Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Chapter 806 How can the word "unnecessary" convince the world?
"Bianliang... I really didn't expect that in less than half a year, the original capital of my Great Song Dynasty would become like this!"

Han Zhongyan, who was dressed in white, lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at this very strange city, showing emotion.

In the past few months when the imperial court moved south to Jinling, the place that has changed the most, apart from Luoyang, which was poisoned by the Liao army, is probably Bianliang.

This once million-strong capital city was extremely prosperous. The gates of the city were not always crowded with traffic and people. The line of people entering the city was so long that it could not be seen at a glance, but now it became sparse and deserted all of a sudden.

There is no way, the officials and civil and military officials have all fled. As long as they have some money, they will naturally flee in droves, going to Jiangnan, Chuanxia, ​​and Guanzhong. As long as they are not in Henan, other places will do.

As a result, a large number of shops were closed, at least half of the seventy-two restaurants were no longer open, housing prices collapsed, and prices skyrocketed, eventually leading to a depression.

As the prime minister, Han Zhongyan, even though he has resigned now and is about to return to his hometown in Xiangzhou, he still can't help but come to the capital to take a look. The sight that impresses his eyes is not unexpected, but his mood still becomes uncontrollably sad: "If The Worriless Cave was not wiped out by Gongsun Zhao, maybe it will disappear at this time, I don’t know if His Majesty has any regrets about Qian when he sees Bianliang become like this?"

The personal butler saw him, and hurriedly comforted him: "Ah Lang, don't worry, the Liao army has retreated, Bianliang has also been designated as the central capital, and this place will soon be prosperous again!"

Han Zhongyan sighed: "It hasn't retreated yet, the main force of the Liao army is raging in Hengshan, it is really greedy, let those who are blind take a look!"

"Beilu didn't even spare the area of ​​Xixia. If he entered Yanmen and returned to Yanyun, the consequences would be unimaginable. The sycophant in the court hall is still pretending to be deaf and dumb. As for the officials..."

"Hey, the old man is exhausted physically and mentally. I really can't argue with them anymore. Let's go to the city!"

In the end, he couldn't help feeling ashamed.

Compared with Fan Chunli, who is also the son of Fan Zhongyan, who still stuck to the court even when he was seriously ill, as the son of Han Qi, he resigned and returned to his hometown at a difficult time for the Song court.

It's just that he was really tired of the court that fought all day long, and even if he forced him to stay, it would be more and more useless. The letter to Zhang Dun before he left was probably the last duty he fulfilled.

Entering the city from the Lijing Gate, not far away is the Yuquan Gym.

It is open here, and the business is still very good. Obviously, the war period has stimulated people's demand for martial arts, and the sound of passionate martial arts training can be heard far away.

Han Zhongyan was not interested in Martial Arts, but instead looked at the opposite academy, listened to the sound of reading, and gently stroked his beard: "This is the Suian Academy run by Lin Yiyong?"

The housekeeper said: "Yes."

Han Zhongyan received a letter from his family and knew that the establishment of the Xiangbing had something to do with his younger brother Han Jiayan. He also had a good impression of the Xiangjun: "This man is both civil and military, and he has made great achievements in recovering Yanyun. If you are able to rise to the top of the court, if you can be a high school Jinshi, it will be even more perfect... The imperial examination was postponed due to the war, and arrangements should be made early..."

After all, he was getting older, thinking about it, his thoughts diverged, and he thought about the imperial examination for a while: "I don't know how the younger generation in the family is doing. When the old man returns, he will have to take more exams!"

"Ah Lang! There is movement ahead!"

Just as he was thinking about it, the butler suddenly changed his expression and protected him, and the dozen or so guards who followed him stepped forward one after another to protect the retired prime minister.

Han Zhongyan looked over with dizzy old eyes, only to realize that there was a large group of people rushing in front of him.

At the peak of Bianjing, this kind of crowd was nothing at all, but now in the period of the Great Depression, this mighty crowd is very eye-catching, especially those who are surrounded in the center, still look like A family that is not rich is particularly noticeable.

Han Zhongyan squinted his eyes and said in a low voice, "Go over and ask, what happened?"

The housekeeper went over to inquire in person, and came back after a short while, with a strange expression on his face: "I tell you, Alang, this group of people are all out of the city to meet the Imperial City Si Gao's promotion, and the leaders are the Gao family..."

Han Zhongyan was stunned, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Let's follow up and have a look!"

With the support of the housekeeper, he got into the carriage, turned around, and went out of the city again.

After following for a while, the crowd stopped at the side of the official road and began to wait silently.

Everyone was very patient. Not only did they not leave early, but they also kept coming from all directions after hearing the news, which made the scale continue to increase. In order to avoid being surrounded, the carriage had to retreat again and again.

If you step back, you won't be able to see clearly at all. Han Zhongyan took the initiative to walk down, and then found that no one cared about him, the former prime minister, and they all looked into the distance with anticipation.

"Here we come!! Gao Qingtian is here!!" "Don't squeeze! Don't squeeze!" "Quickly step back and let Mrs. Gao pass!"

Finally, the cheers from the people in front spread quickly to the rear like waves. All the people who came spontaneously rushed forward, and then someone shouted, and the crowd separated very consciously.

Witnessing this scene, Han Zhongyan already held his breath, and when he looked at Gao Qiu, his eyes widened even more.

Because there are also thousands of people coming all the way there, there are heroes full of Jianghu, scholars and scholars who are aggrieved, and simple ordinary people.

Crowds of people from both sides converged, surrounded by Gao Qiu who was wearing torture tools and wooden shackles on one side, and Father Gao on the other.

Gao Qiu looked at the old father who had turned him into the yamen, and bowed down: "Father! I'm back, the child is not filial!"

Father Gao looked at this ignorant son who only knew how to cause trouble, his eyes were full of pride, and then he looked at the torture equipment he was wearing. Agitated and sad, tears welled up: "Son! If you are not filial, How many people in the world can be called filial? With such a son who serves the country and the people, I will die without regret!"

Gao Qiu's body trembled violently, tears poured out, and he kowtowed: "Father must never say such words, please rest assured, Father, His Majesty will definitely forgive the child, and the child will honor you well when he returns home!"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone around echoed: "Not bad! Not bad!" "Gao Qingtian's great achievements are not rewarded, but he was convicted and sent to Beijing, that would be unreasonable!" Will be deceived by treacherous ministers again!"

Hearing is deceiving, seeing is believing, Han Zhongyan, who watched this scene from afar, was very solemn: "No matter what Gao Qiu was before, he is now a hero of our Great Song Dynasty, and there is absolutely no reason to send him to the capital. Wrong Zhongliang, otherwise the people in the north will lose their hearts and there will be chaos!"

……

"What crime is Gao Qiu convicted of? Have you all thought about it?"

In the Jinling Imperial Palace, Zhao Ji sat on the dragon chair, looked at the silent officials, and asked again.

The ministers were silent again.

From the official's special inquiry, the implication is obvious. Gao Qiu cannot be charged with resisting the decree, so as not to save the court's face, but to find another charge!
But just like that, no one dared to speak.

During the Song-Liao Baoyou alliance, they all knew that after the Liao army left Yanmen Pass, they would definitely repent and attack Yanyun, but at that time the Lord Peace faction did not panic, because if the Liao army really repented, Yanyun would be lost, and it would be left in the history books. It is undoubtedly the dishonest North Prisoner and Zhao Ji who are muddle-headed in negotiating peace. It is hard to blame them.

Looking at this time now, since resistance and non-compliance cannot be used to convict, no one is willing to bear the eternal infamy that must be recorded in history for a courtier who has recovered Yanyun.

Anger flashed in Zhao Ji's eyes, and he fixed his eyes on the new Prime Minister He Zhizhong.

This person is from Longquan, Chuzhou, that is, from Longquan County, Zhejiang Province. He is currently a famous figure in the Jiangnan faction that is rising rapidly in the court. After Han Zhongyan resigned, Zhao Ji immediately promoted him to the prime minister.

Of course, this person is also qualified. He was born as a Jinshi in the Shenzong Dynasty. He not only has local experience, but also served as the Minister of the Ministry of War and the Minister of Works and Officials. He was also one of the prime ministers of the Huizong Dynasty in history. During his tenure, he catered to the emperor in many ways. , in order to whitewash the peace and cater to Cai Jing at the same time. Although he is not very famous and has not made any contributions, his official career is stable and prosperous.

He Zhizhong felt the gaze of the official, wanted to lower his head even lower, but stopped abruptly, still maintaining the state of a clay sculpture and wood sculpture.

But at this moment, the silence in the hall was broken by a weak voice: "The old minister thinks that Gao Tiju is innocent, and he should be rewarded with the work of recovering Yanyun!"

Zhao Ji's cheek muscles twitched, looking at Fan Chunli, who was dragging his sick body up, and said slowly: "Fan Gong is weak, and I don't know the details, so don't worry about such important affairs in court!"

Fan Chunli breathed a sigh of relief: "Although the old minister said he was ill and stayed at home for many days, the recovery of the land of Yanyun is related to my long-cherished wish of Song Dynasty for a hundred years. How can I not know the details?"

Zhao Ji said indifferently: "Mr. Fan really doesn't know that although the land of Yanyun has been regained, there are no officials to register, and there is no household registration. It has been separated by the township army set up by Gao Qiu. I am very worried!"

The ministers were silent.

If there was no previous covenant to allow the main force of the Liao army to go to Yanmen Pass, then this kind of behavior is undoubtedly an outrageous attempt to separatize one side, but after that incident, even the most shameless officials are embarrassed to ask why the township army is still there. Occupying Yanyun, one can only say that the official family is worthy of being an official family...

Of course, Zhao Ji still has a trump card: "The thing I am most worried about is the 'Zuo Ming' who appeared outside the Yanmen Pass! So far there is no clue, but now 'Zuo Ming' inexplicably appeared in front of Yanmen Pass, what's going on?"

Speaking of this, he sighed deeply: "Gao Qiu is my former minister in the hidden residence. I have always trusted him in every possible way without any doubt. Why is it so... Sigh!"

This sigh was the signal. In Yushitai, a censor Wang Fu (fǔ) with an upright face and prepared for a long time stood up: "I impeach Gao Qi for colluding with a big treason and plotting to commit crimes. Such a traitor seems loyal and harbors evil intentions. They must be severely punished according to the law!"

There was an uproar among the ministers, and even He Zhizhong suddenly raised his head, never expecting that the officials wanted to convict Gao Qiu of treason, which would be a crime for the three clans!

When Fan Chunli heard this, he was even more furious: "Collude with 'Zuo Ming', intending to rebel? Is this the crime you are going to indict on a courtier who has just recovered Yan Yun? Evidence! Evidence!!"

Wang Fu said without hesitation: "'Zuo Ming' is a great treason, how can we get detailed evidence of the crime? It is related to the Song Dynasty and the safety of His Majesty. If there is no evidence, you can be convicted!"

Fan Chunli's eyes were about to burst: "How can the word 'unnecessary' convince the world? Your Majesty must never convict the crime of high-level promotion, let alone the unwarranted case!"

Zeng Bu and Cai Bian couldn't take it anymore, they knew they couldn't persuade them, but they still came forward and knelt down: "My ministers and others seconded Fan Gong! You must not be convicted of this serious crime, and you must investigate thoroughly!"

Even He Zhizhong wanted to step forward to dissuade him, but he hesitated for a long time under the gaze of Dao Senhan on the dragon chair, raised his toes, and finally shrank back.

When he didn't come out, the officials of the Jiangnan faction did not move. There were very few who agreed with Fan Chunli and the three of them. Looking at the court, most of the officials had actually acquiesced.

Zhao Ji stood up as expected, and said calmly: "I still want to believe in Gao Qiu in my heart, this matter has not been convicted yet, we will discuss it when he arrives in Jinling!"

After all, with the shrill voice of the servant retreating, the figure of the Ninth Five-Year Lord disappeared in the Daqing Palace, only Fan Chunli's old and desperate voice still echoed: "This must not be the case! Absolutely not!!"

(End of this chapter)