Gongsun Yuan wants to rebel?!
Gongsun Jian was startled, but then he immediately laughed: "The entire Gongsun clan has gone crazy!"
"First of all, your grandfather Gongsun Yu borrowed the power of Dong Zhongshu to usurp Liaodong, imprisoned and killed countless scholars."
"Then came your father Gongsun Kang, who relied on his advantageous position and secretly bestowed titles, disregarding imperial edicts as if they were nothing, with the intention of carving out a fiefdom for himself."
"Your uncle Gongsun Cong is still a reasonable man, but he has been imprisoned by your younger brother Gongsun Yuan. " Gongsun Jian glanced at Gongsun Huo: "Now there is another one who accuses his own brother."
"Is it not because the Great Wei is currently busy with the war in Long Right? I and Master Liu are certainly going to ask the emperor for troops to completely subdue Liaodong!"
Even when Gongsun Huo was insulted by Gongsun Jian in front of him, he merely kept bowing repeatedly and begging for mercy, without showing any signs of anger.
When Gongsun Jian said he intended to attack Liaodong, Gongsun Huo immediately bowed down: "Gongsun Camp says whatever he wants, but my younger brother Gongsun Yuan has had the ambition to carve out a fiefdom since he was young. He nurtured martial artists in secret as a teenager and is easily persuaded."
"Once he imprisoned his uncle and seized the great powers of Liaodong, Gongsun Yuan will definitely rebel! He has said that for many years!"
"Oh?" Gongsun Jian looked at Gongsun Huo: "So you have no real evidence, but are using old empty words to accuse him of rebellion?"
Gongsun Huo's body began to tremble: "I truly do not have any concrete evidence."
"But my brother Gongsun Yuan is just that kind of person!"
"Gongsun Jian looked at Gongsun Huo and waved his hand towards the guards outside the office of the Circuit Administration: "Fellow soldiers, drive this person away! He is not allowed to come to me in the future!"
"Obediently!"
Two soldiers with swords at their sides stepped forward: "Sir, please leave. Don't make trouble for yourself."
Gongsun Huo looked like a lost soul, bowing slightly and then stumbled back to his quarters.
Standing at the door and watching Gongsun Huo leave, Gongsun Jian huffed coldly and shook his head slightly before stepping out and climbing into a carriage, heading towards the office of the Chancellor.
......
In the office of the Chancellor, at the Assistants' Hall.
"Zhonggong simply drove away Gongsun Huo?"
After listening to the full account from Gongsun Jian, Wei Zhen put down the document he was reviewing, raised his eyes, and looked at Gongsun Jian.
Although the tone was one of inquiry, there was also a hidden sense of questioning.
Gongsun Jian bowed and replied: "The Guardian was not aware. In the past, when my Lord Liu and I went to Liaodong with imperial edicts, we were surrounded by cavalry sent by Gongsun Yuan while we were touring Xuantu in a joint effort with Gongsun Kang."
"First, they disarmed us in public, then they confined us to the Xiangping Pavilion in soft detention. It was not until more than a month later that they sent people to escort us out of Liaodong."
As Gongsun Jian spoke on, his expression became increasingly agitated: "Guardian Wei, I have never been so insulted in my life! It is a restraint for me not to give Gongsun Huo three punches right now."
Waidian helplessly shook his head.
Liu Ye was appointed as the new Imperial Resident in You Province, which was signed out by Gongsun Jian himself from his own hand. How could he not know about the encounter between Liu and himself in Liaodong?
However, at this time, what Wei Zhen was asking about was the matter of Gongsun Huo's confession.
"He says that Gongsun Yuan intends to rebel." Wei Zhen looked calmly at Gongsun Jian. "Zhonggong, you have personally met Gongsun Gong and his nephew Gongsun Yuan. What do you think of this matter?"
Gongsun Jian bowed and said: "If Gongsun Yuan does not rebel, that would be a rare occurrence! However, this person has just taken control of Liaodong. If he is truly going to carry out a rebellion, it will be at least one or two years from now."
Wei Zhen nodded: "The emperor sent Liu Ziyang to Youzhou specifically to deal with this person."
"But Zhonggong's words seem to contain disdain for the Gongsun family. Why is that?"
Wei Zhen, of course, was aware that Gongsun Jian had the emperor's favor, but with his status, he did not need to be concerned about this.
Even though Wei Zhen did not want to see Gongsun Huo in person, he still had to ask the necessary questions.
Gongsun Jian sighed lightly and said: "I only have one thing to report. Guardian Wei, do you know the imperial physician Li Xin?"
"Li Xin? I don't remember anyone by that name." Wei Zhen frowned.
Gongsun Jian said: "He is the son of the former Prefect of He Nan, Li Min, who was recommended by the Grand Chancellor as an imperial physician, Li Xin Li Hongzhi."
Seeing Wei Zhen hadn't remembered, Gongsun Jian said: "That is the Li Xin who is always dressed in mourning clothes and was criticized by the Grand Chancellor. He became famous in Luo."
"That's him!" Wei Zhen squinted. "I remember him now."
Gongsun Jian sighed lightly: "He is dead. He died last month, a suicide."
Wei Zhen did not say anything, but indicated with his gaze that Gongsun Jian could continue.
"Li Xin's father Li Min, Li Gong, was a native of Xiangping in Liaodong. In the first year of Jian'an, Li served as the Prefect of He Nan. He established Confucianism and promoted moral education. Many scholars in the surrounding districts had heard Li Min teach."
"The Grand Chancellor, who hails from He Nan County, my father in He Nan, and the Marquis Pei who is the Governor of Jingzhou, have all received guidance from him."
Wei Zhen realized that this old story again involved a layer of hidden relationships from the past, so he did not interrupt.
Gongsun Jian continued: "Later, Li Gong resigned and returned home. When he went to Liaodong, he was forcibly recalled by Gongsun Yu. He refused, took his family and fled by sea."
"But Gongsun Yu dug up Li Gong's father's tomb, opened the coffin, cremated the body, and exterminated his clan."
Wei Zhen sighed heavily: "How did Li Xin die?"
"Li Xin wore mourning for his father for twenty years, refusing to marry. Later, he received advice from Xing Yan, a local scholar-official. Four years ago, he gave birth to a son."
"Is it Minister of Justice Xu Miao?" Wei Zhen asked.
"Yes, it was him." Gongsun Jian said: "Before I was sent to Liaodong last year, Li Xin entrusted me to investigate his father's and his clan's affairs in Liaodong."
"Twenty years have passed, where could there be any trace?" Gongsun Jian smiled bitterly. "Last month I returned to Luoyang from Youzhou and told Li Xin the truth. Three days later, he committed suicide."
"Now his young son is staying with my family."
Wei Zhen sighed: "Let's not talk about these old stories. Li Xin is indeed a filial son. The government should take care of him as well." "What is the name of Li Xin's son? Is his mother still alive?"
Gongsun Jian's expression became even more awkward: "The young son is named Li Yin. However, his mother divorced Li Xin and remarried two years ago."
Wei Zhen was at a loss for words. Just as he was about to continue with the matter of Gongsun Huo, Gongsun Jian went on, "She remarried to General Qian Zhao."
"All these things are what?" Wei Zhen cursed and stood up, walking to the door. Gongsun Jian followed him.
Wei Zhen did not mention these trivial matters but continued to ask: "So the reputation of the Gongsun family is now stinking in Luoyang?"
Gongsun Jian nodded: "The Grand Chancellor, Marquis Pei, and my father have all benefited from Li Min's kindness. How could they have any good feelings towards the Gongsun family?"
"Li Xin's filial piety became increasingly renowned, and the Gongsun family's reputation grew worse." Gongsun Jian sighed: "Besides, Li Xin is also a friend of mine. I have difficulty hiding my disdain for them."
Wei Zhen remained silent for a moment, standing outside the Assistants' Hall and looking down at the busy officials in the Office of the Chancellor who came and went.
The Office of the Chancellor is the true center of the Great Wei, and after the establishment of the Six Ministries, its power has become even more concentrated. In days past, the Consultative Hall was where four ministers met to govern, but today it is only Wei Zhen who sits here alone.
After half an hour, Wei Zhen sighed again and turned to look at Gongsun Jian.
"Zhonggong, by the usual reckoning, the case of Gongsun Huo denouncing his brother Gongsun Yuan's intended rebellion lacks basis and is useless."
"But after all, it involves the great matter of rebellion. Zhonggong, since you returned from Liaodong, haven't you had a chance to report to the Emperor face to face yet?"
Gongsun Jian understood roughly what Wei Zhen meant: "Since I returned to Luoyang, I have been troubled by frontline military affairs and have not had a chance to report in detail. I only submitted a short report."
Wei Zhen nodded slightly: "In that case, Zhonggong, please go to Qi State! Present all of what I have said to you, and the various situations you have discovered in You and Liaodong, to the Emperor face-to-face."
"Of course, and also the matter of Gongsun Huo."
Gongsun Jian also wished to serve at the front. However, he had not found an opportunity earlier.
It is both military front and imperial court.
Gongsun Jian showed no hesitation and bowed directly, saying, "I shall obey the Guardian's command!"
"I wonder if the Guardian has any words or requests to pass on to the Emperor?"
Wei Zhen turned around and walked inside: "All the affairs of state and military affairs should be reported to the Emperor every three days."
"The Son of Heaven should reside in Luoyang and not stay outside the capital for too long. If the situation stabilizes, it would be best to have the Emperor return as soon as possible."
Gongsun Jian bowed from behind: "I understand, my Lord."
……
After Jiang Wei returned to his camp in Xiafan, he reported all the conversations he had with Zhuge Liang in the Shu army camp to the Emperor and all the important ministers.
Cao Zhen wondered: "Baoyu, why didn't Zhuge Liang dispute you? I have always heard that Zhuge Liang exercises absolute power in Shu and did not know that he is so good-tempered."
Sima Yi intervened from the sidelines and said, "Whether it is good or bad is a matter of personal affairs, which has nothing to do with public affairs."
"Zhuge Liang was advised kindly, but he did not listen. He only reflected a little when the Great Wei exerted its national strength and influence over him."
"Indeed, these are the remnants of Liu Bei. They are so stubborn."
Cao Rui paid no attention to the words of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, instead holding the jade amulet that Jiang Wei had handed over and asked, "Baoyu, what do you think of Zhuge Liang?"
Jiang Wei first stunned for a few seconds, but realizing that the current Emperor is not the kind of jealous person, he straightened his mind and replied with a calm bow:
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Zhuge Liang is indeed a human talent!"
"If he were an ordinary person, how could he be so despondent over the Emperor's governance?"
"So it seems that you admire this person, Baoyu?" Cao Rui slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a hint of amusement.
Jiang Wei spoke the truth: "I am not admiring him, but he is a formidable opponent of the Great Wei."
Cao Rui held the jade amulet he had been playing with and handed it forward. "In his letter, Zhuge Liang said that this jade amulet was given to him by Sima De Cao when he was in Jingzhou. He wants to give it to you, Baoyu, but fears that you might not accept it."
"If the Emperor agrees, then you can accept it, Baoyu."
Jiang Wei replied with a serious expression: "This person is indeed talented, but he is a formidable opponent of the Great Wei! The item given by the Chancellor of an enemy state, I refuse to accept!"
"I hope the Emperor will grant my request." (Chapter ends)
