King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"This, this, this"

In the field.

When Duan Li faced the rhetorical questions from Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan, he was stunned on the spot. He hesitated for a long time and couldn't utter a complete sentence.

It's not that he doesn't want to refute or refute it verbally.

And based on Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan's analysis, he couldn't find any point to refute it.

At the same time, although he was very reluctant to admit it, he had no way to deny it. At this moment, he also believed from the bottom of his heart that Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan were right.

As for why you don’t want to admit it.

Find out the reason.

Mainly because of what happened here, it was really unbelievable to him.

I just don't want to accept it or admit it for a while.

Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan saw Duan Li who was mumbling and speechless for a long time, and sneered "haha":

"Master Duan, what's wrong?"

"Didn't you just keep saying that you wanted to avenge your family?"

"Now my enemy, after the three of us have symmetrical information and candidly communicate with each other, we can't believe the results?"

"Are you unwilling to believe it, or just don't believe it, or are you concerned about Zhong Kairan's identity?"

At this moment, voices filled with sarcasm and ridicule echoed through the hall.

The roles of the two parties have also been reversed.

The people who had the upper hand and occupied the highest moral point instantly changed from Duan Li to Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan.

Facing the two people's sarcastic words, Duan Li blushed for a moment and didn't know how to answer.

There is no other reason.

The words of Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan could be said to have unmistakably exposed his cautiousness and revealed his thoughts nakedly in front of everyone.

As a result, he didn't know how to answer the call at all.

In fact, this matter, in a sense, is not Duan Li's fault, or he really doesn't want to cause trouble with the real murderer and the mastermind behind it.

But the identity of the real murderer before them now, or the person known as the mastermind behind the scenes, is too special.

Chief Secretary of Xijiang! !

From a second-grade official.

The power in his hands is already beyond the reach of others.

And being able to reach this official rank is no longer just his business. Behind it is a complicated network of interests, the relationship between the people above and the people below, and the interests in the middle. This is very important to him. Duan Li, who was originally from an official background, knew this very well.

Just like this, when he heard the analysis of the two people, even though Duan Li had already recognized in his heart that the black hand hidden behind it was Zhong Kairan, the Chief Secretary of Xijiang, he did not dare to reveal the reason for his failure.

Because Duan Li knew very well how amazing the energy held in the hands of such a figure was.

It is no longer something ordinary people can move.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart.

As for Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the high platform, he simply ignored him.

It's not that he thought Zhu Gaoxu couldn't influence Xijiang Chief Secretary Zhong Kairan.

It's because he has been an official in recent years, although he has not been in a high position.

But he had more or less understanding of the situation in the imperial court.

Naturally, we also know that the king of Han, the king of Zhao, and the prince were divided into two factions, and they fought overtly and covertly to compete for the position of crown prince.

Among them, the prince was in charge of writing, and the king of Han and Zhao were in charge of military affairs.

And their enemy, Zhong Kairan, happened to be a civil servant, a second-rank official in the court.

With such strength, who knows whether he has entered the prince's eyes and become a member of the prince's line.

Once Zhong Kairan really fell into the prince's eyes, he became a member of the prince's line.

There are too many twists and turns here.

It is very likely to involve a struggle for the crown prince's position, and a party struggle between the princeling party and the Han king's party.

The so-called party struggle, in addition to the confrontation of respective means, is also the exchange of interests.

Don't look at the Han King Zhu Gaoxu who just said conclusively that he would redress their grievances and make decisions for them.

If this matter did not involve a high-ranking official of the second rank, Duan Li would still believe it.

But now it involves such a high-ranking and powerful figure.

The promise of Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu has become untrustworthy in Duan Li's heart.

The reason is simple.

As far as the identities of the three families are concerned, compared with the identity of Zhong Kairan, the current Chief Secretary of Xijiang, they are not at the same level at all.

It is no longer something they and others can participate in.

People like them are probably not even cannon fodder in such a whirlpool.

After all, they have no other relationship with Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu, and they have no intersection or friendship in the past.

Why should others touch Xijiang Chief Secretary Zhong Kairan for the so-called promise?
From Duan Li's point of view, there is absolutely no profit to be gained from this matter, and it is very likely that Zhu Gaoxu, the king of Han, and the prince will completely confront each other and have a confrontation.

It's totally worth the loss.

Things that harm others but do not benefit oneself.

Therefore, Duan Li didn't believe that Zhu Gaoxu would fall out with Zhong Kairan or even the prince for the sake of their three families.

More than that.

In this matter, the best interests of all.

From Duan Li's point of view, the best strategy is to use what happened to the three families as a bargaining chip to force Zhong Kairan to take sides.

Or use this as an excuse to get the prince to make some concessions on certain things.

No matter which way things develop, the ending of the three families can be imagined.

This was also the real reason why he hesitated to speak to Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan's self-righteous questions.

It’s not that I don’t want to answer.

But I was too aware of the darkness of some things inside and didn't want to answer.

Because in his opinion, the matter has developed to this point, the argument has no meaning, and he can't see any hope.

"Hey"

After a brief silence, he let out a long sigh, then took a few deep breaths of air. His expression suddenly became solemn, his half-closed eyes suddenly opened, and he looked straight at Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan who were standing not far away. people.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Duan Li bowed deeply to the two of them, making a standard ninety-degree bow. The loneliness in his words was evident, and he said:

"sorry."

"I was blinded by hatred and harmed you."

Say it.

He straightened up slowly, his eyes fell on Zhu Gaoxu who was standing on the high platform, and then he bowed respectfully, with all the sincerity in his words, and said:

"My lord."

"Now that things have happened, many things have become clear."

"This is all a crime. Blinded by hatred, they have done many evil things. Their crimes are unforgivable."

"The guilty party acknowledges all the culpability and takes full responsibility for it."

"As for the people behind the scenes and the masterminds behind the scenes, everything is just nonsense made by us. Random speculations blinded by the hatred of our fathers are completely untrue." "The government has already made a conclusion on past events."

"This matter is settled."

"I don't ask the prince to spare us all, but I ask the prince to see that the fathers of our three families, as well as the Zhang and Wang families, have always followed all the laws of the court since Linchuan Fucheng was a merchant, and tried their best to serve the people of Linchuan Fucheng. Provide various conveniences.”

"Let Zhang and Wang's family have a way out, or let them have a queen."

after that.

After finishing speaking, Duan Li knelt down straight and kowtowed.

Listening to Duan Li's words and seeing Duan Li acting like this, Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan, who were excited and excited, were stunned on the spot.

I don't understand at all what the purpose of this move was.

However, although they did not know the true meaning of Duan Li's move, they were not fools, so they naturally understood that most of Duan Li's words were pleas for their two families.

After pondering briefly for a moment, the two of them looked at Duan Li with doubtful eyes, and with doubts on their faces, they shouted loudly and asked:
"Master Duan"

"What do you mean by that?"

Faced with the questioning of the two people.

Duan Li seemed to be deaf and did not make any reply. The sound of "bang bang bang" kowtowing did not stop at all.

This situation seems extremely strange.

The atmosphere in the venue also became depressing in an instant.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the high platform, couldn't help but frowned subconsciously, and looked with interest at Duan Li, who was prostrate on the ground, sticking his butt out and kowtowing for a long time.

Everyone in the audience might not understand what Duan Li's sudden behavior meant.

But Zhu Gaoxu, who had stayed out of the whole process, was extremely clear.

After a brief moment of silence, Zhu Gaoxu's half-closed eyes suddenly opened, staring straight at Duan Li who was lying on the ground, and chuckled with a 'haha':

"Interesting. Interesting."

"Just now Duan Li, haven't you always wanted to eat their flesh and drink their blood against the Zhang and Wang families?"

"Why are you now begging for mercy for the two of them?"

Having said this, he paused, suddenly changed the subject, and said in a deep voice:
"and."

"Why are you so sure that this king will do that?"

"In other words, why do you think that this king will be so unscrupulous for the sake of profit?"

"Ignoring the laws of the Ming Dynasty and bowing to lawlessness?"

This statement came out.

Everyone in the audience, who was already in a fog, was even more confused at this moment as to what kind of riddle Duan Li and Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu were playing.

However, I don't know what it means.

But the Zhang and Wang families are not stupid, and they also understand that their words are related to the wealth and life of their family.

Immediately, the two of them were so frightened that they couldn't help but tremble, with fear on their faces. They knelt down and kowtowed without knowing it. They kowtowed after Duan Li, and they couldn't stop praying in their hearts.

"hehe."

Seeing this situation, Zhu Gaoxu sneered, glanced at the three people kneeling on the ground and kowtowed, and shouted:

"okay."

"Everyone get up!"

"Stop kowtowing."

"Put your heart in my heart. This king is a man of his word. He spits out every word and nails it. There is absolutely no way he can do such disgusting things."

After hearing this.

Duan Li, who was originally kowtowing, paused in vain. He subconsciously raised his head and ran toward Zhu Gaoxu on the high platform with a look of disbelief on his face. He was stunned on the spot.

Is the promise valid?

Not someone who breaks his word.

You would definitely not do such a disgusting thing?

These three sentences fell into Duan Li's ears, no less than the sounds of nature.

But it also made him feel a little doubtful. Is it really not possible?
You know, he knows very well how big the benefits are.

Is the King of Han really willing to give up?
Are you really willing to make decisions for people like them who are neither relatives nor friends, and give up such huge interests?

Zhu Gaoxu, who stood on the high platform with a pestle on his back, had a panoramic view of the expressions of everyone in the audience, and was able to roughly guess what Duan Li was thinking. "Haha" he sneered and asked:
"Duan Li."

"As an official of the imperial court, you must have heard about the corruption case of Liu Guan, the left deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, in the past few months, right?"

"Liu Guan and all his party members were single-handedly pulled down by me, and all of them were sent to prison."

"so."

"Do you think Zhong Kairan, the chief secretary of Xijiang, is more important than Liu Guan, the left deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and a group of party members?"

"I don't even care about Liu Guan, the left deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and all the party members. Will I care about Zhong Kairan, the chief minister of Xijiang?"

"Is he worthy?"

"So, don't think too much, I am not that careful, and I am not as unbearable and dirty as you think."

Such words.

"what"

Duan Li couldn't help but subconsciously exclaimed, looking at Zhu Gaoxu standing on the high platform with a look of astonishment, and was stunned on the spot.

After a while, he came back to his senses, exhaled a long breath, then looked at Zhu Gaoxu with an extremely solemn expression, and saluted respectfully:
"Thank you, guilty minister. Thank you, King of Han."

"Thank you, King Han."

Seeing this, Zhang Ziming and Wang Yan spontaneously followed Duan Li to express their gratitude.

Zhu Gaoxu waved his hands at the three people who were saluting and said:
"okay."

"Get up!"

Then, as if he thought of something, he frowned subconsciously, took out the letter he had just copied from the foot of the homing pigeon that flew out of the government office, and said:
"The king is so honest with you."

"Duan Zhitong"

"I don't know what is written on this thing. Can you guys have a friendly chat with me?"

"To whom was this letter delivered?"

While speaking, Zhu Gaoxu waved to Liu Feng who was approaching. When Liu Feng came closer, he handed the copied letter to Liu Feng.

Then, Liu Feng didn't dare to show any slightness and quickly handed the letter into Duan Li's hands.

Duan Li was stunned for a moment after receiving the letter. After a while, he opened the letter and looked at its contents.

As the content came into view, the expression on Duan Li's face suddenly became particularly exciting, and a hint of embarrassment and panic flashed across his face.

After being stunned for a moment, Duan Li just stood up, his legs and feet seemed to be out of control, and he knelt down again and said:
"I am guilty"

Before he finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand and abruptly interrupted what he wanted to say. He sneered "haha", glanced at him, and said solemnly:
"If you apologize, I don't want to hear it, and it's not the words I want to hear."

"You are a smart person and you should know what the king wants."

"So, let's not beat around the bush."

"Tell me something that I really want to hear."

"Do you understand?" (End of chapter)