In the blink of an eye, it was early September.
At noon that day, Ning Yuxi heard a piece of news that someone had impeached General Liu's relatives at the morning court for being tyrannical, bullying men and women, and forcing many people to death.
The emperor ordered people to investigate and found that the situation was not only true, but also far more than that. There were no less than ten charges including seizing people's land, raping decent women, selling official positions, abusing power and oppressing others.
For a time, all the ministers were outraged and petitioned the emperor to severely punish General Liu's relatives.
General Liu dragged his still-healed leg to the outside of the Qingzheng Palace to beg the emperor to show mercy.
The emperor was in a state of panic for a while because he was both troubled by the petitions submitted by his ministers and relied on the pleas of his old ministers.
Ning Yuxi was able to know the news outside thanks to Luoying's fellow villager in the imperial kitchen. The emperor forbade anyone to enter or leave, so Luoying's fellow villager volunteered to deliver meals to them every day.
By taking this opportunity, Ning Yuxi would not be completely in the dark about what was happening outside.
She guessed that what happened to General Liu this time might be the work of her father, and for a moment she felt a little relieved. However, this alone was not enough to completely eliminate General Liu.
Three days later, the emperor issued an edict that all Liu family members involved in the case were demoted to commoners and exiled three thousand miles away.
Originally, all of those charges were punishable by death, but the emperor showed some mercy to General Liu because of his merits.
But even so, General Liu was still not satisfied.
The General's Mansion.
Liu Zhenting sat in his study with a furious look on his face. He slammed his hand hard on the table. The loud voice announced the master's anger: "Who on earth is it? How dare you go against me, Liu Zhenting!"
The staff member Fang Qi, who was standing with his head bowed below, had been mentally prepared for this scene. He thought that if he didn't want others to know, he had better not do it himself. The general's relatives were really a drag, and the heinous things they did were so unspeakable that even he, a lackey, couldn't stand it.
In the past, even if the court officials knew about it, they would turn a blind eye to it. After all, the emperor valued General Liu. But now it has been exposed, and the emperor has punished those people. It can be seen that the emperor's regard for General Liu has fluctuated.
But he dared not say these things. He sorted out his thoughts and said, "General, instead of wondering who did it, you should think about how to restore the emperor's opinion of you.
After all, those people are the general's relatives, and it's inevitable that the emperor will link their actions to the general."
General Liu's rage intensified upon hearing this. "Someone impeached me before, but the Emperor ignored it and punished the impeacher. Now he's punishing my relatives. The Emperor must have been instigated by this villain!"
Fang Qi on the side felt a little ashamed. He had already said that now was not the time to dwell on the instigator.
In order to keep his job, Fang Qi spoke again: "General, the best plan now is to stabilize the emperor's side. If the emperor becomes estranged from you because of this matter, it will be very bad for you!"
Since ancient times, suspicion has been the most taboo thing between monarchs and their subjects. Once suspicion and estrangement arise, the subjects will become increasingly distant from the emperor's heart, and may even make the monarch want to kill them.
General Liu frowned and said, "The imperial concubine in the palace has contracted an itchy disease for some reason, which has damaged her appearance. A few days ago, she was even confined to her room by the emperor, and she was unable to speak for me in front of him.
The Emperor is now unwilling to see this general and won't even look at the memorials submitted to him. I think the Emperor has been completely bewildered and has actually believed the slander of this villain!"
Fang Qi's heart skipped a beat. He was about to say something when General Liu's servant outside the door reported back, "General, people from the second and third houses are here, begging you to save the masters."
Liu Zhenting asked the servant to invite the person to the side hall first, and he would go there later.
The servant took the order and left.
Fang Qi asked tentatively, "How do you plan to deal with this, General?"
Liu Zhenting pondered for a moment. "The Emperor has demoted the second and third wives to commoners and exiled them three thousand miles away. I know the Emperor, and once an order is issued, it's difficult to change it. Now, the second and third wives are left with only the elderly, the weak, women, and children. We can only take good care of them."
Fang Qi felt quite disappointed. The emperor had just dealt with those people from the second and third wives, and he was so angry. Yet, you turned around and went to appease their wives, children and mothers. Isn't this deliberately going against the emperor?
Even though he disliked it, for the sake of his job, Fang Qi still said with a stiff upper lip: "General, this is not right. The emperor just dealt with those people from the second and third houses.
If you turn around and comfort their families, what would the Emperor think? Besides, all the court officials are watching you now."
General Liu patiently asked, "What should we do then? Do you think I should drive them all out?"
The second and third wives were his biological brothers, and there were also several brothers from other branches. They were all family. If he ignored them when they were in trouble, what would people think if the news got out? What would his brothers who had followed him into battle think?
Fang Qi probably knew what the general was thinking, and he was right to think so, but now was a special period, and it was the emperor who was punishing those people. No matter what the general thought in his heart, his actions had to be in line with the emperor's wishes.
He was about to persuade him again, but was interrupted by General Liu: "Fang Qi, you don't have to say anything more. This general has experienced two dynasties and helped the emperor ascend the throne. I have fought my way through it.
My general's achievements are obvious to all. Without my emperor, how could the throne be stable all these years? The emperor will not blame me for such a small matter! "
Fang Qi was speechless. He wanted to say, is this a question of whether to blame or not? It's a question of attitude!
I'm afraid the emperor is watching the general right now and wondering what he will do!
Alas, the general has become less and less willing to listen to his advice since the emperor ascended the throne.
…
This matter passed like this, and in the blink of an eye it was mid-September, when another major event occurred in the court.
Prime Minister Bai Weisheng wrote a letter to the emperor, saying that General Liu Zhenting, the national defense general, was secretly mining iron ore in Shuozhou in the north.
The whole court was in uproar for a while.
In the court, General Liu was shaken. He calmed himself down and pointed at Bai Weisheng with a furious look on his face: "Prime Minister Bai, how dare you slander me with such lies?"
Bai Weisheng remained unmoved. He said righteously, "We'll know if this is slander against the Emperor by going to Shuozhou and investigating."
Gu Qilan pursed his lips tightly and looked at Liu Zhenting beside him: "General Liu, is this true?"
Liu Zhenting hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is slander. How dare I mine iron ore privately?"
Upon seeing this, Bai Weisheng said, "Your Majesty, I have verified that General Liu's men are secretly mining iron ore in Shuozhou. Please investigate!"
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