first minister

Chapter 362: The final conclusion, the ending of drastic changes
In the spacious main hall, everyone stared at Dongfang Ming kneeling on the ground with their mouths open.

In everyone's "simple" understanding, this person should be the person least likely to plead guilty.

As the biggest beneficiary of that coup, he had little reason to plead guilty.

As long as he refuses to admit guilt, he will still be an emperor in the eyes of many people. Even if His Majesty and the Queen Mother ruthlessly order him to be executed, they will be embarrassed.

Moreover, he and Xiao Fengshan are uncles and nephews, and their relationship is closer than His Majesty and Marquis Jianning. How could he not be in the same camp as Xiao Fengshan!
But something like this happened. Not only did he admit his guilt, he also directly put all the blame on Xiao Fengshan without hesitation!
No matter what, he is still your biological uncle!
Regardless of whether he really did it or not, didn't you get the greatest benefit?
Everyone looked at Dongfang Ming kneeling on the ground with a bit of disdain in their hearts.

After this former prince and later emperor took off the cloak of power, the true body hidden inside was no different from any ordinary person in the world.

Just as dirty and hateful.

On the dragon chair, Dongfang Bai looked at the face of his prince brother and secretly clenched his little fists.

Dongfang Ming knelt on the ground and could probably guess what everyone was thinking.

But now, he has been completely fooled by Xia Jingyun.

On the one hand, he died in his prime, before he had time to enjoy his prime years, leaving him with eternal infamy;
On the one hand, it is to escape and leave. From now on, the couple of gods and immortals will not envy mandarin ducks or immortals, and their reputation will be preserved after death.

He thinks any fool knows how to choose.

What's more, he is a puppet to begin with!

Although he holds the position of emperor, what decrees were not issued by his uncle?
You have to be controlled no matter what you do, and you have to be scolded and disciplined at every turn. What is this if not a puppet?
It’s not aggrieved to ask you to take the blame, right?

Why did he do all this for me? It was obviously also for his ambition!

Besides, if he really does everything for me, then he should trouble my uncle to feel wronged for me again!

Xia Jingyun naturally wanted to maintain order. He said calmly: "You mean, regicide does exist, and the person who did it was Xiao Fengshan?"

Dongfang Ming nodded repeatedly, "I really didn't know anything about it. After they accomplished the thing, they made me the emperor. I didn't know the whole story until later. The courtiers all know that I have no power at all. The palace is controlled by my uncle's confidants." The city defense is controlled by the British princes, and I am just a statue being worshiped. Please be clear to your Majesty, Queen Mother!"

Xia Jingyun nodded slowly, and said with deep meaning: "The royal family has been taught loyalty and filial piety since childhood, and it is indeed difficult to produce such a villain who commits treason and regicide, and shows no regard for human ethics, loyalty, and filial piety."

The bright-minded courtiers' minds moved slightly, and they understood that Xia Jingyun was hinting to them that regardless of whether the matter really had nothing to do with Dongfang Ming, for the sake of the royal family's face, the investigation against him would stop here.

Dongfang Ming, however, was not angry but happy when he was ridiculed in front of him like this, "My lord, I have learned from this."

Xia Jingyun looked at the man in front of him, fearing that if he stayed a little longer, he would be unable to resist making taunts and ruin the overall situation, so he said coldly: "Go down, your crime will be judged by itself."

Dongfang Ming looked up at Xia Jingyun, his eyes seeming to say, I have already complied, you must keep your promise!

Xia Jingyun had a sullen face and said nothing. After Dongfang Ming was taken away, he looked at everyone, "What do you think of the confessions of these three people?"

Obviously, this is about making people take the initiative to speak out and create public opinion.

If it were before, everyone might still be a little unsure, but now, the situation has been completely clear. Who would let go of such a good opportunity to please the king!

"The official believes that the beginning and end of this case are very clear. Xiao Fengshan is evil-minded and quibbling, but the confessions of Lu Rusong and Dongfang Ming are enough to prove the truth."

"Yes, I also feel that Lu Rusong's confession is clear and detailed, and Dongfang Ming's confession is also clearly identified. Even Xiao Fengshan's sophistry is not enough to confuse the audience. At this time, it is enough to determine the truth."

"Of course Xiao Fengshan will not admit it. He is the main culprit in the plot to kill the monarch. If he confesses, he will be cut into pieces with a thousand cuts. Therefore, his reaction is not surprising and cannot be trusted."

"The confessions of Lu Rusong and Dongfang Ming are not inconsistent with the previous testimonies. They are also consistent with the motives of all parties. The content is detailed and detailed enough to win the trust of the world for the truth. Today's public trial, I believe, will be able to Let the government and the public be convinced."

"The Queen Mother is benevolent and merciful, Your Majesty is so majestic, and the Marquis of Jianning has been strategizing. Except for the extremely vicious people like Xiao Fengshan who have stubbornly resisted, the rest have bowed their heads and confessed their crimes. This public trial in the court is fair and strict, clear in hearing and hearing, well-reasoned and well-founded, and has won the trust of the world." , it can serve as a model for future generations and also set a precedent in history!"

Everyone rushed to speak, and with your words, an atmosphere of turbulent public sentiment and a final conclusion was quickly created. Xia Jingyun nodded slowly, "What you all said is true. However, although the truth is now known, the culprit is The culprit has not confessed yet, so after all, he is a little unsatisfied. Someone, bring Xiao Fengshan!"

When Xiao Fengshan was brought out of the side hall by the soldiers of the Forbidden Army, when everyone saw his posture, they felt a feeling in their hearts: This man has lost his temper.

Xia Jingyun looked at Xiao Fengshan, "Can you plead guilty?"

Xiao Fengshan looked at Xia Jingyun with solid hatred in his eyes.

But under Xia Jingyun's calm gaze, he seemed to understand something.

The hatred gradually dissipated, leaving only lonely self-deprecation.

He closed his eyes slumped and said slowly: "Sinner, plead guilty!"

The surrounding officials were completely shocked. Unexpectedly, Xiao Fengshan, who had been so righteous before, actually lowered his head.

Those who were a little brighter were thinking that the other two people had already confessed, and it was pointless for Xiao Fengshan to hold on. The confession was not unjustifiable.

As for the really top bosses, they understood Xia Jingyun's operations, especially the knife stabbed by the prince himself, which completely broke Xiao Fengshan's spirit. Otherwise, even if everyone confessed, Xiao Fengshan could still persist. of.

After all, he is a figure who has been carrying Long Shouzhou alone for more than ten years despite being surrounded by enemies all over the world.

Xia Jingyun is murdering someone but also killing his heart!

After listening to Xiao Fengshan's words, Xia Jingyun asked the last question, "Lu Rusong and Dongfang Ming both testified that you were the one who killed the king with your own hands, right or wrong?"

Hearing these words, Xiao Fengshan, a tough guy like him, couldn't help but tremble.

In this era, for these people who have been instilled with the idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor and patriotism since childhood, this crime is almost the most terrifying crime in the world.

But
In Xiao Fengshan's mind, he recalled how his loving and gentle eldest sister had raised him since childhood;
Thinking of the scene when she held her hand before she died and weakly entrusted her son to her;
I think of the child chasing behind me, riding on my shoulders, cheering for my uncle and uncle.
He lowered his head and almost used all his strength to squeeze out a low word from his throat.

"Yes."

Although he was still standing, he looked like a defeated dog whose spine had been broken.

And at this point, everything is finally concluded!
-
In the Hanlin Academy, a group of idle and bored Shujishi gathered in groups and talked while working.

"Hey, do you think the public trial in court today will have a good outcome?"

"As you ask, Xu Boyi here must be saying that he believes in Marquis Jianning!"

Xu Dapeng didn't hide it, and said bluntly: "That's right, haven't you been convinced by so many things? If you don't believe him, how can I believe you!"

Everyone laughed, and immediately someone half-ridiculed and half-retorted: "You can't say that. Just like what Mr. taught us, a person is right a thousand times, but he may be wrong the next time. A person is wrong once." A thousand times, it might be right the next time. Each judgment should be individual."

"Just say that a wise man will make a mistake every time he thinks, and a fool will make a mistake every time he thinks."

Just when Xu Dapeng was so shocked that he couldn't speak, a man hurriedly ran over and said, "I believe you, I believe you!"

He looked at the people who had gathered around him and said excitedly: "Prince, oh no, Dongfang Ming, Lu Rusong, and Xiao Fengshan have all confessed in court. The truth is conclusive, and we have already asked our chief bachelor to draft a decree."

"What? You all confessed?"

"No way? Could it be that you just surrendered?"

The man frowned and said, "What are you talking about! In front of all the princes in the court, how could you get beaten? Not to mention torture, I heard that Marquis Jianning, who was in charge of the trial, didn't even say a harsh word!"

"What does the decree say?"

"What else can you say? Xiao Fengshan was the murderer of the regicide. He was cut in half in the city. The whole family of the Xiao family was executed. Lu Rusong was an accomplice in the regicide. The entire family of the Lu family was executed. However, the Queen Mother and Her Majesty wanted to be loyal to the British family for generations. I still keep this title, and I will select the best among the distant branches of the Lu family to take the title; as for Dongfang Ming, although he was kidnapped to the throne, he is still considered a thief, and he was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the mansion."

After listening, one person couldn't help but sigh: "The Queen Mother is benevolent, Your Majesty is so benevolent!"

Everyone nodded, "Yes! It's really benevolent."
-
"Benevolence is a piece of shit!"

King Cheng took a sip and looked at his son who was still lamenting the benevolence of the Queen Mother, "He has been beaten into the dust and cannot make any waves. What does it matter whether he kills or not?"

After witnessing the entire public trial process, he returned home and was still a little frightened.

If he hadn't listened to other people's discussions after the breakup, he wouldn't have been able to understand what was going on today!

Did he get kicked in the head by a donkey or something, but he actually thinks he can fight this kind of person?

Thinking of this, he couldn't sit still anymore. He got up and went to the backyard and found his princess.

"Madam, are you sure that the Queen Mother and Her Majesty will not pursue what happened last time?"

After returning from the palace, the princess, who had been fasting and chanting Buddha these days, turned to look at him and said, "I'm sure. The Queen Mother will not be such a dishonest person."

"That's fine, that's fine."

King Cheng stroked his chest and suddenly said: "Then do you think Marquis Jianning will bear grudge against me?"

Princess Cheng was annoyed by the torment and said directly: "Who do you think you are? Do people take you seriously? Is there anything special about your prince in the eyes of others?"

King Cheng was stunned for a moment when he was scolded, then he stroked his chest and nodded happily, "What Madam said is that this King is just a little guy and doesn't deserve his grudge! That's right, that's right!"

Princess Cheng sighed quietly, she was already married, so what could she do!
-
"Son!"

In the Zhulin Jiang Mansion, a sergeant quickly walked into the mansion and knelt down on one knee, "Sir, news from Zhongjing, today's public trial, Dongfang Ming, Lu Rusong, and Xiao Fengshan all pleaded guilty. The truth about the late emperor's death has been revealed, and the imperial court will issue an imperial edict later. , announce the verdict for everyone’s crimes.”

Jiang Yuhu didn't seem surprised by this and nodded, "Thank you for your hard work."

The sergeant cupped his fists and retreated. Mr. Jiang said with a smile: "This good friend of yours is really capable. People like Xiao Fengshan can plead guilty and obey the law. His methods are indeed good."

Jiang Yuhu said calmly: "Dongfang Ming and Lu Rusong are both trash. Two of the three have collapsed. Xiao Fengshan is only half a trash, so naturally he can't take them with him. If Xia Jingyun can't even think of this method, then he can only become a trash. "Second Master Jiang laughed, as if he saw himself when he was young, "When will you return to Northern Xinjiang?"

Jiang Yuhu pursed his lips, "Isn't there some stupid celebration party? I didn't want to go at first, but Xia Jingyun was buzzing like a fly, so I couldn't bear it and had to agree."

Mr. Jiang smiled playfully, "I'm afraid I promised you another poem, right?"

"Hey! Second uncle, please don't accuse someone of innocence out of thin air!" Jiang Yuhu's expression rarely changed.

Mr. Jiang laughed heartily. After a moment, he stopped smiling and said, "Is there no problem in Beijiang?"

Jiang Yuhu looked calm, "If the army I lead is a bunch of waste without me, that means I am waste too."

Just as he was talking, the concierge came over and said, "Second Master, Young Master, the bodyguard of Marquis Jianning would like to see you."

Mr. Jiang nodded, and soon the two of them saw Chen Fugui.

Chen Fugui took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Jiang Yuhu.

Jiang Yuhu frowned, but after taking it, his brows furrowed even more tightly, and then handed the letter to his second uncle.

Jiang Erye took it in surprise, looked down, and his expression changed slightly.

After the uncle and nephew were silent, they looked at each other again. Mr. Jiang took the initiative and said, "Jade Tiger."

Jiang Yuhu said first: "I agree."

Mr. Jiang looked grateful, then looked at his broken leg and sighed with regret.
-
Under the cover of darkness, two men in black cloaks, personally escorted by Xing Shigu, the Minister of Punishment, walked unimpeded into the depths of the Prison of Punishment.

The cell door opened, Xing Shigu was guarding the outside in person, and the two of them walked into the cell.

Xiao Fengshan, who was sitting in the cell, glanced at the visitor in the dim light and closed his eyes indifferently.

Xia Jingyun said softly: "Are you willing to die like this?"

What responded to him was silence and the squeaking of rats on death row.

"I know the true truth of that night."

Xiao Fengshan opened his eyes and then closed them again.

So what, none of this matters anymore.

"You are destined to be infamy for all eternity, but you can atone for yourself and Xiao Fengshan."

Xiao Fengshan remained silent.

"Go to Northern Xinjiang." Xia Jingyun sighed, "Write out the rest of your life on the battlefield. I will arrange for a death row prisoner to take your place."

"Aren't you afraid that I will rebel again or throw myself into Beiliang?"

Xiao Fengshan finally asked.

"afraid!"

Xia Jingyun nodded, "But I want to take a gamble."

"why?"

Xiao Fengshan asked in confusion.

"Because I am also an uncle."

Xia Jingyun's face looked a little dim under the dim light, "I have also paid a lot for him."

He looked at Xiao Fengshan, "So, I don't agree with you, but I understand you."

Xiao Fengshan's originally dead and defeated heart was hit hard by these words, and his nose felt sore. He didn't expect that the person who finally understood him would be his biggest enemy.

For a moment, he actually felt like a confidant in the life in front of him that had brought him to this point.

"So, would you like to?"

Xiao Fengshan did not answer, but stood up. Amid Chen Fugui's astonishment and Xia Jingyun's calmness, he knelt down and kowtowed to him.

"This bow is to thank you for giving me this life."

Xiao Fengshan looked at him, "From now on, there will be no more Xiao Fengshan in this world."

In the early morning of the next day, ten miles outside the east city, a carriage was parked quietly. Behind it were about a hundred sergeants in fine uniforms, like javelins, holding their horses and waiting quietly.

The second master of the Jiang family sat on the carriage, looked at Xiao Fengshan opposite, and said in a seemingly plain but extremely serious manner: "If you treason, I will come to arrest you personally."

Xiao Fengshan nodded, "Second brother, don't worry."

"Go ahead and take off this shackles. I hope you can really expand your business."

Xiao Fengshan clasped his fists, put on his mask, got off the carriage, and got on the horse.

The one hundred sergeants behind him all mounted their horses, waiting for his orders.

He gently stroked his chest. In his chest was a poem that Xia Jingyun had given him before leaving.

The poem has only two lines.

He said that if one day he could perform special honors to return the favor to the court, he would send him two more sentences.

Under the mask, Xiao Fengshan turned his head and glanced at the towering Zhongjing City, and left without a trace of nostalgia.

"set off!"

Xiao Sanlang, who settled the business with one flute and one sword, and lived in disrepute for 15 years, rushed to the battlefield that belonged to him.

On top of the city wall, Xia Jingyun watched the team go away.

Chen Fugui whispered: "Master, why do you want to let him go?"

"He has been in charge of Longshou Prefecture for more than ten years, and has never done any serious evil. His officials are relatively clean and honest, and the Longshou Army's combat effectiveness is quite good. Although the life of the people of Longshou Prefecture is not that good, it is compared to the rest of the world. Everywhere is still better. I read all the political orders issued during the month when I took power, and I didn't do anything wrong. In addition, the military achievements of the year are still there, and good generals are hard to find. Let such a person live and let him serve for Loyalty to the country is clear from the books."

Xia Jingyun spoke calmly, but did not say what he was thinking deep in his heart.

In addition to feeling a sense of sympathy for him, Xia Jingyun didn't have much of a sacred aura towards the emperor.

Don't say that Xiao Fengshan didn't kill the person, even if he did, so what?

According to the stories he had read, it seemed that people like him should kill an emperor to add to the fun. Although he didn't take that step, he didn't think it was a big deal either.

It's just a fight in the struggle. If it's not a son, it's not a father. What can it be?

But he could never say these words to anyone outside.

When Xiao Fengshan's team disappeared into the mountain, he slowly withdrew his gaze.

In the city behind him, hundreds of heads of Lu Rusong and the British public family fell to the ground slumped.

Blood was spilled all over the ground. From a distance, it looked like a bright red full stop, marking the end of this great change.

The crazy concubine Shu escaped being executed in the street and was given a glass of "poisonous wine" as a gift. Then she was wrapped in white cloth and placed in a thin coffin and carried out of the palace.

After several twists and turns, he was sent to a carriage waiting in Nancheng.

In the carriage, the eagerly awaited prince waited for the person he longed for, and together they slowly headed to the Dongting Lake.

Xia Jingyun said softly: "In one year, let's bury the prince and others by the Dongting Lake."

Chen Fugui nodded and took note.

"Where is the Crown Princess?" Xia Jingyun suddenly thought of the woman who had been ignored.

"He has become a monk at Qingguang Temple outside the city." Chen Fugui sighed softly, "He is also a miserable man!"

"In this world, there are many people who are suffering, who is not?"

Xia Jingyun pursed his lips, then suddenly shook his head and said, "No, it's too cheap for a scum like the prince to be able to live freely for a year. Half a year, his little contribution is worth half a year."

Chen Fugui deeply agreed and nodded heavily.

"Son!"

An anxious shout rang out, and the panting Gongsun went up to the tower, "Sir, Mr. Su and Miss Su's carriage is almost here, they are already twenty miles outside the south city!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Rouge quickly went upstairs again, "Master, Mr. Su and Master Bai's team is already twenty miles outside the east city!"

Xia Jingyun blinked in confusion, how could they still bump into each other?

Did you do it on purpose?
(End of this chapter)