"Greedy for money and food."

Looking at the evidence presented, His Majesty the Emperor gently raised his hand and touched his chin.

In front of the desk, officials from the Ministry of Justice and the deputy commander of the Jin Yiwei who were ordered to investigate and investigate several ministers lowered their heads and remained silent.

Si Shu, the eunuch in charge of East Factory affairs, stood in the corner, like a silent shadow.

A few days ago, His Majesty met with several ministers who submitted letters requesting the death of Chen Shouzhang. Like Ning'an Bo Xie Wenyuan, these people came from aristocratic families in urgent need of military exploits, and there were also military generals who already had military exploits. To them,

Generally speaking, killing Chen Shouzhang will not only please His Majesty, but also give them more opportunities to make contributions.

No one expected that His Majesty would bring them all down.

Especially General Zhang Qi of Guangwei. He was born in a military family and could barely read a few Chinese characters. When Your Majesty met him in Jinyang, he was only a member of a hundred households. However, he was very powerful. Your Majesty paid a lot of money to let the warriors in the army compete.

He stood out from the crowd, and later His Majesty Zhengduqin asked him to guard him, and he really made great achievements. Then he rose through the ranks, from a member of a hundred households to a fourth-rank Guangwei general.

Such a close confidant was scolded by His Majesty for being "too selfish" because he wrote to His Majesty to kill Chen Shouzhang, and he was investigated and dealt with because of his disrespectful words.

Before the civil and military officials in the court could understand His Majesty's intentions, they were shocked by the results of the investigation.

However, after being proud for three or four years, this contract actually cost him tens of thousands of taels of military pay. According to the news from Jin Yiwei, in the barracks under his control, the soldiers could only wear single clothes in the harsh winter and eat grass roots and coarse grains.

Panzi, "with a look of hunger on his face, and no strength to hold an army in his hands." At the same time, Dongchang found dozens of boxes of gold and silver treasures in his home in Yanjing.

"Forcibly robbing women of the people and taking human life lightly."

Because of her own experience, Shen Shiqing prefers Xunzi's "theory of evil nature" to the "theory of good nature" taught by Mencius. She believes that people are born with greed and should be educated according to legal principles. But even so, she could not think of it.

How could someone become such a vicious person in just four years?

The room was silent, except for the sound of water outside the window, which was like human blood falling to the ground amid these countless tragic scenes.

Shen Shiqing's heart felt cold.

Tong Xingjin, the deputy commander of Jin Yiwei, said softly: "Your Majesty, there are still some evidences that are on the way to be verified. General Guangwei has been wanting to see Your Majesty these days, and occasionally he makes some disrespectful remarks..."

Yiji, who was standing beside His Majesty, did not move, but Ergou raised his head and glanced at Tong Xingjin.

Since the founding of the Yong Dynasty, the position of commander of the Imperial Guard has been held by the emperor's cronies. The previous commander, Zhu Qi, was a crony of the great eunuch Zhang Wan. When Zhang Wan was beheaded by his majesty for nine major crimes, Zhu Qi, who had been the master of evil for many years,

The party members could not escape death, and since then, the post of commander of the Jinyiwei has been vacant.

Tong Xingjin had been the "deputy commander" for so many years by acting cautiously. What he was most afraid of was that someone would be more favored by the emperor than him. Naturally, he disliked Zhang Qi and others to the extreme.

Now I can't help but want to come out and step on it.

"Disrespectful words? What does it mean to say a few disrespectful words after he has already done everything to put people's lives in jeopardy? Anyway, he can't have a second head on his neck for me to chop off."

"Emperor Zhao De" stood up slowly.

Today "he" was wearing a suit with a dragon pattern woven on a blue background and a gold and jade leather belt around his waist. He looked even more tall and strong, and was no worse than Tong Xingjin who was born in the military.

The light from the sky shines into the palace, illuminating the eyebrows and stars, just like shining on a handful of autumn frost.

Even the words of the young king were cold: "Let me find out everything Zhang Qi has done one by one."

"I accept the order." Tong Xingjin lowered his head, but said, "There is only one thing. The deed claims that he has made military exploits, and your Majesty promised him wealth for three generations."

Shen Shiqing stood in front of the window, looking at the few branches of golden osmanthus peeking out from the distant courtyard wall.

"Oh, I have said such words before? Are these words regarded as amulets by him?"

After a pause, Shen Shiqing thought of Zhang Qi's various crimes written on the paper.

She originally just couldn't bear the thought of a minister dying just because he spoke a few words about the suffering of the people, and wanted to find a scapegoat for Chen Shouzhang, but now, she really wants Zhang Qi to die.

Sincerely, I hope he dies.

"Three generations of wealth? After Zhang Qi's death..."

Holding her hands on the window lattice, Shen Shiqing spoke calmly:

"Ergou, go get a piece of tribute silk."

"yes!"

The two dogs hurriedly retreated, only to come back with a piece of crimson silk in their arms.

"Your Majesty, the tribute silk has been brought."

Shen Shiqing turned around, pointed to the piece of tribute silk and said, "Three generations of Zhang Qi's family used this silk to wrap their bodies after death."

Wrapped in tribute silk, who can say that it is not rich?

There was no fool in Chaohua Garden, and everyone understood that His Majesty wanted Zhang Qi to plead guilty and be executed. Tong Xingjin knelt on the ground holding the piece of tribute silk in both hands and said loudly:

"My lord, take the order."

In the afternoon, Chaohua Garden became quiet. His Majesty did not summon any more ministers, but only said that he wanted to be quiet for a while.

Yiji immediately retreated with a group of eunuchs, big and small.

Several high eunuchs had also been standing around waiting for most of the day. At this time, they were able to get some free time and go to a wing room in Chaohua Garden to rest for a while.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Ergou put his head in front of Yiji:

"I thought that the emperor was determined to kill Chen Shouzhang before. Why did the sour scholar who was not afraid of death not die, but the emperor wanted to kill Zhang Qi?"

Yiji took a sip of tea first, then watched Sanmao take out a bowl of stewed pheasant and a few side dishes from the warm water basin. Seeing that Sanmao was also looking at him, he stared at his toes and said:

"Your Majesty wants to kill Chen Shouzhang because of the need for a Western Expedition next year. Instead of killing Chen Shouzhang, Your Majesty wants to kill Zhang Qi because of the need for a Western Expedition next year."

After saying that, he picked up the japonica rice in the thin porcelain bowl, took a few bites of the pickled radish, and then poured the hot tea from the cup into the rice and took a few bites.

Ergou thought for a while and asked Third Cat: "Three Cat, do you understand?"

Sanmao didn't even look at him. He tore off the pheasant wings and put them on the rice and poured some soy sauce. He said, "The emperor doted on Zhang Qi so much before. Just because he dared to use his food and salary, the emperor wanted to kill him." Once this incident comes out, you have to be more careful everywhere, it is more effective than killing a sour scholar."

Ergou finally understood.

He also picked up his rice bowl and poured the pheasant stew soup directly into it:

"His Majesty's actions are really harder to guess than before. I thought that Your Majesty could spare the man named Zhang for once."

The prince they serve is a man who makes no secret of his likes and dislikes. He is willing to cause big trouble for anyone who makes him happy. It is rare to see someone so decisive in killing someone.

No one, including the four rats, spoke. They hurriedly finished their lunch. One chicken first wiped his teeth with green salt and then rinsed his mouth with tea. After making sure that there was no unpleasant taste in his mouth, he said slowly:

"Your Majesty is your Majesty. It's always up to you whether you want to do something or not. We, the slaves, can only serve you with all our heart. Who do you think you are?"

Ergou shrank his neck and did not dare to say more.

In the Chaohua Palace, Shen Shiqing had been looking at a page for a long time.

There was a person who was destined to die because of her words and a bolt of silk.

To this day, this incident is still like a long scripture that cannot be finished, and it refuses to leave her mind.

Zhang Qi should die, she had no doubt and no regrets.

The woman in the body of a king gasped slowly and looked at the hands that were still trembling slightly.

The hands were shaking with fear.

As a king, you have such power.

This power seems to be boundless, like the endless sky and the deep sea that cannot be reached. The sky is high and the sea is deep. Those who try it will die. The same is true for imperial power.

Slowly clenching her fists, Shen Shiqing slumped backwards on a chair made of golden nanmu.

She knew that while she was frightened, there were countless secret joys and desires slowly pouring out from the numerous gaps in her heart.

Boundless power now belongs to her.

She was happy about this.

I am also afraid of such joy.

This joy is like a drop of cinnabar falling into water.

Just one drop of cinnabar, and the water is no longer pure water.

There were scents of cinnamon in the Chaohua Garden, imitating handwriting, lecturing the courtiers, belittling Xie Wenyuan, and beheading the emperor's favorites... Shen Shiqing, who had been the "Emperor Zhaode" for several days, was truly embarrassed by his situation for the first time.

Because she herself was confused.

She raised her head and looked out the window. Shen Shiqing had always been used to doing this in the past seven years, but at this time, she was not just looking at the scenery outside the window.

Compared with the small courtyard of Ning'an House, this Chao Huayuan is huge, and Xiyuan is even bigger, and Xiyuan is just a palace of the emperor. Outside Xiyuan there is the imperial city, and beyond the imperial city there is Yanjing. ,Beyond Yanjing is Zhili, and beyond Zhili is Tianxia.

Wherever the eye can see, where the wind blows, where all the common people are, where all the civil and military officials rely on, in the wild wilderness in the northwest, and the vast ocean in the southeast, life and death are for grabs, and no one dares not to obey.

This is the power held in her hands as a woman at this time.

Shen Shiqing smiled.

A gentle breeze blew, and a few golden petals fell on the hand of "Emperor Zhao De".

"He" picked up this scrap of gold, and after a moment, he suddenly said loudly:

"Come here, summon Li Congyuan, the great scholar of Wuyingdian."

The chicken, dog, cat, and mouse came out from the side room after having their meal, and saw the afternoon light slanting down slightly, and the emperor they were serving standing in front of the window, lowering his eyes and smiling softly.

Your Majesty made an urgent call. When Li Congyuan arrived at Chaohua Garden from Wenyuan Pavilion, it was almost midnight. Waiting for him in front of the gate of the palace garden were the Four Rats.

"Mr. Li Ge, hurry in with our family. Your Majesty has an order to invite you in as soon as you arrive."

As the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Congyuan never flaunted his aristocracy by being arrogant towards the eunuchs. He nodded to the Four Rats:

"Please ask the internal officer to lead the way."

Si Shu only looked down at the road. He was not tall. He was walking beside Li Congyuan, who was brave and powerful, and just passed his neck. As the last of the four eunuchs, he held the East Factory but was taciturn. The ministers had little contact with each other and walked around the palace like a shadow.

When walking around the sycamore tree, this "shadow" suddenly spoke:

"Mr. Li Ge, Your Majesty is different from before. If you want to save Chen Shouzhang's life, you must first put aside your inner plans."

Li Congyuan put his hands in his sleeves and said nothing.


Chapter completed!