Yuan Gongyu and others originally followed Xu Jingzong's secret order to slander Emperor Gaozong and asked him to punish Li Xian. At the critical moment, they heard someone scolding them as traitors who had harmed the country and suggested that Emperor Gaozong drag them all out and behead them.
Shocked, he quickly looked towards the person who spoke, only to find that the person was actually Du Shenyan, the imperial censor who had been promoted by Emperor Gaozong a few years ago!
It turned out that at the court meeting, Emperor Gaozong heard that Du Shenyan was quite talented and learned, but because of Li Yifu's obstruction, he never passed the Jinshi examination, so he ordered him to be recruited into the palace. After discovering that his talents and learning were indeed extraordinary, he appointed him.
He was the censor serving in the palace, and he was ordered to take charge of the rituals of worship in the palace, to inspect the indecency of court ceremonies, and to report violations of the law while driving.
In fact, with Du Shenyan's talent and learning, he should have been promoted quickly. However, this person has always been arrogant and arrogant, and even Yang Deyi, the official Si Xian of Yushitai (Yushi Zhongcheng), did not pay attention to him. Once Du Shenyan was sent to
After hearing the case, he wrote a verdict when he came back, and then loudly announced: "Yang Deyi is about to die." Everyone was shocked and asked why. Unexpectedly, Du Shenyan said leisurely: "He saw my verdict and was so embarrassed that he died."
"Exactly." It was precisely because Du Shenyan was so arrogant about his talent that he offended many of his colleagues. Although he was lucky enough not to have any problems over the years, he never got promoted and still served as his imperial censor.
Yuan Gongyu was furious when he saw that the imperial censor who had been in the seventh rank since he was young scolded him in court for being a traitor to the country and suggested that the emperor behead him. Not only him, but also most members of the rear party were scolded.
, pointed at Du Shenyan and said: "How dare you, a small imperial censor, to speak loudly and insult important officials in the court? It is really bold and reckless. Who gave you such courage?"
Because the poem dispute between Li Xian and Du Shenyan had already spread throughout the court and the public, and Du Shenyan had spoken out to protect Li Xian, Yuan Gongyu thought that he should be Li Xian's person, so he questioned him in the court, with the natural purpose of
Du Shenyan was provoked to reveal that Li Xian was the mastermind behind the scenes, thereby labeling Li Xian as a clique for personal gain.
But unexpectedly, Du Shenyan said boldly: "I have always been very courageous. If Yuan Sheren has to say that someone has given me courage, it is not impossible. The person who gave me courage is the current Holy Emperor."
"The current emperor?" When Yuan Gongyu heard this, his face immediately turned pale, because if what Du Shenyan said was true, did it mean that the emperor did not advocate recalling Li Xian and strictly controlling him? If this is true, he himself
It doesn't matter if he violates the holy will, but if he cannot complete the tasks assigned by Empress Wu, he, the leader of the rear party after Xu Jingzong, will not be able to bear the burden and walk away.
But I heard Du Shenyan nod his head and say: "This is natural. I am the censor appointed by the Holy Emperor. As a censor, my duty is to speak uprightly. Let me tell you, Yuan Sheren. Isn't my courage not given by the Holy Emperor?"
?”
"So that's what you meant. It shocked me." Yuan Gongyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then said: "The Holy One has indeed given you the right to speak out, but you actually did the following and insulted us like this, what should you do?
crime?"
But I saw Du Shenyan sneered and said: "First of all, Yuan Sheren openly despised the lower official in the court for being the censor in the small hall, but Yuan Sheren knew that my official position was given by the Holy One. So saying
, Yuan Sheren not only looks down upon his subordinates, but also looks down upon his superiors. He actually despises the official position given by his superiors. What crime should he deserve?"
"Ah? This, Your Majesty, I am wronged. I didn't mean it this way. I was really confused by Du Shenyan's offending words. I just talked nonsense without thinking. Please don't take offense, Your Majesty." Yuan Gongyu was
When Du Shenyan said this, his face suddenly turned yellow with fright, and he quickly knelt down on the ground, sobbing and explaining to Gaozong. The farce was not over until Gaozong waved him away with a dark face.
.
But before Du Shenyan finished speaking, Du Shenyan said next: "Secondly, Yuan Sheren said that the official insulted the princes, but the official did not agree with it. The fact is that the official did not
I didn’t insult the princes, because what I said was just the truth. The princes were indeed traitors to the country. Huh, when the Tibetan traitors invaded our four towns in Anxi, did they massacre and plunder innocent civilians? Our army was defeated at the beginning.
, the frontline soldiers fought bloody battles with the traitors for three days and nights to protect the border. The number of military and civilian casualties reached more than 100,000. The Tubo traitors killed so many people in such a way. Why is it reasonable for them to kill our soldiers and civilians of the Tang Dynasty, but our army
Will you be punished if you kill Tubo soldiers? Are you ministers of the Tang Dynasty or of Tubo?"
Du Shenyan's words were so righteous that Yuan Gongyu and other rear party members were speechless. The court fell into silence. Emperor Gaozong was originally prepared to accept Yuan Gongyu's suggestion, but at this time he gave up his original proposal.
idea.
Empress Wu was even more angry. She originally wanted to instruct Yuan Gongyu, but just found an excuse to recall Li Xian to the court. Unexpectedly, Yuan Gongyu changed her mind and insisted on punishing Li Xian. She even went to this guy to talk about it.
After making stupid remarks, he was targeted by Du Shenyan, a lunatic, which caused this guy to lose his face and become a human being.
What made Empress Wu even more angry was that at this time, the people in the East Palace took the opportunity to add insult to injury and severely criticized Yuan Gongyu and others.
The first person to come forward was Dai Zhide. Dai Zhide said loudly: "Du Yushi is right. The so-called soldiers are weapons. How can we not kill people when fighting outside? Why do you allow Tubo to kill our Tang soldiers and civilians?
The King of Zhou is not allowed to kill the Tibetan soldiers? What is the difference between killing with swords and burning with fire? King Zhou has done great work, but all the princes turned a blind eye. Instead, they asked the Holy General to recall the King of Zhou to admonish him. Isn’t it to make your Majesty and your empress unclear about their rights and wrongs?
Is this a place of inhumanity and injustice? I don’t know what the intentions of the public security officers are?”
After Dai Zhide, Dr. Taichang Yuan Sigu, Wang Fuji, Right Chancellor Yan Liben and others all came out to accuse Yuan Gongyu of being indiscriminate of right from wrong, unclear of loyalty and traitor, and deliberately inciting familial ties among the Tian family. They scolded him to pieces, making him the No. 1 emperor in the world.
Like a bad person.
Yuan Gongyu knew that these people were the prince's people, but there was nothing he could do about it, because these charges were so terrifying that he did not have the courage to bear them. So after hearing this, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly reported to Gaozong and Empress Wu.
He apologized, saying that he was hot-headed and filled with righteous indignation. In fact, he did not have a trace of disrespect for the emperor and empress in his heart. Although both Gaozong and Empress Wu forgave them, when they saw the dissatisfied look on the empress's face, especially Empress Wu's
With a pair of cold eyes that made people tremble, Yuan Gongyu realized that he had done something stupid this time.
Xu Jingzong, who was silent on the side, lamented in his heart, because the group of back-party figures in the DPRK were really useless, and they were speechless by a little Du Shenyan. Fortunately, he had not left yet.
If he really leaves, I really don’t know what kind of blow the Empress Wu’s power will receive?
"Idiots like Yuan Gongyu, Wang Dejian, and Hou Shanye only occupied high positions because of their merit in supporting the queen. In fact, they did not have much talent. It is really foolish to expect these people to stabilize the court. Fortunately, Liu Yizhi, Yuan Wanqing,
Fan Lubing and other Beimen scholars are quite talented, and they are better at forbearing than idiots like Yuan Gongyu, and they may be able to help the queen in the future." Xu Jingzong looked on with cold eyes, seeing that when Yuan Gongyu first made such a suggestion to the emperor, Liu Yizhi and others showed their faces.
With a sarcastic look, she only agreed after the queen indicated with her eyes. She was convinced in her heart that these people were not the things in the pool, so she felt a little comforted in her heart.
"So, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?" Empress Wu saw that the situation in the court was in chaos. Although she was angry at the stupid servants, she had to jump out to rescue them, so she asked with a smile.
But I heard Dai Zhide step forward and say: "Your Majesty, Queen, and the ministers believe that the King of Zhou has made great contributions to the country and defeated the Tibetan traitors and forced them to retreat. This is actually an act for the country and the people. However, our Tang Dynasty is so prestigious."
, we only need to repel the thieves and teach them a lesson, that is, there is no need to mobilize troops to invade the other country's territory. Moreover, our army's front line is too long in this battle, and it is difficult to transport food, grass and baggage, and now there are constant famines.
The people are crying for food. We, the Tang Dynasty, should save food and grass to help the people to survive the crisis. What's more, the King of Zhou has been on an expedition for several months.
I suggest that your majesty and the empress will order me, the Tang Dynasty, to negotiate peace with Tubo, and that King Zhou return to the court to enjoy the family relationship with your majesty and empress."
Dai Zhide's words made Empress Wu nod frequently. She was secretly annoyed that she didn't have talents like Dai Zhide under her command, and her prejudice against the prince deepened in her heart.
And Gaozong also said with tears: "Dai Qing has spoken to my heart. Not to mention the hard work of the soldiers, the food and grass matters should also be considered by the people. As for Xian'er, it has been nearly four months since the expedition in April.
I have never seen Xian'er again. I really miss him and wish I could see him right away..."
At this point, Emperor Gaozong couldn't help but hide his face and cry bitterly. The deep feeling of love made all the ministers feel the same, so most of the people in the court cried silently with the emperor.
Gaozong's actions just now were certainly true, but on the other hand, he was also telling the officials that he actually agreed with Dai Zhide's point of view.
Therefore, those officials who understood the truth all echoed, including Prince Li Hong, Yuan Sigu, Wang Fujue, Yan Liben and other members of the East Palace Party, as well as members of the rear party such as Yuan Gongyu, who had been criticized by ministers for being worthless. Of course
, Xu Jingzong, who is old and cunning, and pretends to be profound, will naturally not be missing at this time. In addition, there are many unreasonable neutrals, such as the Minister of West Taiwan, Li Jingxuan, the third grade of East and West Taiwan, as well as Li Anqi, Zhang Wenguan and other members of the imperial party.
.
However, there are still three people in the court who have not expressed their opinions, namely, the Minister of Dongtai, Hao Chujun, the Third Rank of East and West Taiwan, Pei Xingjian, Shao Shao Chang Bo (the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel), and one person who turned out to be the one who loudly scolded Yuan Gongyu and others for treacherous officials.
Du Shenyan, the imperial censor in the palace.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say." The furious Du Shenyan first said loudly, regardless of the dissatisfaction of the emperor and the empress and the surprised looks of the ministers. (To be continued.)
