Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Outside the palace gate, a team of armored soldiers were marching in neat steps, their brand new armor shining in the sun.

Li Shanchang's pupils suddenly shrank. He didn't expect the emperor to kick the ball to Ouyang Lun, which confirmed that the Huaixi Party was indeed doing something fishy with military supplies.

"I understand, old minister." Duke Hanguo kowtowed heavily and suddenly staggered when he stood up.

Zhu Biao hurried over to help him, but he felt something hard under the old man's robe - it was the iron certificate of immunity from death hidden at his waist! The prince was shocked. Li Shanchang actually came to see the emperor with a life-saving talisman!

Zhu Yuanzhang pretended not to notice and poured a cup of tea himself and pushed it over: "Duke, we are all going to be buried soon, so we should let go of some things."

Li Shanchang took the teacup with a steady hand: "Your Majesty taught me. But..." He took a sip and said quietly in the hot air: "The old tree has tangled roots. If you want to pull it up, I'm afraid it will bring out too much soil."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked out the window and said, "The soil can bury the bones, but it cannot stop the trend."

After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Duke, is that right?"

Li Shanchang slowly put down the teacup, and the porcelain and gold bricks collided, making a crisp "ding" sound: "The emperor is wise. However, the general situation can also be forged. Prince Consort Ouyang is extremely smart and has unparalleled achievements. Many things that were originally impossible to accomplish have been accomplished in his hands. Even the old ministers have to admire him!"

"I think it will not be difficult for Prince Consort Ouyang to create a big situation. I hope Your Majesty, the Supreme Emperor, can investigate it clearly and not let some people with ulterior motives take advantage of it, which will disappoint the old ministers."

"Recently, what I have heard most is people praising Prince Consort Ouyang, but I have rarely heard people praising the Emperor or His Majesty."

The two men's eyes met in mid-air, as if sparks were flying. Finally, Li Shanchang bowed his head again and said, "I have spoken out of turn. Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor, has full faith in Prince Consort Ouyang. How can I discuss this? Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."

When the purple-robed figure disappeared outside the palace gate, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly grabbed the teapot and smashed it to pieces: "You old bastard! How dare you threaten me!"

"Father, Duke Hanguo has seen through your idea of ​​using the Huaixi Party to check and balance your brother-in-law Ouyang and the Prince Consort's Party." Zhu Biao said slowly.

"Humph, did this old man just discover it today? Obviously not. The fact that he only said it now proves that he is anxious." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly smiled again, "He must have been forced into a corner by Ouyang Lun, so he came here to remind us!"

"I see." Zhu Biao thought about it, then suddenly realized something and said, "Then what should we do next, Father?"

"Then we need to hear what Ouyang Lun has to say first." Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became serious, "Go, call Ouyang Lun over to us!"

"This kid has been watching the show for such a long time. Every move he makes has forced Li Shanchang and the Huaixi Party into this state. He still wants to be invisible? No way!"

"Yes, the emperor." After receiving the order, Wang Zhong immediately walked out of the Taile Palace and headed towards the Zongrenfu.

Ouyang Lun was looking through an account book in a side hall of the clan residence. Outside the window, the spring light was bright and a few sparrows were chirping on the branches.

He seemed to be focused, but in fact his mind had already drifted away - it had been a long time since he went out for fun with the three ladies, and he had to find some time to go out and play. It was really boring to stay in this clan mansion every day, dealing with these government affairs that would never be finished.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor Retired has summoned you." Wang Zhong's voice came from outside the door, interrupting Ouyang Lun's thoughts.

Ouyang Lun raised his head, a hint of annoyance flashed across his face, and then he regained his composure. "Eunuch Wang, please wait a moment. Let me change my clothes."

After closing the door of the inner room, Ouyang Lun faced the bronze mirror while his beautiful maid straightened his clothes. Ouyang Lun in the mirror looked handsome, but a little tired, and he yawned from time to time.

Ouyang Lun muttered in a low voice: "Calling us over suddenly must be bad news."

"Master, I heard that Li Shanchang just went to see the Emperor and His Majesty." At some point, Zhou Bao appeared at the side in official uniform and reported carefully.

"Zhou Bao, why are you walking like a ghost? You are a high-ranking official now, so be more steady." Ouyang Lun said unhappily, "Don't call me slave all the time in the future. If this gets out, the second-rank official of the Ming Dynasty is my slave. Where can I go to seek justice then?"

"Yes, master! I understand, but I will always be your servant." Zhou Bao said firmly.

"." Ouyang Lun shook his head, "It's up to you."

"By the way, you just said that Li Shanchang went to see the Emperor and His Majesty?"

"Yes, when I just came here, I happened to see Li Shanchang coming out of the Taile Palace. He looked very unhappy and seemed to be holding something in his arms. I don't know what it was. It didn't look like a reward from the Emperor or His Majesty." Zhou Bao continued, "Master, I'm worried that the Emperor called you over, and it must be related to Li Shanchang!"

"Master, you better be careful!"

Ouyang Lun nodded. "Li Shanchang is nothing to be afraid of. I just don't bother to pay attention to him."

"According to what you said, I guess our emperor is probably being pushed into a corner by Li Shanchang and wants to use me as a pawn."

"In this case, Master, you must be more careful. The Emperor is very powerful!"

Before Zhou Bao became an official, he didn't know much about Zhu Yuanzhang. After he became an official, Zhou Bao became more and more aware of how powerful Zhu Yuanzhang was.

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly, "You have become much more stable after becoming an official. It seems that the previous arrangement was right!"

"Alright, stop staying here with me. Go to your own office and do your work. This official assessment also includes you. Don't embarrass me!"

"Master, I also have to report to Taile Palace."

"Yes."

After getting dressed neatly, Ouyang Lun deliberately lingered for a while before following Wang Zhong to Taile Palace.

Along the way, Ouyang Lun casually admired the spring scenery within the palace walls, not in a hurry at all.

The vermilion lacquered gate of Taile Palace was right in front of him. Ouyang Lun had a lazy expression on his face, and even his walking posture became more casual.

"Oh, my prince consort! Let's go quickly, the emperor and his majesty are waiting for you inside!" Seeing this, Wang Zhong could only urge him in a low voice.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Ouyang Lun quickened his pace. "Eunuch Wang and I have been friends for many years. I can't let you down."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. You must be more careful with your words later. The emperor is not in a good mood today." Wang Zhong also reminded in a low voice.

"Thank you, Eunuch, for the reminder. When you have time, go to the clan residence and I'll ask Zhou Bao to take you to pick out some fun things." Ouyang Lun said with a smile.

"I am very grateful that Your Majesty still remembers me. You are a nostalgic person." Wang Zhong smiled a lot more.

Soon, Ouyang Lun came to the hall under the leadership of Wang Zhong.

"Your Majesty, I am Ouyang Lun, your servant, here to see the Emperor." His gestures were standard but perfunctory, and his voice was long and drawn out. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, squinting his eyes as he looked at this son-in-law whom he both loved and hated.

Ouyang Lun was wearing a plain Confucian robe today, with only an ordinary jade pendant hanging around his waist, and he did not have the dignity of a royal consort at all.

But the occasional flash of brilliance in those seemingly distracted eyes could not escape Zhu Yuanzhang's observation.

You bastard, you don’t even wear your official uniform!

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to scold Ouyang Lun severely, but when he thought of the purpose of calling Ouyang Lun here today, Zhu Yuanzhang held back all the abusive words.

"Get up." Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, "Why, are you disturbing your husband's leisure?"

Ouyang Lun stood up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Your Majesty, you are joking. I don't have any free time. I just reviewed documents until three o'clock last night, so I am a little tired today."

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Your Majesty is very busy, but I, the Emperor, have nothing to do, so I specially invited you to have tea?"

Zhu Biao coughed lightly and tried to ease the atmosphere: "Brother-in-law Ouyang, father is concerned about you. The court has been busy recently, and you have worked hard."

Ouyang Lun gave Zhu Biao a grateful glance, and then returned to his lazy look: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just doing my duty."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly slammed the table and stood up, his voice like thunder: "Ouyang Lun! Stop pretending in front of us! Li Shanchang was here just now, do you know what he said?"

The air in the hall froze instantly. Ouyang Lun only raised his eyebrows slightly, as if Zhu Yuanzhang's rage had nothing to do with him: "Duke Han is highly respected and his words must be for the country and the people. As a junior, I dare not speculate."

"What a dare not speculate!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in anger, "He said that you, Ouyang Lun, 'faked the general situation', used the people's mouths to elevate yourself and belittle the royal family! Do you agree with this?"

Ouyang Lun chuckled when he heard this: "So that's how it is." He adjusted his sleeves slowly and said, "What does the emperor think? Do I have the ability to do this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not expect Ouyang Lun to ask back, and was speechless for a moment. Seeing this, Zhu Biao quickly interrupted: "Brother-in-law Ouyang, Duke Hanguo is old, and his words may be biased. Father summoned you to hear your explanation."

Ouyang Lun bowed to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Majesty, please understand." Then he turned to Zhu Yuanzhang and his expression suddenly became serious: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask you a question. Have you ever seen or heard the people praising me and belittling the royal family?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "This..."

"If there is no such thing, then it is hearsay; if there is, I am willing to take the blame." Ouyang Lun said calmly, "As for 'faking the general situation', I don't think I have the ability to do it. The people have their own scales in their hearts, and they will have their own opinions on right and wrong, merits and demerits."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Ouyang Lun for a long time, then suddenly sighed and softened his tone: "Ouyang Lun, I know you are smart. But in the court, a big tree attracts the wind. Li Shanchang came here today with a certificate of immunity from death, do you know what this means?"

Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure: "I don't know."

"This means that he is ready to fight to the death!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, "The Huaixi Party is deeply rooted. If they are really pushed to the limit, the court will be in chaos!"

Ouyang Lun was silent for a moment, then he bowed deeply: "In this case, I will resign from all my posts and retire to the countryside. In this way, the Huaixi Party will have nothing to say, and the court will be stable."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were both shocked. This proposal was totally beyond their expectations.

"Nonsense!" Zhu Yuanzhang shouted, "The court is in need of people, and as a royal consort, how can you escape from the battlefield!"

Ouyang Lun raised his head, with a bit of sincerity in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I am not trying to escape. I just feel that if my presence really becomes a factor of instability in the court, then leaving may be the best option."

Zhu Biao hurriedly advised: "Brother-in-law Ouyang, this is not possible! The new policy is about to be implemented, what will I do without you?"

Ouyang Lun smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty, there are so many talented people in the world, and there is no shortage of Ouyang Lun. Besides..." He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang meaningfully, "The Emperor is a man of great talent and strategy, and he will make his own arrangements."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly burst into laughter, but his laughter was a little tired: "Good job, Ouyang Lun, you retreated to advance, and defeated me!"

Ouyang Lun bowed quickly: "I dare not."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked down the steps and came to Ouyang Lun, looking closely at this son-in-law whom he loved and hated: "Let me ask you, if I ask you to cooperate with the Huaixi Party and jointly implement the new policy, would you be willing?"

Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed and he said, "I will obey your order. But..."

"What's this?"

"I'm just afraid that Lord Han doesn't trust me, so the cooperation will be difficult to advance." Ouyang Lun said softly, "Unless..."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes: "Unless what?"

"Unless the emperor himself issues an order to clarify the direction of the new policy and appoints someone to supervise it," Ouyang Lun said respectfully, "In this case, the minister and the Duke of Han will each perform our duties and check and balance each other to ensure the smooth progress of the new policy."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Ouyang Lun for a long time, and suddenly patted him on the shoulder: "Okay! Let's do it! Go back and prepare first. We will make arrangements for the grand court meeting in three days."

Ouyang Lun bowed deeply and said, "I will take my leave now."

After leaving Taile Palace, Ouyang Lun breathed a sigh of relief, his back soaked with cold sweat. In this game, he seemed passive, but in fact, every step was guiding Zhu Yuanzhang to follow his ideas.

"Please stay, Prince Consort." Zhu Biao's voice came from behind.

Ouyang Lun turned around and saluted: "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

Zhu Biao took a few steps closer and whispered, "Brother-in-law handled the situation well today. But the Huaixi Party will not compromise easily, so you have to be more careful."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I know what to do."

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Regarding the new policy, if you need anything, you can come to me directly."

Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he bowed solemnly: "I will remember this in my heart."

After watching Zhu Biao return to Taile Palace, Ouyang Lun turned and walked out of the palace, a faint smile on his lips. This game of power has just begun.

In the Taile Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang stood in front of the window, looking at Ouyang Lun's receding back, and said to Zhu Biao: "Biao'er, do you think Ouyang Lun is loyal or treacherous?"

Zhu Biao pondered and said, "I think that Brother-in-law Ouyang cares about the country, but his style of doing things is different from that of ordinary people." (End of this chapter)