Jiuxi

Chapter 413 Chapter 411 [The dust has settled]

The civil and military officials of Manchao looked at the old man kneeling on the ground, and they were shocked but couldn't help but feel admiration.

It is easy to say the words "killing relatives for the sake of justice", but if you are not careful, you will lose both internally and externally, putting yourself and your family into an extremely dangerous situation.

In fact, given Li Daoyan's status in the Daqi court, even if he took the initiative to reveal that Li Yunyi was an accomplice in the Qingfeng Street assassination, considering his hard work and achievements in the past decades, the emperor would definitely not embarrass the Jinlin Li family too much. After all, Lu Chen was still standing in the hall.

But it is easy to move forward, but difficult to move forward. How many people can achieve a position below one person and above ten thousand people, and still have the courage to leave a stain on themselves?
Li Duan's mood was very complicated at the moment.

The lecture he gave to the three princes in Cining Palace that night was not only a hint to the eldest prince, but also gave the third prince a last chance to admit his mistake.

At the time of the incident, he could not confirm the identity of the mastermind behind the incident. After all, there were many candidates who had reasons to attack Lu Chen.

However, outsiders have no idea how deep his control over the capital is.

As more and more details were discovered by Qin Zheng, Li Duan quickly concluded that the person behind the scenes was the third prince.

As for today, he allowed those people to target the eldest prince, and specially let Qin Zheng enter the palace. He just wanted to use this opportunity to punish the eldest prince a little, deprive him of the hope of competing for the crown prince, and finally find out the three The prince was the real murderer, thus making the second prince the undisputed crown prince of Da Qi.

In fact, he had known for a long time that the third prince was pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger. On the surface, he was arrogant and domineering, but in fact, he was very deep in the city, so he had always been friendly to him, but secretly he was wary of him.

Beside the imperial steps, the three princes had different expressions.

Learning from a teacher is a way for a king to follow the rules.

The second prince frowned, his face full of solemnity.

The third prince probably knew what his two brothers were thinking, but he no longer cared. At this moment, he was like a trapped animal in a desperate situation, staring at the left prime minister Li Daoyan.

However, he did not expect that the third child would be so bold and ruthless. Not only did he dare to send people to assassinate the powerful prince on the street, but he also made plans in advance to blame the eldest prince.

Because he didn't want to lose control on this occasion and beat the despicable old man next to him half to death.

What made the third prince Huo Ran wake up and immediately regretted it was that although Li Shizhi had become the representative of the Jinlin Li family in recent years, Li Daoyan was the one who decided everything.

Even though he was already senile, even though he had given up a lot of power to Li Shizhi, as long as he said a word, Li Shizhi would not have the slightest ability to resist, and would honestly report illness and recuperate.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Li Daoyan said slowly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I was shocked after hearing about the assassination on Qingfeng Street. After all, such a bad incident has not happened in Daqi for many years. A few days later, Weaver Sutra Si disclosed the appearance and characteristics of the assassins in the city. A steward of Lao Chen's family discovered that he had seen one of the assassins in the manor outside the city, and it was related to Li Yunyi. Lao Chen immediately called Li Yunyi and learned about it from him. The approximate whole story.”

Now it seems that the brothel girl named Yang Liuyue that Qin Zheng mentioned earlier should be the third son's ambush, and Changsun Jun, who disappeared early and late but disappeared before the warp weaver came to the door, was the one beside the eldest prince. Qingke was also a detail arranged by the third prince.

Li Daoyan's heavy tone fell into the ears of the third prince, and he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

Among the three, the eldest prince's eyes were red and he resisted the urge to look to the other side.

Li Daoyan briefly explained the whole story, and finally said to Li Duan: "Your Majesty, I feel so guilty that I am willing to accept all punishment."

Looking back at the past, the third prince realized that everything he planned was like a joke.

"Your Majesty, about half a month ago, His Highness King Jian summoned Li Yunyi to the palace to express his intention to plan an assassination against Marquis Shanyang. Li Yunyi was shallow-minded and simple-minded. He was persuaded by his words and decided to serve under King Jian. Li Yunyi thought he was right and kept the matter secret from the old minister and his father, but he didn't know that this stupid move would put the Li family in a desperate situation. "

Li Duan's mind gradually calmed down and he said warmly: "Although the left prime minister is responsible for neglecting discipline, his willingness to confess the truth about this case today is enough to make up for his fault. How can I punish you? As for Li Yunyi, I should punish you in accordance with the national law." He, but I want to find out what is going on first.”

Li Daoyan sighed softly and insisted: "The old minister is not strict in running the family. He has produced unworthy descendants like Li Yunyi and committed such evil deeds that are outraged by both humans and gods. I really don't live up to your Majesty's expectations. If you don't accept the crime for this, how will the court's laws be maintained in the future? ? I beg your Majesty to punish the old minister."

But Li Duan didn't know that Li Jiasanlang was also involved in this matter. Looking at the old man's thin body, he slowed down and said: "Prime Minister Zuo, please get back on your feet."

Xue Nanting and Ning Yuanfu quickly stepped forward and carefully helped Li Daoyan up.

I originally thought that by pulling Li Yunyi on board, I could form a solid ally with Li Shizhi who would have control over each other. I didn't expect that this Li Sanlang was such a waste. He couldn't even hide one or two masters. All his actions were under the control of his elders. among.

Li Duan was silent and turned to look at Lu Chen, who was standing in the second row of Wu Xun.

That day at Guanyuntai, the young minister expressed his true feelings in front of him. Although he appreciated this frank and honest temperament, he also felt very headache.

Lu Chen's request is very simple, just kill someone to pay for your life.

If Lu Chen really died on Qingfeng Street, Li Duan, in a rage, might sacrifice the butcher's knife. The problem is that Lu Chen is safe and sound now. He just wants to avenge the six soldiers who died heroically.

Li Duan could understand the simple and correct values ​​​​of the border generals, but as a king, he had to consider all aspects of the entanglement, even if he did not take into account that the third prince was one of his only three sons. Queen Xu and the descendants behind the prince are a force that must be treated with caution.

Not killing the third prince but only Li Yunyi?
How will the Jiangnan family view the Tian family?

As if sensing something, Lu Chen raised his head and looked at the emperor. He sensed the embarrassment of the Ninth Five-Year Master from Li Duan's expression, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of complicated emotions in his heart.

This Majesty is indeed different from the emperor he knew.

He possesses the tenacity and patience that a person who achieves great things must possess. On the premise that he fled from the north of the Yangtze River to the south alone, he relied on his righteousness to ascend the throne and became emperor. Not only did he not be ignored by the civil and military officials below, but on the contrary, he took advantage of the influence of all forces Conflict difficulties have strengthened the forces loyal to oneself, which not only gradually regained power, but also supported the border troops to consolidate border defense for more than ten years.

Logically speaking, such an emperor should have a temperament that only cares about success or failure, regardless of means, but he still has a touch of softness in his heart.

Whether it was his patient persuasion to the eldest prince, or what he said to Lu Chen on the cloud viewing platform that day, "I only have three sons," or even his delay in making a strong decision when the truth was revealed today, it is enough to show that he Not the kind of heartless and cold person.

When he thought of this, Lu Chen stepped forward under the gaze of the Dukes of Gongun, bowed to the emperor, and said: "Your Majesty, I have a few words to say."

The third prince followed the sound, and there was both lingering resentment and a bit of uncontrollable fear in his eyes.

When he thought about it, Lu Chen would definitely not miss this opportunity and would definitely kill him.

Li Duan took a breath, nodded and said, "Speak."

Lu Chen said: "Your Majesty, I still don't understand why King Jian did this. But now the truth has come to light, and the dispute of words is meaningless. As the victim of this assassination case, I can only say one thing, please your Majesty to punish Jian in accordance with the laws of the court." Wang and Li Yunyi.”

Hearing this, Li Daoyan turned his head and glanced at Lu Chen, with a little more appreciation in his eyes.

The meaning of Lu Chen's words is very simple. He will not stubbornly ask the emperor to kill the third prince and Li Yunyi, as long as he can give an explanation to the world.

The atmosphere in Wende Hall seemed to suddenly become more relaxed.

Li Duan looked at Lu Chen steadily, and after a long time he nodded and said, "I know very well that Aiqing has been wronged this time. King Jian."

The third prince had been wandering in his thoughts for a long time. When he heard this stern tone, he couldn't help but trembled violently. He quickly knelt down and said, "Father..."

Li Duan said indifferently: "What else can you say about the assassination on Qingfeng Street?"

The third prince's tears rolled down and he said in fear: "Father, my son... I am guilty. I beg your father to forgive me! My son has always been worried about Shanyang Marquis because of the old incident two years ago. I don't know what happened this time." Why do you think of revenge, my son..."

"enough!"

Li Duan interrupted him with disgust, turned to look at the courtiers in the palace and said, "King Jian Li Zongjian has an ignorant temperament and does not cultivate his own virtue. He colluded with a group of scum gangsters and conspired to assassinate the prince of Da Qi. His crime cannot be forgiven!"

"From now on, Li Zongjian will be deprived of the title of King Jian, demoted to the rank of Lieutenant of Fengguo, moved out of the palace, and imprisoned in Qiushan Lane. Without my decree, outsiders are strictly prohibited from meeting him. Anyone who violates this will be punished with a serious crime of treason!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the third prince completely collapsed to the ground.

Lieutenant Fengguo is the lowest rank in the clan. For a prince who has been crowned as a county prince, there is no doubt that he has fallen from the clouds into the abyss, and there will be no possibility of rising again in this life.

Not to mention the penalty of confinement, which means that it will be difficult for the third prince to leave Qiu Shan Lane in his life, and the emperor will naturally cut off all ties between him and the outside world.

Lu Chen listened quietly, looking at the third prince who was like a ball of ooze on the imperial steps, knowing that this was the most severe punishment the emperor could impose, and the next step would be beheading.

Li Duan calmed down a little, and then said: "Li Zongjian was the mastermind of this case, and Li Yunyi was an accomplice. He was beaten eighty by the imperial guards, and then he was exiled two thousand miles away. He is not allowed to leave the place of exile in this life!"

Li Daoyan bowed and said, "Old minister, I would like to thank His Majesty for his grace!"

At this point, the Qingfeng Street assassination case came to an end.

Just when Li Duan was about to leave the court, Lu Chen suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I have a small request."

Li Duan was slightly startled. To be honest, today's court meeting had deviated from his original plan because of Li Daoyan's confession. Fortunately, Lu Chen didn't act too stubborn and it couldn't end. This made Li Duan feel quite happy, so He said gently: "But it doesn't hurt."

Lu Chen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to send King Jian back to his residence."

This request was beyond Li Duan's expectation. He could see that Lu Chen still had anger hidden in his heart, but it was just out of safeguarding the overall situation and respect for him, the emperor, that he did not show it in public.

After thinking for a moment, Li Duan nodded and said: "It's accurate."

Immediately, the voice of the great eunuch Lu Shizhou sounded in the palace.

"Retreat!"

(End of this chapter)