Chapter 14 Although the rain is broad, it does not moisten the grass without roots.
As a "chess piece" that is about to give up, how to find a way out of the situation?
Zhao Duan has never counted on the kindness or luck of big shots. All he can rely on is to maximize the use of existing intelligence and means to complete this comeback.
When entering the palace yesterday, the empress happened to be discussing with the Prime Minister, and then learned about the subsequent changes in the strategy of "changing rice into mulberry".
Zhao Duan drew two key pieces of information from this:
First, there is an ongoing game between the empress and the party composed of the "Jiangnan gentry" represented by Li Yanfu.
Li Dang first promoted the "pilot" in Huai River. After the failure, Li Yanfu proposed the method of "reform and relief" through the mouth of a member of the Hanlin Academy.
In fact, they are using state affairs to gain benefits for the interest groups behind them.
Second, the empress knew this very well and had been suppressing the Li Party since she ascended the throne.
Then the question is very clear, how to please the leader?
The old official Zhu Kui said it very clearly: think about what the leader thinks and worry about what the leader is anxious about.
Therefore, Zhao Duan realized from the very beginning that the key to his "criminal meritorious service" was not the "big or small" of his credit, but whether the empress urgently needed this credit!
The price of goods is determined by the relationship between supply and demand... This is a concept that Zhao Duan was very familiar with when he was studying.
Therefore, when he later saw the invitation letter from Ning'an County Prince in Baima Prison and noticed that the official detained in the Ministry of Punishment he wanted to rescue was from a "Jiangnan noble family", he realized that this was an opportunity.
Just connect this bribery case with Li Yanfu.
Then, it is an excuse enough to criticize the Prime Minister and thus beat Li Dang.
And the Empress would probably like this excuse very much.
Of course, this plan is not perfect, because the original owner lacks understanding of the court, and many of Zhao Duan's judgments can only rely on guesswork and experience in previous lives.
But he didn’t have time to make the “perfect” plan!
I can only take a gamble!
……
"Your Majesty... are you joking?"
In the awning boat, Feng Juru was hit hard, his face turned pale in an instant, and he felt as if there were countless steel needles piercing his spine.
he? Report on the current prime minister? Crazy?
Even in his most absurd dreams, he wouldn't dare to think about this scenario.
Zhao Duan said calmly: "Master Feng, are you afraid?"
Nonsense... You want me to die for offending the Prime Minister. Who can not be afraid? ...Feng Ju shook his head and said:
"It's not that I'm afraid. In fact, this matter has nothing to do with the Prime Minister. Who would believe it?"
Zhao Duan asked back:
"Doesn't it matter? Chief Feng is of the same age as the man in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Isn't he a scholar from Jiangnan?"
Feng Ju hurriedly clarified the relationship: "Jiangnan has a strong academic culture, and many officials in the DPRK are from the south, but I am not from the prime minister's country."
He is really unjust. The division of political parties in the court is not based on region. How can we fire a map cannon and delineate the composition?
"But others may not think so," Zhao Duan said matter-of-factly: "We are both descendants of the Jiangnan clan and officials in the same dynasty. If we commit a crime, it is reasonable to seek help from the Prime Minister, right?"
He continued:
"But with his status as Prime Minister, how can he get his hands dirty for such a trivial matter? He doesn't even bother to meet you in person. He can at most explain to his subordinates or help you show the way. It's reasonable, right?"
Zhao Duan said again: "You were instructed to bribe me through Wang Xian. I am your Majesty's man and have nothing to do with the Prime Minister on the surface. It is the safest and safest way for me to handle the matter. Is this reasonable?"
Feng Ju was stunned.
Three "very reasonable" people directly made up an unfounded script.
He looked ugly and said coldly:
"Your Majesty is forcing me to bite and frame the Prime Minister... Aren't you going to put me to death?
If I don't obey you, if you find out about my bribery, according to the law, the most I can do is get rid of this official position. Go back to your hometown to retire early.
But if I bite Mr. Xiangguo... Xiangguo's golden body will be stained with a little dust at most, and I'm afraid I will die without a burial place! "
He felt a little ridiculous.
Could it be that this pretty girl under the empress' skirt naively thought that she could coerce herself if she had the handle?
Is it difficult to choose between losing your official position or losing your life?
"Is this what Chief Feng thinks?" Zhao Duan pretended to be disappointed:
"I thought you were a smart person."
"What do you mean?" Feng Ju frowned.
Zhao Duan said calmly: "So, you think that I bit Li Yanfu inexplicably to exonerate myself?"
"this……"
Feng Ju was speechless. This was indeed illogical.
In the shock and anger just now, Zhao Duan did not think deeply. There is no reason for Zhao Duan to be an enemy of the Prime Minister.
Even if the attack is successful, the prime minister will be beaten once or twice at most, and he also offends a big shot. The man named Zhao has the support of the empress. Even if he wants to find an excuse to absolve himself, there is no reason to point the finger at Li Yanfu.
Unless... "Oh, Master Feng, don't forget," Zhao Duan saw the change in his face and quietly added the most crucial blow:
"Who is standing behind me?"
boom!
Thunder exploded in Feng Ju’s mind, and at this moment, he suddenly realized.
Zhao Duan is the Empress's dog. If he comes out to bite the Prime Minister, he must represent the Empress' will behind it.
Yes!
Since the empress ascended the throne, she has repeatedly weakened the Li Party. This matter is not a secret. Not long ago, there were rumors that the Li Party was fighting against the imperial power...
In the morning, he was at the Yamen and heard that a censor from the Li Party formed a group to impeach Zhao Duan...
It all made sense.
The Empress was repeatedly checked and balanced by the Prime Minister. This time, even the person beside her was attacked... Thinking from his perspective, it was reasonable for the Empress to be angry.
The struggle in the temple is a bloodless battle, and everything must be done according to rules.
Even the emperor cannot act arbitrarily. If he wants to defeat the prime minister, he must have a reason...
"ton!"
Feng Ju swallowed hard, his mouth was dry, and he realized that he was involved in the whirlpool of the temple struggle.
"Rub your throat, sir?" Zhao Duan pushed over a cup of tea.
Feng Ju subconsciously took a sip, and then said with an uneasy expression: "Your Majesty... So, is this your Majesty's intention?"
Zhao Duan showed displeasure and said in a deep voice: "Be careful what you say! What does this matter have to do with Your Majesty? Don't say anything nonsense!"
The original words are returned.
Feng Ju understood it from his heart. He understood this. How could His Majesty follow the truth?
But Zhao Duan's attitude seemed to be acknowledging it.
Zhao Duan struck while the iron was hot:
"So, Mr. Feng must think clearly about which side to stand on. If you are willing to share the worries for His Majesty, Your Majesty will not treat his own people badly, but if you are stubborn..."
"Ha," he chuckled and said meaningfully: "Although the rain is broad, it does not moisten the grass without roots."
He stood up gently and patted Feng Ju on the shoulder:
"How to choose is up to you to think about."
After saying that, he walked outside the awning, drizzle fell one after another, and the smoke and willow trees on both sides of the Hun River were hazy, which was poetic and picturesque.
Behind him, Feng Ju sat blankly in the cabin. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and made a decision.
He stood up and picked up the oil-paper umbrella in the cabin, held it above Zhao Duan's head, lowered his head like a servant and whispered:
"I wish to serve your Majesty..."
"kindness?"
"Oh, this matter has nothing to do with Your Majesty. I am willing to do my best to help you."
The corners of Zhao Duan's mouth curled up slightly, and the clenched fists hidden in his sleeves unclenched.
The key "evidence" for the comeback was finally... obtained.
…
…
Not long after.
When Zhao Duan returned to the shore, got into the carriage, and saw Feng Ju's carriage gradually moving away through the curtain.
Zhu Kui, who was driving, wiped the rain off his face and said in a low voice:
"Sir, where should we go next?"
He could no longer see through his own envoy's operations.
But judging from Feng Ju's transformation from being arrogant to being respectful later, for some reason, Zhao Duan, who was originally a shallow and playboy, became more and more unfathomable.
"Next," Zhao Duan lowered the car curtains, assessed the time he had left, and said:
"Go to the Criminal Department."
According to the original plan, he only needed to use the power of a fox to instigate Feng Ju to act as a "tainted witness", and then he would be successful.
But since there is still time, we might as well trick a few more people in at once.
Zhao Duanke still remembered that there was a "love rival" Zhang Changshuo watching from the dark side.
"Since you want to deal with me, there's no reason not to reciprocate."
Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes and decided to teach Zhang Changshuo an unforgettable lesson.
(End of chapter)