Although he had long known that Cai Bian and Cai Jing were at odds, Cai Bian's previous performance in the Ministry of Justice made Li Qian more worried, which led to this test.
Cai Bian's performance just now was quite acceptable, and it also made Li Qian roughly understand why he was struggling, so Li Qian told him the following.
"Your Majesty, minister..."
Cai Bian's lips trembled slightly, as if he had never thought that such a heinous thing would happen to him, and that it would be done by his brother Cai Jing.
"The guilty minister is willing to resign and be sent to Dingyongguan to join the army to fight against the Jinlu..."
His face was in great pain and he knelt on the ground, but his tone was more filled with sadness...and relief.
Outsiders have no way of knowing the pain and entanglement that have occurred over the years. On the one hand, it is the words of the saint that have penetrated into my heart from elementary school to college, and on the other hand, it is Cai Jing's numerous evil deeds.
But no matter how many entanglements he had, they were all broken by the news from Li Gan at this moment.
Treason and collaborating with the enemy, Cai Jing's outcome is almost doomed, no matter how hard he struggles, it is useless.
Regarding this result, Cai Bian didn't know whether to feel happy or sad for Cai Jing.
But no matter what, his desperate thoughts over the years and the painful wanderings in countless late nights... all disappeared.
At this moment, Cai Bian felt as if his long-cherished wish had finally come true, and his heart suddenly felt empty. Even if he was sent to the army and died in battle, it would not matter.
Quan should be able to cleanse Cai Jing of the sins he committed.
Li Qian looked at his appearance from above and sighed softly.
According to common sense, it would not be surprising for a crime like Cai Jing's to be punished by execution.
And even if immediate family members like Cai Bian were lucky enough to escape, they would definitely not be able to continue serving as officials.
It's good that he has this heart to atone, but he still doesn't grasp the key to the problem.
But this is not a big problem. As long as he has an attitude, everything else can be done slowly.
Cai Bian is an extremely important part of this plan, and Li Qian must be patient enough.
"Don't worry, Cai Qing's family, sit down and talk."
Li Qian returned to the top and sat down, staring at Cai Bian for a moment: "Actually, I have noticed you since Yuji."
Cai Bian trembled slightly, but he still listened to Li Qian's words, stood up and sat back on the chair.
"When I first got to know you, I was very curious. You are the younger brother of the dignified Shang Shu Pu She. How could you condescend to be an official in Jingzhao Mansion?"
"Later, when I got to know you better, I realized that you are a loyal person with noble moral character."
Li Qian stared at him and said slowly: "So, I first promoted you to be a doctor in the Ministry of Punishment, and later you became a minister in the Ministry of Etiquette."
Cai Bian then raised his head, his face full of surprise.
He knew that his promotion to Minister of Rites must be approved by His Majesty the Emperor. After all, it was he who decided the outcome of the imperial examination.
But Cai Bian knew for the first time that even the doctor of the Ministry of Punishment was appointed by his instructions.
But it seems normal when you think about it. When the late emperor was in power, he had been serving as the official of Jingzhao for so many years, but now less than a year after His Majesty took the throne, he has been promoted twice in a row and returned to the position of minister of the third rank. .
It is absolutely impossible to say that there was no emperor's instruction in this.
"During this period, I have always placed high hopes on you."
Li Qian's tone became serious: "I think that since you are Cai Jing's younger brother, you should be as hard-working and talented as him, but I didn't expect that I was wrong about Cai Jing."
"Your brother is a talented man, but he has used his talents elsewhere."
"I am willing to pay the price for Cai Jing..." Cai Bian felt guilty and lowered his head in pain.
What he felt guilty was that he had failed to live up to His Majesty the Emperor's expectations. What he felt painfully was that he knew that even if he was really sent to the army and died in battle, he might not be able to make up for Cai Jing's unforeseen crimes.
"I told you, don't worry."
Li Qian waved his hand: "I didn't send you here today to condemn you."
"Cai Jing is Cai Jing, and you are you. And as you said just now, you and Cai Jing have not had contact with each other for a long time. I will not blame you for the wrong things he did."
"I've already made a mistake with Cai Jing once, and I don't want it to happen to you a second time."
"His Majesty……"
Cai Bian raised his head in shock, as if he couldn't believe it.
His Majesty the Emperor's words clearly meant that he would continue to use him, but... is this possible?
He is Cai Jing's biological brother, how could he not be implicated by Cai Jing?
Li Qian did not pay attention to Cai Bian's psychological activities and continued: "Now Cai Jing is crazy. According to the intelligence I have received, he plans to further influence Jizhou and interfere with the Qin Prime Minister's defense against the Jinlu."
"If he is really allowed to do this, I am afraid that the generals will no longer have any soldiers to fight, and they can only sit back and watch the Jin soldiers march in and cause trouble to the people of the Central Plains."
"Cai Jing..."
Cai Bian could not think of any words except shock: "He is so heartbroken and crazy..."
As Cai Jing's younger brother, he thought he knew Cai Jing well enough, but at this moment he still felt a strong sense of strangeness and disgust towards him.
If his conspiracy succeeds again, how many soldiers in Daqian will die in vain?
Without these frontier troops guarding the border and allowing foreigners to march in, how many counties and counties would be devastated? How many people would be ravaged?
Cai Bian's heart was filled with all sorts of emotions, and his vision blurred slightly, as if he could faintly see the painful struggles of those who died tragically.
After a long time, he gradually recovered.
At this time, Cai Bian finally understood that His Majesty the Emperor allowed him to stay in the court because he must be using their brotherly relationship to eradicate Cai Jing.
But Cai Bian didn't think it was anything.
He once studied Buddhism with Wang Jin of Jingzhao Yin. Buddhist scriptures talk about eliminating karma. Only by reciting Buddhist scriptures over and over again can the sins and karma committed by this body be eliminated.
But this is somewhat different from Cai Bian’s philosophy.
He has always felt that Buddha is Buddha, people are human, and people make mistakes. If just reciting a few words of Buddha can eliminate sins and reduce the guilt in his heart, that would be too cheap.
Just as the sage said, "Repay evil with kindness, repay kindness with kindness." Whatever mistakes you make, you must atone for them in whatever way.
Just like before, he thought about using his body as a soldier and dying in the frontier in an attempt to offset the sins Cai Jing had committed.
But Cai Bian also understood that his life was nothing compared to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who were framed and died by Cai Jing.
It was just that he had always thought that he was about to be dismissed from office, so he said those words. But since Li Qian gave him an opportunity to make meritorious deeds, he must seize it.
Getting rid of Cai Jing and preserving the hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting in Jizhou will eventually make the guilt in my heart less severe...
"Your Majesty, I am willing to secretly monitor Cai Jing, inquire about information within Cai's party, and help your Majesty eliminate these thieves, so as to comfort the souls of hundreds of thousands of frontier soldiers in heaven."
There was anger and hatred on Cai Bian's face. It seemed that whenever he thought of those people, he could not suppress the anger in his heart: "This matter was definitely not planned by Cai Jing himself. Others in Cai's party are also accomplices."
"Please, Your Majesty, never let a guilty person go!"
At this point, his expression became a little gloomy: "Your Majesty, I am also a guilty person. I know that Cai Jing has done many illegal things before. Just because he is my brother, I have always indulged him and did not expose him."
"Now that it has caused such a big mistake, I am also responsible."
Now that he is about to be freed, he has nothing to pursue but two obsessions. One is to let Cai Jing and those in Cai's party get the retribution they deserve.
The second is to repay His Majesty the Emperor for his kindness. At least in this critical moment, His Majesty the Emperor is still willing to trust him.
Li Qian nodded imperceptibly. He had laid the groundwork just now, and one of his purposes was to learn about Cai Jing's pain points and weaknesses from Cai Bian.
"I know whether you are guilty or not, and others in Cai's party will also have their own accounts."
Li Qian shook his head: "I don't need you to monitor Cai Jing and inquire about information. You were so alienated from them before and had almost no contact with them, but now you are getting closer at this critical moment. It is inevitable that you will not be suspected by them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Everything will be as normal after you go back, don't show anything strange."
Li Qian warned: "In addition, we must write down the illegal things Cai Jing has done. I will send someone to pick them up. I will see you again in a few days, and we will discuss the follow-up matters at that time."
"Today's discussion should not be too long, lest Cai Jing becomes suspicious."
Cai Bian paused for a moment and nodded heavily: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will live up to His Majesty's orders."
Li Qian nodded when he heard this, but it was not enough.
He undoubtedly took a huge risk by telling Cai Bian about this matter, so he could not only rely on Cai Bian's conscience, but also had to add a layer of insurance.
"In addition to dealing with Cai Jing, I have other things to do with you today."
Li Qian paused for a moment and then said: "Shilang Cai, if I remember correctly, your father-in-law should be your former servant, Banshangong?"
Cai Bian was stunned, as if he didn't expect to be asked this suddenly before.
"Is he still in good health now?"
"Good health."
Cai Bian subconsciously replied: "On New Year's Day, I also received a reply from Master Taishan, saying that everything was fine."
Li Qian was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Now that the government is exhausted, I realize how important these elders are."
"His Majesty……"
Cai Bian seemed to have noticed something, and his tone was a little trembling.
But Li Qian did not continue to talk to him, nor did he make any promises.
"I just had a feeling today and suddenly wanted to ask."
Li Qian sat back on his chair and after saying so much, his face looked a little tired: "I'm a little tired. Let's go to Cai Qing's house to find the eldest uncle in the side room. After he finishes speaking, you can leave on your own." Just go."
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Cai Bian didn't get the answer he wanted. A look of disappointment flashed across his face, but he still held up his hands and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After saying that, he got up and walked to the side room.
When I came here, I was greeted by Sima Guang's somewhat complicated eyes.
"Have you finished speaking with His Majesty, Minister Cai?"
Wang Mang looked at him with a smile: "In that case, let's go."
Cai Bian took a deep breath, raised his hands and saluted, "Yes, uncle Da Zong."
In the next few days, Cai Bian's actions proved that he really wanted to bring down Cai Jing.
Li Qian had received several incriminating evidences about Cai Jing from him. Almost every piece of evidence was densely written and either very hateful or very funny. Every time he read it, Li Qian felt extremely complicated.
There are also many secret things in it...many secret things that outsiders absolutely cannot know.
This made him lament that betrayal by those closest to him would be the most powerful.
However, although there is now so much evidence of Cai Jing's crimes, Li Qian will not take it out himself.
If he tells it, others may not believe it and may even doubt the source of the information.
Cai Jing's party members and disciples in various counties will also be very resistant. They will feel that Cai Jing's party has been attacked and subconsciously want to fight back. Cai Jing's friends and connections in the vassal states may also help him.
But if Cai Bian, Cai Jing's younger brother, takes it out, the effect will definitely be different!
If we take a step closer and let Cai You, the eldest son who has high hopes for Cai Jing, take it out... it will achieve unimaginable results.
If someone wants to knock down a gorgeous palace and live in it, the people nearby will go back to stop him. But if the palace itself is riddled with insects and collapses on its own, who will be willing to raise it up? ?Who can help me up?
Li Qian's other backup is Cai You, but his uncertainty is greater than Cai Bian.
In Li Qian's previous life, the reason why Cai You was able to fall out with his biological father was because he had strong wings and could get along well without Cai Jing.
At that time, Cai You was granted a Jinshi status by Song Huizong, entered Zhilong Tuge, served as a bachelor, compiled various classics, and his status was no less than that of Cai Jing. Coupled with the deliberate instigation by Song Huizong and others, he became The situation at that time.
But it's different now. Cai You doesn't have the confidence at all. Now he is just a small clerk in the Department of Military Affairs... From the ninth rank, it is slightly better than not to enter the ranks.
Cai Jing sent him there a while ago through certain channels.
Logically speaking, it is unlikely that he would dare to backstab Cai Jing in this situation.
But since Li Qian thought of his line, he naturally had some confidence.
Da Qian is not the Song Dynasty. Both the current situation and the information Li Qian has made from previous preparations are also different. In addition, Cai Bian's actions...
It does not seem to be a difficult task for Cai You to successfully "surrender".
According to Zhuge Liang's suggestion, the process of "persuading" Cai You is mainly divided into two parts.
Half of it is a favor... In Li Qian's opinion, it's almost like painting a cake, and it's also the kind of rough cake that is fed directly to Mr. Cai.
The other half is Wei. When Cai Bian learns certain truths, it also makes him feel threatened... Of course, the main method is the second half.
"Mr. Kong Ming, please don't lose your temper for a while. Don't let him see the clues!"
In the carriage, Lu Bu was arranging his clothes and giving his last instructions in a muffled voice.
According to His Majesty's plan, as long as Cai You's part is solved next, Cai Jing's death will be imminent.