At this time, the king seemed more calm and confident than before in front of a former gentleman like Li Dongyang.
Zhu Youtang said: "The crime does not lie in the action but in the plan. Once something happens, there is a crime. I don't want to believe that my ministers will threaten me and the court with the bad behavior of arson, but if they turn a blind eye to it, I won't OK. What do Mr. Li Ge think?"
Find resonance.
Dai Yi and others next to them could clearly see that Zhang Zhou was planning to deceive the leader of the Confucian circle.
Anyone else would probably object to this kind of thing, right?
Your Majesty, you actually want to test the quality of the Confucius family? The family has been loyal and loyal for thousands of years. Don't the principles of the old Confucius family always change according to the current situation?
Li Dongyang had a determined look on his face, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty said, I agree with you. To convict him for something that has not happened for no reason is to slander and slander. I also think that this matter should not be made public, and we will make a decision after careful investigation." .”
This clearly means, Your Majesty, please stop talking. I completely agree with your statement and will keep it secret.
And Li Dongyang heard the key to the problem.
It’s not about catching the person who set the fire and being able to interrogate the mastermind behind it, Kong Hongxu. Just because Kong Hongtai is in the court and you, Kong Hongxu, are responsible for looking after the palace, but your servants set the fire. If you catch him, you can say that you, Kong Hongxu, are in charge. The family is weak.
Moreover, the emperor has already said that he will use the Jinyi Guards to investigate.
Jin Yiwei's methods... As long as Zhang Zhou set the tone and Kong Hongxu set the fire, and the emperor tried to pull him in this direction, it was not Kong Hongxu but Kong Hongxu.
"Yes, Mr. Li Ge, I actually don't want to wrong Zhongliang." Zhu Youtang sighed with emotion.
But when Zhu Youtang raised his head and looked at Li Dongyang again, Li Dongyang noticed the sparkle in his eyes, and Li Dongyang took a breath.
This is about negotiating conditions.
The emperor is willing to help your Li family, canceling the engagement you had made, and even asking Zhang Zhou to treat your son. Can you, Li Dongyang, feel my eagerness?
Why should I cause trouble for myself?
Aren’t you hoping to use your Li Dongyang’s prestige to endorse Zhang Zhou in the court?
I'm giving you benefits, but I can't just accept it. You should think about how to repay me. You don't need me to explain many things clearly, right? You, Li Dongyang, should also think about it. I will risk the world's disapproval and interfere with the Kong family just for you. What is the purpose of inheritance?
Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, if something really happens, I am willing to interrogate the matter for the court."
"No need." Zhu Youtang said, "After all, Li Qing's family is related to Yanshenggong's lineage, so they should avoid suspicion. How can I force others to make things difficult? Bingkuan is the same, and he has no reason to speculate on the actions of Yanshenggong's house. It's really... Cause me trouble."
trouble?
Li Dongyang was thinking, Your Majesty, you seem very happy, even gloating about your misfortune.
But a minister can also figure it out.
The more peaceful the years were, the more culture and education were advocated, and the social status and appeal of the Kong family became stronger. No wonder Kong Hongtai, the Duke of Yansheng of this generation, was still a showman, with a free and easy personality and many friends... You are the only one. Why are the ministers so confident that they go around making friends with ministers?
Is it the Zhu family that scholars should respect, or your Kong family?
"However, Bingkuan's mouth often predicts things beforehand, so I have to accept it. Since he brought it up, I will naturally investigate it carefully. Li Qing's family, if you think I am too harsh, I would like to remind you secretly, It’s not impossible.”
Zhu Youtang will now pose a difficult problem to Li Dongyang.
Li Dongyang was scheming and understood what the emperor meant by these words.
Zhang Zhou helped me to suppress the reputation of the Kong family. I am happy in my heart, but I don’t have to do this. Let me tell you, I actually want to form a united front with you. If you don’t choose to join me, you can go out after Just tell the Kong family and I won’t blame you.
Of course, the way of joining is not an ordinary show of loyalty, which is meaningless for the relationship between the monarch and his ministers.
You should show some sincerity.
"Besides," Zhu Youtang continued to add, "even if he is really convinced by Bing Kuan's words, since Duke Yan Sheng and his son and nephew are in the capital at the moment, the matter may have nothing to do with us."
Even if the father is guilty, he cannot beat his son to death with a stick.
Zhu Youtang also reminded Li Dongyang that even if Zhang Zhou was really accused of setting the fire and it was Kong Hongxu who did it, whether his son's marriage to your Li family will be cancelled, it depends on whether I am willing to "understand" you.
"When Kong Hongxu was guilty of exceeding the regulations, after so many years, I thought he had reformed. If such things really happened, then the inheritance of Yan Shenggong should also be intervened by the imperial court. What does Mr. Li Ge think? ?" Zhu Youtang asked another question.
Li Dongyang cupped his hands and answered: "Yes."
"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "Since the matter is like this, I won't go into details. I came to you because I want you to be a witness. After all, it is empty talk. If anyone knows about it afterwards, I intend to send someone to investigate in advance. Xuansheng Temple will inevitably make people think that I am causing trouble out of nothing."
Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty is doing it for the sake of the country and the country, and has no selfish motives."
When Xuansheng Temple really caught fire, the emperor immediately caught the person who set the fire, and even blocked the source of the fire in advance. The courtiers and scholars all over the world felt that the emperor might have framed the fire.
Now I tell a top civil servant that Li Dongyang's prestige among scholars is not low. In fact, the emperor just wanted to avoid suspicion.
How could Li Dongyang not understand the secret?
"Okay." Zhu Youtang was not in a hurry to ask Li Dongyang to express his position on the use of Zhang Zhou. He said, "Okay, Li Ge always cares about the country, and I can't do anything to make it difficult for others. You have the right to do it first and don't know... even if it happens later. When asked, a word from an alchemist should not be taken lightly, but it can still be explained clearly."
Li Dongyang smiled bitterly in his heart.
Generally speaking, if I don't take what the alchemist says seriously, others will still believe it.
If it was Zhang Bingkuan who said it, and His Majesty mentioned it to me personally, I said I didn’t take it seriously, so I didn’t tell outsiders in advance... I’m afraid I can’t deceive others by saying this, right?
At that time, others will definitely think that I am on the same side as the emperor, and even if I don't side with the emperor, I still have to side with him.
Is Zhang Zhou plotting against the Kong family? He is even plotting against me, Mr. Li.
Zhu Youtang called Xiao Jing over, whispered a few words in Xiao Jing's ear, and then asked Xiao Jing to send Li Dongyang away.
…
…
Li Dongyang followed Xiao Jing and left Qianqing Palace.
After walking out, he was thinking about what the emperor said, and even the weird look the emperor showed towards him before leaving. It was the conceit of a person in power who had a firm control over his subordinates.
Seeing Li Dongyang's gloomy expression, Xiao Jing reminded him with a smile: "Mr. Li Ge could have explained this to the Kong family in advance."
Li Dongyang looked at Xiao Jing and felt a little angry.
I have stated my position in front of the emperor and will not say anything to anyone else. Now you ask me to change? Wouldn't that be bullying the emperor?
And why should I tell the Kong family in advance?
In order to make the Kong family think I am crazy? Or in order for my daughter to marry a son who commits murder, arson and other evil crimes?
"Since His Majesty summoned me and mentioned this matter to me, I have no way out."
Li Dongyang spoke very clearly in front of Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Think about it, who would believe it if you tell me?"
"It's not about whether you believe it or not, it's just that this matter cannot be conveyed from my mouth." Li Dongyang's face was gloomy.
He also gradually thought through Zhang Zhou's intentions.
Zhang Zhou mentioned this matter to the emperor and told him only by name, Li Dongyang. It seemed that the emperor wanted to sell Li Dongyang a favor to give Li Dongyang a chance to cancel the marriage with the Kong family. But if this was really the only purpose, it could wait.
After the incident happened, the emperor got all the witnesses and physical evidence, and it was not too late to sell him his favor.
I told him Li Dongyang in advance because I knew that Li Dongyang would not be able to spread the word.
You, Li Dongyang, are related by marriage to the Kong family. You heard a rumor that was made out of nothing and ran to tell the Kong family that the boss of your family was about to set fire to his house in order to blackmail the court. What would the Kong family think?
They will think that you, Li Dongyang, really do everything possible to avoid marriage.
Tell us in advance that things will not happen. What cannot be verified is that it does not happen. Are you, Li Dongyang, helping our Kong family? It seems that in your eyes, Li Dongyang, our Kong family are all criminals, right?
In other words, whether Li Dongyang wanted to help Kong Hongxu or harm Kong Hongxu, he could only wait until something happened.
Because of his marriage relationship with the Kong family, he became a party involved.
Of course, there is another "trouble", which is to tell others about the incident secretly, or find others to remind the Kong family.
but……
This is what the emperor mentioned to him.
Can he betray the emperor's trust for the sake of the Kong family?
So much so that Li Dongyang initially thought he had a choice, but later found out that he really didn't have any choice.
From the moment the emperor told him, from his position he could not tell the Kong family, which was tantamount to betraying and letting down the Kong family. Then he could only stand with the emperor, because afterwards the Kong family knew that you, Li Dongyang, knew in advance and did not inform him.
, it is impossible to forgive you, we must be strangers even if we are not strangers.
This is actually a...
If you inform the Kong family in advance, no matter whether it happens or not, the Kong family will not understand you. They will even treat you as a fool and an enemy, thinking that you will do anything to avoid the marriage. If you don't notify the Kong family, if the incident happens, the Kong family will not forgive you either.
Unless he hadn't notified the Kong family and the incident hadn't happened yet, then just pretend that the incident had never happened and everything would be calm.
"They are not human inside and out." Li Dongyang wanted to understand this, but he did not hide it in front of Xiao Jing, but sighed with emotion.
"Haha." Xiao Jing smiled bitterly.
Of the four Supervisors of Ceremonies, only Xiao Jing thought of this matter. It was only after he saw Li Dongyang's hesitation and annoyance when he left the Qianqing Palace that he figured it out.
This also made Xiao Jing feel Zhang Zhou's terror even more.
Xiao Jing said: "We want to come. Mr. Zhang and His Majesty actually understand Mr. Li Ge's difficulties and want to help Mr. Li Ge, right?"
Li Dongyang said: "If there is such a criminal in the Kong family, I really don't want to have too much to do with him. But before it happens, who can say for sure?"
Xiao Jing smiled and asked: "Does Mr. Li Ge want it to happen, or does he not want it to happen?"
"Um?"
Li Dongyang frowned.
Before, he had been thinking that Zhang Zhou had an unusual approach. By telling him a "prophecy", he put him in a dilemma, but ignored the biggest problem.
But after thinking about it carefully, he actually figured it out.
Since he never wanted to marry the Kong family from the beginning to the end, he might as well hope that something would happen, prove that Kong Hongxu was a treacherous person who would do anything to achieve his goals, and cancel the marriage, so that he could be freed.
As for others blaming him for not notifying the public in advance... he could either say that he did not believe what the alchemist said, or he could say that the emperor did not allow him to tell the public.
Offending the Kong family is not the end of the world for him, Li Dongyang.
Li Dongyang would not answer such a sensitive question directly. He said: "Whether it happens depends on heaven, not people, right?"
Xiao Jing smiled.
This probably means that as long as you want it to happen, even if God's will is not there and human resources are not there, our Dongchang can still make it happen for you.
As long as you understand the situation and are willing to stand with His Majesty and Mr. Zhang, then regardless of whether it is God's will or man-made, if you want it to happen, it must happen.
"I... have no choice." Li Dongyang finally added.
That means, please, let's have a fire and I can sit back and relax.
"Haha." Xiao Jing was laughing again, and now he seemed to have reached a tacit understanding with Li Dongyang.
…
…
Capital, the residence of Zhang Zhou.
After Zhang Zhou left the house, Jiang Pingyu took care of all the affairs of the family. Jiang Pingyu also followed her husband's instructions before leaving. During the period when there was no male host at home, no outsiders were seen, including
Her natal family.
Zhang Zhou seemed to have expected that the Jiang family would find ways to seek benefits after learning about the mining in the northwest.
On this day, the imperial court sent a large number of rewards. Jiang Pingyu, accompanied by Jia Laoshui, came out, communicated with the people who came to deliver the things, and then asked people to carry the things to the inner courtyard.
"Madam, what are these?"
Han Qing is a little money addict.
When she heard that there was a reward from the imperial court, she hurried out to receive it.
Also coming out with Han Qing was Wang Mingshan, who was pregnant with Liujia.
Jiang Pingyu asked people to open the box, but only partially lifted the cloth covering it, and saw that there was no gold, silver, or jewelry inside... Probably the emperor also knew that Zhang Zhou didn't need this now, more so.
Give Zhang Zhou something as a reward that cannot be bought on the market.
The emperor kept it for imperial use, and giving it to Zhang Zhou actually did not cost any extra money from the palace.
"The ingredients are really good..."
Han Qing walked over. What she liked most was the Yun brocade silk and satin.
Wang Mingshan doesn't seem too keen on these.
At this time, Zhang Jun had gone to a private school to study, and Zhang Zhou had ordered that he must go out to study, not at home. This was to train Zhang Jun's social skills and not let the boy be bored at home all the time.
As for Suisui, they asked someone to come back and teach them.
But soon... there will be a very professional "female gentleman" in the family, namely Lin Yi.
Zhang Zhou's idea is that since Sister Lin likes to preach, Lin Yi can teach all girls in the family personally. She can even put Wang Mingshan, master and servant, into the classroom.
So Zhang Jun doesn't seem too anxious about Suisui's education.
"Sister Wang, please choose a few." Jiang Pingyu was very friendly to Wang Mingshan.
In addition to his personality, it was also because Zhang Zhou had already allocated all the family obligations and rights that the women in the family would bear in the future.
Each house has its inheritance and its expectations for the future. There is nothing to argue about, so naturally there is no dispute.
Everyone was having fun.
He also rose through the ranks too quickly with Zhang Zhou. From official positions, titles to material things, he was overwhelmed with things to deal with. Zhang Zhou's strength also made the women in the family put his will first.
To put it bluntly, Zhang Zhouzhen has to live in his own house.
Only when men are strong can women take their own places.
Wang Mingshan saw that there were no weapons, so she was not interested and shook her head.
Jiang Pingyu said: "Let me make more clothes."
Jia Laoshui, who was responsible for carrying the things over, said: "Madam, I heard from the people in Jinyiwei that I will soon be granted the title of Duke."
"The Duke? I don't dare to think about it." Jiang Pingyu said with a smile, "Let someone send some silks and satins to Miss Lin."
Han Qing blinked and asked, "Madam, is it a little early?"
Jiang Pingyu said with a smile: "It's getting late, sooner or later we are all one family, why should we be so clearly divided? This is what the master said before he left, the Zhang family is one. Besides, Miss Lin also needs a decent dress when she comes over.
Send all the red satin over, Lao Shui, let me send it to you."
"Okay!"
Jia Laoshui is a down-to-earth person who does whatever he is asked to do without any ambiguity at all.
…
…
After Zhang Zhou completed the mining task, he was about to leave for Datong.
Zhang Heling was the host that night, and he only entertained Zhang Zhou alone. He also asked specific questions about the dividends.
During the banquet, Zhang Zhou kept pouring wine.
"Mr. Zhang, I won't say much more about my admiration." Zhang Heling drank a few glasses of cat urine and started talking more, "You can open two mines this day, and you can see coal with just a few shovels...
Otherwise, you can give me some more advice. I can open it myself and pay more taxes to the court. How about we mutually benefit?"
Zhang Heling was not willing to just serve Zhang Zhou.
What he wants is to have complete control over the coal mines and put money only into his own pocket.
Zhang Zhou smiled.
I believe you as a ghost.
When this guy gets the coal mine, will he still pay taxes to the court? He probably won't even give his brother-in-law face to take action... all he wants is you as a cover.
"Marquis Shouning, someone else is running the coal mine, and you get the money, isn't it good?" Zhang Zhou smiled, "You came to the northwest, it seems, to do military exploits, right? Do you want to keep your people here? Or do you plan to go with us?
Like Jianchang Bo, you entangled a group of people to do things in your name?"
"That's what I said..."
"The north of Datong is now full of Tatars, and the soldiers and horses of Huo Si are all south of Mao'erzhuang. This time we went to Datong to send troops, so we kept our thoughts in mind."
Zhang Heling instantly felt that the money he spent on the drink tonight seemed to be in vain.
The banquet is over.
Outside the room in the post house, Mrs. Chen came over with an account book and knocked on the door.
Dressed in men's clothing, she felt awkward walking among the mining team, especially when there were many people around her who were from the army. When she saw Zhang Zhou, her eyes were a little evasive.
Zhang Zhou called her to his room.
"Tomorrow, I will go to Datong, which is not far away, just forty miles to the northeast." Zhang Zhou said, "I will leave the mining to you. If we don't have enough manpower, we will find a way from the south. We will find tools and molds.
Someone brought it to you...Whether your Chen family can be revived depends on your own ability!"
