After the expulsion of Yuan Gongyu, Gaozong appointed Li Zhaode to temporarily manage the entire Imperial Historical Observatory and take charge of the interrogation, and strictly ordered Li Zhaode to prohibit the use of torture, to try the case as soon as possible, and to treat these righteous men who were tortured by torture. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

After saying that, Gaozong left the edict and prepared to return to his palace.

This anger, coupled with the treacherous environment in the edict, made Gaozong's physical condition a little bad again, but Gaozong still gritted his teeth and insisted, no matter how serious his illness was, he would persist until the prince's case was revealed.

But I didn't expect that at this moment, I suddenly saw a small chamberlain come to the front and said to Gaozong: "Your Majesty, countless people suddenly came outside the palace, shouting to avenge His Royal Highness the Prince, and the palace guards are blocking it, but there are too many people, they can't stop it at all, it is estimated that after a while, the people will rush in, and the general of the Zuojian Gate asked the servants to ask, how should this matter be handled?" To be suppressed by force? ”

At this time, he could hear Xue Yuanchao in the middle book and said loudly: "It is really arrogant that such ignorant people dare to break the palace ban, and they directly send a large army to suppress it, hmph, I believe that as long as they really send troops to suppress it, those people will disperse immediately." ”

"Your Majesty, Xue Xiang's words can be described as a heart-wrenching theory", I saw the crowd suddenly come out of the Zhongshu Shilang, Tongzhongshu Men Pingzhang Shi Guo Zhengyi, and said loudly: "A large number of people suddenly gathered to avenge the prince, which is a move to respond to the heavens and people, but to express their will to the saints, what is the crime?" But Xue Xiang actually suggested directly sending troops to suppress it, didn't this mean that His Majesty would create an unjust case? After thousands of years, this matter is recorded in the history books, how should Your Majesty be evaluated? What's more, His Majesty didn't express his position on such a big event, and Xue Xiang took the lead in speaking out, where did he want to put His Majesty? ”

"Your Majesty, the old minister is wronged, the old minister doesn't mean this, the old minister is just ......"

"Enough!" Xue Yuanchao didn't finish his words, and when he saw that his words were interrupted by Gaozong, he couldn't help but be shocked, and hurriedly stopped talking, but saw that Gaozong's face was extremely gloomy, and then said: "Xue Qing, you are so bold!" I remember that you are the grandson of Xue Daoheng, a famous scholar of the first dynasty, and the nephew of the former emperor Xue Jieyu, and you have always treated you leniently, but you actually despise me so much, instigated me to suppress the people, and did such a faint act, the intentions are really vicious, if it were not for the sake of your merits, I would never spare it, and I would not retreat quickly! ”

"Your Majesty...... Yes, the old minister obeys! Xue Yuanchao's old face suddenly became extremely pale, he sighed deeply, and then retreated helplessly.

At this time, Gaozong said: "Guo Shilang, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?" ”

But I saw Guo Zhengyi said: "Your Majesty, Weichen heard that the floods in Shandong in the past few days, the people are hungry, starving all over the wilderness, the first few days of the earthquake in Beijing, these are all signs of great evil, it can be seen that the so-called prince's rebellion has made the heavens angry, if Your Majesty listens to Xue Xiang's words and suppresses the people by force, it is estimated that there will be a greater disaster, and now the people gather here, there is no other intention, just to avenge His Royal Highness the Prince, His Majesty only needs to lead the ministers to the palace gate, appease the people, and promise to return His Royal Highness the Prince to justice, The people will inevitably retreat. ”

Hearing this, Gaozong nodded and said, "I have this intention, let's go, let's go out of the palace together to have a look." ”

At this time, he saw Yuan Wanqing, a scholar from the middle school and a guest of the prince, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, this matter must not be allowed, those people are now in a hot head, in case of this collision with Your Majesty, who will bear the responsibility in the meantime?" ”

Hearing this, Gaozong smiled faintly and said: "I am the son of heaven of the Tang Dynasty, and I believe that the people of my dynasty will definitely not collide with me." ”

After finishing speaking, Gaozong waved his hand and led everyone to the outside of the palace gate.

At this time, Empress Wu deliberately lagged behind a few steps, and then quietly gave such and such an order to Qiu Shenji on the side, and then quietly followed.

Gaozong came to the palace gate, and sure enough, he found that there were more and more people gathered, so he couldn't help but come forward, and after all the people greeted him, he saw an old man and said loudly: "Your Majesty is here, this is really good, the little old man sees Your Majesty." ”

"Old man, please excuse me." Seeing this, Gaozong hurriedly walked in front of him, helped the old man up with his own hands, and then smiled and chatted with the old man.

The old man responded a few words, and suddenly said: "Holy Lord, please forgive the little old man for saying bluntly, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the pillar of the country, a meritorious hero of the society, who has turned the tide several times, does not hesitate to take risks, goes deep into the hair, fights against the enemy, can be said to be painstaking, protecting the country and the people, how can a character like this make a rebellious move?" If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was really treasonous, he only needed to come to Luoyang City with the soldiers of war, and the prince didn't even grasp that opportunity, how could he take advantage of the current harsh environment to rebel? Therefore, this matter is obvious, some people are jealous of the prince's military merits and prestige, and deliberately framed him, Xiao Lao'er on behalf of everyone, petitioned the saint, hoping that the saint can investigate this matter in detail, avenge His Royal Highness the prince, and let our villains rest assured! ”

Gaozong hurriedly said loudly to the old man: "This old man, all the people, I know that you are all loyal to the country and concerned about the society, and I have done a bad job as the emperor, so I have been wronged. ”

At this time, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted: "Your Majesty the Emperor, since you are not doing well, then quickly abdicate and give up the throne to the crown prince." ”

When Gaozong heard this, his face changed suddenly, but he didn't say anything more, and continued: "I know that the prince is wronged, this is all because I am careless and deceived by the villain, but after investigation, I have learned that the prince is wronged, please rest assured, I will definitely give the prince a justice, and I will give you a satisfactory explanation." ”

"Hehe, since Your Majesty wants to give us an explanation, then please ask Your Majesty to make a quick decision, unless you give up the throne to the crown prince, we will not be satisfied......" The voice sounded in the crowd again, and that voice immediately aroused the echo of many people who did not know the truth as before.

"Who?" At this moment, I saw two figures suddenly burrow into the crowd, and with lightning speed, they captured a man dressed in black and had a somewhat obscene face, and escorted him to Gaozong.

"Your Majesty, this person is looking left and right, his eyes are rolling wildly, especially with martial arts, obviously he is mixed into the crowd, trying to instigate the people, which is not good for Your Majesty, according to Weichen, someone must have sent someone to deliberately make trouble, and please ask Your Majesty to decide this matter."

Beside Gaozong, a personal guard said respectfully. (To be continued.) )