Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 844 Two Riddlers

Talking about popularity, of course, is joking.

No matter how poor Ren Li's popularity was, it was impossible for so many people to play at the same time to make him die.

With so many nobles speaking at the same time, there must be a motive behind this that drives them to do so!
However, what kind of reason made so many nobles agree to kill Ren Li, and even disregarded the imperial court's usual practice of lenient and meritorious ministers?

And this time, even the ministers who knew the inside story of Ren Li's case couldn't help frowning.

Of course they knew that behind the incident of intercepting and killing the mission, there was a deeper and absolutely untraceable inside story.

For the reason of covering up the truth, it is reasonable and reasonable to say that Zhu Yi and others want to execute Ren Li to death as soon as possible to avoid future troubles.

But the problem is that it's not just Zhu Yi who are coming forward now, but almost all noble families in the palace.

Aside from the two lineages of Duke Feng's Mansion and Marquis Mansion of Changping who have always stood on the same side as the emperor, the attitudes of the rest of the Jingnan nobles are also very intriguing.

You must know that the appeal of the two dukes' mansions is indeed not weak, but you must know that among the many nobles in the capital, none of them have made great contributions to the country and have hereditary iron coupons in their families.

It's one thing for them to look at favors and help, but it's a bit too naive to expect them to follow suit and fight wherever they point.

The relationship between the nobles is intricate, and what depends on favors and interests.

In essence, whether it is the Chengguo government or the British government, the reason why they can have great influence among the nobles is because they can speak out on behalf of the nobles and fight for interests.

Take the case of the Duke of Cheng’s reinstatement last time, it seemed that the nobles gave up their land properties on the border willingly. How many favors have been given out, and how much compensation has been promised.

It is no exaggeration to say that although the current Duke of Chengguo has regained the title, most of the family property has already been lost.

This is the price!
Even so, Cheng Guogong's government still owes a big favor to each government, and the most difficult thing in the world to pay back is a debt of favor.

So at this time, in fact, it was not exactly what Chengguo Mansion could ask the nobles to do, but what position Zhu Yi had to stand for where the interests of the nobles were.

In other words, the actions of the nobles were not entrusted by the two princes. In fact, it is impossible for so many nobles to know the inside story of the Ren Li case.

But if it wasn't entrusted by the two dukes' mansions, then what kind of benefits would it be for these honorable men to put Ren Li to death at this time?
All the ministers frowned and thought, but couldn't figure it out.

In fact, at this time, no one is paying attention to Ren Li's life and death, but the process still has to go.

Seeing that all civil and military officials were "in a turmoil" and insisted on beheading Ren Li immediately, this momentum was no less than the momentum of killing Wang Zhen at that time, the emperor was naturally not easy to resist, he pondered for a moment, and then said.

"The crimes committed by Ren Li are indeed heinous crimes. There is no court order. Even if you have a title, it is unforgivable. It is only natural to deprive the title, take back the hereditary iron certificate, confiscate the family property, and behead the public. However, God has the virtue of good life. After all, he has made meritorious service to the court, and his family can forgive him."

"There is still an old mother in Ren Li's mansion, so he is allowed to leave a son to serve the old man in Beijing, and the rest of the relatives will be sent to Tieling to guard the border."

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

As the emperor's voice fell, there was a sound of mountain shouting from below.

After waiting for a little while in the hall, the emperor hesitated a little, looked at Asuo who was beside him, and said.

"General A Suo, I know that you are resentful. Ren Li's actions are really heinous. Since you have asked yourself to handle the sword yourself, I will allow you to deal with Ren Li yourself!"

"My lord, thank you Your Majesty for your grace!"

Hearing this, Asu's eyes were shocked, he kowtowed heavily on the ground, and made a heavy muffled sound, and when he raised his head again, his forehead was already bruised and purple.

Thus, this court meeting came to an end, and the fate of a generation of marquises was thus doomed!
Beizhen Fusi, Imperial Prison.

The glare of the sun shines through a small window that measures no more than two inches square, and projects into the dirty and messy cell. The damp hay is laid out on the pavement. The old man is dressed in a prison uniform. Scattered and gray complexion.

He wore heavy chains on his hands and feet, and sat against the wall, motionless like a sculpture.

I am afraid that no one who sees this embarrassing appearance will think that such a haggard old man is actually the majestic Ning Yuanhou who once dominated the battlefield.

The cell where Ren Li was held was located in the deepest part of the imperial prison, and the surrounding cells were basically empty, except for two jailers who would come to deliver food every day, the surrounding area was quiet, even if there was no punishment, only this kind of Lonely silence is enough to drive people crazy.

"Master, please slow down, watch your step, we are almost there, and he will be locked in the innermost cell."

There was a sound not far away, Ren Li's slightly closed eyes opened, and someone came...

The cell door was opened, and the person who came was wearing a black cloak, covering his whole body tightly, and the hood of the robe was very wide, covering most of his face in the shadow.

Behind this person, followed by a servant, carrying an exquisite multi-layered food box in his hand, the jailer leading the way, but, in front of the prison door, he hesitated for a moment, but he still had the courage to speak.

"He's right here, lord. This is a serious offender. You are the one who has registered with His Majesty. You can only stay for a stick of incense at most."

"I see, put your things down and go out."

A voice sounded from under the black robe, and it sounded very young. Hearing this voice, Ren Li suddenly raised his head, and his back, which was bent against the wall, suddenly straightened up.

Accompanied by the sound of rattling chains, seeing Ren Li's appearance, someone raised his hand and took off the hood on his head, revealing a resolute and handsome face.

"Renhou, long time no see!"

"Little Grandpa..."

Even though he had already guessed the identity of the visitor, when he really saw Zhu Yi standing in front of him, Ren Li still felt as if he had passed away.

After murmuring, he suddenly came to his senses, with a complicated expression on his face, and said.

"No, it's time to call Duke Guo. I haven't congratulated Lord Duke, but I finally got back the title of Duke Cheng!"

Zhu Yi's face was calm, and her tone was not disturbed, said.

"Ren Hou is in the imperial prison, but the news is well-informed!"

"Well-informed...hehe..."

Ren Li tugged at the chain in his hand, sat cross-legged against the hay bed, looked up at Zhu Yi in front of him, and asked in a calm tone.

"Grandpa Guo came to the imperial prison to see the old man off?"

Seeing the other party's calm appearance, Zhu Yi was a little surprised. She looked Ren Li up and down, raised her eyebrows, and asked.

"Didn't Marquis Ren ever think that Zhu is here to rescue Marquis Ren?"

"Hahaha...rescue?"

Ren Li seemed to hear something funny, his body couldn't help trembling, and there was a rattling sound of chains.

It wasn't until a while later that he slowly calmed down and asked.

"Grandpa, what are you going to use to rescue the old man? Are you using the dirty schemes you and Mr. Zhang are secretly planning?"

The tiger's prestige is still there, Ren Li is a fierce general in the battlefield after all, although he is fascinated by fame and status, but at this moment, knowing that the dead end is difficult to break, his unrestrained aura permeates instead.

Under the setting sun, although he was wearing prison clothes and sitting cross-legged, his old and sharp eyes seemed to be in the big tent of the Chinese army.

However, Zhu Yi was not frightened too much. Although he had never actually been on the battlefield, he was born in the general family and grew up in the Beijing camp. He has seen a lot of generals' bravery.

On the contrary, seeing that Ren Li had already torn through the last layer of window paper, Zhu Yi showed a smile on her face, nodded to the servant beside her, and shouted.

"Breeze..."

"Yes, sir."

The boy put down the food box in his hand, and then brought in a small table from outside, placed it between the two of them, and took out a cushion and put it on the ground.

Zhu Yi lifted up her robe and sat down cross-legged. The servant opened the food box and brought out a few exquisite side dishes. After that, he took out a small jar of wine, slapped it away, poured a glass each, and placed it in front of the two of them.

"The 30-year-old Songling wine has filled the Duke's mansion, and there is no second altar."

Holding the wine glass in her hand, she raised it far away, and Zhu Yi spoke leisurely.

"Marquis Ren, have a drink?"

Ren Li was holding the wine cup in front of him, but his eyes fell on Zhu Yi who was facing him. The aroma of the wine in front of him was savory, and a heroic smile suddenly appeared on his face. He picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp.

"Good wine! It is indeed a treasure of Cheng Guogong's mansion!"

"Ren Hou has a good eye!"

Zhu Yi put down the wine glass in her hand, her eyes suddenly became dark.

"Of course the wine is good wine, but the Marquis Ren is not afraid. Is there any poison in this wine?"

It was clearly under the sun, but the atmosphere in the cell fell to freezing point following this sentence.

Ren Li didn't speak, just smacked his lips, as if he was meditating on something, after a while, he reached out to pick up the wine jar on the table, poured himself another glass, looked up at Zhu Yi, and asked .

"Do you know?"

Zhu Yi's face was calm and she didn't speak, but her eyes stayed in the wine glass in Ren Li's hand without moving.

Seeing this situation, Ren Li shook his head, and drank the wine in his hand again. Afterwards, he lightly smashed the glass on the table and said with a sneer.

"You do not dare!"

Zhu Yi's face turned cold, but he still didn't touch the glass of wine in front of him, and just asked lightly.

"Oh, why?"

The rattling sound of chains sounded, and Ren Li seemed to feel a little amused, and asked back.

"Why?"

"Master, don't forget, what is this place..."

"Jin Yiwei's prison!"

"Oh, by the way, last time Zhang Fu was arrested, he was also locked up in this cell."

"But do you know, that time, because Zhang Min went to the Jinyiwei, how many people died in the Jinyiwei?"

While speaking, Ren Li looked at the direction of Miyagi through the cold wall, with a complicated tone.

"The emperor now seems to be kind and merciful, but in fact, the heart of the emperor is cold and cruel, and no one can compare..."

Zhu Yi just listened quietly, without saying a word.

Immediately, Ren Li turned his head, looked at Zhu Yi, and continued.

"Since you can come to this imperial prison, it means that the old man's case has already been settled."

"Is it hanging? Or beheaded?"

"Probably, house raiding is indispensable, but the Zhu clan should not be able to do so, and exile must be inevitable..."

The tone of these words was extremely calm, as if the protagonist in the words was not himself, but an insignificant stranger.

A look of surprise flashed across Zhu Yi's eyes, but she still opened her mouth.

"Ren Hou knows it well."

"That's right, the imperial decree has been issued, and the execution will be executed at a later date. General Aso will personally carry out the knife."

"Ningyuanhou's family property was confiscated, and relatives were exiled. However, His Majesty forgives you, thinking that Marquis Ren still has a high place, he will leave a son to serve in Beijing, and he will collect the bones for Marquis Ren, and he will be buried in peace."

"Ha ha……"

A trace of sadness flashed across Ren Li's face, but soon it turned into a relieved smile. He poured another glass of wine on his own, drank it down, shook his head, and said.

"The old man, I have to thank God for it."

Eyes slightly closed, Ren Li looked a little bitter.

"Asu, Asu..."

"That's good, it's an old grudge."

Zhu Yi silently watched Ren Li's actions, and after a while, he spoke.

"Ren Hou, you know what I am here for..."

This sentence is not a question, but a statement.

As soon as the words fell, Ren Li's slightly drunken eyes suddenly became clear, and a gleam flashed in his eyes, he said coldly.

"The old man is now in ruins, and his life is in danger?"

"Why should I help you?"

In the last sentence, Ren Li's tone was full of hatred, and his eyes were like a tiger descending the mountain, choosing to eat someone, as if the next moment, he would jump up violently and rush forward, killing the person in front of him. people tear up.

However, the moment Ren Li leaned slightly, before he even made a sound, Qingfeng's eyes flashed, and his body quietly moved a step to the right, barely blocking Zhu Yi's path. in front of you.

Facing Ren Li's killing intent, Zhu Yi remained calm, said.

"Ren Hou knows in his heart that we are the same kind of people, aren't we?"

"You are helping me, and you are helping yourself."

Zhu Yi stared at Ren Li seriously without blinking her eyes, and said.

"Through this journey, Ren Hou seems to have unlimited scenery, but in fact he has no choice at all. He is just a puppet."

"Although I'm in prison now, my life is hard to save, but before I die, I can make my own choice. Isn't this reason enough?"

The two sat facing each other like this, Ren Li's murderous intent was full and intensified, while Qingfeng's body tensed up more and more.

As time passed by, Zhu Yi just stared at Ren Li without saying a word.

In the end, Ren Li lowered his head, picked up the wine jar casually, raised his head and poured a few big gulps into his mouth, there was a rattling sound of chains, accompanied by the crisp sound of the wine jar being smashed against the wall.

"The things that the little prince wants are in the mezzanine of the black cabinet in the east wing. If the little prince wants it, he can get it himself!"

A smile floated on Zhu Yi's face, seeing Ren Li struggling to get up and standing facing the wall with his hands behind his hands, he got up and cupped his hands, saying.

"Thank you, Marquis!"

After finishing speaking, Zhu Yi turned around and wanted to leave.

However, after hesitating for a moment, he still spoke.

"Don't worry, Marquis Ren, although the Marquis of Ningyuan is not here, since His Majesty is gracious, I think you won't be able to kill them all. Today, Marquis Ren will help me once. After a few days, I will go to the palace to see the Holy Mother and ask for grace. The old lady of the family has no worries about food and clothing, and can enjoy the rest of her life."

After the words fell, Zhu Yi looked at Ren Li, but saw that the other party did not respond at all.

Shaking his head, he didn't linger too long, turned around and walked out of the cell door.

However, at the moment he stepped out of the prison door, there was another voice behind him, different from the anger just now, but extremely calm, even a little chattering.

"The fifteenth day of next month is my mother's birthday. She doesn't like extravagance, so she likes to eat a bowl of longevity noodles. I can't make it for her, so let Shou'er cook for his grandmother for me."

"In addition, please tell Shou'er that I am gone, and let him take good care of the old lady. My old lady has saved such a little treasure in her life. In the past, there were servants to take care of it. In the future, there will be no one in the house. You have to go and guard it yourself, don’t let the old man get down there and leave without any peace of mind.”

However, it was these nagging words that made Zhu Yi turn around again and stare at Ren Li who was still standing with his hands behind his back.

After a while, he cupped his hands again and said seriously.

"Don't worry, Ren Hou, I will definitely bring these words verbatim!"

(End of this chapter)