Chapter 669: Beheading for public display

After the simple ceremony in the palace of senior ministers, Zhao Chen led the four ministers of Zhe Yanzhi, Xu Liang, Zhao Ding, and He Zhu to the "Qinzheng Hall" where he worked as a daily director. He hadn't been here for more than twenty days, but the hall was still clean and organized, as if he knew he would come back sooner or later.

Zhao Chen sat down, looked around, and stroked the desk with both hands, quite touched. Shen Ze stood beside him, also full of joy. Zhe Yanzhi and others stood in the hall, and it was not strange to see the Son of Heaven like this, after this great change, now that everything has finally returned to the right path, shouldn't it be a moment of emotion?

"All four virtuous men are sitting." Zhao Chen's tone was very kind. The four ministers sat down, Zhao Ding was the second minister, naturally sat in the first place, Xu Liang was the only deputy prime minister and naturally sat in the second place, Zhi Yanzhi stopped for a moment after he sat down, and then sat in the third place, He Zhu was the last.

"There has been such a change in the imperial court, and I am very pleased that all the ministers have worked together to end the Luàn Bureau." Zhao Chen's words are not polite, but sincere. In fact, he himself didn't expect that so many people would support him. Before the coup d'état, the Manchu ministers basically had opinions about him, and the most serious was to bypass the imperial court to command the troops, and finally be defeated. But as soon as it happened, those who criticized him at the beginning firmly opposed the restoration of Emperor Taishang, which made Zhao Chen firmly believe that it was the people's desire to be determined to restore and be tough on Jin!

Zhao Ding arched his hand and said: "Your Majesty, the fact that the situation can be quickly calmed down this time is enough to prove that the previous line of the imperial court is popular." ”

Zhao Chen wants to hear it most now, I'm afraid that's what he says. While he is glad to be able to calm the situation, he is even more reassuring to see the general support of the resumption of the situation. Because, to oppose the restoration of Emperor Taishang is to oppose Gou An! There are restored kings and restored ministers, how can you know that if you don't make a meritorious deed, you won't succeed in a big thing?

Now that the overall situation has been decided, there are two things that need to be done most urgently. First, it is the aftermath; Second, it is rewarding.

Zhao Chen then asked: "How to deal with this matter in the future, do you have any ideas?" ”

After the question came out, when all the ministers were still thinking about it, Xu Liu had already said: "Your Majesty, this matter must be handled carefully, and it should not be too publicized. ”

These words were exactly what Zhao Chen wanted, and he hurriedly asked, "Does Xianqing have a specific way?" ”

There was no one else in this diligent hall, and Xu Liang said bluntly: "The minister thinks that this matter should stop at Huang Qianshan, and it can't be investigated further." Otherwise, the people's hearts will be uneasy. ”

Everyone here probably knows that Huang Qianshan is just a flying eagle dog at most, and it is Zhao Huan who is really responsible for this matter. However, he is the Emperor Taishang, the former head of the country, and the father of his subjects. If you want to do something to the Emperor, first of all, there is no reason to look at the world. The Great Song Dynasty ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety, and filial piety was one of the cores of ethics and morality. The so-called parents who are all in the world, when they are sons, even if the father is wrong, can you deny him?

Secondly, if the truth is revealed to the world, what will the military and civilians think? Two fathers and sons fight for the emperor? Lao Tzu rebelled against his son? If this matter is known to the whole country, it will not only be a big joke, but it will also cause húnluàn to think about cháo, and it will shake the people's confidence in the Zhao family, which must not happen.

Therefore, Huang Qianshan must come out to suffer and take everything down.

Zhao Chen nodded solemnly in approval. Xu Liang said again: "This matter should be characterized as the coercion of the rebels and the evil intentions. Whoever participates in this matter shall be punished as treason. ”

Although they expected this to be the case, when they actually heard the words, several people couldn't help but be surprised. If the ministers, soldiers, and thousands of ministers involved in this matter are all punished for rebellion, how many people will have to be killed?

He Zhu, the secretary of Dali Temple, was first worried: "Xu participates in politics, so the implication is too wide, right?" ”

Xu Liang nodded: "Of course, if you say so, if you are specific, depending on the severity of the offense, you can treat it differently." Like Huang Qianshan, Wang Zongmi, and Luo Ruji, they can be described as the first evil, and they must be strictly dealt with to correct the national law. The rest of the people can be lightly dropped, which just shows the benevolence of the Son of Heaven. As for the officers and soldiers of the palace who participated in the incident, they were only acting on orders and could be exempted from prosecution. ”

Zhao Chen was very satisfied with what he heard, this is undoubtedly the best way to deal with it. If the scope of involvement is too wide and blood is shedding, it will not benefit anyone.

"Do you have any objections?"

"What Xu Shenzheng said is emotional, reasonable, and legal, all of which are appropriate, and the minister seconded it." Deputy Prime Minister Zhao Ding said.

Although Zhi Yanzhi is a local official, he also said: "The first evil is strictly handled, which is enough to correct the law of the country, and the rest of the people are light, and they can also show benevolence and virtue, and the ministers seconded it." ”

Seeing this, He Zhu, the secretary of Dali Temple, also said: "The minister agrees." ”

Seeing that the important ministers had no objections, Zhao Chen decided and said: "Okay, this matter will be handled according to Xu Qing's words." Huang Qianshan, Wang Zongmao, and Luo Ruji were handed over to Dali Temple for trial and disposal in accordance with the law. The rest of the people are treated differently because of their official rank and the severity of the plot. The officers and soldiers of the former division of the palace who participated in this matter were exempted from accountability. ”

The tone of this "punishment" was set, and Zhao Chen pondered about rewarding him. Needless to say, Xu Liang folded the two ministers, led the army to the king, and made great contributions, and should be rewarded; On the same day, the officials who followed him to Geling, and were later demoted, exiled, and placed under house arrest by the Emperor Taishang were also given generous gifts; During the restoration of Emperor Taishang, Shang Song resigned, and the ministers who were unwilling to go along with him should also be rewarded.

Thinking of this, he asked with a smile: "Xu Qing, you were ordered to get out of the siege that day. I was worried that you had made a mistake, but it turned out to be a success. After you left Geling, how did you find Zheqing? ”

As soon as the emperor asked, several other ministers were also interested and listened attentively.

Xu Liang smiled bitterly before speaking, and when the emperor saw it, he said suspiciously: "How can Xianqing laugh?" ”

Xu Liang replied: "The minister left Geling that day, and there was no road behind the mountain, so he had to roll and slip, and occasionally jump. The minister had no choice but to cross the Qixia Ridge, easily walked out of the mountainous area, turned to the north road, and asked, but it was already to Yuhang. Fearing that someone would chase him, he did not dare to take the avenue, but searched for the trail, and after two days, he was already hungry and thirsty, and he was penniless. To Wukang County, find the county, with the official handwriting edict, the county understands the righteousness, give it to the coil, and send the carriage and horse all the way to Zhenjiang Mansion. ”

When everyone heard that he was participating in politics in a dignified manner, he had fallen to the point of being penniless and hungry and thirsty, and they could not help but sigh, and at the same time they were moved by his loyalty. Zhao Chen nodded frequently in appreciation.

"The minister originally wanted to find Zhao Dian, the envoy of the two Zhejiang Xuanfu, and summon him to raise troops to serve the king. But ......" Xu Liu said this and stopped. Because it was easy for him to say a word, but Zhao Dian's blessings and misfortunes were all in his thoughts. If he says it at best, although Zhao Dian is useless, he will not be implicated, and if he says it badly, Zhao Dian will be finished.

"Zhao Dian refuses?" Zhao Chen had already sensed something.

Xu Liang paused for a moment before he said: "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that just based on my words, Zhao Dian didn't dare to believe it." Before Bisheng, Hangzhou sent him an edict to arrest Weichen. Under the minister's strong explanation and persuasion, although Zhao Dian did not agree to send troops, he also arranged for someone to escort him across the Yangtze River. ”

At this time, Zhi Yanzhi said: "The minister thinks that Zhao Dian probably knows right and wrong in his heart. The reason why he did not move was because he wanted to protect himself. ”

Xu Liu noticed that when the emperor heard this, he frowned slightly, and seemed displeased.

"When the minister went to Yangzhou, he was almost arrested, but fortunately he was rescued by Li Xianzhong, the deputy envoy of Huaixi's pacification, and only then did he see Zhe Xuanfu and discuss raising troops. Ben yù recruited Huaixi to pacify Liu Guangguo's brothers, but he did not send troops on the grounds that there were few soldiers to defend Jin, and only Li Xianzhong led his troops to accompany him. When the army crossed the river, although Zhao Dian sent a warship to block it, it was also a show, and he did not stop it when King Qin's army boarded. Xu Liang said.

After hearing this, Zhao Chen said with emotion: "I don't want Xianqing to suffer so much, so that I can't feel at ease in my heart." ”

"This minister is also duty." Xu Liang bowed his head and said.

"Okay, when the aftermath is finished, I should be rewarded for my meritorious deeds." Zhao Chen promised.

After several ministers retreated, Zhao Chen was still sitting in the same place, feeling a lot of emotion. In the past 20 days, it has been like a dream. In the past, some ministers persuaded him to purge the power of the Emperor Taishang in the court, but he did not make up his mind at that time. Now that I think about it, it is precisely because of the connivance at the beginning that I have what I am doing now. Now, just take this opportunity to expel those who have two hearts from the court.

As for the Emperor Taishang, after losing power this time, he probably won't have any other ideas. Just live in Deoksugung Palace, enjoy the wealth and prosperity, and don't have a cào heart anymore.

When he was thinking about it, Shen Xue came over with a cup of tea, put it on the desk, and said casually: "Official, when the little slave heard about Xu's participation in politics, he felt that his nose was sour. Participating in political affairs in a dignified manner, it can be said that he has gone through hardships in such a down-and-out manner. It is even more difficult for him to be a scholar, but he has such perseverance. ”

Zhao Chen said with a smile: "He is not a scholar, the Xu family has been in the army for generations, and I heard that since Xu Liang's grandfather, he has served in the Western Army and fought on the battlefield. In his father's generation, there were three brothers, all of whom were good at fighting and were generals in the Western Division. His uncle Xu Mao, the official to the strategy, the party is afraid of him; The second uncle, Xu Zhang, is the father of Xu Wei, who was known as the first tiger general of the Western Army in the past, and killed people like hemp. After Zhishi, when the Jin army invaded the south, he re-emerged from the mountain, bravely went to the national disaster, and made great achievements; His father, Xu Shao, was also a military minister, but he was good at reading and successful, and because of Xu Mao's request, he converted his literary resources. Therefore, the children of the Xu family are loyal and brave, how can Xu Liangsheng be unrestrained? ”

"I see, but the little slave is lonely and unheard." Shen Ze said with a smile.

"However, your words are not wrong, Xu Liang is indeed commendable. After going through bō twists and turns along the way, he recruited the division of King Qin. If it weren't for him, I don't know what the outcome of this matter would be, and I would have rewarded him heavily. There is also Orihiko, I plan to restore the lord of the county king. Zhao Chen said.

Shen Ze's eyes blinked a few times, and he said with a smile: "Zhen Xuanfu is naturally great, but he was demoted because of the failure of the Northern Expedition before, and now he has returned to the prince of the county in just ten months, I am afraid it will cause people to talk." ”

Zhao Chen thought for a while, shook his head and said, "It's okay, this Qin King's merit is not worth the fault of defeat?" ”

Shen Ze persuaded: "Official, the courtiers were already dissatisfied with the Northern Expedition. Fang gave people with different intentions an opportunity to take advantage of it, and now it is not to be careful. Moreover, when the little slave went to greet the two ministers of Xu Zhe, he saw that Zhi Xuanfu led the troops into the city, and the soldiers were all tall and young men, with bright armor, and they were lined up in front of the palace at this time, so as to show off their strength. Isn't it abrupt to provoke the people in the city to avoid it? ”

When Zhao Chen heard this, he was a little surprised: "Is this the case?" ”

"Not only the little slaves have seen it with their own eyes, but also the people in the city, how can they be deceived?" Shen Zedao.

Zhao Chen thought for a moment, waved his hand, and said, "I think he is afraid that there will be variables in the city, so he has no other intention to bring the army in." ”

Seeing that the emperor excused him, Shen Xue was inconvenient to say anything more. Zhao Chen glanced at him a few times and admonished: "You have been with me for many years, and I am close to you, but you must be measured in what you say and do. If the minister knows, it will not do you any good. ”

Shen Ze's face changed slightly, and he leaned over and said, "Little slave, remember." "Actually, does Xu Liang have a good relationship with him? Otherwise. Did Orihiko have a holiday with him? No. The reason why he remembered to say such a few words was because when he greeted the second minister, Xu Liang was polite to him, and Zhi Yanzhi didn't look at him at all at all.

After the emperor was reinstated, calm gradually returned to the city of Hangzhou, and the people were relieved, but fortunately there was no fighting. Although order has been restored, the rumors are far from stopping. Various versions of the legend were circulating, and in order to put an end to the public mouth, the next day, Zhao Ding and Xu Liang initiated the judicial process.

More than a dozen people, including Huang Qianshan, Wang Zongmao, Luo Ruji, and Wang Ciweng, were detained and all sent to Dali Temple, and the list was drawn up by Xu Liang. He Zhu, the prefect of Dali Temple, is also preparing to hear the case. nature, was determined as "rebellion", Huang Qianshan was the first evil, and Wang Zongwei and others were accomplices.

Because the facts were clear, the evidence was conclusive, and there were instructions from above, the trial was quickly brought to a conclusion. Huang Qianshan, Wang Zongmiao, and Luo Ruji committed the crime of conspiracy and unforgivable and were sentenced to capital punishment, and they were immediately executed. The rest, whether flowing, migrating, relocating, or arranging management, is at least degrading the poor mountains and bad waters.

The courtiers who supported Zhao Huan were almost wiped out. On the night of the sentencing, He Zhu personally went to meet several death row inmates and asked them about their last words. Huang Qianshan knew that he would inevitably die, so he had only one request, hoping not to kill Shi Cao and die a decent death.

He Zhu listened to the heavens, but Zhao Chen disagreed at first. Because rebellion is a heinous crime in any dynasty and generation, it must be beheaded to show the public, so as to deter people's hearts, and the same is true of this dynasty. There is only one exception, and that is the descendants of the Chai family. Emperor Taizu had three precepts of Leshi. First, to protect the descendants of the Chai family; second, do not kill scholars; Third, if the descendants do not obey, the heavens will punish them. Among them, the preservation of the descendants of the Chai family also elaborated, "If you are guilty, you must not be punished, and if you commit rebellion, you will be given death in prison, and you will not be killed in the city, nor will you be allowed to sit in a subordinate position."

Huang Qianshan can't fight with the Chai family, why does he enjoy this treatment? Under He Zhu's advice, he also considered that Huang Qianshan should be punished for his crimes, but he was actually not the leader, so he agreed.

That night, He Zhu conveyed the news to Huang Qianshan, who thanked him, begged for poison and wine, and then begged Bai Aya, hung himself in prison, and died with a whimper. The next day, Wang Zongmao and Luo Ruji were also beheaded in the downtown and displayed to the public. The imperial court announced that Huang Qianshan and other rebellious ministers coerced the emperor, and the crime was extremely evil, and he was punished by the law.