third chance

Toast the wine to the east, and take it easy.

……

When the wind was blowing, Lin Guangyu was standing in front of the window, watching the fire with cold eyes, with insight.Raise your cup, thank the wind from a distance, pray secretly to Zhu Rong for good luck, and drink it all in one gulp - burn you to death, a robber!

"Your Majesty..." Zhang Zhidong finally understood what happened, and stood up from his chair in shock, "It's dangerous here, I beg you..."

"Zhang Qing, when I got married 20 years ago, the Zhendu Gate caught fire... Unexpectedly, 20 years later, there will be another big fire."

Zhang Zhidong's face turned pale, and his legs trembled a little, obviously frightened.Surprise is surprise, but his mind is spinning fast. As a veteran minister who has ordered Hanlin, he not only vividly remembers the past of the fire at Zhendumen, but also clearly remembers the past of those fires in the palace during the Jiajing period of the previous Ming Dynasty—— —The Qianqing Palace and the Longevity Palace caught fire many times, the empress was burned alive, and even the emperor himself was almost killed.I hope this fire will not cause too many accidents. The Qing Dynasty is already troubled and cannot stand more troubles.

"Don't worry, this place is empty and there is no border with the surrounding area. The fire will definitely not spread here." Lin Guangyu comforted Zhang Zhidong, while yelling at the people below, "What are you still doing? Go put out the fire..."

At dawn, the fire was finally extinguished, and the black smoke dissipated lightly. Only the mess and devastation on the ground were shocking.In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Lin Guangyu, who was sitting upright in the middle, was full of anger, his head was kneeling on the steps, and he didn't even dare to speak out.The old Zhang Zhidong was exhausted all night and was already sleepy, but he repeatedly declined the emperor's kindness to let him go back to rest first, saying that he must finish the discussion before leaving. Lin Guangyu couldn't stop the old man's enthusiasm , I asked the little eunuch to find a brocade stool for Zhang Zhidong to sit on the sidelines, and the rest of the important officials would arrive there soon.

Under the steps, the round head and fat body belonged to Shi Xu, the Minister of Military Aircraft and the Minister of Internal Affairs. If the palace was on fire, the Minister of Internal Affairs could not escape regardless of whether he was at fault or not.

"Let's all get flat." The cold, chilling question made people shudder, "Is the fire extinguished?"

"It's gone..." Shixu trembled, and he couldn't even speak.

"20 years ago, there was a fire at the Zhendu Gate. Within 10 days, I issued a decree, asking you to be more careful and take precautions... Is my words so useless?"

"A slave's death penalty... death penalty!"

"Capital crime!? Is this the end?" Lin Guangyu was furious, and slammed the table, with a "bang", the teacup was shaken to the ground and shattered into pieces, "The empress dowager, if the fire startles the soul. Hmph... Shixu, how many heads can you bear?"

"A slave who dies a hundred times will never atone for his sins, slave..." Shi Xu was choked up and unable to speak, the emperor humiliated his ministers to death, and the holy majesty was thunderous, and every word was justified, crushed down like a mountain.

Lin Guangyu was actually quite guilty of the storm on the surface, and he still had a good impression of Shixu. This was the only important minister in history who suggested establishing a long monarch and opposed establishing Xuantong after the death of Guangxu. It was also after the Wuchang Uprising. The only Manchu who suggested that Longyu accept the preferential treatment out of justice is also considered upright.He sighed: "Everyone, get up. I guess I lost my virtue, and the heavens will punish me..."

"Your Majesty..." The people in the hall knelt down again, and Shi Xu burst into tears.

"Shixu!"

"The slave is here!"

"The palace is on fire, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs bears the brunt of it. Your responsibilities cannot be escaped. It is normal to think that you have complicated affairs and a lot of work, and you don't care about all aspects. I don't want to take my anger on you too much, lest others will say about me behind my back. I don’t know what you know. Just remove your minister of military affairs and fine him half a year’s salary as a punishment... What do you think?”

"Slave... Thank you for your grace." Shixu originally thought that if he was not dead, he would have to peel off his skin, but he didn't expect that it was just such a punishment, which was completely raised high and lowered gently. punished.

"The aftermath will be handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. How much damage will be done and how much money will be needed for repairs must be calculated clearly. If it is not done well, I will not give such preferential treatment."

"The slave leads the order to thank you!"

"Everyone get up." Lin Guangyu greeted the heads of the steps, and everyone else stood up in relief, except Xiaoliuzi and Liangbi who were still kneeling upright.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Lin Guangyu's face was displeased, but his eyes swept past Liangbi - how is the errand going?

"The minister (slave) dare not?" The kneeling people replied in unison, "The minister (slave) is a death penalty... a death penalty."

"Capital crime... capital crime, capital crime, if you don't move, who will I call to be the errand?" Lin Guangyu shouted, "little six, first tell me what happened to you?"

"Your majesty... this servant, according to your order, give Yuan Zhongtang... Mr. Yuan...?" The little six son's voice was full of panic, and he looked like he had no master, and he couldn't say anything for a while.

Zhang Zhidong, who was sitting by the side, was drowsy at first, but when he heard the word "Yuan Shikai", he suddenly woke up from a doze, with his ears pricked up.

"Yuan Shikai...what's the matter with him?" Lin Guangyu's face sank, Shi Xu peeked over, the emperor's face was steady, there was no change at all, it was different from the feeling of disgust he used to frown when he heard the word "Yuan Shikai" They were quite different, but Zhang Zhidong was vaguely worried, something...?

"My servant arranged Mr. Yuan in the house in Dongchanglang. I never thought about it, I never thought about it... The fire burned all the houses in that area... Mr. Yuan, he... he... The slave can't find him."

"Ah?!" Lin Guangyu opened his mouth wide open, stunned, "Where did Yuan Shikai go? How did you work as a job? Liang Bi, I asked you to lead the guards to patrol the palace and protect the law and order. What did you do?"

"My... death penalty! I was ordered to inspect, but unexpectedly a fire broke out in the middle of the night. Because of the spread of the fire, I immediately ordered the guards under my command to rush to the fire scene to fight the fire... Later, the fire also spread near Dongchang Corridor. When I found out, it was already out of control. I single-handedly tried my best to fight the rescue, but I was still helpless, so I had to call for help... Later, although the help came, the fire was already on the verge of scorching the sky, and there was no way to turn it back." Liangbi kowtowed again and again, "I have lost my holy hope, so I can't act bravely. , death penalty, death penalty!"

Seeing Liangbi's scorched beard and hair, dusty face and dripping water all over his body, Lin Guangyu said: "Looking at you like this, it means that you have tried your best. I don't blame you, just get up."

After a while, a young eunuch rushed over, announcing a shocking news: In the ruins of Dongchang Corridor, a corpse was found, which had been burnt to a disfigured shape, and its head was smashed by falling beams and pillars. , from the figure, it is undoubtedly Yuan Shikai.

"Ah!" Hall of Mental Cultivation screamed, Lin Guangyu fell down on the chair, Shi Xu was so frightened that his face paled and he kowtowed, the fire actually burned the important officials to death?What should I do?The rest of the important ministers who learned of Yuan Shikai's death were all dumbfounded and couldn't believe this fact.There was no sound in the hall, and the atmosphere seemed extremely depressing and paradoxical.Zhang Nanpi was worried, as if he had doubts, but he seemed to be skeptical, and said nothing; although Zaifeng had a regretful expression on his face, he couldn't hide the schadenfreude between his brows; Natong was so dumbfounded that he almost stood on his feet Can't stop, but can't avoid it; Tie Liang is silent, only the expression he looks at Liang Bi is extremely complicated and profound.

Yuan Shikai's death is really a touchstone, reflecting all the ways of beings, but Lin Guangyu's expression is a reflection of wearing a mask: "Yuan Qing is far-sighted, hard-working and hard-working. He is indeed the leader of my ministers in the Qing Dynasty. I depended on a dry city with me, and unfortunately died today, and I can't sleep or eat in peace..." As he spoke, he fell down a few tears, "Could it be that my true fortune is so poor that I can't help?"

"May the emperor express his condolences." Everyone said that when they saw the emperor, so naturally they couldn't say anything more.Only Liangbi knew in his heart that these few drops were probably really crocodile tears.However, when he thought of Yuan Shikai's various situations, he was very calm. The national traitor should be punished. The emperor's words should be interpreted in reverse - "If Yuan Shikai does not die, I will really have trouble sleeping and eating..."

"Pursuing the crown prince Taibao, posthumously Wenxiang. Natong, you will draw up a statement of the Yuan family's favor, and submit it to me for approval tomorrow morning." After the final conclusion for Yuan Shikai's coffin, a big stone in Lin Guangyu's heart finally fell to the ground. .Aren't your Tong and Yuan Shikai sons and daughters of relatives, aren't they engaging in cliques?Then sell you a favor first, let's spend it slowly, knocking on your iron plate one by one, and see who can spend more than whom?

"Although Liangbi missed the water, he was always surprised. What's more, he was able to make up for it. I decided not to reward or punish him."

"I thank Your Majesty Long En."

"You go back first." Looking at Liangbi's firm steps when he turned to leave, Lin Guangyu felt a surge of gratitude in his heart: "Human...

"Xiao Lizi's improper arrangement, resulting in the death of the minister, is originally a felony, but there is a reason for the incident, and it is normal for it to be unforeseen. If it drags on, there will be 20 heavy responsibilities."

"Thank... thank you... Your Majesty" the little six sons were relieved when they heard the verdict. Although the 20 big boards were suffering physically and mentally, at least there was no danger of their lives, and it was enough to cultivate for a while.What's more, the executioners are all old acquaintances in the palace, so they will definitely show mercy. After the 20 boards were beaten, Xiao Liuzi, who was dragged away, was bruised and bloody on the surface. In fact, he was not injured, and he escaped a catastrophe.

"Prince Qing sees you." Little Sula dragged her voice and shouted loudly at the gate of the palace, her voice was transmitted all the way.

"Prince Qing is back? Hurry up..." Although Lin Guangyu looked impatient, he thought to himself: Yikuang, it's too late for you to say anything. Let you tidy up.