This villain has become a ghost

In the 49th year of Chunli's reign, the Chiyu people were eyeing the throne covetously. At that time, the Song family had not yet risen, and most of the military power in the court was in the hands of Lin Yuan's father, Lin Li. General Lin Li was ordered to garrison Xuanzhou to guard against the Chiyu army.

He once reported that Xuanzhou's defense was strong and the enemy troops could not get through, but Wuzhou was empty and should be paid attention to, but the court ignored his report.

Later, Chi Yu attacked and Wuzhou was in danger. General Lin Li quickly ordered 10,000 cavalrymen to march day and night to rescue.

However, the remnants of the eunuch party at the time did everything they could to falsely accuse him of "negotiating peace and collaborating with the enemy," "inciting rebellion and gathering troops," and "luring the enemy and coercing them into a surrender." They even bribed some uninformed scholars to compile a story, spreading rumors of Lin Li's rebellion throughout the Eastern Capital, exacerbating the suspicions of the late Emperor Nangong Chunyi, who was already suspicious of Lin Li.

Lin Li stationed his troops in Xuanzhou. They had no food for their soldiers and no fodder for their horses. They fought during the day and slept outdoors at night. Despite the extremely harsh conditions, he never retreated and fought the Chiyu people to the death.

Seeing that Lin Li was still unstoppable in such a bad situation, the Chiyu people had evil thoughts and came up with a treacherous plan.

The attacking Chiyu people gave a secret plan to the surrendered deputy general Zeng Xu. They deliberately told the guards guarding the two captured eunuchs, "Withdrawing the troops today is the best plan. I just saw you riding alone towards the enemy. Two men came out from the enemy and met you. They talked for a long time before leaving. I think there is a secret agreement between the governor and you. This matter can be accomplished immediately."

The next day, the guards deliberately let the eunuch go, and the news spread.

The late emperor immediately became convinced that Lin Li was plotting a rebellion. After Lin Li defeated Chi Yu and returned, what awaited him was not honor and reward, but the death penalty of lingchi imposed by the late emperor.

Even the people of Dongdu believed the rumors and hated Lin Li to the core.

Lin Li, a genius, loyal and brilliant general, did not die at the border or at the hands of the enemy, but died... in the suspicion and doubt of the people he swore to protect.

The book describes how, after the executioner cut off a piece of meat, the people rushed to pay for it, then ate it raw. In a flash, the meat was sold out. Then, the body was opened, the organs removed, and sold at a high price. After buying it from the executioner, the people devoured it raw with liquor, their cheeks and teeth stained red with blood...

If you suffer injustice during your lifetime, you will not have peace even after death.

The original meaning of "Lingchi" is "slowly hills". The meaning of "slowly" is used in criminal law to torture people to the point that life is worse than death.

It is said that "the lighter the crime, the heavier the crime". In Nangong Chunyi's opinion, Lin Li's crime can only be punished by the most severe punishment, which is the death by slicing.

Lingchi originally only required 120 cuts, but Nangong Chunyi once ordered that the punishment be increased.

Multiplying 120 cuts by 30 gives 3,600 cuts. However, no executioner could achieve 3,600 cuts without killing the victim, so Nangong Chunyi used the one with the most cuts as the standard.

The final maximum number of cuts is 3,357.

The one with the most cutting knives is Lin Li.

The more Yue Liuyun thought about it, the more frightened he became, and cold sweat broke out.

Everyone says that Nangong Mingzhu is cruel and bloodthirsty, but he is far inferior to his father Nangong Chunyi.

It’s just a pity for Lin Li. Such injustice makes people angry and sad.

However, Lin Li did not have too much resentment when he died, but was instead filled with deep lamentation.

He said, "My life's work has always been in vain, and half my fame has been a dream. After death, there will be no shortage of brave generals, and loyal souls will still protect the Eastern Capital."

Thinking of this, Yue Liuyun felt even more sad and heavy-hearted.

Such a respectable person ended up in such a tragic way.

And his son Lin Yuan, at the autumn banquet in the original book, failed to successfully overturn the case. Instead, he died in the struggle of conspiracy and treacherousness, which became a complete tragedy.

Lin Yuan, who was still young and had not yet achieved anything, saw his life forever stopped on that day.

From then on, no one knew about the loyalty and bravery of the Lin family, and no one sought redress for the injustice.

Nangong Mingzhu suppressed his usual nonchalant expression, stood up solemnly, and promised Lin Yuan word by word: "General, rest assured, I will definitely overturn General Lin Li's verdict."

"I also implore General Lin Yuan to trust me and lend me a helping hand at the Autumn Banquet."

Nangong Mingzhu spoke slowly but seriously, with a sincerity that had never been seen before in every word.

Lin Yuan's frosty face was filled with determination, his eyes moist as he said seriously, "I obey your command."

He preferred to trust Nangong Mingzhu, who had shown him great kindness, rather than the eldest princess. His father had died of suspicion, so trust was precious to him.

He also wanted revenge, and his hatred was deep in his bones, but... he no longer knew who he should hate.

So many years have passed, the previous emperor is dead, the treacherous ministers, traitors, and the remnants of the eunuch party are also dead, and the current court is a new generation, and it is not like before...

He had no choice but to put all his flesh and blood and passion into the hope of overturning his father's verdict and clearing his name, and also pinned his hopes on being able to achieve great things in the future, conquer Chiyu, and live up to his father's lifelong efforts.

...I hope that His Majesty will not disappoint him at this autumn banquet.

-

After everything was discussed, Feng Ning, who was guarding outside, escorted Nangong Mingzhu back to the palace without anyone noticing. No one knew that he had gone to see Lin Yuan tonight.

In the palace.

The night is long and dark.

Nangong Mingzhu said, "Back then, General Lin Li was wrongfully imprisoned, and rumors arose throughout the Eastern Capital. However, several officials on good terms with him defied the rumors and pleaded for him before the late emperor."

Yue Liuyun said: "Yeah."

Nangong Mingzhu said, "But the crime of treason is unforgivable. The late emperor was very angry, but those officials held high positions. The late emperor promised to spare the young Lin Yuan, but then severely punished those officials, even demoting them to exile."

Yue Liuyun said: "Yeah."

Nangong Mingzhu said, "Times have changed. Those officials back then are the ones Feng Ning found out today as having close ties with Zhang Jing."

Yue Liuyun said: "Yeah."

Nangong Mingzhu said, "They must be like Lin Yuan, wanting to overturn General Lin Li's verdict."

Yue Liuyun said: "Yeah."

Nangong Mingzhu said: "...Why do you keep saying 'hmm'? Don't you have anything to say?"

Yue Liuyun gritted his teeth and said, "...Can't we wait until you finish your shower before we talk?"

In the huge hot spring pool, the water is crystal clear and you can see the bottom. Hot water flows out slowly, steaming up into clouds of water vapor, which roll and intertwine in the air, forming a hazy cloud.

Various precious spices, such as agarwood and ambergris, are placed by the pool, and the fragrance is intertwined and spreads in the air.

Nangong Mingzhu lazily leaned against the edge of the pool, his hair dampened by the steam. His features were handsome and gorgeous, captivating and alluring. His muscular figure was faintly visible beneath the mist...

He smiled faintly and said, "You touched me all over when you were bathing me yesterday. How come you're embarrassed to even look at me now?"

Yue Liuyun: “…”