Imperial prison, torture chamber.
It was the same place where Kou Huairen was imprisoned yesterday, but the person who was about to be punished had swapped places with the person who was interrogating him.
Cui Zhihan ordered his men to tie Liu Muzhi to the bloodstained rack. Looking at his gentle and refined appearance, he sneered complacently.
"Liu Muzhi, don't count on the little emperor to save you. I will make you suffer a fate worse than death!"
After learning about Wang Jin’s accident yesterday, his father actually scolded him in the evening.
The reason behind this made Cui Zhihan even more angry, because his father felt that he had messed up the matter with Cao Xiong.
This led to Cao Xiong joining the young emperor and helping him deal with Wang Jin.
He was very unhappy with his father's rebuke, and at the same time he was even more disgusted with the little emperor who had become more and more rampant in the past two days, including, of course, the people who worked for him.
Especially Cao Xiong, who actually dared to betray their Cui family and caused him to be blamed by his father. When he catches that guy, he will definitely skin him alive to vent his hatred!
However, now that his father has instructed him to investigate Liu Muzhi's interference in politics, he will let Cao Xiong go for the time being.
It’s the same to torture Liu Muzhi first, since they are all the little emperor’s men anyway.
Liu Muzhi was imprisoned, but he did not show any sign of panic. He was as calm and composed as if he was invited into Cui Zhihan's home for tea.
Seeing him so calm, Cui Zhihan couldn't help but feel angry.
"You're not afraid at all?!"
Liu Muzhi smiled faintly: "Even if I'm afraid, will Lord Cui give up the execution?"
Cui Zhihan sneered: "No way!"
"Then why should I bother with this?"
"..." Cui Zhihan gritted his teeth, "You ignorant bastard! Someone, bring me the iron whip!"
Seeing Cui Zhihan's angry look, a confidant beside him whispered a reminder in his ear.
"My Lord, the Prime Minister has instructed us not to let him die. Let him suffer a punishment and teach the Emperor a lesson."
"I know my limits!"
The jailer who was carrying out the execution brought out a whip. The whip looked somewhat similar to the weapon used by Wan Chao, and the whip body was covered with steel needles and barbs.
You can imagine how terrifying it would be if a whip were to hit you.
"Beat him!" Cui Zhihan gave an order, and the jailer whipped him.
"Stop!" A loud shout like a bell, with an irresistible majesty, interrupted the jailer's actions.
When Liu Muzhi saw the person appearing at the door of the torture chamber, he smiled faintly, but there was no surprise in his eyes.
Cui Zhihan turned around and his face suddenly became stiff and ugly.
"You..." Why is he here? !
Nan Cang strode into the torture room and glanced at Cui Zhihan coldly and unhappily.
"Your father is the Prime Minister, yet he never taught you any etiquette?" Nan Cang glanced at him, annoyed. "You're just a mere court official, and you don't even have the courtesy to see this Grand Marshal?"
He usually doesn't care much about the rank of the official, but this guy is Cui Cen's son.
He disliked Cui Cen, and whenever he saw anyone from the Cui family, he would find fault with them even if there was nothing wrong with them.
Cui Zhihan's cheek muscles trembled and his face turned pale, but he still bowed.
"...Your humble servant greets His Excellency the Grand Marshal."
Cui Zhihan cursed the old man Nancang hundreds of times in his heart. If it weren't for the overall situation, why would he tolerate this old man?!
Nan Cang said "hmm" lightly and looked at Liu Muzhi: "Let him go, I want to take him away."
Cui Zhihan flatly refused: "Master Taiwei, Liu Muzhi has violated the laws of the Qin Dynasty. I have been ordered to bring him in for questioning. Even if you are the Taiwei, you have no right to interfere in judicial matters!"
The last time Kou Huairen was captured here, even Nan Cang, who held a large number of troops, was not qualified to interfere in the affairs of the Supreme Court.
But now you come here without any care and ask him to release them?
Is this old man so eager to pledge allegiance to the young emperor?
His father had said before that the old man Nan Cang was not loyal to the king but only to the Qin State. Now, no matter how he looked at it, he felt that Nan Cang was willing to work for the little emperor.
Nan Cang smiled coldly. After years of fighting on the battlefield, his aura seemed to be filled with blood and murderous intent.
His face darkened, and even Cui Zhihan felt a chill in his heart.
"Today, I will take the person away. If you don't agree, let Cui Cen come to me personally to ask for the person."
Nan Cang took a tough attitude and completely ignored Cui Zhihan's expression and directly took Liu Muzhi out of the imperial prison.
"Thank you, General, for your help this time."
Liu Muzhi bowed and expressed his gratitude.
Nan Cang didn't care much: "It's just a small favor, Mr. Liu, there's no need to thank me."
From Liu Muzhi, I learned that the disciple Li Cunxiao he recommended was also in some trouble.
After meeting Zhao Xin, Nan Cang could tell from just a few words that Zhao Xin would be a good emperor in the future and a man with great ambitions.
Since he recognized him, agreed to cooperate, and he was his future grandson-in-law, the goodwill that Nan Cang conveyed was more than just rescuing Liu Muzhi from the imperial prison.
Because of his intervention, Liu Muzhi successfully resolved Cui Wenhao's dilemma.
Cui Zhihan returned to the prime minister's residence and reported to Cui Cen what Nan Cang had done in the imperial prison.
Cui Cen's face was gloomy, with dark emotions surging in his eyes. He sent someone to deliver an invitation to Nan Mansion.
The rebellion of the seven kings is getting more and more intense. In addition to warning the emperor, his actions today are actually intended to test Nan Cang's attitude.
But judging from his current actions, it shows that he has stood on the side of the emperor.
If he is asked to send troops this time, the Cui family will have to pay a lot of money.
But no matter what conditions Nan Cang proposed, he would probably have to agree to it this time even if he didn't want to.
The Japanese army has been sending out urgent messages frequently these past two days. The troops they have can't hold out for a few more days.
Compared to the losses caused by the rebellion, the conditions agreed to by Nan Cang were relatively better.
Cui Cen stared out the window with a gloomy look.
Zhao Xin felt relieved when he saw Liu Muzhi return safely.
Upon learning that the matter with Li Cunxiao had been resolved, Zhao Xin's mood turned from gloomy to bright.
The next day, Zhao Xin and Liu Muzhi came to report that Cui Cenxu had persuaded Nan Cang to send troops to suppress the rebellion and agreed to several of Nan Cang's conditions.
"Let the emperor take the throne, give up the posts of Weiwei and Guangluxun, and after the troops are dispatched, they cannot restrict the front line with horse administration and money and grain. Clear Kou Huairen of all charges and restore him to his original post."
Although he had traveled through time and space, he had never seen Cui Cen in person.
But Zhao Xin could also imagine that when Nan Cang put forward these conditions, his face must have looked unhappy.
However, this news made Zhao Xin feel relieved, and all the depression from yesterday was swept away.
As soon as Liu Muzhi finished reporting the news, a eunuch came in and announced that the Queen Mother wanted to see her.
Zhao Xin raised his eyebrows slightly, guessing why she wanted to see him. It was most likely related to the conditions Cui Cen agreed to Nan Cang.
Zhao Xin gestured for Liu Muzhi to leave, then said, "Let her in."
The Queen Mother came in and bowed, and Zhao Xin asked her to sit down. Although the two of them did not have much mother-son affection, they still had to maintain this plastic mother-son relationship.
"I wonder what brings me here, Mother?"
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