The Red Mansions

Chapter 1562 Jia Heng: Your slanderous words are truly slanderous!

Chapter 1562 Jia Heng: Your slanderous words are truly slanderous!

Shenjing City, Anshun Gate

A large number of students from the Imperial College rushed towards Anshun Gate. Under the palace city with blue bricks and black tiles, the students were infuriated and sat around under the city wall, confronting the palace guards on the gate tower above.

There were approximately two thousand students in the Imperial College, and if one included the citizens of Shenjing City who came to watch the fun, the number of students gathered at Anshun Gate could reach several thousand.

On top of the towering palace, teams of palace guards held sharp spears in their hands and looked down at the students below with cold and sharp expressions.

The students below shouted, "Punish the traitors!"

For a moment, everyone cheered in unison, with great momentum.

At this moment, everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the sound of horse hooves clacking on a road paved with bluestone slabs.

Teams of cavalry came galloping over, followed by teams of Jinyi Guards wearing flying fish uniforms and embroidered spring swords on their waists, who quickly surrounded them.

The leading general was none other than Jinyi Guard Commander Qu Lang, and riding on the maroon horse beside him was Jinyi Guard Northern Pacification Envoy Liu Jixian.

"Jia Heng's minions are here." At this moment, a younger student shouted loudly, and all the other students were immediately shocked and angry.

"How dare they come? Have these lackeys forgotten that they are the emperor's personal army?" the young student said loudly.

"Prince Wei must be dethroned!" At this time, a handsome and fair-skinned student loudly said.

"Prince Wei should avoid suspicion, resign all his positions, live leisurely in the woods, and play with his grandchildren." At this moment, a student paused and spoke loudly.

"Prince Wei has always been a playboy and a womanizer. It is really wrong for him to cling to power!" At this moment, a student said loudly.

Perhaps it was because of their large numbers that they emboldened the students, for at this moment they were filled with indignation and shouted loudly.

Wuying Palace, Cabinet——

In the empty palace, Li Zan, Gao Zhongping and Qi Kun were discussing the construction of Emperor Guangzong's mausoleum.

Qi Kun sat on a red lacquered pearwood chair, with a hint of worry on his resolute and dignified face. He said, "The construction of the mausoleum has been urged to speed up the progress of the craftsmen. The coffin should be buried before winter."

Li Zan nodded and said, "The Emperor Guangzong's body has been kept for many days. It is time to bury him in peace."

Gao Zhongping said: "After Emperor Guangzong is buried, the reign will be changed next year."

Just as several ministers were discussing the issue, a young clerk entered the palace and shouted, "Sir, this is bad! The students outside have surrounded the palace gates and are petitioning for the execution of the traitors!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zan stood up suddenly, with a look of surprise on his old face, and asked loudly, "Is this true?"

Gao Zhongping looked thoughtful and asked, "Why would the students of the Imperial College come here to cause trouble for no reason?"

The clerk said, "The students of the Imperial Academy said that the Prince of Wei wanted to usurp the throne and commit treasonous acts, and he wanted to usurp the throne. He petitioned the cabinet to punish the traitor!"

"This……"

All the ministers present felt somewhat puzzled.

Gao Zhongping frowned, his eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice: "Lord Li, let's go over and take a look together."

Upon hearing this, Li Zan called up the clerks who were serving with pens and ink, walked out of the Wuying Hall, and walked quickly outside.

At this moment, under the towering palace city, a large number of Imperial College students can be seen gathered in front of the city gate, talking in a loud voice and expressing indignation.

Li Zan, Gao Zhongping and Qi Kun stood on the palace wall and looked down at the students who were gathering below. It was a dark mass and very noisy.

"Lord Li, Lord Gao is here." The students below whispered to each other.

Li Zan's old eyes flickered, and he looked at the students below, and said in a deep voice: "Students, why are you besieging the palace gate? What do you want to do?"

A student below frowned and said loudly, "Lord Li, the Prince of Wei has usurped the throne, blocked the channels of communication, and suppressed dissidents. We, the students of the Imperial College, have received the emperor's grace. How can we tolerate such people's wrongdoings?"

Li Zan frowned and his eyes flashed fiercely.

Gao Zhongping's brows were furrowed into the shape of a "川" character, his eyes flashing coldly, and he said in a gentle voice: "If you are dissatisfied with the King of Wei, you can just submit a petition together. Why are you gathering at the gate of the palace and making trouble?"

"The censors submitted a memorial to the emperor, fabricating charges for the henchmen of the Imperial Guard sent by Prince Wei. How dare we submit a memorial?" the student of the Imperial College shouted in a hoarse voice.

"Even if we can submit a memorial, does the cabinet dare to confront the Prince of Wei head-on?" One of the young students shouted loudly, standing on tiptoe.

Li Zan said in a deep voice: "Even if the Prince of Wei did something illegal, the court has its own laws to punish him. How can the generals and ministers be at odds and attack each other? It will delay national affairs."

The students below looked at each other with deep eyes and said in a deep voice: "Prince Wei is getting more and more aggressive. Now he is even using the Jinyifu, the emperor's personal army, to serve him. It's really hateful!"

Qi Kun's extremely fair face was gloomy as steel. He scolded, "You don't know the overall situation of the court! Right now, the court is busy with the death of the new emperor. You are acting recklessly and disturbing people's hearts. What good will it do to our Han country?"

Li Zan said loudly: "Everyone, please disperse. There will be an imperial examination this year. Go back and concentrate on reading the books of sages and prepare for the imperial examination."

Lu Jiang saw this scene from the side and sneered in his heart.

Right now, the students are filled with righteous indignation. How can a few cabinet ministers persuade them to give up with just a few words?

This is undoubtedly a foolish dream!

At this time, the student supervisor below said loudly: "Lord Li, ask the Prince of Wei to resign his title or give up his military power as the governor of the Beijing camp, and we will disperse."

When Li Zan heard this, he felt an inexplicable headache.

These students are full of ambition and do not know that the court is in a difficult situation. Forcing Prince Wei like this is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Qi Kun hesitated for a moment, looked at Li Zan beside him, and asked, "Lord Li, how about we ask the King of Wei to come over?"

Li Zan nodded, his eyes fell on the Jinyifu guards behind the group of students below, his face calm, and whispered: "Such a big thing happened here, it is impossible for the King of Wei not to know about it, he should be on the way."

When Qi Kun heard this, a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

Just as Li Zan said, Jia Heng had already learned the news from the Jinyi Palace in Ningguo Mansion. At this moment, accompanied by dozens of Jinyi Palace guards, he rode a chestnut horse and galloped towards Anshun Gate.

At this moment, the people of Shenjing City on both sides of the street were looking at the young man in python clothes sitting on the saddle with interest.

"King Wei is here."

At this moment, the students of the Imperial College gathered in front of the Anshun Gate turned their heads and looked at the young man in the python robe riding on the maroon horse. They looked like sharp swords, as if they wanted to pierce through the young man in the python robe. They said in a deep voice: "Traitor! Punish the traitor!"

Jia Heng's face was as gloomy as iron, and his eyes flashed with coldness. The Jinyi Guards in front of him stood in front of the students of the Imperial College, blocking them from approaching.

Jia Heng's face was filled with sternness, and he shouted, "Everyone, why are you besieging the palace gate again and disturbing the emperor?"

"Prince Wei, you have received much favor from the emperor, but why do you use the Jinyi Guards to collect intelligence for you and suppress dissidents?" At this moment, a student of the Imperial College said loudly.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "I wonder when this king ordered the Jinyi Mansion to investigate, collect intelligence, and suppress dissidents?"

A student of the Imperial College, with his neck stiff and a face full of righteous words, looked at the young man in the python robe with resentment and said, "Prince Wei, you have usurped the throne, excluded those who are different from you, persecuted loyal officials, and have evil ambitions. Everyone in the court and the public knows this. How can we, as scholars, allow you to disrupt the government?"

Jia Heng's eyes darkened, and he tightened his grip on the embroidered spring sword at his waist. He said in a cold voice, "This king is loyal to the Han Dynasty, as the sun and the moon can attest. Your slanderous words are nothing but slander!"

A student of the Imperial Academy said loudly, "Then please ask King Wei to resign his title and hand over his military power."

At this moment, Qu Lang nodded and said sternly: "How bold!"

"Prince Wei is a minister who supports the country. Now the political situation is turbulent and the country is in jeopardy. If Prince Wei does not take control of the military power, the scoundrels will surely cause chaos and endanger the country!" Qu Lang said loudly.

One of the students stiffened his neck and shouted, "You are the commander of the emperor's personal army, but you have fallen into depravity and become a lackey of the king of Wei, persecuting the loyal officials of the court. How dare you threaten us here?"

"We have received many teachings from sages. What harm can weapons do to us?" At this moment, one of the young students said loudly.

At this moment, a group of students from the surrounding area came out one after another and glared at Naqu Lang and the Jinyi Guards behind him.

Jia Heng's eyes showed a hint of murderous intent, and he said sternly, "You are heroes who are not afraid of war! Why didn't you immediately join the army and go to the border when the Jiannu in Liaodong was causing trouble? You are framing loyal people here and making such a big claim! How dare you claim that you are well-read and educated by Confucius and Mencius?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the students present were stunned for unknown reasons.

When it comes to talking nonsense, Jia Heng has never met an opponent. It can be said that he started out by talking nonsense.

Jia Heng said loudly: "I led 200,000 troops to conquer the northwest, pacify Liaodong, sweep across the four directions, and fight in the south and the north. Before Emperor Shizong Xian died, he entrusted the country to me. When have I ever been slack for a single day? Just because of your groundless speculations, you want to label me a traitor? This is nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, the students of the Imperial College were almost speechless.

Jia Heng's face was as cold as ice, and he said in a cold voice: "Come here, arrest these scholars who have no respect for the emperor or father, send them to the imperial prison, and find out the mastermind behind this!"

Following Jia Heng's order, a team of ferocious young imperial guardsmen behind him dismounted from their horses, surrounded them like tigers and wolves, and captured the Imperial College students present.

Li Zan and Gao Zhongping, who were on the palace wall, looked at the students below with a look of fear on their faces.

The Jinyifu guards arrested many students from the Imperial College. I'm afraid this will be recorded by historians in the future.

Is the King of Wei crazy? Isn't he afraid of being criticized by scholars all over the world?

When Lu Jiang saw this scene, he felt somewhat proud.

Let them make trouble, let them make trouble, let the whole world be in chaos, but the Han Dynasty's rule still rests on the shoulders of these civil officials!

At this moment, the students of the Imperial College below paused for a moment and said loudly: "Prince Wei is the son of Emperor Shizong Xian. Emperor Guangzong killed Emperor Shizong Xian. Emperor Guangzong's son is actually the son of Prince Wei."

Li Zan's cold and bright eyes were shining brightly under his old and thin eyebrows. He looked at Gao Zhongping beside him and said, "What are the students of the Imperial College below yelling about?"

Gao Zhongping raised his sword-like eyebrows, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he said in a deep voice: "Prime Minister, these students are making false accusations and spreading lies to confuse the public!"

Li Zan frowned, his eyes flickered, and he said firmly: "This must be planned by someone with ulterior motives, inciting the students to bring disaster to our Han country!"

Lu Jiang stood on the towering city wall, his face as calm as black iron, with a vague feeling of uneasiness in his heart.

Things seem to be getting a little out of control.

Qi Kun frowned, his eyes flickered, and he whispered, "This matter is indeed unusual."

Li Zan asked sternly, "Let the Jinyifu arrest the man first and interrogate him carefully. Who is the mastermind?"

At this moment, Li Zan, the head of the cabinet's civil officials, decided to stand on Jia Heng's side.

Gao Zhongping frowned, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he whispered: "Prime Minister, the Imperial College gathered in front of the palace gate to make trouble today. There must be someone behind it. We must carefully identify it."

The chief minister and the deputy chief minister of the cabinet reached a consensus on their opinions. In order to maintain the stability of the court, they temporarily suppressed the matter.

The group of brocade-clad cavalrymen below surrounded the students of the Imperial College and started pushing and shoving them.

Jia Heng had a stern expression and looked at the scene with a cold gaze, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

At this moment, with the massive intervention of the Jinyifu's guards, many students began to flee everywhere and no longer engaged in a big fight with the Jinyifu's guards.

In an instant, the scene became extremely chaotic.

Jia Heng had an indifferent expression as he watched the scene quietly. At this moment, under the scorching sunlight, the young man in the black and red satin python robe had a stern brow and his whole body seemed to emanate an icy coldness.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

Zhen Qing was wearing a plain dress with wide sleeves. Her plump and lovely face was as white as snow, and her eyebrows were curved like crescent moons. She was sitting on a soft couch in the hall.

On a small lacquered wooden table not far away, a blue and white porcelain teacup can be seen emitting wisps of steam.

On the soft couch covered with a mattress, a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, could be seen being held by a nanny.

At this moment, a young eunuch with a pale face and no beard walked into the hall quickly and said to Zhen Qing, "Madam, something happened outside Anshun Gate."

Zhen Qing looked inexplicably surprised, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water, and asked, "What could have happened at Anshun Gate?"

The eunuch, with a pale face and no beard, said in a hurry, "The students of the Imperial College have surrounded Anshun Gate, saying that they want to punish the traitors to the country."

At this moment, a eunuch hurriedly ran in from outside the palace, his forehead was covered with sweat, and he was a little out of breath. He said, "Your Majesty, the students of the Imperial Academy have surrounded Anshun Gate, saying that Prince Wei is the son of Emperor Shizong Xian, not Emperor Guangzong. It was Emperor Guangzong who killed Emperor Shizong Xian, and the new emperor is also... the son of Prince Wei."

Zhen Qing's face turned pale, and she felt a "boom" in her head, and then a huge surge of anger surged into her heart, and anger was seen in her eyes.

"It's really a rebellion, a rebellion!" Zhen Qing's jade-like face was covered with frost, her eyebrows were raised, and she shouted delicately: "Jinyi Palace Guards, take down these people who are misleading people with their lies in one fell swoop!"

The eunuch said, "Madam, the imperial guards from the Jinyifu have already arrested the student who spread rumors and caused trouble."

Zhen Qing's expression eased a little, and she asked, "Where is Prince Wei? Has Prince Wei arrived at Anshun Gate?"

The eunuch hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Prince Wei has arrived at Anshun Gate."

Under Zhen Qing's beautiful eyebrows, her cold jade-like eyes sparkled and she shouted, "Come here, prepare the sedan chair. I am going to take the little emperor to Anshun Gate. I will ask these students later, are they going to rebel? How dare they throw such dirty water on me, an orphan and a widow? It is simply unreasonable!"

As he spoke, he walked quickly out of the palace, accompanied by a group of eunuchs and guards.

At this moment, under the two Anshun Gates with vermilion copper nails, the imperial guards from the Jinyifu had initially completed the clearing of the area and had taken control of the trouble-making students from the Imperial College.

On the towering palace gate tower with double eaves and hooked corners, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping stood on the city wall, with unhappy expressions on their faces.

At this moment, a Jinyifu guard came hurriedly, with a panicked look on his face, and said, "Lord, the Queen Mother is here."

When Li Zan heard this, his thin eyebrows raised, his expression suddenly changed, and he turned to look at Gao Zhongping beside him and said, "Lord Gao, the Queen Mother is here."

Under Gao Zhongping's thick eyebrows, his resolute and dignified face was also shrouded in a hint of solemnity.

The Queen Mother has a hot temper, and I’m afraid things might not be good later on.

After a while, Zhen Qing came quickly with her son in her arms. Her cold and beautiful face seemed to be covered with a layer of cold frost.