Chapter 194: Madam, I have something to report...
When Zhao Duan walked out of the White Horse Prison, the sun had already passed the zenith.
The carriage was waiting outside. The coachman, Xiao Wang, had a hat on his face to block the light. He was taking a nap when he heard the noise and stood up excitedly: "Sir, you are out. Where should we go next?"
Zhao Duan said: "Go back to the Yamen."
Xiao Wang asked curiously: "What then?"
As the leader's driver, he has mastered a little bit of Zhao Duan's style through this period of testing.
Although I don’t know the specifics, I vaguely know who my lord is targeting recently to make some plans.
"Wait." Zhao Duan sat on the soft cushion and said calmly.
In his previous life, he was so popular that he bought a copy of Sun Tzu's Art of War out of curiosity. After reading it, he only came away with two insights.
First, war is to fight with more and less, concentrate superior forces, and press forward massively, without giving the enemy a chance to breathe.
Second, remain undefeated and wait patiently for the enemy to make mistakes.
Just like a martial arts master, when two parties square off, the one who strikes first is often the one who loses his composure and is the first to reveal his flaws.
However, people in the world are often impatient and cannot "move still", but prefer to "move around" in order to relieve anxiety.
The calculation against Mr. Xiaoge is not a war, but the principle is the same.
Everything he is doing now is to prepare as much as possible, concentrate superior forces, and induce the opponent to reveal weaknesses.
"Everything that needs to be done has been done. Next, all that is needed is waiting." Zhao Duan closed his eyes.
Waiting and hoping—all human wisdom lies in this.
…
…
The next few days were uneventful.
Zhao Duan traveled leisurely every day, enjoying a rare relaxing time after traveling through time.
The eyes that paid some attention to him gradually moved away, attracted by the fight between gods in the court.
Almost everyone thought that he had learned his lesson and wanted to keep a low profile in this storm and protect himself wisely.
The battles in the temple are taking on new changes every day.
The Xiuwen Museum is brightly lit all night, in sharp contrast to Zhao who wakes up early and goes to bed early, commuting to and from get off work.
Until this day.
In the palace, the bureau chief oversees the yamen.
Eunuch Bingbi crossed the threshold and entered the place responsible for many miscellaneous things in the palace.
"I have met my father-in-law." A group of young eunuchs stood up and saluted.
During the reign of the late Emperor, the Supervisor of Ceremonies had considerable authority, and Wang Zhen, the great eunuch at that time, was the leader here.
After the empress ascended the throne, she often used female officials around her, but Xu Zhenguan also worried that blindly appointing female officials would be the same as appointing eunuchs.
Therefore, the two groups of eunuchs and female officials were deliberately allowed to coexist, so as to prevent the disparity in power between the two groups.
Therefore, many things in the harem are still responsible for the ceremonial supervisor and are not managed by the six ministers.
"kindness."
Eunuch Bingbi nodded and walked slowly to the workstation. He first asked a few questions, and then said casually: "It's the middle of the new year. Have any of the ladies left the palace recently to visit the bride?"
A young eunuch came forward holding a book:
"Please take a look at it, father-in-law."
Concubines need to apply in advance to leave the palace, and then be reviewed and approved by the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Following the old practice, many applications will be made much in advance and can be adjusted flexibly.
The eunuch Bingbi browsed for a moment, his eyes fell on the name of "Yuan Fei", he sketched and changed the schedule.
After the arrangements were made, he said:
"Submit to the Sixth Master for approval."
Some decisions of the Chief of Ceremonies are reviewed by the Six Shang, and correspondingly, the decisions of the Six Masters will also be supervised by the Chief of Ceremonies.
…
…
As the "General Manager of the Six Shangs", Mochou has been very tired recently.
Due to the battle between gods and gods in the court, the empress could not express her position, so she could only communicate with the imperial party indirectly through her.
He was almost either in the Xiuwen Pavilion or outside the palace, so he had much less time to return to Liu Shang.
Therefore, when the female officer below came over with a note from the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Mochou simply glanced at it.
Seeing that it was just the harem's concubine's wedding schedule, it was not very important and nothing unusual, so he said: "Yes. Let's make this arrangement."
After a pause, he frowned again:
"Just take care of such trivial matters, you don't have to leave them to me."
The imperial concubine leaves the palace.
During the reign of the late Emperor, this was indeed an important matter, involving many aspects. It was a high-level matter and needed to be treated with care by the officials in charge.
But now... it really doesn't matter anymore.
It can almost be said that as long as the concubines don't cause any scandals and disgrace the royal family, the rest will be easy to talk about.
The female officer responded.
Mochou let out a breath, turned around, opened the door, and returned to the Xiuwen Hall.
As soon as they entered the room, there was a lot of discussion and the atmosphere was solemn.
She raised her eyes and saw Empress Dayu sitting quietly on the main seat, listening to the arguments of the bachelors below. She only spoke occasionally and was deep in thought most of the time.
Yes, recently, the empress has appeared in the Xiuwen Pavilion and has spent much more time participating in "meetings".
Mochou walked back to the empress, and Xu Zhen's lacquered eyes turned to her, casting a questioning look.
Mochou whispered: "Your Majesty, it's not an important matter, it's just some trivial matters in the Sixth Palace that have been arranged."
"Yes." After Xu Zhenguan heard this, he stopped paying attention and turned his attention to the meeting again.
Mo Zhaorong was sitting next to her, and she couldn't help but feel a little distressed when she saw the empress' fair and spotless face, with a hint of sadness gathering between her brows.
But there is nothing that can be done.
The resistance to the New Deal was too great.
After this period of hard work, the imperial party has won the support of one-third of the officials in the court, which is no longer easy.
After all, behind the members of the royal party, there is also a large gentry family. In other words, implementing the New Deal is like using a knife to chop at one's own family.
In order for the "Three Golden Strategies" to be implemented smoothly and thoroughly, at least one-third of the officials must defect. In this way, only by using the majority to suppress the minority can things be considered safe.
But this is easier said than done... easier said than done?
Although His Majesty seems to be sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai these days, in fact, the anxiety, worry, and melancholy in his heart... Mochou can see it all in his eyes.
Harsh government is fiercer than a tiger.
To the gentry and officials in the world, the New Deal was like a tiger released by the empress.
How can we not be afraid?
In the end, they were still too incompetent to share His Majesty's worries.
…
…
The news that Concubine Yuan was about to leave the palace and go home to visit relatives began to spread in the palace that day.
Then, a eunuch went to inform Concubine Yuan's family to prepare for the reception.
Fortunately, the Yuan family is in the capital, not far away.
Soon after, the news reached Lihuatang through some secret channels.
Zhao Duan sat lazily at the main seat in the inner hall, flipping through a few things in his hands.
The first was a handwritten document, which was relayed by Mrs. Lin when she went to Shenlong Temple to fulfill her vows. It was obtained from Li Yinglong's mouth, and contained some past stories about his past interactions with Yuan Ru.
In addition, there is also a waist jade that Li Yinglong has worn for many years and now occasionally takes out and wears.
The second item was secretly sent by Xu Hanlin. It was a clue about the past wrongdoings committed by his mentor, the great scholar Chen Zhengru, and a group of familiar scholars.
Every item is thoughtfully noted, and you can go to someone to check it and obtain evidence.
How to say...
Zhao Duan suddenly remembered himself back then.
It's hard for the enemy to find an excuse for you, but it's so easy for your accomplice to sell you...
However, he was not going to touch these things for the time being, so as not to alert others.
The third item was sent by the White Horse Supervisor, regarding the arrangements for Concubine Yuan’s marriage.
"Everything is ready."
Zhao Duan threw the things on the table, raised his eyes, and looked at the four capable subordinates standing directly in front of the hall.
"Sir, is it time to take action?"
Hou Ren, who looked unruly, grinned fiercely and was already gearing up.
"Sir, would you like to prepare more, just to be on the safe side?"
Now, Shen Juan, who was no longer lying flat but still had eye-catching dark circles, said.
Zhao Duan said calmly: "The night is long and the dreams are many, I won't wait any longer."
Madam Lin's side may be discovered to be abnormal at any time, and Concubine Yuan cannot stay outside the palace for too long.
Preparation is for victory, not for "thoroughness."
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"Old Jiu, you always boasted to me before that your ability to imitate handwriting was unparalleled in the imperial office. Now it's time for you to copy these words and imitate Li Yinglong's handwriting. Can you do it? "
Decades ago, Zheng Laojiu, who was once famous as Dongzhao Yamen, now looks harmless to humans and animals. He drinks tea and reads newspapers all day long and steps forward to take it with a smile.
His slightly rickety waist straightened up a bit, with a certain pride flashing on his face:
"My lord, just take a look."
Zhao Duan said:
"Shen Juan, you claim to be sneaking in disguise and tracking yourself to become the best in the yamen. Is it possible for you to find Concubine Yuan?"
Shen Juan walked forward with a smile, picked up the jade pendant, and wrote lightly: "If I can't finish it, you can sink me into the river."
Zhao Duan looked at Hou Renmeng:
"I just want to ask you, are you brave enough?"
Hou Ren rubbed the handle of the knife fiercely and raised his eyebrows high:
"I am alone and have no worries. Sir, you only need to tell me who to kill and that will be it."
Next to him, there was a round face with clear and stupid eyes, but in fact he did things very properly. The confidential secretary who had been growing rapidly recently puffed up his cheeks:
"Sir, what about me?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Kerou, you have the most arduous task. Well, sir, I want to treat a few distinguished guests to a banquet. Can you arrange the banquet? Can it be done well?"
Qian Kerou opened her mouth, feeling that she was being slighted, she pursed her lips and said helplessly:
"Okay..."
Zhao Duan laughed, like a general giving orders:
"Success or failure depends on this."
…
…
Another day.
The palace door opened, and a gorgeous car took Concubine Yuan Gui out of the palace and directly back to her natal family in the capital.
Another day.
Concubine Yuan's personal maid suddenly met a handsome and personable young man when she went out to buy things.
Yuan Mansion.
In a certain boudoir, in front of the dressing mirror, Concubine Yuan had a graceful figure. She sat upright in front of the mirror and looked at her appearance, which had become somewhat inferior to her youth due to her growing age.
Seems to be distracted.
In the mirror, there is an oval face that is quite similar to Mrs. Lin, but upon closer inspection, there are many differences in demeanor and demeanor.
Concubine Yuan has been in the palace for nearly ten years, and is now only over thirty years old. Due to proper maintenance, her appearance is still good.
However, the look between his brows and eyes, which had always been depressed and lack of moisture, made him look pale.
"Dong dong."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Concubine Yuan came back to her senses and said coldly.
Then the door opened, and the maid came in carefully, with a complicated look on her face:
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
(End of chapter)