that he is loyal. Such a loyal, brave, and capable minister is all thanks to the emperor himself, this person should not only not be killed, but should be reused! ”

Qian Qianyi and Zhou Yanru were opposed, and they were looking forward to Wang Qiang's early death, and seeing Chongzhen's relaxed attitude, he hurriedly went out of the class and said: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that Wang Qiang must not be forgiven!" Thinking that Wang Qiang was on patrol this time, the emperor repeatedly told him not to interfere in local government affairs, but Wang Qiang ignored the emperor's will, killed the three members of the imperial court, and donated the military rations urgently needed by the imperial court, which won a reputation for himself, but ignored the imperial court. Thinking that he was so bold and reckless at a young age, the minister was worried that he would be full-fledged in the future, and he would be a power eunuch if he didn't get it right. ”

Qian Qianyi said another layer of truth, Chongzhen nodded noncommittally, and hesitated in his heart.

Yang Guangguang, the secretary of the ministry, was friendly with Wang Qiang, and said: "Long live Qizuo, the minister received the people's fold from the people of Shandong and Zhili provinces, which is a good deed of the emperor for disaster relief, and I implore the emperor to pardon Wang Qiang's petition." Please take a look at the emperor. With that, he took out a thick stack of paper from his sleeve and bowed down to present it. This is a disguised intercession for Wang Qiang.

Chongzhen took the eunuch to forward the fold of the people, and saw that it was a holy article by Lu Si Liliu, the rhetoric was gorgeous, the text was smooth, and it was the best work of the literati at a glance, and the thick stack of paper behind the fold was full of signatures and handprints, Chongzhen felt a little relieved, and his face was better.

Chen Shaoliang also took the opportunity to go out of class and said: "The emperor, after Wang Qiang's Yanzhou disaster relief, he took out all his wealth and appointed the household department official Tian Jingming to go to Suzhou to raise grain for the second time, and the gentry in Jiangnan thought of the emperor's righteous act of disaster relief, and voluntarily lost 50,000 loads of military rations, and the minister got an urgent report this morning, this batch of military rations has been shipped, and it will be delivered to the capital in a few days!" ”

"Oh! 50,000 quintals! Chongzhen straightened up, his eyes shining with surprise.

Hong Chengchou also guessed Chongzhen's attitude, and when he saw that the time was ripe, he got up again and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers have been looking at the historical books, all the traitors in the past dynasties and dynasties, and the era when they covered the sky with one hand, most of them were because the lord was weak, the power was down, and he was unclear or incompetent. To put it mildly, the former emperor was tired of politics in his later years, ignored the government for many years, and blindly trusted Wei Zhongxian, which made the eunuch party gradually bigger and became a scourge. But now the emperor is at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period, and His Majesty is so diligent and sage, directly commanding six departments and hundreds of officials, and the power is in charge, and there will never be a situation where the ministers are in charge. These words naturally refute what Qian Qianyi said just now.

Hearing the news of the recovery of military rations, Chongzhen was in a good mood, and thought of Wang Qiang's good coming, and saw that everyone pleaded for mercy, so he went down the slope and said: "That is, I approved your Aiqing's request, pardoned Wang Qiang, came to the noon gate, and announced that Wang Qiang would meet immediately." ”

"Yes." One of the stewards and eunuchs hurried out to deliver the message.

But he said that Wang Qiang ate a severed head meal in the morning, and was escorted to the noon gate with Shang Dayong to be beheaded. The taste of waiting for death is not comfortable, although Wang Qiang is a little prepared, but after all, he is young, thinking about the severed head in his heart for a while, he is also afraid of this severed head in his heart, he kneels there dejectedly and inevitably suffers from gains and losses, and regrets for a while that he should not be lucky, and refuses Li Yan's kindness to save himself, and for a while he looks forward to seeing Chongzhen when he is dying, and exchanging the treasure that Jiang Yuquan told him for his own life, and for a while thinking about whether he can return to modern society after he dies here. That Shang Dayong turned his head and looked around indifferently, hoping that noon would arrive soon, so as not to kneel here and feel uncomfortable.

Because of today's court meeting, the officials of the three grades and above in the capital entered the palace one after another, passing by the noon gate, they couldn't help but point fingers at the two, some regretted in their hearts, and some gloated, many of whom usually had a relationship with Wang Qiang only nodded their heads from afar, and did not dare to come forward to talk.

At this moment, I saw a steward eunuch trotting all the way to Wang Qiang's approach, and proclaimed loudly: "The emperor has a decree, and Wang Qiang will meet him immediately!" ”

When Wang Qiang heard this, he raised his head violently and said in surprise: "Really, the emperor wants to see me!" ”

The eunuch in charge was familiar with Wang Qiang, and bent down in Wang Qiang's ear and said: "Congratulations to Gonggong Zhao, Lord Hong Chengchou has interceded for you, the emperor has pardoned you, you are fine!" ”

"Really!" Wang Qiang got up vigorously when he heard this, and couldn't help but be overjoyed. Shang Dayong was also happy for Wang Qiang when he was in the audience, and arched his flailed hands and said: "Congratulations to the little brother for getting out of trouble, I wanted to be with you on the Huangquan Road, but this is better, brother, I can go alone!" ”

Wang Qiang had a lot of good feelings for Shang Dayong, and said sincerely: "Brother Shang, don't worry, I will intercede for you when I meet the emperor, the emperor will be able to determine the merits, and maybe I can forgive you." ”

Shang Dayong laughed and said: "Then borrow my brother's auspicious words, if we can live, our brother will definitely drink him in the dark and not get drunk!" ”

Wang Qiang arched his hand to Shang Dayong, and quickly followed the little eunuch.