Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1112: Changes in the Court
Liu He saw that everyone had left, but he did not say anything. Instead, he picked up the teacup again, took a sip, and then exhaled.

"Wow... good tea, really good tea..."

Wang Yun was confused. Since His Majesty left him alone, why didn't he say anything?

But then, he suddenly realized something, fell to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.

"This old minister deserves death, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Liu He smiled coldly, no longer showing his previous kind and benevolent look. His eyes were like sharp knives, which made Wang Yun's heart tighten.

"My dear, have you ever heard that greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant?"

The tone of these words was so cold that Wang Yun couldn't help but shudder all over.

"Old minister...Old minister..."

"Hmph..." A cold snort made Wang Yun feel like he was falling into an icy cave.

"Just now, I saved your face in front of everyone. Do you really think that you can get away with this heinous crime with just a few pieces of land?"

Wang Yun was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, and soon blood was left on the floor.

"This old minister... this old minister does have the intention to fight for the throne for Prince Liu Tai, but... I have not done anything presumptuous. Your Majesty, please understand clearly."

Wang Yun knew very well that if the crime of murdering the prince, and moreover the eldest legitimate son, was really investigated thoroughly, it would not be excessive to exterminate all nine generations of the family.

"Your Majesty, since you care about the old minister, I think it's because you don't have any evidence. The Eagle Guards are indeed the best in the world at finding out information, but this was done without any flaws and without leaving any traces. As long as Your Majesty doesn't have any evidence, I will deny it to the death and voluntarily resign from my post and retire. Plus the land I just offered, I think it will be enough to absolve me of the crime."

Wang Yun thought of a way to deal with the situation and made up his mind to deny Liu He to the end.

Liu He's eyebrows twitched, he was not surprised by this.

"Oh, really? Then how did Zheng Er know in such a timely manner that the Miao family members were being bullied?"

Wang Yun's heart trembled when he heard this, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "This... this old minister doesn't know..."

"Oh, you don't know? Okay, then I'll ask you something else."

Wang Yun bowed his head and said, "This old minister respectfully listens to your instructions."

Liu He leaned forward slightly, staring at Wang Yun. Even though Wang Yun didn't look up at him, he felt as if a thorn in his back.

"I have sent people to investigate the scoundrel called Niu Ye. Although he has a bad reputation and has committed many bad deeds, he has bullied people in the market and bullied the people in the countryside, but he is not a daring person. He has never hurt anyone or killed anyone, and he dare not openly oppose the court."

At this point, he narrowed his eyes and watched Wang Yun's body tremble slightly.

"Although the Miao family is just a commoner, they were recently rewarded by me, and everyone knows that they have a close relationship with the current crown prince. How can a cowardly country bandit like Master Niu have the courage to blackmail and harass the Miao family so blatantly? Even if he succeeds for a while, he will definitely face Zheng'er's revenge afterwards. Even if Zheng'er doesn't know about this, the local officials will never tolerate a meritorious official who has just been rewarded to suffer such humiliation. Master Niu is just a man, and he doesn't dare to bully the common people too much, let alone the Miao family?"

"This makes me curious. What on earth made this person become so bold overnight? Or... who is behind him instigating and encouraging him? Or even using threats and inducements?"

When he said this, murderous intent flashed in Liu He's eyes.

Wang Yun was a very capable person. Even though he didn't see Liu He's face or eyes, he could feel the murderous aura.

Although Wang Yun had not expected that this matter could be hidden from the eyes and ears of the Flying Eagle Guard, he had never expected that they would be able to investigate so quickly.

But things had come to such a point that Wang Yun could never admit to such a serious crime.

Bribing bandits, intending to rob and kill court officials, and taking the opportunity to murder the eldest prince, these two crimes were enough to completely destroy the Taiyuan Wang family.

"This matter... this matter is indeed somewhat strange. We should order the Luoyang Magistrate to investigate it as soon as possible."

Liu He pursed his lips, having expected him to reply like this.

"Now that Master Niu and the others have been killed by Zheng'er, there is no evidence after death. How can Luoyang Magistrate start the investigation?"

Then, he changed the subject and said again: "It seems that the Grand Master is really not going to confess to me?"

Wang Yun's heart was beating like a drum, shaking violently.

He could vaguely sense that His Majesty seemed to be somewhat tolerant of him, and perhaps he would not be punished too severely after confessing.

However, the crime was too serious and Wang Yun did not dare to take the risk. If he made a mistake, it would be a disaster.

"As long as I grit my teeth, Your Majesty can do nothing to me without evidence. As long as the family survives and I survive, no matter how much I lose, I will be able to take it back sooner or later."

Seeing Wang Yun lowering his head and keeping silent, Liu He's expression revealed disappointment.

He sighed softly: "Alas, I really don't want to break off with my family to such an extent. Why is the Grand Master forcing me like this?"

Wang Yun's heart was shocked, and for a moment he seemed to regret his decision.

However, before he could think about it, Liu He waved his hand and said, "Gong Saner, call someone in."

Gong Saner immediately accepted the order, walked to the entrance of the hall, and shouted loudly: "Send Xiao Anzi to see you!"

The many ministers and family heads outside the door were somewhat confused, but Wang Yun was horrified.

He knew very well who Xiao Anzi was. This personal eunuch in the Grand Prince's palace was bribed by him shortly after he had just entered the palace after being castrated. He had been secretly trained for many years and had spent countless efforts to send him to serve in Liu Zheng's palace. He thought he could do it without anyone noticing, but he did not expect that His Majesty would still find out.

Wang Yun's forehead was covered with sweat when he thought of this. But he couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried. He never had any contact with Xiao Anzi on weekdays. When there was news that needed to be delivered, other eunuchs in the palace would tell him in a casual way, using specific code words. Even if others heard it, they would never have any doubts. Moreover, he had raised him for so many years, but he only used him once when he delivered news to Liu Zheng about the Miao family and others. He had never contacted him in previous years.

No matter how wise and intelligent Your Majesty is, even if he can guess that there are spies around Liu Zheng, it is impossible for him to find Xiao Anzi, let alone himself.

Just as Wang Yun was in doubt, Xiao Anzi trotted to Liu He, fifteen steps away, and knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground.

"My servant pays homage to Your Majesty."

Liu He did not answer, but Gong Saner said: "Xiao Anzi, the Grand Master has many doubts in his mind now, and His Majesty has ordered you to help him solve some of them."

"The slaves obey the order."

After Xiao Anzi kowtowed to Liu He, he turned and looked at Wang Yun.

"I would like to thank you, Grand Master, for your cultivation over the years."

Although Wang Yun was terrified in his heart, he looked puzzled and surprised on the surface: "How dare you talk nonsense in front of His Majesty? I don't even know you, how could I have cultivated you? Don't slander me here." Xiao Anzi was calm and unhurried, neither humble nor arrogant, and said with his head down: "Your Excellency, Grand Tutor, forgets things easily. I was a virgin at the age of ten, and when I first entered the palace, I was supported by the Grand Tutor. Otherwise, I would have been lost in the open and secret struggles within the palace walls. Even the fact that I can serve His Majesty is all thanks to the Grand Tutor's cultivation. The Grand Tutor has given me a second life, and I will never forget it."

Wang Yun's face had long been gloomy, he gnashed his teeth, his eyes wide open, "You bold slave, you shameless eunuch, who ordered you to slander me?"

He turned to look at Liu He and said, "Your Majesty, this Liao has framed important officials and is trying to disrupt the government. He must be secretly colluding with the bandit chieftain Sun Ce. I beg Your Majesty to arrest him immediately and torture him severely."

While he was saying this, he secretly winked at Xiao Anzi, and there was a hint of threat in his eyes.

Xiao Anzi turned a blind eye and said, "Your Majesty, I was not sent by the thief Sun, but was indeed trained by the Grand Master since I was young. He ordered me to serve by the side of the eldest prince and secretly monitor him. This time, the eldest prince went out of the palace late at night to kill people. It was the Grand Master who ordered me to pretend to accidentally reveal that the Miao family had been bullied, so that Your Highness would do something that violated the great principles of loyalty and filial piety."

Wang Yun was furious, veins popped up on his face, and he pointed at Xiao Anzi and shouted, "You damned dog, how dare you talk nonsense! Someone come, someone come quickly..."

He shouted loudly to the outside of the door: "Someone, come and catch this thief!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there were sudden bursts of footsteps outside the door. These footsteps were uniform and loud, obviously those of well-trained elite soldiers.

When Wang Yun and the people outside the door saw the appearance of these people, their faces changed.

"Halberd Warrior!"

Different from the Yulin Guards of the imperial palace, the Halberd Soldiers trained and commanded by Zhang He himself were the emperor's true guards. No matter in Luoyang or on the battlefields, they followed the emperor closely and took orders only from His Majesty. Even Guan Yu, the number one military general, found it difficult to mobilize them to do anything.

And in this Grand Tutor's Mansion, it is naturally impossible for anyone to do harm to His Majesty. Since His Majesty's safety is not threatened, the appearance of these halberd soldiers naturally has only one purpose, that is to arrest someone, and to arrest someone of a very high status who cannot be arrested by ordinary officers!

A military commander in armor and several halberd-wielding soldiers rushed into the hall at a rapid pace, causing Wang Yun's cheeks to tremble.

"Your Majesty, please give an order, who should we arrest?" The team leader saluted with fists clasped.

Liu He waved his hand lazily: "Ask the Grand Master, who should be arrested?"

Wang Yun was sweating profusely at this moment, but his expression remained unchanged. He pointed at Xiao Anzi and said, "This man is spreading lies to confuse the people and deceive the emperor. He deserves death. Kill him right here!"

Unexpectedly, as soon as he said this, the captain suddenly understood something, drew out his sword with a "clang", and without saying a word, put the blade on Wang Yun's neck. At the same time, the several halberd soldiers he brought also surrounded Wang Yun.

Wang Yun was shocked: "You...you are so bold!"

"You are so bold!" The leader of the team said righteously, "Your Majesty has already issued an order. If the Grand Tutor wants to capture or even kill Eunuch An, then I will capture the Grand Tutor on the spot. I will act according to your order. I hope you will forgive me."

Wang Yun looked at Liu He in shock, his lips trembling as he said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Liu He said expressionlessly, "Grandmaster, I have done my best. I have given you three chances today. If you had repented in time when I first reprimanded you, or if you had confessed the truth when I asked you who leaked the information to the eldest prince and who instigated Lord Niu to be so reckless, I would have forgiven all your past crimes. At the very least, if you had given up killing Xiao Anzi to silence him, I would have let you go and at least spared your life."

He leaned forward, staring at Wang Yun. Wang Yun, who was already feeling guilty, did not dare to look him in the eye and could not help but lower his head.

"What a pity... Grand Master, you have been smart all your life, but in the end you were blinded by power and became confused."

Wang Yun's whole body trembled, and suddenly, tears streamed down his face. With a plop, he fell heavily to the ground, and fell in front of Liu He, sobbing.

"Your Majesty...I am guilty...I have failed...I have failed Your Majesty..."

Liu He stood up at this time and walked in front of Wang Yun.

"Do you think I know nothing? Over the years, you have secretly trained eunuchs, palace maids, etc., a total of 132 people. Except for my imperial study, you have spies everywhere in the palace. For example, when Xiao Anzi entered the palace of the Grand Prince to serve, you sent people to his hometown to buy 200 acres of land, three houses, and a cow and a donkey."

"Speaking of which, your method of rewarding is also very clever. Xiao Anzi's biological father has always been a gambler. It was because he owed gambling debts that were difficult to repay that he thought of sending this flesh and blood to the palace to sell some money and food. You deliberately asked someone to gamble with him, and then lost all the rewards to him. This was done secretly, and even Xiao Anzi's parents were completely unaware. They just thought that their family fortune had changed. Do you think you can hide it like this? Humph, little do you know that all this has long been under my control. It's just that considering your past merits and the fact that you are my father-in-law, I can't bear to do anything to you unless it is absolutely necessary."

After that, Xiao Anzi also said to Wang Yun: "Although the Grand Master has been very kind to me, I have been abused by my father since I was young, and I hate him to the core. But my little sister is very sensible. Every time I was abused and injured by my beastly father, it was my little sister who accompanied me and took care of me. That beast wanted to sell my little sister to someone else as a child bride a few years ago, but Your Majesty secretly sent someone to rescue her and raised her as a maid in General Guan's mansion. Not only did she have enough food and clothing, but my brother and I were able to get together often. I don't care how much property my father got. Your Majesty treats my little sister so well, and you are my real second parent."

After hearing his words, Wang Yun finally understood everything.

His face was ashen as death. He said, "Hahaha...hahaha...so that's how it is...so that's how it is. I thought I had everything under control, but I never expected that I could never escape His Majesty's control. I guess that night you followed my orders and revealed the Miao family's affairs to His Majesty. It was also His Majesty's instruction that you deliberately wanted to lure me out?"

Xiao Anzi lowered his head and said nothing, but Wang Yun already knew the answer.

Liu He spoke again: "Gong San'er, show the joint memorial submitted to the palace by the heads of private schools and great scholars from various places yesterday to the Grand Tutor."

Gong Saner took the order, held a very heavy-looking memorial in both hands, came before Wang Yun, and presented it respectfully.

Wang Yun didn't understand, but he took it anyway. He was the one who arranged for this memorial to be sent out to impeach Liu Zheng. Now that the emperor was showing it to him, he probably wanted to accuse him of another crime.

However, just after he opened it and took a look, the old eyes widened wider and his hands trembled uncontrollably.

"How dare they...how dare they..."

The content of the memorial was indeed to impeach someone, but it was not Liu Zheng, but many ministers from aristocratic families headed by Wang Yun. There were hundreds of them, and most of them were in the Grand Tutor's Mansion today.

Liu He sneered, "You didn't expect that, did you? I think the Grand Master must be very surprised, how could these people turn against you overnight? They are paid by you and eat your food, how could they be so united and rebel against you?"

Wang Yun was indeed full of confusion and shock at first, but after all, he was an old official who had spent his entire life in officialdom, and he soon figured it out.

"Are they the people who were imprisoned in the prison for molesting the Wusun princess who was then the envoy of the Wusun Kingdom?"

Liu He raised his eyebrows. "The Grand Tutor is indeed very sharp-sighted. That's right. Those people are all the nephews and nephews of these great scholars. Some of them are even private teachers under the Grand Tutor. The princess of the Wusun Kingdom is now my beloved concubine and a noble concubine of the Han Dynasty. Humph, as long as I say a word, these people will all be beheaded without exception..."

"Of course..." He changed the subject: "To pardon them and release them, all it takes is a word from me."

Wang Yun was completely deflated. "Today, I am finally convinced. Your Majesty is wise and decisive, which is rare in ancient and modern times. I... bow down to you. Whether to kill or to chop, I... will leave it to Your Majesty to decide."

Liu He glanced at him and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

"Don't worry, Grand Master. You are my loyal follower and the father-in-law of the emperor. It is not reasonable for me to sentence you to death. This will greatly damage the reputation of the court and the royal family. However, you have committed serious crimes. If you want to save your reputation, you will have to pay something..."

Wang Yun was excited when he heard this: "Whatever your majesty likes, I will never be stingy with it."

Liu He smiled and said, "Education is a major national priority. The Grand Master has established private schools over the years, which is indeed a great contribution to the country. However... I hope that there will be more official schools in our great Han Empire..."

Wang Yun was stunned when he heard this, then he smiled bitterly: "So your majesty has been planning for this for a long time. Your majesty has a long-term vision and cares for the world. This is a blessing for the Han Dynasty and the people. I am willing to dedicate all my private studies to the court."

At this time, Liu He finally revealed a victorious smile...

It has been a long time since I wrote a long chapter. The Wang Yun incident has come to an end here.

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(End of this chapter)