Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 595: The End of Prince Duan's Party
Although Zhezong wanted to rest for a while longer, seeing Zhao Mu's firm attitude, he had to reluctantly agree.

Although Zhezong has not been concerned with the affairs of the previous dynasty for a while, he also knows Zhao Mu's difficulties. After all, there are still a few tricky things that Zhezong needs to deal with personally.

The first thing to do is to deal with the Empress Dowager.

The old and immortal Empress Dowager Gao Taotao died while Zhao Mu was stationed in the Western Regions. But Empress Dowager Xiang was only fifty years old and still very healthy.

This time she caused such a big mess, and Zhezong knew that the matter of Queen Mother Gao could not be let go.

Even if she is given a lighter punishment because she was the empress of the previous emperor, she should still be given a severe warning.

Zhao Mu's status was very delicate. If he punished Queen Mother Xiang, it would be difficult to explain to the country, the people, and the civil and military officials. Therefore, he could only imprison her in the palace and give her only a little food every day.

In addition to Empress Dowager Xiang, Prince Duan Zhao Ji and Prince Consort Wang were also a big trouble.

Prince Duan and Prince Consort Wang were guilty of the heinous crime of usurping the throne. Since Empress Dowager Xiang could not be punished, they had to bear the blame. And they had to die.

But Zhao Mu's identity was awkward.

If Zhezong died, he would be the legitimate emperor of the Song Dynasty. It would be reasonable for him to exterminate the three clans of Prince Duan and Prince Consort Wang for the crime of treason.

But now Zhezong is safe and sound, and is honored as the emperor, recuperating in the deep palace. It is a bit unreasonable for Zhao Mu to kill his brother at this time. After all, you have to look at the owner before you beat the dog.

Although Huizong was a fake emperor, on the surface, he was succeeded by Zhezong himself. After all, he respected Zhezong as the Supreme Emperor and recognized Queen Dowager Xiang as his mother, retaining her position as Queen Dowager.

Zhao Mu claimed that he had the edict of succession from Zhezong, which would only be effective after Zhezong's death. Now that Zhezong is alive and well, this is a bit embarrassing.

If Zhao Mu issued an order to kill Prince Duan, then the unofficial history of the people would definitely spread the rumor that Zhao Mu forged the imperial edict, plotted to usurp the throne, and killed people to silence them.

If you are not careful, you will be infamous for eternity.

Taking this into consideration, Zhao Mu hesitated to take action against Prince Duan and his party. He only locked them up in the Sky Prison and placed their families under house arrest in the mansion.

Zhezong was an eloquent ruler, so he naturally understood Zhao Mu's difficulties. He had to clean up the mess himself.

Zhezong sighed and said, "Okay! Since the emperor's uncle is so kind, then find a day for him to issue an edict to return power to me."

Hearing that Zhezong agreed, Zhao Mu was completely relieved.

Now he suddenly felt completely liberated, as if the burden on his shoulders had been completely lifted. Zhao Mu couldn't help but smile when he thought about not having to get up before dawn to attend court and not having to deal with memorials before sunset.

At this time, Concubine Liu, who was hiding in the side hall, even shouted with joy.

Realizing that she had made a sound, Concubine Liu quickly covered her mouth.

Zhao Mu looked in the direction of Concubine Liu and said, "My Lady Concubine, there is actually no need to eavesdrop on this kind of thing."

Concubine Liu felt embarrassed because she was discovered. She blushed. After she walked out of the side hall, she bowed to the two people and left immediately. She planned to tell Queen Meng the good news as soon as possible. Looking at Concubine Liu, the two emperors of the Song Dynasty couldn't help but smile.

At this time, Zhezong looked at Zhao Mu and said, "Okay, uncle. Let's talk about serious matters first. I understand your difficulties. The matters of the Queen Mother, Prince Duan, and Prince Consort are indeed very difficult. I must deal with these matters personally. But before dealing with them, I want to hear your opinion."

Zhao Mu also thought about these things for a long time. Then he said: "I have also thought about this matter. The Queen Mother is the empress of the previous emperor and the current Queen Mother. Our holy dynasty governs the world with filial piety, so naturally we cannot punish the Queen Mother. I think it would be enough to imprison the Queen Mother for a year or so and let her reflect on her mistakes for a while."

"But since the Queen Mother, the 'main culprit', cannot be punished, then someone must take responsibility for this matter. I think that for now, we can only inconvenience Prince Duan and Prince Consort Wang."

Upon hearing this, Zhezong nodded and said, "Uncle's suggestion coincides with mine. I intend to exterminate the three clans of Prince Duan and his wife. What do you think, uncle?"

Hearing this, Zhao Mu said, "This is a bit too cruel. Moreover, among the royal family, the blood relationship is complicated. The current situation is considered to be safe. If a war is launched over this, I am afraid it will cause unrest in the court."

Zhezong asked, "What about your uncle's opinion?"

Zhao Mu replied, "It will be enough if someone takes the blame. Your Majesty should issue an order to demote Prince Duan to a commoner. After the Ministry of Imperial Clan Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple have convicted him, he should be sentenced to death by poisoned wine or white silk. In addition, Prince Duan's property should be confiscated, and all his wives, concubines, and servants should be demoted to slavery."

"As for the prince consort, he will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Kaifeng Prefecture for a joint trial, and then beheaded in public. There is no need to execute his entire clan, but his relatives can be convicted as well. As for the princess, she will be locked up in the Zongzheng Mansion to reflect on her mistakes. After a few years, His Majesty will grant amnesty and release her."

Zhao Mu was so thoughtful and arranged the "afterlife" for everyone, and it was all in accordance with the laws of the court.

Prince Duan was a prince of the royal family, the son of the previous emperor. The laws of the Song Dynasty stipulated that royal family members could not be beheaded in public or chopped to death by axe. Even if he died, it could only be a dignified death such as strangulation or poisoning to keep his body intact.

As for Wang's son-in-law, although he was a son-in-law, he was not included in the clan register. Therefore, in order to set an example, he could be dragged out and beheaded as a warning to others. And if he was implicated, his blood relatives among his uncles and brothers could be killed. This was considered an explanation.

As for the princess, Zhao Mu knew that Zhezong also doted on this sister, so he naturally couldn't do anything to her. He simply found a reason to lock her up for a few years, and then release her after the storm had passed.

Zhao Mu mentioned so many people, but he didn't mention Taiwei Gao Qiu. This is because Gao Qiu had already been tortured to death by Zhao Mu.

Among those who were tortured to death by Zhao Mu was not only Gao Qiu, but also his godson Gao Yanei.

The three clans of Gao Qiu were also executed at Caishikou by order of Zhao Mu.

This was a huge event in the imperial court, and all the officials were trembling with fear. Among them, Su Shi was so frightened that he fell ill.

This is because Su Shi, who was good at poetry and prose, had close contacts with Prince Duan. Moreover, it was Su Shi who recommended Gao Qiu to Prince Duan's mansion. Although Su Shi did not participate in the rebellion of Huizong and others, he was promoted by Huizong.

The Su brothers were terrified when they saw Gao Qiu being convicted by Zhao Mu and the three clans bleeding in the Caishikou.

It was not until Zhao Mu saw that Su Che did not attend the court and asked about this matter that he gave the brothers a reassurance that Su Shi's illness improved.

Upon hearing this, Zhezong nodded and said, "Uncle, your consideration is very thoughtful. Okay! Let's do as Uncle wishes."

(End of this chapter)