Tang Dynasty: The seventh rank of official residence, and you will be given the Ten Thousand People

"The prince has made up his mind about this matter. Even if they go in, they can't change the outcome." Lin Tie said looking at the direction in which the three disappeared.

study.

Fan Xin sat in front of the big case and looked through the memorial in his hand. He said without raising his head: "I ordered not to see anyone. Who let you in?"

Zhang Huan and Cao Wei winked at Liu Zi, gesturing for him to speak.

Liuzi had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "Your Majesty, although Lao Jiang is a little unruly in his private life, he has made many military exploits over the years, and there is no credit but hard work."

"Please spare him this time because he still has some use."

"Yes, we are brothers who have been born and died for many years. I really can't bear to see his head missing." Zhang Huan and Cao Wei agreed.

Fan Xin put down the file and glanced at a few people: "Is this why you forced your way into the Intelligence Department and injured Li Lang?"

Speaking of this, Fan Xin suddenly took a picture of the big case and said angrily: "Did you know that the Intelligence Department involves major national secrets, and no one except me is allowed to enter!"

"Tell me how you want to die!"

Liu Zi and others have followed Fan Xin for many years, but they have never seen him get so angry. They were all so frightened that they knelt on the ground and whispered.

"Your Majesty, if the general is guilty, he will be beaten or punished as you wish. Can you spare Lao Jiang for a while? Don't worry, we will teach him a lesson for you when you go back!"

Seeing that these guys ignored the law and insisted on saving Jiang Ji, Fan Xinxin sighed secretly.

Now he finally understood why Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to deal with those arrogant soldiers after he ascended the throne.

Although these people fought bravely, their own shortcomings were too great when the country was moving towards normalcy, which had seriously affected the operation of the court.

If we do not have the courage to kill these people and allow them to undermine the majesty of the law, sooner or later it will lead to an irreversible mistake.

With this thought, Fan Xinxin's idea of ​​erecting Dharma discipline became more determined.

"Jiang Ji colluded with the enemy to release the prince secretly, and tried to deceive the court. All of them are serious crimes. I have ordered that he be punished in three days."

"You all should go back. This matter has been defined by the court and cannot be changed!"

After saying that, he tossed his sleeves and left the study, leaving the three of them with expressions of disbelief.

a long time.

Zhang Huan sighed: "Forget it, we have tried our best. Lao Jiang violated the national law and cannot blame others. All we can do is send him off for the last time."

Liuzi and Cao Wei nodded silently, got up and went back to the house, bringing some good wine and food to the Intelligence Department Prison.

Under the surveillance of dozens of intelligence agents, the wine jar was placed on the table.

Looking at the disheveled and haggard Jiang Ji, Liuzi said with a face full of shame: "I'm sorry, old Jiang, we don't have the ability to rescue you."

It seems that from the moment he entered the prison, Jiang Ji had taken a dim view of life and death, and smiled lightly when he heard this.

"I don't blame His Highness Prince Yan for this matter. I'm sorry for him first. Jiang is already very happy that you can come see me before he dies."

"Come, let's have one more drink before we hit the road. I won't be able to accompany you on the road from now on."

After hearing these words, everyone present felt a little uncomfortable, and silently picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Finally, he stood up, hugged Jiang Ji and left the prison.

When only Jiang Ji was left in the cell, Li Lang walked out of the corner. The two brothers sat facing each other without saying a word for a long time.

In the end, Jiang Ji couldn't help but raise the wine bowl: "You are also following orders in this matter. I don't blame you. Come and drink this glass of wine!"

Li Lang glanced at the wine bowl, then picked up the jar and started drinking.

Then he left the cell without looking back and said, "I'll have someone boil a bucket of hot water for you to wash well. You'll be ready to hit the road in two days." After that, he opened the door and walked out.

Looking at the disappearing figure, the smile on Jiang Ji's face faded and he sighed: "It's hard for you, brother."

Soon, three days passed by in a blink of an eye, and the news that General Jiang Ji was sentenced to death for violating national laws spread everywhere like wings.

In the early morning, countless dignitaries came to the execution ground to watch, and everyone's face was very solemn.

Especially those feudal officials who have the power of following the dragon. In the past, they relied on their reputation as Fan Xin to do whatever they wanted and did not take the law into account.

Now that I see that even a die-hard direct descendant like Jiang Ji was killed for violating national laws, the last trace of luck in my heart has disappeared.

Seeing the excitement among the crowd, Di Renjie smiled and stroked his beard and said, "Jiang Ji has been with you for so many years, do you really want to kill him?" Until now, he still doesn't believe that Fan Xin will actually kill someone.

As soon as these words came out, Wang Xiaojie, Wei Yuanzhong and others looked sideways, wanting to hear Fan Xin's answer.

Fan Xin smiled bitterly and said: "Juniors have no choice. If the national laws collapse, it will be a disaster for the Tang Dynasty."

"Don't mention Jiang Ji today, even if I break the national law, I will still kill him!"

There was another reason Fan Xin didn't mention. Although his son was the emperor, he was too young. In order for him to be a benevolent king, he had to do the offending work with blood on his hands.

No matter how much infamy he bears or how many people hate him, he will pave the way for his son.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Fan Xin took a picture of the big case and said in a deep voice: "Come here, bring Jiang Ji up to show his integrity!"

"Yes!"

Several soldiers with command flags on their backs disappeared from the execution ground with fists in their hands. Not long after, a man with disheveled hair and prison clothes was escorted to the execution ground.

Fan Xin nodded calmly to Li Lang, who walked up to the prisoner to check, clasped his fists and said, "I would like to report to the prince, Mr. Di Ge and all the ministers. The prisoner has been found to be correct, shall I be executed?"

"The execution can be carried out!" Fan Xin threw down the signature without hesitation and ordered the executioner to start.

After receiving the instruction, the executioner raised his machete and chopped off Jiang Ji's head without saying a word. Several soldiers who were prepared quickly went up to collect the body and carried it to the Intelligence Department.

After doing this, Fan Xin walked to the execution ground and said to everyone, "The national law is like a mountain. No matter who breaks the law from now on, Jiang Ji will be his fate!"

After saying that, he tossed his sleeves and robe and strode away.
……

Late at night, outside Chang'an City, there is a long pavilion ten miles away.

"My lord, your kindness will have to be repaid in the next life!" Jiang Ji said with tears in his hands and his fists in his hands.

Fan Xin straightened his collar and said: "The mountains are high and the roads are long. When you get to Lingnan, you have to work hard and try to develop it within twenty years."

"Remember, you cannot tell anyone, including your brothers and family, that you are alive."

Jiang Ji nodded with tears in his eyes: "Don't worry, I will lead my subordinates to do a good job, and I will leave my children to you to take care of."

"Well, go ahead, I've already arranged the itinerary for you." Fan Xin said.

"Please take care of yourself. The general will leave now." Jiang Ji took a deep look at Fan Xin and Li Lang, then turned around and got into the carriage and drove away towards the official road.

Looking at the carriage disappearing into the night, Fan Xin took a deep breath and sat in the sedan to go to the palace.

Seeing his father, the little emperor pursed his lips and said dissatisfiedly: "Father, why did you kill Uncle Jiang?"

Jiang Ji was the best to him in the past, so the little guy was full of dissatisfaction.

Princess Taiping slapped her son angrily: "Your father has his own reasons for doing this. You will understand it later."

"I don't know!"

"you!"

"Okay." Instructing Princess Taiping to hide away, Fan Xin took out a rattan covered with spikes and said seriously.

"Managing a country is like holding this cane, and people like Jiang Ji are like the spikes on the cane. You can never hold it until you pull them out."

"In order to pave the way for you to become a benevolent king who is praised by everyone, you can only do it as a father to bear the infamy."

Speaking of which, Fan Xin clenched the cane and pulled it hard. He pointed at the bloody cane and said, "Look, it's easier to hold."

Seeing that Fan Xin's palm was bloody and bloody, Princess Taiping said distressedly: "How come you don't care about yourself so much? Call the imperial doctor in quickly."

"No, this little injury doesn't matter. You can put your son to sleep. I have to go to Fengge Luantai."

After kissing his son's little face, Fan Xin left the hall with his hands behind his back, blood dripping all over the ground along the way.

As soon as he entered Fengge Luantai, Fan Xin saw Di Renjie bringing over a pile of impeachments and beating them.

"This is the memorial submitted by Youzhou, Yingzhou, and Xiangzhou. They are all about impeaching your Fan family clan members for embezzlement, perverting the law, and disregarding human lives."

"Dali Temple and Yushitai do not dare to report it, so I asked me to forward it to you and ask how to deal with it."

Fan Xin flipped through the contents on the pavement and saw that his uncle Fan Zhongyuan openly occupied 800 acres of fertile land from the people during his tenure as governor, and his face instantly darkened.

"If I remember correctly, my uncle is a butcher who kills pigs and sells meat. How did he become the governor when he was illiterate?"

"Also, my grandmother is eighty years old. On her birthday, more than 300 officials of seventh rank or above came to congratulate her. It is simply ridiculous!"

Seeing Fan Xin's angry face, Di Renjie said helplessly: "This is not the worst. Your cousin relied on the old lady's favor to force several good women to jump into the well and die."

"This matter has caused a lot of commotion in Youzhou! I'm worried that if this continues, it will trigger a civil uprising."

"It seems that I have to go back to Youzhou to deal with this matter personally!" Fan Xin said murderously.

To be honest, I have no memory at all of those relatives Fan Xin who I have never met. He went out to study when he was very young, and even the old lady did not remember him.

He didn't expect that Fan's clan members would look like this after not seeing them for decades.

After saying goodbye to Di Renjie, Fan Xin put on his casual clothes and rushed to Youzhou overnight with Ji Ruxue. He must get rid of these black sheep before the situation worsened.

There is no airtight wall in the world. The news that the imperial court appointed Kong Mengling as the governor of Youzhou spread like the wind throughout the country.

As the hometown of the Fan clan, Youzhou feels the strongest.

Before dawn, all the military and political officials in Youzhou gathered together to discuss how to leave a good impression on the newly appointed governor.

In the end, it was unanimously decided to sprinkle water along the street for twenty miles, and all the officials and citizens came to the street to welcome him.

After the ceremony is over, all the officials and gentry of some status in Youzhou will accompany the governor to the banquet.

In short, we must make the new governor very satisfied.

"Mr. Fan, the second master is back from Tanzhou!"

Early in the morning, the maid's screams rang out in the Fan family's yard.

Then the door of the old house opened, and an old lady with white hair and a tiger-head crutch came out with the support of the maid.

He looked at the person approaching with kind eyes.

"You didn't even get a message when your kid went out, which made my mother worry in vain for days."

"How's it going? Is everything going well?"

The person who came was none other than the second master of the Fan family, Fan Zhongxuan, who was responsible for the Fan family's business in Youzhou.

Hearing this, Fan Zhongxuan smiled and bowed.

"Back to my mother, everything went well. After many arrangements, my son finally met the apprentice of the big boss of the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce." "He has promised that our medicine business in Youzhou can be handled by the Fan family."

"Afterwards, you only need to hand over 70% of the dividend to the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce."

After hearing these words, the servants in the Fan family courtyard cheered.

Mrs. Fan nodded with satisfaction.

"As expected of my Fan Saihua's son, he is born to do business."

"As long as our Fan family gets the medicinal materials cheaper than others."

"In the future, drug stores in Youzhou will have to look at our faces sooner or later."

When Mrs. Fan said this, she seemed to think of something.

"By the way, I heard some time ago that the rebellious son Fan Xin was ousted. Is there such a thing after a new emperor?"

When this matter was mentioned, the smile on Fan Zhongxuan's face faded a bit.

"Don't mention it. That boy Fan Xin offended too many people and drove An Lushan away. No one supported him as emperor."

"I heard that the new emperor is a child named Li. From now on, we must keep a distance from Fan Xin to avoid getting burned."

Mrs. She nodded with lingering fear and was about to say something.

A servant suddenly ran in outside the door of the mansion, panting and saying excitedly.

"This is to inform Mrs. Fan, Second Master, the eldest son of the Fan family is back from the Yamen!"

"The sedan is heading this way!"

"What! Zhongyuan is back?" Mrs. Fan was startled, pushed the maid away, and walked out on crutches.

"Hurry up and open the middle door, sprinkle some water on it, and welcome your uncle back home!"

"Yes, Granny!"

The servant responded and began to work.

Fan Zhongxuan smiled bitterly and said: Mom, you are too partial.

Every time eldest brother comes back, you open the middle door wide and welcome him with water.

When will my son also enjoy this treatment?

Mrs. She stopped and glared at him.

"Your eldest brother is only sixty years old, and he is ranked Sima, second only to your great-grandfather. Do you think my mother can do without some snacks?"

"After all, if the Fan family wants to become a prestigious family in Youzhou, it needs your eldest brother's support."

"If you want to be treated well, wait until you make friends with Ying Niang, the big shopkeeper in Luoyang."

While he was talking, a team of people playing gongs and drums stopped at the gate of Fan Mansion.

The sedan curtain opened, and a man with a Chinese character in red robe came out.

His eyes glanced at the plaque, and finally fell on Mrs. Fan.

"Mom, my son is back!"

"It's good to come back! It's good to come back!" Mrs. Fan walked down the steps with a smile on her face.

Just as he was about to touch his son's head, a smile suddenly froze on his face.

He stared at the red robe and said in a trembling voice: Son, what are you...

"Yes, brother, didn't you always wear dark green official uniform before? Why did you change it to red?"

Fan Zhongxuan scratched his head and asked in confusion.

Faced with everyone's doubts, Fan Zhongxuan dusted his sleeves and said casually.

"It's nothing. I was just promoted to the fifth rank of Youzhou Governor today."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

From the fifth rank of governor, he is second only to the governor of Youzhou.

Mr. Fan's highest official position at that time was only the governor of Youzhou.

The eldest son of the Fan family is only over sixty years old now. Doesn't it mean that he will have the opportunity to be promoted to a superior governor in the future?

After thinking this, everyone looked at Fan Zhongyuan differently.

There was a hint of awe in his eyes, he was a dignified fifth-grade official.

If you go to a small state with a small population, you can become the emperor.

"Okay, okay, with the blessing of our ancestors, my family, Fan, finally has a high-ranking official!"

Feeling agitated, Mrs. Fan grabbed her eldest son's hand.

"Let's go into the ancestral temple and tell your father. The old guy didn't become a long history until he died."

"Not even half as good as you!"

Unexpectedly, Fan Zhongyuan shook his head and broke away from Mrs. Fan's hand.

"Mom, this is not urgent. My son is coming back with a mission this time."

"Oh? What mission?" Mrs. Fan was stunned and asked.

Thinking of the messenger's expression when he spoke, Fan Zhongyuan said solemnly.

"Recently, the state received news that the new Governor of Youzhou is about to take office."

"Let all the local dignitaries and gentry go to the city gate to greet you."

"Originally, with my position as a son, I am not qualified to welcome the Governor of Youzhou."

"Isn't this a promotion? Our Fan family was naturally invited."

As he said that, he took out a pair of invitations in the envious eyes of everyone in the Fan family.

Seeing the two characters "Fan Family" written on the invitation, Mrs. Fan was so happy that she couldn't open her mouth from ear to ear.

Even the look in his eyes towards his son changed.

Mrs. She's biggest wish has always been to make Fan's family a prestigious family in Youzhou.

In the past, she pinned this hope on Fan Xin from the third room.

As a result, this grandson failed to live up to her expectations and was ousted while fighting for the throne, causing her hopes to be dashed.

Now it's better, his son has become the governor, and Fan's family is finally getting through.

Thinking of these, Mrs. Fan waved her hand.

"Come here! Send invitations to all the forces in Youzhou and tell them that my Fan family will hold an ancestor worship ceremony on the eighth day of March!"

"Yes!"

After the servant left, Mrs. Fan took Fan Zhongyuan's hand and said with a smile.

"Let's go, Mom made your favorite sauce-stuffed bone for you two!"

"Thank you, mother."

As the group walked toward the dining room, Fan Zhongxuan hesitated.

"Mom, the eighth day of March is our Fan family's ancestor worship ceremony."

"How about sending someone to Xiaolianzi Mountain to inform the third son?"

"After all, he is also a member of the Fan family."

The smile on Mrs. Fan's face disappeared and she said lightly.

"When Fan Xin was an official, I said that this son has great ambition but little talent and is useless."

"As expected, if you are ousted while fighting for the throne, even if you are lucky enough to survive, you will definitely miss out on power."

"What did such a person inform them to do?"

"Are you going to embarrass the Fan family?"

"Second brother, what mother said makes sense. We are a family of officials, and what matters is status."

"That child Xin'er has retired now and is no longer suitable to appear at home."

"Let him fend for himself."

"After the Grand Governor has finished offering sacrifices to his ancestors, I will inquire about his situation."

"It's not a waste of blood." Fan Zhongyuan said solemnly.

He only found out about what happened back then, although he felt that the old lady had gone too far.

But Fan Xin is a junior after all, so it's no big deal if he feels a little wronged.

Who would have thought that this kid was so strong-willed that he never came back once he left.

Seeing that the elder brother had spoken, Fan Zhongxuan smiled bitterly and said: OK, just do as the elder brother said, let's not mention this matter.

Early the next morning, Mrs. Fan came to the door wearing brand new clothes and holding a dragon-head crutch.

After the two sons saluted, the group got on the sedan and headed towards the north gate of Youzhou.

By the time we arrived, the place was already crowded with people, roughly estimated to be at least a thousand people.

Most of them were local officials and gentry. Seeing Fan Zhongyuan's arrival, they all greeted him with a smile.

"Mom, second brother, you two stay here and wait with everyone."

"My son has to go to the official road to accompany Li Governor of Youzhou."

"Go, go, I just want to take this opportunity to connect with other official families."

Mrs. Fan walked toward the crowd with a smile and a tiger-head crutch, and started talking with a few familiar old people.

(End of this chapter)