Chapter 97 Stubborn Li Qingzhao
The secret organization created by Li Shimin was called the Bad People because many of its members were people who had committed crimes. In other words, it was composed of death row prisoners.
It is no exaggeration to say that talented people in all aspects are easily found among death row prisoners.
Zhao Huan recalled the One Piece he had watched for twenty years in his previous life. Blackbeard Teach, who later became one of the Four Emperors, formed his main team in the then-number one prison, Impel Down.
Zhao Huan also wanted to try and see if there were any promising talents in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, so that he could recruit soldiers and supplement the team.
"Shao Chengzhang, let's go to the Ministry of Justice's prison. That Majili in the Ministry of Justice is also a killer."
"By the way, there's no need to prepare the imperial sedan chair. I'll just take a walk and call a few skilled eunuchs. If Hu Yanzhuo and Guan Sheng are here, call them along too. Let's go and give them a show of force."
The most enviable thing about being an emperor is that no one will refuse some unimportant matters. Even the former Liangshan heroes Hu Yanzhuo and Guan Sheng would only feel honored to serve the emperor.
Soon, a team of more than 20 people marched out of the Bian Jing Palace and headed towards the Ministry of Justice prison.
Zhao Huan was very approachable and would go out of the palace at any time. This matter had spread, and even the government offices outside the Bianjing Palace had their work efficiency improved a bit because of this. They always maintained a high morale, fearing that the Emperor would come over at any time.
Before Zhao Huan arrived at the Ministry of Justice, the Minister of Justice Wang Yun had already received the news. He immediately told the officials of the Ministry of Justice to work at full capacity. He also moved a thick stack of files to the table, holding a brush in his hand, looking deep in thought.
It's impossible to greet him. Your Majesty dislikes these superficial things the most, or pretending to work hard and then asking, "When did Your Majesty arrive?" I didn't salute immediately, please forgive me, Your Majesty. This kind of formality is more effective.
An incense stick passed, and then half an hour passed. Wang Yun felt his neck was stiff, but the emperor still hadn't come. He wondered in his heart, could it be that he would not come?
Wang Yun slowly brought over an officer and asked, "Is His Majesty coming? Why didn't I hear any sound?"
The officer looked at the Minister in surprise, then said, "After His Majesty arrived, he directly asked for Doctor Ma, saying that he wanted to go to the prison to take a look. Doctor Ma has already taken His Majesty there."
"So this is true! Doctor Ma has truly risen through the ranks. He betrayed a group of colleagues and earned the Emperor's trust. If the Emperor's favor were to come down, how would I, as the Minister of State, handle it? I need to find a way to suppress it." Wang Yun pondered this inwardly, his face expressionless. "If that's the case, then Doctor Ma will accompany Your Majesty. When this is over, have him come find me."
"Yes, Lord Shangshu. Will you not accompany His Majesty to the prison? Doctor Ma can't take all the limelight. You are the head of the Ministry of Justice."
The yamen runner thought he had gained enlightenment, that he was radiating wisdom, that he had successfully analyzed the situation. However, in reality, he thought he was on the ceiling, but in fact he was in the basement.
"Haha, you know nothing. If His Majesty wanted me to go, he would have sent someone to call me long ago. He didn't notify me, so it's obvious that there's something he doesn't want me to know. If I take the initiative to participate, I'll be courting death."
"This place is the prison of the Ministry of Justice. It's very convenient to live in it. Don't talk nonsense when you go out, otherwise I will break your legs." Wang Yun turned around and went back to his office, thinking about how to suppress Doctor Ma, who was visibly about to rise.
On the other side, under the leadership of Ma Langzhong, Zhao Huan and others went straight to the Ministry of Justice prison.
The Ministry of Justice Prison is also divided into areas. The first floor is for ordinary thieves, the second floor is for heroes in the martial arts world, the third floor is for civil officials and military generals who have made mistakes, and the fourth floor is for criminals sentenced to death for various reasons.
At the corner leading from the first floor to the second floor, Zhao Huan found an unusually clean cell. There was no sewage flowing and no flies flying around. The opaque linen cloth distinguished this cell from the other cells.
There were beds in the cells, real beds, not just some kind of bunk bed made of rolled-up straw.
Next to the bed was a small desk, complete with writing brushes, inkstones, and paper. A thin, forty-something woman sat on the bed, reading a book intently.
"Open this cell!" Zhao Huan's voice left no doubt. The person in this cell is my idol, Li Qingzhao. She is known as the most talented woman in five thousand years and her title is well deserved.
Doctor Ma quickly signaled the officer to open the door.
Zhao Huan looked at Majili with a questioning look, his eyes revealing the meaning of "What are you doing? It's been a few days, why haven't you gotten your niece out yet? I don't even hold her accountable, so why are you pretending to be so noble?"
Doctor Ma was also helpless, and replied with a look that said, "I've tried every possible way, but if she doesn't leave, there's nothing I can do."
Okay, I'm sorry for wronging you. I'll treat you to an apple later.
The action of the officer opening the prison door startled Li Qingzhao, who was reading. Zhao Huan was not in disguise, but was wearing royal attire, and Li Qingzhao recognized him immediately.
"Commoner Li Qingzhao greets His Majesty."
Li Qingzhao felt a little uneasy. Although Uncle Ma had told His Majesty that he would not hold her accountable, would getting special treatment in the prison implicate her uncle?
Alas, I should have been released from prison earlier. I feel so sorry for affecting my brother because of my insignificant support.
"Get up, the environment here..." Zhao Huan chuckled twice, "It's really not good enough. Will you be able to concentrate better in such an environment? Won't it affect your mood? Isn't the bright moon and spring breeze beautiful? You have to look at straws here."
"The environment here is indeed not very good, but it does not affect my studies. In particular, thinking about life here is more thorough and real."
"Mencius said: 'When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first test his mind and will, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body, and deprive him of all want. It will make his plans frustrated, so that his heart will be moved and his nature will be hardened, and he will be able to achieve what he was not capable of before.'"
Li Qingzhao paused and said, "I regard this as a training."
"You are ambitious. I heard that you are compiling the Jinshilu. This is a very huge project. I am willing to help you. I can't say anything else, but there are still many of these Jinshi calligraphy and paintings, and rubbings of inscriptions in the Bianjing Palace."
"You have two choices. One is to come with me to the Bianjing Palace. The living conditions are good, there are more research materials, and you can discuss with the Grand Secretary. The other is to continue living in the Ministry of Justice prison, stick to your principles, and hone yourself."
"I choose one." Li Qingzhao said straightforwardly.
"That's right. With the accumulation of generations of people in the Bianjing Palace and all kinds of talents gathered here, how can they think faster than you alone? Right? I'll go downstairs and see if you want to join me."
"Forget it, I will wait for Your Majesty to go out together."
"Okay, see you there."
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