Chapter 4 The pillow will be delivered to your door by itself
Congratulations.
This is a congratulatory message, but when placed here, the intention of gloating about others' misfortune is extremely obvious.
Zhao Duan looked coldly, looking at the young man occupying the magpie's nest in the hall, and the other person's information came to mind:
Zhang Changshuo, who is also the envoy of the White Horse Supervisor, is his mortal enemy.
He came from a scholarly family and was a famous talent in the capital with a great reputation. However, in the memory of the original owner, he was a sanctimonious hypocrite.
The reason why the two became enemies was that Zhang Changshuo had coveted the empress for a long time. When the latter ascended the throne, he wrote poems and sung her praises.
Because of her good looks and talents, she was once praised by the Empress for her poems and articles, so many people thought that she was very likely to become the Empress' "guest". However, they did not expect that Zhao Duan, who was a soldier in the Forbidden Army, would win her love.
Zhang Changshuo did not give up. He was always hostile to the original owner and wanted to replace him.
Two words can vividly summarize the relationship between the two:
Love rival!
"Sir, Commander Zhang just came over and said that he would wait for you to come back. I have no choice but to..."
In the hall, Zhu Kui, who had a dark complexion and a fleshy face, hurriedly explained.
Zhang Changshuo looked regretful:
"I heard that brother Zhao Xian accidentally let the big fish go when he was hunting for those who rebelled against the party, and was injured. Brother Yu hurriedly came to visit and was relieved to see that brother Xian was fine."
You're just kidding, right... Zhao Duan Shiran sat down at the main seat and said calmly:
"Working for a saint, being a little disabled is not worth mentioning."
Zhang Changshuo said "Oh" and said: "It's just that now that my dear brother has caused trouble, I'm afraid that the gang of kings of hell with swords in Zhaoya will not let you go easily."
Zhao Duan took the tea cup from his subordinate and said calmly: "Indeed, when I came out of the palace, I caught a glimpse of those people from a distance. I must have wanted to file a complaint."
Immediately, he spoke sarcastically:
"However, the saint is weak, but he may not want to see them."
Zhang Changshuo's proud expression condensed:
"You went to see the saint? What did your majesty say?"
Zhao Duan took a sip of tea and then pointed out:
"Your Majesty only became tired after seeing me."
The most brilliant lie is when every sentence is true, but when combined together, it reveals false facts.
Damn, what did you do to her? !
Zhang Changshuo's breath tightened, his eyes turned green, and his gloating joy was replaced by anger.
But soon, his expression softened and he sneered: "It depends on how you end up using your words."
After saying that, he stood up and walked away in a hurry.
He suspected that Zhao Duan was lying to him, but there was no evidence, so he was going to send someone to investigate immediately.
…
Watching his love rival leave, Zhu Kui, who was dressed in official uniform, squeezed out a flattering smile and praised: "I have known for a long time that I have already known that with the relationship between your Majesty and Your Majesty, nothing will happen. It's ridiculous that this villain surnamed Zhang is from Take it for granted."
Hey, are you here to show your loyalty now? If I were to fall, I'm afraid you would just be a loser... Zhao Duan slandered, not thinking that the original owner would have any loyal subordinates with his despicable personality.
He smiled and sighed deliberately:
"Your Majesty is merciful, but the people in the court who want to kill me are not good people. They must be given an explanation."
Zhu Kui was startled, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said:
"Looking for a scapegoat?"
Then he showed a sinister expression:
"Don't worry, my lord, I'll leave this matter to a humble official, and it will be done flawlessly."
...Zhao Duan couldn't see this villain's style, and said in a deep voice: "Stupid! Do you think the people in the imperial office are blind? Or is it that the civil and military forces of the dynasty are anti-intellectual? Your Majesty has his own arrangements."
He is pulling off the tiger's skin and making a big flag.
If you want to survive in death, you have to rely on these subordinates.
Therefore, people's hearts must be stabilized first, so that Zhu Kui and others feel that he will not fall, and then they will serve him loyally.
But it won't be long before the Empress' ambiguous attitude spreads.
Therefore, Zhao Duan's words were a precaution in advance.
In this way, even if an accident occurs, Zhu Kui and others will only think that this is "the empress' plan" and will not think too much about it.
"How is the female gangster named 'Yun Niang' doing now?" Zhao Duan asked.
When the old master Zhuang Xiaocheng ran away, he failed to take away his fainting female apprentice. Before Zhao Duan entered the palace, he ordered Zhu Kui to imprison him.
Zhu Kui said:
"My humble position took this person to the government prison, but her soul was affected by the spell and she didn't wake up for a while. Sir, do you want to see her?"
Zhao Duan waved his hand: "There's no rush. But remember, don't let others carry it away."
Zhu Kui said confidently:
"Don't worry, sir. We are under the direct control of the government office. Those people in the imperial office must not overstep their authority and steal people from us."
He was originally working as an errand in the government office. He was a veteran official with many years of experience, and he had a clear understanding of the power of each government office.
Zhao Duan said "Yes", and a sword-wielding girl in a ruined temple in the bamboo forest appeared in front of him, with a righteous look on his face and vowed to die with him, the evil villain.
This is his clue to track down the traitor, and he must hold it firmly in his hands.
But judging from its performance, it must be a tough nut to crack. It may be difficult to achieve substantial gains in a short period of time, not to mention that it is still fainting.
He needs a more reliable opportunity to make meritorious deeds.
"That's right," Zhu Kui suddenly remembered something and took out a letter from his arms:
"I almost forgot that after I returned to the Yamen from my humble post, I received a letter from the servant of Ning'an County Prince's Mansion. It is for you."
Ning'an County?
In Zhao Duan's mind, the remaining memories belonging to the original owner suddenly emerged:
It was rumored that the original owner was the empress's male favorite, and after his status soared, all the yamen in the capital wanted to sell him some face, for fear of offending the empress's lover.
Interested people began to come to the door one after another, offering bribes and asking the original owner to help with the matter.
The original owner was cautious at first, but he was given too much... and gradually began to sell his power and make a lot of money.
The son of Ning'an County is a hereditary "viscount" of the Yu Kingdom. He works as a "broker" in the capital, introducing "business" to others and taking a commission from it.
Not long ago, Ning'an County came to find the original owner.
It was said that someone was willing to spend money to ask the original owner to help rescue a man who had committed a crime and was now being held in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. The local official who was born in the Jiangnan gentry was exempted from guilt.
The arrogant and arrogant original owner readily agreed, but because he was focused on arresting the rebels, he delayed it and did not let anyone do it. Now that many days have passed, I must have...
"It's stabbed." Zhao Duan tore off the paint, shook off the letter, and glanced at it.
As expected, it was Ning'an county magistrate who was impatient and invited him to a banquet tonight, urging him offline.
It's the Jiangnan nobles again...someone gave him a pillow when he fell asleep...Zhao Duan's lips curled up.
It seems that the mess left by the original owner is not all a trap. No, the opportunity to make meritorious deeds will come to you.
It's extremely difficult and dangerous for an upright person to do something good, but if a villain wants to do something good, it can't be easier than selling a teammate to sacrifice.
"Prepare the car, I have to go out later."
Zhao Duan looked at the sunset and twilight stained by the green flowers and trees outside the hall, like blood.
After thinking for a while, he added: "Find two reliable subordinates, and tonight..."
…
…
Later.
In another duty room in the yamen, Zhang Changshuo sat on a large sandalwood chair, holding a folding fan, listening to reports from officials.
"So, it was the prime minister discussing state affairs with the saint? Did Zhao wait for a long time? Then he reluctantly met the saint for a while? The censors from the Metropolitan Procuratorate are already gearing up, writing notes and preparing to attack Zhao Gouqun?"
Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed, flicked his folding fan, and sneered: "It's really a bluff!"
Although the empress did not immediately send people to arrest Zhao Duan, she obviously did not show a posture of protecting him.
"It must be a dog wagging its tail to beg for mercy, and His Majesty was unable to make a decision for a while. However, after this incident, the number of holy family members will definitely be greatly reduced, coupled with the impeachment of the temple..."
Zhang Changshuo paced excitedly, his eyes flashing, realizing that this was a God-given opportunity to destroy Zhao Duan.
"What's going on over there in Ning'an County?" he asked.
The official below reported: "Zhao Duan has ordered the car to be prepared. He must be going to a banquet."
"Okay!" Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed.
In order to defeat Zhao Duan, he has been keen on collecting dirt on the other party. Unfortunately, although Zhao Duan is notorious, the things he has committed are not serious enough.
Not enough to deliver a fatal blow.
Not long ago, he learned that Ning'an County Prince was suspected of having contact with Zhao Duan, so he sent someone to keep an eye on him.
Unfortunately, no evidence of the transaction between the two was obtained. The two parties met again today. If we could get the irrefutable evidence of Zhao Duan's corruption and violation of the law and send it to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, it would be the last straw for Zhao Gou.
Zhang Changshuo: "Give me the order to find two reliable subordinates. Tonight..."
(End of chapter)