Han Shizu

Chapter 508 The Death of Li Deming

During the conversation, the guards who were looking for the road and guarding the road ran back like walking on the ground, reporting something to Li Jixun.Liu Chengyou noticed it, and immediately asked, "What happened?"

Li Jixun immediately came over and said: "Your Majesty, there is something wrong ahead! There is an army that has blocked the road according to danger, and there have been some conflicts. It should be the soldiers of Qingliuguan!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou and Wang Pu looked at each other, and said with a slight smile: "I never thought that there are guards in this wild path!"

"Who is the guard of Qingliu Gate? It can be said that he has done his duty repeatedly!" Wang Pu said.

Qingliu Pass, downstairs of Beiguan City, An Shouzhong led his subordinates, and stood respectfully in front of the pass. Not long after, Fengchen Yingwei took the lead, among the stars holding the moon, it was Liu Chengyou and others.

Seeing the majestic young man in a black robe, with a crown on his head and a jade belt around his waist, An Shouzhong rushed up to greet him, and said: "The last general, An Shouzhong, welcomes Your Majesty!"

"No!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, glanced at An Shouzhong, and said, "You did a good job defending Qingliu Pass!"

"Isn't Your Majesty in the county seat? Why did you come all the way to Beiguan? The last general was surprised to hear the news!" An Shouzhong asked respectfully.

"It's just that I have some free time, and I'm interested in climbing mountains and cross-country to explore the trails!" Under the guidance of An Shouzhong, Liu Chengyou walked slowly towards the pass, and said: "I never thought that I was almost killed by the officers and soldiers you deployed in the mountains." prisoner!"

Hearing this, An Shouzhong was taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please punish the crime!"

"Not only is he innocent, but he should also be rewarded!" Seeing that he understood the wrong meaning, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and smiled and said, "Just for their dedication. Now that Huainan has fallen, the puppet Tang has surrendered, and Qingliu Pass is in the rear, you can still defend It’s so rare that you don’t take it lightly! I’m very happy!”

"Thank you, Your Majesty, the last general is just doing his duty!" An Shouzhong said.

"Let's go! Take me to see Qingliuguan for defense!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Please, Your Majesty!"

During the orderly reception of Jiangbei in the Northern Han Dynasty and the calm withdrawal of troops, the turmoil and hustle and bustle in Jinling, instead of being suppressed, became more and more violent.

Inside and outside the government and the public, everyone expressed their indignation and dissatisfaction with the agreement between the Han and Tang Dynasties, and there were many discussions and criticisms.What is different from the past is that the government did not control or stop the nonsense talk about state affairs this time.

Han Fu, Han Xizai is really sick this time, heart sick.Since the peace agreement was made, he has already stayed in the mansion for more than ten days, staying at home, ignoring the affairs of the mansion, obeying the emperor's order, and caring for him with all his heart.

Between the mansion and hall, there was the sound of silk and bamboo. Two concubines, gorgeously dressed, danced gracefully. Han Xizai lay on his side on the couch, picked up a spoon and drank wine, his face was drunk, his eyes were blurred, and his fingers were still on his knees. , seems to be accompanied by the rhythm of dance music, looking like a slut.

Not long after, a middle-aged official in purple came to the hall under the guidance of the servants in the mansion.Seeing the scene in the hall, there was a hint of hesitation on the middle-aged and dull face, and he walked up to Han Xizai and coughed lightly; "Han Gong!"

Han Xizai glanced at him, and said with a smile, "It's Ding Chen! Come, sit, and we will have a drink together!"

The visitor's name was Xu Xian, and he lived in Yushi Zhongcheng. He was a rare Jiangnan scholar who was friendly with Han Xizai and other officials from the north.He wrote essays at the age of ten. He is known for his talent and is as famous as Han Xizai.

Seeing Han Xizai's drunken face, Xu Xian directly expressed his dissatisfaction: "The country is unlucky, the land is surrendered, the defeated teachers lose power, the government and the opposition, there are virtuous people, all are indignant, the public is a Tang official, and does not want to serve the country , against Fuchu, depressed, drinking and seeking pleasure"

As he said that, Xu Xian immediately turned around and left. Seeing this, Han Xizai woke up from the wine, and at the same time he woke him up, he also ordered people to stop singing and dancing.

Guiding him to sit down personally, Han Xizai said with a wry smile: "How can I not know the suffering of the country, and as a minister, wouldn't it hurt my heart? However, the matter has come to this point, what's the use of whining? Besides, I'm still at home with a sick person, why not?" If you can leave the palace every day, you still have to wait for the imperial edict!"

Hearing what Han Xizai said, Xu Xian couldn't help sighing heavily.Thinking about the turmoil in the state affairs during this period, Han Xizai and other ministers also felt powerless when they insisted on making a statement.

"But what's the situation in the current court?" Han Xizai asked.

Hearing this, Xu Xian cheered up, and said in a bitter tone: "Jiangbei has been completely handed over, and the river is ruled. The Jiangfang army has been withdrawn to the south bank one after another. Right now, the imperial court is busy raising annual tribute and recruiting population. Exchange prisoners with the Han army."

"The dead and wounded generals and soldiers of our dynasty have not had time to pay for them, but we have to raise money and goods to pay for the annual tribute, ha ha," Han Xizai's tone was inevitably sad.

What is more "sympathetic and reasonable" is that the war will stop, and the national funds will be empty. The Emperor Han agreed that half of the tribute this year can be paid first.Before the Jiangbei Han army retreated northward on a large scale, it was the most important thing for the current Southern Tang court.

Xu Xian said: "It took such a high price to ask for a truce, but now what I want is to make no mistakes."

"I heard that there are a lot of criticisms outside?" Han Xizai said.

Xu Xian nodded: "Jinling's ruling and opposition parties, from the ministers to the common people, are all ashamed of it. More than half of the officials in the court are uniting, risking their lives and admonishing His Majesty, to kill that traitor Li Deming!"

"Why didn't you die and remonstrate when the peace agreement was not yet decided?" Han Xizai was quite disdainful: "In this situation, please kill a mere Li Deming, isn't it embarrassing for His Majesty?"

"Hey!" Xu Xian said the truth: "Signing such a covenant of defeating the country has caused public outrage, and people's grievances are boiling. There is always a target to vent."

"At this time, the most important thing is to stabilize people's hearts. To appease the people and appease the army, return the country to peace, and restore the people to farming! Disputing this matter is just an act of abolishing the government and disturbing people's hearts!" Han Xizai said. Get up, still awake.

Hearing what he said, Xu Xian immediately said: "Han Gong's words are general and take into account the overall situation. You should speak to His Majesty and ask him to issue an edict to eliminate the chaos!"

Han Xizai spread his hands: "Han is too much for His Majesty, he can't leave the house at all!"

Seemingly understanding what Han Xizai meant, Xu Xian resigned and left.After he retreated, Han Xizai sat behind the table, pondered for a while, sighed silently, ordered, and continued singing and dancing
Inside Jinling Palace City, Chengxin Hall.During this period of time, Li Jing has been living here, ignoring the government and hardly seeing anyone.He is really sick, but also mentally ill. Thinking of the loss of the country and humiliation of power during this period of time, begging for mercy, depression in his chest, and sadness in his heart, it is hard to say.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Feng has returned from crossing the river, please see him!" the servant reported.

Li Jingqiang cheered up and let Xuan.Feng Yansi stepped inside, dressed in dust and dust, and did not wait for him to greet him. Li Jing asked anxiously, "How is the situation in Jiangbei? Did the Northern Han Dynasty withdraw its troops?"

During this period of time, Feng Yansi basically stayed in Jiangbei, coordinating with some Tang officials about the transfer of cities and towns in Jiangbei prefectures and counties.Upon hearing this, Feng Yansi immediately opened his mouth to reassure him: "Returning to Your Majesty, the Han army has withdrawn more than half to the north, and most of the civilians it recruited have also returned to the north!"

"Half of the Han army?" Li Jing said.

Feng Yansi said: "When the minister returned from the south, the Emperor of Han had already patrolled Yangzhou. He heard that he was ready to return the capital, and only waited for Jiangnan's annual tribute to be sent to the north."

"Give it to him, give it to this robber!" Li Jing was a little excited, but also a little afraid, and finally sighed.

Li Jing looked at Feng Yansi and said, "Feng Qing, these days, the courtiers have repeatedly asked me for orders, saying that Li Deming has committed a heinous crime, betrayed the king and treason, and asked me to kill him! What do you think of this?" thing?"

Hearing this, Feng Yansi frowned slightly, and paid attention to Li Jing's expression.He clearly noticed that although Li Jing's tone was hesitant and his face was serious, his eyes were flickering, clearly showing some resentment.

After a little deliberation, Feng Yansi said cautiously: "I have also heard about my return to Jinling. Nowadays, there is a raging public sentiment among the government and the public, and the people's anger is overwhelming. Everyone hates Li Deming. Your Majesty might as well kill him. The government of the country is back on track!"

After listening to Feng Yansi's suggestion, Li Jing lay down slowly, without speaking for a moment, as if he was still thinking about it.Just at this time, a courtier came to report that Li Hongji, the king of Yan, led people to arrest Li Deming.

During this period of time, Li Deming was in Jinling like a rat crossing the street, everyone shouted and beat him, he didn't dare to go to the official office, he didn't dare to welcome the guests, so he hid at home.

Hearing this news, Li Jing waved his hands weakly, and ordered: "Pass down the edict, behead Li Deming and abandon the market, and beheaded by King Yan!"

In fact, after the agreement was reached, if Li Jing had no regrets in his heart, it would be impossible.Consciously humiliated, thinking about Li Deming's performance before and after, he couldn't help but feel resentful, feeling that he was bewitched by this person to end up in such a humiliating situation, and he had long wanted to kill.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Feng Yansi said.

"If I am wise, why did the country decline so far?" Li Jing laughed at himself.

(End of this chapter)