Chapter 154 Zhao Duan: Your Majesty, I want to enter...
At noon, as the major yamen in the capital dispersed, classes in the academies dispersed.
In teahouses and restaurants, the explosive news about today's "Trial of the Three Divisions" began to spread wildly in official circles and circles of scholars.
"Everyone, you will never imagine what happened during today's trial!"
As soon as an official who had watched from outside the hall and witnessed the whole process sat down, he started to talk to his colleagues and friends about what he had witnessed.
Not surprisingly, almost everyone was shocked.
"What? Zhao Duan produced evidence in court that Zhou Tingwei conspired to kill him? And he was acquitted?"
"So, he really didn't touch the singer? This..."
This result obviously far exceeded people's stereotype of Zhao Duan.
In Dayu's officialdom and literary circles, prostitution was common.
Different from the "personal style issue" of later generations, in Dayu, this was a romantic affair.
But Zhao Duan actually maintained his "innocence"... unbelievable.
And if we say, the above news is just gossip.
Then, the news that Zhao Duan accused Zhou Cheng in court and reversed the past thirteen years was like a bomb exploding in deep water.
"Bang!" A scholar slapped the table and stood up with an excited expression: "The death of Xue Shaoqing in the past was already strange, but I didn't expect that it was the national thief named Zhou who deceived the king and killed an important minister in vain! Wow, what a pity, today the injustice is finally over. !”
As he spoke, his eyes turned red. Someone recognized him as a scribe who was close to Xue Lin.
Xue Lin originally became a disciple of Grand Master Dong and was quite famous in the circle of scholars.
Now that the verdict has been overturned, many "elderly people" who have experienced what happened back then have immediately spoken out.
"That Zhou Cheng was greedy and had a bad reputation for a long time. As I said before, God is watching when people do what they do." Someone said it in hindsight.
"It was the thief Zhao who cleared Xue Shaoqing's name..."
Some people could not accept that Zhao Duan, who was usually reviled and shameless, did such a righteous thing.
However, as more details were revealed, everyone realized that Zhao Duan was not doing it for "justice" at all. Xue Lin's case was purely a tool for him to use for revenge.
"It's really scary. I've heard long ago that Ambassador Zhao is extremely vindictive. Anyone who has offended him will be punished... The brothers of the Zhang family, the son-in-law of the Pei family, and even the princess and marquis...
Up to now, Zhou Tingwei only impeached him once in the court a few days ago, and he was retaliated like this..."
Everyone looked at each other, closed their mouths, and cursed in their hearts:
He is indeed a villain who will retaliate for his anger!
There was a lot of discussion in the restaurant.
…
In a certain cubicle, a group of young scholars were also gathering in the building. They couldn't help but be astonished while listening to the discussion outside.
"Is it really Zhao Duan's work? How can a mere warrior soldier have such a strategy?" one person doubted.
Another person shook his head and said:
"Who knows? Haven't you heard that Mr. Yuan also took action in this case? Maybe he was just pushed to the front because of the collective efforts of everyone."
"What Brother Li said is very true. A cruel official with a military background may indeed have some abilities. But it would be too unbelievable to say that he has such a strategy." Someone agreed.
At this moment, a warm voice suddenly spoke in the middle of the table:
"Brothers, don't underestimate the people of the world. I have heard a little bit about Ambassador Zhao. It is true that he has a bad reputation. However, with your majesty's wisdom, if he really only has a good skin, he will never reuse him.
In my opinion, even if the plan to deal with Zhou Cheng this time did have help from others, it may still be led by this person. "
As soon as this man spoke, the readers at the table immediately changed their tone and said one after another:
"That's what Brother Banshan said."
"Brother Banshan is still magnanimous and noble, but he has the heart of a villain like me."
The person nicknamed "Banshan" is a scholar in his thirties, wearing a scholar's robe. He is a bit frail, his hair is neatly combed behind his head, his eyes are clear, and he is very literary.
Among the scholars in Beijing, he is a first-class celebrity, named "Han Porridge".
He is also recognized as the leader of the young generation of talents in Beijing today.
Born into poverty, he studied books from hundreds of schools of thought since he was a child. He later became the top scholar in high school and entered the Hanlin Academy as a compiler.
At this moment, being praised by many scholars, he just smiled indifferently, as if he was accustomed to this kind of scene.
"Speaking of which, although Zhao Duan has become quite popular recently, he is still just a military attaché. So what if he has some abilities?
At most, he is nothing more than the next King of Hell.
And Brother Banshan is said to have been admitted to the Xiuwen Museum by the Grand Master. In a few days, it will be the time for the museum to open. His future achievements will be limitless. "One person in the audience boasted loudly.
Xiuwenkan?
In an instant, some of the scholars outside the box looked sideways, unable to hide their shock.
During these days, the hottest topic in the literati circle was that the empress wanted to recruit young talents to join the new Yamen Xiuwen Hall to assist the saints in managing political affairs.
It is said that the selection of the first batch of bachelors admitted to Xiuwen Museum is extremely strict.
There are even rumors that the Shuwenkan is the prototype of the future "new cabinet".
Anyone who can join the ranks and become a close minister of the emperor can imagine what achievements he will have in the future.
Han Banshan has entered the museum?
This news was still spreading in a small area, but now that it was publicized, it suddenly overshadowed the topic of Zhao Duan's eradication of Zhou Cheng among the scholars.
Han Zou frowned slightly, a little unhappy with this kind of flattering behavior.
But it was hard to say anything, so I could only say a few words, say goodbye and leave.
This scene aroused the envy, jealousy and hatred of many people.
"It's Korean porridge, Han Banshan,"
In the same restaurant, at a table in the lobby, an official looked at the departing Hanlin in green shirt, unable to conceal his envy:
"Another young hero who will rise to great heights."
After finishing speaking, he turned to look at Lu Zhi, who was sitting across from him, and joked: "You see, after a few years in the Hanlin Academy, he directly wants to enter the Xiuwen Hall.
Did you also stay in the Hanlin Academy? What about now? I have wasted ten years on a small matter. If I had been more diplomatic, how could it be like this? "
Lu Zhi was drinking and eating food. When he heard this, he said calmly: "If I were smooth and flattering, I would be implicated today along with Zhou Cheng, He Zheng and the others."
My friend sitting at the table was speechless and smiled bitterly: "What you said...is true."
Today, Dali Temple was shaken. After the three-level investigation, Zhou Cheng and He Zheng's group were only temporarily "grounded" because they had not yet reported to the Supreme Lord.
But everyone knows that within an hour or two, the saint's will will come down, and then the storm will begin.
Lu Zhi was lucky. Because his official position was low and he was not close to Zhou Cheng, he was not implicated for the time being.
The friend sighed and said:
"But who would have thought that something like this would happen? That Zhao Duan is really ruthless. Last time you were captured by him, but you were released alone again, which led to you being increasingly captured. Isolated, and therefore disliked by Zhou Cheng and his gang.
But unexpectedly, he escaped from disaster because of this. It can only be said that blessings and misfortunes depend on each other. However, you really need to change your temper. "
Lu Zhi said dissatisfied: "I enforce the law impartially and have a clear conscience, and they are not as greedy as they are. I have money to serve those big shots, and my current salary is enough to support my family. At worst, I can live like this for the rest of my life."
The friend stared at him: "Are you really willing to be a small judge all your life? In the past, you and I had great ambitions..."
Lu Zhi was silent.
The friend sighed and said no more.
After they had finished drinking and eating, the two of them walked out of the restaurant hand in hand. They met a middle-level official from Dali Temple leading a group of forbidden troops. When they saw him, their eyes lit up:
"Master Lu!"
Lu Zhi was stunned and saw this group of people approaching, and he didn't know why.
Moreover... the other party actually called himself "Sir" instead of "Jingshi" or "Lao Lu"...
"Master Wang, this is..." He frowned.
The boss who used to be quite displeased with him came forward enthusiastically, held his hand, and said with a smile: "I've found you, please hurry up and take the order." "Take the order?" Lu Zhi added. Confused.
At this time, a eunuch in the imperial army came over and said with a smile: "Master Lu, there is no need to panic, it is not an order, we are just here to convey His Majesty's oral instructions.
His Majesty said that Dali Temple is currently in turmoil and many officials are unable to perform their duties. However, the Yamen has many affairs and is indispensable for its personnel.
I heard that Lu Ping's law enforcement was very impartial, and I hereby order you to temporarily act as the Prime Minister of Dali Temple until the case is concluded before making arrangements. "
Lu Zhi seemed to be in a dream, and his friend next to him also woke up from the drunkenness, with a look of astonishment on his face:
"Brother Lu..."
Lu Zhi's eyes suddenly turned red, with tears falling down.
He has been held in this position for nearly ten years because he was unwilling to join in the conspiracy. Will he finally be replaced?
But how does Your Majesty know about a little person like yourself?
He couldn't understand.
…
…
Inside the palace.
Zhao Duan is not aware of the turmoil in the outside world, nor does he care.
After Xu Zhenguan went to work, he took a stroll in the imperial garden and then was led by the female officer to rest.
At noon, we had a meal in the imperial dining room, and then stayed until dark.
During this period, I heard that important officials from the DPRK had entered the palace, and a small court meeting was held to discuss the follow-up of Xue Lin's case.
This Umrah lasts until the evening and is not considered over.
He thought he would see the empress soon, but his wish failed and he had dinner alone again.
When it got dark, he waited in the palace, almost thinking that he had been forgotten, and then he got the summons from the empress.
"Your Majesty, Master Zhao is here."
At the door of the Imperial Study Room, the older female officer leading the way said respectfully.
With the word "please" in the room, Zhao Duan finally saw the female emperor he had longed for again after a long time.
The house is brightly lit.
Xu Zhenguan was crouching behind the desk. As before, he raised his head and smiled at him, motioning to the chair in the room:
"Sit down, we'll be ready in a while."
Zhao Duan was reluctant at first, but the empress ordered him a second time before he reluctantly sat down.
Suddenly, he felt as anxious as when he had to do things in his previous life and sit on the sofa waiting for his boss... Zhao Duan complained in his heart and looked around boredly.
There are many valuable utensils on the ancient shelves in the imperial study room, and the rock bonsai is also the work of a master.
But after he looked around, his eyes finally returned to the empress.
If ordinary people work so hard, they must not care about their image.
But Xu Zhenguan, as a monk in the realm of heaven and humanity, seems to have never lost half of his appearance no matter where he is.
Even if the lights are dim and the profile of the face illuminated by candlelight is a little tired, it only adds to the charm.
The white clothes hung loosely, and the shoes and socks under the skirt were vaguely visible. After sniffing, there was a faint scent of roses... Hey, did she spray the perfume she made?
"alright."
After a long time, Xu Zhenguan finally put down his pen, closed the scroll, and stretched his waist lazily.
He turned to look at the only man in the dormitory who was distracted in the room, with a little apology in his eyes:
"I've been waiting for a long time."
"Soon." Zhao Duan came back to his senses, opened his eyes and told lies:
"Your Majesty has a lot of things to do every day. In comparison, I am really light-hearted."
Xu Zhenguan smiled and shook his head, not bothering to expose his lie. He stood up suddenly and moved lightly: "It's been a busy day, so come and go for a walk with me."
…
The emperor's so-called walking, the pomp and circumstance are naturally different.
At night, the palace is brightly lit.
Xu Zhenguan and Zhao Duan walked almost side by side. After leaving the palace, they found a large square that was spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people performing martial arts.
Behind him, there were two long dragons composed of palace attendants, each holding a lamp in one hand and various objects in the other hand, in case the empress needed it.
At the same time, it's not very close, it's just a good sense of distance.
"I saw in the afternoon that all the gentlemen entered the palace."
The night breeze was negative, and Zhao Duan's nose seemed to be lingering with the fragrance of a woman. He walked in silence and took the initiative to open up the topic.
After Xu Zhenguan walked out of the study, he felt much lazier. When he heard this, he softly said "grace" and said with a smile:
"I know what you want to ask. Zhou Cheng and his accomplices have been formally arrested and thrown into Taiwan Prison.
Regarding Xue Lin's case, it will be tried by Princess Yuan. The evidence you sent is already very tight. Wang Shan has also confessed and revealed a lot of evidence about Zhou Cheng...
These are all the clues left by Wang Zhen when he was in power in the past. Hehe, this is an unexpected surprise.
With all this, it no longer matters whether Zhou Cheng pleads guilty or not. At the small court meeting in the afternoon, he was sentenced to beheading, his family was exiled, and his property was confiscated.
Xia Jianghou was in prison and said that he alone had given Zhou Cheng a lot of benefits. The accumulation over the years was probably an astonishing number. In this way, a large sum of money would be put into the national treasury. "
Judgment so soon? Why don't you struggle... Zhao Duan was surprised.
But when I thought about it, it seemed that there was so much ironclad evidence that it was really unnecessary.
Not long ago, the aloof Jiuqing, who wanted to put him to death, fell cold in just one day...
Even as the "initiator", Rao couldn't help but sigh.
"Then congratulations to Your Majesty for getting what he wanted," Zhao Duan complimented: "With Zhou Cheng's fall, Your Majesty's resistance to organizing a new cabinet will be greatly reduced."
Xu Zhenguan glanced at him and said unexpectedly: "Did Yuan Li tell you?"
Zhao Duan decisively sold his teammates:
"Mr. Yuan said that Zhou Cheng is particularly opposed to the new cabinet. I heard that Grand Master Dong is in charge of the new cabinet?"
Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes flashed, and she looked at the loyal dog beside her, and said with some humor: "There is a cabinet on the left, and another cabinet on the left. Why are you, a military attache, interested in this?"
Zhao Duan pretended to be embarrassed and said with a smile: "I heard from Mr. Yuan that the new cabinet prohibits ministers from entering, and mainly consists of the younger generation of scholars... Of course, I have no other intention, I just want to share your Majesty's worries. "
He wants to progress so much!
Although he entered the palace in the morning and was secretly dismissed by Dong Taishi, Zhao Duan really had no interest in becoming an official.
But that doesn't mean that he has no ideas for this "new cabinet."
First, the new cabinet means greater power and a higher status in exchange for stronger protection from the imperial power.
How long does it take to become stronger through hard training?
Resist the threat of the big monk?
several years? Or more than ten years?
If you can get a higher status and directly arrange for the high monk to be a bodyguard, it will be done in one step.
Those who work hard govern others, and those who work hard govern others... He understood this truth very early.
Secondly...if he could enter the "new cabinet", wouldn't he have a legitimate reason to be with the empress all day long?
If you want to be the leader's confidant, you can't run around doing business all day long. You need to increase your presence!
Under night.
After hearing this, Xu Zhenguan smiled, shook his head, and looked at him helplessly:
"You also know that the people who serve in the cabinet are young scholars. You only use the word "young", so what does it have to do with scholars?"
Thanks to "There is a Place Called Penglai" for your support! Thanks to the book friend Xiangshan 5 for the 5,000-point reward, Jijiu Qiu Equinox for the 5,000-point reward, God loves fools, and the cool friends for the 500-point reward!
(End of this chapter)