There were many ministers in the Golden Palace of Zhaoge, including those who flattered him, such as Fei Zhong, who was especially stupid and could not do anything but spoil things. However, there were also people who were just and upright, such as Prime Minister Shang Rong and Prime Minister Bi Gan. When they saw the power traitors and evildoers, all the civil and military officials in the court were worried and afraid.
Du Yuanxi, the Grand Tutor of the Celestial Bureau, was a minister who was in charge of observing astronomy and calculating the calendar. He observed the dry elephant at night and found that the demonic qi was growing stronger day by day. It circled around the Zhaoge Palace and lasted for a long time. He did not dare to hide it and reported to the Prime Minister, Shang Rong. Shang Rong went into the palace and reported to King Zhou,"Du Yuanxi, the official in charge of the Tiantai Division, observed the Heavenly Elephant at night and saw the demonic aura permeating the Zhaoge Palace. His Majesty is wise and caring for the country. If a demon really harms the court, it will definitely lead to chaos and disappointment. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
King Zhou was unhappy. He asked," Du Yuanxi wrote a letter and mentioned the invasion of evil spirits and heresy to confuse the public. Is it over?"”
Shang Rong replied," That Du Yuanxi is an old minister for three generations. He has always been loyal and devoted. I don't think he would lie and risk his life to deceive Your Majesty." Your Majesty is still thoughtful and perceptive.”
King Zhou returned to Longevity Immortal Palace in a depressed mood. Nine-Tailed Fox came to pick him up. Seeing King Zhou frowning and depressed, she asked,""Your Majesty must have been physically and mentally exhausted. ChenQie is uneasy."
"No," replied King Zhou.
"Then what made His Majesty unhappy and worried?”
King Zhou let out a long sigh and told them what Du Yuanxi, the Grand Tutor of the Bureau of Celestials, had reported. The nine-tailed fox gnashed her teeth and her face turned red. She thought," If a tiger doesn't show its might, you will treat me as a sick cat. You have stirred up trouble again and again. If I don't teach you a lesson, you will be even more unscrupulous." He came up with a plan and knelt down with a thud. He covered his face with his hands and did not cry at all. However, tears kept flowing down from between his fingers, dripping onto the corner of his mouth, his chest, and the ground.
King Zhou was shocked and quickly went up to help her. Unexpectedly, the beauty was about to cry and said with tears,"Your Majesty, I serve you in Zhaoge. I work hard to make up for my shortcomings. Your Majesty's kindness to me is as deep as ever. ChenQie wants to tie the knot and stay together forever. However, there was someone in the court who could not accommodate him and caused trouble, putting His Majesty in a dilemma. For the sake of Your Majesty's country and foundation, I can sacrifice my life for justice. Your Majesty, now push me out of the Meridian Gate and behead me in public to stop the rumors. I will die for it.”
Nine-Tailed Fox was heartbroken. Beads of sparkling tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks. Her pink tears were soft and tender. It was a tragic sight. King Zhou cried until his heart was broken. He quickly went forward to comfort her, saying," Beauty, don't be angry. How can I bear to kill you? When the situation calms down, I will know."”
Nine-Tailed Fox shook her head desperately and said," Your Majesty is indecisive. You've trapped yourself in a cocoon. I thought about Yun Zhongzi's heresy the other day, which almost led to disaster. Today, Du Yuanxi used it as a topic. If Your Majesty doesn't decide for me, it's better to kill her. I'm a pitiful weak woman. I don't have the strength to restrain a chicken, but I'm treated like a ferocious beast and have to be eradicated. Where's the justice? Where's the justice?”
The beauty beat her chest and stamped her feet.
King Zhou was furious. He had long forgotten about the etiquette between monarch and minister. In his anger, he immediately issued an edict,"Men, push Du Yuanxi out of the Meridian Gate and behead him for public display to prevent heresy.”
The guards did not dare to disobey the order, took off Du Yuanxi's crown, tied him up with a rope, and escorted him out of the Meridian Gate. When they reached the Nine Dragons Bridge, Uncle Mei saw them and shouted,""Leave him alive." "Your Majesty," he reported,"I, Uncle Mei, would like to ask Du Yuanxi what he has done to offend the law of the land, and that he should be sentenced to death.”
King Zhou replied," Du Yuanxi and Yun Zhongzi, the alchemist, conspired to spread rumors, confuse the army and the people, corrupt the court, and disrupt the government. According to the law, they should be killed. There is no pardon for their crimes."”
Mabel went all out and said righteously,"Ever since King Yao of the Shang Dynasty ruled the world, he was able to obey the heavens and obey the people. He listened to the civil officials and the generals. Every day, they discussed the methods of governing the country and pacifying the people. However, when His Majesty was in power, why did he go against the trend, be dissolute, ignore the government, listen to calumny, and not tolerate remonstrants? Your Majesty, have you not heard of the saying that the monarch is upright and the minister is evil? Du Yuanxi is a loyal and upright person who can govern the world. Killing him will damage the country's beam and hurt people's hearts. I beg Your Majesty to pardon Du Yuanxi's crimes and set the record straight.”
King Zhou was furious." Uncle Mei, you're so good. You colluded with Du Yuanxi to mess up the court." He also broke the law and entered the palace, regardless of whether he was inside or outside. He should have been guilty of the same crime as Du Yuanxi. Seeing that you have served me well, he will be pardoned for the time being, cut off his position as a doctor, driven out of Chaoge, and never employed again.”
Uncle Mei was not afraid of violence. He pointed at King Zhou and said,"The fatuous ruler listened to Su Daji's words and refused to come to his senses. By killing Du Yuanxi today, His Majesty had actually cut off the hearts of the people of Zhaoge who were leading the charge and worshipping the imperial court. The position of a mere doctor is as light as dust. What is there to pity? It was a pity that the hundreds of years of foundation would be lost in the hands of a fatuous ruler. Seeing that disaster has fallen and the world is in chaos, I can't meet the late emperor in the underworld.”
King Zhou flew into a rage and ordered the imperial officer,"Take Mabel down and smash his head with a golden melon.”
Prime Minister Bi Gan went up to stop him. The ministers also knelt down and begged for mercy. King Zhou was indifferent. The guards on both sides were about to take action. At this critical moment, Su Daji requested to postpone the execution and meet the king.
Hearing that it was Concubine Su who summoned him, King Zhou immediately beamed with joy. Now, he regarded Su Daji as a treasure and obeyed her every word. He immediately left the Golden Palace and went straight to the Longevity Immortal Palace. Seeing the beauty smiling obsequiously, he asked,""Beloved Consort, why did you call me here?”
Nine-Tailed Fox walked up flirtatiously. Her breasts were soft and delicate, and she was flirting with her eyes. She danced coquettishly and said coquettishly,"ChenQie heard that the treacherous official and thief in the Golden Palace was arrogant and spoke words that hurt the monarch. There must be someone supporting him from behind. Beheading with a knife was not enough to deter the rebellious minister. In troubled times, they had to be afraid from the bottom of their hearts and live in fear all day long. Only then could the Emperor's country be as stable as Mount Tai and as firm as a rock.”
King Zhou was overjoyed and said," Beauty, you know what I'm thinking. Tell me, what method do you have to punish the wicked?"”
Nine-Tailed Fox giggled and replied," I have a plan. I will set up an execution platform above the Golden Hall and place instruments of torture on it. I will make those rebellious people tremble with fear when they see it and suffer a pain that is worse than death." It can get rid of evil and correct the right path, and it can also deter evil people, killing two birds with one stone.”
"How is this punishment?" King Zhou asked with interest.”
"This torture tool is not troublesome to make. The copper plate is cast into a cylinder, two feet high, eight feet round, and hollow inside. The red copper wall is burned with charcoal fire, and the official clothes of the heresy, lawless, arrogant, and slanderous person are stripped off. They are tied to the copper pillar with iron chains. Under the intense fire, their limbs and bones are instantly roasted into ashes. This punishment is called 'cannon bring'.”
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