Chapter 1664: All become ghosts under the sword! (At the beginning of the month, please vote for me!)
Zhejiang, Shaoxing
In the study room of the Korean house, the windows are bright and clean, and the furnishings are elegant. There are calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, with different styles. Judging from the signatures and seals, they are all written by famous artists.
While Han Huang and his son Han Hui were talking, an old servant walked lightly into the study and said, "Master, my uncle is here."
The so-called uncle is Yan Hong.
Two or three years have passed since Yan Hong resigned from his official position and stayed at home due to a fraud case in the scientific examination during the Chongping period. After Han Huang resigned and went into seclusion, he also returned to his hometown in Zhejiang.
After a moment, Yan Hong was seen wearing a blue square cloth scarf on his head and a moon-white Confucian robe. He walked into the study and said, "I've met my brother."
Han Huang nodded and said: "Sit down."
Yan Hong responded, and then sat down on a pearwood chair with a backrest next to a high stool and a small table. Han Hui quickly bowed forward to serve the tea.
Yan Hong said: "Brother, there is a turbulent situation in Beijing now. The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the rough wind knows the loyal ministers. It is the time for my generation to serve the country."
Han Huang put down the blue and white porcelain tea cup in his hand, and under his thin, loose eyebrows, his eyes seemed to be smiling, and he asked: "Why, are you trying to get back into trouble?"
Yan Hong looked a little unnatural and said: "My brother and King Wei were happy to work together at first. Now King Wei is in charge of the country and my brother is in his prime. If I can write a letter, he is willing to serve as an official again."
King Wei may not agree."
After Li Zan was purged, there was indeed a short-term power vacuum in the court today.
Among the five cabinet ministers, Qi Kun, Lin Ruhai, Liu Zheng, and Zhao Yi, there is still one missing person.
The General Constitution of the Metropolitan Procuratorate is also short of personnel.
Han Huang shook his head and said: "King Wei is now monopolizing power, ambitious, and infamous all over the world. How will we look like in the eyes of Jiangnan scholars when we stoop to serve him?"
What's more, he was once the chief minister of the cabinet. If he was reinstated, what position could King Wei give him? He could no longer be a cabinet minister.
When Yan Hong heard this, he frowned and said, "What do you mean, brother?"
He was in his prime and in the prime of life, so he was unwilling to retreat to the mountains and fields, leisurely under the forest.
Han Huang looked thoughtful and said: "Wait a little longer, at least wait until next year when the Yuan Dynasty changes, and see the changes in the court situation after King Wei assists the government. If King Wei is on the safe side, I will help you write a letter of recommendation."
Yan Hong nodded and said nothing else, simply saying yes.
Han Hui said: "Father, my uncle has been demoted to the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate for two years. He is depressed and frustrated."
At that time, Yu De was implicated in his son Yu Zhen's fraud case, and was later demoted to the position of censor of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate. Several years passed by.
Han Huang was silent for a moment and said: "If you want to make a comeback, you need to plan more."
Han Hui said: "Father, in my opinion, the people in Jinling are dissatisfied with King Wei. If my father can persuade a few of them, maybe King Wei will look at my father differently."
Han Huang frowned, waved his hand, and said: "If I do this, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect my future."
Yan Hong said: "Brother, since the resignation of Zhao Shangshu and Ding You, we Zhejiang people have been increasingly marginalized in the court. Now that King Wei is in charge of the country, it is the time to employ people. We Zhejiang people should strive to make progress."
time."
This is the pragmatism of the Zhejiang Party.
In other words, it can be said that it is about adapting to the wind.
Han Huang waved his hand and said, "Let's take another look. There's no rush."
The situation in the court is still a bit unclear now. Although King Wei has taken control of the overall situation, how to govern and how to treat Chongping's old ministers still need to be further observed.
Although these bureaucrats who became officials have left the center of the court, their disciples and old friends are spread all over the court and inside and outside the court. This is a network of contacts accumulated over decades.
Therefore, it can still exert influence on the political situation.
Yan Hong said: "Even if my brother doesn't think about himself, he should still think about Zisheng's career."
Han Huang glanced at Han Hui and said with emotion: "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, how can it be done by human power?"
Because he was implicated in the imperial examination fraud case, Han Hui's career was cut short.
When Han Hui heard this, his heart was filled with a thick layer of gloom.
The so-called youthful nature is exactly what they desire: a five-flowered horse, a golden fur, and being an official butcher. How can they be willing to live in seclusion in the countryside?
…
…
Jinling, Hao Zhai——
Everyone gathered around a lacquered wooden dining table to have lunch. Hao Jiru invited all the colleagues present to go to the reception hall and sit down again to drink tea.
Hao Jiru glanced at all the officials present and said: "Everyone, when King Wei was in Jiangnan to supervise the New Deal, he was hostile to our officialdom in Jiangnan. In the past two years, the New Deal has been carried out, and the officials of Jiangnan Prefecture and County wanted to favor him.
Many of our people in the south of the Yangtze River are plundering and extorting money."
Everyone present was a prominent figure in Nanjing's official circles, and their families had considerable wealth, so they had a deep understanding of Hao Jiru's words.
It is said that the grain in the Han Dynasty's treasury will not increase for no reason without great development of productivity.
With an increase of 20 million dan per year, these acres of land are infringing upon the interests of the Jiangnan gentry.
Fu Xiye, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said: "Yes, Mr. Hao, the imperial court has used troops year after year in recent years and spent extravagantly, and the people have no way to live. And King Wei recently asked the Ministry of Industry to build extravagant construction projects and renovate officialdom. I heard that the whole world will be demoted to officials."
The roads were recast with the stone and mud, which wasted money and wasted the people. If things go on like this, the treasury will be empty, and it is inevitable that more money will be given to the people."
Wu Hefei twirled his beard under his chin and said: "Jiangnan has been rich since ancient times. In the end, 60% of the tax will be imposed on the southerners."
Xie Yue listened on the side, holding the blue and white porcelain tea cup in his hand, and wanted to get up and leave.
King Wei is now in dire straits, and he has heavy troops from the north and the south, rich and powerful minions, and there are no soldiers or generals in the official circles of the two rivers. How can he be an opponent?
Guo Chao stood up, with a righteous look on his face, and said loudly: "Master, King Wei once threatened to disapprove of our southern officials. If he is in charge of the country, I'm afraid his hatred will only increase."
Xie Yue felt more and more that he could not stay in this place of right and wrong for long, so he stood up and said: "Mr. Hao, I am too old to drink, so I won't stay here any longer. I hope Mr. Hao will show his kindness."
When Hao Jiru saw this, he was shocked and said, "Master Jie, why don't you sit down for a while?"
As one of the few important ministers who knew martial arts among the officials of the southern province, Hao Jiru believed that if Xie Yue sat down at the meeting, he would be able to win over the hearts of the Jiangnan gentry.
However, Xie Yue only got out of the Hao family compound with the support of the accompanying old servant.
Tan Jie also got up, his face was as solemn as iron, he cupped his hands and said: "Mr. Hao, I still have something to do at the lower office, so I need to go back."
Hao Jiru opened his mouth, feeling depressed, but there was nothing he could do.
He had no choice but to order his eldest son, Hao Huaizhen, to send Tan Jie off.
After Jie Yue and Tan Jie left, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became dull.
Among the six bureaus in Nanjing, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Husbandry are responsible for the generals and the money and food. Now the two important ministers of Nanjing are keeping secrets. What can the people present do to deal with King Wei?
In fact, this is the reason why, in ancient history, powerful ministers obeyed the country and local feudal officials rarely rebelled.
Because firstly, the central authority has a lot of authority, and secondly, they are all watching each other.
What's more, Hao Jiru can lean on his elders and express a few complaints. Jia Heng may not directly give Hao Jiru general insights, but once the connection is established, the nature will change.
Not to mention other things, the soldiers and generals of the Jiangnan Camp and even the troops and horses of the Jiangnan Navy are still in the hands of Jia Heng's cronies.
Whenever there is any abnormal movement, axes and axes are thrown at them, and chickens and dogs are not spared. What can they do?
The key point is that Jia Heng did not usurp the throne, but just cut the sausage for the time being.
Hao Jiru asked in a deep voice: "Everyone, King Wei is now in control of the government. Can we just ignore him and dare to be angry but dare not speak out?"
Kuang Chun frowned and persuaded: "King Wei is now in a very difficult position. Hao Taifu, you really can't make an enemy of him, lest you bring trouble to your doorstep."
Hao Jiru's righteous words said: "The heaven and earth have righteousness, and they are mixed and endowed with manifolds. Below are the rivers and mountains, and above are the sun and stars. We are good at cultivating the righteousness of Haoran, but we are treacherous and treacherous. How dare we come close to make trouble?"
"Master Hao said it well. Scholars like us, who have studied the ways of Confucius and Mencius and read the articles of saints and sages, should not be afraid of a warrior relative?" Guo Chao said with enthusiasm.
Hao Jiru said: "That's exactly the reason. However, I recently heard that Li Shouzhong, a member of the Jia family, is coming to Jinling. You and I must give these scoundrels who are helping others to do evil things a disgrace."
"What Taifu Hao is saying is that Li Shouzhong also belongs to the Qingliu family. He has a reputation as a virtuous person. He doesn't want to distinguish between loyal and treacherous. He is willing to serve as a guard dog for the king of Wei. It is really disgusting." Wu Hefei, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, said.
Hao Jiru said: "When Li Shouzhong was the governor of Anhui, he used the new policy as an excuse to exploit the people under his rule. Now that he is the governor of Liangjiang, he will only intensify his efforts."
All the officials present nodded in agreement.
Everyone gathered together and scolded Jia Heng for a while. When it was getting late, they broke up the banquet.
After everyone dispersed, Hao Zhengyan, Hao Jiru's son, helped Hao Jiru towards the back house and said, "Father, how could it be that he cursed King Wei at the banquet and reached King Wei's ears like this?"
Hao Jiru said: "Although King Wei intimidated his ministers with swords and weapons in Shenjing City, the courtiers who are dissatisfied with him in the southern province and even in the world are not aware of it. Just wait, King Wei will fall sooner or later."
With that said, he entered the side room and sat down by the stove.
Because the south is humid and cold, the weather is particularly cold after entering the twelfth lunar month. Hao Jiru is older and more afraid of the cold. He burns smokeless animal charcoal regardless of day or night.
At this moment, there were two more foot warmers on the other side of the soft couch. Under the service of the servant, Hao Jiru took off his shoes and got into bed. The two foot warmers held Hao Jiru's feet.
At this moment, a servant from outside entered the Nuan Pavilion of the back house, bowed and saluted, and said: "Master, Shen Fang, the Minister of Household Affairs, wants to see the master."
When Hao Jiru heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then he felt happy and said: "Please come over quickly."
After a while, Shen Fang was seen entering the Nuan Pavilion, bowing to Hao Jiru and saying: "I have met Mr. Hao."
Hao Jiru said: "Shen Jiefu doesn't need to be polite."
In fact, the two of them are not outsiders.
However, when the Jiangnan officials who had just disappeared into the hall were scolding Jia Heng, they almost didn't say a word and just observed the situation secretly.
Shen Fang said: "My lord, you have criticized King Wei so much. Aren't you afraid of King Wei's retaliation?"
Hao Jiru said: "If evil does not suppress good, if King Wei takes revenge on the old man, it will only make the people of the world see the true face of King Wei's rebellious ministers and traitors sooner."
Shen Fang sighed and said: "Now that King Wei has achieved great success, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky to achieve it."
If the Gao family was revolting in Sichuan, Jiangnan could quickly follow up, maybe they could force King Wei to resign, but unfortunately...
In fact, the main reason was that Gao Zhongping did not escape from Shenjing City. Otherwise, it might really cause a chain reaction like dominoes.
Hao Jiru said: "Not necessarily. As the saying goes, the moon waxes and wanes. Although King Wei used conspiracy methods to kill Zhongliang and became the auxiliary king who controlled the country's affairs, there are more loyal ministers and righteous people in the world who are dissatisfied with him. They are just waiting for another call from the top."
Shen Fang hesitated and said: "The land south of the Yangtze River is short of soldiers and food, so it is difficult to fight against the imperial court."
"There is no shortage of money and food. As for soldiers, if all the families in the south of the Yangtze River can work together to raise a hundred thousand soldiers and horses to fight against the rebellion, it will not be difficult." Hao Jiru said solemnly.
With the power of the Jiangnan gentry, a rebellion could really be hatched.
Shen Fang's heart stirred up a storm. He looked at the old man opposite and said, "Mr. Hao, this matter is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, your family will be destroyed."
Hao Jiru looked deeply and said: "I am not ignorant of the time. Now that King Wei is at the peak of his power, he can only lie dormant and wait for the opportunity."
"Then why did Mr. Boss just now..." Shen Fang asked with a confused look on his face.
The old man in front of me was once the chief minister of the cabinet, so he must not be an unwise person.
Hao Jiru sighed and said, "Let's test the minds of our colleagues in Jiangnan first."
When Shen Fang heard this, he suddenly realized.
"It's just that King Wei has many eyes and ears. If such a message is passed to his ears, he may be frightened." Shen Fang reminded.
Hao Jiru nodded and continued: "King Wei will be vigilant, but the old man just cursed a few words, so what can King Wei do? Does he want to kill everyone in the world who scolds him? Even if King Sejong Xian Even when the emperor is here, he can't do it."
Seeing this, Shen Fang sighed secretly.
This is looking down on King Wei.
However, Hao Jiru seems to have someone to rely on?
…
…
Jinling, Yezhai
Annan Hou Ye was actually playing chess with the general Ye Cheng opposite him. Ye Nuan was watching from the sidelines, narrating the court situation and saying: "Father, King Wei has now completely controlled the court situation in Shenjing City. Is he really planning a conspiracy?" To usurp the throne?"
In fact, everyone in the world is now watching to see if Jia Heng is really going to usurp the Han Dynasty in the next step?
The so-called ambitious people wait for the time to move, while the governors of the world hesitate to wait and see.
"Eat a cart." Ye Zhen picked up a chess piece, knocked down one of Ye Cheng's carts, and said: "Now, above the court, the two carts left by the late emperor, Li Gao, have been If they are eaten by the King of Guards, the remaining horse and artillery are not of concern, and the general will only get into trouble sooner or later."
Ye Nuanyu paused slightly and said in a low voice: "Father, after a hundred years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Shizongxian was even more energetic and promising. He annihilated Liaodong, which seemed to be a great cause of resurgence and a glorious and prosperous age. How dare King Wei dare to risk the disapproval of the world and act rebelliously? An act?”
Ye Zhendao: "But weren't these made possible by King Wei's support?"
Emperor Chongping had been on the throne for fourteen years, but he was helpless in dealing with Liaodong, and the people's livelihood in the country was in decline. However, since Jia Heng was re-employed,
This before-and-after comparison also confirms Jia Heng's ability to a certain extent.
A thoughtful look appeared on Ye Nuan's face, and he asked again: "If King Wei really has Yi Ding's heart, then where will my Ye family go?"
Ye Zhen let out a long sigh and said: "There is no way to go, it's just a matter of following fate."
If King Wei really has the destiny of a real dragon, what will happen even if the Ye family surrenders? But historically, powerful ministers are easy to do, but the emperor is difficult to do.
Whether King Wei is capable of this can be seen when he assists the government.
The so-called conspiracy to usurp the throne is in the prosperous age of peace and prosperity. Are you really not afraid of wars and chaos in China?
It must have great achievements and great prestige.
It can be said that Jia Heng's title of auxiliary king has caused the loyal ministers and righteous men such as Gao, Li, Xu and others above the court to fight against each other, but after all, he did not usurp the throne.
At this moment, a young man with a heroic figure stepped across the threshold, stepped on the carpet, cupped his hands and said to Ye Kai: "Father."
Ye Zhen asked: "How was your inquiry?"
Ye Kai said: "Going back to my father, the head of the Hao family was having a banquet, and the house was packed with guests. It is said that the head of the Hao family had a lot of resentment toward King Wei during the banquet."
Ye Zhen sneered and said: "This old guy relies on his old age and sells his old age. Does he really think that since he is nearly seventy years old, King Wei will not dare to do anything to the Hao family?"
Ye Nuan frowned and whispered: "The Hao family and King Wei are at odds. It should be because the Hao family participated in the reselling of official grain."
Ye Zhen shook his head and said: "More than that, King Wei spared no effort in helping Emperor Shizong implement the New Deal. The Hao family paid a lot more food taxes for this, and it is inevitable that he will feel resentful."
Ye Kai hesitated and said: "Father, isn't Hao Jiru afraid of King Wei?"
Ye Zhen sighed: "There are people behind Hao Jiru who can rely on him, and they are the masterminds."
Hearing this, Ye Nuan's heart moved slightly and asked: "What does father mean?"
"The vassal clan, the emperor's relatives, they are the Chen Hanping vassal. In such a peaceful and prosperous time, they were on guard for the central government, but now..." Ye Zhen said in a low voice.
During the hundred years since the founding of the Chen-Han Dynasty, Taizong had great talents and great strategies, and had many sons and grandsons. There were many clan kings and early relatives of the emperors in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, such as the lineage of King Wu, the lineage of Ning King, the lineage of King Lu, and then the lineage of Taizong Dynasty.
The prince-in-law and the royal relatives.
These wealthy and idle people know the situation in Shenjing very well, but because they are the targets of the local governor's precautions.
But as long as the civil servants in Jiangnan are connected with him, they will become a huge resistance force.
Gao Zhongping thought about borrowing this power at the beginning, but he was wiped out before he could take over Sichuan.
As for Li Zan and Xu Lu, they did not want to cause turmoil in the country, but more wanted to force Jia Heng to compromise and change the bloodline of the Eighth Prince Chen Ze to the direct descendants of the emperor. They did not have time to hook up with the civil servants and nobles in Jiangnan.
In just one year, Emperor Guangzong was assassinated, the young emperor was deposed, the first assistant and the second assistant were executed one after another, and King Wei assisted in the administration. The central court experienced great changes.
All the officials in the south of the Yangtze River felt very sad.
…
…
Time flies, and before you know it, the Han Dynasty entered the twelfth lunar month in the first year of Jianxing. On this day, Caishikou was crowded with people, and it was overwhelming.
Today is the day when Li Zan, the former chief minister of the cabinet, Xu Lu, the former chief prosecutor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Yan Ye, the former king of Nan'an County, were executed.
Yesterday, there was another heavy snowstorm in Guanzhong. The sky and the earth were covered with snow, and the sky was vast and chilly. It was the dead of winter, and dripping water turned into ice.
Li Zan was tied up with ropes, kneeling on the ground, his hair disheveled, while Xu Lu was also
Nan'an County Prince Yan Ye also knelt on the ground, his face as pale as paper, and he didn't know whether he was cold or frightened, and his whole body was shivering.
In addition, there were more than 20 people lined up behind him. They were all members of Li and Xu who were involved in the rebellion. They included Rao Yizhou, Yin of the Jingzhao Prefecture, Zou Jing, the minister of the Ministry of War, Zhang Zhi, the left deputy imperial censor, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
The imperial censor, the regimental governor of the Beijing camp, Tongzhi, the counselor general and the guerrilla general.
These are all the generals from the Beijing camp who sincerely followed Li Zan in his rebellion.
In the next row are Li Xu and other male family members who rebel against the party.
As for the female relatives, they were sent to the Jiaofang Division as slaves.
According to the edict drafted by the cabinet, the crime charged to Li and Xu was that they ignored the trust of the two generations of late emperors, carried out the abolition of the throne without permission, and brought disaster to the country.
The prison officer is Wang Shu, the minister of Dali Temple. At this moment, this gray-haired old man is sitting behind the case under the canopy. Although he is wearing a thick cotton coat under his official robe, he still feels chills coming over his body and mind.
.
Looking down at the colleagues above the former court, I felt awe-inspiring.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, there has been no such thing as decapitation of the head and assistants.
At this moment, the onlookers were standing in the distance and cheering.
"King Wei is the god of war in this world, and he destroyed Liaodong. These people want to murder King Wei. They are really a bunch of bad guys."
"King Wei supported Emperor Guangzong's children to become emperors, but they were deposed."
In fact, no matter who they behead and kill, these people will crowd around and applaud.
Of course, now that the crowd of onlookers is counting down his crimes, it is Chen Xiao who asked the detectives of the Jinyi Mansion to secretly guide public opinion.
At this moment, the executioner, dressed in red, was sharpening his tiger-headed sword.
Li Zan listened to the cheers around him, and suddenly felt confused in his heart.
How did the world know that King Wei, who was deep in the palace, was an ambitious man who wanted to usurp the Han Dynasty?
On the other side, Xu Lu closed his eyes tightly, listening to the curses around him, and despair surged in his heart.
The King of Wei is so ambitious that he will usurp the Han Dynasty sooner or later. At that time, the world will be in chaos and the people will not be able to survive. Will these people think of today's scene?
"Mr. Wang, the time has come." At this moment, Jia Fang urged from the side.
Wang Shu picked up the token in his hand and felt his hands trembling. He closed his eyes, his heart skipped a beat, and he threw it down: "Behead!"
As the word "Zhou" fell, the wooden token fell to the ground and made a "dang" sound, which seemed to ring a death knell for the Chen Han royal family.
The executioner behind Li Zan raised the ghost-headed sword high and slashed hard at Li Zan's neck.
At this moment, Li Zan raised his eyes and looked to the southwest of Chang'an, where the tomb of Emperor Chongping was located, with a few tears in his eyes.
Since he became an official, he has been valued by the emperor. He has been promoted all the way from the border to the cabinet, and he also left an orphan before his sick bed. How much trust does he have in him?
However, he ultimately betrayed the late emperor's trust because he hesitated for a moment and was unable to get rid of King Wei!
As for sin, he indeed deserves death!
Now, I can only use this body to promise the late emperor!
"Pfft..."
As the sharp blade in his hand fell from the sky, he saw a stream of hot blood spurting out from his neck and splashing on the white snow. Immediately, a big good head rose into the sky, and Li Zan's eyes were filled with darkness.
Stopped endless thoughts.
On the other side, Xu Lu was also pressed on the shoulders by the executioner and knelt down. At this moment, the blade of the ghost-headed sword behind him fell down and struck Xu Lu hard on the neck.
Hot blood spurted and heads flew up.
Immediately, Xu Lu's eyes fell into endless darkness.
Yan Ye struggled violently against the rope on his body. At this moment, he felt the executioner's ghost-headed sword approaching, and the life-and-death crisis became more serious. He was frightened and angry. He held his neck and cursed loudly: "Jia Heng, I'm waiting on Huangquan Road.
Holding you!"
"Pfft..."
The ghost-headed sword suddenly fell, and a flash of blood suddenly appeared, and a fluffy and messy white head rose into the sky.
After that, all the family members of the offending officials, led by Li Zan's son Li Yi, became victims of the sword!