Chapter 137 I sacrificed you and sent you to see the gods
As soon as Wei Zheng said this, all the officials in front of Chengtian Gate were stunned for a moment.
Even many censors looked at Wei Zheng in disbelief, obviously hearing this news for the first time.
Cai Jing's followers didn't know what to say, so they subconsciously looked at Cai Jing, who was sitting in front of him.
Mr. Cai's expression was gloomy, and he didn't even bother to wipe the sweat from his face.
No one expected that Wei Zheng would do such a trick without anyone noticing!
It’s true that a dog that bites doesn’t bark!
For a while, I was only focused on dealing with the thief Qin Hui, and I actually forgot about such an insidious dog!
Wei Zheng bowed to Li Qian above him and said: "Your Majesty, in five days or in three days, Wuyang County Supervisory Censor Zhou Ziliang will definitely be able to return to Beijing, and there will definitely be new cases to be presented by then."
The officials subconsciously looked up and forgot about it, but they saw the emperor's face was deep in thought, not knowing what he was thinking.
Zhao Ding, the right-hand admonishing doctor, suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, why don't we suspend the court meeting today and wait for Zhou Ziliang to return to Beijing with the evidence before the trial can be held again."
Many censors also came to their senses and hurriedly agreed.
With evidence and without evidence, they are two completely different cases.
Wang Danwang had already written down Wei Zheng's words, put away his pen, dried the ink, and handed the paper to the young eunuch beside him.
"I have finished recording the court proceedings, please give your Majesty a preview."
He didn't ask the generals what they meant. In fact, this was also a common practice.
If military attachés do not take the initiative to speak, civilian officials can ignore them.
But if the military officers have opinions, the civilian officials must also consider them.
In other words, all the military attachés who came today abstained from voting.
After Wang Danwang handed over the paper, he ran back to his seat like a frightened old rabbit, for fear of being left behind.
Li Qian just glanced at him and didn't call him again.
The young eunuch ran up from the city gate and handed the memorial to Li Qian with both hands.
"Put it over there!"
Li Qian didn't look at it either, but stood up and walked slowly to the city wall, overlooking the officials.
Below, Qin Hui looked at Li Qian expressionlessly, but there was a flash of expectation in his eyes.
During today's court meeting, although most officials maintained a neutral stance, it could be heard from their speeches that these people were more or less biased towards Song Min's guilt.
After all, what Cai Jing has done these days is really unpopular.
Now that His Majesty the Emperor has dealt another fatal blow, the storm that has lasted to this day is half over.
As for the remaining half, it is how to send Qin Hui's people to the position of governor of Longxi County.
Of course, after so many days of planning, Qin Hui already knew exactly what to do...
Li Qian looked at the ministers below, and a smile suddenly appeared on his lips.
"Just now, I heard what all the adults said, and it seems that they don't quite agree with the theory given by Governor Song Min about the coming of heavenly fire into the world."
As soon as these words came out, the officials' brows jumped.
Why does something feel wrong?
Li Qian continued: "In fact, in my opinion, Governor Song is a loyal person. In front of Chengtian Gate, in front of hundreds of officials, in front of me, how dare he deceive me?"
"The battle between White Tiger and Zhu Rong, and the theory of heavenly fire coming to the world, is probably true."
After listening to the opinions of so many officials, Song Min was almost desperate.
But now after listening to Li Qian's words, Song Minru heard the fairy voice and was immediately ecstatic: "Your Majesty, I am loyal! Only your Majesty can understand me!"
All the officials were also stunned and looked at the emperor with wide eyes.
Aren't you very angry?
Isn’t it necessary to use the bright light of the sky to drive away evil spirits?
What’s going on now??
"Your Majesty actually believes that such monstrous words are true? Is your Majesty joking?"
"The study of prophecies is groundless! Your Majesty ignored the tens of millions of suffering people in Longxi and started to believe this kind of thing. It is really ridiculous..."
Many censors were excited and couldn't help but shouted angrily.
Cai Jing looked stunned. Before coming to the court for discussion, he had already made preparations to dismiss Song Min from his post and replace him with one of his own as the governor of Longxi County!
But now, listening to His Majesty the Emperor’s words... there seems to be hope?
The generals and Qin Hui also looked at Li Qian on the city gate in confusion, frowning deeply.
Especially Qin Hui.
He had always found His Majesty the Emperor's thoughts to be elusive and his words to be astonishing. Unexpectedly, he could not guess his thoughts now.
Is it possible that it was a mistake to ask His Majesty to come out to participate in the court meeting today?
Li Qian looked at the reactions of the ministers below, smiled slightly, and continued: "It's just that I still have a doubt, and I want to ask Governor Song Min again."
Song Min hurriedly said loudly: "Your Majesty, please tell me everything I know!"
Whether you know it or not, I will definitely make it up for you.
Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor still had something to say, the noise among the officials gradually died down, and all the officials opened their eyes and looked at him.
With a warm smile on his face, Li Qian said slowly: "Governor Song, do you think the White Tiger fought with Zhu Rong, could it be that only the Fire God Zhu Rong was injured?"
"Is it possible that the God of the White Tiger of the West has no injuries at all?"
"this……"
Song Min was startled, this was really not easy.
It stands to reason that the two of them... no, the two gods have been fighting for more than a month. It is impossible for only Zhu Rong to be injured, right? Then why fight? Why not just admit defeat?
Li Qian had a smile on his lips, but his tone was very puzzled: "Jin, the White Tiger God of the West, if he is injured, wouldn't gold fall from the sky?"
"But why so far, I have only heard about heavenly fire falling, but never heard about heavenly gold falling?"
??
What the fuck??
All the officials were stunned by His Majesty's thinking.
Still losing gold by riding a horse? What do you think?
Song Min kept sweating on his face, but Cai Jing on the other side was startled. Could it be that His Majesty was hinting that he wanted to give him gold?
After thinking for a while, Cai Jing stood up and replied: "Your Majesty."
"When fire comes from heaven and burns people, it will naturally be reported. However, if there is gold falling, people will not report it, but most of them will be picked up."
"We might as well send an order to Longxi and ask the officials below to search among the people to see if any people have picked up the gold that fell from the sky, and then send it to the capital to present to Your Majesty."
Wei Zheng frowned and was about to speak, but stopped after thinking about it.
Li Qian ignored Cai Jing at all, but continued to look at Song Min with a smile: "Song Governor, I remember you said before that in order to calm down the sky fire, you must sacrifice to the Western White Tiger God and let him defeat the Fire God Zhu Rong. Only then can the disaster be quelled.”
"Yes Yes!"
Song Min hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, I have already fasted and bathed in Longxi and started to work on this matter. I believe that the war between the gods will be calmed down soon."
"Um."
Li Qian nodded repeatedly and looked at Song Min with admiration in his eyes: "Song Governor is really my loyal minister!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty..." Song Min's face was full of joy and he was about to kneel down to thank him.
But Li Qian said suddenly again: "It's a pity that Governor Song is not very smart."
"Your Majesty..." Song Min was a little dumbfounded. What did this mean?
The ministers also frowned, wondering what the Emperor wanted to do after saying such a thing.
Li Qian smiled softly and said, "Song Governor, are you still here to worship the sky and support the White Tiger God of the West?"
"Don't even think about it. A single hair of this fire god Zhu Rong can set a Changping warehouse on fire. If Zhu Rong loses the battle and falls from the sky, wouldn't the entire Daqian be burned to ashes? "
"Dear gentlemen, do you think what I said makes sense?"
"this……"
All the officials hesitated one after another. Isn't this the truth?
But Your Majesty, do you really believe this stuff?
Wu Shenglan, the right minister of the Ministry of Personnel, suddenly stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Return to your majesty, I think what your majesty said is reasonable."
"In the past, there was a great war between Zhu Rong and Gong Gong. After Gong Gong was defeated, he was so angry that he knocked down the pillars of Mount Buzhou, causing the Tianhe River to pour into the world and flood China. Now, if Zhu Rong falls to the mortal world, he will burn the Great Wall again. It’s not surprising that it turned into ashes.”
All the officials looked at him speechlessly, and said that the Tianhe poured into the world, and China was flooded, as if you had seen it with your own eyes.
But with him as a compliment, Li Qian could continue what he said: "Wu Shilang is right!"
"If Zhu Rong loses and falls, we will be burned to ashes, but if Bai Hu loses and falls, wouldn't Da Gan get a lot of gold?"
"So, this support can only be given to Vulcan Zhurong, not to White Tiger!"
All the officials were speechless. Are you still thinking about that gold?
Song Min also came to his senses and hurriedly kowtowed: "What your Majesty taught me is that I know I was wrong!"
"When I return, I will go to the altar to worship the Fire God Zhurong..."
"Just offering sacrifices is not enough!"
Li Qian's face suddenly turned gloomy: "Song Governor, you sacrificed the white tiger for a month a while ago, and you helped the white tiger god fight Zhu Rong for a full month!"
"Think about it, if someone beat you for a month, would you be angry?"
"This..." Song Minxin said that I must be mad to death.
He hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Zhu Rong is a god, so he will not argue with me..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Qian asked the ministers below: "My lords, tell me, if someone beats you for a month, would you be angry?"
"If there is anyone who is not angry, please stand up and let me take a look. I will verify it carefully."
All the officials came to their senses. It was clear that His Majesty the Emperor had set a trap and wanted to punish Song Min.
It was Wu Shenglan who spoke first and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, if someone really beats me for a month, I will definitely not spare him lightly."
"I won't be lenient..."
Li Qian said with emotion: "Governor Song, look at this mortal who was beaten for a month and is still very angry. Zhu Rong is the god of heaven and the god of fire, so his temper must be extremely hot."
"Think about it, can he spare you?"
"this……"
Song Min was sweating profusely: "This... I think it's..."
"I don't think so."
Li Qian shook his head gently: "If Zhu Rong is defeated in the end, then he will have to fall down and burn Dagan."
"What if this god wins? Do you think he will come back to take revenge on you?"
"Wouldn't the sky fires in Longxi County become more frequent by then?"
Song Min wanted to die.
Why did you get so confused in the first place that you came up with such a plan?
If I ever return to Longxi again in this life, I will definitely beat the person who came up with the idea to death!
Li Qian said with emotion: "Song Governor, you are a loyal minister of Da Qian. You have said this a long time ago. I also know it, and I believe all the ministers also know it."
"Now Daqian is in danger of being retaliated by the God of Fire, and we need you to solve it!"
Song Min suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart, what to do?
How to solve it?
"It's just a sacrifice. It's too insincere to ask for forgiveness. Now you need to go see the Fire God Zhurong in person, explain to him face to face, and ask for his forgiveness."
As soon as these words came out, Song Min was dumbfounded, and so were all the officials.
Good guy, don’t you understand the meaning of sending him to see the gods?
Li Qian narrowed his smile: "When the time comes, I will go to the altar to worship heaven and explain it to you. I am the emperor, so I have more respect with the God of Fire than you, right?"
"When the time comes when Mr. Zhu Rong forgives you, you can come back and continue to be your Longxi County Sheriff."
"No, I still want to promote you back to the capital and make you a minister!"
Song Min's plump lips were trembling, and his mustache was trembling: "Your Majesty...how will I come back..."
Li Gan smiled: "It's very simple!"
"If Zhu Rong forgives you, he will naturally send you back. If he doesn't forgive you, you can continue to beg for mercy."
"Anyway, being a god in heaven is much better than being a county guard here, right?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your Majesty..." Song Min trembled and wanted to explain.
Cai Jing’s followers also fell silent.
This explanation was given by Song Min himself. Now that His Majesty the Emperor has said this, the coffin pit has been filled with soil. If they want to dig out the person again, it will be extremely difficult.
Li Qian looked at Song Min with a smile: "Song County Governor, you are a loyal minister of Daqian, and you are also the Governor of Longxi County. You must not want to see Longxi burned down by the sky fire, right?"
Okay, this is another step on the grave, making the loose soil even more solid.
If you are unwilling to go, then you are not a loyal minister. If you continue to be tried like this, you will inevitably die sooner or later.
If you are willing to go, then go directly to see the gods.
Seeing that Song Min was so frightened that he was reduced to ashes, Li Qian's lips curved into a hidden sneer.
The officials below also looked at Song Min in surprise, especially the many censors, who were relieved.
In the past few days, during the joint trial of the three legal divisions, Song Min was very tough! He often quarreled with many censors!
Now when he comes to the court meeting, although he has restrained himself a little, the arrogance inside is still there.
But now he is scared like a lost dog.
Li Qian put his hands on the city wall and said with a smile: "Jun Wuxi, don't worry that I won't intercede for you!"
"Let the Ministry of Rites set a date for me to go to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven, and when I plead with Zhu Rong, I will send you there too."
"I once heard that there was an ancient ritual in which the priest was wrapped in linen and soaked in an oil vat. After nightfall, he was then hung head to toe from the ground and ignited starting from the feet until it burned out."
"In this way, the person offering sacrifices can successfully meet the God of Fire. When I go to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven, I will use this method to send you to meet the God of Fire. I believe that the people of Longxi will be grateful to you if they hear about your righteous deeds. It’s endless!”
All the officials were startled when they heard this, thinking that there is such a novel ritual?
After tasting it for a while, I suddenly came back to taste it!
Isn't this horse riding just like lighting up sky lanterns?
When the emperor wanted to worship the sky, he lit a sky lantern for Song Min in public??
No matter whether civil or military, everyone was shocked by this idea!
For a moment, there was silence in Chengtianmen Square, except for the harsh cicada sound coming from the trees in the distance.
Song Min was already dumbfounded and could not say a word.
He knows that his end may not be very good, but lighting sky lanterns is too much, right?
That is torture! How many people have suffered this kind of crime throughout the ages?
The adults quietly looked at Song Min's figure, wondering how many days his fat body would last.
However, at the critical moment, Wei Zheng stood up with a heavy look on his face.
"Your Majesty, such a punishment is too harsh. Your Majesty's reputation will be damaged by it thousands of years later!"
Although the other censors were a little hesitant, seeing that Wei Zheng had spoken out, they all started to persuade him: "Your Majesty, if you want to deal with this corrupt official, you only need to give him a standard punishment!"
"Yes, your majesty is a wise king. To kill this corrupt official with such perverse means may tarnish your majesty's reputation and make the people of the world and the princely states think that my court is ridiculous..."
Li Qian smiled and said: "How can this be a punishment? It is clearly a sacrifice!"
He turned his head and looked in the direction of the Ministry of Rites: "Uncle Wang, you have read countless books, so you must know about this ritual, right?"
Wang Mang moved his lips, but he was cursing in his heart.
"Your Majesty... I... I am ignorant and have not read about this ritual..."
"Haha, no problem."
Li Qian smiled heartily: "Come to the palace someday, and I will show you the ancient book."
Well, I'll have someone write it for you.
"Besides, I am not forcing Governor Song Min to perform this ritual. He is a loyal minister of Daqian. His loyalty can be seen in the sun and the moon. He voluntarily went to plead with the God of Fire Zhurong."
"He wants to become a god. Even if you want to stop him, you probably won't be able to stop him!"
"Isn't that right, Governor Song?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Song Min was sweating profusely and could not utter a complete sentence.
Li Qian shouted until his throat felt a little uncomfortable. He reached back and the old eunuch handed him another bowl of iced loquat dew. Li Qian sipped it and looked at Song Min below: "Song Governor, what's the matter?"
"I listened to you for the coming of Heavenly Fire into the world, and I also listened to you for the battle between Zhu Rong and Bai Hu."
"Now I am willing to go to the southern suburbs to worship heaven just for you, and recommend you to meet the God of Fire Zhurong, but you are still hesitant about this? Others want me, the emperor, to recommend you, but I am not willing yet!"
"If one day you come back from Zhu Rong, you can tell me what the sky is like and what the appearance of the gods is like, so that I can open my eyes and the adults in the court can open their eyes. how?"
Listening to His Majesty the Emperor's cordial and easy-going tone, the ministers almost thought that Song Min was just on a business trip and would be back in a few months.
But that was a sky lantern! By then, all the bones might be burned away. Even if he could come back...where would this person go?
But after hearing His Majesty the Emperor's words, I seemed to have lost my position even if I tried to persuade him.
First of all, this method of sky lanterns is really weird, so it seems that there is no problem in calling it a ritual.
Secondly, Song Min came up with this weird theory about divine connection. He said it himself. Don’t you still believe it?
Now it is much better to go to heaven to be a god and serve the gods than to be a minister in the mortal world.
What does it mean to reap the consequences?
This is called reaping the consequences!
A strange smile flashed in the eyes of many unrelated ministers, but the expression on Qin Hui's face was just weird.
From the moment Li Qian opened his mouth, he felt something was wrong.
I just didn't expect that Song Min would be punished in this way, saying that he had weird ideas. It was really unexpected every time.
Although the emperor made a decision this time, giving Qin Hui a slight advantage, he still didn't look happy.
Prime Minister Qin sighed, with such an emperor, I wonder if he will ever see through his mind one day in this life.
At the court meeting, all the officials were silent. Li Qian sipped the sweet loquat dew in the bowl and looked down at Song Min, who was trembling and speechless.
Wei Zheng did not give up, and then said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, although it is a sacrificial ceremony, this sacrificial ritual must have been used in ancient times. The world was barren and the people were ignorant. They drank hair and drank blood, so there was such a cruel sacrificial ritual."
"However, since the founding of the country by Taizu Daqian eight hundred years ago, the country has promoted etiquette and enlightenment throughout the world. Nowadays, the people are virtuous, moral and ethical, and humans are different from animals. There are hundreds of millions of people in all directions in the nine states who are grateful for the divine grace. "
"Now that your majesty is talented, kind-hearted, and is working hard to eradicate the long-standing evils and revive the country, he will become a wise king in the future. However, if you carry out this barbaric sacrifice now, your majesty will definitely leave a cruel name in history in the future. ."
Wei Zheng raised his hands to the city wall and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, I ask your Majesty to take back this order."
Li Qian was startled and stopped drinking the loquat dew. There seemed to be a flash of hesitation on his face: "Am I really as good as you say? Can I be a wise king?"
The officials below were startled when they saw him like this.
Just you?
Are you really fantasizing?
Your Majesty, why don't you take a pee and look at yourself?
With this posture of offering sacrifices to ministers and lighting sky lanterns, are you sure he is the Ming Lord and not the Ming Lord?
People all over the world are queuing up to be the emperor, and even the wise emperor will not get your turn!
Wei Zheng said firmly: "As long as your Majesty can listen to the world at the same time, refrain from extravagance and be frugal, work diligently and love the people, and conduct the world with mercy, you will surely become a wise king and the leader of the great rejuvenation of China!"
Song Min also regained his composure and cried loudly with tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Mr. Wei is right, you are a wise king!"
"I have also figured it out. I don't want to serve the God of Fire, but I want to serve a wise king like you!"
"I am willing to pray for Longxi and His Majesty day and night! As long as the sky fire in Longxi continues, I will not eat. Even if I starve to death, I will starve to death for the people of Longxi. I am willing to do so!"
Li Qian curled his lips, "Chang Pingcang has stepped on the horse and asked you to burn it, what else do you want to burn?"
Cai Jing frowned, finally stood up again, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Song Min is more loyal to people than to gods. Doesn't this mean that your majesty's holy name has far surpassed that of gods? If it is spread in the future, it will be praised by generations. Good story!"
"Please also ask Your Majesty to withdraw the order of offering sacrifices to heaven and order Song Min to continue to be a minister of the imperial court."
Li Qian hid the smile on his lips by drinking loquat dew from the porcelain bowl.
Cai Jing finally jumped out again.
As the saying goes, if you prosper by this, you will perish by it.
Li Qian understood that Cai Jing's power was all due to his party members and connections in the court.
But connections are good and bad.
Song Min's misfortune was noticed by the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, and sooner or later the news would spread throughout Daqian.
If Cai Jing left Song Min alone today, maybe only one or two friends would be disappointed and leave.
If another person is in trouble tomorrow, he, Cai Jing, may have to leave seven or eight people without caring about him.
But when it comes to the third or fourth time, if Cai Jing doesn't care about it, half of his connections will be lost.
The more connections he loses, the weaker he becomes and the less able he is to manage things.
When the landslide occurs, no matter how much you try to recover, it will be impossible.
This is a vicious cycle!!
Especially now that Wei Zheng has stepped forward to plead for Song Min. If Cai Jing continues to ignore him, it will only increase the speed of this collapse.
Li Qian stood in front of the city wall for a long time, his head was dizzy from the sun, and he sat back on the chair holding the porcelain bowl.
The shadow of the umbrella cover cast down, making it difficult for the officials to see his expression clearly.
"What Cai Qing's family said is reasonable..."
On the surface, Li Qian still valued the opinions of these top civil servants: "Then what do you think is the top priority?"
Cai Jing said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the top priority is not to deal with Song Min's crimes, but to calm down the crisis in Longxi first."
"Now that all the changping warehouses in Longxi have been burned down, the people's morale is floating, the military camp has been burned down, and the military's morale is uneasy. At this time of crisis, a capable minister should be sent to Longxi to take over the post of Longxi County Governor to quell the chaos and stabilize the people's morale. , military morale.”
Li Qian was silent for a moment, then turned to Qin Hui and asked: "Prime Minister Qin, what do you think?"
Qin Hui stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I also think what Mr. Cai said is reasonable. Longxi is so far away from the capital, and if Longxi is stable between elbows and armpits, the imperial court can only be stable."
Li Qian nodded lightly: "The two Qings think the same thing as me. Since Song Min doesn't want to go to heaven to serve the gods, let's keep him first and then discuss his charges."
"The top priority right now is to find a suitable new county governor for Longxi."
Qin Hui and Cai Jingdu cheered up. This was the most critical moment.
However, before Li Qian could ask the question, Wu Shenglan, the right servant of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, spoke again: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has an outstanding candidate who I would like to recommend to Your Majesty."
The cultural relics of the Manchu Dynasty were startled when they heard this, and the officials suddenly wanted to get involved?
Why is this situation so confusing again?
Qin Hui and Cai Jing both frowned. He Shen was not in the capital, but he still wanted to pick peaches?
Are you thinking about shit?
However, the officials do have a say in this kind of appointment. Even if they are dissatisfied, they can only listen to it first.
Li Qian sat under the umbrella and looked at Wu Shenglan from a distance: "Is there really such an outstanding person who can solve the current predicament of Longxi?"
"There is one, Your Majesty."
Wu Shenglan said in a serious tone: "Gao Shilian, a doctor in the Ministry of Punishment, has excelled in the examinations every year. He is mature and prudent, capable of handling changes, and calm and measured. He is the best candidate to deal with the current situation in Longxi."
As soon as these words came out, all the officials were stunned.
The Ministry of Personnel actually promoted a person from the Ministry of Justice? Your brain is not burned out, right?
Qin Hui was also startled, but then he thought of who Gao Shilian was, frowned deeply, and turned to look at his cronies.
This result was not very acceptable to him.
Cai Jing's face didn't look too good either. He turned around and looked at his cronies, understanding.
There were also people who understood among the officials, and they introduced to others who Gao Shilian was.
After understanding this, everyone looked at Wu Shenglan with a slightly subtle look.
Li Qian looked at the reactions of the officials, sipped the loquat dew and said with emotion: "Gao Shilian..."
"If Gao Shilian really takes up this position, then his position as a doctor in the Ministry of Justice will be vacant."
"I remember that Prime Minister Qin recommended a talented person to me a while ago. It is Cai Bian who is now the sixth-rank promotion officer in Jingzhao Mansion."
"How about letting Cai Bian go to the Ministry of Justice to fill Gao Shilian's position?"
Li Qian looked around at the ministers below: "What do you think?"