Fang Kang didn't want to say anything more, just stared at Tai Hao with a cold gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Once you are imprisoned in this dungeon, your fate is doomed to a dead end. I don't care who you used to be, here, you have to follow my arrangement. As soon as he finished speaking, he resolutely left.

In this dark dungeon, Taihao felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. Fang Kang's words, like a sharp sword, pierced his self-esteem and forced him to face this cruel reality. He couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness in his heart, but in this darkness, he could only silently bear the pressure, looking forward to the coming of tomorrow.

It is said that this Fang Kang was born with a rogue appearance, he once wandered shamelessly in the streets and alleys in Jichuan City, and he was stealing chickens and dogs all day long, oppressing the good. At that time, he was just a small street thug who made people scorn him. However, the world is like a play, and life is impermanent. By chance, he helped the government catch a thief by chance, so he was favored by the government and recruited as a servant.

Fang Kang's nature is not the kind of man who keeps to himself, after all, he is a scoundrel in the market and knows how to judge the situation. When he learned that he had been recruited as a servant, he immediately put on that false face, showing his loyalty to justice and supreme respect for the law. His acting skills are so realistic that even the high-ranking officials of the government believe in him. So, he rose step by step in Jichuan City, from a nobody, directly became a soldier to join the army.

His good fortune didn't end there. The former lord of Jichuan City, Qi Guang, greatly admired him and promoted him to one of the most powerful officials in Jichuan City. Under the protection of Qi Guang, Fang Kang is like a fish in water, and has handled countless major events for Jichuan City. He skillfully uses his rogue nature to deal with those thorny problems cleanly, making him more important to him. However, his good fortune continued. Yesterday, he was transferred to Thousand Winds City and became the warden of the Thousand Winds City Prison. This is another great honor for him.

In Fang Kang's words just now, Tai Hao captured a truth hidden in the depths of the officialdom of Jichuan City. He found that the officials of Jichuan City were like tumors clinging to the tree of power, and they could absorb enough nutrients in a short period of time and advance by leaps and bounds. This is by no means a normal promotion speed, and there must be an ulterior secret behind it.

There may be a despicable tacit understanding between them, that is, they cling to each other and form cliques for personal gain, in exchange for the rapid accumulation of power and money. They are like a flock of vultures hovering above the officialdom, sniffing the smell of carrion, scrambling to peck at the weak and helpless.

And in this corrupt officialdom, there is a role that they regard as a windbreaker, that is, the imperial master who is in charge of the supervision of officials in the imperial court. He is like a tower standing in the middle of officialdom, overlooking all the deeds, but he always remains silent. His presence seems to tell the greedy officials that their actions have been tacitly approved to some extent.

Taihao knows that behind this corrupt chain of interests, there is a bigger umbrella, that is, Shaoling. His power is like a net of heaven and earth, covering the entire Jichuan City. However, at this moment, Taihao is in prison, even if he knows the secrets of all this, what can he do?

Early the next morning, as soon as the dawn of the sky was sprinkled on the eaves of the prison in Thousand Winds City, Ying Yu came to the cell early. He was carrying a basket in his hand, which contained some carefully prepared food, which Taihao liked on weekdays.

"Taihao, are you okay?" Ying Yu looked at this junior brother worriedly.

Taihao sat in the corner of the cell, his pale face without a trace of blood. He looked up at Yingyu, and a hint of comfort flashed in his eyes: "I'm fine, Yingyu, thank you for coming to see me." ”

Yingyu laid out the food in the basket on the wooden table in her cell, and it was a well-matched breakfast, with hot porridge, fragrant buns, and a refreshing side dish.

"Eat it, I'm afraid the food here won't be to your liking." Yingyu said.

Taihao nodded, he was indeed so hungry that his chest was pressed against his back. However, he did not rush to eat it, but first picked up a bun, observed it carefully for a long time, and then took a gentle bite. The familiar taste instantly spread in his mouth, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

"Taihao, I saw Princess Sangya last night." Ying Yu said in a low voice.

Taihao raised his head, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "What did she say?" ”

"She said that she would find a way to meet the emperor and ask the emperor to let you out." Ying Yu said, her tone revealing her respect and trust for Princess Sanya.

Taihao was silent for a moment, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "I'm sure I'll be out soon." ”

"And, Taihao, you know? Now there are rumors in the palace that you murdered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Ying Yu said, his tone revealing disbelief.

Taihao had long expected that there would be some officials in the imperial court who thought so, so he was not too surprised. He said elegantly, "How could I have done such a despicable act? What happened to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was done by the bandits of the Crazy Shadow Gate. ”

"Of course I don't believe it," she said in a firm tone, biting her red lip, "but gossip has no wind and no waves, and if no one makes it up, how can it be circulated?" I don't know which villains who are good at fabricating lies maliciously spread such rumors in the community. ”

Her words were sharp and direct, and they hit the nail on the head.

"They also said that you had a personal relationship with the concubine, and that the dragon species that the concubine was carrying was not the emperor's, but yours. But this kind of absurd remarks are still believed by many officials, which is really ridiculous! Ying Yu continued to say angrily, "You also said that you just want the child conceived by the noble concubine to become the new prince, so you will kill His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Xuanbao......"

Hearing this, Tai Hao's anger gushed out like a volcanic eruption, his sharp eyes were like an eagle looking at a rabbit, and he said coldly: "It's just nonsense, who is spreading such bizarre rumors, it's just nonsense!" ”

Ying Yu said softly: "Yesterday, I wanted to go to the palace to meet the concubine Niangniang and ask her to come forward to rescue you, but I heard the palace maid mention that the concubine Niangniang has been ordered by the emperor to enter the cold palace. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he stood in place as if he had been struck by lightning, and whispered: "How is this possible? How could the emperor listen to such a ridiculous rumor? ”

At this moment, the two jailers stepped into the cold dungeon and unlocked the chains that bound Taihao's body. Taihao asked expectantly, "Are you going to let me out?" ”

"The emperor's decree has arrived, and he wants you to go outside the prison to receive the decree." The answer of one of the jailers, like the warm sun of spring, illuminated the hope in Taihao's heart.

Taihao, who was overjoyed, dissipated the gloom on his face, and was replaced by full of anticipation. He said excitedly: "It seems that the emperor is here to save me." ”

Ying Yu quickly sorted out the basket and some tableware she brought, her face was full of joy, and said, "Taihao, great, I'll go back to the house first, help you clean the room, and wait for you to return." Then she turned and left the dungeon.

Immediately, two jailers led Tai Hao out of the prison. At that time, a eunuch was waiting outside the prison with a holy decree in his hand. When he saw that Tai Hao was taken out, he unfolded the holy decree of the imperial pen and read it aloud: "Tai Hao takes the decree!" ”

As soon as these words came out, Tai Hao and the jailer beside him all knelt down and listened to the heavenly sound above the Golden Palace. The eunuch unfolded the decree and read it word by word, and his voice echoed through the empty prison, causing ripples.

"Fengtian carries the emperor's edict and says, Taihao, you are the important minister of our dynasty, and you are honored and favored. However, recently, it has been rumored in the palace that you have the intention of rebellion, and you have caused trouble in the harem, and I am very shocked by such a great rebellion. After much thought, I decided to demote your position to the deputy general of Jiutu City. I hope that you can take this as a lesson, change the past wrongs, fulfill your duties, and put the interests of the country first. From this day on, you should immediately go to Jiutu City and take over the post of deputy general of the city. I hope that you will do your best to defend the territory of the country. This edict was issued, and it is advisable to know about it. Chin this! ”

Tai Hao received the holy decree, and his heart couldn't help but feel a subtle bitterness. He understood that this paper imperial order was like a cold wind, penetrating from his fingertips to the bottom of his heart. The emperor, the ninety-five who sits in the world and should distinguish between right and wrong, finally listened to the slanderous words of those traitorous ministers.

However, to Taihao's surprise, the emperor's decree did not mention the murder of the prince. He had expected to be subjected to unwarranted accusations, but that didn't happen. In their place were two seemingly innocent charges. These two charges, like two invisible chains, bound Taihao's wings and prevented him from flying freely.

He felt like a boulder thrown into the abyss, and the grievance and powerlessness drowned him. He wanted to plead, he wanted to defend himself, but the emperor's words were like a cold blade, making him unable to speak. When the Son of Heaven says that you are guilty, you are guilty, and if you are not guilty, you are guilty. That kind of helplessness and grievance, like a thick fog in the dark night, made him unable to see the road ahead.

Tai Hao clenched his fists, and his fingertips pierced deep into his palms, which were the pain and helplessness in his heart. He knew that he could not change the emperor's decision, and could only accept this unfair trial. He can only hope that his grievances can be treated fairly, and that there can be real justice and fairness in this country.

As Tai Hao was released, his loyal entourage, five fire captains and dozens of soldiers, was also freed. This operation was like a drama, which made the prison warden, who had just been in office for two days, stunned. He couldn't help but walk up to Tai Hao and asked him, "Being able to survive and be released in the dungeon is by no means an idle person, what kind of official position did you hold before?" ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly, his eyes revealing an indescribable wisdom and firmness. He replied lightly: "I am just a common man looking for justice, surviving in danger and constantly looking for light in the darkness. That's my job, and that's what I believe in. ”

Fang Kang didn't believe his words, but said: "I hope you don't take what you said in the dungeon yesterday to heart. There was a slight indifference in his voice, as if trying to hide the uneasiness in his heart. He knew that what he said revealed a secret, and once he was told by Taihao, then he might become the target of public criticism.

Taihao glared at him and didn't say much. He then left the prison of Thousand Winds City with his entourage, preparing to go to his mansion. However, they had not gone far before they were blocked by a forbidden army. Jin Liang, the leader of the forbidden army, said in a deep voice: "The emperor has an order to order Lord Taihao to rush directly to Jiutu City and not to stay in the capital. ”