Cui Daoyuan glared at Cui Yuanping and said: "Yuanping, it seems that I really underestimated you, your ambition is not small, you originally wanted to be the head of the family, right?" ”

Cui Yuanping smiled and said, "Old man, you are in charge of the Cui family's rudder, how can we have a chance?" ”

Cui Daoyuan shouted: "It's good that you know, just because you don't know the overall situation, and you do this tonight, you can't be the head of the family." Pen Fun Pavilion www.biquge.info"

Cui Yuanping sneered: "Old man, you really underestimated us. Do you think we don't know what happened tonight inappropriately? But Yuan Rong and I are going to do that, because ...... Because we have another reason. Anyway, it's already at this point, so I'm going to tell you it all. ”

Cui Yuanrong, who had been silent, suddenly shouted: "Second brother, you can't say it." ”

Cui Yuanping said with a smile: "Third brother, if there is anything you can't say, just say it and let the old man know that we are not vegetarians." Let the old man understand that his two sons are not pus. ”

Cui Yuanrong was stunned for a moment, sighed and said, "That's it, if you want to say it, just say it, anyway, we are all dead." ”

Cui Yuanping smiled bitterly: "Third child, you have finally accepted your fate." ”

Cui Yuanrong lowered his head and was silent, Cui Yuanping turned his head to look at Cui Daoyuan and said, "Old man, do you remember Yuan Mingyuan?" ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and said, "Yuan Mingyuan? Of course, I remember, wasn't that the chief of the chamberlain beside His Majesty who came from the north two months ago to deliver the edict? ”

Cui Yuanping nodded and said, "The old man has a very good memory, and he is the Yuan internal supervisor." Does the old man know that Yuan Mingyuan came to Jiangnan to preach a few wills? ”

Cui Daoyuan was puzzled: "How can I not know? The two wills of the new emperor have been passed on before and after, do you still need to ask? ”

Cui Yuanping smiled and shook his head: "Old man, you are wrong. Yuan Mingyuan passed on three wills. ”

"Three wills? Why didn't the old man see the third will? Cui Daoyuan was surprised.

"Old man, the third will is a secret will, that is the will for me, of course the old man does not know. Since it is a secret decree, Yuan Mingyuan handed it over to me in private, how can the old man know? ”

"What? A will for you? How could the new emperor give you a secret decree? Cui Daoyuan frowned.

"The old man must not believe it, because in your eyes, your son is useless, how can there be such a special encounter? Believe it or not, it happened. That secret decree Yuan Rong saw with his own eyes, if you don't believe it, you can ask Yuan Rong. Cui Yuanping said in a deep voice.

Cui Daoyuan's puzzled gaze turned to Cui Yuanrong's face, and Cui Yuanrong said softly: "Old man, this matter is true." The second brother showed me the holy decree, which was indeed a secret decree issued by the new emperor to the second brother. ”

The consternation on Cui Daoyuan's face was indescribable, and he said in a deep voice: "What about the secret purpose? What is the content? ”

Cui Yuanping said: "The secret decree has been burned, because I can't carry the secret decree with me." As for the content? The son remembered it word by word. But the old man still doesn't want to know this content, I'm afraid the old man won't be able to stand it. ”

Cui Daoyuan said in a deep voice: "It seems that you are just deceiving me, there is no secret purpose, there is no content, you are just putting gold on your face." How could Your Majesty give you a secret decree alone, it's a real joke. I'm afraid the new emperor doesn't even know who you are. ”

Cui Yuanping sighed: "Old man, you will never take me in your eyes. My son has been in contact with His Majesty for a long time, and you don't even know about it. Before His Majesty ascended the throne, it was Li Mao, the king of Shou, how many times has his son been to the capital in recent years? Who do you make friends with in the capital? Who are you close to? I'm afraid you don't know about these things at all, because you don't care about me, I have a relationship with Shouwang a few years ago, and you probably don't know at all. ”

Cui Daoyuan was very surprised, Yuan Ping meant that he had already had a relationship with Li Mao, the king of Shou when he had not yet ascended the throne. Cui Yuanping has indeed been to the capital a few times in the past few years, but in Cui Daoyuan's opinion, his second son is just going to the capital to have fun. He loves to be idle and wander around, but Cui Daoyuan is not in the mood to pay attention to him. Could it be that he went to the capital not to go to restaurants to eat, drink and have fun, but to make friends with the royal family and high-ranking officials?

"You must be surprised. In fact, I didn't expect that King Shou would become His Majesty now. I was really surprised to hear the news. In those years, I went to the capital to find a way for myself and to get to know some big people. At that time, King Shou could be described as extremely down. The son didn't want to make friends with him because he didn't think he was capable. But later, his son had no other way, so he was introduced to King Shou, hoping to get to know more royal relatives through King Shou. Unexpectedly, he and I were very close to each other, and we also had a common topic when we were dating. I think this is probably because he was born in a wealthy family like me, but he is in an awkward position. In short, I and King Shou at that time can be called acquaintance at first sight. After that, every year when I went to the capital, I stayed in Shouwangfu, and I regarded him as a friend, and he should have regarded me as a friend. ”

Cui Yuanping smiled, his eyes showing the color of memory, as if he recalled some good old things he had made with King Shou.

What he never expected was that he actually ascended the throne as emperor in Lingzhou. As soon as I heard the news, I was so excited that I didn't know what to say. I had a hunch that my chance was coming. Sure enough, after Yuan Mingyuan passed on the decree to my Cui family, he specially passed a secret decree to me. It is the will that His Majesty has given me today. His Majesty knows my thoughts, and after several years of communication, he knows my situation and state of mind very well. So this secret decree of his was issued specifically for me, for the sake of giving me the opportunity. Cui Yuanping said this, his face was surprised, if he hadn't been tied up by five flowers, he would have even danced with his hands.

Not only Cui Daoyuan was shocked, but Cui Yuanbo, Liu Tan, Cui Qi and others were also stunned. The second master of the Cui family, who is useless and marginalized in the eyes of everyone in the Cui family, actually has such a friendship with His Majesty today. It's a bit strange to say, but they know in their hearts that this is probably the truth.

"Yuan Ping, are you saying this, do you want to raise your identity, do you want to exonerate yourself by lifting out Your Majesty, and let me spare you?" Cui Daoyuan shouted in a deep voice.

"Hehehe, old man, you're always like this. You always think that everything I say is an attempt to deceive you. If I hadn't burned the secret decree, I would have liked to show it to you. But it doesn't matter, I know your temper, old man, you will not succumb to any pressure, how can your son bring out the new emperor to suppress you. Cui Yuanping smiled bitterly.

"Okay, then tell me, what is written in that secret decree? Could it be that your actions tonight have something to do with the secret decree? Could it be that His Majesty has secretly ordered you to get rid of Wang Yuan? Cui Daoyuan said in a deep voice.

"How did Your Majesty know that Wang Yuan would come to Yangzhou? His Majesty's secret decree did not let me kill Wang Yuan. The old man wants to know the contents of the secret decree, and the son will tell you. Your Majesty's secret decree made it imperative for me to persuade the old man to agree to recruit troops to the north to help His Majesty secure the throne. ”

Cui Daoyuan said suddenly: "I see, no wonder you are desperately blowing the wind in my ears, for fear that I will not follow the will of the new emperor." You won't stop until I agree to recruit troops to the north. It turned out that the new emperor was afraid that I would not agree, so he asked you to be a lobbyist. ”

"That's right, and I don't have anything to hide until now. Not only in front of the old man, but also in front of my eldest brother, in front of Liu Tan, and in front of the uncles and elders of the Cui family. There are also the Lu family, the Zheng family, and the Wang family, and I also came to the door in person to tell them that my Cui family intends to recruit troops to the north. Later, when the old man asked them for their opinions, they all agreed. The old man probably found it strange that none of these families raised any objections. ”

"Hmph, it turns out that you are making trouble in the dark. I said why did the Zheng family, the Wang family, and the Lu family all agree to this matter, it turns out that you went to talk to him in my name, and made them feel that since my Cui family has made up their minds, they can only follow. You're a lot of guts. Cui Daoyuan said angrily.

Cui Yuanping smiled bitterly: "Old man, I can't help but do this, because I can't send people under the fence for the rest of my life." Your Majesty has given me this opportunity, how can I not help? ”

Cui Daoyuan said coldly: "What the old man wants to know is, what kind of benefits did the new emperor promise to give you?" If the new emperor hadn't made any promises to you, I'm afraid you wouldn't have worked so hard. ”

Cui Yuanping sighed and said softly: "The old man is right. Your Majesty did give me a promise. The old man wanted to know this promise, and the son told you. The promise is that when the dust settles, His Majesty will issue a decree with the emperor to let me inherit the position of the head of the Cui family. In addition, the Cui family can hold important official positions in the DPRK and the Central Committee, and I have the final say in the selection of personnel. ”

As soon as these words came out, the hall was full of bangs.

"I see, it turns out that you are still unwilling that you have no chance, and you still want to be the head of the Cui family. Your Majesty must know that you are unwilling to do this, and this condition really hits your core. Cui Daoyuan's body trembled slightly, and he shouted coldly.

Cui Yuanping said everything, but at the moment he was much more relaxed. It was as if he had been relieved of his burden, and the expression on his face was much calmer.

"Old man, why can't I become the head of the family? Why is the eldest brother eligible? The eldest brother is followed by Yaozu, and Yuan Rong and I have no chance? Yaozong Yaoting also has no chance? If you don't give us the slightest chance, in that case, I'll have to grab it. Therefore, after learning Wang Yuan's identity, my third brother and I made up our minds to kill Wang Yuan. If you don't want to kill Wang Yuan, you just don't want to take sides. But for me, Wang Yuan must die. I must think about His Majesty's throne, and it is this Wang Yuan who is even more terrifying than the rebels. I'm sure Your Majesty must have thought so in his heart. So I tricked Yaozu and my third brother into doing it. ”

"Good, good, good son I bore. Good intentions, good skills. Cui Daoyuan's face turned pale and trembled violently.

Cui Yuanping ignored it, turned his head to Cui Yaozu beside him and said, "Yaozu, the second uncle can't stand you, the second uncle did take advantage of you, but there is no way." You were born to be the head of the family, and your two cousins, Yaozong and Yaoting, can only run errands in the family business, how unfair it is. So don't blame the second uncle for taking advantage of you. And if the second uncle says something you don't like to hear, you are not worthy of being the head of the house at all, because the second uncle only said a few words and you were fooled, which shows that you are not shrewd. But it is you, a person with mediocre qualifications, who are regarded as the pearl of the palm by the old man, and are called the future head of the Cui family, don't you think it's ridiculous? It's a pity that this matter didn't work out, and it's my fault. I shouldn't have let you do it. You are a person who has not achieved enough things and has more than enough failures, how can you be competent in such things? This was the wrong step I took. Hey, it's too late to regret it. ”

In the face of Cui Yuanping's ridicule, Cui Yaozu's face was like ashes, and he had the heart to refute, but he was speechless because of shock and timidity.

Cui Daoyuan finally shouted angrily: "Shut up, I don't allow you to say any more, I don't allow you to say another word." My Cui family came out of the wolf of Zhongshan and disgraced my ancestors. You two brutes, you are truly unforgivable. ”

Cui Yuanbo also gritted his teeth angrily, nodded and said: "Father, the second brother is really too much, and the calculation is on his own family, which is worse than disobeying your orders." If such acts are not punished, how can the Cui family gain a foothold? ”

Cui Daoyuan nodded and shouted: "Liu Tan, order someone to detain the two of them, and after the matter in Yangzhou is understood, they will be escorted back to Hangzhou together." I will punish them severely in the presence of all the people. ”

Liu Tan said in a deep voice: "Obey, family master." ”

Several nurses came forward and dragged Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong away, Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong didn't say a word, just sneered with teeth. After the two were dragged out of the hall, Cui Daoyuan sat down on the chair as if his whole body was out of strength, rubbing his forehead with his hands, and was heartbroken.

……

Cui Zhai entered Cui Daoyuan's study, and Cui Daoyuan and Wang Yuan sat opposite each other. There were only the two of them in the room, and everyone had been pulled out of the house, because the conversation between Cui Daoyuan and Wang Yuan could not be known to anyone, it was a mutual showdown.

The silence in the room was terrible, and the slight crackling of the wick of the candle flame was clearly audible. When the flames danced, the light in the room flickered and dimmed, illuminating the faces of the two people sitting opposite each other, and even a little eerie.

Cui Daoyuan's face had a look of fatigue, what happened tonight had made his old body very tired. His eyes were bloodshot, and his silver hair and beard were a little disheveled. However, even so, his eyes were as sharp as a falcon.

"Wang Xiangguo, tonight's matter, the old man has already found out clearly. The whole thing was done by my two unscrupulous sons at the instigation of Yaozu. I have all tied up the three of them and detained them, please show me what to do? Cui Daoyuan's voice was hoarse and he said slowly.

"Cui Weng, I have already said it, I have already said this matter, and I will not be held responsible. Your two sons and Young Master Sun will be exempted from punishment. Wang Yuan smiled.

Cui Daoyuan shook his head and said: "How can it be done, the state has national laws, and the family has family rules, how can you do something wrong without punishment?" Moreover, the three of them offended the current Xiangguo. This is no ordinary culpability. The old decay has already decided, and the two of Yuan Ping and Yuan Rong will be punished with family law and clean up the portal. But Yaozu. In view of the fact that he was deceived by others, his sin is not unworthy of death, but I also intend to punish him severely and send him back to his hometown and be grounded for five years. I don't know if Xiangguo thinks this kind of disposal is appropriate. ”

Wang Yuan was taken aback, the Cui family's family law was so strict. It's just a chore, what the hell is cleaning the portal? Is this Cui Daoyuan really going to kill his two sons for this matter? Wang Yuan expressed skepticism. Maybe this is just a gesture, and if you are smart, you will give him a step, and then everything will be harmonious. It would be too stupid if he really nodded and agreed to let Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong die in family law.

"Cui Weng, I pleaded for the two sons and Yaozu, although they did something unfavorable to me tonight, but after all, I am safe and sound, and they have not caused a lot of damage, but they have just frightened me a little. I know that Cui Weng's family discipline is very strict. But can I spare them on my thin face, and give them some punishment as appropriate? Otherwise, I wouldn't be at ease in my heart, I wouldn't be able to stay in Yangzhou for a moment. ”

Cui Daoyuan pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Xiangguo is magnanimous, and I am very grateful to the old man." The old decay is really ashamed, I have no way to teach my son, and I almost killed Xiangguo, and the blame for this crime is also hard to escape. Xiangguo also interceded for these beasts, which made the old man even more ashamed. If the three of them knew that Xiangguo interceded for them instead, they should die of shame. Ay! That's it, since Xiangguo has spoken, how dare the old man not follow, after dawn, I will order someone to send Yuanping Yuanrong back to Yuhang's hometown. I want the two of them to guard the family ancestral hall for ten years, and they are not allowed to leave half a step. Xiangguo, how do you see it. ”

Wang Yuan nodded slightly and said, "This is Cui Weng's family matter, Cui Weng can decide by himself." ”

"Okay, then it's decided, Yuanping Yuanrong guarded the family ancestral hall for ten years, repented of his deeds every day, and as for Yaozu, five years was changed to three years, carrying water and chopping wood every day, and doing living to atone for his sins." Cui Dao is far away.

Wang Yuan's heart was much more comfortable, according to Wang Yuan's temper, whoever dared to ask for his own life, then he would definitely have to retaliate with a tooth for a tooth. But he still wants to reach some agreements with the Cui family that are beneficial to him, so he must not do things absolutely. But the punishment for these three people is not light. If it is true as Cui Daoyuan said, these three people are serious, Cui Yaozu was sentenced to three years of labor reform, and Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong were sentenced to ten years of captivity. This is well deserved.

"Although, in my opinion, there is no need to be so excited. But Cui Weng has his own family law, and if the three of them are not punished, it may be difficult for the family to serve the public. So, Cui Weng will decide for himself, but I just hope that it will not make me difficult and make me feel guilty. ”

"Xiangguo is really open-minded, and he is also empathetic, and he admires him to the fullest. The old man saluted and thanked Xiangguo again, thanking Xiangguo for his magnanimity. Cui Daoyuan got up slowly, hugged his fists and bowed. Wang Yuan hurriedly got up and returned the salute, and said that there was no need.

The two of them sat down again, and the atmosphere eased a little, after all, this tricky matter had been satisfactorily resolved tonight. Cui Daoyuan's mood is also a lot better, tonight's matter can be big or small, if Wang Yuan's forgiveness is not obtained, the crime of murdering Xiangguo is enough to connect the nine clans. If Wang Yuan insisted on severely punishing the three uncles and nephews of the Cui family, Cui Daoyuan would not be able to refute it at all. Then things will be embarrassing, Cui Daoyuan will either kill his two sons and a grandson, or directly slaughter Wang Yuan. But you can't do either of these things.

Even if Yuan Ping and Yuan Rong are at fault, they are always their own sons, tigers are poisonous and do not eat children, how could Cui Daoyuan do the matter of killing his son and killing his grandson. Even if Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong secretly accepted Li Mao's secret decree and had an outward heart, Cui Daoyuan still wouldn't kill them. Imprisoning them is the best option.

And killing Wang Yuan is even more impossible. Not to mention that Yangzhou is about to usher in the siege of the rebels, with Wang Yuan in charge, the probability of Yangzhou City being defended is much greater. Even if it wasn't for Yangzhou City, Cui Daoyuan would never kill Wang Yuan in order to curry favor with Li Mao. Cui Daoyuan would never do anything that had no way out, not to mention that he had just learned that Li Mao was disguising Cui Yuanping behind his back. Besides, Wang Yuan's 100,000 army was on the way south, if he killed Wang Yuan, the 100,000 army would destroy everything in the Cui family. How could Cui Daoyuan be stupid enough to do this.

Fortunately, Wang Yuan is obviously a smart person, interesting and knowledgeable. His tolerance of this matter made both sides easily step down, which made Cui Daoyuan have a lot of good feelings for him. Although he has never really dealt with Wang Yuan, he has heard about some of Wang Yuan's deeds before, and he does not have much intuitive understanding of him. But now, Cui Daoyuan finally understands that Wang Yuan's ability to get from the market to today's status is by no means luck, nor is it entirely ability, but in addition to luck and ability, he has a proper way of life.

But although the disposition of the Cui family's uncle and nephew seems to be satisfactorily resolved, in fact, there are more tricky and embarrassing topics to be clarified between the two. That was the motive for the Cui family's uncle and nephew to murder Wang Yuan. In other words, it is related to the two holy decrees issued by His Majesty to the Cui family, and a reasonable explanation must be made. Otherwise, all previous understandings will be in vain.

Cui Daoyuan understands that this is the real trouble. But now, Cui Daoyuan can only choose to confess the matter, because this is no secret to Wang Yuan. In the previous inquiry, Cui Daoyuan had learned that his good grandson had confessed to Wang Yuan.

"Wang Xiangguo, tonight's matter, it is necessary for the old man to explain the reason to you. I believe that Wang Xiangguo has already learned some information from the mouth of Yaozu, and the old man will also be open and honest. Yes, after the new emperor ascended the throne, he did give me two holy decrees for the Cui family. His Majesty asked my Cui clan to take the lead in the holy decree, unite several major wealthy families in the southeast to contribute money and efforts, and raise soldiers and horses to go north to assist the imperial court to quell the rebellion. Moreover, His Majesty is also very kind to my Cui family, and proposed to marry my Cui family. Not...... That is, to Na Ruoyu enter the palace, be named a noble concubine, and promise to choose a princess in the royal family to marry my Cui family. Wang Xiangguo must have known all these things in Yaozu's mouth. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded: "I do know everything, congratulations to Cui Weng, this is probably what your Cui family and the wealthy families in the southeast dream of." It is gratifying to finally be able to get the support of the court and return to the court. ”

Cui Daoyuan smacked his lips and said: "Xiangguo doesn't want to tease the old man, with Xiangguo's intelligence, how can you not know the real situation behind this matter?" What Lao Yu wants to say is that it is precisely because of these two holy decrees of His Majesty that many people in my Cui family are dizzy, and tonight's misdeeds against Wang Xiangguo are also related to this matter. ”

Wang Yuan knew that the advisor said, "Oh? What happened tonight has something to do with His Majesty's decree? Forgive me for being stupid, I really don't understand. ”

Cui Daoyuan shook his head and said: "Why should Xiangguo pretend to be confused, the old decay is frank, so Xiangguo doesn't have to hide it." Because of His Majesty's will, many people in my Cui clan think that we should take the opportunity to vigorously assist Your Majesty in quelling the rebellion and stabilizing the throne, so that my Cui family can stand on the court in the future. So...... Therefore, they listened to some rumors about Xiangguo, which led to the events of tonight. ”

Wang Yuan still asked with an innocent expression: "But I don't know what rumors are about me." ”

Cui Daoyuan rolled his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Xiangguo has to ask the old man to say it clearly?" That's it, the old man simply confessed more. It is no secret that there are rumors of disagreement between Sangkook and His Majesty. There are even rumors that there is a fire and water between Sangkook and His Majesty today, and it is also said that ...... Xiangguo ...... What about the usurper. ”