Night, British Government House.

The candlelight flickered, and snow began to fall outside at some point. The fragrance of tea rose up in the study, but it could not conceal the owner's sad look.

On both sides of the table, Zhang Min and Zhu Yi were sitting opposite each other. The face of the second master of the Zhang family was obviously not good.

"My lord, what do you think of today's events?"

He gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table. After all, it was Zhang Mian who asked first. Although it was a question, there was a hint of questioning in his tone.

Such emotions were not concealed, so Zhu Yi could not fail to hear them.

Gently raising her head, Zhu Yi met Zhang Xi's gaze, but her face was calm, and she said.

"I know why the second master is dissatisfied. What happened today was something I didn't expect."

"Before I came to the British government, I had just returned from my uncle's house. He was also very frightened about this promotion."

"As for what the emperor's intention is, I think that with the eyesight of the second master, he can't fail to see it, right?"

Zhang Xi's eyes flashed, his brows furrowed tightly, and he looked at Zhu Yi without saying a word.

After a while, Zhang Xi's expression slowly relaxed, he sighed and said.

"It's just sowing discord, how could I be fooled?"

Even though he said this, Zhang Shi's attitude was still inevitably a little distant.

Seeing this situation, Zhu Yi couldn't help but reveal a wry smile.

Of course he knew why Zhang Shi was unhappy.

Today in the palace, most of the people impeached in the memorial presented by Zhang Shi were military ministers who had previously interacted privately with Ren Liduo.

The British government has invested a lot in this matter.

First, in order to get the list, Zhang Min had to agree and let the Ren family live. Then, he tried his best to persuade the Supreme Emperor to acquiesce in the matter, and then Chen Mao and others agreed to help him.

In addition, Zhang Shi even negotiated terms with several key mansions in advance, in exchange for them either remaining silent or speaking out to help in court.

After everything was prepared, Zhang Shi waited patiently for the opportunity. Only now, while the courtiers were discussing the border issue, did he finally seize the opportunity and submit the memorial.

Even after doing so much, submitting this memorial is still a big risk. After all, it has to touch the interests of some people. Some people can talk about it, but at least the military officials involved will try their best to resist, so,

After the news comes out, the British government will definitely face a lot of pressure and hostility.

Moreover, Zhang Xi's action this time, to put it nicely, was for the public good and to rectify the atmosphere of the military government. However, from the perspective of interests and positions, in fact, in the eyes of many nobles, it was to attack the military ministers and fight among themselves.

In exchange for the re-emergence of the British government.

This will inevitably have an impact on the reputation of the British government.

All of this is to regain the power of the military government, so that Zhang Shi can represent the British government and return to the military ministers, the top group of people who can directly participate in decision-making.

Ren Li's incident taught Mr. Zhang a great lesson, and he finally understood that fostering a puppet and indirectly participating in decision-making would be too delayed and could easily lead to trouble.

No matter how close your partners are, they will all have their own thoughts, and they cannot completely put the interests of the British government first. Only true family members are the most reliable and reassuring.

Therefore, even if Mr. Zhang bites the bullet, he still has to go into battle on his own.

However, who would have thought that even after making so many preparations, in the end, I would still make wedding clothes for others.

As they thought, after the crimes of these military officials were disclosed, as long as the emperor had not really made up his mind to completely confront the civil servants, it would be difficult for him to find a legitimate reason not to investigate the case.

Once there is an investigation, then Zhang Shi, who has the backing of two major princes, is the most suitable candidate. Taking this opportunity, the British government can not only clean up the door, but also scare those who think that the British government has sunk, so they want to

The unscrupulous people who defected to other schools.

Although it is said that some costs have to be paid, such as having to withstand the counterattack of these military ministers, paying some costs to appease the noble families whose interests have been harmed, and it is even possible for the emperor to take this opportunity to place a large number of personnel in the military government, etc.

wait……

But as long as the goal can be achieved, Mr. Zhang gritted his teeth and accepted it.

But the problem is that the British government has invested so much in the early stage, and the emperor has indeed agreed to investigate the case under the pressure of civil and military forces.

However, in the end, Zhang Shi was pushed aside, and it was Wang Qin who was promoted. How could this make Mr. Zhang feel uneasy?

You must know that Wang Qin is Zhu Yi's maternal uncle. The so-called maternal uncle is the eldest uncle. Among relatives, the nephew-uncle relationship is one of the closest relationships.

The emperor promoted Wang Qin at this time, and his intention was self-evident.

Don't you, Zhang Shi, think that only the British government can find out the evidence of these people? Then I will promote people from the Duke's government to see if your two governments can advance and retreat together.

Just like Zhang Xi said, this is sowing discord, but it is sowing discord without any disguise.

In fact, this has always been the emperor's cleverness, to win with yin and yang, even if he knows that it is sowing discord.

However, suspicion is still unavoidable.

Even if Zhang Shi could believe that this was not Zhu Yi's original intention, would Zhu Yi still give up the power he had?

Or, after struggling for so long, do we really want the British government to go through the old path of appointing rites again?

Feeling Zhang Shi's unconcealable alienation, Zhu Yi sighed and said.

"Yes, it's nothing more than a stratagem to alienate people. The emperor's move indeed created a problem for us!"

As he spoke, Zhu Yi's expression became serious.

"The second master originally raised this matter in court, but in the end, the emperor promoted his uncle to take charge of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion to help investigate the matter."

"If I want to help my uncle secure this position, then I must help Fan Guang and others investigate the matter thoroughly. However, in this case, the hard work of the second master during this period will be in vain, and moreover,

Offended a lot of people."

"But if the second master and I join forces to obstruct this matter, then the case will not be investigated and others may be fine, but my uncle will definitely be severely punished."

"The emperor's move is forcing me to make a choice between my uncle and my second master..."

What is the best way to deal with sowing discord?

Of course it’s honest!

Therefore, Zhu Yi simply made everything clear.

As a result, the atmosphere in the study suddenly darkened. The snow outside the window bent the branches and made a rustling sound when it fell to the ground.

There was a strong fire in the room, and the red-hot charcoal fire crackled softly. Zhang Xi slowly raised his head, and the smile also disappeared on his face, and said.

"So, how do you plan to choose, Mr. Guo?"

The two people's eyes met in the air, and a smile suddenly appeared on Zhu Yi's face. She picked up the tea cup and drank it in one gulp. The cup lightly hit the table, making a crisp sound.

"I...want both!"

Silence fell in the study.

Zhang Min raised his head, with Zhu Yi's confident voice still echoing in his ears. He looked at the young man in front of him, and was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed. There was a bit of unknown meaning in his eyes, and he said.

"The Duke has a huge appetite."

After hearing this, Zhu Yi gently shook his head, his face still calm and said.

"If I said that I would persuade my uncle to resign as governor and recommend the second master instead, would the second master believe it?"

The smile on Zhang Xi's face became thicker, but it made people unable to feel a trace of warmth. He also shook his head and said.

"Do not believe!"

As he spoke, his tone became a little sighing, and he said.

"Since the Duke of Guo is so honest, I won't hide it anymore."

"The Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven after all!"

"I know that this is sowing discord, and the Duke also knows that this is sowing discord, but no one will give up what they have in their hands, right?"

Zhu Yi nodded slightly and said.

"The emperor's move is indeed clever, but he has forgotten that for the Duke of Chengguo, it is important to expand the right to speak in the military government, but the friendship of the British Duke is equally important, so the two of us

I won’t give up!”

Zhang Min's eyes looked at Zhu Yi, which became a little complicated. After a moment, he finally spoke.

"Appreciate further details!"

In fact, ever since Zhu Yi made it clear, the relationship between the two families has been on the verge of collapse.

As for the reason, as Zhang Xi said just now, no one is willing to spit out the fat in their mouth.

Even if Zhu Yi told him at this time that he would voluntarily give up the position of governor that Wang Qin had obtained, Zhang Shi would not believe it.

On the contrary, he only felt more that this was Zhu Yi's delaying strategy.

However, what he didn't expect was that Zhu Yi did not pretend to give up as he expected, but frankly expressed his true thoughts.

When he first heard that Zhu Yi wanted to have his cake and eat it too, Zhang Xi only thought it was funny. However, as Zhu Yi emphasized his position again, Zhang Xi also realized that the Duke in front of him was afraid that

I already have a plan in mind.

Seeing that Zhang Shi's attitude finally softened, Zhu Yi also relaxed. He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for the other party and himself, and then Zhu Yi spoke.

"Second Master, you might as well think about a question first. Why did the emperor promote my uncle to take charge of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion?"
To be continued...