Clear and Muddy Loss of Love

From then on, one difference and two widths

The curtain of the Spring Festival is slowly opened, the first year of Chengqi is quietly leaving, and the second year of Chengqi has come.

According to the law, from the day of the Spring Festival to the Shangyuan Festival, scholars, farmers, businessmen and commerce all over the Wei country take annual leave, and even the prisoners in the Ministry of Punishment are not released during this period.

But... the Bell and Drum Towers on the south side of the city wall rang simultaneously during this period, which was a clarion call to summon the residents of the city.

On the city wall, Qi Yan, Du Zhong and a group of officials from the capital had already taken their positions, and at the foot of the city wall were kneeling fifteen prisoners in prison clothes, shivering in the cold wind.

Under the guidance of the officers and soldiers, the residents of the city quickly gathered under the city wall, including those who had surrendered before and had not yet been resettled.

Du Zhong looked at the dark crowd below the city, and said to Qi Yan: "Your Highness, judging from the number of people in the city, most of them should have arrived."

Qi Yan nodded, came to the gap in front of the city wall, took out a scroll of handwriting from his cuff, and read aloud: "After investigation, 15 people in the city abused their power and used their power for personal gain. Taking advantage of the natural disaster, they made a lot of black money and donated ink to give relief. The relief money, equivalent to 30 taels of cash, not only embezzled porridge for relief without permission, but also mixed sand into the relief rice to make up for it, which is a heinous crime and unforgivable!"

There was a commotion among the crowd under the city wall, and almost everyone had angry expressions on their faces.

If it weren't for the fact that many officers and soldiers were maintaining order, they would have wished to attack them in groups.

Qi Yan: "Before I leave Beijing by the emperor's order, Your Majesty has repeatedly instructed: Huainan was hit by a natural disaster of cholera, and the people's lives are not easy. You and I cannot understand all the sufferings. We must deal with them leniently, and guide the people who have gone astray to return to the right path. A chance for them to change their minds."

Qi Yan arched his hands to the sky and continued: "Your Majesty's order, I dare not forget for a moment. But Your Majesty also bestowed Shangfang Sword, specially designed to have the absolute right to kill or kill officials who committed crimes in Huainan. According to the law, the 15 people in the audience who have the most serious crimes will be executed. The rest of them will be confiscated and dismissed from their jobs. However, after thinking about it again and again, the actions of these 15 people are inhumane, merciless, and unforgivable crimes. Then use the Shangfang sword bestowed by His Majesty, and deal with it beyond the law. All 15 people in the audience will be beheaded and executed at Caishikou in the east of the city tomorrow at [-]:[-] noon. All their property will be confiscated and confiscated. Secondary silver taels were sent to rebuild the homes of the disaster-stricken people in Huainan, and [-] copies of the amnesty rolls were distributed. Everyone can receive them and give them to relatives and friends. Those who want to go to Mr. Du will sign up later, and after verification, they will be given priority in building a house for them. The rest of them, regardless of their background, will be decided by lottery, and the order cannot be changed or exchanged. In addition, the imperial court is also planning to purchase [-] fat pigs, which they are willing to sell Yes, buy them at [-]% higher than the pre-disaster market price, and sign up at Mr. Li next to me. These [-] fat pigs will be used by all the people who have changed their ways and are willing to return to the right path. Eat as much as you want."

Some of the people in the audience showed envious expressions, but basically they were all happy, because at least this would save Huainan from the flames of war. Who wants their hometown to be reduced to scorched earth?

As smart as Qi Yan, how could he not know the thoughts of these common people?Conspiracy is not only not punished, but also eaten, so how can it be done?

Qi Yan changed the subject and continued: "However, this meal of meat is not free. Your Majesty has a kind heart, and this special offering is the only time to hear it. After eating the meat, let them join the ranks of repairing the house and share with you all. Together with the sergeants of the imperial court, we only provide food and shelter every day, and the work will be slightly heavier than others. If the rest of the people are not repairing their own houses, each person will be charged ten cents per day."

There was a burst of cheers from the crowd, ten grains of money can buy ten steamed buns and five steamed buns in Huainan. They are all from the village. Why not do it?

Qi Yan left in the midst of cheers, while the 15 people in the audience were cold from head to toe. Several officials from the Ministry of Punishment had doubts in their hearts: How many of these 15 people did not explain anything from the beginning to the end? , and no conclusive problem was found, why did Mr. Qi Yuan just send people away like this?

Qi Yan didn't explain it to anyone, some things can only be understood but not explained in words.

All signs indicate that these masked people are behind the scenes. There is a problem in the jurisdiction of these 15 people, and those who can find out the corruption are not as terrible as the "clean and clean" people who are not corrupt.

Not for money, what is it for?

The shadow of the masked man is not yet suitable for household names, so as not to cause trouble again.

But for these five people, Qi Yan thought about it... For the stability of the country, he would rather kill them by mistake than release them by mistake.

Even though all these things were done for Nangong Jingnv, Qi Yan played up the emperor's favor in front of the people, and told them from the side: His Majesty has a kind heart, and it was his own decision to kill them.

……

Beijing · The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Shangyuan Festival.

There is no curfew in the capital tonight. Although it is the time of national mourning, there are still many elegant lanterns hanging on the streets, which are a bit more elegant than those bright red and green lanterns in previous years.

The streets of the capital were crowded with people, but the mansion of Wailang, a member of the Ministry of Industry, was empty, even showing a sense of desolation.

There is only one lantern hanging alone at the door, the back door of the main door is closed tightly, and there is not even a servant to welcome guests at the door.

The courtyard was even darker, with few fires.

A black shadow that seemed to be integrated with the night easily jumped onto the courtyard wall of the mansion of Li Qiaoshan, a member of the Ministry of Industry, stood on the sidelines for a while, then jumped off the courtyard wall and disappeared into the courtyard.

Li Qiaoshan claimed to be sick at home since years ago, and it has been a long time since he closed the door to thank guests. This day, he felt his eyelids twitching from the morning, and he turned off the lights and lay down on the bed before it was dark. It was difficult to fall asleep, so I put on my clothes and came to the study.

Hei Ying easily knocked out the servant at the door first, then sneaked into the dark bedroom but found nothing, so he searched for candlelight and came to Li Qiaoshan's study.

The black shadow stuck to the pillar beside the door, raised his hand and pushed the study door, only to find that it was locked from the inside.

"Tuk Tuk Tuk"

A knock on the door broke the silence of the night. Li Qiaoshan in the study dropped the scroll in his hand in shock, and asked after a long silence, "Who?"

Heiying lowered his voice and replied: "My lord, someone came from the palace and said that His Majesty gave you a special dish, please go out of the palace to welcome it."

Li Qiaoshan always felt that the voice outside the door was somewhat familiar, but he did not dare to neglect the gifts from the imperial court. There is such a rule in Wei country: on New Year's Eve and Shangyuan two days, the palace will give some regular dishes to the ministers In the mansion, not everyone has it, but it is an invisible commendation. It is inevitable for those who are given regular dishes to be promoted to rank in the coming year.

However, at this moment, Li Qiaoshan couldn't be happy no matter what. The shadow of death was covering him, and there was another long silence, but Li Qiaoshan came to open the door anyway.

You can't ask the servants to pick up the imperial dishes, you have to come in person.

Just as the sound of the door bolt sliding was heard, the door of the study was suddenly pushed open from the outside. The tall but vigorous body of the black shadow rushed into the study. Following him into the study, Li Qiaoshan couldn't even call for help the whole time.

Hei Ying didn't talk too much, and with a flick of his wrist, a gleaming dagger appeared in his hand, which precisely pressed against Li Qiaoshan's neck. Although his back was facing the door, he just flipped the door twice with his foot and closed it again. , seems to be a kung fu expert, and is also very familiar with the terrain of Li Qiaoshan's house.

Li Qiaoshan's face was ashen, but there was a trace of rejoicing and relief in his eyes. He had sent Gaotang's mother, wife and young son to a safe place a few years ago. He didn't leave because he wanted to save his family with his own life. After all, he offended People's hands and eyes are open to the sky, and the other party will not give up if they don't die.

I've been worrying for so many days, it's good to have a good time.

Having figured this out, Li Qiaoshan opened his arms and said, "Let's do it."

Unexpectedly, Heiying laughed lightly, removed the dagger from Li Qiaoshan's neck, and pulled off his mask: "Master Li is so brave."

The person who came was one of the personal guards next to the masked man: Wu Er, the younger brother of the Wu family brothers.

Wu Er turned around and locked the door of the study, walked to the desk and lit the lamp, then said: "Master Li, please sit down."

Li Qiaoshan looked at Wu Er warily: "What exactly do you want to do? Mr. Li asked himself that he had never betrayed His Highness, why did he want to be so heartless and kill everything?"

Seeing that Li Qiaoshan didn't sit down, Wu Er sat down by himself. He didn't answer Li Qiaoshan's question, but took out a wooden box from his arms and threw it on the table with a bang: "This is a gift from the master." I hope Master Li will accept Master Li's Shangyuan Ceremony with a smile."

Li Qiaoshan stood there for a while before coming to the table, picked up the brocade box and let out an exclamation. Inside the brocade box was a finger and a thumb.

There is also an emerald green finger on the finger. The finger is crystal clear, round and shiny, but it looks a little scary because it is stained with blood.

There was a rush of footsteps outside the door, followed by the servant's shout: "Master?"

Wu Er, however, sat in the distance confidently, bending his fingers and looking at his polished nails.

Li Qiaoshan trembled uncontrollably, with tears in his eye sockets, choked up several times, and finally the tears dripped into the wooden box and onto the emerald green finger.

This finger is a family heirloom of Li Qiaoshan's mother. The old man loved his daughter-in-law back then. He added this finger to the dowry before Li Qiaoshan's mother got married. After Mrs. Li took charge of the Li family, she took out this finger. Wearing it on my hand, it has been more than 20 years in a flash.

How could Li Qiaoshan not remember this finger ring?His mother was not in good health, so she only gave birth to her own heir. Fortunately, the eldest grandson also took the position of head mother. Li Qiaoshan's father was a veteran of the former court. After his death, the mother and son depended on each other. Shan is famous for his filial piety.

But he never imagined that on this Lantern Festival night, a day when the whole family should be happy, he would actually be holding one of his mother's fingers.

The servant: "Master? Are you okay?"

Only then did Li Qiaoshan come back to his senses, staring at the door with blood-red eyes and roaring: "Get out, get out of here, get out of here, get out of here!"

Servant: "...Yes, yes, little one, just get lost."

It was clear outside the door, Wu Er said slowly, "Master Li, do you recognize me?"

Li Qiaoshan put the wooden box on the table, raised his sleeves and wiped his tears, turned around and lifted his robe, knelt down in front of Wu Er, and kowtowed: "Killing is nothing more than nodding to the ground. It's not as good as wives and children. I, Li Qiaoshan asked himself that he had never done anything to betray his master. The king and his ministers had to die. If you want to kill or kill yourself, you can do whatever you want. Even if you ask me to hang myself immediately, I will have no second choice. I just want to let my old mother and my mother go. Jiaoer."

The laughter on Wu Er's face disappeared quickly, and he changed into a cold face, as if he was not seeing a living person, but a corpse.

Wu Er: "The moment you provide wrong information to the master, you are already a dead person. Whether you can leave a queen for you depends on the master's will."

At this moment, Li Qiaoshan had lost all hope, and even regretted it. Why did he get on this pirate ship of the former princess?

Just because the princess of the previous dynasty saved her mother's life with her excellent medical skills, Li Qiaoshan has let the high-ranking officials and rich salary not be used for so many years, and has become a running dog.

Li Qiaoshan lowered his head resignedly, and murmured: "It's all up to the master's orders. I can do whatever I want. My mother is over sixty years old. Her life was saved by the master himself, so I ask the master to take care of her after many years." As for the previous act of kindness, let her old man go, and my child... hey. If I die, Madam won’t live alone, so I have to leave someone for my mother to die, right? "

Wu Er: "Don't worry, as long as you do what the master says, you will be able to make up for it if this matter is accomplished, and the master will take care of your mother, child and wife."

Li Qiaoshan: "I wish to be driven."

Wu Er took out a stack of things from his bosom, the materials and sizes of the things were different, there were silk cloth and rice paper.

Li Qiaoshan took the stack of things from Wu's second hand, and said, "This is?"

Wu Er: "These are the articles written by Qi Yan over the years and the correspondence between her and the master. The master ordered you to ring the imperial drum of grievances in the inner court as soon as the court opens tomorrow."

Li Qiaoshan: "Master, is this asking me to sue the imperial court?"

Wu Er: "That's right."

Li Qiaoshan's face turned pale again: "Who in the world doesn't know that Qi Yuanjun is so kind and generous. Ding Yi was imprisoned a while ago because he failed to become a father and son, and both father and son were imprisoned. I..."

Wu Er: "Why, are you afraid?"

Li Qiaoshan: "Zuo is nothing but death, as long as I can save my family, I will admit it, but... I am afraid that I will not be able to defeat Mr. Qi Yuan with these things alone. Besides, what position do I take to sue?"

Wu Er smiled slightly, with twisted excitement and cruelty flashing across his eyes: "Then I will tell you another secret, Qi Yan is not only the prince of Beijing Kingdom, she is also a woman! You shout this news in the court hall , as for the position..."

Wu Er took out something from his bosom and handed it to Li Qiaoshan: "The master has already thought about it for you, so you should take the power to treat yourself as a repentant traitor. This is the master's private seal. There should still be some articles written by the master in the past, and this seal is stamped. If you submit this, it means that you stole it at your own risk to prove that what you said is true, and you also stole these things from the master's study. Yes, you must let the courtiers hear clearly, no matter what the situation is, you must first let everyone know that Qi Yan is the prince of Beijing, she is also a woman, and she has colluded with the princess of the former dynasty, intending to overthrow the Wei regime. And Qi Yan was involved in the burning of the Nangong family's ancestral tomb and the Weiming Palace. Over the years, he used Nangong Zhenzhen to murder Zhongliang and poison the emperor's heir. The latter... You can say as much as you can. Death is inevitable But you have to do whatever it takes to get into the water, and your family will be saved after the incident is over, do you understand?"

Li Qiaoshan sat slumped on the ground, nodded mechanically: "Understood." Understood, he understood everything.

Even if he hadn't betrayed him, he would have already become someone else's "abandoned son". Qi Yuanjun has a deep foundation and has a deep prestige in the court and the people. If he wants to bring him down, or her...you have to do it It is possible for a person who does not care about his life. The reason why Ding Yi and his son failed before was because they lacked the courage to die together.

The masked man that Li Qiaoshan knew would never do anything that he was not sure about, that is to say... Maybe she had already made arrangements from the moment she ordered herself to visit Qi Yan, who was still a son-in-law, in prison.

That inconspicuous matter back then, if you scrutinize it today, will become evidence of the collusion between yourself and Qi Yan, that is to say, no matter whether you are loyal or not, or whether you have delivered wrong information, as early as two years ago... your ending Already doomed.

Li Qiaoshan no longer has the energy to surprise the famous imperial husband, Qi Yan Qi Yuan Jun is actually a woman's business.

After tonight... I may never see the future sun again.

Colluding with the former court and conspiring with the imperial husband to overthrow the regime, even if the first prosecution...will not survive the day when the case is closed.

The day Qi Yuanjun was sentenced was also the day when he died.

Wu Er: "What?"

Li Qiaoshan: "Excuse me... tell the master, I will complete the task, just ask her... let my family go."

Wu Er: "You don't need to worry about this, the master has always kept his word."

……

The second year of Chengqi, February 24th.

Spring has come to Huainan. Under Qi Yan's auspices, Huainan took back three cities one after another without bloodshed. There are still three cities that are stubborn but helpless, and they will not be destroyed overnight.

Ever since the story of Qi Yan punishing those fifteen corrupt officials spread, although many well-educated Confucian scholars did not agree with Qi Yan's punishment beyond the law, and he was still executing the punishment in the first month, but Qi Yangui was the emperor's husband and had the blessing of Shang Fang's sword , These people only dare to talk about one or two things behind their backs, or write a few innocuous poems to satirize Qi Yan.

But the vast majority of people, especially those affected by the disaster relief food mixed with sand, clapped their hands and cheered.

Many of them were afraid that once the imperial husband left, these people would stir up trouble again, and their property and lives might be lost, but Qi Yan used her thunderous means to completely dispel the doubts of the common people.

Since then, the amnesty rolls have been in short supply for several times, and Qi Yan had to send a special document to write them, and finally signed them by himself, and the last three cities also had people coming out of the moat almost every day, willing Change your mind.

This is even more true for those who fall on the mountain and become bandits. Qi Yan asked Sanwa to lead the way, and Du Zhong led the army to attack Yuanbao Mountain. They took Yuanbao Mountain almost without any resistance and found a large number of ordnance in the cave mentioned by Qian Yuan. .

In short, Huainan has a tendency of revitalization, and the smiles of the people have returned, and they perform their duties to rebuild their homes every day...

February 24.

An imperial decree and a team of Youzhou sergeants arrived in Huainan with an imperial decree...

Qi Yan was working with the common people with his sleeves rolled up, and was found by Du Zhong.

Du Zhong: "Your Highness, Your Highness... There are people in the palace, and there are orders."

Although Qi Yan was a little surprised, he didn't think much about it. After washing up, he came to the main hall of the government office.

The servant: "Qi Yan accepts the order."

Qi Yan lifted the hem of his robe and knelt on the ground: "Minister, Qi Yan accepts the order."

Internal attendant: "Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said: Instruct Qi Yan to set off and return to Beijing immediately, without any mistakes. I respect this."

Qi Yan frowned. Everything in Huainan was thriving, but there were still three cities that could not be taken back. If he returned to the palace at this time, it would be like changing his command before the battle. Without him as the imperial husband in charge, how could those mobs who are still hesitating feel at ease? come?

The servant gave Qi Yan a sideways look, and said in a characteristic voice: "Omiya, please accept the order? Don't make things difficult for our family."

Qi Yan raised his eyes, only to realize that there was a group of majestic Youzhou army with swords and armor behind the servant.

Qi Yan: "Sir, accept the order."

The servant flicked his whisk: "I would like to invite you to pack the bags for Da Gong. The carriage is already waiting outside the yamen. We will set off immediately after packing."

After Qi Yan came out, Du Zhong who had heard the passing outside the hall greeted him: "Your Highness...how is this...?"

Qi Yan returned a comforting smile to Du Zhong, and said lightly: "Your Majesty ordered me to return to Beijing immediately, and the affairs after Huainan will be fully entrusted to Du Daren."

Du Zhong was a little puzzled. He glanced at the Youzhou Army behind Qi Yan, took a step forward and lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, doesn't Your Majesty know the situation in Huainan? Right now everything is fine, I believe it will be over in Huainan in a few months." It's settled, I'm announcing you to return to Beijing at this juncture, so...do you want to write a letter to His Majesty?"

Qi Yan understood Du Zhong's meaning, and the implication was: Huainan was taken back without a single soldier. Now, at this time Qi Yan is gone... Then who is he, Du Zhong?

Don't you become a villain who steals the fruits of other people's labor?

Qi Yan patted Du Zhong's arm: "It doesn't matter, Master Du also contributed a lot to Huainan's return to today's peace. Besides, I am deep in the inner court, and I may miss the court in this life, so Master Du doesn't have to worry about it."

Du Zhong let out a long sigh: "In this case, I am ashamed to accept this."

Qi Yan: "It's time, it's luck; Lord Du, please rest assured."

Du Zhong: "Then... I will send you off to Your Highness."

Du Zhong didn't understand why His Majesty was in such a hurry to call the imperial husband back to Beijing, and didn't even give him a chance to see him off.

It was almost useless for Qi Yan to do anything, Qian Tong and Youzhou soldiers quickly helped her pack her bags, Qi Yan was invited into the carriage, and the servant sang loudly: "Let's go!"

The sharp voice was heard far, far away, and a large crowd of accompanying officials and city residents crowded outside the city gate to see Qi Yan off.

Before the carriage was gone, someone in the crowd shouted: "The emperor is a thousand years old!"

The common people and officials knelt down one after another, and also shouted: "The emperor is a thousand years old!"

When Qi Yan heard the voice, she opened the window of the car and looked out. Seeing everyone kneeling down, her heart was agitated. She opened her mouth, but she didn't know what to say.

Qi Yan is not unaware, all the officials in this line stayed in Huainan, and she was taken away alone, and according to her temperament... Even if there is an urgent matter, she will definitely write a letter to herself first, and then the imperial edict will arrive later. .

I'm afraid...it's more ominous to go back this time.

Qi Yan hooked the corners of her lips, and cast her gaze out of the window. There was not much turmoil in her heart, perhaps because she had imagined the scene of this day and this moment too many times, and when it really came, she felt relieved for no reason. Still a little dazed.

The team traveled day and night for six or seven days, and when they arrived at the boundary of Hanzhong, Qi Yan was suddenly awakened by Qian Tong's call while he was taking a nap.

Qian Tong: "What are you doing?!"

"Mind your own business, according to the order!"

"Ah!" The servant's scream came, followed by the sound of fighting.

Qi Yan pushed the door of the carriage, and saw Qian Tong was fighting with two Youzhou soldiers. Although Qian Tong was good at fighting, but with one against two, the opponent was defeated by the experienced Youzhou army in no time. Inextricably linked, inseparable.

Qian Tong: "Master, run!"

Although there are not many Youzhou soldiers in this team, there are still six people left, how could Qi Yan be able to escape?

Qi Yan saw two Youzhou soldiers walking towards him, with their sabers still on their waists, and said: "Qian Tong, stop!"

Hearing this, Qian Tong jumped two steps back and escaped from the battle circle.

Qian Tong: "Master!"

Qi Yan: "You go down first, wait for me fifty paces away, they would have killed me long ago."

Qian Tong: "...Yes."

The two Youzhou soldiers looked at each other, one of them waved his hand, and the remaining six walked thirty steps in different directions, forming a circle around the carriage.

Qi Yan: "You two have something to say, let's talk."

Youzhou Army: "Your Majesty has a decree. This carriage and the silver under the carriage will be given to you. From then on, the sky will be high and the sea will be wide, and the emperor will be free. I order you not to set foot in the capital again for the rest of your life. If you violate it... Kill without mercy .”

Qi Yan stared at the speaker without blinking, seeing that the other person was so hairy that he forgot what he was supposed to say later, it was only after being poked by his companion that he remembered it, took out another object from his bosom, and handed it to Qi Yan: " This is a letter of divorce written by His Majesty himself, with a big seal on it, please keep it."