Chapter 15 Re-entering the Palace
That day.
Two interesting things happened in the capital of Dayu.
First, Zhao Duan, the empress's face, quietly visited the Ministry of Punishment and left about two-quarters of an hour later.
It is said that he looked unhappy when he left, and some green-robed officials laughed and gave out gifts.
Secondly, at today's Xiaochao meeting, several prominent officials, led by Lu Liang, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, jointly submitted a letter to impeach Zhao Duan, the emissary of the White Horse Supervisor.
He was said to be lawless and notorious, and he was suspected of colluding with the rebel leader.
He demanded that he be stripped of his official status and thrown into imperial prison in order to straighten the government.
Empress Xu Zhenguan did not comment, saying that she would personally interrogate him later, and if what he reported was true, he should be punished.
For a time, the gossip spread wildly. After all, it involved the emperor's "family affairs", which always attracted attention.
In particular, the protagonist of the incident is still a notorious pretty boy, and he is very topical.
In just half a day, many versions of this matter emerged.
The ambiguous attitude of the empress, as well as the support of many courtiers, were interpreted by many officialdom veterans as indicating that Zhao Duan might have fallen out of favor and was about to fall.
For a time, countless people gloated.
There is a sense of exhilaration and satisfaction that the evil thief in the play is about to be killed.
Being tickled until you feel better belongs to...
…
White Horse Prison, in a certain duty room.
Zhang Changshuo confirmed again:
"So, the people from the Ministry of Punishment didn't agree or refuse, they just said they would make arrangements?"
A confidant reports:
"Yes. Presumably the Punishment Department also heard the news, so they delayed it for a while, hoping to wait until the dust settled before deciding on the situation."
The implication is that if Zhao Duan still favors him, he will give him face, but if he falls... he will pretend that nothing happens.
Zhang Changshuo sneered: "It's just a bunch of old foxes. Since the Zhao thief has intervened, that's enough. He was bribed on the front foot and interfered with the Ministry of Criminal Justice... With the 'witness' of Ning'an County, add Are you afraid that he will not die despite the turbulent situation in the court?"
A confidant asked: "How are you prepared, sir?"
Zhang Changshuo put away the scroll on the table, thought for a moment, and decided to play it safe.
The most taboo in official circles is to report reports beyond the level. Zhao Duan was arrogant and would not give face to the supervisor, but he would not.
What's more, Zhao Gou has offended the supervisor many times, and the two sides have long had a quarrel. This can be considered as reciprocating the favor.
Thinking of this, he went straight to the back office with the evidence, found the old eunuch, and reported the matter.
"So, you are accusing Zhao Duan of accepting bribes and interfering with justice?" The old supervisor's eyes were strange.
"Yes," Zhang Changshuo looked like a gentleman and bowed: "I sincerely request your Majesty to pull out the moth!"
The old supervisor, who had gray hair on his temples and deep eye sockets, was silent for a moment and said:
"We have just received a message from the palace. Tomorrow morning, His Majesty will summon Zhao Duan, Ma Dugong, Lu Yushi and others to confront each other. Since you have this intention, take the evidence and enter the palace with him. "
Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed and said goodbye.
After everyone left, only the old eunuch was left sitting in the empty hall.
Looking at the plantains wet in the misty rain in the courtyard, I sighed deeply.
In his opinion, even if Zhao Duan does not die after tomorrow, he may end up miserable.
"Friends in the officialdom may not help you, but your enemies will definitely harm you... When the wall falls, everyone will push you."
…
evening.
Zhao Duan received the summons to enter the palace tomorrow. According to the yamen clerk, Zhao Duan showed no expression at all during the whole process.
…
That night.
Zhao Duan fell out of favor and news of his imminent downfall spread like wildfire, from the temple circles to the marketplace.
According to rumors, the main force behind this impeachment, the censor "Lu Liang", was an official from the Xiangguo faction.
It means the country.
Rumors are always spread in the form that best suits the expectations of the general public.
Too many people hate Zhao Duan, so people in the entire capital are only willing to believe the version of the story that he will fall. For a time, there was a huge uproar and the city was full of storm.
Zhao Duan, who was in the center of the storm, just hid in the inn and slept quietly, preparing to face tomorrow's "tribulation" in the best mental state.
…
The next day, early morning.
When Zhao Duan, who was wearing official robes and handsome, walked out of the inn, he saw the loser Zhu Kui waiting beside the carriage.
"Sir..." Zhu Kui opened his mouth.
Zhao Duan waved his hand and said with a smile: "Thank you for sending me to the palace. What happens after that has nothing to do with you."
Zhu Kui received the tone of his envoy that was different from the past, and his expression was complicated.
At this moment, he had vaguely guessed that the empress might not have pardoned Zhao Duan. What the other party claimed before was probably mixed with a lot of water.
The two days of running around and a series of operations were more like the struggle of a drowning person.
He might have been deceived... He thought he would be angry, or gloating, or uneasy... but he wasn't.
In the past two days, what he saw and heard following Zhao Duan made this elderly official's impression of him quietly change drastically.
Although he was a little ashamed, he actually felt a little "admiration" for Zhao Duan!
Somewhat absurd! ridiculous!
As an old official who has climbed up from the bottom step by step, he should have hated it the most and looked down on such a pretty boy who has so much wealth but is so miserable.
In the past year, he had cursed Zhao Duan countless times behind his slave's back.
In the afternoon the day before yesterday, I had thought about whether I should switch sides to Zhang Changshuo before the ship named Zhao sank.
Such a self would actually admire him!
But this emotion is so real!
Zhu Kui was thinking, if he and Zhao Duan exchanged identities, would he be able to be as calm as the other person in the face of such a crisis, and use the power of a fox to stabilize the people around him?
Can we calculate step by step and try to make a comeback?
Can you face the whole capital's gloating and still look calm?
He asked himself that he couldn't do it, so he admired it.
"Your Majesty..." Zhu Kui opened his mouth and finally asked:
"Are you sure?"
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, then laughed, patted his shoulder, stepped into the car, and only left one sentence:
"Let's go."
The carriage rolls.
When they arrived outside the imperial city, they saw carriages and horses waiting in front.
"Zhao Duan, I thought you ran away and didn't dare to enter the palace."
Zhang Changshuo opened the car curtain and walked out.
He was also wearing an official robe today, with powder on his face, a neatly trimmed mustache, and a sachet hanging from his waist.
Zhao Duan got out of the car and frowned:
"Why are you here?"
Zhang Changshuo looked proud and said with a smile:
"Why, you are only allowed to see His Majesty, but I am not allowed to see you for anything?"
Zhao Duan looked like a clown, with a calm expression on his face:
"Then let's go into the palace together."
... Zhang Changshuo was choked up after he had prepared a lot of words.
Zhao Duan's reaction was much calmer than expected, but he had already inquired clearly and knew that Zhao Gou was in trouble today, so in a daze, he just rolled his sleeves and snorted: "Pretending!"
Cars and horses from the imperial court and the Metropolitan Procuratorate were parked outside the palace gate. The other two parties opposing the impeachment seemed to have entered one step ahead of schedule.
After Zhao Duan asked the guards at the palace gate to report, he waited patiently for two quarters of an hour before the guards left and returned: "Your Majesty allows the two envoys to have an audience with you."
Zhang Changshuo raised his chest and raised his head, secretly grasping the scroll in his sleeve——
The empress Xu Zhenguan was a powerful person and was not afraid of assassination. Therefore, there was no body search when the courtiers came to see her.
Zhao Duan took a deep breath, looked up at the deep doorway behind the city gate, and pursed his lips.
Success or failure depends on this.
…
Transition chapter, please vote on Monday
Thank you Li Shipu for the 500 reward!
(End of this chapter)