Chang Anqing

Chapter 325 Forced to Sacrifice
Just when the Luoyang Palace was making all the preparations to go to Luoyang, the high-ranking officials and nobles who came to visit every day were like crucian carp crossing the river, shuttling back and forth in an endless stream.It was already nightfall on this day, and the Luoyang Prince's Mansion sent out the last wave of congratulators today.

The charcoal fire beeped softly in the warm room, and Luoyang Wang Yang Zhiyuan, who was exhausted from dealing with it, changed into a dark purple uniform and walked in. Although he was supported by Yang Xingjian, he could not hide his arrogance.

"Second Uncle really respects Aye, and puts you first in everything. Looking at the court now, who can gain Second Uncle's trust like Aye—"

Hearing Yang Xingjian's words, Yang Zhiyuan couldn't help but frowned, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he benefited a lot from the bottom of his heart, but he reminded him sternly: "In Chang'an, you must obey the rules. Son of Heaven, you should also honor Your Majesty, and don't hold back your words."

Hearing his father's reminder, Yang Xingjian nodded with a smile and helped him to sit down, then he flattered him and said, "Don't worry, Aye, I'm not talking to you in private, besides, even His Majesty said we are a family on weekdays, don't call us so unfamiliar .”

Seeing what Yang Xingjian said, Yang Zhiyuan reluctantly nodded his head. In the silence, the servant girl brought hot tea. Yang Xingjian stood up to take it and handed it to Yang Zhiyuan before saying seriously: "Okay, let's all go down."

As soon as the words came out, the servants in the house immediately filed out. Yang Zhiyuan saw the son beside him with flickering eyes, looking hesitant to speak and unable to hide the matter. Ling Ling took a sip of the clear tea, and sure enough, Yang Xingjian couldn't bear it anymore.

"Aye, it's been a long time since my son was framed by Li Sui and Zhao Yi last time and lost his title. Now that Aye has been awarded the title, he has got such a big job. It shows that His Majesty still trusts us. This time you went to Luoyang, son. I will guard Li Shi and Zhao Yi for you in Chang'an, and don't let them confuse the East Palace and do things that are not good for our Yang Shi—"

Hearing these words, Yang Zhiyuan glanced at his eldest son who had been idle at home for a long time, pondered for a moment before seriously reprimanding him: "If you had realized this earlier, you wouldn't be fighting cocks and running dogs every day, hanging around in Pingkangfang, and you wouldn't be in trouble. It has come to this point, and I have lost my Yang family's lintel."

Yang Xingjian, who was originally full of expectations, turned red and white at the moment when he was reprimanded, but he still flattered and said: "Yes, what Aye said is that my son has learned from this incident, and he will never be the same as before. Aye-"

Speaking of this, Yang Xingjian looked at Yang Zhiyuan with a shy face and said tentatively: "Speak for your son and make peace in front of His Majesty."

"Well, what are you thinking, I still don't know?"

Hearing his father's resignation, a gleam of light flashed across Yang Xingjian's eyes, and just as he was about to speak again to confirm, there were hurried footsteps outside.

"Ah Lang, Liu Neiguan from Zichen Palace is here."

As soon as these words came out, Yang Zhiyuan looked unexpectedly at the household slave who bowed his head to report, and the next moment he heard Yang Xingjian couldn't help muttering: "It's already night, how come Liu Neiguan came to us."

"Please go to the lobby."

Just when Yang Zhiyuan gave orders, the slave said hesitantly: "Back to Alang, Liu Neiguan specially ordered the younger one to report that this time is a secret visit on behalf of His Majesty, so there is no need to bother me with much fanfare—"

As soon as these words came out, Yang Zhiyuan quickly sensed that something was wrong, lowered his eyes and raised his eyes in an instant, and said: "Then invite people over."

When the household slave left, Yang Xingjian said, "Officer Liu is so secretive, could it be that His Majesty has something important to discuss with Aye?"

"Keep your mouth shut."

Hearing his father's stern reminder, Yang Xingjian saw that Yang Zhiyuan's expression was not right, so he didn't dare to say more.

Soon, with the sound of the soft curtain, Liu Shoucheng, who was dressed in ordinary clothes, walked in with his usual expression and bowed to Yang Zhiyuan.

"Lord Luoyang, Lord Dalang—"

Liu Shoucheng, as the emperor's close attendant, was respected even by the prince and other nobles, so at this moment Yang Zhiyuan also said with dignity: "The internal officials have seen the outside, please sit down."

After the clothes were rustling, after everyone was seated and the servants served tea and left, Yang Zhiyuan took the lead and said, "The internal officials are here late at night, but what's the matter?"

Hearing this, Liu Shoucheng looked at the curious Yang Xingjian and said, "This servant is here to congratulate Dalang Jun."

As soon as these words came out, Yang Xingjian said in surprise: "For me?"

Seeing Liu Shoucheng nod his head, Yang Xingjian's heart gradually became agitated, but Yang Zhiyuan who was at the side saw something strange in Liu Shoucheng's eyes other than Daoxi.

"Everyone has ordered people to draw up an imperial edict. Soon after you go to Luoyang, King of Luoyang, you will restore Lord Dalang's status as the king of Fufeng County based on your merits, and move to the governor of Yinzhou."

As soon as these words came out, Yang Xingjian's eyes were shocked, and his joy was beyond words. The emperor not only restored his title, but also promoted him to a real position. Yinzhou is very close to Chang'an. In a few years, he will be able to return to Chang'an and be promoted to the sixth department.

The more he thought about it, the more Yang Xingjian couldn't help being excited, this was really asking for something.

On the contrary, the scheming Yang Zhiyuan sensed something was wrong. Seeing Yang Zhiyuan beside him like this, Yang Zhiyuan frowned and said: "Da Lang, you go down first, I have something to discuss with the internal officials."

As soon as Yang Zhiyuan's words came out, Yang Xingjian who got the good news didn't ask any more questions, and left immediately overjoyed.

In the silence at this moment, Liu Shoucheng and Yang Zhiyuan sat opposite each other for a long time, and then he heard Yang Zhiyuan take the lead in breaking the silence and said: "Your Majesty may have other orders."

Hearing these words, Liu Shoucheng and Yang Zhiyuan looked at each other, and randomly and respectfully pulled out a book from his sleeve, and took out a box the size of a palm.

Yang Zhiyuan glanced at the book, and it turned out to be a copy of "Baopuzi". With sharp eyes, he saw that a corner of the book was folded, and when he opened it, he found that it was written on that page.

For some reason, although he did not understand the deep meaning of this, an ominous premonition rose from the bottom of Yang Zhiyuan's heart little by little.

The next moment, while the candle was flickering, Yang Zhiyuan stretched his hand towards the box, opened it slowly, and saw several vermilion pills.

Almost at the same time, Yang Zhiyuan's hands froze and he held his breath even more.

"What does this mean?"

Hearing the strangeness in Yang Zhiyuan's words, Liu Shoucheng just pretended not to have heard of it, and still respectfully said: "Recently, the Daoqing Immortals have developed an elixir for mortals to ascend to immortality for everyone. Everyone was overjoyed when they found it, and a special servant will give it to you. Share merit."

Elixir?

Yang Zhiyuan looked at those few pills, knowing that things would not be so simple, as expected, the next moment Liu Shoucheng said: "Everyone said, you don't want to disappoint this kind of intention."

Yang Zhiyuan's body trembled slightly when he heard this, and the next moment Liu Shoucheng handed over a paper page as thin as a cicada's wing: "This is written by everyone in person, and only the king of Luoyang is invited to read it."

At this moment, a breath of depression, tension, and even uneasiness suddenly rushed up. I saw his fingertips touched it as if trembling, and shook it for a long time. When he saw the sixteen-character secret, he suddenly realized it.

But I regret it at the beginning.

When the machine stone came out that day, he thought it was the heaven helping him to eradicate the East Palace, but he never thought that it was actually his death stone?
"No, no, this must be someone's hindrance, designed to frame me, I want to meet His Majesty!"

Almost at the same time, under the persecution of dying, Yang Zhiyuan could no longer hold back his excitement, and immediately got up and was about to go out, losing his mind for the first time.

"Lord Luoyang, don't worry, we still have some things, and I want my slaves to give them to you."

The moment Yang Zhiyuan lifted the soft curtain, a servant who came with Liu Shoucheng blocked the door, holding a small box in both hands, and handing it to him.

"The King of Luoyang, please take a look."

Liu Shoucheng sat there leisurely, and Yang Zhiyuan slowly reached out his hand when he heard the words. When he opened the box and saw the contents inside, his face turned pale immediately, and his heart sank into the bottom of the valley.

Because what was placed in it turned out to be the memorials of officials impeaching him over the years, the blood-sealed books of the people, and all the account details he had embezzled and demanded from Hongnong to Chang'an.

With Liu Shoucheng's wave, the servant quickly put the box on the spot, and he quickly retreated out.

"Everyone said, if you can understand his painstaking efforts for the king and are willing to take on this important task for the Yang family, everyone will remember your sacrifice and make the king of Fufeng County the king of Xuan, and your sons will also get the title they deserve. You will live a long and prosperous life.”

Liu Shoucheng's words were as calm as blunt, hitting Yang Zhiyuan's heart time and time again. At this moment, he realized for the first time the horror of his younger brother who is a compatriot. Letting him step into the abyss step by step, it was only at this moment that he saw that he had already Deep in the quagmire and unable to extricate themselves.

He was forcing him, forcing him to make a decision.

But how can he make any decision today?
To do is to die, not to do is also to die.

Just that box of invisible evidence is enough to list dozens of crimes and send him to the execution platform.

So they, the emperor, were telling him that instead of dying for sins and leaving a bad reputation for thousands of years, it is better to ask for death, which can not only protect his name, but also protect his descendants.

Good, good, what a strategist, the emperor in charge of the world.

To play him in the palm of his hand——

well--

(End of this chapter)