The sky was clear, and the women's prison was immersed in unease, no one spoke all morning, and everyone didn't know what kind of situation Zhao Ji's death would bring, so they all sat still. The emperor asked Zhang Tingwei to expand the scope to find people who knew Guan Gao, and there was a reply on this day. Just after noon, a thin old man came to Tingwei's Mansion, whose name was Chugong, the official to the middle doctor, and knew Guan Gao in Tingwei's Mansion, and the two lived in the same room when they were young, and they knew Guan Gao better. After being arrested and imprisoned, he was tortured, and wanted to help Guan Gao but had no way, and heard that the emperor wanted to find someone close to Guan Gao to persuade Guan Gao, so he hurriedly found the Tingwei Mansion. Seeing that the emperor was difficult, he went to Zhang Tingwei and told him about his relationship with Guan Gao. So Zhang Tingwei put down the public case in his hand and took the prince to the front hall to see Emperor Gao Liu Bang. Liu Bang squinted his eyes and looked at him, and asked a little fox, "Do you know Guan Gao?" ”

Gong Gong replied, "Caochen and Guan Xiang have known each other since childhood, and they know him well, Guan Xiang has always been a person who is famous for Zhao Guoshu, upright, resolute, and unwilling to break his promises. ”

Liu Bang nodded slightly, and then leaned closer and asked urgently, "How can the general ask Guan Gao?" ”

Gong Fu replied, "Cao Chen is in his chest, so I should wait for Cao Chen to come back and tell Your Majesty in detail." ”

Liu Bang said 'um', nodded, and waved his hand to ask Zhang Tingwei to take the prince back to Tingwei's mansion. Went directly to the cell where Guan Gao was, Zhang Tingwei ordered the warden to call the other jailers to come out and wait, nominally saying that Weiyang Palace was full of snow, and the palace eunuchs were not enough, so they sent them to remove the snow, so only the five jailers who were left guarded, and the rest were out of the prison cell, each of them took a shovel and it was really snow removal, but he did not really go to Weiyang Palace to remove the snow, but just took advantage of this time to remove the snow in front of the Yamen of the Tingwei Mansion, and gave time to ask the public about the year of Guan Gao.

When he entered the cell, he felt that the stench was very unpleasant, and it was as cold as ice, and there was no trace of sunlight in it, and all the prison lamps were shining. The sight of the public was full of ragged and tortured slaves, most of them young people, who lay on the straw mats as if they were gone, staring at the only small window hole with a view of the sky outside, their eyes empty and desperate, they did not make a fuss or scream, as if they were used to it, and did not pay any attention to who came in and who went out.

While looking at the other sinners, he searched for the cell where Guan Gao was located in front and back, left and right, and finally saw Guan Gao covered in blood, with fluffy hair, dull eyes, and leaning against the wall in a daze at the last corner of a corner. He was not overjoyed when he found Guan Gao, but he felt even more desolate and cruel. Quietly observed Guan Gao in front of the prison fence for a while, Guan Gao was already thin, now such a toss, he is already skinny, the cheekbones on both sides are scary, the eye sockets are deep, the cloudy eyes have long lost their original sharpness, staring straight at the ground.

He shook his head and sighed when he looked at it, thinking that Guan Gao was so outstanding back then, he won the love of Zhang Er, the king of Zhao, and the rivers and mountains of Zhao Di were red, and the name of Guan Gao was famous all over the world. Now imprisoned in a cold dark room, not showing the demeanor of the year, the heroes of the first generation were bent over and stiffened by the ordeal, and they couldn't see the brilliance of the past, but only the vicissitudes of time.

"Guanxiang ......" opened the lock on the prison bar and went in.

Smelling a familiar voice, Guan Gao slowly moved his neck to follow the sound, looking at the person in front of him for a long time, what appeared in his eyes was a temporary forget, but there was also a sense of déjà vu, his mouth opened slightly, his eyes blinked but he didn't say a word.

"I'm a catharsis." Gong Xuan walked to Guan Gao's side and sat on the tattered mat, holding Guan Gao's skinny hand and patting it, his eyes instantly turned red as if he had seen an old man, and he said, "Guan Xiang suffered." ”

"Are you...... Leaking the public? It took Guan Gao a long time to see that the person in front of him was indeed the man who lived in the same place, his face was a little active, and there was a quick smile of disbelief. He even clenched his hands and nodded heavily.

Guan Gao was excited in his heart at this time, and the old man came to visit him, nodded again and again with relief, and said the word 'good' vigorously, and there were a few tears from time to time, the so-called manly husband had tears at this time, not because of torture and crying, but for the world There are amiable and credible old friends, so at such a juncture, the old people came to visit their friends regardless of the danger of being punished.

"Good, good. Now that you are also a doctor in the Central Committee of the Han Dynasty, Guan Mou did not misunderstand you after all. Guan Gao said as if he had a feeling.

He understood the meaning of Guan Gao's words, so he followed him and said, "Guan Xiang has always been honest and bold, and contemptible people have always admired you. Today, I didn't want to deceive Guan Xiang, but I looked at King Zhao on the other side and was worried about Guan Xiang Meng Gong and others, I couldn't eat day and night, I was really worried about King Zhao, and it was always bad for my body to get weaker day by day. I hope that Guan Xiang will truthfully talk to someone about the things of the year, and that it will be good for King Zhao to truthfully report Guan Xiang's situation here, so that King Zhao can relax a little. ”

Guan Gao also understood the intention of leaking the prince at this time, and he did not come for King Zhao, but was entrusted by the emperor. Even after so many days of tossing, the emperor still persevered, so he used this trick. Guan Gao smiled bitterly, the matter has come to such a field, Guan Gao doesn't want to play with the emperor anymore, and truthfully told the things of the year to the Duke of Xu, telling the original intention of assassinating the emperor and King Zhao's ignorance and all the stories of how King Zhao bit his finger to stop it. Guan Gao didn't know that this was the first time he told the events of the year, and he was still so enthusiastic when he said it, if he was allowed to choose again, he was afraid that he would choose to assassinate the emperor to protect the dignity of King Zhao.

When he heard this, he was even more impressed by Guan Gao's behavior, Guan Gao was indeed the minister of King Zhao who should be loyal to King Zhao. The protector of the high level is narrow, and he sincerely admires and likes it. Gong Gong lowered his head and precipitated the thoughts in his heart, Guan Gao told himself the truth completely, and there seemed to be no suspicion, but he said that he came for King Zhao, and he was actually entrusted by the emperor to ask the truth. He lowered his head for a long time, and only after a long time did he straighten up and bow his hand deeply to Guan Gao, and said heavily, "Guan Xiang is a man, a certain ...... I was in awe. ”

Guan Gao smiled bitterly as if he was sarcastic.

"In this way, King Zhao really did not participate in the assassination of the emperor back then." He didn't dare to be vague and continued to take advantage of the situation to ask.

Guan Gao smiled bitterly again, and said with a little sadness and meaning, "People, how can anyone not cherish their parents and wives, now that my family members have all been escorted to the Tingwei Mansion in Chang'an, in the dark cage not far from me, because of my insistence, they are about to be executed, will I disregard the lives of my relatives for the sake of King Zhao?" But King Zhao really didn't participate in the assassination, and the only people who assassinated the emperor back then were me and Zhao Wu. Isn't it because you admire Guan because of his integrity? Then, please tell His Majesty the Emperor that King Zhao did not participate in the rebellion, and if he does not believe it, he can execute all of Guan's relatives. ”

Gong sighed, and Gao Shan nodded in approval of the words of Guan Gao's behavior. Gong and Guan Gao then said some common words, and then said goodbye to Guan Gao, and before leaving, he bowed deeply to Guan Gao at the door to express his admiration, and when he left the prison room, he and Zhang Tingwei returned to the front hall to report the matter. How did he ask Guan Gao, and how Guan Gao told the emperor what he said. After Liu Bang heard this, he really suddenly realized, closed his eyes for a long time and was silent and his heart fluctuated, and he thought that he might have blamed Guan Gao and Zhao Wang and others, Liu Bang Longyan showed a little remorse and apology, let out a long sigh of relief, put one hand on several cases, and said bitterly, "Guan Gao...... He is worthy of being a true hero. ”

Zhang Tingwei took advantage of the situation and asked, "Your Majesty, is King Zhao still locked up?" ”

Liu Bang was stunned, and instantly felt guilty about King Zhao but didn't want people to see through his thoughts, so he pondered for a long time before turning around and waving his hand, pointing at Zhang Tingwei and asking, "How long have King Zhao and Guan Gao been imprisoned?" ”

"It's been more than a month."

Liu Bang lowered his head and pondered for a while, then raised his hand and instructed Zhang Tingwei, "Let it go, King Zhang is not guilty, Guan Gao and others are not guilty, all of them will be pardoned, and their families will be released, and after I am released from prison, I will call Zhang Wang and Guan Gao to come to see me." ”

Zhang Tingwei was overjoyed and knelt down, "Your Majesty, the lord of Mingming, the minister Zhang Wang Guanxiang bowed to thank Your Majesty Hongen." Liu Bangzheng felt guilty, but he always had some sarcasm when he heard this, and he couldn't say anything, so he smiled and helped Zhang Tingwei up. Zhang Tingwei withdrew from the hall, glad that the emperor was not a faint monarch after all, but a temper that sometimes could not be angry, of course, the emperor's vigilance was not ruled out. No matter what, Guan Gao and King Zhao finally had a good ending, and Zhang Tingwei left with joy.

Empress Lu and Lu Yuan, who had been busy with King Zhao's affairs in the past few days, learned from the palace people that the emperor suddenly terminated the interrogation of Guan Gao and others, and wanted to release them, the two couldn't believe it, and went all out to find out the evidence to execute Guan Gao and King Zhao It was the emperor who wanted to do it, but now they uncharacteristically said that they would release King Zhao and Guan Gao, which made their nervous and almost desperate hearts finally see hope and light. No matter what the emperor thought in his heart, it was indeed unmistakable that Guan Gao and King Zhang would be released. That night, King Zhao was impatiently picked up from the Tingwei Mansion by Empress Lu and Princess Lu Yuan, although King Zhao allowed him to be released, but he had to wait until tomorrow morning. But when the jailers heard that King Zhao was not guilty, Empress Lu and the princess also came and simply released King Zhao ahead of schedule. Liu Bang allowed Empress Lu and the princess to do it with a sloppy eye. Lu Yuan happily wanted to wash the dust for King Zhao, and ordered the cooks to prepare a good meal early and put on new clothes for Zhang Yan's sister and brother. Empress Lu called the crown prince Liu Ying, who wanted to be called the emperor, but seeing that King Zhao escaped from his father-in-law's golden order, the two were embarrassed to see each other at this time, so there were only four princes of Lu Hou, Lu Yuan, and Zhao Wang, and they had a very meaningful dinner. After eating, Empress Lu instructed Lu Yuan to help King Zhao go back to rest, these days in the Tingwei Mansion frightened and afraid that he would not be able to sleep well, as for Zhang Yan's sisters and brothers, Empress Lu asked them to sleep with him.

The next day, Liu Bang called Duke Chu and instructed him to take the talisman to the Tingwei Mansion to pardon Guan Gao. Seeing that Guan Gao had indeed changed the dull atmosphere of the past, he smiled and ordered the warden to open the lock on the prison bar, and when he entered, he stepped in front of Guan Gao, holding Guan Gao's hand tightly and crying with joy, "Guan Xiang, you are free." ”

Guan Gao was not happy, and seemed to have foreseen his return to freedom, but he didn't know what the situation of King Zhao was, so he glanced at the leak and said nothing, and he was a little worried. Seeing that Guan Gao was still worried, he guessed that he was worried about King Zhao, and immediately told him happily, "Guan Xiang, His Majesty the Emperor has pardoned King Zhao, and he was welcomed back to Changxin Palace by Empress Lu and Princess Lu last night. ”

When Guan Gao heard this, his eyes lit up, his eyes immediately brightened, and he grabbed the hand of the Duke and asked excitedly and happily, "Has King Zhao really been released?" ”

"Yes. The emperor praised you for being resolute and straightforward, loyal to the monarch, and the emperor wanted to appoint you, so he asked someone to pardon you. Also, your family will be released in a moment. ”

Guan Gao raised his head and cried for a long time at this time, and he knew that Guan Gao had been holding back for too long, and his nerves had been in a state of tension and restlessness, so that the whole person had no expression, and now he knew that King Zhao was released, but he also cried like a release of his heart, and the people in the cell were also slightly moved, sighing Guan Gao's tenacity, and sighing Guan Gao's loyalty. Guan Gao was crying in the direction of King Zhao's west cell, and knelt on the ground to perform a set of solemn salutes, and then still knelt on the ground and cried with his hands to the west, and said loudly, "King Zhao...... Through, high, ashamed for you. A deep, heavy voice echoed through the cell.

Gong Gong helped him up, and a small jailer who was not tall brought a clean mat to spread it for Guan Gao, and Guan Gao sat on the mat more easily.

"Guan Xiangguo, we can go out." Said the public.

Guan Gao had no intention of going out, and looked at the only small window in the prison, where the snow had stopped outside, and the mild sunlight shone in. Guan Gao looked at the sunshine but smiled wistfully, shook his head at Gong Xuan and said, "The reason why he was beaten to the point and did not want to die was to argue that King Zhang did not rebel, and now that King Zhao's matter has been revealed and released, my responsibility has been remedied, and I have no regrets." Besides, the ministers have already been usurped, so what is the face of the emperor. Even if the emperor doesn't kill me, how can I not be ashamed in my heart? ”

There was a kind of relaxation, open-mindedness and satisfaction in Guan Gao's eyes, and he continued to look at the golden sunlight of the window, Guan Gao's face seemed abnormal, and he smiled silently when he looked at the golden sunshine, and there was no heaven and earth in Guan Gao's eyes, but there was only the happiness of wanting to be liberated, which often represented the occurrence of uneasy things. Hearing Guan Gao's words, he became more and more sad and desperate, and suddenly an indescribable bad feeling arose, and he always paid attention to Guan Gao's expressions and movements. But people who want to die can't be stopped after all, Guan Gao wiped the last tear, held back the last smile and grabbed the sharp dead branch on the ground, raised his head and inserted the dead branch into his throat at a lightning speed, and suddenly the blood flowed red Guan Gao's neck, Guan Gao fell in front of the eyes of the public with life, he died......

He didn't have time to stop Guan Gao, he was stunned by his sudden behavior, and he was stunned for a long time when he saw Guan Gao die in front of him. 'Poof-' unconsciously knelt beside Guan Gao, his fingers touched the blood stains on Guan Gao's neck, and then he came to his senses and hugged Guan Gao's body, and screamed in shock, "Guan Xiangguo ......" screamed hysterically and screamed in grief, Guan Gao is an admirable person.

Guan Gao's death shocked all the prison guards, and at this time they shed tears of real emotion, only for Guan Gao's real hot-blooded husband.