Chapter 273 Phoenix's Reminder
In recent days, there has been an inexplicable trend of eliminating traitors in Chang'an.
The spearhead was directed at Li Xuanjing, the Minister of Dali Temple.
For the past twenty years, it has been an undisputed fact both in the court and among the people that Li Xuanjing was a traitor.
Many people wanted to eradicate this treacherous villain, but all ended in failure.
To this day, Li Xuanjing is still active in the court. Although the people secretly curse these treacherous officials who make the court a mess, they dare not talk too much about it openly.
But in recent days, the situation has changed a little.
All the evil deeds that Li Xuanjing had done were dug up one by one and spread widely in Chang'an.
Although the common people can't do anything to such a big shot, it is not easy to calm down after public opinion has been thoroughly aroused.
Public opinion even affected the academy.
Students from the four major academies, as well as some smaller academies, are preparing to jointly petition the court, demanding a strict investigation of Li Xuanjing.
Although the students of these academies are not court officials, future court officials will emerge from among them. The court has always attached great importance to the ideas of academy students.
In the past, it was not uncommon for officials in Beijing to be dismissed because of student demonstrations.
Because of the wind direction in recent days, people now dare to comment openly on topics that they did not dare to discuss openly before.
"I heard that the powerful people are preparing to take action against Li Xuanjing."
"It's not just the rich and powerful. I heard that the students in the academy are also preparing to march to force the court to purge the emperor!"
"It's been twenty years. I really hope I can get rid of this traitor!"
"This time, they seem to be serious. The people will have a good life in the future!"
…
Somewhere in Chang'an, when people gathered in a corner to discuss, a different voice came from the crowd: "Haha, a bunch of idiots, they don't even know they are being used, and they are still happy here..."
One person looked at the figure and said unhappily, "Hey, how can you talk like that!"
Others were indignant: "Isn't it a good thing for the court to get rid of treacherous officials?"
The man leaned against the wall and said leisurely, "What is a traitor? Who defines a traitor? You say Li Xuanjing is a traitor, but has he ever harmed the people? On the contrary, he has killed countless dignitaries and officials who oppressed the people, and has redressed the grievances of many people..."
While the crowd was stunned, he continued, "What was Chang'an like 20 years ago? Officials were lawless, the rich and powerful were doing all kinds of evil, and the people were treated like grass. Would your wives and daughters dare to go out at will?"
The crowd's voices gradually died down.
Some older people did recall some of the events of the past.
Chang'an at that time was completely ruled by powerful officials. Officials and businessmen colluded, and the powerful were completely above the law. Ordinary people could be beaten to death and left dead in the streets just for offending the powerful. Girls with even a little bit of beauty did not dare to appear in the streets openly.
However, this situation has been getting better year by year, and now it has almost completely disappeared. The people have become completely accustomed to Chang'an today and have long forgotten the darkness of the past.
The man smiled disdainfully and said, "Do you think that those people have found their conscience to be in Chang'an today? It's because they are afraid of Li Xuanjing. If they dare to break the law, no matter they are dignitaries or officials, Li Xuanjing will really dare to kill them. Guess who will be unlucky if Li Xuanjing dies?"
"hiss!"
"this……"
"What he said seems to make sense."
"I also remember that when Li Xuanjing first entered the Dali Temple, corrupt officials were beheaded at Caishikou every day."
"I remember now. At that time, he set up a government office in front of the Dali Temple to let the people complain. The son of Chang'an Ling raped and killed a girl in our neighborhood. Chang'an Ling protected his son, and both father and son were chopped to pieces by Li Xuanjing..."
As the crowd murmured, someone said, "Don't be fooled by his words. Li Xuanjing is not a good person. Everything he did was for party struggles. Many good officials died at his hands. He even killed officials with great integrity!"
The man sneered and said, "So what? It doesn't matter whether he is a good guy or a bad guy, as long as it is beneficial to us, it's fine. After Li Xuanjing dies, those corrupt officials, royal relatives and dignitaries will have no one to fear. When the time comes, what will you do, only God knows..."
The person who spoke earlier looked at the man viciously and asked, "Who are you? Who taught you to say these words? Are you an accomplice of that treacherous villain..."
The man shook his head and said, "I, I am just a passerby who couldn't stand it. I was instigated by others without knowing it. How pitiful..."
After saying that, he turned and left.
At the man's glance, two people in the crowd immediately followed.
That person stayed in the crowd and said, "Don't be fooled by him. This person is speaking for Li Xuanjing so much. He must be Li Xuanjing's accomplice. We should unite. As long as the people support us, the court will definitely punish the treacherous officials!"
This time, the crowd did not look at him, but left.
They just followed the crowd and shouted slogans about punishing evil and eliminating flatterers.
Everyone pondered over what the man had just said and felt that it made a lot of sense.
That guy is right. No matter whether he is a traitor or a loyal minister, the key point is whether what he does is good or bad for the people.
Before Li Xuanjing, no one had been able to kill so many officials and dignitaries. Only Li Xuanjing could deal with those bigwigs who were high and mighty in the eyes of the common people.
If he died, the people would suffer.
"Hey, disperse!"
"I don't want Chang'an to go back to the way it was."
"So, it's better not to get rid of this treacherous villain..."
The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a figure standing there with an extremely ugly expression.
After a while, the two men came back and said with a look of defeat: "We lost them..."
The man's face looked even uglier. Anyone who could say those words and escape the pursuit of these two people was definitely not an ordinary fool. This person had the purpose of clearing Li Xuanjing's name.
He said with a gloomy face: "Go back and report!"
Han Palace.
The King of Han received news one after another. Starting from yesterday, people in various places in Chang'an have been constantly trying to whitewash Li Xuanjing.
This had a huge impact on their plans. Before clearing out the imperial court, an essential step was to build momentum.
If he could coerce all the people, students, dignitaries, and court officials in Chang'an, even his father would have to give in. At that time, even if he led people to rush into Li Xuanjing's house and killed him directly, it could be said that it was for the purpose of quelling public grievances.
Even if he showed the golden medal of immunity from death, it would be useless.
With this kind of interference, public opinion was almost completely shattered and could no longer be mobilized.
Without the support of the people, the three words "clearing the court" no longer sound so confident.
Although the Mingjing Division has great powers, they are not good at inciting public opinion.
The person behind this incident is extremely good at manipulating public opinion.
The momentum they had built up with great effort was completely destroyed in a very short time.
Damn it, who is causing trouble?
Beside him, the middle-aged man waved his hand and said, "Those fools are not important. I have already arranged the academy and the court. We are just waiting for the right time to launch an attack together... More than a decade ago, Li Xuanjing was lucky enough to survive. This time, he is not so lucky."
Yuyin Pavilion.
The old woman folded her arms, looked at Fenghuang, and said, "Does this count as using a national tool for personal use?"
Fenghuang glanced at her and said, "How can this be considered as private use of a national tool? I have finally managed to infiltrate the Li Mansion, but I haven't done anything yet. If the Li Mansion is gone, wouldn't my efforts be in vain? This is also for the sake of the overall situation..."
The old woman put down her hands and said, "I won't bother with you about this matter for now. However, even if you try to undermine public opinion, it will be useless. This time, the princes and the dignitaries have joined forces, many officials in the court have responded, and even the students in the academy have been instigated by them. Do you think the Li family can escape..."
…
Li Mansion.
After Li Nuo taught Yiren a set of sword skills, he walked to the stone table to rest. Fenghuang, who was sitting opposite him, glanced at him, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Li Nuo asked directly: "What's the matter?"
Fenghuang thought for a moment and said, "I have heard some news these days, which may be unfavorable to Lord Li..."
Before Li Nuo could ask again, she continued, "Led by the King of Han and the King of You, several princes have gathered a group of powerful officials and students from the academy, and seem to want to purge the emperor's side..."
Li Nuo asked: "Where did you hear that?"
"You know, there are quite a few dignitaries among the guests of Yuyin Pavilion. After they drank too much, they accidentally revealed it..." Fenghuang looked at Li Nuo and said, "They are not here with good intentions. Don't you need to make some preparations?"
Li Nuo picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The King of Han and the King of You were about to face disaster, yet they still dared to cause trouble for them.
However, from what Fenghuang said, they might be planning a big one this time.
As long as it's within the rules, Li Nuo has nothing to worry about.
But if they don't intend to follow the rules, with the power of the Li Mansion, even with the addition of the Mingjing Division, they will be no match for those people joining forces.
He did have to make some preparations, just in case.
Li Nuo returned to the room, took out a piece of letter paper, picked up a pen and wrote: "Master..."
(End of this chapter)
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