My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 586
"We scholars should establish our minds for the heaven and the earth, establish our destiny for the living and the people, inherit the unique knowledge of the saints, and create peace for all generations!"

In the cell, the comatose Li Shimian dreamed of the old man who taught them "Mencius" when he was a young student. He impassionedly told them the world-famous four lines of Hengqu.

Since then, Li Shimian has always regarded these four sentences as his lifelong pursuit. Even when the late emperor Zhu Di was still alive, he dared to write a letter directly pointing out the emperor's shortcomings.

The scene in the dream quickly changed. The impassioned old man disappeared, but his wife with tears on her face appeared. Looking at his wife's familiar face, Li Shimian couldn't help but feel soft in his heart, and for the first time he showed a look of guilt. .

Because he is writing this letter, not only may he die, but he may even harm his family. In addition to his wife and children, Li Shimian also has an elderly mother alive. If something happens to him, all the burden of the family will fall on his wife. .

Therefore, Li Shimian felt that the person he was most sorry for was his wife, but he did not regret it. After all, as a minister, he had the responsibility and obligation to point out the emperor's faults.

In fact, when Zhu Gaochi had not yet ascended the throne, Li Shimian was also a staunch princeling and wrote many times to defend Zhu Gaochi's position as prince. In Li Shimian's opinion at the time, among Zhu Di's three sons, only Zhu Gaochi was the most suitable. candidate for the crown prince.

Li Shimian never imagined that after Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne and became emperor, he would change so much. He would even be licentious and hang out in the harem all day long. You must know that Zhu Di died less than a year ago, and his body is still there. There was no burial in the Jingling Hall, but Zhu Gaochi didn't even bother to pretend.

It was precisely because of Zhu Gaochi's inconsistent performance that Li Shimian felt even more heartbroken and felt that he had misjudged the person, so he risked his life to write a letter. Even before the morning court, he had already asked his family to prepare. coffin.

Just when Li Shimian was immersed in his dream, he suddenly felt a moist heat around his mouth, followed by a strong smell of medicine pouring into his nose, waking him up from his coma.

When Li Shimian tried his best to open his eyes, he saw Qianhu, a Jinyi guard standing next to him, holding a bowl of concoction in his hand and feeding it into his mouth.

"You...who are you, and what did you give me to drink?"

Li Shi reluctantly endured the severe pain in his chest and asked this Qianhu in a hoarse voice.

"Don't worry, Sir Li. This is a good medicine to stop bleeding and reduce blood clots. You have three broken ribs in your chest. I will help you recover later. With the medicine, the injury should be stabilized soon!"

Chihu replied in a low voice.

"Who sent you to save me?"

Li Shimian still asked very vigilantly. After all, this was a prison, and it couldn't be easier to let someone die silently.

"I can't say, but with your current injuries, if you are not treated in time, you will definitely die!"

Qianhu refused to tell the person behind him. Instead, he pointed out that Li Shimian was seriously injured. If he really wanted to harm him, he might as well do nothing.

Li Shimian was not stupid. He finally realized what he was doing, so he didn't ask any more questions. He immediately opened his mouth and drank the medicine in the bowl. The medicine in the bowl was as red as blood, but the taste was not unpleasant.

Seeing Li Shimian drink up all the medicine, Qianhu asked him to lie down, then reached out and groped Li Shimian's chest for a moment, then reconnected his broken ribs and fixed them with wooden boards. He was told not to move around so that the bones could have time to grow.

At this time, Li Shimian also felt that after he drank the medicine, the severe pain in his chest also felt better. At that moment, he no longer had any doubts. After thanking Qianhu, the other party said goodbye and left.

This Qianhu was naturally arranged by Zhu Zhanhe. The army had its own set of treatment methods for injuries like Li Shimian's, and this Jinyiwei Qianhu was an expert at it.

That night, Zhu Zhanhe found Xia Yuanji, and the two had a secret conversation in the study.

"Xia Shangshu, Li Shimian's life has been saved for the time being, but his injuries are serious and he must rest quietly. The conditions in the prison are too poor, and I can't let anyone take care of him openly, so you'd better find a way. Release him from the imperial prison." Zhu Zhanhe said directly to Xia Yuanji.

He still admired Li Shimian very much, so he didn't want him to die in prison.

"I understand. I have already discussed it with the people in the cabinet. Tomorrow we will go to the palace to plead with His Majesty. After all, Li Shimian has written a letter to express his opinions, and Your Majesty cannot convict him casually!"

Xia Yuanji nodded.

Strictly speaking, Li Shimian was not guilty. After all, it was the official's right to write letters to express political opinions, and he could not be convicted based on his remarks. Therefore, Xia Yuanji persuaded other people in the cabinet to plead for Li Shimian.

"That's good. When are you going to enter the palace? I'll go there too. Maybe I can be of some help."

Zhu Zhanhe asked again.

"Just after breakfast tomorrow. After all, the sooner this happens, the better. I'm also afraid that Li Shimian won't be able to hold on in prison."

Xia Yuanji replied immediately.

The next morning, Zhu Zhanhe also entered the palace early. When he came to Wuying Palace, Xia Yuanji, Jian Yi and other cabinet officials were reporting the day's government affairs to Zhu Gaochi. After all, Zhu Gaochi did not have to attend the morning court, but there were some government affairs that he Still have to listen.

Zhu Zhanhe entered the hall without disturbing anyone. He found a place to stand and listen quietly.

Soon the government affairs report was finished. Xia Yuanji looked at the others and was the first to stand up and said: "Your Majesty, yesterday the Hanlin Minister Li Shimian wrote a letter of remonstrance. He was not guilty of any crime, so I ask your Majesty to remove him from the imperial edict." Release him from prison, otherwise all officials may not dare to speak in court in the future!"

"Li Shimian insulted me. Isn't this a serious crime?"

Zhu Gaochi snorted coldly and asked.

"Your Majesty, even if Li Shimian was a little extreme in his speech, he still wrote a letter to discuss politics. If Your Majesty arrests him and holds him accountable just for this small mistake, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of all the officials!"

Jian Yi also stood up at this time and said, and other cabinet officials also stood up and seconded the proposal. They had colluded long ago to help Li Shimian plead guilty.

Seeing that these cabinet ministers actually united to plead for Li Shimian, Zhu Gaochi turned livid with anger.

But soon Zhu Gaochi sneered and said: "It seems that you have colluded to help that Li Shimian!"

"I don't dare, but Li Shimian is indeed not guilty. If he is convicted because of his words, I'm afraid the world will not accept it!"

Xia Yuanji spoke again.

Facing the pleas of these cabinet ministers, Zhu Gaochi could not ignore their opinions, but he had an idea and immediately sneered: "Okay, since you are interceding for Li Shimian, then I will let him go, but he will commit the following crimes." , I will give him a light punishment!"

(End of this chapter)