I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 491 A Cup of Wine

"I never thought that you would come to me first."

Liu Bian looked at Yuan Wei and suddenly thought of a sentence - how could the once invincible Yuan Sikong fall to this point?

Yuan Wei had no idea what Liu Bian was thinking, otherwise he would have been ashamed to death.

He sighed and said with sorrow: "Yuan Ji disregarded your majesty's trust and not only failed to fulfill his duties as the Chief Censor, but also spread some remarks that resented the court."

"Fortunately, there are wise rulers and wise ministers. Not only did it not cause any bad consequences, but it was also able to help Your Majesty find out who was secretly opposing the new policy."

"I think that although this is a self-defeating move, it is still a sin that cannot be avoided..."

At this point, Yuan Wei knelt on the ground and bowed, "I bow to your majesty's holy judgment!"

Liu Bian looked at Yuan Wei, who indeed had deep feelings for his nephew Yuan Ji, and even at this time he did not forget to plead for Yuan Ji.

Indeed, Liu Bian had to admit that, under the premise that the two thousand stone officials in various places were giving their support, the method of resisting the land measurement that was spread by Yuan Ji did objectively reduce the intensity of the local resistance to the land measurement.

The destructive power that thieves can cause cannot compare to that of disorderly soldiers.

Moreover, Yuan Ji's identity was special, as he was Yuan Shu's biological brother. Although the two quarreled due to their different political views, Liu Bian had to consider whether Yuan Shu would bear a grudge.

He also hopes that his cheap father-in-law, a famous and loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, will continue to make persistent efforts!

But Yuan Ji did a good thing with bad intentions, and Liu Bian felt unfair that he was not punished.

After a little thought, Liu Bian said to Yuan Wei, "I have just got some wine here, the taste is different from the usual ones, please send it to the Chief Censor for me later!"

After hearing this, Yuan Wei felt a tightness in his heart.

He knew clearly that this was the best outcome, as only Yuan Ji would die, thus saving everyone.

But people are always greedy.

He really hoped that Liu Bian would spare Yuan Ji's life for the sake of Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao and Concubine Yuan in the palace, and also because he came to the palace to report as soon as he confirmed the matter.

such a pity……

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!" Yuan Wei seemed to look even older in an instant.

Liu Bian said a few words to Guo Sheng beside him. The latter was stunned and then prepared to leave.

Not long after, Yuan Wei suddenly heard someone shouting.

——"How are you, Mr. Yuan?"

When he turned around, he saw Zhang Rang with a smile on his face. He was chasing after him with a few eunuchs carrying wine.

Yuan Wei's heart sank again.

It is certain that Zhang Rang's arrival is no good, and he may not even be able to give Yuan Ji a quick death.

But since the emperor had sent Zhang Rang to supervise, what could he do?

What else could he do except looking at Zhang Rang's bright smile and listening to his words which seemed respectful on the surface but were actually sarcastic?

Yuan Wei snorted coldly and continued walking out of the palace.

This action would have made Zhang Rang furious in the past, but now Zhang Rang didn't care. He kept smiling and asked the eunuch to follow with wine.

……

As the rumbling sound of the wheels disappeared, Yuan Wei had to get out of the car and go see Yuan Ji, no matter how reluctant he was.

Yuan Ji was still in the room that he had almost smashed to pieces. When he saw Yuan Wei and Zhang Rang coming, he immediately understood the whole story.

But he still couldn't accept it - was his uncle so cowardly now?
But Yuan Wei didn't know that if the emperor really wanted to deal with the Yuan family, why would he need evidence? As long as he had suspicions and wanted to, the Yuan family would be doomed.

"Please drink this cup, Yuan Zhongcheng!" Zhang Rang didn't care what Yuan Kui and Yuan Ji were thinking, he just wanted to complete his mission. Yuan Ji was also tough, facing the wine offered, he did not refuse.

Just looking at the wine which was different in color from the previous ones, Yuan Ji suddenly felt hesitant and regretful before drinking it.

If he had just stayed in his post as the Chief Censor, led his colleagues in the Censorate to monitor lawlessness every day, and not planned things that even the proposers had given up, perhaps... things would be different...

Unfortunately, it's too late to regret now.

"Can you allow me to say goodbye to my wife and children?" Yuan Ji put down his wine glass, but suddenly picked it up again and said to Yuan Wei, "Uncle, I am sorry for them. After I die, please take good care of them for me, and don't let them suffer the same fate as me..."

After saying this, Yuan Ji hardened his heart and drank the wine in the cup.

As soon as the wine took a sip, Yuan Ji felt an unprecedented spiciness.

Is this what poisoned wine tastes like?
Yuan Ji started coughing violently.

It felt like I was about to cough my lungs out.

My whole face turned red from coughing, and my mind went blank.

When Yuan Ji recovered a little, he even had time to think that if he had known that the poisoned wine was so unpalatable, he would have just drawn his sword and committed suicide!

Yuan Ji continued to cough.

But... he suddenly felt something was wrong.

The more he coughed, the less discomfort he felt in his throat, and he got used to it after coughing a lot.

How come everything seems to be fine? Is the poison taking effect so slowly?

Yuan Ji looked at Yuan Wei, then at Zhang Rang who came with the poison, and was a little confused for a moment.

Yuan Wei also had a look of confusion on his face.

Zhang Rang was smiling happily. "Well, now that we've had our farewell drink, then Yuan Zhongcheng, oh no, now you're the criminal... please get ready to go!"

"Let's do it!" Yuan Ji closed his eyes and consciously waited to be killed.

"Don't you plan to say goodbye to your wife and children? Then just follow me!"

Yuan Ji widened his eyes and said, go?
After admiring the scene for a long time, Zhang Rang finally explained the whole story: "Your Majesty has ordered that Yuan Ji should be put to death, but considering that there are many people in the Yuan family who are loyal to the country, he will be spared and exiled to Jiaozhou to serve in the army and guard the border. He cannot return even if pardoned."

When Yuan Wei heard this, he was overjoyed. He quickly bowed three times in the direction of the imperial palace, saying, "The grace of Heaven is great."

After hearing this, Yuan Ji collapsed completely.

Only then did he notice that he was sweating all over.

Zhang Rang said at this time: "Since we have already arranged our affairs after death, let's set off immediately without delay!"

Yuan Ji suddenly asked Zhang Rang, "Excuse me, sir, should I be the only one exiled to Jiaozhou?"

As in the past, this kind of exile usually involved the entire family.

Zhang Rang was very satisfied with Yuan Ji's attitude. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty only mentioned your crimes... However, if your family is willing to accompany you to Jiaozhou, that's fine."

Yuan Ji said repeatedly: "No need, no need."

"Please let me thank your majesty for his grace."

Before leaving for Jiaozhou, Yuan Ji said goodbye to his family and mentioned his exile to Jiaozhou, saying, "I will never return. It is all my own fault. Don't think of me as dead."

Then he took his wife's hand again and said, "I have failed you. After I leave, if you have any problems, you can go to your uncle, Gonglu, and Benchu. They will not sit idly by."

When the time came, he realized that the only people he could trust were those few people.

(End of this chapter)