Chapter 154: Beheading a second-rank official in the street! The prince's affair is exposed! (33)

Li Changan's team included the Shadow Guards and two elite cavalry units.

There were also two prison carts, one for each of the Northern Barbarian Khan Ashina Shabi and the Western Hu Chanyu Subida.

The young emperor of Western Qin was rewarded for his contribution by donating land, and he rode in a carriage all the way.

Facing the officials kneeling on the ground, Li Changan did not let them stand up.

"Where is the official from the Ministry of Rites?"

There was no emotion in Li Changan's voice, but it was very oppressive.

A sixth-rank official from the Ministry of Rites crawled out from the crowd, his voice trembling.

"Your Highness, Prince Qin, I am here."

Li Changan asked, "You came to welcome the king. You arranged the ceremonial guard. Do you think there is any problem?"

After Li Changan finished speaking, more than a dozen shadow guards had dismounted and were staring at the sixth-rank official with ferocious looks.

This official from the Ministry of Rites did not hold a high position, but he had heard about Li Changan beheading Gong Dian and Qin Yi.

He knew very well whether the ceremonial procession was right or wrong.

He is very sober now. If he takes this responsibility, his life may be in danger.

"Your Majesty, there are four more palace lanterns and twelve more flags. This music is the same as the one used to welcome Your Majesty that year."

This person explained it so clearly that the prince's face changed color instantly.

It was originally a trap set for Li Changan. Li Changan was welcomed according to the emperor's etiquette. If Li Changan didn't find out, a large number of imperial censors would immediately report him.

Li Changan saw that this young official was so smart, so he didn't embarrass him. "Anything else you want to say?"

All the officials in Beijing were smart, and the official from the Ministry of Rites immediately resigned.

"The welcoming procession was approved by Minister Xin!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xin Qiwu immediately crawled out from the crowd.

He was promoted from the fourth-rank Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple to the third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. It must be a good thing that his career was going well.

Before he could speak, Li Changan said calmly, "Oh, isn't this Xin Qiwu, the prince's disciple?"

Xin Qiwu was kneeling on the ground, his back covered in sweat.

He set a trap for the King of Qin and used the etiquette of welcoming the emperor without authorization. If he takes the responsibility, he will be beheaded!

"Your Highness, the Prince of Qin, I think the chief clerk must have made a mistake..."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Li Changan no longer had the patience to listen to him continue.

“Li Chengru, I have not yet resigned as the wartime commander-in-chief.

If someone is found to be plotting a rebellion, can they be executed on the spot? "

Li Chengru had also served as a grand commander, so he dared to compete with Fan Xian for the city gate when he returned to Beijing last year.

"If there are any traitors, they will be executed on the spot!"

After hearing Li Chengru's words, Xin Qiwu's tone immediately changed.

"Your Highness, Prince Qin, I report that the Minister of Rites Guo Zheng is guilty of treason and conspiracy, and his crime is unforgivable!"

Xin Qiwu's expression was extremely exaggerated, and he spoke these words with great sorrow and indignation!

"The ceremonial procession to welcome His Highness today was all arranged by Guo Zheng. He is the Minister of State, and we dare not shirk our responsibilities!"

Guo Zheng is the Minister of Rites who likes to have his own portrait taken while he is working.

He is also a distant relative of Guo Youzhi, and a corrupt official who caused Fan Wujiu to fail the imperial examination.

When Guo Zheng heard what Xin Qiwu said, he immediately cried out in injustice, "Your Highness, Prince Qin, this was Xin Qiwu's own decision!

I am familiar with the etiquette system, how could I deliberately violate it! "

Guo Zheng would steal a glance at the prince from time to time, but the prince just swallowed his saliva and dared not say a word.

After all, he had been slapped in the face by Li Changan during the dynasty, and if he spoke again he might lose face.

As soon as Guo Zheng finished speaking, Xin Qiwu gritted his teeth and decided to go for it.

He pulled out a few documents from his pocket and said, "Your Highness, Prince Qin, the flags, palace lanterns, and music arrangements all require the Shangshu seal for final approval!"

"Welcoming His Highness back to the capital is the biggest event for the Ministry of Rites this year. I will handle this matter very carefully."

Xin Qiwu was obviously well prepared, as he drew on the precedent of Gong Dian being beheaded.

No matter whether you know it or not, the Shangshu seal has been stamped on it, so there is no point in denying it.

If the prince wanted to trick Li Changan, it would only take a word, but the officials who were in charge were very cunning.

Wang Qinian handed the documents to Li Changan, who just glanced at them.

"Minister of Rites Guo Zheng, arbitrarily using the emperor's etiquette regulations, is considered treason and will be executed on the spot!"

Wang Qinian has become addicted to being an executioner recently. At this moment, he sneered and drew his knife.

At this time, the eldest prince hurriedly advised, "Uncle Qin, Guo Zheng is a second-rank official, you should put him in prison and ask for permission before executing him!"

Li Changan had a blank expression on his face. "Second rank? The one he killed was a second rank!"

Guo Zheng saw Wang Qinian getting closer and closer, and suddenly panicked, "Crown Prince! Your Highness!"

"Say something!"

"This is all arranged by you!"

Li Changan sighed, "You shameless officials are trying to alienate the relationship between us uncle and nephew."

"Everyone in the world knows that Cheng Qian and I are a loving uncle and a filial nephew."

"First, Qin Yi assassinated me, saying that the crown prince ordered it."

"Now Guo Zheng has violated the rules and plotted rebellion, and is trying to accuse the Crown Prince. He is truly lawless! Behead him!"

Guo Zheng's legs went weak and he peed all over the floor. Then he screamed and was beheaded by Wang Qinian.

The head of a second-rank official rolled down in front of everyone, and the kneeling ministers dared not even breathe.

If Li Changan wanted to avoid trouble, he had to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, so that those who wanted to curry favor with the prince and disgust him would see what would happen to them.

If Guo Zheng is killed now, ordinary officials in Kyoto will not dare to provoke Li Changan in the future.

Li Changan walked up to Li Chengqian and said, "Chengqian, Xin Qiwu is your disciple. I'm giving you face. You can handle him yourself."

The prince raised his head and smiled a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Thank you..."

Before he could finish his words, Li Changan interrupted him, "Your syphilis is back in good shape now, you've been having a lot of trouble lately!"

The prince's nerves tensed up instantly, but Li Changan did not continue the topic.

"Hurry up and enjoy yourself. You won't be able to work as a prince for many more days."

Afterwards, Li Changan said to Ye Wan and Shangshan Hu, "The two of you go and set up camp near Hulong Villa. You are not allowed to enter Kyoto without orders."

The two men took the order and left. Li Changan led the Shadow Guards and the prison cart and passed through the kneeling crowd.

After entering Kyoto City, Li Changan received a warm welcome.

In the convoy, the young emperor of Western Qin even opened the curtains and looked at the lively crowd.

But Ashina Shabi and Subida, the former overlords of the snow-covered land and grassland, are now surrounded by the rotten eggs and vegetable leaves of the people.

The people of Qing were delighted, and the streets were deserted, celebrating this grand ceremony of surrendering captives.

Over the years, the Qing Kingdom has experienced many prisoner presentation ceremonies, but none of them was as spectacular as this one!
"In less than a year, His Royal Highness the King of Qin destroyed three countries!"

"When Daqing Kingdom unifies the world, only Beiqi and Dongyi City will remain!"

"The Khan of the Snowland and the Chanyu of the Grassland, this is the first time they have been captured!"

"Your Highness the Prince of Qin is both civil and military, and is truly the one that everyone hopes for!"

……

When they arrived at the gate of the imperial palace, Emperor Qing, an old-generation performing artist, greeted Li Changan with tears in his eyes.

It seemed as if he knew nothing about what was happening outside the city, and everything was so sincere and heartfelt.

"Chang'an! You're finally back. I missed you so much!"

"You destroyed the Three Kingdoms in one year, so you are the greatest hero of Daqing!" Such acting skills came from the heart, which Li Chengqian could never learn in his whole life.

"Your Majesty! I miss you day and night, and I wish I could grow wings and fly back!"

Emperor Qing sighed for a long time and praised Li Changan's contributions.

He must boast that unifying the world is his goal and program, and is his political correctness.

Finally, he turned to the Grand Prince, the commander of the Imperial Guards, and said, "Li Chengru!

Execute Ashina Shabi and Subida by slow slicing to comfort the millions of people in the Central Plains who died in this tragedy!"

"The young emperor of Western Qin helped me to defeat Northern Qi, and was granted the title of Marquis of Guiqing, with double salary, and he will live in Kyoto forever!"

The young emperor of Western Qin was overjoyed and accepted the order to express his gratitude, becoming the biggest winner of the day.

After that, there was a lively triumphal banquet. Emperor Qing and King Qin were like brothers, acting like close friends.

The city of Kyoto celebrated for three days before things gradually calmed down.

Li Changan's prestige was naturally at its peak, and a large number of officials in the court came to him to make friends with him, openly or secretly.

But Li Changan didn't have time to deal with them now, so he let Wang Qinian and Xing Yusen handle it.

But there was one exception, and that was the Kyoto prefect Mei Zhili.

"Your subordinate Mei is here to pay his respects to His Majesty the Prince of Qin!"

Mei Zhili bowed respectfully and waited for Li Changan's order.

Li Changan became the governor of Kyoto, so of course he would not go to Kyoto to work.

However, the Kyoto Prefecture had to report all daily matters, big or small, to Mei Zhili, which was equivalent to having an extra father out of thin air.

Mei Zhili, who was lowering his head, suddenly heard the woman's voice, "You idiot, get up."

Mei Zhili raised his head and saw a woman with an enchanting figure and a beautiful face sitting in Li Changan's arms.

When Mei Zhili heard this voice, he was so scared that he broke out in a sweat!

Two years ago, when Fan Xian was falsely accused when he went to Beijing, it was this woman who reminded him and helped him regain the emperor's favor.

Mei Zhili was sweating profusely because it turned out that he had already boarded the King of Qin's ship!

Li Changan said, "Master Mei, please go back and take good care of Kyoto Prefecture for me. Make sure nothing goes wrong."

Mei Zhili kowtowed like crazy, but he was only a third-rank official, and his head was not as tough as that of a second-rank minister.

After Mei Zhili left, Li Changan waved his right hand lightly, and the door of the room closed automatically.

Then, he touched Jingwei's rosy and beautiful cheek and pointed to the table not far away.

"Little Salamander, go over there and lie down."

……

A few days later, Emperor Qing heard a piece of news in the imperial study.

The Queen beat a palace maid to death, so Emperor Qing went to Eunuch Hou to find out what happened.

Eunuch Hou reported, "Your Majesty, that palace maid stole a piece of the queen's jade."

Emperor Qing frowned and asked, "Why would someone kill someone just for a piece of jade?"

Eunuch Hou actually did some serious research, "Because the queen has worn that jade pendant since she was a child, so she likes it very much."

"Some of the maids and eunuchs in the harem were so bold that they stole the queen's favorite things."

Although Emperor Qing felt something was wrong, he did not ask any more questions, "You can go down."

Ever since the palace maid jumping into the carriage case when Fan Xian came to Beijing the year before last, Emperor Qing began to suspect that Eunuch Hou was the eldest princess's man.

But there is always a strange tacit understanding between Emperor Qing and Li Yunrui.

There are many things that Emperor Qing wants Li Yunrui to know, and maybe Li Yunrui will help him.

Moreover, Eunuch Hou was very useful and was an excellent observer of people's words and expressions, so Emperor Qing was too lazy to touch him.

Anyway, the most confidential matter is handled by Hong Sixiang.

Not long after, Hong Sixiang arrived in front of Emperor Qing and said, "Your Majesty, I have checked the palace maid."

"That maid did take the Queen's jade pendant, but she also went to Guangxin Palace on the day she died."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing instantly became suspicious, "Guangxin Palace?"

If it is related to Guangxin Palace, then we cannot believe everything Eunuch Hou says.

Why was the palace maid beaten to death?
Is there a possibility that the jade pendant was just an excuse, and the queen beat the palace maid to death for other reasons?

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince goes to Guangxin Palace every month to learn the art of power from the Princess."

"The maid went to Guangxin Palace that day to deliver the embroidered cloth that the queen gave to the princesses and concubines."

"Coincidentally, the Crown Prince was also at Guangxin Palace that day..."

Hearing this, the sensitive and suspicious Emperor Qing had a very bad idea in his mind.

"Is the prince's syphilis cured?"

Hong Sixiang is a very capable person. He can know immediately any matter big or small in the inner palace if he needs to know.

"He said he was completely cured, but he is still taking medicine to maintain the effect."

"However, due to the rise of the King of Qin recently, the pressure is too great, and the number of times he visits the palace maids is not frequent."

Now that your syphilis has healed, you don't visit palace maids as often. So where did you, Li Chengqian, vent your anger?

The greater the pressure, the more you need to vent. The eunuchs don't understand this, but Emperor Qing does.

The Crown Prince only goes to Guangxin Palace once a month, so Emperor Qing has to wait another month if he wants to eavesdrop.

"Si Xiang, go check on the prince's illness. What's going on?"

Hong Sixiang took the order and left. He reported to Emperor Qing the next day that the imperial physician who specialized in treating the prince had suddenly died.

It would have been fine if the imperial physician was not dead, but after he died, Emperor Qing became even more suspicious.

"Medicine! The medicine that the prince takes! Sixiang, go check it out!"

Just as Hong Sixiang was about to leave, Emperor Qing suddenly stopped him.

"You should be more careful about everything. If you go to check the imperial physician, he will be dead."

"If you go check the medicine again, I don't know what else will happen."

"Just wait."

For the next month, Emperor Qing was always uneasy and his enthusiasm for state affairs was reduced by half.

Until a month later, when the prince went to Guangxin Palace again.

It was a stormy night, and Emperor Qing came to Guangxin Palace at the other end of the imperial palace silently.

He only stood under the eaves for a short while before he understood everything.

Things had developed in the worst direction he had expected.

He had been forcing himself not to touch the woman, but he seduced his own son!
Incest is not abominable, what is abominable is that you, Li Chengqian, touched my forbidden food!

However, even at this time, Emperor Qing remained calm and rational.

He called Hong Sixiang again to check the prince's medicine.

Things had already happened, but he knew that nothing in the palace was simple.

It was late at night the next day when Hong Sixiang finally arrived.

"Your Majesty, the pills were delivered to the palace regularly by a relative, one pill every ten days, and the prince has been taking them all the time."

"But when I found that relative, he fell off his horse and died..."

"I felt that this matter was not simple. I did not have time to report it, so I immediately traced the source of the medicine."

"It was a medicine shop called Huichuntang, and it caught fire..."

After hearing this, Emperor Qing could no longer sit still. If there was no trick, then there must be something fishy!
Hong Sixiang took out a pill from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, this is the medicine for the prince."

Emperor Qing put the red pill to his nose and sniffed it, his face instantly turned pale!

The prince is not doing his job well, but there are still people doing bad things in secret!

(End of this chapter)