After expelling Yuan Gongyu, Emperor Gaozong appointed Li Zhaode to temporarily manage the entire Yushitai and be responsible for interrogations. He also strictly ordered Li Zhaode to prohibit the use of torture, to hear the case clearly as soon as possible, and to provide medical treatment for these martyrs who were tortured.
After saying this, Gaozong left the imperial edict and prepared to return to his palace.
This anger and the dangerous environment in the prison made Gaozong's physical condition become a little worse again. However, Gaozong still gritted his teeth and persisted. No matter how serious his condition was, he would persist until the prince's case was resolved.
After the truth comes out.
But unexpectedly, at this moment, a young eunuch suddenly appeared in front of him and said to Gaozong: "Your Majesty, countless people suddenly came outside the palace, shouting that they wanted to avenge His Highness the Crown Prince. The guards in the palace
We are trying to stop them, but there are too many people to stop them. It is estimated that people will rush in soon. General Zuojianmen asked me to ask, how should we deal with this matter? Do we need to use force to suppress it?"
At this time, I heard Zhongshu Ling Xue Yuanchao say loudly: "It seems that such ignorant people dare to attack the palace. It is really arrogant. Just send a large army to suppress it. Hum, I believe that as long as we really send troops to suppress it,
Those people will definitely disperse immediately."
"Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Xue said is a heart-breaking statement." I saw the minister of Zhongshu suddenly walking out from the crowd, and Guo Zhengyi, the minister of the same family as Zhongshu, said loudly: "A large number of people suddenly gathered to avenge the prince.
, it was an act of obedience to nature, and it was just to express one's wishes to the Holy One. What crime was there? However, Prime Minister Xue actually suggested to send troops to suppress it directly. Wasn't this asking His Majesty to create an unjust case? Thousands of years later, this will be recorded in the history books.
How should we evaluate Your Majesty? What’s more, His Majesty has not expressed his position on such a major matter, but Prime Minister Xue actually took the lead to speak out, where do you want to put Your Majesty? "
"Your Majesty, I was wronged. I didn't mean it that way. I just..."
"That's enough!" Before Xue Yuanchao finished speaking, he saw that his words were abruptly interrupted by Gaozong. He couldn't help being shocked, and he quickly stopped talking. However, he saw Gaozong's face was extremely gloomy, and then said: "Xue Yuanchao
Sir, you are so brave! I thought that you are the grandson of Xue Daoheng, a famous scholar of the previous dynasty, and the nephew of the late emperor Xue Jieyu. I have always been kind to you, but you actually despised me and instigated me to suppress the people, becoming such a foolish king.
The intention behind your move is really vicious. If it weren’t for your usual merits, I would not be lenient and I would not retreat quickly!”
"Your Majesty... yes, I obey your order!" Xue Yuanchao's old face suddenly turned extremely pale, he sighed deeply, and then resigned helplessly.
At this time, Gaozong said: "Shilang Guo, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"
But I saw Guo Zhengyi said: "Your Majesty, I have heard that the floods in Shandong have caused hunger in the past few days, and people have died of hunger all over the fields. The earthquake in the capital in the past few days is a sign of great disaster. It can be seen that the so-called rebellion of the prince has made heaven angry.
, if Your Majesty listens to the words of Prime Minister Xue and suppresses the people with force, it is estimated that there will be even greater disasters. The reason why the people are gathering here now has no other intention, just to avenge His Highness the Crown Prince. Your Majesty only needs to lead the ministers to go outside the palace gate to appease them.
The people, and promised to give His Highness the Crown Prince justice, the people will definitely retreat."
Hearing this, Emperor Gaozong nodded and said, "That's what I have in mind. Come on, let's go out of the palace to have a look."
At this time, Yuan Wanqing, a member of the Zhongshu House and a guest of the Crown Prince, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, this must never happen. Those people are in a feverish state of mind. If they collide with Your Majesty, who can bear the responsibility?"
ah?"
Hearing this, Emperor Gaozong smiled lightly and said: "I am the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. I believe that the people in my court will not collide with me."
After finishing speaking, Gaozong waved his hand and led everyone to the outside of the palace gate.
At this time, Empress Wu deliberately lagged a few steps behind, and then quietly gave Qiu Shenji such instructions to Qiu Shenji beside her, before quietly following her.
When Gaozong came outside the palace gate, he found that more and more people had gathered. He couldn't help but come forward. After all the people greeted him, he saw an old man saying loudly: "Your Majesty is here. This is really great, little old man."
I’ll see you, Your Majesty.”
"Please excuse me, old man." Seeing this, Emperor Gaozong quickly walked up to him, helped the old man up with his own hands, and then smiled and chatted with the old man for a few words.
The old man responded with a few words and then suddenly said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. His Royal Highness is the pillar of the country and a hero of the country. He has turned the tide of the country from collapse several times. He did not hesitate to take risks, go deep into barren areas, and fight against the enemy. It can be said that
How could a person like him, who worked so hard to protect the country and the people, commit an act of rebellion? If His Highness the Crown Prince was truly treasonous, all he would have needed to do was come to Luoyang City with his fighting troops. The Crown Prince did not even seize such an opportunity, and then
How could it be possible to take advantage of such a bad environment to start a rebellion? Therefore, it is obvious that someone was jealous of the prince's military exploits and reputation, and deliberately framed him. On behalf of everyone, the little old man petitioned the Holy One, hoping that the Holy One could investigate the matter in detail, and for
Your Highness, the Crown Prince, has redressed his grievances and put our little people at ease!"
Gaozong hurriedly said loudly to the old man: "Old man, fellow citizens, I know that you are all loyal to the country and care about the country. I, the emperor, have not done well and I have wronged you."
At this time, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted: "Your Majesty, since you have not done well, then abdicate immediately and give up the throne to the prince."
After hearing this, Emperor Gaozong's expression suddenly changed, but he said nothing more and continued: "I know that the prince was unjustly accused. It's all my fault that I was careless and was deceived by villains. However, after my investigation, I have learned that the prince was unjustly accused."
, please rest assured that I will definitely give justice to the prince and give you a satisfactory explanation."
"Hey, since your Majesty wants to give us an explanation, please make a quick decision. Unless you abdicate the throne to the prince, we will not be satisfied..." The voice sounded again in the crowd, and the voice immediately
As before, it attracted the support of many people who did not know the truth.
"Who?" At this moment, two figures suddenly got into the crowd, and with lightning speed, they captured a man wearing black clothes with a somewhat wretched face, and escorted him to a high place.
In front of Zong.
"Your Majesty, this man is looking left and right, his eyes are moving around, especially because he possesses martial arts skills. He is obviously blending into the crowd, trying to instigate the people, which is not good for Your Majesty. According to Wei Chen, someone must be sent to deliberately cause trouble.
Please ask Your Majesty to decide this matter."
Next to Gaozong, a personal guard said respectfully. (To be continued.) This chapter has been completed!