At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 74 Give Duan Ji some respect

In the cell, an old man with gray hair but a resolute face sat quietly on the ground, showing no joy or sadness.

"Crench."

The door was opened, and all kinds of instruments of torture were placed up. Finally, Duan Jiong's eyes changed slightly, and then a bitter smile appeared on his face.

After Zhou Qi set up the instruments of torture, he asked everyone to leave, but he stayed alone in the cell. Looking at the declining history of this famous general, he couldn't help but feel a little sad.

Such a famous general who has galloped on the battlefield for hundreds of battles without defeat, is actually trapped in a prison cell, facing the end of being tortured to death at any time, how can it not make people sigh?
Zhou Qi calmed down his mood, bowed solemnly to Duan Jue and said, "Zhou Qi from the State of Pei, pay homage to Duke Duan."

When Duan Qi heard this, he turned to look at Zhou Qi who was holding the ceremony very respectfully, and said with a smile: "Are you the young man who avenged his grandfather in Xiang County, killed Wang Ji, the Prime Minister of Pei State, and wrote "Xia Ke Xing"? "

Although Duan Jiong has been imprisoned, he has not been convicted after all, so he can obtain information from the outside world.

What's more, Yang Qiu's trip to Peiguo is related to the lives of Wang Fu, his son, and Duan Jue. Naturally, they are particularly concerned about what happens during it.

The deeds of Zhou Qi attacking and killing Wang Ji had already reached the ears of Wang Fu and his son through special channels, and naturally it also reached Duan Jiong.

He did not show dissatisfaction because Zhou Qi killed Wang Ji, but there was some appreciation in his tone.

Although Duan Jiong attached himself to eunuchs for the sake of power, it did not mean that he approved of what Wang Fu and others did.

In fact, Duan Jiong was able to obtain his current status only by virtue of his military exploits. It is a matter of course, but it is a pity that the court collapsed, and what should have belonged to Duan Jiong had to be flattered and favored by the eunuchs to obtain it.

It's ridiculous to say the least.

Feeling the admiration in Duan Jiong's tone, Zhou Qi immediately said modestly: "Compared to Duan Gong, a mere reputation is nothing to worry about."

Duan Qiao stood up, waved his hand, and said: "At your age, I don't have the courage and courage like you."

Having said that, he looked at the instruments of torture, and said, "Captain Sili, is this planning to torture me?"

Zhou Qi was silent for a long time, then lowered his head and said: "Wang Fu and his son have been executed. Just now, Wang Fu and Wang Meng were tortured and died in prison."

Duan Jiong didn't change his face when he heard the words, and said, "It's my turn next."

Zhou Qi took a deep breath and said: "Duan Gong has contributed to the country, to the country, to the nation. I don't want Duan Gong to be humiliated. If Duan Gong is willing, I would like to give you a face."

Hearing this, Duan Jiong showed surprise on his face, and said: "Since you have taken refuge in Yang Qiu, you should know his nature. If you give me a face without telling him, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain."

Zhou Qi said sternly: "I have no way to help Mr. Duan out of trouble, so I can only do my meager strength. After the matter is over, I will plead guilty to the envoy. No matter how much the envoy punishes me, I will shoulder the responsibility."

When Duan Yan heard this, he sighed deeply and said: "You are willing to take on this relationship for a stranger like me. This is righteousness; if you do something wrong, you do not run away and dare to take the initiative to plead guilty to your superior. This is loyalty." .”

"This old man has been a soldier all his life. He has gone through hundreds of battles and has never been defeated. He never thought that he would eventually die in prison."

Duan Jiong smiled self-deprecatingly, then looked at Zhou Qi carefully, and said: "If I die, the Qiang people in the west may rebel. If no one suppresses it, the consequences will be disastrous."

Having said that, he took out a book made of Caihou paper from his bosom, handed it to Zhou Qi, and said: "The old man has been in prison these days, and he often recalls the battles at the frontier, combining some of his experience in combat with the use of soldiers. The way is recorded in it."

"If you are interested, you can take it and take a look. Maybe you can use it one day."

"If you are not interested, you can give it to someone in need."

Zhou Qi was shocked, but he didn't expect to get such a reward for his kindness. He hurriedly stepped forward to take the book with both hands, and then saluted Duan Jiong again.

Duan Jiong got up and walked to the window of the prison cell, looked at the sunlight coming in from above, took a deep breath of the free air, and suddenly sighed: "The thing I regret most in this life is that I failed to retreat bravely after the Qiang rebellion was put down. , instead he overestimated his capabilities and participated in the court dispute."

"It's really ridiculous that a warrior like me could not die loyally to the country on the battlefield, but died in depression in prison!"

Looking at Duan Jiong with a sad expression and a bitter face, Zhou Qi wanted to comfort him, but he didn't know how to speak.

A hero like Duan Jiong can see many things very clearly, and it is obviously unrealistic to try to comfort them with pale words.

At this time, silence is the best choice.

After sighing, Duan Jiong turned to look at Zhou Qi, waved his hands, and said, "Since the day I was imprisoned, I have already expected this day, so I have already prepared, and you don't need to use your future to take care of me."

"Just leave and act as if nothing has happened."

"If you can look at the friendship in that book, I only hope that you can help take care of my family after I die."

"In this way, the old man will die without any regrets."

Zhou Qi bit his lip, nodded first, then put away the book, bowed deeply to Duan Jiong, turned and left.

After watching Zhou Qi leave, two lines of turbid tears flowed from Duan Jiong's eyes, and then he took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom.

He opened the bottle cap, raised his neck and drank the liquid inside, then lay quietly on the bed, looking up at the direction of the window.

Time passed, after Yang Qiu finished bathing and changing clothes, he took his subordinates to the cell where Duan Jiong was, and yelled at Duan Jiong who was lying on the bed several times, but there was no response from the other party.

Yang Qiu's expression was slightly condensed, and he hurriedly asked someone to open the cell door, and turned Duan Qi, who was lying on the bed on his side, only to see that Duan Qiu was bleeding from all his orifices, and he had obviously died of poisoning.

Yang Qiu took the porcelain bottle from Duan Jiao's hand, and then shouted sharply: "Who sent poison to Duan Jiao?"

Everyone's face changed when they heard the words, but no one dared to come out and admit it.

Seeing this, Zhou Qi walked out, knelt on the ground, bowed deeply to Yang Qiu, and stopped talking.

Yang Qiu suppressed the anger on his face, looked at Zhou Qi who was kneeling on the ground, and asked, "The poison came from your hands?"

Zhou Qi shook his head and said, "That's not the case."

Yang Qiu frowned slightly and said, "In that case, why do you kneel down to apologize?"

Zhou Qi raised his head and looked directly at Yang Qiu, and said neither humble nor overbearing: "Although this subordinate did not give Duan Gong poison, he knew that the other party would commit suicide. This subordinate did not take action to stop him, so he knelt down to apologize."

Hearing Zhou Qi's address to Duan Jiong, Yang Qiu couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly.

He waved back, then asked Zhou Qi to stand up and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Zhou Qi first thanked Yang Qiu, then sighed: "There are two reasons."

"Firstly, Duke Duan has defended the country for more than ten years. He has gone through hundreds of battles and killed countless enemies. Even though he has served under the eunuch's family since then, he has made great contributions to the country. His subordinates do not want such famous generals to die under torture, and hope that the other party can To leave decently, this is how I made my own claim and didn't stop Duan Gong from committing suicide by taking poison."

When Yang Qiu heard this, although he was still a little unhappy, his face relaxed a little.

Although Duan Jiong colluded with Wang Fu and others, he was fundamentally different from those eunuchs.

He did not obtain the title by flattering and flattering the emperor, but by relying on his own ability and his outstanding military exploits.

For these figures, regardless of their political stance, Yang Qiu also admires Duan Qiu in his heart.

Zhou Qi continued: "Secondly, it is to make the king famous."

Yang Qiu frowned slightly, and said, "Let's talk about it."

Zhou Qi took a deep breath and said, "Duke Duan has fought for the country for more than ten years, and he has made illustrious military exploits. There are countless people in the Han Dynasty who admire Duke Duan. If Duke Duan is tortured to death by the envoy, wouldn't it damage the name of the envoy? "

"What's more, when Duan Gong was alive, the Qiang people were afraid to continue to make trouble because of Duan Gong's reputation. If Duan Gong passed away, the Qiang people might be ready to make trouble. So what should I do to play the envoy?"

"Today, the public committed suicide by taking poison. It can be said that he committed suicide in fear of crime, not because of the envoy's persecution. Even if the Qiang people rebelled again in the future, no one would be able to attack the envoy with this."

When Yang Qiu heard this, a smile gradually appeared on his face.

He looked at Zhou Qi and praised: "I didn't expect that you have such knowledge at such a young age. You are really extraordinary."

Zhou Qi said modestly: "Thanks to the envoy's cultivation."

Yang Qiu turned his head to look at Duan Jiong's body, stroked his beard and asked, "In your opinion, what should we do with Duan Jiong?"

Zhou Qi thought about it for a while, and then said: "According to the opinion of my subordinates, I want you to bury Duan Gong generously, and then hand over Duan Gong's file to the court officer for review. This way, we can make good friends with the court officer, and we can also separate ourselves from this matter."

Yang Qiu heard this, but frowned slightly.

According to Yang Qiu's nature, even if Duan Juan commits suicide out of fear of crime, his wife, children, and family will at least be exiled.

If Duan Jiong's dossier was handed over to Ting Wei, according to the tradition of those people handling cases, they would not persecute a dead meritorious official like Duan Jiong, and it is very likely that Duan Jiong's wife and children's crimes would be pardoned.

But Yang Qiu just pondered for a while, and decided to adopt Zhou Qi's suggestion.

In any case, Duan Yan is different from Wang Fu and others after all, and Zhou Qi's previous statement also sounded the alarm for Yang Qiu.

Once the news of Duan Jiong's death spread to Liangzhou, those Qiang people who seemed to be keeping their own law and order would most likely continue to rebel, and the court would definitely think of Duan Jiong's past achievements.

At this time, it would undoubtedly be the best choice to break away from Duan Jiongzhi's death.

Thinking of this, Yang Qiu immediately said to Zhou Qi: "In that case, let you handle this matter."

Zhou Qi was overjoyed when he heard this. After thanking Yang Qiu, he began to call people over to help deal with Duan Ji's funeral.

Duan Yan probably didn't expect it either.

Just because he was worried that the Qiang people would rebel again after his death, he left Zhou Qi with a strategy of fighting the Qiang people, and wanted to pass on his methods of dealing with the Qiang people, but he planted a good cause because of this.

According to the course of history, Duan Jiong's family would have been punished and exiled, but Zhou Qi's words completely changed their fate.

This rolling history has finally undergone some insignificant changes due to Zhou Qi's influence.

(End of this chapter)