bookcurios Chapter 163 Rabbit Meat Pie
Chapter 163 Rabbit Meat Pie
A few days later, the sunlight shone through the glazed windows of the Longde Hall, onto the golden brick floor inside the hall, casting mottled light and shadows.
Emperor Xin was wearing a dragon robe and sitting upright on the dragon throne, with a solemn and contemplative look on his face.
Today, he summoned several important officials of the Shang Dynasty - Luo Shu, Wen Zhong, Bigan and Shang Rong, to discuss an important issue together.
Following a steady sound of footsteps, Luo Shu and others walked into the hall one after another.
They were dressed in casual clothes and looked solemn, and each of them bowed before Emperor Xin.
Emperor Xin nodded slightly, his eyes swept over several people one by one, finally stopping at Luo Shu, and slowly spoke:
"My dear ministers, I have summoned you here today to discuss with you the issue of how to deal with Xibo Hou Jichang."
Emperor Xin's voice was deep and powerful, revealing a hint of unquestionable majesty.
Luo Shu took a step forward and nodded slightly, with a look of calmness and composure on his face.
He spoke slowly, his voice flowing like a clear spring in a mountain stream, flowing in Longde Hall:
"Your Majesty, I said a few days ago that we can just send Xibohou Jichang back to Xiqi. After all, his son Bo Yikao has taken the punishment for his father."
In the solemn atmosphere of Longde Hall, the tacit understanding between Emperor Xin and Luo Shu is self-evident.
They had discussed the matter of Bo Yikao and Ji Chang in detail in private and reached a consensus.
However, this public discussion was just a formality to let everyone know the reason why Ji Chang returned to Xiqi.
Emperor Xin nodded slightly, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"What the Imperial Master said is absolutely right. Do you have any other suggestions, my dear ministers?" Emperor Xin asked in a deep voice.
Grand Tutor Wen Zhong has already learned the whole story from his senior brother Luo Shu.
He was well aware of the importance of the matter and the deep meaning behind Emperor Xin and Luo Shu's decision, so he chose to remain silent and did not express any opinions or suggestions.
Wen Zhong stood aside, quietly observing the situation in the hall, his eyes revealing a calm look.
Prime Minister Shang Rong also knew the reason, so he stood quietly aside without saying much.
However, Uncle Wang Bigan did not know the details of the matter.
He took a step forward, nodded slightly, and then asked doubtfully:
"Your Majesty, I wonder how Bo Yikao took the blame for his father? Was he imprisoned like Ji Chang?"
Emperor Xin shook his head slightly and replied:
"Uncle Wang, Bo Yikao was not imprisoned. Instead, he pleaded guilty on behalf of his father and hanged himself."
"Therefore, I decided to send Ji Chang back to Xiqi to show the tolerance and magnanimity of the Shang Dynasty."
Bigan was shocked when he heard this. He stared wide-eyed and could hardly believe his ears. He muttered to himself:
"He committed suicide... How... How is this possible?"
Emperor Xin looked at his uncle Bigan and said affirmatively:
"Uncle Wang, Bo Yikao has a pure heart and is filial. That is why I decided to release Ji Chang and not hold him accountable for shielding Su Hu."
He paused for a moment and continued:
"However, after Ji Chang returns to Xiqi, he must still send Jizhou Marquis Su Hu back to Chaoge. Otherwise, I will still hold him accountable."
Upon hearing this, Bigan nodded slightly, and after pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke:
"Your Majesty is wise. I hope that Xibohou can deeply appreciate your tolerance and benevolence, and from now on abide by his duties, be loyal to the king and love his country."
Emperor Xin nodded, his eyes deep:
"Uncle Wang is right. As the Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang should understand his responsibilities and obligations."
"I released him in the hope that he could reform himself, not to condone his mistakes."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded to express their approval of Emperor Xin's decision.
After a moment, Emperor Xin's eyes swept over the people in the center of the hall, and his voice echoed in the empty hall, sounding particularly solemn and majestic:
"In that case, my dear ministers, who is willing to go to Youli and personally inform Xibo Hou Jichang of this matter?"
At this moment, Luo Shu moved, took a step forward, nodded slightly, and saluted Emperor Xin.
His voice was gentle but firm, with a subtle hint of meaning:
"Your Majesty, I will let you know this matter. I have a few words to discuss with you."
When Emperor Xin saw this, his eyes narrowed slightly. He felt that the Imperial Master Luo Shu seemed to want to "make trouble".
So, Emperor Xin took a deep breath, tried to calm his inner fluctuations, and said bluntly:
"Okay, in that case, I'll have to trouble the Imperial Master. I believe in the Imperial Master's wisdom and judgment, and will be able to handle this matter properly."
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled and said loudly:
"Don't worry, my king. I know what's going on."
Then, Emperor Xin nodded and waved his hand to signal Wen Zhong and others to leave first.
Wen Zhong and others accepted the order, bowed and saluted, then slowly left the hall.
Only Luo Shu and Di Xin were left in the hall, and the atmosphere suddenly became solemn and dignified.
Emperor Xin leaned forward slightly, his eyes as sharp as torches, staring directly into Luo Shu's deep eyes.
Doubts and curiosity were intertwined in his heart, and his tone was solemn:
"Master, what are your plans for going to Youli in person to meet with Xibohou Jichang?"
Luo Shu smiled slightly, and that smile seemed to contain endless wisdom and strategy.
There was a cunning light in his eyes, and he flicked his sleeves lightly, as if to take away the tense atmosphere in the entire hall:
"Your Majesty, I have my own plans. Although Xibohou Jichang appears to be righteous on the surface, he is actually a scheming person. This time I am going there to give him a 'big gift'."
When Emperor Xin heard this, a hint of surprise and curiosity flashed in his eyes.
He knew very well that Luo Shu never acted according to common sense, so this "gift" must be extraordinary.
So, Emperor Xin couldn't help but ask:
"Master, what kind of 'gift' have you prepared? Can I have a sneak peek?"
Luo Shu shook his head slightly, with that mysterious smile still on his face:
"Your Majesty, please keep this matter secret for now. When I return, I will send someone to tell you in detail."
"However, I can guarantee that this 'gift' will definitely make Xibohou Jichang lose his mind."
Emperor Xin saw Luo Shu's firm attitude and knew that it would be useless to ask further.
He nodded deeply and said helplessly:
"Well, in that case, I will wait for good news."
Luo Shu nodded slightly and said slowly:
"Don't worry, my king. I will go to Youli after making some preparations."
"Okay, Imperial Master, please do as you please!" Emperor Xin replied.
Luo Shu nodded again, turned and walked out of the hall.
……
After a long time, a streak of light flashed, and Luo Shu arrived at the place where Ji Chang was imprisoned - Youli.
As the jailer's footsteps got closer, Luo Shu was led to the cell where Ji Chang was imprisoned.
The cell came into view, looking dilapidated, as if the traces of time were engraved on the cold stone wall.
The prison door was closed tightly, covered with mottled marks, as if telling of endless vicissitudes and loneliness.
Luo Shu stared at the faint light coming through the gap in the prison door. His eyes penetrated the darkness and saw Ji Chang deep in the cell.
Ji Chang curled up in the corner, his figure looking so helpless and desolate under the dim candlelight.
Compared with the first time Luo Shu met him, Ji Chang at this moment was completely different.
Luo Shu took a deep breath, turned around and said to the jailer:
"Open the cell door and I'll go in and talk to him."
Upon hearing this, the jailer nodded and quickly took out the rusty key from his waist and carefully inserted it into the keyhole.
"Crack!!!"
With a slight sound, the cell door slowly opened, making a dull friction sound.
Luo Shu walked into the cell, and the dim light in the cell barely illuminated Ji Chang's haggard face.
He walked up to Ji Chang, squatted down, looked directly into Ji Chang's eyes, and said in a low and powerful voice:
"Lord Xibo, I am here on the orders of the King to inform you."
Luo Shu paused, took a deep breath, and continued:
"The king has decided that you can return to your fiefdom, Xiqi."
There was a gleam of disbelief in Ji Chang's eyes, as if he saw a ray of light from the endless darkness.
His voice trembled and he spoke with difficulty:
"Is this...is this true? Can I really...can I go back?"
Luo Shu nodded and said softly:
"It is absolutely true. Your Majesty is not kidding. The King has issued an order to release you from captivity."
“Also, considering that you haven’t eaten for a long time, I specially prepared some rabbit meat patties for you.
As he spoke, Luo Shu took out a package from his sleeve and slowly opened it, revealing a few fragrant rabbit meat patties.
He handed it to Ji Chang and said with a smile:
"These rabbit meat patties are made by me. Although they are simple, they can temporarily relieve your hunger."
"After you have eaten, you can leave this cell and start your journey back to Xiqi."
Ji Chang looked at the rabbit meat pie in front of him, tears glistening in his eyes.
He took the cake and took a bite carefully, as if he was tasting the most delicious food in the world.