Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four

Wu Zetian never regarded these inhuman cold-blooded animals as "human beings" from the very beginning, but only used them as a tool to annihilate political opponents.Wu Zetian, the emperor of the Holy God, directly instructed Lai Junchen to impeach Suo Yuanli with the intention of treason.Lai Junchen followed the play and was about to be executed without trial. In addition to being crazy, passionate about power and self-will, Wu Zetian also paid attention to strategy, was resourceful, and was used to pulling with one hand and fighting with the other, using some people to attack others.Lai Zixun was promoted to be a guerrilla general and a general of You Yulin Army because of his meritorious service in exposing the Liu brothers for "rebellion", and was awarded the post of Chaosan doctor.Because of Zhou Xing's decisive execution of Qiu Shenjin, he was promoted to Wenchang Youcheng, from the third rank to the ranks of senior civil officials.As long as he takes another half step forward, he can become a dignified prime minister of the third rank.But at this juncture, someone reported that he and Qiu Shenjin were conspiring to rebel.There are no food pigs in the pen and pigs.The purge is basically over, and the obvious targets of the purge have been dealt with, jealousy, strife, and mutual killing have begun among the cruel officials.

Wu Zetian is a sensible person and knows Zhou Xing very well.Zhou Xing was originally a civil servant from a foreign official background. Although he was cruel but not impetuous, he was quite talented in literature and proficient in law. Most of the Li family was dealt with by him.He is the old boss of the cruel officials, and if he is dealt with prematurely, the cruel officials who are like eagles and dogs will lose control because no one can control them.The empress hesitated a little, and told Lai Junchen to deal with it from the investigators.The implication is: "If there is no conclusive evidence, you can keep him."

Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen were originally the two cruel officials that Wu Zetian valued the most.Usually, their relationship is not bad. Lai Junchen admires Zhou Xing's real talent and learning, good at thinking, prudent and clean in dealing with things.Zhou Xing also often praised Lai Junchen for his enlightened mind and his clear and orderly decision-making.The two have frequent exchanges and often cooperate in handling cases.As the saying goes, know the face but not the heart.The calculating queen miscalculated this time.She only saw the surface, but did not see their hearts.Among the many cruel and cruel officials, Zhou Xing is the only one who is a legal expert who has learned formal knowledge. .Lai Junchen, who didn't want to be inferior to others, was very annoyed by this, but he didn't show it.

"After finally getting such an opportunity, Zhou Xing has to bow his head in front of Lao Tzu." After making up his mind, he kindly invited Zhou Xing to be a guest at the prison yamen.The table is full of delicious food and wine, as well as singing and dancing performances.When the wine was half drunk, Zhou Xing shook his head and chanted: It can be heard but not seen, it can be repeated and light.Powder falls in front of the mirror, and lingering sounds resound from the piano.Lai Junchen, who is illiterate, has all kinds of wine, sex and wealth, especially lustful. When he sees beautiful women, his bones become weak all over his body, and he can even lose his life.He thought that Zhou Xing was in love with the scene, he was praising some kind of beauty, or fell in love with a certain maiko, and cursed in his heart: "Old pervert, dead to the point of his eyebrows, he is still lustful and wants to have fun."

But in his mouth he complimented habitually: "Men, you really have the ability to describe this little Jiaojiao absolutely." "No. It's a poem." Zhou Xing laughed, took a breath, and quickly spat out a lump of dog meat, put down the chopsticks in his hand, and wiped away his tears with a towel. "I know it's poetry." Lai Junchen pretended to understand. "Tell you, it is the Wing Chunfeng made by He Xun in the Southern Dynasty. Grasping the spring breeze can gently lift the powder on the woman's face, and can transmit the lingering sound on the piano to the distance. From the two aspects of vision and hearing, it expresses the spring breeze. The soft and sensible features of the poem show the poet's artistic skill in turning the intangible into the tangible."

"Okay, okay," Lai Junchen blushed, whether it was wine red or embarrassment. "Please drink, drink, drink, have a good time today, and get drunk. Do it! Do it!" He signaled the maikos to leave, leaving only a few singing girls to persuade them to drink.Zhou Xing once again showed off his knowledge in front of his subordinates, complacently, picked up a piece of sea cucumber and put it into his mouth, chewed slowly and said, "Brother is so enthusiastic, I really can't afford it." "Hey, where do you go with your words?" Lai Junchen scratched his scalp while drinking.

"You and I were originally a family eight hundred years ago. Now there is no need to divide you and me. We share the blessings and share the misfortunes." "Is there something wrong with my brother?" "It's hard to say, uh, uh, I shouldn't be talking about official business at this time, but, uh, this matter really hurts my heart." "Is there any case that can trouble you?" "There is a prisoner who is so stubborn that he eats cow shit. Cough, stubbornness comes second, mainly because he is extremely cunning. I haven't figured out an effective way to deal with him. Hey, hey, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for disturbing my drinking."

Zhou Xing was transferred away from the Fasi Yamen. His old subordinate, and a capable Lai Junchen, invited him to dinner and asked him for advice, as if a happy event was coming. round. "Special people need special methods to deal with." He opened his drunken eyes, "I tell you, put the prisoner in a big urn, bake it with charcoal fire around it, and when he can't bear it, he will obediently beg for mercy and confess." He burped again, "This method is not included in your "Luo Zhijing". If it is effective, you can add it in. Then, the content will be more complete."

"Oh, oh," Lai Junchen pretended to be enlightened, "Then, let me try it out. Come on, you are ready to serve according to Master Zhou's instructions!" Take a big urn and move into several pots of charcoal fire.Four burly men with arms showing off stood at the four corners of the food table. Lai Junchen stood up from the seat, spread a hand towards Zhou Xing, and said with a fake smile: "Please enter the urn!" "My urn?" Zhou Xing was dumbfounded, and his face suddenly turned pale.Lai Junchen leisurely took out the imperial decree from the Holy God Emperor from his sleeve, and read it in a long voice.Zhou Xing was so frightened that he lost his soul, kowtowed on the ground and begged for mercy, and begged Junchen to save him because of his previous affection.Lai Junchen snorted and told him to mark the confession and sentence him to death according to law.

Wu Zetian received the confession and judgment submitted, thinking of Zhou Xing's past achievements, and gave him special sympathy to save him from death and exile in Lingnan.Not long after Suo Yuanli was executed, Zhou Xing was escorted to Lingnan.A group of unidentified people stopped him on the way and took his head away.This great executioner who killed without blinking an eye ended his life like this.Zhou Xing, Suo Yuanli, and Lai Junchen were more cruel than the other. Zhou Xing and Suo Yuanli each killed thousands of people, and Lai Junchen destroyed more than a thousand people.Once Zhou Xing died, the group of illiterate and arrogant cruel officials could not control anyone, everything was messed up and began to disintegrate.

Wu Zetian's mentality became more and more peaceful, and she started to straighten out the court, focusing on the future, breaking down while building, removing the old and building the new, and putting the stability of the political situation at the top of all priorities.After the strong wind, the sky with chaotic clouds flying across is cheerful. Wu Zetian showed a benevolent face, her wild animal behavior was restrained, and her motherhood returned.Guangshun, the eldest son of the former prince Xian, was granted the title of King of Yifeng County, but the confinement was still not lifted, and he was not allowed to go out of the palace gate, but the stick beating was cancelled.He circled the courtyard like a bird in a cage, watching the eagles circling in the sky, listening to the crows, and recited Yu Xin's poem "Plum Blossoms": In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, I felt like plum blossoms.If you don’t believe me, let’s watch in the snow this Spring Festival Gala.The tree moves and the ice falls, and the branches are higher than the hands.If I knew I couldn't see it, I really regret wearing a list of clothes.Not long after, Yifeng King Li Guangshun, Siyong King Li Shouli, and Li Xian's daughter, Princess Changxin, were all given the surname Wu. Together with all the sons of the emperor's heir Wudan, they were all imprisoned in the palace and did not leave the palace for more than ten years. Door. Wu Zetian restored the official rank of the late Li Junxian.Forty-four years ago, in June of the 22nd year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin, who was troubled by "Wang Chang, the queen of the Tang Dynasty and the surname of Wu", held a banquet in the palace and found that the nickname of the military general Li Junxian was "Five". "Mother", at the same time, General Zuo Wuwei, named Wulian County Duke, guarding the Xuanwu Gate, this series of "Wu" and "Wu" homophones made Li Shimin suspect that the woman surnamed "Wu" might be the he!So he demoted Li Junxian to be the governor of Huazhou, and put him under close surveillance. Later, he executed Li Junxian under the pretext of converting to Buddhism.Li Junxian died unjustly, which can be said to have indirectly saved Wu Zetian's life. Wu Zetian started from a barely sensible girlhood, suffered a lot, and grew up from the struggle.Therefore, her feelings are stronger than ordinary people, and her grievances and grievances are clear.For enemies, including dangerous elements, they will be killed without exception, and they will never be merciless, and would rather kill by mistake than leave hidden dangers.For those who have done kindness, kindness, or benefit to themselves, the kindness of a drop of water will also be repaid with a spring, whether it is direct or indirect.It is not a gentleman who does not repay a grudge, but a villain who does not repay a kindness.Even if times have changed, like Li Junxian, for example, she will never forget, and she must honor it.The queen ruled out all kinds of interference, and resolutely reversed the order of "Tao first, then Buddha", announcing that "Buddha first, then Tao", repaying the favor of Buddhism that has contributed to the Yishi Revolution.The long-standing wish of the Buddhist circle, the wish of Xuanzang before his death, has finally become a reality.All the monks rejoiced, and the Dayun Temples in the two capitals and various prefectures, as well as all monk temples and nunneries, held unprecedented vows and prayers.The temple is newly decorated, Buddha flags are fluttering, bells are ringing to gather the crowd, various famous incenses are burned, and Buddha's name is praised.The Daxiong Hall is brightly lit, surrounded by purple smoke, and the ritual vessels are beaten, and the scriptures are recited to worship the Buddha.He also carried Buddha statues with precious jade, and patrolled the streets of the city.At the same time, pay homage to the great virtue of the emperor of the Holy Spirit, and pray for the prosperity of Wuzhou and the prosperity of the country, auspiciousness and peace.Chinese Buddhism and Buddhist culture have entered a new stage of development.In the Tang Dynasty alone, apart from Xuanzang, there were also a large number of world-renowned eminent monks such as Huineng, Yijing, Fazang, and Jianzhen, and more and more people believed in Buddhism, forming an unprecedented scale and certainty. The momentum has influenced the subsequent dynasties.The mad dog Lai Junchen was unwilling to be lonely, and made trouble out of nothing. He impeached General Zhang Qianxu of Yulingwei who was bestowed with the surname Wu, and had the intention of treason, so he was arrested and sent to prison.When Zhang Qianxu was tried, he was tortured by Lai Junchen to extract a confession.He told Xu Yougong the details of the execution one by one.Lai Junchen was furious. Since he was in charge of prison affairs, there was no such phenomenon. "I just want to shake the sky, this is not a rebellion, but a rebellion!" He ordered the criminals and jailers to fight together, hacked Zhang Qianxu to death, cut off his head, and hung it in the downtown area for public display.Xu Siwen, who was granted the surname Wu, was arrested and imprisoned suddenly.He is Xu Jingye's uncle. Based on his imagination, he was accused of conspiring with his nephew to rebel and defrauding the court and sentenced to death. Wu Zetian pardoned the death penalty, revoked Wu's surname, and exiled Lingnan.Lai Junchen also impeached Yuan Hongsi, the governor of Fengxiang County, Shaanxi Province, Qizhou, for attempting to rebel. Soon after he was imprisoned, he beheaded him without interrogation, and then fabricated a confession confessed by Yuan Hongsi to report to Wu Zetian.The wind and cloud are changeable, the sky is changeable, and the weather is abnormal.Suddenly a solar eclipse, a meteor shower, an earthquake, a spring drought, a summer flood, and a sandstorm in autumn.The gust of loess and dust that swept from the northwest roared like an elf monster, roared, and reverberated.The high blue sky suddenly became a grayish yellow color.Everything changed, and not a trace of the sun was seen.Roof tiles and window lattices were beaten noisy by wind and sand, people's hearts tightened one by one, and their legs trembled like cotton.The raging sandstorm, with the force of tsunami and landslides, swept the sky and the earth, swept everything, swallowed everything, lifted the roof of the hut, twisted the branches, uprooted the trees, and destroyed the crops in the farmland.The sky was full of sand and haze, just like the battle of monsters in mythology, the surrounding fields were dim, and the whole sky seemed to be shaking. The sky above the head seemed to be a heavy stone slab, which was pressed down until it was on the head of the person.The sandstorm subsided, and the space was filled with a smell like burnt cotton wool, and there was still a pungent smell like a bloody wind.In the western sky, the sunlight peeking out from the gaps in the clouds is miserable yellow, crystal clear and bright like smoky pearl powder.The ground changed into mottled tones, one piece of yellow, one piece of purple, and dingy, as if he had just recovered from a long illness, his loose skin was drooping, his expression was wan, and he had not fully recovered.The setting sun holds the mountain, and the sunset is like blood.The autumn insects under the flowers and plants in the royal garden chirped and sang again. The bees are buzzing, the cicadas are buzzing, and the crickets are chirping endlessly.The sky reveals a bright red glow, which slantly shines on the chrysanthemum dock by the stream, rendering the colorful chrysanthemums as brilliant as a cloud brocade, and as illusory and gorgeous as a rainbow after the rain, bright red, burning red, water red , scarlet, red, spotted red, red like fire, bright white, white raw, pink white, frost white, orange yellow light yellow, eggplant purple, tender and white, colorful, flamboyant, hot like flames, soft like feathers, fresh Lively and beautiful, full of brilliance.The color of Xiaguang gradually becomes lighter and thicker, and Huawu becomes darker and darker.The sunset glow spreads out, one piece of purple, one piece of blue, neither blue nor purple, extremely thin and bright, and the flowers are uneven, giving people a coquettish sense of fear, a sense of bewilderment, and a dreamlike ethereal feeling, but also It is thought-provoking and produces many romantic, bizarre and absurd associations.The chrysanthemums were blurred into one piece, as if the flowers had suddenly withered.The sunset burst out little by little like sparks, and then extinguished little by little, falling into the dim clouds.The very popular Fu Youyi, a villain who succeeds in his career, is unrestrained and uninhibited, and falls from the nine heavens into the abyss in an instant, and is thrown into prison.He was promoted four times last year and was given the surname Wu.At the beginning of the new year, Dr. Yinqing Guanglu was awarded.His elder brother Fu Shentong was also promoted to Dongguan Shangshu.It is a must to be promoted from a ninth-rank official to a third-rank prime minister within one year.The brothers are favored by the emperor and are both high-ranking officials, and they can be called unique.The smug Fu Youyi seemed a little overwhelmed and lost his composure. Four months later, he was transferred to the post of Li Shaoqing and lost his position. The fluttering Fu Youyi has not yet come to his senses, and is still thinking about what is wrong with others. He dreamed that he was wearing a luxurious court dress like a prince, and boarded the imaginary "Zhanlu Palace".In reality, there is no such thing in Luoyang, only Ganlu Hall is in Shangyang Palace.He got carried away, bragging about his dreams everywhere.How did he know that he had violated the national law, because the ministers were not allowed to enter the inner palace without the imperial edict.After being reported by others, he was sent to prison for conspiracy to commit crimes.It was too late for Fu Youyi to repent, knowing that death was inevitable, so she committed suicide.From the first month to the ninth month of the second year of Tianshou, four cruel officials, Qiu Shenjin, Suo Yuanli, Zhou Xing, and Fu Youyi, disappeared one after another.Except for Qiu Shenjin, the other three all started their careers as informants in the spring of the second year of Chui Gong, and started their official careers.In just five years, after showing off on the stage of history for a moment, he came to the end of his life.In September when Fu Youyi was imprisoned and committed suicide, Emperor Shengshen adjusted the imperial team.General Zuo Yulin Army, Jianchang King Wu Youning was promoted to servant of Nayan. He is the elder brother of Princess Taiping's new husband, Youji, and the son of Wu Huaidao.Pei Xingben, Minister of Industry of the Winter Officials, and Di Renjie, Minister of the Department of Local Government and Household Affairs, were promoted together to be the same as Fengge Luantai, and they were ranked in the phase class.Among them, Di Renjie is the most worth mentioning. He was promoted from Luozhou Sima to the local official servant, and then promoted to Tongfengge Taiping Zhangshi.Sima is the local official who assists the governor. In the Tang Dynasty, there was a Sima in each state. The official position was only between the fifth rank and the sixth rank. With keen observation and extraordinary courage, Wu Zetian boldly employs people, employs people out of the box, and rises and falls quickly. Among the monarchs of all dynasties, she is the most.Regardless of the degree of promotion and relegation and the number of people, no emperor is better than him.Di Renjie was originally a great virtuous minister whom she had set her eyes on a long time ago.During the reign of Yifeng, this person was an official obeisance to the chancellor of Dali Temple. He tried more than 17,000 cases in a year, but no one complained about his grievances.He successively served as a censor, a doctor of Duzhi, a governor of Ningzhou, a minister of Dongguan, and a governor of Jiangnan Road. He destroyed more than 1,700 temples and brought more than 6,000 wild monks who raped women to justice. Using the law, or driving out of the temple, effectively maintained the social order in the Wu-Chu area.What is especially commendable is that he has no slavish obsequiousness, disregards fame and fortune, and relies on his intelligence and arrogance to uphold justice and uphold justice.Purging requires cruel officials, and governing the world requires virtuous ministers.Emperor Shengshen transferred Di Renjie back and specially summoned him. "When Qing served as the governor of Yuzhou, his political achievements were quite good. Do you know who was in charge at that time?" "I only know that the top is contributing to the royal family, and the bottom is sharing the worries of Li Shu." Di Renjie bowed again, "I don't know anything about the rest, and there is no need to know." "Don't you ever consider personal grievances, gains and losses, and safety?" "Your Majesty believes that the subject is at fault. Please allow me to correct my belief that I am not at fault. It is my luck. I feel good about myself and rarely feel a sense of crisis." Wu Zetian smiled lovingly, adding a bit of goodwill and trust to Di Renjie.The team that had just stabilized was soon stabbed to death by Lai Junchen.He reported that two important ministers, Le Sihui and Li Anjing, had refused to participate in the "Yi Shi Revolution".Le Sihui served as Luantai's servant and Tongping Zhangshi.Li Anjing was the grandson of Li Gang, a famous Prime Minister in the early Tang Dynasty, and served as a general of the right guard.After being released from prison, the two suffered from Lai Junchen's torture, and Le Sihui gritted his teeth and endured it without speaking.Li Anjing screamed: "I am a veteran of the Tang Dynasty. I was born as a Tang official and died as a Tang ghost. If you want to cut or kill, you can do whatever you want!" "I want you to confess the fact of treason!" Lai Junchen was furious. "If you ask about treason, there is really no comment." Not much oil and water was squeezed from them, so Lai Junchen asked Wu Zetian to be executed and beheaded in the downtown area. Wu Chengsi attached great importance to the special advantages and favorable conditions that he was the eldest grandson of the fulmar. After the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he dreamed of becoming the crown prince.Zhang Jiafu, a member of Fenggeshe, felt that it was beneficial but not harmful to join the Wu clan, so he took the initiative to advise Wu Chengsi to win the crown prince.His good friend Wang Qingzhi is a rich and powerful local tyrant in Luoyang. Zhang Jiafu discussed with him, and Wang Qingzhi invited hundreds of citizens to sign their names. Following Fu Youyi's practice of inviting 900 people to petition the Yishi Revolution, they gathered in front of the palace gate to petition. Li Wu Chengsi became the crown prince.Cen Changqian, the right minister and right servant of Wenchang, was extremely disgusted by this, and when he had an audience with the emperor, he said bluntly: "Your Majesty has already established an emperor's heir, but someone is asking for another crown prince. This is really an ulterior motive, and it must be stopped immediately, and the manipulators must be severely punished. " "Well, well, go on, finish the sentence." The Queen waved her hand. "Only by maintaining a stable political situation can the Great Zhou Empire prosper. Therefore, I believe that the current emperor's heir is absolutely irreplaceable." Wu Zetian listened calmly, but did not make any expression.She summoned the local official Shangshu and Tong Pingzhang Shige Fuyuan to ask his opinion.The attitudes of the two prime ministers were similar, and they both opposed the establishment of another prince. Wu Zetian couldn't make up her mind and didn't know what to do.Although according to the tradition, the emperor became the heir of the emperor when he ascended the throne, and he was given the surname Wu, but he was not an ideal successor for the Zhou Dynasty after all.Dan is weak by nature, has no desire to be an emperor, nor does he have such arrogance and control ability. If the power is handed over to him, the country may not collapse in his hands.Even with the help of capable and virtuous ministers, they can keep the country, but the talented officials are often born as Confucian scholars and stick to Confucian etiquette and righteousness.Even if he himself had no idea not to propose to restore the Li surname, those determined Confucian officials would force him to do so. "At that time, I will change from the founding king of the Great Zhou Dynasty to a traitor who usurped the Tang Dynasty. It doesn't matter if I leave a bad name, and the Wu clan will also be implicated." There was a storm in Wu Zetian's heart, "It's sad, even my own son only recognizes his father's bloodline," she then thought, "It's better to choose a new heir from Wu's bloodline, Wu Chengsi Undoubtedly one of the first candidates to bear the brunt. It's a pity that this nephew is arrogant, put on airs, worry about gains and losses, act too hastily, and is not a son of the emperor." He changed his mind again, "Wu Sansi? As far as people are concerned, he is more spirited than Wu Chengsi, but he is too clever, clever, has a lot of ghost ideas, flashy, lacks grandeur, and lacks grand strategy. His fatal flaw lies in treachery and insidiousness. , greedy for money and lustful." As a woman, Wu Zetian would not ignore her daughter Princess Taiping.The princess was almost the same as her mother in appearance and temperament, with a high forehead, prominent cheekbones, and a face as smooth and bright as a full moon.Tall and handsome, as decent as a budding elm tree, heroic and bold.She is good at scheming and daring, quick-witted and decisive, and at the same time, she is a powerful figure in the Yishi Revolution. She has always been Wu Zetian's most reliable confidant and assistant. less than.Assuming that she is made the heir of the emperor, and the surname is changed from Li to Wu, she may wish for it, because the surname is not important to her, children generally only recognize the blood of the father, and her current husband is the nephew of the Holy God Emperor. Wang Wuyou is cum and has several children.It should be appropriate to choose a grandson of the emperor from among these children surnamed Wu!Wu Youji is an upright gentleman with a generous heart and fat body, and an introverted personality. He will not interfere too much in his wife's political activities. Princess Taiping has unique conditions, but the key to her impossibility to become the emperor's heir is that she has no rich life experience, and she has lived a comfortable, sweet and luxurious life since she was born. A runaway pony, willful, frivolous, careless, only knows how to attack, but can't defend. Once a major natural disaster or man-made disaster occurs, or turmoil occurs, it is very likely that it will lose its footing, throw away its armor, and the whole world will be defeated. The army was wiped out.Being a man is hard, being a woman is even harder!Due to traditional habits, male succession to the throne seems to be a matter of course.Even if he is mediocre, or if he is a puppet emperor, he can be forgiven, and even call it "Shoucheng the Son of Heaven"!Unless they are cruel, licentious and immoral, they will be condemned by people, or they will be kicked off the throne of the emperor and become a sinner in history.The attitude towards women is just the opposite. The Confucian classics clearly stipulate that a hen must not wake up in the morning.In other words, women are not qualified to be in charge of the people and cannot be emperors. Although Wu Zetian is a woman, she has always believed that she has the destiny. The spiritual support has become her driving force and helped her a lot.Life is endless, struggle is endless, from the struggle, I have increased my talents, established my prestige, and summed up a set of successful response experience, being able to bend and stretch, seeking good luck and avoiding evil.Princess Taiping has no "Mandate of Heaven" as a basis, and the environment does not allow the existence of female emperors.Why did she break through this barrier?Even if she is an egg, without sufficient conditions, it will not be able to hatch chickens.Moreover, one mountain cannot contain two tigers. If the throne is passed on to her in the future, bloody battles for the throne will inevitably break out between brothers and sisters. It was difficult for the princess to find a convincing reason to suppress the rebellion, and she lost morally at the beginning.From this, it can be inferred that it is better to maintain the status quo and keep the status of the emperor's heir than to make Princess Taiping the emperor's heir, which is correspondingly much more stable.This doesn't work, and that doesn't work either. Wu Zetian, who was in a dilemma, had no choice but to put aside the matter of the crown prince, wait, take a look, and then speak. When Wu Chengsi learned that Cen Changqian opposed making him the crown prince, he gritted his teeth, wishing to tear him to pieces immediately, but it was not easy to attack him head-on, so he and Lai Junchen came up with a roundabout attack plan.Coincidentally, Tubo harassed the border, and Wu Chengsi immediately asked Cen Changqian to be the general manager of the Wuwei Road March and lead the troops to Tubo.Not long after Cen Changqian left, Lai Junchen arrested Cen Changqian's eldest son, Cen Lingyuan, and threatened and lured him. Cen Lingyuan confessed that he opposed Wu Chengsi's appointment as prince, including Ge Fuyuan, Ouyang Tong and other dozens of courtiers. Lai Junchen accused the emperor of the Holy God secretly on the charge of "Cen Changqian secretly colluded with the courtiers to revive the Tang Dynasty".The Western Expeditionary Army, which was advancing, received an order halfway and returned along the same route.When Cen Changqian returned to Luoyang, Lai Junchen was ordered to arrest him and dozens of courtiers and imprison him, including Ouyang Tong, the Minister of Rites.Ouyang Tong is the son of Ouyang Xun, one of the three great calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty.Ouyang Xun is sensitive and eager to learn, reads extensively, memorizes extensive knowledge, and is proficient in the three histories.Calligraphy first learned from Wang Xizhi, and then formed a family of his own, forming a strong and strong brushwork and style.Li Yuan first discovered him, and Li Shimin, who loves Xizhi style, often discusses calligraphy with Ouyang Xun.Changsun Wuji also had a deep friendship with him.Ouyang Xun was pale, hunchbacked, bony, ugly and grotesque.Changsun Wuji wrote poems to ridicule him, ridiculing him for being talented but not good-looking, he must be a "reincarnation of the great white monkey".Ouyang Xun also retorted with a poem: "You are so ridiculous, you compare people to monkeys and bark like dogs." Suotou is a southerner who is scornfully called a northerner, and Wuji is a northern Xianbei.The poems of friendly ridicule between the two were later included in the "Funny Piece" of "Quan Tang Poetry".Ouyang Xun died in the reign of Zhenguan at the age of eighty-five.His wife, Mrs. Xu, encouraged her son to study and make progress, and to inherit his father's will.Ouyang Tong followed his mother's precepts, studied tirelessly, and embarked on an official career from the imperial examination.During the Yifeng period, when he was promoted to Zhongshu Sheren, his mother passed away. He abandoned the bed and slept on the ground with straw.His family secretly replaced him with felt, but instead he lost his temper and insisted on sleeping on straw.During the four years of filial piety, in the early court, he walked from the house to the palace barefoot every day.In addition to handling official business, I don't talk, laugh or chat.He is such a well-educated master who abides by Confucian ethics.Lai Junchen forced Ouyang Tong and others to admit collusion and treason with various tortures, but he could not get a confession, so he forged "confessions" for them one by one.Dozens of courtiers, including Cen Changqian, Ge Fuyuan, Ouyang Tong, were all kidnapped to the execution ground and beheaded for public display.The people who supported changing Wu Chengsi to become the dry prince were greatly encouraged. Among them, Zhang Jiafu and Wang Qingzhi were so happy that they clapped their hands, whistled, and cheered happily.Wang Qingzhi was allowed to have an audience with the Holy God Emperor as a citizen representative.He prostrated himself to Majesty Dan, kowtowed his head as if begging, and said: "Xiaomin is here to petition on behalf of the people, and begs His Majesty to make Wei Wang Wu Chengsi the crown prince." "The emperor has appointed his son Dan as the heir," Wan'er, who was standing on Wu Zetian's left, replied, "There is no need to change it now." "no no." Wang Qingzhi became anxious, raised his voice, and stuttered a bit, "Zuo Zhuan clearly stated: Gods do not accept offerings that are not of the same kind, and people do not offer sacrifices to ancestors who are not of the same family. After His Majesty's birthday, only the descendants of the Wu family can offer sacrifices. " Wu Zetian usually didn't even like to hear the word "old", but when she heard the word "death", she became even more annoyed, her face was distorted in anger.Wan'er saw the empress' smug face, her tone also became stiff: "The emperor's heir has given the surname Wu." "Hey, he, he, after all, his surname is Li and not Wu!" Wu Zetian saw that Wang Qingzhi's appearance was not good, and his expressive ability was too poor. I am willing to listen.Wan'er caught a glimpse of the emperor's impatient expression, and ordered loudly: "The emperor understands what you mean, kneel down!" "Uh, uh, Xiaomin hasn't finished speaking yet, there are still important things to say." Seeing Wang Qingzhi's entanglement, Wan'er was afraid of Wu Zetian's anger, so she gave him a stamped voucher and said, "If you want to see the emperor in the future, show it to the gatekeeper." Wu Chengsi and others did not understand the situation at that time, and miscalculated the situation, thinking that the emperor of the Holy Spirit was moved, and he just wanted to delay for a while to cause a certain impact before issuing the imperial edict.Not two days later, Zhang Jiafu was asked to urge Wang Qing to go to the palace.Wang Qing asked the Holy Spirit Emperor to summon him three times and four times. Wu Zetian felt disgusted and ordered Fengge servant Li Zhaode to deal with Wang Qingzhi.Li Zhaode was quick-witted, quarrelsome, and resolute, and was appreciated by Wu Zetian.The cruel official Wang Hongyi often told people the story that he made wild melons appear in the melon fields and endangered his neighbors, bragging about his evil intentions and pranks.The audience didn't dare to offend him, they just laughed.Only Li Zhaode shrugged his shoulders, raised his eyebrows, and said sarcastically: "In ancient times, there were goshawks and cruel officials, and now there is a new development, and there is a white rabbit censor. Hehe, he is so virtuous." Wang Hongyi didn't expect to be self-defeating, showing off did not achieve his goal, instead he was ridiculed, felt ashamed, depressed all of a sudden, and walked away resentfully.He just wanted to find an opportunity to take revenge, but Wu Zetian trusted Li Zhaode so much that he couldn't do it.Li Zhaode's status in everyone's minds was getting higher and higher, but Wang Hongyi was nicknamed "White Rabbit Yushi" because of this.When Wang Qingzhi came to the gate on the right of the three gates on the south side of Luoyang Palace City at Guangzheng Gate with a printing paper in his hand, and was about to enter, he bumped into Li Zhaode head-on.Li Zhaode yelled with straight eyebrows: "What are you doing in the hall on the ground again and again, huh?" "I'm going to meet the emperor." Wang Qingzhi was full of air, rolling his eyes to his forehead. "There is a certificate of the emperor's gift, can you control it?" "Show me." "Just look at it, can it be fake?" Wang Qingzhi handed over the printing paper.Li Zhaode took it over, tore it into pieces, and threw it at Wang Qingzhi's face: "Fuck you, get out!" "Li Shilang, I recognize you, how dare you resist the imperial edict?" "Come on, get this rascal out of here!" Wang Qingzhi protested loudly, thinking that Wu Chengsi was backing him, and no one could help him. He wanted to show his prestige and save face.Li Zhaode grabbed his collar, pushed it back, handed it over to the courtiers and guards who surrounded him, and announced as if a judgment: "This swindler who is greedy for profit is so daring that he has come to the court today. Let him have a taste of the emperor's law, come on, give me a heavy stick!" The imperial guards had hated Wang Qingzhi's behavior for a long time, and just wanted to vent their anger. His skin was torn apart, his head was ruptured, and he became a mass of flesh and blood, and died.The petition representatives brought by Wang Qingzhi saw that Wang Qingzhi was beaten to death, they were so frightened that they trembled like a sieve, and slipped away.Li Zhaode explained the outcome of the matter to the Holy God Emperor, and bluntly remonstrated: "Except for the legendary Three Emperors and Five Emperors, starting from the Xia Dynasty with historical records, the throne of the Son of Heaven in all dynasties has been inherited by future generations. The Emperor is Your Majesty. Your husband, the emperor's heir is your majesty's own son. If your majesty abandons your own prince and passes the throne to your nephew, I think it is inappropriate. Since ancient times, it has never been heard that a nephew became the emperor and built an imperial temple for his aunt. Besides, Your Majesty is entrusted by the Emperor, if the world is passed on to Wu Chengsi, the Emperor will no longer be able to enjoy the incense of the sacrificial ceremony.” "Hey, thank you for your reminder. Actually, I don't plan to change the crown prince." "Your Majesty is wise, my humble minister is overhearted." Li Zhaode said what was in his heart without reservation, not only did not offend Wu Zetian, but also caused Wu Zetian to think deeply, and he no longer favored Wu Chengsi.Li Zhaode is the son of Li Qianyou. Li Qianyou is an authentic Chang'an man, full of urban temperament, bold, free and easy, and informal. In the early years of Zhenguan, he was appointed as the imperial censor in the palace. His upright character initially brought him benefits. Soon he was promoted to doctor censor.Later, because of this tough attitude, he offended Chu Suiliang, who was also resolute, and was demoted to Jingzhou, Weizhou and other places as governor.Because of his frankness, open-mindedness, and harmony with his subordinates, a county magistrate asked about the affairs of the court. He told the truth, but the county magistrate played a book to the court, impeaching him for revealing the secrets of the court. Punishment of exile in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam.After Mount Tai was enshrined in Zen, he was reappointed as the governor of Guizhou, and then transferred back to the imperial court as the Taichang Bo of Xing.He recommended Cui Zhuo, who joined the army in the north of Beijing, as a minister. Before issuing the edict, he revealed the matter to Cui Zhuo, so he was dismissed from office and ended his life with wine as a companion.As the saying goes, like father, like son.Li Zhaode inherited his father's inheritance, with outstanding talent and imposing manner, he was a master of economics when he was young, and was promoted to Fengge Shilang.In the period when informants were common and cruel officials were rampant, most courtiers became timid, for fear of causing trouble.But he walks alone, says whatever he wants, seems to be a powerful and unconstrained style, and has won a reputation.The Emperor of the Holy Spirit especially admired his straightforwardness and cheerfulness, and planned to pay him a heavy responsibility. On the other hand, Wu Chengsi hated Li Zhaode to the core, his anger started from his heart, and his evil turned to his gallbladder. His complexion turned from white to green, and the veins on his temples burst out. Looking for his angry son, he wanted to retaliate and strike him, and put him to death.When one person attains the Tao, the chicken and the dog rise to the top. Wu Zetian became the emperor, and the Wu family was extremely glorious, and there were as many as 20 people who were conferred the title of king. Even her cousin Zhiyuan's son, the unattractive Wu Yizong, also bestowed the title of King of Hanoi. Worship General Jinwuwei.The primary task of the Jinwu Guard is to serve as the forerunner of the guard of honor when the emperor makes a tour. Therefore, the soldiers generally have to strictly select those who are tall, powerful and strong. 武懿宗却个子矮小，柿饼型的大脸盘，塌鼻梁，瘪嘴巴，挺凸着胸脯，双肩高耸，走路一践一践，如同鸭子似的，站在魁梧的卫士当中，好比骏马里面杂着一头丑毛驴。然而丑鬼多作怪，武懿宗却处处都想显示自己的地位高人一等，任何人都得在他面前低下头来，让他七八分。 天授二年十月，皇嗣旦的第三子隆基乘车上朝，恰巧撞上了武懿宗。 武则天当上女皇后，李旦降格当皇嗣，赐姓武，他的儿子都已封王，便纷纷“出阁”，即迁出皇宫，在神都另外开府置官署，每月朔望，即初一和十五日，仍要到殿堂拜见圣神皇帝。隆基从小活泼、伶俐，白白胖胖的，颇得祖母的喜爱。有一次，武则天抱着他在宫殿的楼上眺望，失手将婴孩坠落地下，而他没有受伤。 武则天很惊奇，更加喜爱他了。隆基乘坐的朔望车相当华贵，马车的车轮、车台漆成朱红色，车辕上有形象的装饰，栏杆上画着展翅的金凤凰，车厢的一侧绘制着画戟，另一侧是一对升龙和降龙。鸣锣开道，仪仗队前呼后拥。得得得的马蹄声踏破清晨的宁静，小巧玲珑的马车平稳地向前滚动着。毕“停！”武懿宗一声猛喝，“谁的车骑？王爷在此，怎么敢横冲直撞！” “我家朝堂，干你什么事？竟然迫阻本王的骑从！”隆基毫不不弱。 武懿宗是个欺软怕硬的人，见来者口气比他还大，差点给吓住了，脸上露出了尴尬的神色。小隆基拨开车帘，朝武懿宗打量了一眼，用一种清脆而尖辣的童声吼道：“让开！耽误了本王朝见袓母的时间，你可吃罪不起哟。” “这孩子，真不懂规矩！” “你才不懂规矩咧。来呀，给我开路！”仪仗队抖擞精神，步步逼近武懿宗。 武懿宗无可奈何。乖乖地让到了一旁。等到隆基下车时，为了挽回面子，武懿宗上前抓住了他的手：“从小便这般无礼，我和你一起去觐见皇上。” “去就去，难道怕你不成！”小隆基摔开武懿宗的手，大模大样地走着，不再理睬对方。 武懿宗将隆基耀武扬威的神气和话语一一奏明了武则天，企图挑起她大发雷霆，镇一镇隆基的威风，并借此抬高自己的身价。可是，武则天没有发怒，脸上反而出现了一丝欣慰的笑纹。她把小隆基叫到自己身旁，细细端详着这位小孙孙。他梳着双鬟男童的发式，戴着二龙戏珠嵌宝紫金冠，身穿紫色小朝服，足蹬青缎粉底小朝靴。面如朗月，唇若涂脂，两鬓宛然刀裁，玉琢似的鼻子微微翘起。他的肩头和胸部正在发育，身体还很稚嫩，掉换的牙齿还没有长齐。那水晶般闪亮的眼珠子放射出灵动流盼的光芒，赛如喷薄欲出的东方的晨曦，跳动着顽强和虎气蕤蕤的活力。 武则天敏锐地发现，自己的奕奕神采和谤礴气势，隔代传到了孙儿的身上。 “好样的，将来必成大器，不愧为朕的孙子。” 作为袓母的她内心充满了一种荣耀感和自豪感，带着亲昵的语气问了一些话。隆基天真而大方，伶牙俐齿，对答得清清楚楚，得到了武则天的夸奖和赏赐。这件事的发生，大大巩固了且的皇嗣地位。众人透过小隆基，仿佛看到了李唐复兴的一线曙光。圣神皇帝由于心里高兴，从岭南召回了魏元忠，命他担任御史中丞。两年多的流放，饱经磨难，再加上长途跋涉，年老体衰的魏元忠上任不久，便病倒了。魏元忠在政界声望很高，名气与狄仁杰不相上下，同僚、部属和亲朋戚友纷纷前来看望。监察御史郭霸为了讨好这位顶头上司，以手指沾着他的粪便放到嘴里舐尝。魏元忠浑身的肌肉都缩紧了，愕然问道：“咦，你这是干吗？” “好消息，”郭霸胁肩谄笑，“在下借此判断一下大夫的病情，请放心，粪便没有甜味，又苦又涩，病很快可以治好广魏元忠抽了抽鼻子，感到分外恶心。御史大夫是左肃政台御史台的长官，御史中丞是副职，郭霸抬高官阶称呼他，显得很淫亵。尤其是他尝粪舐便的行径，更加卑污，令人哭笑不得，他由此想起了郭霸的为人和出身。易世革命成功，武则天登上了皇位，郭霸以宗州宁陵县丞的身份上了一道贺表，得到了圣神皇帝的召见。他匍匐在地，流着泪发誓为大周帝国效忠，切齿痛骂徐敬业等叛臣乱贼，死有余辜，恭维武则天当皇帝上顺天意，下得民心。 武则天不是看中了这个人，倒是想提拔几名地方官员，为基层官员树个榜样，破例晋升他当监察御史。此人品格低下，庸庸碌碌，却特别谦虚，从不逞强，面带三分笑，低声下气，像只叭儿狗似的，与同事们也相处得来。耿直的魏元忠看不惯他的虚伪的表现，把他舐尝粪便的事给捅了出去。郭霸解释说：“我是从民间学来的一种诊断疾病的法子，又简便，又灵验。在当县丞时，也为贫苦老百姓试过。魏大人既是长者，又是同事，”在大众面前，他顺口轻巧地又把“大夫”二字改成了“大人”，可见此人之圆滑。 “只要能确诊他的疾病，我，一个微不足道的人，吃点苦，又有什么了不起，值不得大惊小怪嘛。” 一席绕着圈子的话，低声慢语，有根有叶，又举例说明了他对百姓也是如此，只不过做法不雅，把丑全都遮掩过去了。非但遮了丑，而且他的酷吏名声节节升高，另外开辟了一条以“软”致胜的途径，比笑面虎还厉害，连来俊臣也夸赞他：“郭霸审案，会用心计，笑脸打死人，打死了人不露痕迹，人家还说他谦虚，是不得以而为之，它比行刑逼供更要命。” 如今的酷吏，以来俊臣的名气最大，他和武承嗣拉上了关系，有武承嗣作靠山，巳替代周兴的地位，成了酷吏中的首要人物。魏元忠虽然跟他职位一样，都是御史中丞，但魏中丞不是酷吏，名声不一样，作用不一样，在人们心目中的地位也不一样。来俊臣把糟糠之妻休了，又重新娶了唐宗室太原王李庆诜的女儿为妻。酷吏们并非莽夫，而是一些心里开窍的怪物，刽子手。这种“双保险”的高招，别人即使想得到也不一定能做到。来俊臣以恐吓的手段达到了目的，喜洋洋，乐陶陶，盛情邀请新妻李氏娘家的亲友来府中宴饮。司刑评事卫遂忠曾经和来俊臣一起共过事，来俊臣很佩服他的文才和辩才，两人相交甚厚。但是卫遂忠的书卷气阻碍了他的上进，至今仍是一名下级酷吏。他想凭以往的友情找一找来俊臣，请他“关照”一下。一则来得不是时候，来俊臣怕打落兴头，二则主要是嫌他地位太低，身份不配，吩咐仆人答复他，说主人不在家。卫遂忠明明听见屋里传出来划拳饮酒和欢歌笑语之声，不禁大怒，在门外大吵大闹，大骂来俊臣“贵而易妻，富而易交”，揭他的老底。来俊臣也火了：“好小子，敢在太岁头上动土。哎，你们给我去教训一下。” 亲随和家仆拥到门口，一阵拳打脚踢，卫遂忠头破血流，不知被拖到哪儿去了。来俊臣怕魏元忠过问此事，挖空心思要抢先对魏元忠下毒手。他和武承嗣商通，罗织罪状，告发了一批官员阴谋叛变。除魏元忠以外，还有狄仁杰和裴行本两名新宰相，前文昌左丞卢献、凤阁侍郎任知古、司礼卿崔宣礼，以及潞州〔山西长治市〕刺史李嗣真等人。当以上人员逮捕下狱后，来俊臣又想出了一个新的“慈善法”，借此提高自己的名气，获取更高的地位，于是特别上奏圣神皇帝：“一经审问就自动招认，请免除死罪，减轻一等处分。” “要注意点影响，谨慎些，反映你们搞逼供信的人可不少哟。” 武则天对被告发的臣僚本来就有些犹豫，立刻准了他的奏请。犯人听了来俊臣传达的敕许，果然效果颇佳。审问时，狄仁杰首先坦白交待：“大周改朝换代，万象更新，我作为唐朝的旧臣，甘愿听从诛戮。谋反是事实。” 来俊臣很高兴，没有动刑，还单独打扫出了一间囚室，让他歇息，饮食等方面也给予优待。接下来又有卢献、任知古、崔宣礼和李嗣真都按照来俊臣的要求划了押，看来也有免死的可能。裴行本的自白有些含糊其辞，不大干脆，因此在狱中的待遇不如以上“犯人”好，生死也在两可之间。来俊臣属下的酷吏王德寿见狄仁杰一开审便认了罪，以为好对付。他弯腰弓背走进牢房，双手抱拳道：“大人果真名不虚传，大明白人哟，如今死罪已免，下官还想帮助大人脱离活罪，呃，呃，当然啰，这事对下官的晋升也有好处。” “……”狄仁杰两眼紧盯着王德寿，没有吭声。 “事情很简单，下官打算邀请大人立一新功，嘻嘻，你不妨举报杨执柔与此事件有牵连。” “喔唷，你来约我干这种卑鄙的勾当，天地良心，我活着还有什么睑面见人，苟活还不如快死！”说罢，狄仁杰一头撞到柱子上，碰开的额头冒出了殷红的鲜血，流满一脸。王德寿吓慌了手脚，边道歉边溜出了囚室。魏元忠是个犟性子，强硬而又机智，趄着山羊胡子盘坐在牢房门口，一动也不动，大有凛然不可侵犯的架势。只有他不肯“自白”，即认罪，来俊臣十分恼火，但又拿他没辙。常言道，秀才见了兵，有理说不清。他便把这桩难做的生意交给目不识丁的侯思止去处理，让他用蛮法子对付魏元忠。侯思止最近也娶了多少与唐室挂得上钩的李自挹的女儿做妻子，还想从左台御史继续上升，好在贵族出身的娇妻面前显示显示自己的能耐。对于御史中丞的位子早已垂涎三尺，叫他直接审问魏元忠，他正求之不得：“魏元忠死也好，垮也好，补缺时，自然先会想到我，考虑到我。” 他把魏元忠带上大堂，正了正身子，一拍惊堂木，文诌诌地喊着说：“魏元忠，你得放明白点，同案犯已承认白司马，倘若再不白司马，给你一顿孟青棒！”天晓得他在说些什么？幸亏魏元忠系太学生出身，知识广博，尚能悟出其中的含义。白司马乃洛阳城北的北邙山的一处山坡名。孟青是一棒打死琅讶王冲的农夫。侯思止像念绕口令似的，把意思截然不同的话，放在一起讲出来，简直使人哭笑不得。 “白司马在北邙山，”魏元忠挖苦道，“与我无关，孟青棒没有打我。” “嘟，你还嘴硬！”侯思止鼓起双眼冲到魏元忠跟前，一把将他掀翻，用绳拉住其双脚，在地上倒拖。魏元忠扭转头，喘咻咻地说道：“嗨，真倒霉，想不到碰上了一头蠢驴，让我从它背上栽下来，脚挂在蹬上，拖着我倒走。” “你骂人，你违抗圣旨，你不白司马，妈妈的，我要活活拖死你！”侯思止愈骂愈来火，加怏速度猛拖。A hero does not suffer from immediate losses.再拖下去，真会被他拖死。缓了口气，魏元忠喊道：“停停，停一停，我有话跟你说。” “赶快白司马，”侯思止的额头上也冒出了热汗，“否则叫你吃不了孟青棒兜着走。” “侯思止，你让我告诉你，凭白司马的孟青棒这句话，足以定你的死罪，幸亏只有我一个人听见，没有旁证。” “怎，怎么，这，”侯思止放下了魏元忠的脚，“这句话犯法？我，我没，没有说，假使你说出去，我就说你诬告。” “我不会说出去的。只不过你也太狠心了，这样对待一位年长的人，本想教你一教，噫，我也懒得教啦。” 侯思止扶得魏元忠坐了起来，跪下来请求他不要把话说出去，还求他教他一些法律常识和名词术语。可是，没有不透风的墙，“白司马的孟青棒”不久便传开了。崔宣礼的外甥、侍御史霍献可本来瞧不起侯思止，现在更是白眼看他。侯思止凭想象上奏道：“霍献可是崔宣礼的外甥，他划不清界线，还要拿样子给我们看，对我们恨得要死，怕得要命。” 武则天召见了霍献可，问他有什么想法和打算。霍献可被不过只得把侯思止审魏元忠的话如实一一说了出来。 武则天忍不住哈哈大笑，左右侍臣和侍女们踉着笑出了声，婉儿连眼泪水都笑出来了，玉兰笑得转不过气来。这件事引起了武则天的思考：“为什么魏元忠宁死不屈，而狄仁杰等人则一问当即承认，看来定有蹊跷。” 可是，就在这时候，来俊臣送来了狄仁杰等人的“谢死表”。圣神皇帝的心情一下转人沉重。她曾对狄仁杰等人寄予厚望，想让他们成为周朝开国的股肱之臣，而他们恩将仇报，反过来串通谋反。思前想后，武则天既懊悔，又愤怒。但心里头总不那么踏实，于是命令通事舍人周琳到狱中去直接察看一下狄仁杰等人的具体情形。来俊臣得知周琳受命视察牢房，急忙叫狄仁杰等人穿戴好衣帽，系上腰带，面东而坐。来俊臣等酯吏引着周琳由东向西走来，夕阳的光线斜射着周琳的眼睛。他两眼发花，看不清人的面目，而罪犯的穿戴倒还齐整。大帮酷吏围在身边，周琳不敢接近犯人，怕惹麻烦。来俊臣怕呆久了露马脚，带着周琳匆匆忙忙转了一圈，便拖开他，悄悄地说：“欢迎宴的菜都上齐了，喝酒去，呵，呵，还有歌舞咧。” 周琳还没有回朝复命，狄仁杰的儿子狄光远宣称有紧急事晋见皇帝，把狄仁杰的奏折当面呈递给了武则天。狄仁杰在狱中，利用对他的优待，假说想写写字消遣，向狱吏借了笔墨纸砚，书写了这次所蒙受的不白之冤，纳进棉衣里面，对王德寿说：“天气渐热，请把棉衣交给我家里，拿掉棉花，改成夹衣。” 家里的人按照狄仁杰的吩咐拆开棉衣掏棉花时，发现了他书写的奏章……奏折申述了冤情，而“谢死表”表示认罪服罪。周琳的复命说狄仁杰等一未受刑，二未受苦，自愿坦白交待的罪行。 武则天为难了，内心交错着许多复杂的情绪，充满了矛盾，难断谁真谁假，不知如何处理为好。正在这决定狄仁杰等人生死存亡的关键时刻，乐思晦不满十岁的儿子紧急告变。 武则天见他跑得满头大汗，跪在丹陛下喘粗气，不知发生了什么事。她身向前倾，温和地说：“孩子，透口气，别急，慢慢地讲。” “……”小孩喘得说不出话来，不住停地用衣袖揩汗。 “是不是司农寺有人欺侮了你？”司农寺是管理国有山林、湖沼和田园等的机构。依惯例，因罪处死的官员，遭抄家灭籍后，其男性后代就送到那里做奴仆。小孩喘过气来了，摇了摇头，亮着童声，模仿大人的腔调说：“不，不，我不是为自己的事来的，而是听说朝廷又把一批大臣交给来俊臣审讯，十有八九又要死在他的手上。陛下不信的话，可以把最相信的臣子作为谋反嫌疑人交给他，来俊臣照样会取到口供的。” “你是凭想象，还是掌握了事实？” “陛下，我父亲当年就是被来俊臣这么处死的，还要其他事实干吗！”聪明到顶，要人提醒。几句话提醒了武则天，对来俊臣的办案效果产生了疑问。她突然决定召见狄仁杰等七人，首先指名问狄仁杰：“你在刑堂上认了罪，怎么转过背又上本否定？” “皇上哇，臣那时若不照他的招供，岂不会被严刑拷死？”狄仁杰嗓音发抖，眼泪像清泉似的从眼眶里渗出。 “既然是假的，那你为什么要上谢死表呢？” “有这种事？臣没有啊。” 武则天命婉儿取出狄仁杰的“谢死表”传观，来俊臣制造的假象终于被捅穿了。真相大白，然而官吏受到猜疑，说明多少有失德之处，所以仍要给予处罚。于是将狄仁杰贬到彭泽江西彭泽县当县令，魏元忠贬到涪陵〔四川谤涪市〕当县令，卢献贬到西乡陕西西乡县当县令，崔宣礼贬到夷陵湖北宣昌市当县令，任知古贬到江夏湖北武昌市担任县令。裴行本与李嗣真二人，则被流放到岭南。来俊臣露了马脚，等于武承嗣出了丑。他气极败坏：“狄仁杰等都是智谋才德四者皆备之士，若不早日除掉，必将成为自己前程上的拦路虎。” 想到这里，武承嗣急忙去内殿见了武则天，说他们七人时刻都没有忘记光复唐室，不借此机会一网打尽，势必带来不堪设想的后果。 武则天也知道狄仁杰、魏元忠决非等闲之辈，他们自幼受到儒家思想的熏陶，同时又富于号召力，难免不成为恢复唐朝的旗手和中坚力量。然而她十分惜才：“大周万事待举，不能没有治世的能臣啊！”圣神皇帝内心异常复杂，反过来，又给自己敲了一下警钟：“也许承嗣的判断是对的！”明快果决的武则天一反常态，当断不断，要武承嗣退下，而把此事交给朝臣辩论。已经升任秋官侍郎的徐有功手捧牙笏，步出班部丛中，拜舞启奏道：“狄仁杰等人都是栋梁之材，精忠报国，并无二心。陛下明察秋毫，斟情给予了处分，成命不宜再作更改。” 武则天最终决定采纳徐有功的意见，没有收回圣旨。霍献可内心激动起来，热血上升，跪伏丹陛奏道：“圣上宽大为怀，舅舅得免死罪。臣愿替其一死，以报皇恩。” 说罢，他摘下幞头，头朝丹陛上狠狠撞去，顿时鲜血直流，昏厥在地。 武则天即命御医抢救。霍献可救出了生命，只是额头上留下了一道伤疤。 武承嗣不好再说话了，怕引起皇帝的反感，对自己可能成为太子不利。骄纵狂悖的来俊臣却产生了消极对抗情绪，一方面花天酒地除烦解闷，一方面明目张胆地收取贿赂，敲诈钱财。他向富裕户左卫大将军泉献诚索取一大笔金钱，泉献诚没有答应。来俊臣马上举报泉献诚企图造反，逮捕归案，活活打死，上奏其在狱中畏罪自杀。 武则天愈来愈看准了来俊臣的恶性本质，打算切除这个毒瘤。当想到他在整肃李唐皇族所立下的功勋时，又不忍下手。尤其是对付那些存心恢复大唐社稷的暗流和潜伏力量，没有哪个酷吏能出其右，这条疯狗暂时还得留下来。 武承嗣图谋凭借来俊臣出面，合理合法地一举消天反对他的人物，结果失败了。来俊臣在圣神皇帝的眼里威信扫地，他那套肆无忌惮的做法，被狄仁杰戳穿了，或者说由乐思晦的九岁的儿子揭破了。不过，武承嗣决不甘心就此罢休。他的野心恶性膨胀，想成为皇太子进而继承皇位，可谓片刻难安。不到黄河心不死，不见棺材不掉泪。酷吏们的活动，本来缓和了一些，由于他从幕后操纵来俊臣等酷吏，并处处袒护他们，嚣张的气焰又上升了。酷吏们利用了武则天巩固武周政权的心理，告发流放岭南的人并不安分，蠢蠢欲动，大有可能起来闹事。 武则天对于这类事情特别敏感，马上派遣司刑评事万国俊摄监察御史，去岭南调查。临行前，她郑重地说了八个字：“情况属实，严惩不殆。” 万国俊抵达广州，在珠江人海口处选择了一片沙滩，命令三百余名流放人员集中于此，排好队，清点核准人数后，也不经过审问，就命令他们集体自杀。流放人员呼天喊地，跪下求饶。万国俊发起躁性来了，