At this time, I heard the voice of a eunuch at the door shouting: "The emperor has arrived..."

As soon as Zhao Guangyi heard that the emperor had come to the mansion in person, he hurriedly bowed forward and bowed to greet him, and everyone also bowed their heads and bowed in salute. (Before the Northern Song Dynasty, monarchs and ministers were relatively equal, and they did not need to kneel down to salute, and when discussing government affairs, they sat together.) ）

At this time, I saw an emperor Liu Yan in his early thirties, dressed in a dragon robe that looked like a Han dynasty, and walked into the courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion surrounded by many palace maids, eunuchs and soldiers.

The emperor saw Zhao Guangyi bending down and bowing with difficulty, so he stepped forward and said, "Zhao Aiqing, hurry up and excuse yourself, if you are sick, don't salute." ”

Yi Dan straightened Zhao Guangyi's body, and the emperor stepped forward and said, "Zhao Aiqing, are you feeling better?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Thank you for the emperor's concern, Weichen drank Xizhou life-sustaining soup, and now it is much better." ”

The Emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty said: "Well, that's good, everyone is even." ”

The crowd received the emperor's order and straightened up. But he still lowered his head, not daring to meet the emperor's eyes.

The emperor continued to ask, "Aiqing, have you caught all the thieves?"

Elk Tai Rongxuan took a step forward, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty has already been caught." ”

The emperor said, "Hmph, the Uighur guards are really brave, who sent them to assassinate the prime minister, and they didn't recruit me from the truth?"

Tang Liansheng lowered his head and didn't speak, nor did he look at the emperor squarely. Only Ruan Zhilong put on a domineering and unconvinced look, and turned his face to the side.

Seeing that no one answered his words, the emperor said even more angrily: "If you dare not answer my words, it seems that if you don't give you some color, you don't know what will happen if you anger Tianyan." Someone, bring me down to torture and interrogate, and I will personally observe the punishment. At this, the emperor danced with joy.

Everyone looked at each other, and they didn't know what to do. I saw the soldiers beside the emperor. Answer with understanding.

Tang Liansheng listened to the emperor's words and was frightened. He knelt facing east, looked up at the sky, opened his arms, and put them back in his heart. Then, he closed his eyes, bit through the poison hidden in his mouth in advance, and instantly bled and fell to the ground.

So far, Tang Liansheng, the leader of this conspiracy that has set off a terrifying and bloody storm in the Central Plains and Lingnan. quietly and dimly pulled down the curtain of a sad life.

Then. Ruan Zhilong, a fishing tyrant from the West Sea, who was kneeling on the other side, took out a small blade from his sleeve and quietly cut the hemp rope tied to his hand.

Suddenly, he jumped up from the ground, snatched the big scissors from the soldier's hand, and rushed viciously towards Zhao Guangyi.

Yi Dan said to Youming beside him: "Hurry up and help the master." ”

Youming listened to the flowers and helped Zhao Guangyi. Yi Dan let go of his hand and rushed out, using his strength to drive his energy. Slashed at that Ruan Zhilong.

Ruan Zhilong had already prepared, picked up the big scissors, and blocked Yi Dan's sharp palm wind.

At this time, the crowd gathered around. That Ruan Zhilong saw that the other party was overwhelmed. If he continues to fight, he will definitely suffer, so he pretended to make a posture of wanting to attack, and while everyone was ready to defend, he grabbed Weiguang Zheng next to him. The two of them kicked their feet, jumped up, and flew up to the wall. Dropped a smoke concealment and quickly disappeared without a trace.

"Beware, smoke, is toxic. Yi Dan shouted, and everyone covered their mouths and noses to avoid it after hearing it. The emperor also hid far away in the doorway, and after a while, when the smoke cleared, the emperor shouted, "Quick, don't chase me soon." ”

Elk Tairong Xuan led the Uighur Guards and chased them out, but Nguyen Chi Long and Wei Guang Zheng had disappeared without a trace.

After a while, Eltai Rongxuan hurriedly returned to report to the emperor: "Your Majesty, the assassin is too cunning and has fled. ”

The emperor said angrily: "How can this be true, who are these people? It is really infuriating that they dared to assassinate the prime minister so boldly and escaped from under my nose." ”

At this time, Ouyang Yucheng stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the person holding the big scissors, his name is Ruan Zhilong, known as the fishing tyrant of the West Sea, and he is a bully raised by the 'Jiaowutang' under the command of the Jinghai Jiedu envoy. ”

The emperor said angrily: "Hmph, you are a good Qu Chengmei, I Yang is against Yin, and I dare to send someone to assassinate my virtuous minister." In the past, when you were a hostage in Guangzhou, I regret not killing you, but now I have become a big problem. I swear to heaven that I will not destroy your Annan Qu clan, and I will not give up. ”

Zhao Guangyi stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the matter has not been clarified, please don't rush to conclusions first." When the investigation is clear, it is not too late to make a decision. ”

"What kind of person he Qu Chengmei is, I know in my heart. I have made up my mind, and Aiqing doesn't need to persuade again. The Emperor said.

Zhao Guangyi said helplessly: "Weichen's life is cheap, and it is not a pity to die." But we must not let the emperor misjudge the situation for the sake of the ministers, so that the people of Nanyue will be innocently implicated. ”

"Aiqing, you have done your best for the country, I know it in my heart. Oh yes, Aiqing, you are aware of the thieves and deal with them fairly, I am very relieved to know it. I have also allowed the stolen money that you have sent to the treasury. I know that you are loyal to my great man, and I have granted you full authority to investigate this case. The Emperor said.

"Thank you to the emperor for trusting Wechen, but there is one thing, Wechen wants to make it clear to the emperor in person. Zhao Guangyi said.

"What's the matter with Zhao Aiqing? The Emperor said.

After thinking about it, Zhao Guangyi said: "Weichen wants to impeach one person. ”

"Who are you going to impeach?" the emperor asked.

"Weichen wants to impeach Lord Li Yinheng, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites. Lord Li raised bandits for self-respect, held the court hostage, and asked the emperor to investigate. Zhao Guangyi said.

After listening to Zhao Guangyi's words, the emperor said unhurriedly: "Aiqing, do you know that Lord Li also impeached you with me not long ago?"

Zhao Guangyi said with a blank face: "Weichen doesn't know, but there is a huge greedy retainer in Weichen's mansion, which insults the prestige of the Han Dynasty, please give the emperor a sin." However, Weichen wants to ask the emperor to investigate Lord Li's case, and not let the scum who has brought disaster to the country and the people destroy the foundation of our Han Dynasty. ”

The emperor smiled and nodded, "Aiqing, don't worry, I know that the mistakes of your subordinates have nothing to do with you, and I will not investigate and implicate you." As for Li Yinheng's actions, in fact, I already knew about it. He not only raised bandits for self-respect, but also attracted people from Changhe Country, and almost made my Han lose Chengzhou. Just before I came to Aiqing's mansion, I had already taken him down. I came to you just to ask Aiqing for advice. How to deal with Li Yinheng, a heinous rebel and thief?"

Wechen thought that the problem should be resolved privately. Zhao Guangyi said.

"No, I will slowly torture him to death, and then break his body into ten thousand pieces, cut out his heart, and then hang his head to show the public, what do you think?" the emperor said lightly about these cruel punishments, but his face was happy and very enjoyable.

Zhao Guangyi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, this matter must not be handled like this. ”

"Why not?" asked the Emperor.

"Please think about it carefully, if the emperor treats Li Yinheng like this. Then tell the world clearly. How can the people of the world dare to trust the court so easily in the future? From then on, the people of Lingnan will only think that our Han court is incompetent and treacherous. Therefore, for the sake of the stability of the world and the obedience of all the people, I still ask the emperor to withdraw his order and dispose of it separately. Zhao Guangyi said.

"Isn't this just the protection of officials and officials?" the Emperor asked.

"There's no way around it. It's much better than shaking people's hearts and rioting in the world, right?" Zhao Guangyi said.

The emperor said: "Okay, Aiqing is right. In Aiqing's opinion, could it be that I let him go like this?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "The common people say that family ugliness should not be publicized, and this matter should be regarded as a family ugliness in our court." Weichen and Li Yinheng went south together that year. Stay in Lingnan and assist the first emperor and emperor. Thinking that he was also a pure heart at the beginning, he calmed things down. Turning the big things into small ones, let's deal with them secretly. ”

The emperor thought for a while, and said earnestly: "Okay, since Aiqing wants to take care of the old feelings, then I will play it." But how should Danqing record this Li Yinheng's behavior in the future? I won't say that he is extremely evil, and I will let him go in a fool's way, right?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Let's just say that there is no merit in dying, and there is no mistake, and you will die well." Family members don't have to be connected. ”

"Okay, that's it. Aiqing thinks about the overall situation, and I am very pleased. The Emperor sighed.

"Wechen thanked the emperor for his praise! Sharing worries for the emperor is the duty of a courtier. Zhao Guangyi said.

"That's the end of this matter. Oh, and there's one more good thing I'd like to tell you. The Emperor said.

"Please ask the emperor to command. Zhao Guangyi said.

"I know that Aiqing misses her family, and I have sent someone to bring Aiqing's wife and children, all of whom are old and young, to Panyu. I'm on my way now, and I'm sure I'll be reunited with you soon. In the future, Aiqing can no longer have any worries and stay in Panyu with peace of mind, Aiqing, what do you think?" said the emperor.

When Zhao Guangyi heard that the emperor had already taken his family over, he was still very conflicted. It is inevitable that I will never be able to return to my homeland where I have lived for generations, and I will inevitably feel a little sad. Second, since his wife and children have been brought to Panyu by the emperor, it means that there is no way out, and he can only continue to dedicate his life to the Southern Han Dynasty, and perhaps he may not even be able to return his bones to his homeland.

Thinking of this, Zhao Guangyi still said meaningfully: "Thank you for the emperor's thoughtful consideration for Weichen, Weichen will definitely do his best for my Han in the future, and he will die..."

"Well, leave everything here to Aiqing, but don't overwork. The Emperor said.

"Thank you for your concern, send the emperor!"

The Emperor nodded, and turned away satisfied.

After the emperor left, Yi Dan whispered to Elk Tairong beside him and asked, "Brother Eltai, there is something I don't understand, why did that Tang Liansheng kill himself by biting poison when he heard that the emperor was going to interrogate him personally?"

Elk Tai Rongxuan leaned into Yi Dan's ear and whispered: "Let me tell you, this emperor of Lingnan likes to torture prisoners. It is satisfying to see a person who has been tortured to death struggling in pain. Therefore, when the criminals heard that the emperor was going to try it himself, they were terrified. This is something I've heard a lot of people say since I came to Guangzhou. ”

Yi Dan listened to Elk Tairong's words and said with emotion: "I see, it seems that this emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty is not a good person. ”

Elk Tairong preached: "Yes, the only good thing he did was to find a good minister to govern the country. If it weren't for the Prime Minister, I really don't know what would have become of Lingnan. ”

"Hey, the people's fortunes and misfortunes depend on luck, and it's really helpless to think about it. Life has been in a hurry for decades, if the saint goes, where will the world go? This world is worrying. Yi Dan sighed.

Yi Dan and Elk Tai melted everyone and helped Zhao Guangyi into another room to settle down.

"Master, you were frightened just now, please rest well. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi sighed: "Hey, this officialdom's power struggle is so dirty. It's ugly, and it's a joke. ”

"Sir, where are you talking about this? At least my lord, you are a good official that everyone admires. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi said: "Once upon a time, I also asked from my heart. What is this power, and why do so many people lose their souls for it? Now I understand that power is just a trick of a few powerful people, and in this trick, the city and the country, and even the lives of the people, are just a foil for acting. The magnates will not think about any people, no matter the rise or fall of the world, it will always be the people who suffer. ”

Yi Dan asked: "Then in that case, why did you still tell the emperor like that, master, just now, why didn't you let the people of the world know the truth?"

Zhao Guangyi sighed and said, "Hey, what if they know the truth? They can't do anything, they can only be more resentful." It's better to know nothing and live a rare stable life for a few days. What if I didn't know anything? Be a simple citizen. Just running around for three meals a day, but it's at ease and enjoying it. ”

Yi Dan said: "But the people will know one day, and the history book Danqing will also know." Hide it for a while. It can't be hidden from thousands of years. ”

"I don't know how many years will be in the future, and then who will worry about the ancients? In the midst of these troubled times. It is not easy to have a peaceful life. Let's all cherish it, maybe there are not many days like this. Zhao Guangyi said.

"Lingnan, today it's all thanks to you, master. Sir, you must get better and continue to do things for the people. Yi Dan said.

"Thank you! Oh yes, may I ask the girl what your real name is?"

Yi Dan said: "I'm sorry master, my real name is Yi Mingdan, and I entered the house this time to investigate the case." I didn't explain the truth to the master in advance, and I ask the master to forgive me. ”

"It's okay, I really want to thank you this time, if it weren't for your help, maybe my old bone would be long gone. How did you know about these people's conspiracy?" asked Zhao Guangyi.

Yi Dan said: "Hey, it's a long story, we were in a slaughterhouse before, and we found someone who died unexpectedly, and we also found a map of Xiangfu. We boldly guessed that there might be someone who would be unfavorable to you, so we took matters into our own hands, disguised ourselves to come to the Prime Minister's Mansion to investigate, and asked the Lord to forgive me for my presumptuous sins. ”

Zhao Guangyi praised: "You are all people in the rivers and lakes, you can help each other so righteously, the old man is too late to be grateful, how can I blame you? can get the help of a heroine like you, Miss Yi, and this life is not in vain. ”

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your compliment!" Yi Dan said.

At this time, Mi Tai Rongxuan on the side also said: "Yes, Prime Minister, I didn't expect Sister Yi's martial arts to be so strong, it really impressed me, I haven't admired any heroes after coming down to Tang for so long, Sister Yi is the first person I admire." ”

Yi Dan said modestly: "Where, where, Brother Eltai, you have won the award." All the predecessors here are heroes and heroes on the rivers and lakes. I learned these tricks from Brother Ouyang and other seniors. It's okay to defend yourself, but you don't dare to call yourself a hero, and please Brother Mitai, don't laugh. ”

Zhao Guangyi said: "Girl, you are chivalrous, full of pride, and you really have real skills, which makes the old man admire it very much!"

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you have won the award, you have done your best for the country, and you are also a person you admire very much. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi looked at Mi Tai Rongxuan beside him and said: "These people under my hands seem to follow the rules on weekdays, but they didn't expect to do these corrupt things behind their backs. It is no wonder that the emperor would send people all the way to the Western Regions to invite Uighur friends to serve as the governor's guard. It seems that he has already guessed the hearts of the people around him. In the final analysis, most of them are people who are consumed by profit and cannot be relied on at all. ”

Yi Dan said: "Yes, I also feel that in this regard, we are really inferior to the Uighur brothers. They are not greedy, they are self-denying, and if we can all learn to be like them, then the world will really be peaceful. ”

Zhao Guangyi said: "Yes." Oh, by the way, girl, you also found out about Steward Zhang and Fu Lin, right?"

Yi Dan said: "Hey, I'm really ashamed, in fact, I just suspected that Fu Lin was not well-intentioned." But because I couldn't find any evidence, I didn't act rashly. However, just now he repented on his deathbed, and it can be regarded as a turning back, and he did not cause greater losses. Would you like to ask the Prime Minister to stop holding his family accountable?"

"Okay, Miss Yi, you are kind-hearted, and the old man will no longer pursue his family according to your wishes, and bury him. Zhao Guangyi said.

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your wisdom! But this housekeeper matter is really not what I discovered. I think the biggest reason why he got this step is because he is greedy for money and lustful. Insatiable greed has a lot to do with it. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi said: "Hey, I really didn't expect this Steward Zhang to follow me for many years, and he is actually such a person." The old man used to think that he had some means and methods to govern the country. But his own home is so smoky and chaotic. Hey, the old man can't even manage his own home, so what kind of way to govern the country is in vain? ”

Yi Dan said: "Actually, master, you don't have to blame yourself too much, no matter how great a person's ability is." After all, it is also limited. How is it possible to do everything and do everything?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Yes, but after all, people are from my house, no matter what." I also have a certain responsibility. ”

Yi Dan said: "In this world, the atmosphere is like this, if you don't fundamentally eradicate it, even if you kill Steward Zhang today." But tomorrow there is Steward Li. Steward Wang, go forward and succeed, a vicious circle. ”

Zhao Guangyi asked, "That." What can the old man do to put an end to these problems at the root?"

Yi Dan said: "I have heard of such a method, saying that it is possible to establish laws and regulations, mutual supervision, if it is a bribe or bribe, it will be punished, the whistleblower will get a certain share of the stolen silver reward, sue the old man to return to his hometown, and the court will take money for his pension." If someone takes bribes and perverts the law, he will end up with nothing and must be punished. ”

Zhao Guangyi frowned and said, "I agree with what you said. But how easy is it to put it into practice? People all over the world are looking forward to being able to go to high school in one fell swoop, and from then on they will be promoted to high school, get rich, buy land, have a group of wives and concubines, and glorify their ancestors.

Yi Dan said: "This is the crux of the matter, because people's hearts are selfish. ”

"Anyway, your suggestion is actually very good, and I will definitely give it a try if I have the opportunity in the future. Girl, you are so young, you have such a deep insight into the court and the sea, where did you study?" Zhao Guangyi asked.

"Back to my lord, this method was not taught to me by one person. Instead, I traveled a lot of places and summarized some ideas from many senior friends, and then added some of my own opinions, all of which are superficial views, and I hope you don't laugh, Prime Minister. Yi Dan said.

"Where, where? You've got a very good idea. It seems that if you have the opportunity, you still really want to go out and see more, learn from the strengths of others, and make up for your own shortcomings. If you just blindly rely on yourself to be smart, you will eventually run out of talents and mislead the country and the people. Zhao Guangyi sighed.

"It would be great if you could think so, sir. I hope that your health can get better soon, and I also hope that Lingnan can be prosperous and healthy under your governance. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi said: "Girl, although you are from the rivers and lakes, your insights and wisdom are no less than those above any temple. It's a pity, you are a woman, otherwise I would have recommended you to the emperor and let you stay in the court to hold an important position. ”

Yi Dan smiled slightly: "I am just a wanderer wandering in the rivers and lakes, and my ambition is not in the court. However, there is a saying, I don't know if I should say it in the next place?"

"But it doesn't hurt to say, girl. Zhao Guangyi said.

"Forgive me for being presumptuous, but in fact, the capable people in the world do not have to matter whether they are male or female. There are also many mediocre men among men, and there are many capable people among women. If we simply divide the people in the world by men and women, and simply conclude that men are superior to women, or even only regard women as tools for men to have children. Then the world will only become more and more closed and backward. Yi Dan said.

Zhao Guangyi nodded and said: "Well, the girl's opinion made the old man suddenly clear, and the old man has remembered it, thank you for the girl's advice." ”

"Don't dare, sir, as long as you care about my words, I will be satisfied. Yi Dan said. (To be continued.) )