Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

"Isn't it good to drink more?" He Bayong sneered: "I'm different from you now. I can't do anything except drink!" He poured himself another glass and drank it.

"That's it!" Wang Wenzuo put the jug aside and stopped He Bayong from continuing to drink: "Yan Liang also told me about your matter. He said that your descendants were invading the land and houses of warriors in various territories and had many grievances. The chaos in the Four Kingdoms is related to you and Yuan Aolie's children, so you are exempted from military power."

When He Bayong heard Wang Wenzuo's words, his face turned pale. He was silent for a while and said: "Sanlang, when we came to the Japanese country, we had to endure a lot of hardships and nine deaths. All we want is wealth and honor, which can be passed down to our children and future generations. My What does it matter if my son just takes some land? Is it worth taking away my military power? Over the years, Yuan Aolie and I have quelled the rebellions in all directions and pacified the country. There is no merit but hard work, right? Now that he is older, he will take away my military power. Isn’t it like burning a bridge across a river?”

"Yes, we came to the Japanese country for wealth and honor, and taking some land is also the right thing to do. But there are rules for how much to take, from whom to take it, and when to take it. This is called taking it with moderation! This is the national law!" Wang Wenzuo said: "After you came to Japan, you already had an official position and title, and Yanliang gave you a country. This is what you deserve. The Japanese warriors made an alliance with me when Yanliang was born. Under the covenant, they have served Yan Liang and his descendants with force for generations. Yan Liang ensures that their land is safe and secure, and rewards are given to them for their merits. This is what they deserve. Whoever violates the laws of the country, I can only test with the sword! "

"Then, what are you going to do with me, Sanlang?" He Bayong remained silent for a while, then whispered: "Remove from office? Seize land? Exile? Or execute me!"

"Put this matter aside!" Wang Wenzuo said. He took out a stack of letter paper from his sleeve and threw it on several cases: "You should take a look at these first!"

He Bayong picked up the pile of letters blankly and read them one by one. As he read more and more letters, his face became more and more ugly, and by the end it was purple and black.

"Sanlang, you don't really believe this, do you?" He Bayong pointed at the letter and said, "Why would I want to murder Yanliang's nephew? Yes, Yanliang's nephew and I do have some political conflicts, but I will never I have no intention of harming him. Also, why has the signature on this letter been obliterated? Who on earth did such a dirty thing!"

"I will send people to verify the plot to kill Yan Liang. I will not deal with it until the authenticity is confirmed! As for the signature on the letter, I daubed it with my own hands. You can see that it is not good for you or them!" Wang Wenzuo said! : "He Ba, you just asked me whether you want to be exiled, dismissed from office, seize land, or put to death. I can tell you that no matter what the consequences, seizing land will not happen. This is what you got in exchange for following me through life and death. As long as Even if you don’t really start a war, you can leave it to your descendants. Otherwise, what will Dharma Monk and Hongdu think?”

"Thank you very much then!" He Bayong's face changed slightly: "What about the other three?"

"You have followed me for many years. As long as you are not guilty of treason, you will be exempted from death! As for official positions, Yanliang is the king of the Japanese country. Since he has removed you from his official position, naturally you will not be able to hold official positions in the Japanese country. However, as long as the official positions on these letters are If the matter is not true, how about I let you go to Hebei or Liaodong as an official?"

Hearing Wang Wenzuo's words, He Baoyong felt reassured. He indeed had placed cronies in the army and had the intention to be detrimental to Yan Liang, but he had not issued any relevant orders. The only person who disclosed this intention was In front of Yuan Aolie, and Yuan Aolie was already dead, dead people cannot speak.

According to Wang Wenzuo, as long as it is not the so-called crime of treason, then at most he will be relieved of his current official position, and the territory and manor he has inherited from generation to generation will not be touched. He can continue to serve as an official in Hebei or Liaodong. This shows that Wang Wenzuo himself still misses his old feelings and wants to preserve himself. As long as this is the case, it is impossible for the investigators to adopt illegal means, and it is simply impossible to convict the so-called "treason" crime.

"Sanlang!" He Bayong sighed: "I am already over fifty this year, and I am extremely rich and glorious. What I enjoy can't be compared to what ordinary people enjoy in ten lifetimes combined. Even if I die tomorrow, it won't be a loss. The reason why I endure the humiliation and live till now is because I still want to see you. You can check whether these letters are true or false. If even a sentence is true, I will kill myself with my sword without you ordering me!"

"That's not necessary!" Wang Wenzuo chatted a few more words and stood up to leave. After leaving the door, he asked Cao Wenzong on the side: "Do you think what these letters say is true?"

"My subordinates think that what is said is probably a villain who is adding insult to injury!" Cao Wenzong said in a very firm tone: "General He Ba is greedy for land and property, and has some discord with Young Master Yanliang, but if we say that he conspired to cause rebellion and murder, I don’t believe you and Young Master Yanliang.”

"Well!" Wang Wenzuo nodded and suddenly asked: "When I was pacifying Silla and formulating the schedule for Japan to send troops, did He Bayong come to you and ask you to help him in the guard beside Yan Liang? How many people will be placed?”

"That seems to be the case! But I can't remember the exact time. I have to go back and check!" Cao Wenzong scratched the back of his head, looking a little confused, but he quickly understood the meaning behind Wang Wenzuo's question, and immediately His expression changed drastically: "General, General, you don't think He Bayong wants to murder Young Master Yanliang, do you?"

"I didn't think anything of it!" Wang Wenzuo's face was watery, neither happy nor angry: "But since someone has reported it, I naturally want to find out clearly. Don't worry, just report it truthfully. Even if it is true, He Bayong may not have anything wrong with him. After all, when Yanliang went to Baekje and Liaodong, the guards around him were all normal. It is also possible that He Bayong was looking for a future for the younger generations of the family."

"Yes, my subordinate thought so at the time. He never thought about it at all." Cao Wenzong said with a bitter smile: "Really, if my subordinate would think of this, I would never agree to his request!"

"Wenzong, I didn't doubt you!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Otherwise, how could I stand so close to you? There wouldn't be so many of your disciples around me. I don't know what you are capable of." But it’s too late!”

"Thank you, General!" Only then did Cao Wenzong feel that his back was wet with cold sweat. He knew that what Wang Wenzuo said at this time might be the truth, but it might also be a lie. It all depends on what he does next. How to do it. If you do well, you will be promoted to the next level. If you do not do well, it is not surprising that you will be kicked out of Wang Wenzuo's inner circle or be punished and executed.

"When you go back, make a copy of the list of people you later recommended and give it to Fujiwara Bubi! Leave the rest alone!" Wang Wenzuo said.

"Yes, yes, I understand!" Cao Wenzong replied hurriedly. Of course he knew that Wang Wenzuo meant to protect himself. While grateful, he was secretly glad that he had not left He Bayong, Yuan Aolie and the others in these years. It's too close, otherwise if this thing happens, I will have to shed my skin even if I don't die.

"It's true that accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger!" Cao Wenzong sighed: "Hey, He Bayong, you have received so much, and you are still not satisfied. If you want to pass the test this time, you should go back to your hometown to persevere. Yingbaotai, just be a farmer." ——————————

Wang Wenzuo sat in the room with the confession in his hand. He looked at it for a long time and remained silent. Fujiwara Bubi stood opposite, with his body slightly bowed. Wang Wenzuo had been looking at him like this for a long time, and he just stood and waited without any regrets.

"Is this the confession of the person on the list?" Wang Wenzuo asked, "Was it obtained through torture?"

"Report to the general!" Fujiwara Fubi replied: "According to your advance instructions, in order to prevent someone from not being able to survive the punishment, he talked nonsense in order to get away and harmed innocent people. Therefore, my subordinates interrogated them one by one in person. , none of them were tortured, you can personally examine the body of the interrogated person to know the authenticity!"

Wang Wenzuo glanced at Fujiwara. Of course, he knew that there were many methods of torture that would not leave any scars, and would actually bring no less pain to the person being tried than whipping, clamping sticks, and iron branding. It's just pointless to ask further. If He Bayong really sent people to lurk in Yanliang's guards, he must have chosen the kind of stoic and decisive people. It is really a bit difficult to ask Fujiwara to make them reveal the truth without torture. Forcing others to do what is difficult. The reason why Wang Wenzuo did this was to put the scope and impact of this case under his control to avoid unlimited expansion and spread too widely.

"I understand, please step back first!" Wang Wenzuo put the confession into his sleeve and said in a deep voice.

"I obey!" Fujiwara no Bi silently retreated.

Wang Wenzuo sat in front of the case and was silent for a long time. Judging from the confession sent by Fujiwara Fubi, although there is no direct evidence, it is contradictory to what He Bayong said to Cao Wenzong at the time to "prepare a step for future generations to enter the world." The reason is simple. Only two of the people who were sent to the Yanliang Guards were relatives and children of He Bayong, and the rest were desperadoes who had experienced hundreds of battles. The most important thing is that the average age of these people is a bit older, which contradicts He Bayong's statement.

"Heba, Heba, is that really like that? What's the benefit of doing this to you? Do you think you can stand firm in Japan without Yanliang? Isn't this too stupid?" Wang Wenzuo suddenly thumped hard. After looking at a few cases, he said angrily: "How can I still not satisfy you by treating you like this? The hearts of people in this world are really too unpredictable!"

After a long time, Wang Wenzuo finally regained his composure. He walked out of the door and said to the guard: "Let's go to Yanliang's place!"

Yan Liang was very excited about Wang Wenzuo's arrival. He personally came to the palace gate to greet his father.

"The child is so happy to see Aye in good health!"

"That's all!" Wang Wenzuo looked at his son with a smile: "Well, he has grown a lot taller and is a good young man! How about, I asked you to preside over the war of the Four Kingdoms. How is the situation?"

"I'm going to tell my father that I have adopted the strategy of both suppression and appeasement that I told you last time. Except for the two leaders of the thieves, who offered heavy rewards, the rest of the followers ordered them to kill the thieves and make atonement for their sins, regardless of their faults. Three A few days ago, the official army defeated the bandits in the waters near Awaji Island, beheading more than 300 people, capturing more than a thousand people, and countless people fell into the water. One of the two bandit leaders was beheaded, and the other was fleeing westward!"

"Well, you did a good job!" Wang Wenzuo looked at the son in front of him with satisfaction. Although Yanliang's military and political resources were far better than those of the rebels, his officers were also experienced and very capable. He also formulated a political strategy for him. But this is still far from military victory. Yanliang's ability to do this shows that he has learned a lot and does not lack some of the qualities needed for an outstanding general. With such an heir, Wang Wenzuo's military and political clique is more likely to survive its most dangerous second generation.

The two of them walked into the inner hall and sat down separately. Wang Wenzuo considered his tone, and finally said in as calm a tone as possible: "I have investigated the matter of He Bayong, and it is indeed a bit excessive. It can be said that most of the disasters in the Four Kingdoms were caused by him. How did you deal with him? Very good, exactly what a monarch should do!"

After hearing his father's approval of his risky behavior, the stone hanging in the air fell to the ground. I always thought that what he was most worried about was not the chaos of the Four Kingdoms, but the treatment of He Bayong. He took the risk of depriving him of his military power, but from what he learned later, he learned that He Bayong did more than just accept bribes and extort samurai. Wait, it's something more serious. Yanliang doesn't know if he can persuade his father, that is, if he can kill him for his own sake.

"Do you want to remove him from his official position?" Wang Wenzuo asked, with a half-smile on his face.

"It's not just easy to get rid of the official position!" Yan Liang said: "I think I should explain the matter clearly."

"This is not something you should consider!" Wang Wenzuo sighed helplessly: "This matter is my father's business!"

"My child, obey your orders!" Yan Liang said, standing with his hands down.

Wang Wenzuo looked at his son standing in front of him, and suddenly felt a little weak. Did he really want to take that step? Attack the old brother who has been with you for so many years? When I first read the history books, I had a lot of disdain for Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bang's ruthlessness in dealing with heroes. But when the matter fell on me, I found that the choices I made seemed to be similar to those of the people I despised at the beginning. Could it be that he is also transforming into the kind of independent man who "takes the world as his own selfish goal"?

But I really have no choice. If I don't want my life's achievements to end with the second generation, I must choose a suitable heir and pass it on to him at the right time. I was lucky enough to have given birth to many sons, which gave me ample room for choice. I chose Yanliang, transferred my power to him little by little, and carefully cultivated and trained him. But in the process, those old brothers who had lived and died with him had come to the opposite side and blocked his way. (End of chapter)