Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Taizong thought for a while, "How did you know?"

"There is a servant in the Nanqing Palace who heard that Duke Xing's former department had plotted against him. He thought that one day, Duke Xing would hand over a letter to the virtuous king, and the prince put the letter in the study."

"Has he read the content?"

"Return to Your Majesty, this servant has indeed read the content, I ask for orders to search the Nanqing Palace and find the letter"

Taizong thought for a while, "Okay, please go with the golden mace"

Mi Dechao was very proud, and the four guards raised their golden maces, and followed Mi Dechao to the Nanqing Palace.

Before Mi De left, the palace guards came to the main hall to announce, "Report to the Emperor, Inspector Di Shoujie is asking to see you outside the hall."

When Taizong heard this, he stood up, "Who do you say is asking for an audience?"

The guard said again, "Go back to Your Majesty, it's Inspector Di Shoujie"

The officials in the hall looked at each other, not knowing what was going on, Taizong immediately said, "Hua!"

After a while, Di Shoujie and Nanqing Palace General Gong Liang Shiguan entered the main hall, "The last general will see Your Majesty"

Taizong stood up and looked at Di Shoujie, "Are you still alive?"

Di Shoujie clutched his injured chest and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the last general is still alive."

"What the hell is going on? Why did the border customs inform you that you have been killed?"

Di Shoujie said, "The last general was ordered to inspect the border. Everything is not what the rumors say. There are no rumors about the officers in General Cao's original place. On the contrary, it is because the old general is old and hopes that he will return to Beijing to serve. Pass the letter to the old general." Di Shoujie took out the letter, "I haven't read the content, but I believe that this letter will prove the old general's innocence."

Taizong opened the letter and saw the content. The letter hoped that Cao Bin would rest well in Beijing and not have to worry about the situation at the border. The guards and soldiers would defend the territory of the Song Dynasty with their lives. After reading the letter, Taizong had mixed feelings in his heart.

Di Shoujie also said, "I wanted to return to the capital to return to my command, but I was assassinated that night. Thanks to the Nanqing Palace's rescue of Gongliang and Shiguan, the last general was able to return to the capital alive, but I heard that His Majesty is going to reorganize the army now. , I know that there must be a misunderstanding in this matter, so I came to see you."

Taizong looked at Gongliang Shiguan and asked, "Why are you at the border?"

Official Gongliang replied, "Returning to Your Majesty, the final general was ordered by the prince to go to the border to investigate, but he saw that the inspector was assassinated, so he went to rescue and captured 8 mastermind soldiers, but they confessed that they had stolen Lord Di's jade pendant. He also sent a letter to Beijing, informing that Lord Di was killed and that the border guards had rebelled, and that the general and Lord Di rushed back to the capital overnight."

Taizong was very surprised, "So, there was no mutiny at the border?"

"Return to Your Majesty, yes, everything is normal at the border," Di Shoujie replied

Taizong was a little dazed, and he paused for a while, "What you two said is true?"

"How dare the last general deceive the emperor?" Di Shoujie replied

Gongliang Shiguan also presented the intercepted letter of Mi Dechao.

Taizong was sitting on the dragon chair, thinking about what had happened. At this time, the palace guards came again, "Reporting to His Majesty, General Sun begged to see him outside the hall."

"Which General Sun?" Zhao Pu asked quickly

"General Sun Nongsun"

Zhao Pu was also surprised at this time that the two people who had been reported dead had come back alive.

Sun Nong also went to the Golden Palace at this time, "The last general will see His Majesty"

Taizong looked at Sun Nong in surprise again, "What's going on? You're not dead either."

"Return to Your Majesty, the last general was indeed almost killed, but was saved by the frontier deputy general"

It turned out that Sun Nong had obtained a lot of evidence in private, and was about to return to Beijing to return to Zhao Pu. Unexpectedly, he was assassinated like Di Shoujie. Came to help, captured six assassins, and searched for clues to capture 14 accomplices. At this time, they were already on their way back to Beijing. Sun Nong learned that the letter of his murder had been sent to the capital, so he rushed to the capital. Back to the capital.

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[repair]

【Chapter 10】Chapter [-]: Unjust Case Revealed and Crazy Man Killed

The investigation results of Sun Nong and Di Shoujie both point to one person, that is, Mi Dechao, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council at this time. Taizong was greatly surprised. The insulting words informed Taizong.

When Taizong heard this, he was very angry. At this time, Zhang Wenxi, the chief servant, whispered something to Taizong again. It turned out that the person who poisoned Defang's tea in the sky prison had also been captured. It was Mi Dechao's housekeeper, Mi Dechaoqian Being reprimanded by Defang every day, he feels dissatisfied and takes the opportunity to take revenge on Defang.

Taizong was furious, and suddenly remembered that he had just been sent to Nanqing Palace, so he immediately ordered Di Shoujie, Sun Nong and Gongliang Shiguan to rush to Nanqing Palace to prevent him from searching, and immediately arrested him and brought him to justice.

On the other side, Mi Dechao came to the empty space in front of the Nanqing Palace in a sedan chair. The guards asked Mi Dechao to get off the sedan chair, but Mi Dechao insulted him. Four guards were also injured. Qing Palace, was stopped by Jia Jun, but because of the power of the golden mace, Jia Jun kept backing away, Concubine Di also came out at this time, saw Mi Dechao scolding Jia Jun loudly, so she stepped forward and said, "Bold, this is Nanqing Palace , How can you allow you to humiliate the prince's general!"

Mi Dechao smiled, "My lord, my lord is now being punished for crimes. I'm afraid my life will be lost. I don't know where my lord will go. What is a general?"

Concubine Di was very angry, "Mi Dechao, you are so courageous, you dare to speak so recklessly in front of me."

Mi Dechao immediately asked someone to put the golden mace on the table and said, "This is a golden mace given by the emperor. Whoever dares to disobey the order, I am here today to search for criminal evidence. If there is anyone who obstructs, this envoy will not be lenient!"

"The golden mace was given to the prince by the emperor Taizu. Even if the prince has something to do, the golden mace will be enshrined in front of the Taizu temple. Others are not worthy to pick up this golden mace."

"I am enforcing the law on behalf of His Majesty! Even if the Nanqing Palace is copied, all of you can be arrested!"

Concubine Di walked up to Mi De and said, "This palace is here, who dares to act presumptuously in Nanqing Palace! Come!"

Jia Jun and another general, Zhou Shiguan, came forward and said, "The last general is here"

"Whoever dares to search the Nanqing Palace will be captured by this palace!" Concubine Di ordered

"Yes!" The royal guard immediately surrounded Mi Dechao.

Mi Dechao drew out his sword, pointed at Concubine Di and said, "You dare to disobey the emperor's orders, this is rebellion, and this envoy will enforce the law for Your Majesty." As he spoke, he stabbed Concubine Di with his sword, Song Jiajun stepped in front of Concubine Di, and the sword pierced Jia Jun's abdomen, Jia Jun fell to the ground, Mi Dechao waved his sword like crazy, and suddenly slashed at Concubine Di, Concubine Di saw that the sword was about to fall on her head, when a familiar face suddenly appeared in front of her, Concubine Di Looking closely, it was Defang. It turned out that Defang had just woken up. He walked slowly to the main hall while leaning on the wall, but saw this scene. It hit Defang's back, but it didn't hurt the flesh, because Defang was always wearing soft gold silk armor. Defang blocked the sword, saw the golden mace on the table behind Concubine Di, picked it up, Turning around and breaking Mi Dechao's sword, he swung his golden mace and hit Mi Dechao's leg. Mi Dechao's leg bone was broken, and he fell to the ground and howled.

At this time, Defang had just woken up, and her body was very weak. With a series of movements, she suddenly became dizzy and almost fell down. Concubine Di and Zhou Shiguan quickly helped Defang to sit down. Defang panted quickly and closed her eyes tightly. .

Jia Jun was also supported by guards Chongming and Shang En. Fortunately, the wound was not deep and the wound was not stabbed. Wen Qi, the medical officer of the palace, rushed to bandage him.

Mi Dechao pressed his legs and looked at Defang and the others, "You dare to disobey the imperial decree! This envoy will face you to punish you for other serious crimes."

Defang barely opened her eyes, glared at Mi Dechao, and then said to the imperial guards, "Tie this man up."

The imperial guards stepped forward and tied up Mi Dechao, regardless of what his legs looked like, Mi Dechao screamed in pain.

At this time, Sun Nong and Di Shoujie ran in, saw the chaos, and hurried to Defang, "My lord!"

Concubine Di was surprised when she saw Di Shoujie, "Brother, you..."

Di Shoujie nodded at Concubine Di, "Ma'am, I'm fine, I'm back safe and sound."

Concubine Di looked at Defang with tears in her eyes, "My lord, brother is back"

Defang slowly opened her eyes, saw Di Shoujie, called out "brother" weakly, then closed her eyes and gasped for breath, the medical officer Wen Qi also came over and took his pulse and said, "Your Majesty needs to rest for a while."

Di Shoujie saw that Defang was so ill that he could hardly hold the golden mace in his hand, so he quickly picked up the golden mace and put it on the shelf. so weak?"

Concubine Di briefly talked about the reason why Defang was imprisoned some time ago, and the matter of blocking Mi Dechao's sword just now.

Di Shoujun nodded to Defang and said, "My lord, now the matter has been clarified, the emperor sent me to arrest Mi Dechao, please rest in peace at the lord's mansion."

Di Shoujie and Sun Nong brought Mi Dechao to the Golden Palace, and the accompanying soldiers could only return.

Baili and the guards helped Defang into the room, and Jiajun was also helped back to the room. The medical officer Wen Qi and the servants were busy making medicine for the two of them.

Di Shoujie and Sun Nong escorted Mi Dechao into the Golden Palace. Mi Dechao was already trembling with fright at this time. Taizong walked up to Mi Dechao. Di Shoujie reported the things in the Nanqing Palace truthfully. Courageous! You bullied the king, almost caused a mutiny, humiliated your colleagues and important officials, poisoned the royal family in the dungeon, and now dare to use my decree to harm the prince and concubine, and you will be punished with death! It’s not true!"

Mi Dechao was originally a villain, who only relied on flattery, sowing discord, and framing to make money for himself. He had no real skills, so Taizong scolded him, and Mi Dechao confessed in full. He thought Taizong would still think about the past Let him go, at most he would be demoted, but this time he did not expect that Taizong ordered to behead all the remaining members of Mi Dechao, dismiss Mi Dechao from office, confiscate all his property, send him and his family to Qiongzhou for imprisonment, and let Mi Dechao commit suicide in Qiongzhou. Three generations of descendants are not allowed to enter the court as officials.

Mi Dechao was dragged out of the Golden Palace. Taizong ordered Song Xun and Cao Bin to be released. He felt that he owed them both, so he said, "Prime Minister, I don't know what to hear, and I have lost a lot of things. I am ashamed in my heart."

"Your Majesty" Zhao Pu stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty knows the virtues and talents and appoints him. Cao Bin was found innocent and exonerated. Those who work hard will enter, and those who are guilty will be punished. There is no escape, and the matter is decisive. This is why Your Majesty is sage." How did Yao and Shun get past this?"

Hearing this, Emperor Taizong felt a little relieved, so he decreed to add the titles of Tongping Zhangshi and Privy Envoy of Song Dynasty to increase the number of food towns;

After retiring from the court, Emperor Taizong brought the imperial physician, Song Xie, and Cao Bin to the Nanqing Palace, and saw that Defang was sweating and in a coma. The medical officer said that it was because of the violent movements and anger after waking up. Heart attack caused by blood.

Taizong sighed, and asked the imperial doctor to make a careful diagnosis and treatment. Once Defang got better, he would report it immediately. After Taizong explained, he returned to the palace first.

Song Xie looked at De Fang very distressed, with an anxious face, and Cao Bin on the side said, "Guo Gong, the prince is auspicious, and everything will be fine. The imperial doctor also said that as long as you rest for a while, you will be fine."

Song Xie sighed, "That's true, but when I see Defang's current situation, how can I not be anxious, General Cao, Defang is only 24 years old, Queen Song doesn't know how hard this period is, and now I know you and me It's all right, but she won't see Defang going, she will be very anxious."

Cao Bin nodded, "The Duke understands Cao's worries, but there is no way to worry. Why don't the Duke visit Queen Song first, so that she can feel at ease."

"Guohua's words are justified, then I'll go to the West Palace first." Song Xi hurried to Queen Song

Concubine Di said to Cao Bin, "The old general has not had a good rest since he returned to Beijing from the border gate. He was framed and imprisoned for many days. Now that the matter has subsided and the prince has returned to the mansion safely, the old general should go back and have a good rest."

"Thank you, ma'am, Mr. Cao can't help you much. When the prince recovers, Mr. Cao will visit again."

"Thank you, old general." Concubine Di sent Cao Bin out of Nanqing Palace.

Song Xie came to the West Palace to see Empress Song. Empress Song asked about Defang's condition very anxiously. Song Xie comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The imperial doctor said that Defang will be fine as long as he rests for a while."

Empress Song had a sad face, "Father, I couldn't sleep well during the time Defang was imprisoned. Now things have calmed down, but Defang is seriously ill..." As she spoke, Empress Song wept softly

"Mother, Defang is still young, there will be no health problems, so don't worry too much." Although Song Xie comforted Queen Song, he was also very worried in his heart.

"Father, Defang is only 24 years old this year, but he has experienced so many things. Now he is alone, how will the court protect himself in the future?" Queen Song was very worried

Song Xie patted his daughter's hand and said, "Don't worry too much about this. Since the emperor came to the throne, he has taken good care of Defang. In addition, Defang is cautious, generous and upright. Many ministers in the court admire him very much. In this incident, many ministers dared to take risks to testify for him, and in my opinion, Defang has begun to have his own place in the court.”

"If that's the case, I can feel much more at ease." Empress Song nodded

"I believe that Defang will live up to the name of a virtuous king, and will definitely do something in the future," Song Xie said.

"Defang is loyal and filial, and I also believe that he will become a generation of virtuous kings," Queen Song nodded.

Defang in the Nanqing Palace has not woken up after lying down for three days, her body has been feverish, Concubine Di was very worried, she stayed by the bedside for a moment, Concubine Di was very sleepy at night, she wiped Defang's sweat, leaned against She fell asleep on the bed rail in a daze, but Concubine Di woke up a while later. Because she was too worried about Defang in her heart, she was always in a state of tension. At this time, her forehead was sweating a little. She wiped the sweat and turned to Looking at Defang, I didn't expect Defang's hand to move at this time, and the eyelids opened slightly. Concubine Di hurriedly called the imperial doctor. After the diagnosis and treatment, the imperial doctor said, "The prince's fever has gone down, but his body is weak, don't be affected by it." Wind, rest for a period of time, and it will recover.”

The imperial doctor sent people to boil a decoction for Defang to take. Defang was fully awake at this time. Baili helped Defang sit up, drank some white water, and his breathing became smooth. From a distance, I heard the sound of the royal guards practicing.

Defang looked at the crowd and asked, "How long has the lonely king been lying down?"

Concubine Di stepped forward to help Defang answer "three days"

"Three days?" Defang recalled, "Where is Mi Dechao?"

"Your Majesty, Mi Dechao has been dismissed by His Majesty, and sent to Qiongzhou to make him commit suicide and apologize, and all his followers will be beheaded."

Defang was a little surprised, "What's going on?"

Concubine Di told Defang about the situation that day, and Defang looked at Concubine Di, "Brother, is he back?"

"Yes, my lord, after Mi Dechao was tied up that day, my brother came over and talked to my lord"

Defang tried hard to recall "it seems to be"

Concubine Di worriedly touched Defang's forehead again, "It seems that the prince still needs to rest for a while."

Defang smiled, "Ma'am, I'm fine."

Concubine Di pouted, "What's the matter? I was poisoned in the dungeon, and my fever persisted, and I fell into a coma. I went back to my house and lay down for several days. When I woke up, I met Mi Dechao and lay down for another three days." , and said it’s okay!” Di Fei’s eyes were already filled with tears.

Defang shook her head, "It seems that I really neglected to practice martial arts, and my body is so unbearable."

"No matter how much you practice martial arts, you can't beat someone who poisoned you." Concubine Di looked at De Fang unhappy.

Defang laughed, Concubine Di suddenly cried, and everyone in the room didn't know whether to retreat or persuade them, so they kept silent.

Defang saw it and asked quickly, "Ma'am, what's the matter?"

"The concubine is terrified when she thinks that the prince blocked Mi Dechao's sword."

"I have golden silk soft armor, how can I get hurt, madam, don't worry."

"That's not true. When the prince is sick, how do you know that the imperial doctor will not take off the soft armor and block the sword?"

When Defang heard this, she really had no reason to say it.

Concubine Di said again, "Every time I wipe the prince's sweat, he will put it on again. This is also Jia Jun's request. He is afraid that someone will harm the prince, so he is very cautious in everything."

Defang sighed, "Jiajun is really the lucky general of the lonely king"

"Jiajun's injuries have also begun to recover, and he will be able to see the prince in a few days," Concubine Di said.

"Well, Jiajun saved his wife, the lonely king must thank him well." Defang nodded

"What about you, my lord?" Concubine Di looked at De Fang.

"I?"

"The lord doesn't care about himself, he blocks the sword for his concubines, if something happens, what will the lord ask his concubines to do?"

"Madam, how can I watch Madam get hurt, besides, the lonely king is fine now"

"No matter what happens or not, the concubine will not allow the prince to do such a thing again." Concubine Di was a little angry

Defang held Concubine Di's hand and said, "I won't promise this to Madam, I will always protect Madam"

Concubine Di remained silent, tears welled up in her eyes, she cried on Defang's shoulder, everyone hurriedly left after seeing this.

Defang hugged Concubine Di, "I don't want to leave my wife, let alone have something to do with my wife"

"My lord, all the courtiers and concubines understand"

Defang looked into Concubine Di's eyes, "I want to grow old with my wife and never be separated"

Concubine Di nodded, smiling with tears in her eyes.

Defang recuperated in the mansion for a period of time. During this period, Taizong also sent people to send a lot of supplements, and she has gradually recovered.

Ten days later, when Defang went to court, Emperor Taizong asked, "Is the emperor's nephew fully recovered?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the subject is fine."

"The imperial nephew should rest for a few more days."

"Thank you Your Majesty for your love, I want to share your worries for His Majesty"

Taizong nodded, "The emperor's nephew is loyal, and I am very pleased. In this incident, the emperor's nephew was wronged, and I almost hurt the emperor's nephew."

"Your Majesty is a sage king, and he can only hate those treacherous ministers like Mi Dechao, who deceived the Holy Will, deceived the emperor, and framed Zhongliang. These are not your Majesty's fault."

"The emperor's nephew is consoling me. No matter what, this matter has caused Nanqing Palace to be implicated, and I am very disturbed," Taizong said.

"Your Majesty, now that the truth is revealed, let us go back to the past, please don't worry, Your Majesty."

"Emperor's nephew" Taizong stood up and came to Defang. Defang got up, and Taizong said, "I planned to add the title of emperor's nephew, but there are so many official duties, I'm afraid it will make the emperor's nephew work harder. I know that the emperor's nephew has always liked jade and antiques. After the imperial court, I will order Zhang Wenxi to accompany you to the treasure room, and the imperial nephew will choose a few pieces at random, and they will be regarded as gifts from the emperor's uncle, and there is no need to repay them separately."

Defang cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty Long En"

Taizong nodded, "I decided to seal Weiling as Princess Baole and give Princess Di a capital house to comfort the emperor's nephew."

"I'm terrified," Defang said.

"Emperor's nephew, don't refuse." Taizong patted Defang on the shoulder, "I hope you will help me wholeheartedly."

"I will do my best to repay Your Majesty's grace"

After retiring from the court, Defang followed Zhang Wenxi to the Treasure Room. Defang was very familiar with this place. When the Taizu was there, he knew that Defang loved ancient artifacts very much, so he often asked him to come here by himself and pick out the objects he liked to bring back.

Zhang Wenxi said, "My lord, please choose"

Defang walked into the treasure room and looked at many jade treasures. After roughly looking around, he went straight to a small box and stopped. The box was opened, and there was a very special jade pendant inside. The jade surface was red. A copper bell-shaped object, Defang is very satisfied with this jade pendant, Zhang Wenxi asked, "My lord seems to like this object very much"

Defang nodded, "I heard that when Emperor Yao appeared, one day a cloud of seven colors appeared in the sky, and the thunderstorm lasted for seven days. Within seven days, Emperor Yao got seven sons and seven daughters. He was very surprised and called it auspicious cloud. This cloud made people cast a copper bell, and collected auspicious clouds into the copper bell on the day when the sun and the moon merged. It was hidden deep in the huge mountain in the center of Emperor Yao's territory. When later generations excavated the copper bell, they found this jade pendant , but there is no trace of the copper bell, so I regard this jade pendant as a sacred object and enshrine it."

Zhang Wenxi was very surprised, "My lord, is this true?"

Defang smiled, "These are all rumors and allusions, but whether it's true or not, this jade pendant is of excellent color, transparent and meticulous, with precise carving and no blemishes. It's top notch."

"The lord is an expert, the little one doesn't understand at all, so the little one will help the lord wrap it up, and the lord will choose and see."

"No need, this one is enough"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty said that you can choose a few more pieces, why don't you look at them again?"

"Thank you Eunuch Zhang, this jade pendant is enough, the lonely king wants to give it to Ling'er as a present"

Taking the jade pendant, Defang first went to the West Palace to visit Empress Song to appease her emotions, then returned to the Nanqing Palace, and put the jade around her daughter Weiling's neck with her own hands. The jade pendant from your father?"

Linger held the jade pendant in her little hand and giggled, Defang touched Linger's little face, "Our little Linger is Princess Baole now."

Concubine Di was stunned for a moment, "What princess?"

Defang smiled, "Your Majesty named Ling'er Princess Baole, and also bestowed a house in the middle of Beijing on his wife."

"Is this true?" Concubine Di didn't believe it.

"How dare I deceive Madam, this jade pendant was also given by His Majesty to choose from the Treasure Room."

Concubine Di held Defang's wrist, "Is this His Majesty's compensation for the prince?"

Defang didn't speak, hugged her daughter, kissed her face, Ling'er smiled happily, and Concubine Di approached Defang and hugged him. At this time, the two felt even more sad. For them, A reward can't compensate for anything, as long as he can live a stable life, he is already satisfied.

In October 983, when Song Qi and Li Fang paid homage to the prime minister, Taizong changed the name of his son, and changed the Chinese character "De" to Yuan to distinguish Taizu from Tingmei's son.Dechong was renamed Yuan Zuo Feng Chu Wang, De Ming was renamed Yuan You Feng Chen Wang, and Dechang was renamed Yuan Xiu Feng Shou Wang.