The late Emperor had passed away, and everything that happened in the past had dissipated like smoke. It was very difficult to figure out this problem. After all, no one was the late Emperor himself, so no one knew what he was thinking.
Shang Junlin also knew that it was useless to think too much about this problem, so he quickly returned to the topic, "This Grand Tutor Zeng, I have had contact with him before. He was a rare good official. When the late Emperor was not so absurd, they had a harmonious relationship. Later, the late Emperor believed in treacherous officials, and their relationship slowly drifted apart."
"I also remember that this Grand Tutor Zeng had a good reputation among the people. After he was killed by treacherous officials, many people spontaneously worshipped him. There was even a great scholar who wrote an article saying that the last light in the imperial court had been extinguished." This matter was widely discussed in the capital. Even Shen Yu, who lived deep in the Marquis' Mansion, heard a thing or two.
Later on, Shen Yu had his own power and roughly understood what happened in the imperial court. His memory of Grand Tutor Zeng was especially deep.
Shang Junlin, "If he didn't die at that time, then the authenticity of the murder has yet to be investigated. The late Emperor did kill many people in the imperial court for him, including treacherous officials and some innocent people."
Shen Yu, "What about the dossier from that year? What was written on it? "
Shang Junlin, "After Fang Jun found out the identity of the person behind the scenes, he immediately went to look at the dossier. The records were just like what I said before, Grand Tutor Zeng was already a 'dead man'."
Shen Yu, "No wonder we couldn't find him before. A 'dead' person naturally wouldn't be placed on the list of suspects. When Grand Tutor Zeng 'died', Your Majesty had already stood out in the imperial court. Could it be that the late Emperor began to suspect him at that time? How did he know who would ascend the throne in the end? "
Shang Junlin: "I spent most of my time at the border, so I didn't know much about the late Emperor's thoughts. When the incident with Grand Tutor Zeng happened, I was far away at the border. When I came back, everything was already settled. As for the backup plans left behind by the late Emperor, I didn't know about them at first. It was only after the assassination attempt that I slowly found out that the things the late Emperor left behind were far more than I imagined."
Shen Yu: "According to what you said, if he wanted to appoint the Prince of Yue as the new monarch, he could have given the position of Crown Prince to him in advance. But he didn't. From beginning to end, Emperor Xian never agreed to appoint a Crown Prince."
If there was another crown prince, it would be much more troublesome for Shang Junlin to inherit the throne. However, the previous emperor didn't. As the only legitimate son of the previous emperor, Shang Junlin naturally inherited the throne of the Great Huan Dynasty. Not to mention, he also had outstanding military achievements and held most of the military power in the Great Huan Dynasty. The other princes were no match for him.
Moreover, Grand Tutor Zeng, why didn't Teacher Tan and the others know his true identity? Why was he never willing to show his true face in front of his subordinates? Because he couldn't. If a dead person reappeared in the world, it would definitely attract a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"How did Lord Fang find out his true identity? Also, he shouldn't have used his original appearance. " Shen Yu asked. If Grand Tutor Zeng had used his original appearance, he should have been recognized when he was first caught.
Although it had been more than ten years since the incident, Grand Tutor Zeng had left a deep impression in the hearts of the people. When Lord Fang had just entered the imperial court, Grand Tutor Zeng was still active in the court. It was said that Lord Fang had almost entered Grand Tutor Zeng's tutelage.
"This matter was also a coincidence. It just so happened that on the day Fang Jun was interrogated, an imperial physician came to the prison to test medicine and saw traces of the medicine used on Grand Tutor Zeng's face. After his appearance recovered, Fang Jun recognized him at a glance."
"Didn't Lord Fang get a fright?" No matter who saw a person who should have been dead for many years appear in front of them, it was impossible for them to remain calm.
"Yes, if it weren't for this incident, the true identity of the person behind the scenes wouldn't have been so easy to find out."
After the true identity of the person behind the scenes was announced, the entire imperial court was shocked.
Those who entered the imperial court as officials more or less knew a bit about the previous emperor's era, not to mention the shocking matter of Grand Tutor Zeng.
What kind of person was Grand Tutor Zeng? He was a clear stream in the later years of the previous emperor's reign, a good official praised by countless scholars and literati. Now that they were told that Grand Tutor Zeng stood behind the King of Yue and helped him plot a rebellion, many people's first reaction was disbelief.
"This … is there some kind of misunderstanding?"
"Grand Tutor Zeng lived an honest life and worked hard for the Great Huan Dynasty. After being demoted, he was killed by a traitor. Now, you're saying that he's not dead?"
"Not only is he not dead, but he also committed serious crimes such as assassination and rebellion."
"I don't understand, why?"
"Why do you have so many whys? If you want to know, you can go to the Ministry of Justice's prison and ask him. Maybe you can get some useful information from him."
The ministers of the imperial court, including Fang Jun, were all deeply puzzled.
Unlike the others, Fang Jun could ask the person in question face to face.
In the Ministry of Justice's prison, Grand Tutor Zeng was tied to a pillar. Fang Jun sat across from him, his mood complicated.
He had once envied Grand Tutor Zeng's character, fantasizing that if Grand Tutor Zeng hadn't been killed by a traitor, the turmoil in the Great Huan Dynasty would have been reduced. Now, this person had really appeared in front of him again, but in such a way.
"Grand Tutor, why are you doing this?" Fang Jun used the previous address.
"Grand Tutor …" Grand Tutor Zeng was in a daze, "It's been a long time since someone called me that. Why are you doing this? I'm just following orders. "
"Whose orders?" Fang Jun frowned.
"Other than the previous emperor, who else could it be?" Grand Tutor Zeng laughed softly, his voice hoarse.
"Was it the previous emperor who asked you to overturn the Great Huan Dynasty? Why would he do this? "Fang Jun didn't understand.
"Who knows? He's the ruler and I'm the subject. I have to obey his orders, don't I? Just like right now, no matter what Shang Junlin wants you to do, no matter how outrageous it is, you can only do it. "Grand Tutor Zeng's expression was strange, as if he was laughing, but also as if he was mocking something.
Fang Jun's expression turned serious, "His Majesty is His Majesty. He wouldn't do anything to harm the Great Huan Dynasty. Right now, this official is interrogating you. Don't involve other places. What orders did the previous emperor give you?"
"Don't you already know? To help the King of Yue ascend the throne. "Grand Tutor Zeng's mocking smile widened," Why does Official Fang keep asking? I already told you but you don't believe me. Then tell me, what crime does your emperor want to accuse me of? What do you want me to confess? "
Fang Jun wasn't angered, his voice still calm, "Is the He Family also your people?"
"You mean the He Family that was stupid enough to send their entire family to prison?" Grand Tutor Zeng sneered, "Just a stupid dog."
"Why did they attack Guijun?" Fang Jun glanced at him without emotion, "Don't tell me this was also the previous emperor's order."
"You've already said everything. What else does Official Fang want me to say?"
This interrogation seemed to have yielded a lot of information, but in reality, there was very little that was useful.
After sorting out the confession and the interrogation process, Fang Jun sent it to the Imperial Palace.
Imperial Study.
Fang Jun knelt on the ground. Eunuch Meng took the confession from his hands and handed it to Shang Junlin with both hands.
Shang Junlin picked up the confession, opened it, and read ten lines at a glance. His eyes darkened slightly, "Make arrangements, zhen wants to see him."
"Your Majesty?" Fang Jun raised his head in surprise.
Shang Junlin rubbed the confession in his hands, his voice without the slightest trace of emotion, "There are some things that zhen wants to confirm personally."
Fang Jun knew that once Shang Junlin made up his mind, he would not be swayed by others, so he swallowed the words of dissuasion that were on the tip of his tongue, "This subject obeys."
Fang Jun went to the Ministry of Justice in advance to make arrangements. The Minister of Justice walked beside him and was quite puzzled, "Why does Your Majesty suddenly want to come?"
"How can we, as subjects, interfere with what Your Majesty wants to do?" Fang Jun did not turn his head and continued to make arrangements.
"No," the Minister of Justice's tone was anxious, "This person planned and tried to rebel. If, this lowly official is saying if, something happens to Your Majesty, can you and I bear the responsibility?"
"Therefore, we have to make arrangements in advance and nip all possible dangers in the bud."
"Don't you think that if His Majesty does not come, all the dangers can be nipped at the source?" the Minister of Justice said faintly.
Fang Jun stopped, "Then you will send a memorial to persuade His Majesty?"
"Forget it, let's make arrangements." The Minister of Justice wiped his face and joined Fang Jun's action.
The Ministry of Justice was busy because they would soon welcome the Emperor.
"I always feel that there is something neglected in this matter. I plan to meet Grand Tutor Zeng in person." In Yuzhang Palace, Shang Junlin told Shen Yu about his plan.
"Prince Yue is also locked up in the Ministry of Justice, right?" Shen Yu poured a cup of tea for Shang Junlin, "Your Majesty, try it. It's new tea that was just delivered."
Shang Junlin took the teacup and took a sip, "Yes, why is A Yu suddenly asking about him?"
"The person behind the scenes has been caught. Shouldn't Your Majesty deal with Prince Yue?" Shen Yu's hand that was holding the teacup tightened.
"Yes, he was kept to lure out the person behind the scenes. Now that the person has been caught, there is no need to keep him." Shang Junlin did not have any good impression of Prince Yue.
After listening to Shang Junlin's words, Shen Yu fell silent.
Noticing his strangeness, Shang Junlin put down the teacup, lifted Shen Yu's chin, and said in a dangerous voice, "A Yu is not happy?"
Shen Yu shook his head, "I always feel that things are going too smoothly."
After going through so much trouble to catch the person, it was not smooth. Shen Yu also knew this, but he was a little uneasy.
"Don't think too much. I won't let him escape again." Shang Junlin let go of his hand and stood up, "I heard from the Ministry of Justice that Shang Junyue's situation is not good now. If A Yu is really concerned, then go with me."
"When does Your Majesty plan to go?"
"In two days."
Shen Yu stood up and walked to Shang Junlin's side, "Does Prince Yue know that the person supporting him is Grand Tutor Zeng?"
Shang Junlin, "It seems that he doesn't know. He only knows that the former Emperor left him a lot of things. But so far, only a small part of these things has reached his hands. According to his confession, he was' forced 'to revolt this time. Among the troops that were wiped out, less than 10% listened to his orders."
Chen Yu: "From the looks of it, rather than saying that the King of Yue is rebelling, it's better to say that the person behind the King of Yue is using his name to raise an army. If that's the case, Grand Tutor Zeng's true purpose is open for discussion. Is he really doing all this just to send the King of Yue to the throne?"
"Definitely not." Shang Junlin would never easily believe a person's words. "Perhaps in the past, he simply obeyed the orders of the late Emperor and took the opportunity to assist the King of Yue in ascending the throne. However, after holding power for so many years, no one can guarantee that his thoughts haven't changed."
Power was the thing that could change a person's mind the most.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
