In a room outside Longtuge, Lin Jue and Du Weijian were sitting on wooden benches talking quietly. The two of them were here waiting to be summoned to explain the terms of the new law. But before they were summoned, they could only sit in this small room.
They stayed bored in the room. There was no brazier in the room, and it was as cold as an ice cellar. The two of them had their hands and feet numb from the cold.
Hearing the rapid sound of footsteps, Lin Jue poked his head out from the door and saw Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru walking quickly along the corridor with livid faces and angry expressions. Of course, Lin Jue guessed what happened, but he still kept his old ways.
Tsukuru went up to him without knowing it.
"My two gentlemen, have you finished your interview so soon? Has the emperor approved the new laws and regulations?" Lin Jue asked.
"Huh!" Fang Dunru glared at Lin Jue angrily and walked away without saying a word.
Lin Jue was stunned and looked at Yan Zhengsun, but Yan Zhengsun didn't even look at Lin Jue. He walked past with a livid complexion and raised his head. Du Weijian noticed something was wrong and stretched out his hand to hold Lin Jue's sleeve. The two of them did not dare to talk too much.
He said, and left quickly behind the two adults who were walking fast.
Silent all the way, the four of them hurried back to the Ordinance Department Yamen with quick steps. When they passed through the main aisle of the front house of the Yamen, a public servant walked slowly holding a large pile of files and documents, blocking Fang Dunru's way.
Fang Dunru flew up and kicked someone over, shouting, "Get out of the way."
The little official fell to the ground with an "ouch" sound, and the files were scattered all over the floor. Fang Dunru walked past him without looking back, without even looking at him.
Lin Jue, who was behind, hurriedly helped the young official up and whispered: "Master Fang is in a bad mood. Don't be surprised."
The clerk thought he was unlucky and packed his things with a groan. Lin Jue straightened up, and Du Weijian whispered beside him: "Brother Lin, I have an ominous premonition. I feel like everything has been exposed."
Lin Jue said softly: "Don't worry, just do as we say."
Du Weijian nodded and said softly: "If it is exposed, I will say it was me and take the blame for you."
Lin Jue shook his head and said softly: "That can't be done. One person does the work and the other takes the responsibility. You have to shoulder the responsibility for what I do. Then how can I meet people? Brother Du, don't worry too much. If I ask you, I will bite you to death if you don't know.
Yes, I will take care of the other things."
The two of them were talking in a low voice. As they spoke, they had already entered the courtyard of the public house in the back house. Fang Dunru in front of him turned his head and shouted in a deep voice: "Lin Jue, Du Weijian, you two come into the public house. We have something to ask you."
Lin Jue and Du Weijian hurriedly stopped talking, looked at each other, silently walked up the steps and stepped through the door.
Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengshen were sitting on chairs, one on the left and the other on the right. Their faces were as dark as water, and they exuded a fierce aura. They stared coldly at Lin Jue and Du Weijian who were standing in front of them.
"Tell me, did you do it? Who ordered you to do it? You are so brave!" Fang Dunru shouted solemnly.
Of course, Lin Jue and Du Weijian had to pretend to be confused. Lin Jue bowed and said, "I don't know what happened, sir. Can you please explain it clearly?"
"Hmph, you're putting on a good show. Don't you know what you've done? The new laws and regulations in the wooden box have been compromised. Do you want me to explain it more clearly?" shouted solemnly.
"The package was swapped? How is that possible?"
Lin Jue pretended to be surprised, and hurriedly took two steps forward, took out two stacks of papers on the new laws and regulations from the two wooden boxes on the table, and flipped through them.
"No, the content here is not bad at all, there is no mistake. The page numbers are also correct, not bad at all. Mr. Du, take a look."
Du Weijian also pretended to check, rummaged around, nodded and said: "That's right, why did the two adults talk about it?"
Yan Zhengsu looked at the two people in front of him coldly and said in a cold voice: "Act, continue acting! The new law in the box is another version, not this one. Someone dropped the bag intentionally and wanted to show this version to the emperor.
Such actions and intentions are outrageous. You two were the only ones who came into contact with this wooden box. It wasn't you who did it. Could it be Mr. Fang and I? Please explain to me honestly and we may forgive you. Otherwise, we will have to
Deal with it by law."
Fang Dunru also said in a deep voice: "Do you know what a serious crime you have committed by doing this? At the most serious level, your behavior is a crime of deceiving the emperor and disrupting the imperial court, and at the least level, it is overstepping the rules and bullying others. They are all unforgivable.
I advise you to explain your guilt honestly."
Lin Jue frowned and said: "Why do you become more and more confused when you listen to me? Isn't there only one version of the "Recruitment Law"? The two adults said it themselves the day before yesterday, and the one copied by Mr. Du and I is the final version. Why is there a new version?
A version of?”
"Can't we make some changes? Mr. Fang and I discovered some omissions, so we revised and improved some of the regulations. That's the final version. Don't we have this right?" Yan Zheng said coldly.
Lin Jue said: "That's it, but I don't know what was revised in the version that was changed?"
"It's just a revision of some words and sentences, the difference is not big." Yan said solemnly.
"Since the difference is not big, then why are the two adults so angry? The inaccuracies of individual words and sentences do not have much impact. So why would anyone want to switch? This version can be submitted to the emperor for inspection. Could it be said that the emperor is because of the wording?
Are you furious because of the inaccurate words?" Lin Jue frowned.
Yan Zhengsun stared at Lin Jue speechless. It was clear from Lin Jue's words that he was saying such things on purpose, but he had no room to refute. Because Yan Zhengsun did not want to completely overturn the fourth paragraph of the new law.
After all, he and Fang Dunru had sworn in front of Lin Jue that they agreed with his suggestion, and coaxed Lin Jue to come back and expedite the formulation of the new law and regulations. If the truth were told at this moment, it would be a bit confusing.
Shame and embarrassment.
"Lin Jue, regarding some of the provisions of the new law "service money", we will not agree with the principle of voluntary donation you mentioned. To be honest, the revised part is also the part about the service money. What you and Du Weijian said
We have discarded the drafted content. You don’t need to pretend to be confused. You must have discovered this, so you used the version you and Du Weijian made to make the mistake. Lin Jue, you are so brave.
Is there Mr. Yan or me here?" Fang Dunru told the truth without any concealment.
Lin Jue pretended to be shocked and said: "So, Mr. Yan and Mr. Yan deceived me before? They said they agreed to my suggestion, but they were actually lying to me? How could you do this? How could you deceive me without keeping your words?
To me?"
Lin Jue suddenly felt as innocent as a helpless little white rabbit.
Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru knew that they were in the wrong, and for a moment they had nothing to say. But soon Fang Dunru realized that this matter was not the focus now, the focus was on subcontracting the new law and regulations.
"Lin Jue, we'll bring this up later. Now we're asking you, who subtracted the new laws and regulations? Who was so bold as to do it? A man is a man who dares to act. Whoever did it will stand up and admit it." Fang Dunru
said in a deep voice.
Lin Juewu looked very sad and angry, murmuring and shaking his head: "Master Yan, sir, how could you deceive me? How could you do this?"
"Lin Jue, don't forget your identity. Who is the official here? We are too indulgent of you. We allow you to bargain with us. The content of the reform is not up to you. That is what we can decide. You can't influence it.
What we think. What I want to ask you now is, did you subtract the draft of the new law? Tell me!" Fang Dunru slammed the table, and his patience with Lin Jue had reached the limit.
Lin Jue breathed a sigh of relief and said softly: "It's not me, and it's definitely not Master Du. How could we do such a thing."
"Nonsense. You are the only ones who come into contact with the wooden box. If it weren't you, wouldn't it be us?" Fang Dunru shouted angrily.
Lin Jue said in a deep voice: "That's not certain. Maybe the two adults misplaced the new law and regulations but forgot about it. How can you blame this matter on us?"
"Bastard, do you think we are blinded by old age? We checked several times before going out, and there was nothing wrong. How could such a mistake happen? Yes, I remembered, you left once on the way, it must have been done at that time
"I clearly remember that you were wearing a hat, but you said you forgot to wear an official hat. Did you move your hands and feet at that time?" Fang Dunru scolded sternly.
Lin Jue cupped his hands and said: "Sir, if you catch a thief, you will get the stolen goods, and if you catch a traitor, you will get a pair. You can't doubt me just based on speculation. If I do something, can I hide it from Mr. Du? Mr. Du, you saw that I did something.
What?"
Du Weijian cupped his hands and said: "My lords, I didn't see Master Lin doing anything. The wooden box is in my hand. If something like this happens, I am willing to take responsibility."
Lin Jue shook his head and said: "Master Du, this is none of your business. I didn't see what you did. It was obvious that you pretended to be wrong before, so why do you blame us? Do you two adults have to force us to admit that we did it?
Are you happy after doing this? If the two adults insist on admitting that we did this to make them happy, then for the sake of the two adults to feel comfortable, it’s okay for Lin Jue to admit it against his will. But the two adults must understand
, we didn’t do it.”
Fang Dunru's hair was smoking in anger, Lin Jue was sharp-tongued, and his words were full of chokers. However, he really couldn't produce any evidence. He denied life and death, but there was nothing he could do to him, he could only stare.
Yan Zhengzheng was listening, but he had some doubts. He stretched out his head and asked in a low voice: "Brother Dunru, is it true that we made a mistake? Did we wrongly accuse the two of them?"
Fang Dunru sneered and said: "You mean, my eyesight is really dim and my memory is bad? I'm too old and confused. I'm afraid I won't be able to do anything anymore. Then I'll just resign and go home."
Yan Zheng solemnly waved his hands and said: "No, no, brother Dunru, you know that's not what I meant. Hey, brother Dunru, why are you angry at me? There is no evidence for this at the moment, so what can I do?"
Fang Dunru turned to look at Lin Jue, took a long breath, and tried to soften his tone.
"Lin Jue, do you know how sad I feel now? You were once my most proud and proud disciple, but now, you have become so much that I don't recognize you. You and I are master and disciple, so I naturally know you.
The way you act and your courage. If it weren't for you, no one would dare to act so boldly. If you still recognize me as your teacher, you should honestly admit this matter. We will resolve internal matters internally. As long as you admit your mistake
, I can use this old face to plead with Mr. Yan to prevent this matter from making a fuss. If you no longer care about the friendship between you and my master and disciple, then it is up to you. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. By then,
Don't blame me for doing business. Do you understand? One last question, do you admit it or not?"
Fang Dunru's eyes were fixed on Lin Jue, with many emotions including pain, threat, disappointment and doubt intertwined in his eyes, which were complex and difficult to describe.
Lin Jue also looked at Fang Dunru in a daze, with ups and downs in his heart. When Fang Dunru said such words, how could Lin Jue remain unmoved. For Fang Dunru, Lin Jue's closeness came from the heart, even if
Now that the relationship between the two has reached a low point, Lin Jue actually still respects Fang Dunru. But his feelings for Fang Dunru have obviously been diluted by many things. When he heard Fang Dunru say that he had become
When he heard this sentence that he didn't recognize, Lin Jue thought in his heart, 'I feel the same way about you'.
So many things happened after arriving in the capital. Lin Bonian was investigated, the Lin family was implicated, his appointment, and even after being forced to join the Ordinance Department. He wanted to help the new law wholeheartedly, but Fang Dun was
Ru repeatedly ignored and even deceived. Different opinions led to many quarrels. He was expelled from the master several times. No matter how deep the relationship between master and disciple was, it gradually faded after experiencing so many things.
Quite a few.
People like Fang Dunru, in the eyes of outsiders, are naturally upright, tough and tenacious. This is indeed his advantage, but it is also his shortcoming. He can do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even not going
He cares about the feelings of the people around him. He cherishes his feathers, even cleaning them at the cost of hurting those around him. His toughness and persistence, to a certain extent, are extremely stubborn, and he can even use them for his own purposes.
He resorted to tricks that he despised. For example, he deceived himself several times, and even used the matter between himself and Huanqiu as a bargaining chip to deceive himself.
In Lin Jue's view, Fang Dunru is the one who has made him a stranger now. Reform has become his entire spiritual support, even a bet. He can put everything on the bet, just to win this
A gamble. But he ignored the advice of the people around him and didn't think about whether it was worth it or not.
Therefore, although Lin Jue was moved by Fang Dunru's words, he soon realized that this was probably another deception by his husband. He had been deceived many times, all because he trusted his husband too much. Lin Jue
Tell yourself that you can't be fooled again this time. Grit your teeth and refuse to admit it. Once you admit it, I'm afraid it won't be the result he promised.
"Sir, the student is still saying the same thing. Catch a thief and take the stolen goods. If you want me to admit that I have done this, you must provide evidence. Without evidence, I will never admit it." Lin Jue said softly.
Fang Dunru looked at Lin Jue blankly, nodded slightly, and said hoarsely: "Okay, okay. I understand. Very good. Lin Jue, then I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is found to be related to you,
Don't blame me for being heartless. I have lost patience with you."
Lin Jue was anxious in his heart, but he gritted his teeth and uttered one word: "Okay." Fang Dunru suddenly laughed, waved his hand and shouted in a deep voice: "You can leave now."
Lin Jue and Du Weijian bowed out of the public room and came to the courtyard. The sun was dazzling outside. Both of them heard the solemn and cold words in the public room behind them.
"Immediately conduct an interrogation of the entire office and ask for clues. Especially those who have been in and out of the main hall must be strictly interrogated...Start immediately!"
…
In the Office of the Inspection and Writing Office, Lin Jue sat behind the desk with a calm face, seemingly unworried. The interrogation outside was already making a fuss, but Lin Jue sat still. Even Du Weijian sat still.
Unable to stop himself, he secretly asked Lin Jue if he had really not been seen. Lin Jue replied in the affirmative.
Indeed, when Lin Jue came back to get the draft of the regulations, he observed the surroundings. It was still early at that time, and the genius was still bright. Tian Muyuan, who was the first to arrive on weekdays, did not come, let alone others.
The Yamen arrived later than Lin Jue, let alone such an early time today.
Lin Jue believed that the interrogation of the two adults was in vain. They could not find any evidence that he went to their public house to steal the draft of the regulations. This is not like in the future, where surveillance cameras are all over the streets. If the surveillance video is pulled out, he will not be able to deny it.
. These days, as long as there are no accusations from witnesses, there is no way to recruit people.
Sure enough, Tian Muyuan kept hearing the latest news about the progress from outside. The interrogations in each public house had been completed. No one provided any valuable clues, and no one witnessed anyone entering and exiting the two adults' public houses to steal things. Only the guard at the door provided any information.
He received the message that Master Lin ran back and then ran away, but this message was worthless. Instead, it left Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru speechless in terms of details. Fang Dunru specifically asked Lin Jue to return to the Yamen.
and the attire he wore when leaving the Yamen, the guard immediately provided the fact that Lin Jue came in with his head bare and wore an official hat when leaving. This just confirmed Lin Jue's excuse, and Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu finally started officially for the first time.
Thinking about whether it is their own problem with old eyesight.
In the corridor of the public house, Liu Xiding has been paying close attention to the progress of the matter. When he learned the whole story, Liu Xiding's heart beat faster with excitement, and he was sweating on a cold day. He remembered that early in the morning, he went to the firewood pile to hold firewood.
When He returned to the public room to light a fire, he saw Lin Jue sneaking out of the two adults' public room. At first, he didn't pay much attention to it. He knew that Lin Jue and Du Weijian were going to
As the two adults entered the palace, he thought that Lin Jue had been ordered to come back to pick up something, so he just looked at it without thinking about it deeply. But at this moment, he realized that what Lin Jue did must be to follow the regulations.
It's related.
Liu Xiding used a small wooden spoon to scoop out bird food and feed it to the birds. Because he was absent-minded, he poked the bird in the cage on the head several times, causing the bird in the cage to flutter and scream. What Liu Xiding was thinking about was that he would soon be interrogated.
How to answer? Should I hide it for Lin Jue? It seems that I should also hide it.
But in Liu Xiding's mind, the disdain for him that usually showed in the depths of Lin Jue's eyes emerged. Maybe Lin Jue didn't feel it himself, but this feeling of disdain was a great irritation to Liu Xiding. What's more, he was
He shouldered the mission and entered the Ordinance Department. After winning the top prize, he originally joined the household department of the Political Affairs Hall, which was an excellent start. The appointment of the number one scholar was extremely bad, and the number two, Du Weijian, went to the Privy Council.
He is no better than himself. In his official career, he is a fool.
Many people are flocking to the establishment of the Ordinance Department, but Liu Xiding has no idea. He feels that he is in the most secure place in the political hall. There is no need to join in the fun. Those who volunteer to enter the Ordinance Department are nothing but unsatisfactory.
They are just people, or people who are dissatisfied with their official positions. Looking at the two major offices of the Political Affairs Hall and the Privy Council, how many people are willing to move away, everyone knows it very well.
However, that afternoon, Mr. Wu Chunlai, the director of the Household Department, came to him and spoke to him. Mr. Wu was very straightforward, and he did not make any detours. He wanted to work in the Ordinance Department by himself, and he would report to the Ordinance Department at any time.
situation. It would be best to stir up some trouble inside. In short, Wu Chunlai wanted Liu Xiding to be his internal agent. The condition was that he could be directly appointed as the head of the Household Department in three years.
Liu Xiding had no choice. The conditions offered by Mr. Wu were too tempting, and the consequences of rejection were too serious. Liu Xiding understood that once Wu Chunlai found him, he would have no choice but to obey. In fact, Liu Xiding's resistance was not too strong. He knew
This is also an opportunity for him to get on the big boat of prime minister. He also has his own judgment on matters in the court. He feels that it is better to embrace the thigh of Prime Minister Lu. This may be a once in his life.
Chance.
Since then, Liu Xiding has become a member of the Ordinance Department. He is the top three in Chunwei, and his status is naturally very important. Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu agreed to his entry into the Ordinance Department without much weighing. Moreover, he also entered the most core
This created great convenience for his subsequent reporting. Since the establishment of the Ordinance Department, Liu Xiding would summarize and report everyone's words and deeds as well as major affairs in the yamen every day. It can be said that,
Most affairs in the Ordinance Department are under the control of Lu Zhongtian and Wu Chunlai.
Including the progress of the new law, the discord between Lin Jue and Fang Dunru, the operation of the yamen, and some of the words and deeds that the two adults heard on daily basis, he would write down. He also loved to visit Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru.
To run away from the public house, he needed to collect and report the words and deeds of the two adults, which would be recorded in the register. Wu Chunlai specifically gave him instructions, asking him to get as close to Lin Jue as possible and get some offensive or disobedient words out of his mouth. He could alienate Lin Jue.
You can find ways to sow discord with other people in the yamen, whether with Fang Dunru or Yan Zhengsheng, or with colleagues.
However, Liu Xiding's ability was limited and his courage was not great. He was unable to sow discord between Lin Jue and the two adults, but he only dared to sow discord between Lin Jue and Du Weijian. However, what was self-defeating was that Lin Jue and Du Weijian
The relationship gradually got better and better, but they became more and more estranged from each other. In the past, I could even say a few words, but now I can't even say a few words. There is no way to separate, let alone talk about it from Lin Jue's mouth.
However, what he never expected was that he accidentally came a little early today and actually discovered such a huge secret. Thinking about the whole incident in detail, Liu Xiding was sure that the person who switched the package must be Lin Jue.
Liu Xiding's heart was pounding with excitement. This was an opportunity to make Lin Jue unlucky, an opportunity to cause chaos within the Ordinance Department, and an opportunity to show his ability to Mr. Wu. This was an opportunity that he absolutely couldn't miss. Although he was so
With one move, he completely broke with Lin Jue, but he couldn't care less.
