Chapter 26 Section five

Yongzhen, what a strange year name. After carefully reading the memorandum and internal biography sent by the historian, Pei Xuanjing first got such a feeling. In fact, at the beginning of that year, Emperor Dezong was still in power, so it was called the twenty-first year of Zhenyuan.It was at the court meeting on the first day of that year that Emperor Dezong wept because he did not see the seriously ill prince. He felt unwell and soon died.On the twenty-third day of the first lunar month, Emperor Dezong died in the Huining Hall of Daming Palace.Three days later, Prince Li Song came to the throne, also known as the first emperor.However, as early as the autumn of the 20th year of Zhenyuan, the first emperor had been bedridden due to wind disease for more than several months, and he was ill and reluctantly ascended the throne.Therefore, after ascending the throne, everything was kept simple, and no yuan change was announced, and the year name of the 21st year of Zhenyuan was still used.In August of that year, the former emperor was unable to sustain himself due to illness, so he announced the throne of Zen to the current emperor, calling himself the Supreme Emperor.After the current emperor came to the throne, he changed the year name to Yongzhen.So the 21st year of Zhenyuan officially became the first year of Yongzhen.In the second year, the emperor once again announced that it would be changed to Yuanhe.Therefore, the year name Yongzhen was only used for a short year.Even in this year, one month was borrowed from Emperor Dezong, and the five months from August to December were generously given to his father by the current emperor.Yongzhen, who really belonged to the first emperor, only had six months from February to August.

The emperor obviously realized this, so he ordered the historian to send the materials not only from the first year of Yongzhen, but also from the 20th year of Zhenyuan and the first year of Yuanhe.He seemed determined to let Pei Xuanjing find out what happened. After reading the "Records of Shunzong" written by Han Yu himself, Pei Xuanjing felt very uncomfortable. Wang Shuwen, Liu Zongyuan, Liu Yuxi, Lu Wen... When these respectable names appeared in the history books, they were accompanied by vicious slander and scolding.Pei Xuanjing saw that their efforts to eradicate evils for the country were ruthlessly defeated. Apart from the setbacks in their official careers, they also suffered the humiliation of their personal reputation.What is even more embarrassing is that the attack came not only from the hateful eunuchs and the feudal towns with ulterior motives, but also from Han Yu, Wu Yuanheng and others who were also deeply admired by Pei Xuanjing.

Pei Xuanjing finally understood why the short-lived Yongzhen became an unrecoverable scar in many people's hearts.Because during that time, their consciences experienced too violent shocks, and all disguises were removed, allowing them to see clearly the filth hidden deep in each other's hearts, and also see clearly the darkest part of this glorious dynasty. In the corner, I can clearly see the selfishness and despicableness decorated with "family, country and world". So many sins cannot be covered up with the phrase "one emperor, one courtier". Human nature cannot be tested.Yongzhen happened to be a year of intensive torture of human nature.Sadly, there is no ultimate victor in this trial.

Pei Xuanjing returned her thoughts to the puzzle of the thirty-third image in "Tui Bei Tu". Looking through the records in front of him, Pei Xuanjing only found one event that happened on Renchen Day, and it was related to the change of the throne. On Renchen day, October 18, the first year of Yongzhen, the emperor ordered the execution of a man named Luo Lingze. From the few records in hand, Pei Xuanjing read: In October of the first year of Yongzhen, Luo Lingze, a mountain man, secretly went to Qinzhou, falsely claiming that he had received a secret decree from the Supreme Emperor, and asked the envoy of the Longxi Economic Strategy, Liu Shi, to serve under Emperor Dezong. On the day of the burial, troops were raised to depose the current sage Li Chun, who pretended to be inner Zen and ascended the throne without authorization.Liu Shi was not fooled by Luo Lingze, but detained him.Luo Ling was escorted to Chang'an and tortured in Dali Temple. After that, the emperor ordered him to be beaten to death together with his party members.

Pei Xuanjing intuitively felt that this incident was quite strange. First of all, she searched through the materials at hand, and the only thing that mentioned Luo Lingze was this, and there were only two words about his identity and background: Shanren.What does mountain man mean?Pei Xuanjing pondered, it usually refers to ascetics or hermits.That is to say, this Luo Ling has no official position, nor is he a wealthy relative.He seemed to have jumped out of a rock, and suddenly he claimed to have the emperor's secret will, and started to plot against him. Judging from Luo Lingze's status, it is impossible for him to have the opportunity to meet the Supreme Emperor, so it should be a false edict.But it is really surprising that a grassroots person has such courage.The imperial court tortured and extorted a confession, did Luo Ling confess his accomplices?There is no detailed description in the record, only that the emperor ordered him to be shot together with his followers.The name of the same party was mentioned: Li Liang, the magistrate of Pengcheng County.

Pei Xuanjing found the record that Li Liang was appointed as Zuo Shiyi by the late emperor.This shows that it is possible for Li Liang to talk to the first emperor.However, how could he mix up with a mountain man to plot rebellion?Could it be that Li Liang felt resentful because of being demoted, and conspired to rebel in the name of the Supreme Emperor?This is probably too much.After Yongzhen, the "two kings and eight Sima" were all relegated, including celebrities such as Liu Zongyuan and Liu Yuxi.No one dared to rebel even when Wang Shuwen was ordered to die by the current emperor.Relegation, after all, there is still hope of recovery, rebellion, is desperate.Who would make such a bad move if he was not forced to a dead end?

Pei Xuanjing didn't understand Li Liang's behavior, let alone who Luo Lingze was.How did a mountain man without foundation dare to pretend to rebel against him? How did he consider the risk of this matter?Did he really think he would succeed?Judging from the fact that he directly sought the support of Liu Shi, envoy of the Longxi Economic Strategy, his actions can be described as insane. Is Luo Lingze and Li Liang's rebellion a crazy act of a group of desperadoes, or is there something else hidden? In addition, did this incident have an impact on the late emperor?Although the incident was described as having nothing to do with the late emperor, since Li Liang was involved, I am afraid the emperor would not be suspicious.Moreover, Luo Ling rebelled in the name of the emperor usurping the throne, which shows that at least at the time, this was a reason that could resonate.

Not only at that time, in fact, until now, there is a saying among the people that the first emperor was forced to sit in Zen.It is true that the first emperor was seriously ill, but it may not be necessary to abdicate.The first emperor took the throne for twenty-six years, would he be willing to give up after only six months?There is such a record in the memoir: Emperor Dezong had just passed away, and because the prince had been ill for a long time, he was worried inside and outside that the throne would be vacant.In order to calm people's minds, the prince, who had been bedridden for several months and could not get off the ground, actually supported himself and stood up. He boarded the Nine Immortals Gate and summoned the military envoys to calm down all the criticisms.It can be seen from this that the former emperor was so eager to seek the throne that he was able to make a paralyzed patient stand up and walk.Will he hand over the throne so hard to get so easily after only half a year?This is really not in line with human nature.

Therefore, in the eyes of the world, Yongzhen's Inner Zen has always been unreasonable and unreliable. Is it possible that Luo Lingze did follow the late emperor's secret decree? Pei Xuanjing didn't dare to think any further.Qinglong and Baitu, Yimao and Renchen, following this line of thought, Pei Xuanjing was afraid that she would eventually encounter an unbearable answer.In fact, she has passed the answer to this mystery many times: Fengling, which is pointed to by the acrostic poem "Zhenlan Pavilion"; She avoided it by mistake, but this mystery has been entangled with her like a shadow.

Looking at the thirty-third image in "Tui Bei Tu" again, the old tree withered and fell to the ground, and the new tree sprouted among its residual branches.If the thirty-third elephant really predicted the event of Yongzhen, then this painting vividly depicts a fact: the old emperor fell down dragging his sick body, and the new emperor stepped on him to rise. Could it be that Qinglong and White Rabbit said: According to historical records, the first emperor died on the Yimao day of the first month in the first year of Yuanhe, but in fact, as early as Renchen day in October of the first year of Yongzhen, when Luo Lingze's rebellion happened , the first emperor was already "dead"?

No, it has to stop here. Pei Xuanjing decided that without further evidence, she would never move forward with this line of thought, it was too scary. Let's take a look at another poem. In the third line of the seven-character poem, "Mu Yilai from the northeast of the Tianjun" has become "Mu Yilai from the southeast of the Tianjun". The word "North" became the word "South". This change completely confused Pei Xuanjing.From the perspective of the five elements, the northeast is wood, so it is logical that the original poem writes that the heavenly army comes from the northeast, and wood comes together.However, after changing to the word "South", because the southeast is fire, this poem does not make sense. Since you can't figure it out, let's look at the fourth sentence again - "At this time, change the land at home".Home soil?Pei Xuanjing's heart skipped a beat. Generally speaking, the earth finger at home was buried. "Exchanging the soil of the family" seems to have the meaning of moving the tomb in it. She flipped through the memorandum in front of her, and it was written here: On the Yimao day of the first month of the first year of Yuanhe, the first emperor died in the Xianning Hall of Xingqing Palace.Pei Xuanjing remembered that when she was in Xingqing Palace, Princess Hanyang once mentioned that the late emperor moved to Xingqing Palace after taking the Zen throne in August of the first year of Yongzhen, and also met the dispatched people from the Wa Kingdom in the Qinzhengwu Building. Tang Seng Konghai.Princess Hanyang specifically said that after that meeting with Kukai, the first emperor fell ill and passed away not long after. Strangely, it is also recorded in the memorandum that the late emperor was mourned in the Taiji Hall of the Taiji Palace.From what Pei Xuanjing saw, the distance from Daming Palace to Taiji Palace was not close, but it was farther from Xingqing Palace.Why move the funeral to Tai Chi Palace for funeral?Doing so is neither necessary nor compliant. Could it be that "replace the homeland at this time" alludes to this? After spending the whole night on Yongzhen's memorabilia, Pei Xuanjing did not draw any clear conclusions. In the early hours of the morning, she just fell asleep in a daze, and was soon awakened by the sound of the bell.Pei Xuanjing followed the rules for morning class, and the sun gradually peeped in through the narrow window, dyeing the mat in front of her a warm golden yellow. She was immersed in the puzzle of "Tui Bei Tu" again.I don't know how long it took, and suddenly there was a "bang", something came through the corridor and hit the window directly! She looked out and it turned out to be a colored ball.Bounced a few times on the corridor, rolled to the door and stopped moving. Pei Xuanjing leaned over and picked it up. "Master!" A chubby boy ran to the corridor, blushing and stretched out his hands to her. Pei Xuanjing felt that he looked familiar, but couldn't remember where she had seen him, so she smiled at him and passed the colored ball over. "Thank you, Master Pei Lian." He bowed to pay tribute.The moment he turned around, a small ball of paper fell out of his sleeve. Pei Xuanjing looked around and confirmed that no one was paying attention, then quickly picked up the ball of paper and stuffed it into her sleeve. When Guo Huan looked this way again, Pei Xuanjing had disappeared from the eaves.He thought, she must have put away the ball of paper. Pei Xuanjing closed the window sash, and quickly scanned the content on the paper with the sunlight coming in through the pane. The surprise was no small matter. She never thought that she would read such a strange article - "Sin Fairy Shangxian". After reading it for the first time, Pei Xuanjing couldn't tell whether the story was the ravings of a lunatic, a bold imagination, or a dark and terrifying fact. She just felt her heart beating like a drum, and many scattered thoughts were bumping around in her mind, and they seemed to be desperately trying to reveal something to her.There are too many assumptions, clues, inferences and mysteries, all revolving around the story of "Xin Fairy Shangxian".Both experience and intuition are telling her that the long-standing fog is about to be broken, and this story written on crumpled paper——"Xin Ping Shangxian" is the lightning that pierces the night sky. Pei Xuanjing was so excited that she felt chills all over her body. "Master Pei Lian! Master Pei Lian!" Someone called her in a low voice outside the window.She moved to the window and saw a pair of bright eyes through the window lattice. "Who are you?" "Master Pei Lian, I'm Guo Huan! Duan Chengshi's friend." "Guo Huan? I remember you!" Pei Xuanjing remembered that three years ago, when Duan Chengshi and Thirteen Lang were trapped in the Jinxianguan Catacombs, it was this child who took Jin Wuwei and the emperor there.It turned out that he had grown so big. "Master Pei Lian, have you read "Xin Fairy's Immortal"?" Pei Xuanjing asked warily, "Where did you get it?" "Oh, Master Lian, this was written by Duan Chengshi!" "Duan Chengshi?" "That's right! Well, he actually didn't write it himself, he heard it from others. Here, it's the story that Xin Fairy told him, and Duan Chengshi wrote it down." Pei Xuanjing suddenly realized.Yes, only Duan Chengshi is interested in this kind of story, and describes it so vividly. "But Master Pei Lian, Duan Chengshi made this story suffer!" "How did you suffer?" Guo Huan then widely distributed the "Xin Gong Shang Xian" scripture prayer lamps, and then led Duan Chengshi's body by the ghost flower imprint on the paper, and then told the story of being arrested by Tutu Chengcui.Because of his impatience and nervousness, he spoke at random, but Pei Xuanjing understood everything. Guo Huan said: "Duan Chengshi is currently being detained in Dali Temple, good or bad is unpredictable. I don't know what to do. Master Pei Lian, can you think of a way to save him?" Pei Xuanjing was silent. "A refiner?" "Why did you think of coming to me?" Pei Xuanjing asked, "Did Duan Chengshi ask you to come?" "No, I thought of it myself! The Buddha bone case last time was solved with the help of Master Pei Lian. So I thought about it, and I'm afraid I have to ask the master to do it this time. It just so happens that there is a polo match in the palace today. On the field in front of the Linde Palace. I came to Yuchenguan on the pretext of looking for Auntie Yongan to ask for a winning talisman..." Guo Huan said in a long-winded manner, sweating on the tip of his nose, "...Duan Chengshi is my favorite Good friend, I must never watch him hurt." "I see." "Oh, that's right. I sent Han Lang out of Chang'an City a few days ago. He said that something big might happen to the capital, and he was worried that Li Mi would suffer another misfortune, so he took him to Taiyuan to join Mr. Pei." "That's right... that's great." So both Li Mi and Han Xiang are safe.Without this worry, she can go all out. "I should go. Master Pei Lian—" Guo Huan's voice became more and more anxious. "Mr. Guo, I still need time to think about it. Can you come again?" "I will find a way." Guo Huan said, "I will leave everything to the alchemist!"