Xi Yu was exhausted all the way and finally returned to Youzhou.
As soon as he stepped into the mansion, he heard that Guan Yu and Liu Bei were also taken to prison.
At this moment, a servant hurriedly reported: "Prime Minister, Zhao Yun asked for a meeting!"
Xi Yu's eyes sterned and he immediately said, "Send it quickly!"
After a while, Zhao Yun strode into the hall with an anxious look.
Xi Yu looked at Zhao Yun and asked, "Zilong, what's going on here?"
Zhao Yun made a "thump" sound and knelt down for Xi Yu. He lowered his head, gritted his teeth, his face full of deep regret and self-blame, his voice trembled, and said in a crying voice: "Prime Minister, I will make a big mistake this time, and my crime is unforgivable. I beg the Prime Minister to punish me! I hope that one person will bear all the consequences and will never complain!"
Seeing this, Xi Yu showed a look of astonishment on his face. He quickly stepped forward a few steps, stretched out his hands to help Zhao Yun up, and said anxiously: "Zilong, get up quickly and talk, don't be so impulsive!"
Zhao Yun shook his head stubbornly, and the blue veins on his forehead swelled up, and shouted in pain: "Prime Minister, if you do not forgive me, I will kneel down here until you agree!" His eyes were full of determination, as if he had made up his mind.
Xi Yu sighed helplessly, with a hint of helplessness and care in his eyes, and he said slowly: "Forget it, Zilong, I forgive you, get up quickly, don't be so stubborn."
So Zhao Yun stood up, looked solemn, and began to tell everything that happened along the way.
"Prime Minister, on the way to escort the treasure, we were attacked by a group of mysterious people, and the treasure was looted. And I was trapped by Mrs. Hua Yue and trapped in the trap. What's worse is that Chen Shou and his son disappeared in chaos and disappeared without knowing where to go." Zhao Yun became more and more angry as he spoke, and his hands clenched their fists unconsciously.
Listening to Zhao Yun's narration, Xi Yu's expression gradually became astonished from calm, and his eyes widened. He never expected that this would be the case.
"This...how did this become like this?" Xi Yu murmured to himself, his heart full of doubts and shock.
Zhao Yun stood there, tears rolling in his eyes, and he said cryingly: "Prime Minister, I really failed your love. I have made such a big mistake and I have no face to face you!"
His body trembled slightly, his voice filled with guilt and self-blame.
Xi Yu was so angry that his chest was fluctuating violently, his face turned pale, his lips were closed, and he didn't say a word.
His eyes were full of anger and disappointment, and he thought to himself: "The key is that Chen Shou, a talent, did not come, this loss is too great!"
After a moment of silence, Xi Yu took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, waved his hand and said, "Forget it, the matter has happened, it's useless to say more. Zhao Yun, go back."
Zhao Yun looked at Xi Yu with a firm look and said anxiously: "Prime Minister, I am willing to have a chance to make up for my achievements. If there is such an opportunity, I beg the Prime Minister to arrange for me to do my best! I am sure to do my best to live up to the Prime Minister's high expectations!"
Xi Yu was silent for a moment, finally nodded and said, "Okay, I promised you. You can go back first."
Zhao Yun bowed and turned around and left.
After Zhao Yun returned, Xi Yu paced back and forth in the hall alone, sighing constantly: "What's the matter? A good plan is all messy, alas."
Especially when thinking of Chen Shou, Xi Yu's brows frowned tightly, his face full of regret and annoyance, and he kept muttering: "Chen Shou, Chen Shou, it would be a pity if he didn't come. I thought he could use it for me, but now I ended up in such a situation."
After thinking for a while, Xi Yu decided to see Liu Xie.
There were people coming and going on the streets of Youzhou, and the noise was endless. People were whispering in groups of three or five, all talking about the arrest of Liu Bei and Guan Yu.
"I heard that Liu Bei and Guan Yu are famous figures. Now they have been arrested in our Youzhou. I don't know if it's a blessing or a disaster." A middle-aged man in coarse cloth clothes shook his head and said.
"That's right? This matter is causing a lot of controversy, and I don't know how it will develop in the future." The old man next to him stroked his beard with a look of worry.
The teahouse was even more lively, and the tea guests were discussing together.
"Liu Bei and Guan Yu have always been known for their benevolence and righteousness, so why did they fall into this place?" A young scholar put down the teacup in his hand and asked in confusion.
"Who knows, maybe he offended the Prime Minister." Another person interjected.
Xi Yu slowly walked on the street on a horse, looking a little tired.
Suddenly, several scholars rushed over and blocked his way.
One of the scholars bowed his hands, his face full of anxiety and curiosity, and asked, "I wonder why Guan Yu was arrested?"
Xi Yu frowned, looked at them, and said, "You don't know many things that happened in Fangjun. So it's normal to have speculation. But at this time I still have important things to do. Sooner or later, I will let everyone know the truth. Please don't block my path."
He thought to himself: "These people are so anxious that it seems that this matter has a great impact. We must deal with it as soon as possible and give everyone an explanation."
The scholars looked at each other, as if they were determined to break the casserole and ask the question to the end. One of them took a step forward and bowed again and said, "Sir, please explain it to us now so that we can have a clear idea in our hearts."
Xi Yu's face darkened, his eyes swept over them with a sharp look, and said, "I can't do this for no reason. Guan Yu and Liu Bei are guilty. This is the fact. I am going to see Your Majesty report this matter now. If anyone stops me, don't blame me for being rude!"
He was secretly angry in his heart: "These people are really ungrateful. They are so entangled and missed the big thing, but what should they do."
Several scholars were shocked by Xi Yu's momentum and showed fear on their faces, so they had to stop obediently and make way.
Xi Yu snorted coldly, his legs were clamped with horse's belly, and the dust left. The scholars looked at his far away back and looked at each other.
"What should I do? It seems that this matter is not that simple." A scholar frowned and said worriedly.
"Let's not make any guesses first, and wait until there is a definite news." Another scholar advised.
"That's all. I hope the truth can be revealed as soon as possible." Everyone nodded and dispersed helplessly.
Liu Xie was in the palace at this moment and was having a lot of fun with a few little eunuchs.
He held a wooden stick in his hand and pretended to be a general, commanding the young eunuchs to form various formations, with innocent smiles on his face, and the laughter echoed in the empty palace.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister asks for a visit." A servant hurried over to report, and his voice broke the cheerful atmosphere.
When Liu Xie heard this, his eyes instantly lit up like bright stars, and his excitement was beyond words. He quickly dropped the wooden stick in his hand and said anxiously: "Hurry, summon him quickly! I haven't seen Lord Xi for a long time, so there must be many new things to share with me."
Xi Yu quickly stepped into the palace, and saw that he looked solemn and his steps were steady. He came to Liu Xie, knelt on his knees, clasped his fists with his hands, touched the ground with his forehead, and respectfully performed the rituals of the king and his ministers, and said loudly: "My minister Xi Yu greets Your Majesty, I wish my emperor a long life!"
Seeing this, Liu Xie rushed forward in two steps, holding Xi Yu's hand tightly with both hands, and lifting him up with force. His eyes were full of enthusiasm and expectation, and he said excitedly: "Hurry up and calm down, my dear Xi! I am in this palace, and I hope to meet you every day and night. In my heart, I miss you very much! I haven't seen you for a long time, and I have a lot to say to you."
After Xi Yu stood up, he lowered his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty is very grateful. I have always been thinking about Your Majesty while I was away."
Liu Xie pulled Xi Yu to the side and sat down, and said with a smile: "Your dear will definitely have something to discuss with you when you come here. Let me tell you quickly."
Xi Yu looked around and looked hesitant.
Liu Xie understood it, waved his hand and asked the people around him to retreat, saying, "There is no one here, I love you, but it's okay."
Xi Yu looked solemnly, looked at Liu Xie with a sincere look, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, what I said next may make Your Majesty feel uncomfortable. Please be mentally prepared."
Liu Xie was slightly stunned, the smile on his face restrained a little, and he said seriously: "I just say it's okay, I can bear it."
So, Xi Yu took a deep breath and told Guan Yu and Liu Bei all the things he had made with a serious expression.
"Your Majesty, I have demoted Guan Yu and Liu Bei to common people. Moreover, after voting in Fangjun, a new leader will be elected. I wonder if Your Majesty agrees to me for such a deal?" Xi Yu carefully observed Liu Xie's face.
When Liu Xie heard this, his eyes were wide open, his face was full of shock, his mouth slightly opened, and it took him a long time to recover.
"This incident... really shocked me! Uncle Liu did such a thing?" His voice trembled a little, and his heart was full of disbelief.
Xi Yu nodded solemnly and said, "It's true that Liu Bei has admitted it himself." His eyes were firm and he did not dodge at all.
Liu Xie remained silent, frowned, and his eyes revealed complex emotions.
He thought about it repeatedly in his heart. Although this incident shocked and surprised him, he also believed in Xi Yu's character and knew that Xi Yu could not lie.
After a long time, Liu Xie sighed, his face full of regret, and he thought, "Liu Bei, Liu Bei, your actions really make me regret it. I originally had high hopes for you, but I never thought..."
Then, Liu Xie sighed deeply again, with a lonely expression on his face, and said slowly: "Since you have investigated Xi Yu, you can just leave this matter to you." There was helplessness and fatigue in his eyes.
Xi Yu hurriedly bowed his hands, with a sincere and anxious look on his face, and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to issue an imperial edict. In this way, this matter can be justified and the ministers will be more confident in their actions."
He thought in his heart that with the imperial edict, the subsequent disposal would not cause many troubles.
Liu Xie immediately sat at the table, picked up his pen, and prepared to draft the imperial edict.
His eyes were focused and serious, and he wrote every stroke with great caution.
While writing, a smile of relief suddenly appeared on Liu Xie's face, and he felt in his heart: "It turns out that I am still very useful. Writing this imperial edict has allowed me to find the value."
The imperial edict was written with a flying phoenix: "I ordered Ouyang Lian to be the leader of the county, hoping that he would do his best to do his best to benefit the people." After Liu Xie finished writing, he solemnly handed the imperial edict to Xi Yu.
Xi Yu took the imperial edict with both hands and bowed and said, "I will definitely not let down Your Majesty's entrustment."
Liu Xie immediately said to the little eunuch beside him: "You go to Fangjun to announce the order quickly."
The little eunuch took the order and left in a hurry.
Fangjun, Xiaolian Ouyang Lian, just returned home with his tired body, and before he could even step into the threshold, he heard his wife's sharp screams and scolding: "You are so stupid, you just know that you are honest and don't care about our family! Look, your family is so poor that you can't get rid of the blame!"
As he said that, his wife threw some worn clothes from the house angrily on Ouyang Lian's face, who was about to enter the door. Ouyang Lian was embarrassed by this sudden "attack", and his face was full of helplessness and shame.
The wife widened her eyes and shouted at the top of her lungs: "If this continues, you will not be able to live this life!"
Ouyang Lian frowned, walked up to him and gently grabbed his wife's hand, comforting softly: "Madam, why can I not be honest as an official? This is the duty of an official."
The wife couldn't help crying and choked and said, "You can't subsidize your salary to others!"
Chief Ouyang sighed and said, "Madam, a widow with a child is so difficult, so what's wrong with me helping me? How can I watch them suffer without moving?"
When the wife heard this, she cried harder and said in a thrust, "You are always so kind, but we can't live our own lives anymore. What should you do if you ask us mothers?"
Ouyang Lian hugged his wife in his arms, patted her back lightly, and said firmly: "Madam, don't cry, difficulties are only temporary. I believe that as long as I stick to the right path, our lives will get better one day."
At this moment, a sudden burst of knocks came from outside the door.
He hurriedly pulled his wife, who was still sobbing and covered in tears, and knelt on the ground to answer the orders.
The little eunuch cleared his throat, unfolded the imperial edict, and read loudly: "In accordance with the will of heaven, the emperor ordered Ouyang Lian to be the leader of the county, hoping that he would live up to the holy grace and benefit the people. I respect this!"
Ouyang Lian widened his eyes, his mouth slightly opened, his face full of disbelief, as if he was fixed, and he couldn't believe his ears.
The wife beside her also stopped crying, looking shocked, as if she had not recovered from the sadness she had just now.
The little eunuch looked at the stunned Ouyang Lian and his wife, frowned, raised their voices and said, "What are you still standing there? Thank you quickly!"
Ouyang Lian woke up like a dream, and hurriedly kowtowed and thanked him, and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you Lord, long live my emperor, long live my emperor."
After getting up, Ouyang Lian was still a little dazed and couldn't help asking, "The court will not joke anymore, will it?"
When the little eunuch heard this, his face darkened and he scolded angrily: "Bold! This is an imperial edict, how could it be a joke? You are disrespectful to the Lord!"
Ouyang Lian waved his hand quickly and said in panic: "I dare not, I dare not, I have no intention of offending me."
Then he looked puzzled again, "I just wonder, haven't Liu Bei been the leader all the time?"
The little eunuch snorted and explained: "Liu Bei has been arrested in prison for making a mistake."
Ouyang Lian looked surprised, "I don't know about this, but even so, my status is low, so how can I be the leader?"
The little eunuch said impatiently: "This is recommended by everyone, so don't refuse. Get ready to take office as soon as possible!"
After that, the little eunuch left without looking back.
The couple stood there, staring blankly at the little eunuch's back as he walked away, but still did not come out of this sudden surprise.
After a while, Ouyang Lian murmured to himself as if he was waking up from a dream: "It seems that I am the right thing to do to benefit the people."
The wife nodded repeatedly, her face no longer had the previous complaints on her face. She was now full of joy, and her eyes were filled with excitement, and she said, "Boss, this is such a great thing!"
Ouyang Lian looked at his wife's joyful appearance, and felt full of emotion, saying, "Madam, we must be more diligent in the future and live up to the expectations of the emperor and the people."
The wife held Ouyang Lian's hand tightly and looked firm: "Don't worry, husband, I will support you with all my strength."
On the other side, Liu Xie frowned and looked at Xi Yu and asked, "Is it okay to just throw Liu Bei and the other two into prison?" His eyes were full of doubts and searches, and he secretly speculated about Xi Yu's thoughts in his heart, believing that Xi Yu might have other punishment measures.
Xi Yu lowered his head slightly, thinking quickly in his heart, thinking that he would give the emperor a face no matter what, and then said, "Your Majesty, I plan to lock them up for a few days first, and then put them among the people, and let them die from then on."
When Liu Xie heard this answer, his tense expression finally relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
Liu Xie sat down slowly and said in a slightly relaxed tone: "It is appropriate to deal with this. As long as they no longer make trouble."
Xi Yu bowed and replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will pay attention to it and make sure that this matter is safe."
Liu Xie nodded and looked into the distance, as if he was thinking about something.
After a while, Xi Yu looked respectful, clasped his fists with his hands, bent down slightly and said, "Your Majesty, now everything has been reported. If Your Majesty has no other important things to give, I will take the leave first and go back to handle the follow-up matters."
Go back and handle the follow-up matters." Liu Xie sat on the dragon chaise, waved his hand gently, and said in a slightly low voice: "Well, you go."
Xi Yu received the answer, slowly took a few steps back, then turned around, and left the palace with steady steps.
Shuai Xiyu's figure completely disappeared from sight. Liu Xie sighed, and the sigh seemed to carry endless sorrow and fatigue.
His eyes became empty, and he looked at the dome of the palace and his thoughts seemed to float to a distant place.
Liu Xie's body trembled slightly, and his heart was mixed. When he thought of Liu Bei, he felt extremely heavy and helpless.
Chapter completed!