Volume 1: Swan Goose Chapter 454 Devotion to Blood and Tears (3)
--trial--
It was supposed to be a scorching June day, but on the day Xia Yunqing came back, it was gloomy, and the whole sky was too rich and heavy.
Everywhere you look is a sad color, and even the sun is hiding behind the dark clouds and refusing to come out.
The birds chirped sadly, but they were nowhere to be seen. The thunder roared, but no rain fell.
In the Zichen Hall, there was a hint of cold air in the ice. Emperor Yu was leaning on the dragon chair and had dismissed everyone. Only Xia Yunqing was left in the whole hall.
Even the Imperial Guardsman and Eunuch Shuangxi could only wait outside the palace and wait for orders.
This was the last kindness and dignity shown by Emperor Yu to Xia Yunqing. Although he didn't like this old man who didn't know how to adapt and was stubborn, he respected his noble character.
Lan Yu's desertion and treason against the enemy is unforgivable and really infuriating.
But Emperor Yu always remained calm and peaceful during his interrogation. It sounded like two friends just having a heart-to-heart talk.
Emperor Yu put away his sharp eyes and asked calmly: "Did you know in advance that Lan Yu escaped from the battle?"
Xia Yunqing bowed and replied respectfully: "When I return to the emperor, I really didn't know about it beforehand. Even when we had a long drinking and heart-to-heart talk the night before, he didn't leave any trace."
Based on Emperor Yu's understanding of him, he knew that he was not lying.
He raised his eyebrows and asked again: "What did he say in your last conversation?"
Xia Yunqing replied without thinking: "Back to the emperor, Lan Yu just calmly and objectively analyzed the war and made a battle plan with me! Moreover, at that time he was full of confidence in this battle!"
Until now, when he thought of Lan Yu's confident look at that time, he still couldn't believe that such a person would betray the country and surrender to the enemy.
However, it was Xia Yunqing's unreasonable trust that hurt him in the end.
"Oh? What's his opinion on this battle?" Emperor Yu obviously didn't buy this statement, and the expression on his face became a little colder.
Xia Yunqing's attitude was still respectful: "Back to the emperor, General Lan has found out the truth about the Xuanqing Temple massacre and found that it was a conspiracy between Annan and Nanzhao in order to provoke a war between Annan and Beiyu. By then, when Beiyu is in chaos,
, Nanzhao can take advantage of the situation to return to Annan.
Therefore, Nanzhao does not really want to fight this war, so there must be no preparations and it is just a bluff. As long as we concentrate our firepower to repel their previous troops, they will naturally not dare to do it again."
Emperor Yu smiled coldly, with a look of displeasure on his face: "Oh, he can see clearly! But how did he learn these inside stories? Is it possible that his investigative ability is better than that of my Dali Temple and the Imperial Guard?
Is he even more powerful? Or... is he a part of the conspiracy?"
Xia Yunqing did not dare to hide anything from the emperor, so he could only answer truthfully: "Lan Yu claimed that he recruited many people who escaped from Annan, and after successfully instigating them to rebel, he sent them back to find out the news. Therefore, he was able to find out the news as soon as possible.
Get inside information."
Emperor Yu thought for a moment and realized that this was indeed in line with Lan Yu's way of doing things, so he continued to ask calmly: "So, he has always had people from Annan around him? He can also come into contact with the Annan royal family?"
In other words, his crime was not unjust, because he and Annan did collude secretly.
"Your Majesty, I think General Lan Yu's move is to "know yourself and your enemy and you will be victorious in a hundred battles", and not to collude with Annan to betray Beiyu!" Xia Yunqing forgot about her own situation and was still trying her best to excuse Lan Yu.
Emperor Yu looked at him with a smile but not a smile, and asked in a deep voice: "Ai Qing, do you mean that I am judging the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain?"
"I don't dare!" Xia Yunqing took a deep breath and responded calmly: "Your Majesty, although Lan Yu is tough, arrogant and maverick, he is really a loyal minister! Until now, I still believe that he was killed by a female gangster.
.Only when there is no way out can he escape from the battlefield! I believe that Lan Yu should be brought back for personal interrogation first, and the truth will naturally come to light!"
Emperor Yu sneered and spoke slowly: "Ai Qing talks about a female minister. I am a little confused. Who is this female minister?"
Mentioning this matter, Xia Yunqing immediately frowned and became indignant: "Before setting off for the expedition, a lobbyist suddenly came to the military camp, claiming to be appointed by Wang Su. The man's demonic words confused the crowd and disturbed the morale of the army. Lan Yuyi
In anger, he beheaded him on the spot and searched for a secret letter from his body. It was Lan Yu who left without saying goodbye the next day after reading the secret letter. He hoped that the emperor would grant me the right to investigate the matter carefully!
"
"Then what was written in the letter that could make the usually confident Southwest General Soldiers flee upon hearing the news?" Obviously, Emperor Yu was not interested in tracking down the female minister. Instead, he gradually became unhappy because of Xia Yunqing's repeated sophistry.
Xia Yunqing took out the crumpled letter from his sleeve and presented it with respectful hands.
Emperor Yu took the letter, glanced at it nonchalantly, and put the letter aside: "This letter just states that various evidences of his collaboration with the enemy have been found. If he is innocent, why should he be so afraid! I
It seems that he ran away overnight because he knew his whereabouts were exposed!"
"Your Majesty!" Xia Yunqing's attitude was still tough: "There is indeed evidence that Lan Yu has been in contact with the two countries for a long time, but there is no evidence that he has committed any treason! The situation is urgent now, and the Emperor must not accuse this groundless crime.
, forced on Lan Yu’s head!”
Emperor Yu stared at him with a straight face and said in a deep voice: "I previously caught a deserter from the Southwest Iron Cavalry. From his mouth, I already learned that Lan Yu had the intention to defect. Ai Qing should not defend him anymore.
No matter whether he was wronged or not, what he did now is unforgivable!"
Hearing this, Xia Yunqing slowly lowered his head and sighed in annoyance, unable to argue anymore.
Emperor Yu suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked again: "I saw through Lan Yu's trick, so I ordered you to retreat immediately! Why did you resist the order and disobey it?"
Xia Yunqing raised his head and replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, the imperial edict requesting the withdrawal of troops arrived before the news of Lan Yu's defection! At that time, I was worried that when all the soldiers were working hard, if they ordered the withdrawal of troops before they went out, it would be a setback.
Because of the soldiers' spirit, I was able to make my own decisions and suppress the memorial!"
Emperor Yu sighed and said quietly: "Although the general is out, military orders are not obeyed! But now as a supervisor, you not only did not notice Lan Yu's defection, but also insisted on sending troops despite the imperial edict. This matter is very serious.
Someone has to be responsible for it in order to calm the public anger..."
He spoke in a very tactful tone, but his attitude did not allow him to refuse.
Xia Yunqing slowly knelt down, slowly took off the black sand on his head, and put it aside squarely. He then solemnly bowed his head deeply to the ground to Emperor Yu, his tall body trembling slightly.
Because he knew in his heart: Emperor Yu didn't like him, just like Emperor Yu didn't like Lan Yu. But he still gave himself the greatest dignity!
Xia Yunqing trembled every word: "It was my negligence, and I am willing to take responsibility for it!"
--jail--
After exiting the gate of Zichen Palace, Xia Yunqing looked up at the sky in confusion. The sky was so dense with clouds that not even a trace of light could shine through. It was so oppressive that people could not breathe.
Ruan Lang walked over with heavy steps, awkwardly put the shackles on him, raised his hand to him, and walked slowly with him to the imperial prison.
With every step he took, the iron chains of the shackles jingled, and his steps became heavier.
Ruan Lang walked very slowly, trying to slow down Xia Yunqing's weight, but the harsh sound of the iron chains still hit his chest again and again.
Xia Shoufu's imprisonment was far more heartbreaking for some people than his demotion.
Although many loyal ministers and good generals knew that not many people came out of the imperial edict alive, they still hoped that a miracle would happen to them.
According to the legend, the prison was "impenetrable to fire and water, and filled with the energy of epidemics and plagues." Once you step through the door, it is like entering hell. Each of the eighteen torture instruments can make the prisoner's life worse than death, and the pain is too much for him to live.
However, Ruan Lang chose a clean and tidy cell with complete facilities for Xia Yunqing.
Xia Yunqing walked into the cell and looked around. He found that not only did the cell have a mattress, a table and chairs, and the four treasures of the study, but there was also no stench and no rats.
Xia Yunqing sighed: "It's so hard for Master Ruan to find such a luxurious cell for me!"
Ruan Lang smiled bitterly and said: "The humble functions are only done for adults."
That’s all. I’ve given orders to the cell boss and jailer here due to my humble duty. They won’t criticize you harshly. If you need anything, you can always come to them!”
Xia Yunqing cupped his hands and said, "For a criminal, this is good enough! I am very contented!"
Ruan Lang said with an expression of embarrassment: "Everyone of us has a clear mind as to whether Mr.
I will definitely let you out, so just stay here with peace of mind and suffer for a while!"
Xia Yunqing smiled nonchalantly and said, "Thank you, Master Ruan, for taking care of me!"
Ruan Lang wanted to say some more comforting words, but the words came to his lips but he couldn't.
He turned around and walked out of the cell, locked the iron door, took another deep look at the people inside, and then turned around and left.
When he walked to the corridor, the cell leader came towards him and bowed deeply to him.
Ruan Lang stopped him and said sternly: "You have to remind your men not to criticize Mr. Xia harshly when it comes to food, not to embarrass him in life, and not to use lynching! He will be out soon, don't offend you.
rise!"
The cell leader cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Commander, don't worry. I know what to do and I have already given the order. In addition, I also told them that if Mr. Xia has an order, he must be the first to do it. There is no delay!"
"
Ruan Lang looked up at him and patted his shoulder: "Okay! You know how to do things and be a good person! Your future is limitless!"
The prison head bowed and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mr. Ruan, for the promotion. You guys know what to do, so don't worry!"
Ruan Lang nodded with satisfaction and walked out with his hands behind his back. He didn't know what the emperor and Xia Yunqing said. He wanted to hand all the evidence Yan Rong entrusted to him into the emperor's hands as soon as possible.