Minister

202【Second Year of the First Yuan Dynasty】

"How is it?" It was still early in the morning, Chen Ang didn't sleep, and waited until Lu Shengduo entered the palace to answer.

Lu Shengduo saluted: "There is no abnormality detected, let alone poisoning. Although it is indeed a bit unbelievable, it seems that the former emperor may really have died of illness."

Chen Ang shook his head: "This stone has stirred up thousands of waves. How many people just want to unplug Wei Chi? And how many people want to use this to find something against me?"

Lu Shengduo had some guesses about why Chen Ang suddenly asked him to take over Dai Tongyu, but now it seems that he guessed one or two right.

"In my opinion, it's not enough for our people to collude with the Wang family, but the Wang family is indeed ready to move."

"The weakness of the country began with civil strife. The Wang family couldn't give me a chance to breathe. Since Dai Tongzhen still can't see Wei Chi, let him deal with the Wang family. After all, he still knows the seriousness. This time it's my fault. In the future You still have to separate them."

Lu Shengduo nodded: "I will keep an eye on Wei Chi's side. His condition is indeed not very good. All the ministries have already said hello. As long as Wei Qingfeng doesn't mention the autopsy, no one will mention it. No one will hold on to it like that idiot."

"Where is Populus euphratica forest?"

"He's just outside."

"Let him in."

When Hu Yanglin heard the news, he hurried in and bowed down.

"Did the people from Dai Tongjin find out?" Chen Ang rubbed his forehead.

"It's Ji Pan."

Chen Ang was a little surprised: "The one he recommended to Jiangnan?"

"Back to the emperor, it's him."

"Hmph," Chen Ang sneered, "Say hello to him, why should a talented person pretend to be someone else's lackey."

"Yes!" Hu Yanglin kowtowed and retreated.

The east is already slightly bright, and the coolness of early autumn is gradually coming.Chen Ang couldn't find sleepiness, he still sat in front of the desk and watched the candlelight.Over the years, I have seen too much, experienced too much, I have been an emperor, I have been a pariah, I have eaten all day long, I have struggled with hunger and thirst, but the most unpredictable thing is the morals of the world.

Who actually killed Chen Entropy?

This is not only an unsolved case, but also a proposition.

How many people think that Wei Qingfeng is crazy, and how many people cast aside Wei Chi's cruelty?

What about yourself?Does everyone think that the answer is in their hands, but they just dare not say it?

However, there is no answer to all of this, just like the cause of Chen Entropy's death is a mystery.

During these long years, hunger forced me to think, thinking about the way of the emperor, the way of being a minister, and the plan of floating life. I thought that the flashy and misty enlightenment would actually return to simple and simple topics.

So, nothing will disturb my heart anymore.

Wei Qingfeng, in fact, I thank you for pursuing justice, but this gratitude cannot shake my determination. I am no longer me, and I am no longer sticking to the original intention of justice.Wei Chi, are you suffering in pain?This may be a vicious circle that you will never get out of in your life. You have benefited from the relationship between the ruler and his ministers, but you have also suffered from it. How long will it take you to appreciate its true meaning?

It was finally dawn, and it was time to go to court.

For the first time in so many days, Wei Chi appeared in front of everyone. He was still well-dressed, but his face was slightly pale.After taking their positions, everyone found Wei Qingfeng standing opposite him, obviously there was some other arrangement.Everyone stood beside them cautiously, trying to keep the volume of discussion down as much as possible, and covered their concerns with pleasant expressions on their faces.

The main hall is very large, and it can hold all the senior officials. Many senior officials, like Wei Qingfeng, participated in the morning court for the first time, but the novelty could not dilute the anger in their hearts. This group of people was obviously much quieter, with dark and difficult expressions. bright.

Wei Qingfeng's face was calmer, he didn't even glared at Wei Chi, he just looked at everything in front of him indifferently, as if Wei Chi was just an ordinary one among the crowd in front of him.

After Chen Ang entered the hall, everyone fell silent.

"All Aiqings are flat."

Then came the routine morning papers.The morning newspaper was over, everyone raised their ears and waited for Chen Ang to speak.

"In the past few days, compared to the fact that all of you loved ones have already known about it, a memorial was given to Mr. Wei Qingfeng, who questioned the cause of the late emperor's death. The three jurisprudence held a joint trial a few days ago, but there was no result. This matter It's a big matter, and it can't be left to the San Judicial Department, everyone will discuss it this morning, and everyone who has ideas will talk about it."

Zheng Chu stood up first: "Since it was Mr. Wei Qingfeng who submitted the memorial first, and also provided evidence, so please ask Mr. Wei Qingfeng to speak first."

Wei Qingfeng walked out of the queue, but his eyes were on Wei Chi.

"Returning to Your Majesty and all the adults, what I want to say has been clearly stated in the memorial. It has been clearly stated in the Ministry of Punishment, in the joint trial of the three divisions, and even in front of Lord Wei. It is still necessary to read it now. Let's see what Master Wei has prepared."

Everyone turned to Wei Chi, half watching, half gloating.

Wei Chi stood up. This was the first time he stood up. Although it was not the first time to participate in the morning court, he couldn't restrain himself from hearing his own heartbeat.

"Responding to the words of the emperor and all the lords, the lower officials are actually inexplicably surprised. After all, the lower officials don't know why an envelope will cause such a big disturbance. It is true that there are doubts about the former emperor's death, but the minister is not a close minister and does not take care of the first. The Emperor's diet, daily life, meetings and discussions must abide by etiquette, such doubts, it is difficult for the minister to accept."

"Lord Wei misunderstood. I have never accused you of directly murdering the late emperor. I have always believed that this incident must have something to do with Lord Wei, and Lord Wei must know the real culprit."

Wei Chi sneered: "If I knew the real culprit of the murder, I would not condone the real culprit. Nor would I acquiesce that the late emperor moved to Hede Palace to recuperate."

Wei Qingfeng sighed: "No one knew that the late emperor would go to Hede Palace to recuperate, so why would Mr. Wei know?"

Wei Chi couldn't help but laugh: "Master Wei's question is very strange. If you really have any objections to this, you can ask Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hede Palace."

Zheng Chu coughed: "Master Wei, don't ramble, Wei Chi, you should also pay attention to your wording, just answer directly."

"Returning to Mr. Zheng, I really didn't know about the late emperor's move to Hede Palace. It was just because the late emperor's whereabouts were uncertain for a long time, so I went to discuss this matter with His Highness the eldest princess who also served as the town. The eldest princess I confessed the truth to my subordinates, that’s all.”

Zheng Chu was about to speak, but Chen Ang interrupted him: "Hu Yanglin, write down Wei Chi's words one by one, take it to the eldest princess for questioning, and come back immediately to answer."

Hu Yanglin saluted and withdrew.

"According to the internal servants' records, after the first emperor moved to the Hede Palace, his condition stabilized, but just after the day Mr. Wei visited, his condition took a sharp turn for the worse, and he finally passed away. I don't know what explanation Mr. Wei has for this."

"I'm not a doctor, so I didn't explain." Wei Chi didn't show any expression on his face.

With a sneer, Wei Qingfeng took out a piece of paper from his sleeve: "This is the last conversation between Lord Wei and the late emperor recorded by the internal guard, and please ask the emperor to make amends. I can't read aloud here, so I have to show Lord Wei first. "

This piece of paper had never appeared before, and everyone couldn't help being a little curious, and they all stared closely at Wei Chi's expression.Wei Chi took the paper calmly, read it for a while, and then his face turned pale.

"It's ridiculous," Wei Chi handed the paper back to Wei Qingfeng: "I want to know if I want to plant a person, and I can get it for any situation? Why doesn't Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess know about the Hede Palace? How can a piece of paper without a signature be trusted, full of absurd remarks? If the minister really has the heart of disobedience, why risk his life to save the late emperor in the forbidden palace? Why fight to the death for the capital?"

What is written on the paper?Everyone couldn't help discussing.

Wei Qingfeng didn't respond to Wei Chi's eloquence, but said flatly: "I still have witnesses."

Zheng Chu interrupted Wei Qingfeng: "Why don't you present the evidence! How decent are you playing riddles here!"

"Wei Qingfeng, don't think that I have been tolerant to you all the time, so I will become more aggressive, and present the evidence." Chen Ang, who had always been gentle, suddenly spoke coldly.

Wei Qingfeng smiled disdainfully, and handed the paper to the eunuch.

Chen Ang's face did not show any change: "You said there are witnesses, where are the witnesses?"

This time it was Wei Qingfeng's turn to show surprise: "I serve as a guard in the East Palace."

Lin?This thought flashed through everyone in unison.

On justice, Hu Yanglin came back and replied: "Responding to the words of the master, Long Live, His Royal Highness the Princess said that everything Wei Chi said is true, and I ask the emperor to check it out."

Chen Ang nodded, and handed the paper to Hu Yanglin himself: "Go and ask Wei Qingfeng who this witness is, and bring him here."

Hu Yanglin came back after going out for a long time this time: "Returning to the master, Long Live Lord, I have visited the East Palace for a long time, and there is no such person. I also checked the account name of the internal servant, and there is no such person registered. The same name and surname There are quite a few people, and they are all waiting outside the hall, why don't you ask Master Wei Qingfeng to identify them one by one?"

Wei Qingfeng thought for a moment and then understood: "Master Hu, it's impossible. This person was not only the former emperor's servant, but also the Supreme Emperor's servant. Although I don't know him, Mr. Hu, you are the commander of Jinyiwei. Are you sure you Do you still want to go to the internal servant to check the name?"

"Lord Wei overestimated this officer. I was promoted to commander not long ago. I was in charge of Jiangnan affairs before, and I am not as familiar with the palace as I thought. The seniors of the Manchu Dynasty have stayed in the capital longer than this officer. Who knows you? You might as well stand up and explain, I am willing to listen to teachings."

All the people who were discussing just now were silent. No matter how stupid people are now, they can hear the truth. Everyone lowered their heads and looked at the ground, even Zheng Chu was the same.

Wei Qingfeng looked at Wei Chi, who looked away.

The hall was suddenly so quiet that one could hear a needle drop on the ground.

"Master Wei," Wei Qingfeng looked at Wei Chi: "How can you bear with your heart, how can your conscience be at ease?"

"Wait!"

Wei Chi was lowering his head when he suddenly heard Populus euphratica shouting, and just when he raised his head, he saw Wei Qingfeng's shadow flashing past his eyes.In the silent hall, there was a palpitating muffled sound, and the ministers screamed. Wei Qingfeng slid down slowly holding the pillars of the hall. The bright red marks on the pillars seemed to be scribbled with pen and ink. Reveal the power of anger!

You can choose to be silent!

But I can't!

"Call the imperial doctor! Call the imperial doctor!" Hu Yanglin was the first to shout: "Master Wei! Wei Chi! Wei Chi!"

Wei Chi felt that the world was spinning, the tense string finally broke, and everything that was red in front of him finally turned black.

"you're awake?"

When Wei Chi woke up, it was almost dark, and Chen Ang was sitting in front of his bed in casual clothes.

"My lord?"

"You call me prince?"

"Ah, Your Majesty." Wei Chi got up from the bed, feeling as if all the bones in his body were about to break.

"everything is over."

"Wei Qingfeng, dead?"

Chen Ang nodded.

"All of this won't end so easily." Wei Chi covered his face, trembling uncontrollably.

"But it will all end." Chen Ang patted Wei Chi on the head: "I'll send someone to take you back."

The first autumn rain swept away the heat, and the capital suddenly became cold.

"I'm back." Wei Chi stepped into the door, saw Qi Yuan was already waiting at the door, he hesitated to speak.

"Go in." Wei Chi held Qi Yuan's cold hand.

"Master Hu told me everything."

Wei Chi forced a smile: "It's better than when you were entrusted with righteousness, which made you worry."

Qi Yuan inadvertently sighed: "Come in and eat."

When lying on the bed, Wei Chi thought of Qi Yuan's sigh, yes, he never thought that there would be such a day and such an ending.

The next day, Wei Chi finally returned to his original job and continued to be on duty at Dali Temple. Lin Xuan seemed to have something to say, but he hesitated.Other people in the same department seemed to come and go as usual, but the atmosphere changed.

Repressed.

Wei Chi sat alone in front of the case and opened the file.

There were a lot of backlog files before, enough to be busy for a long time.

Days will pass like water.

Inside and outside the court hall, everyone seemed to have forgotten about it tacitly, but the icy astringent breath still spread and lingered.

Only Populus euphratica came to her occasionally for a drink and chat, and to talk about interesting things.

"Will I lose you as a friend one day?" At the turn of autumn and winter, Wei Chi and Populus euphratica met again to visit Du Ran's grave. When he saw the overgrown weeds on the grave, Wei Chi couldn't help asking.

"Will not."

Hu Yanglin spilled the wine in front of the grave: "Isn't Du Yun always there?"

In the beginning of winter, the sunrise is getting later and later.

After the fifth shift, Wei Chi sat on a chair, thinking about the case in hand for the past two days, while waiting for Qi Yuan to comb her hair.

Qi Yuan picked up the comb, but suddenly, her hands stopped

"What's wrong with you? Qi Yuan, why are you crying?"

"Comb it with your hands... the inside is full of white hair."

Wei Chi felt Qi Yuan shivering as he hugged him, hot tears streaming down his temples.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry... sorry."

The empire was booming, Chen Ang breathed a sigh of relief, after reading today's memorial, the servant came in and announced: "Your Majesty, Mr. Wei from Dali Temple is asking to see you."

Chen Ang was a little surprised: "Oh? When I see the cabinet, I will arrange for him to come in."

The cabinet came to talk about this year's shipping, and it was already dark after the talk.Chen Ang remembered that Wei Chi had been waiting outside for an hour, so he asked him if he had eaten while calling him in.

"Your Majesty," Wei Chi was silent for a moment, "I'm here to resign."

"Huh?" Chen Ang thought he didn't hear clearly.

"I'm here to resign." Wei Chi repeated.

"What happened?" Chen Ang stepped back.

Wei Chi shook his head: "I just need to leave, has the emperor forgotten? I should have left very early."

"But I need your help now! Wei Chi, we have finally come to this day, and the empire I promised you is about to come true before our eyes! Our merchant ships will reach the world and discover countless things, not just The glory of the empire, every citizen will be honored by it! Wei Chi, don’t you want to create all of this with me? Look, this is the world! This is the world map brought by the Dutch merchant ship, far more than what I promised you Even more exciting!"

"No." Wei Chi looked at the exquisite map in front of him with a calm expression, "Your Majesty, I must leave."

"Feel sorry."

On the sixth day of December, the first heavy snowfall of winter came. Wei Chi waited for his transfer order to South Zhili. Everyone packed up their belongings and prepared to set off for Nanjing.

Populus euphratica came to see him off, Wei Chi stood at the pier and joked with him: "You're right, my house has bad feng shui, and I can't keep my official luck."

Populus euphratica didn't speak, just looked at the calm water surface of the canal.

"Master! Master! Everything has been moved! The boat can be sailed." Mei Yue's shout came from the boat.

"Huyanglin." Wei Chi looked up at his side face, as if ten years of time were about to freeze at this moment.

"Let's go," Hu Yanglin pushed him, "When you arrive in Nanjing, write to me."

Wei Chi nodded, and walked onto the deck holding the boatman's hand.

The boat gradually moved towards the center of the river.

"Arrived in Nanjing! Write to me!" Hu Yanglin shouted towards Hexin.

"it is good!"

The person standing at the stern eventually became more and more blurred, fading out of everything that was bustling.

The waves hit the bottom of the boat, and the cabin shook slightly. Wei Chi sat down and ordered a cup of hot tea.

"Don't you want to look out the window?" Qi Yuan wanted to roll up the curtain, because she knew that they would never come back again.

"No need," Wei Chi said with a smile, "It's not as sad as you think."

The charcoal fire warmed up the cabin, Wei Chi leaned on the cushion, and pressed close to Qi Yuan's ear: "I'm going to buy me the best silk and make some skirts, okay, master."

Qi Yuan smiled: "Okay, okay, I'll make a hundred sets for you." As she said that, she still opened the curtain, and the cold wind mixed with snow came in.

The capital is frozen in winter, the thin ice on the river surface is sparsely cracked, and there are gray roofs on both sides of the river bank.A little daughter-in-law was washing radishes by the river, her hands were red from the cold.

Wei Chi heard the boatman yelling at her: "Don't wash, go back quickly, the snow will melt soon after the sun comes out, don't think it's snowing, it's cold!"

The little daughter-in-law looked up and smiled, ignored him, and just washed hard.

Ten years, too many people, too many things, I can't remember, leaving, returning, shame, glory, darkness, light, how much did I know ten years ago?How much do you know after ten years?Loyalty, betrayal, forgetting, remembering, guilt, persistence, what did I have ten years ago?Ten years later, what will I lose?In a blink of an eye, the snow stopped, and the dazzling light traced the originally gloomy world...

"The sky cleared..." Wei Chi said.

"Hmm..." Qi Yuan took the teacup from Wei Chi's hand: "The sky is clear!"