Hypocrites

Chapter 81 Grinding Guillotine

Liang Heng was startled at first, wondering why Yang Xi suddenly mentioned this matter.Yang Xi seemed to understand what he was thinking, and explained solemnly: "The Prime Minister has explained the cause and effect, and I and Mr. Xu must do everything possible for His Majesty to get rid of the culprits."

Duan Yanling avoided Liang Heng's gaze and questioned, and at this moment, Liang Heng understood that Duan Yanling must be sent by his father today to send a message to Yang Xi and Xu Chen, and brought them to see him.

The people Duan Boyu entrusted can naturally be trusted.

"But as Qing said," Liang Heng asked, "since the evidence has been erased, what else can I do?"

Yang Xi replied: "It's been too long, there's nothing I can do about it. Isn't there just one thing that happened recently?"

"How?"

Yang Xi didn't speak bluntly, but just looked at Shen Youdu next to the emperor. This look was really deep, mixed with emotions such as sympathy and righteous indignation.

Immediately, everyone understood that Liang Heng could almost hear Shen Yu's heavy breathing.

"Behind the Sanchang Shilang in the palace is Liwuhou Shanguan," Yang Xi said, "Two years ago, the Shanguan turned black and white and framed Zhongliang. There was only one key point, that is, Shen Gong beheaded Shan Guangyi. Whether it is before the imperial edict or after the imperial edict."

Shen Yu frowned: "It all depends on what I do? Shan Guangyi was imprisoned and beheaded everywhere. This is a normal procedure, and there is nothing violated."

Several people were careful not to offend the sufferer.

"Of course I believe in the teacher's character." Liang Heng said.

If the emperor still recognizes Shen Jin as a teacher, then he is the emperor's teacher, and his character and morality cannot be questioned unless he is present.Yang Xi then said: "Shen Gongqing is well-known all over the world, and the minister is also convinced. In this way, we can only find the official who proclaimed the edict at that time, and only this person knows the facts in his heart. Before the minister came, he had checked at Shangshutai. This person resigned from office two years ago, and he doesn't know where he is now."

"Hey..." Liang Heng had hope for a while, and then his hope was shattered, and he was very entangled.

But Yang Xi said instead: "Your Majesty, this is good news. So I said that only recent cases have evidence to find. Please imagine that if this person is still in Shangshutai today, everyone knows that he is the case of Shen Gong. Everyone has questioned the witnesses, but the case has not been overturned until today, what does this mean?"

It shows that the official's confession has been bribed.

"And the other person is no longer there. Back then when the court lieutenant handled the case, he only had the words of a single official, and there was no other witness. Doesn't this just mean that this person really knows some facts, and he doesn't want to be a minion, but wants to protect himself wisely?"

That's right, Liang Heng was shocked, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Siji hurriedly stepping over the scrolls that were drying on the floor, and rushed over.It seems that this conversation has been going on for too long, which made Siji suspicious.

"To make a long story short," Liang Heng said, "What does Xu Qing want to say?"

"I took over the official affairs left by Wang Situ. When I sorted out the files, I found that the taxes reported by the officials did not match the amount of surplus grain in the granaries in various places. Most of them disappeared, not just in someone's pocket. If your majesty wants to trace this line , I should do my best.”

Yang Xi also said firmly: "I will find that subordinate official as soon as possible."

Wang Jianzhi held a stack of books and stretched his legs. Siji fell upside down on the steps with an ouch, and several people looked over.

Liang Heng: "..."

Yang Xi and Xu Zhuan were "busy" to take care of their official documents, leaving Duan Yanling holding the sword, as if he still had something to say.

"The assassin of Mount Qifeng," Duan Yanling stared at the direction of the steps, and asked Liang Heng, "Have you tracked him down later?"

Liang Heng replied: "Not yet, in case Qiu Zhiyuan finds out about his previous movements."

"If it's the assassin he sent, what else do you know?"

Duan Yanling didn't know the truth about the mutual restraint between the emperor and the eunuchs, and thought that the conflict between the two was just about to pierce a layer of window paper, and when they were cornered, it was not surprising that the three eunuchs would do anything.Liang Heng didn't intend to tell him either.

"Maybe, Brother Yu has kept the evidence. It won't be too late to investigate after the three are arrested."

Duan Yanling's expression suddenly became strange, he hesitated, and asked, "What evidence?"

Liang Heng replied to him: "Worrying so much? Go back and recuperate."

It was actually a piece of skin cut off from the assassin's body. On the skin was a strange tattoo of a galloping horse. Currently, there are not many clues about this kind of tattoo.Somehow, Liang Heng didn't tell Duan Yanling.

Wang Jianzhi picked up the dropped documents, and didn't give Siji a single glance, as if no one was dragging him.Although Siji was annoyed, there were too many idlers waiting today, and there were officials from the Taiwan Pavilion. He didn't recognize Wang Jianzhi, and he didn't dare to offend him easily, so he bypassed him and still came to the corridor.

Liang Heng took a look, Shen Yu remained silent for a while.

"Thinking about what?"

In the case back then, if the subordinate officials who served as witnesses did not even leave a statement, how could the late emperor be so eager to convict Shen Jin?

Shen Yu's heart ached for a while, and he didn't tell Liang Heng what he said.

When the flood happened, the prime minister's half-year-long illness healed overnight, and he frequently traveled to and from the inner court to discuss matters such as resettlement of refugees with Liang Heng.And at this juncture, I re-acquainted with the prince's companion and now the military officer You Duhou.

He is very familiar with the territory of Qi State south of the great river, the direction of the water system, the apostasy of the official path, and the accommodation capacity of the states and counties, one by one.

"The goods from the north and the south are all collected and distributed in Shixing, and transferred to the royal city. Shixing is rich and prosperous, but the people are engaged in business and farming. There is too much money and no food. It may be difficult to support a large number of people at a time."

"Master Shen is right," Duan Boyu nodded and said, "In your opinion, what should we do?"

A cowhide map was spread out on the case table, and the territory of the State of Qi was drawn with ink lines. Shen Yu pointed out several places: "Several states and counties adjacent to Shixing may be temporarily accommodated. One is because Shixing's business atmosphere is prevalent and the population is concentrated. In the urban area, a large number of fields in the outskirts were left unused, and they were taken over by residents of neighboring counties, which can be said to be full of granaries. Secondly, they are close to each other, so Shixing’s money and goods can be easily received.”

Liang Heng basically obeyed Shen Yu's advice, and asked the prime minister what he thought.

Duan Boyu smiled and said: "Master Shen has said everything I want to say, and I have nothing to say, so I have to second the proposal."

Shen Yu also rarely smiled.Duan Boyu has a high reputation among the literati all over the world, and being recognized by him made Shen Yu recall in a daze the days in the school, when all the students performed in front of Shen Jin and asked for a commendation.

"Master Shen has a lot of knowledge. To be a military officer is really not an official position. Your Majesty, don't be reluctant to delay the future of others."

On the contrary, Liang Heng was embarrassed, as if he was the one being praised: "But there seems to be no suitable place right now?"

Duan Boyu suggested: "The position of Sizhi before the minister's case has been vacant for a long time. If Mr. Shen does not dislike it, please ask His Majesty for an order and be transferred to the Xiangguo Mansion. The prime minister Sizhi can get in touch with a large number of officials' inscriptions, which is very training." People, open your eyes."

Not to mention that in the future, if Shen Yu wants to go further in the officialdom and become a prime minister's student, it will bring him [-] points of convenience. The position itself is also attractive enough.Liang Heng even thought about it. He transferred Shen Yu to his side back then because the inside and outside were controlled by the three eunuchs and there was no other good position.At present, Duan Xiang personally nominates, isn't it a good job?

However, Shen Yu refused.

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your kindness. Thank you for your love. However, now is the critical moment, and the transfer of personnel will inevitably attract attention. Let's get through this difficult time and make another plan."

Duan Boyu was rejected, but he didn't see that he had any intentions, so he resigned to Liang Heng.

Liang Heng stared at Shen Yu for a long time, then suddenly said: "Are you worried about me? If you want to stay by my side, just say so."

Shen Yu: "..."

After the autumn, all matters slowed down, and several court meetings were held in the outer courts to report the stockpiles of warehouses in various places. Fortunately, this year's flood season was responded to in a timely manner, and there was no pressure from the northern war. As long as the fields were harvested, the winter could enter the most leisurely season of the year. .

Autumn and winter are yin, and the main swordsmen are punished and killed.Compared with the rivers of blood in the previous two years, whether Zhangyi Palace or Wangdu City this year, the peace is as peaceful as a dream.It is really a new atmosphere of Xindi.

This was Liang Heng's first golden autumn after reaching a high position. The subjects were relaxed, but he was very nervous.Xu Chen and Yang Xi's progress was slow, like a turtle crawling.Right now, the three eunuchs are sharpening their knives, and the knives are almost broken, and they haven't seen blood yet.

Shen Yu was very patient, and sometimes Liang Heng couldn't bear it anymore, and when he saw his back on duty in front of the palace, he forced himself to meditate.

This day was the guard's shift, and when there was no work to do, Shen Yu came to Tianlu Pavilion to accompany Liang Heng as usual, bringing a fur robe with tuanhua flowers.

"I met Xinzhou on the road," Shen Yu said, "It's getting cold, I ask you to change into it."

Even if Xinzhou is not by Liang Heng's side, he always misses him.Siji has been following Liang Heng closely, seeing this, he immediately said: "It's my servant who was negligent, Your Majesty forgives me."

Liang Heng changed his inner shirt and threw the thin coat he took off to him. Siji quickly folded it up and took it back to bed.With this walk, Liang Heng finally felt at ease for a moment.

"He is young, but he is very clever. He guards my hands and feet all day, for fear of revealing his secrets. I don't know where Wang Jianzhi has been these days. Fortunately, Siji didn't see him."

A person came in from under the carved window in the corridor: "Here."

"..."

Liang Heng asked sincerely: "Ai Qing, can you make your appearance a little more simple next time?"

Wang Jianzhi behaved in his own way, ignored everyone, and said to Shen Yu, "Your house has guests."

Shen Yu: "Who?"

Liang Heng: "How do you know?"

Wang Jianzhi smiled disdainfully, and replied: "I have a hundred pairs of eyes in Wangcheng, and I don't know anything - it was the last rainy night, your senior brother."

It was only then that Liang Heng remembered that there were still a hundred Jingsha tribes scattered in Wangdu City, and it was Liang Huang who had given him a trick.Now that I think about it, I should be concerned about one or two.

"Is the food good, is it comfortable to live in? It's getting cold, and the expenses for adding clothes and quilts, just ask for money."

Wang Jianzhi said in a sarcastic tone, "Is there still money in the treasury?"

It sounded like he was deeply impressed by what he saw in Penglai Garden, thinking that the treasury had already been emptied by Shuoshu.Of course, the real situation is not far from it.

Liang Heng was furious immediately: "One tael of silver ingots per person! Get it out of my private account, go and get it now!"

Wang Jianzhi immediately cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." With the privately printed approval document, he left with his tail cocked.

"You're quite generous." Shen Yu laughed.

100 people is 100 taels, Liang Heng was heartbroken while planning, weighing his small coffers.Suddenly remembered Wang Jianzhi's saying that Shen Yu's senior brother had come.

The ones with bad fate were all buried in the soil, and there were only two single seedlings left, except for the one in front of them, which was Song Jun.Liang Heng could no longer remember his appearance, only a vague image, he seemed to be a kind scholar who was always kind.