Jiuxi

Chapter 606: Human Heart

Although Xue Nanting did not state his purpose explicitly, it was not difficult to guess.

During the difficult years of the past fifteen years, he and Qin Zheng had been colleagues who had watched over and helped each other. One of them had been diligently managing state affairs at the central government, while the other had been secretly protecting the late emperor. Even though the two seldom interacted with each other openly, they both knew that the other was a friend of life and death in whom they could trust everything.

Xue Nanting saw through the new emperor's plan at a glance, so he came to Lu Chen so eagerly. The reason why he did not go directly to the palace to persuade him was that he was worried that the young emperor would become angry and make the matter completely irreversible.

Lu Chen's analysis made him feel relieved. When the most pressing problem was solved, he couldn't help but start to look at this newly elected Duke of the County.

"Prime Minister Xue, is there mud on my face?"

Lu Chen smiled faintly and teased very naturally.

Xue Nanting smiled and said, "I just remembered that private meeting back then. Thinking back now, it feels like a lifetime ago."

Lu Chen's face also showed some emotion.

It was the first time he came to Beijing, and Xue Nanting invited him to his home for a chat.

At that time, he was just a small captain in the Frontier Army Governor's Office, while the other party was the powerful right prime minister of the current dynasty. The difference in their identities and status was too great, so naturally they could not talk too deeply.

Even so, Xue Nanting did not put on airs in front of him. Instead, he encouraged him earnestly and informed him of the center's plan in detail.

Although Xue Nanting used Lu Chen to reassure Xiao Wangzhi, it could be seen that there was no falseness in his demeanor as a prime minister.

Thinking about the past, Lu Chen couldn't help but say with some emotion: "Speaking of which, I am really lucky. If it weren't for the care and advice of the late emperor, Prime Minister Li and Prime Minister Xue, I might have been lost in the world long ago."

"You are still too modest. The old prime minister and I have advised many people, but who can achieve what you have today? So the key still depends on your own talent and hard work. When we first met and talked, I concluded that you would rise from the bottom, because you are much more mature and restrained than your peers. My son is a few years older than you, and he has the title of second place in the palace examination. Compared with you, he is like a child."

Xue Nanting praised her generously, and then changed the subject: "So I am a little confused today, how could you accept His Majesty's order?"

Lu Chen said calmly: "Why not?"

Xue Nanting said bluntly: "Because we don't know who will be involved in this case, and you don't need to wade into this muddy water. You will go north after the national mourning period is over. There is no need to waste time. Besides, you have sufficient reasons to refuse His Majesty. Old Prime Minister Li has already paved the way for you."

At this moment his eyes were slightly sharper.

Lu Chen replied calmly, "Like Prime Minister Xue, I noticed the strangeness of the eunuch assassin and could naturally guess why Your Majesty did this. Although Your Majesty seems a little impatient, I must ensure that Your Majesty is not in danger, so that the court can be stable and people's hearts can be reassured. This is why I want to find out the truth. Another point is that I don't want Qin Tiju to be framed by villains. It's better for me to investigate it myself than to hand it over to some people with ulterior motives."

Xue Nanting looked at him steadily and said with relief: "It's hard for you to consider the overall situation so much."

Lu Chen said frankly: "I cannot disappoint the late emperor's expectations."

The two looked at each other, and they understood each other tacitly.

What Xue Nanting meant by "considering the overall situation" was that the emperor had previously conferred him the title of Duke of a county despite Lu Chen's opposition, causing Lu Chen to stand out from the crowd and attract the scrutiny of people all over the world. Lu Chen's act of taking over this task today proved that he had no complaints and at least he could fulfill his duty as a subject.

Lu Chen's answer frankly stated that he did not do this for the current emperor. In the final analysis, he just couldn't let go of the affection he had for the late emperor.

In just two sentences, the two of them had already made their judgment about each other's thoughts.

"I'll leave this case to you."

Xue Nanting stood up slowly and said, "I will greet Gao Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice and Qi Weili, the Minister of the Dali Temple, and ask them to do their best to cooperate with you in investigating the case."

"Thank you, Prime Minister Xue."

Lu Chen stood up and bowed, then personally escorted Xue Nanting out of the mansion.

The sky was gloomy and drizzling.

When Lu Chen returned to the study in the back house, Tan Zheng was already waiting there.

"Master, the three assassins are temporarily detained in the East Courtyard. One of them was injured in the internal organs by your internal energy. Thanks to the timely treatment of the imperial physician, his life was saved."

"understood."

Lu Chen came to the large desk by the window and sat down, but did not make any arrangements immediately.

His mind was still thinking about the conversation he had just had with Xue Nanting.

The right prime minister of the current dynasty was actually not as anxious as he appeared.

Of course, he wanted to help Qin Zheng out of sincerity, but he just wanted to take this opportunity to see what was in Lu Chen's heart.

After a long time, Tan Zheng couldn't help but whispered: "Master, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not." Lu Chen closed his eyes slightly and said lightly: "Go ahead."

Tan Zheng mustered up his courage and said, "Your Majesty's current position in the court is very high. No matter how many ideas Your Majesty has, you still need to consider Your Majesty's position in the border army. Therefore, Your Majesty can only use roundabout means, and only hopes to impose some restrictions on Your Majesty. In this case, it seems unnecessary for Your Majesty to get involved in this kind of turmoil. If this case involves a wide range of people, it may cause Your Majesty to be in a dilemma."

"The reason is simple. Times are different now."

Lu Chen raised his hand and tapped the table lightly, then continued: "If you want to interfere in government affairs and truly reach the core areas, how much effect can you achieve by just relying on some spies and winning over a few officials? Your Majesty may want to continue to roast me on the fire, but I also need an opportunity to extend my influence from the border troops to the center, and investigating the case in accordance with the order is a start. When the late emperor was alive, I didn't think about these things. I only thought about how to lead the troops to fight, but now I have to think a few more steps."

Tan Zheng suddenly realized, bowed his head and said: "I understand."

Lu Chen said meaningfully: "So including His Majesty and the Right Prime Minister, they were not aware of this change, but the Left Prime Minister said the most crucial details. Maybe he didn't think so deeply, but the instinct he developed after decades of ups and downs in the officialdom made him subconsciously dissuade. In fact, I didn't want to pay attention to these things, but... as the saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers, and the situation is like this, so I have to prepare for a rainy day in advance."

Tan Zheng said respectfully, "Sir, you are wise."

Lu Chen sighed softly, and then ordered: "Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get the detailed life stories of the eunuch and the two craftsmen, and then go to the Textile Bureau to get the review materials for this time. As for the three assassins, keep them awake for one night, and I will personally interrogate them tomorrow."

Tan Zheng said solemnly: "I obey your orders!"

……

Imperial City, Xiu Ren Hall.

Li Zongben sat behind the imperial desk, looking at the middle-aged official standing three feet away.

Except for Yuan Yuji, all other palace ladies stood solemnly outside.

Since he took over as regent more than half a year ago, Li Zongben had more and more contact with this middle-aged man, especially after the death of the previous emperor. As the Minister of Rites Xie Zhen was old, the man, as the Left Vice Minister of Rites, was responsible for the national funeral ceremonies, and his visits to the palace became more and more frequent.

But for quite a long time, Li Zongben did not pay any special attention to him.

Because he was the eldest son of the Left Prime Minister Li Daoyan, no one could ignore the brilliance of the old prime minister and pay more attention to his eldest son.

It was not until a conversation with the third prince Li Zongjian yesterday that Li Zongben dug out some strange details from his memory and some of his doubts were suddenly resolved.

So he summoned Li Shizhi into the palace in the name of inquiring about the aftermath of the national mourning, and observed him closely for the first time.

He indeed has the style of his father, with a natural air of nobleness and elegance, especially his calm and restrained temperament, which was clearly revealed when he met the emperor.

Li Shizhi did not know the emperor's intention before entering the palace, but now he had vaguely sensed some clues, so he became more calm.

Li Zongben finally spoke: "Minister Li."

Li Shizhi bowed his head and said, "I am here."

Li Zongben said calmly, "Some time ago, Minister Xie told me privately that he was getting old and weak, and he was planning to resign from the post of Minister of Rites and return home to retire. As the Left Vice Minister of Rites, you are the most powerful person under Minister Xie, and I would like to hear your opinion on this matter."

Li Shizhi thought for a moment and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, I dare not speak rashly about my superiors. However, since Your Majesty has asked me, I dare not answer perfunctorily. Minister Xie is 62 years old at the time, and perhaps he is indeed unable to do what he wants. However, I cannot suggest that Your Majesty allow Minister Xie to resign."

Li Zongben asked: "Why?"

Li Shizhi replied: "Your Majesty, my father is three years older than Minister Xie."

Li Zongben was slightly startled, then laughed and said, "That makes sense."

In fact, this question is very difficult to answer, because Xie Zhen is Li Shizhi's immediate superior. In other words, he is his biggest obstacle in officialdom.

If Li Shizhi thought that an old man like Xie Zhen should give way earlier, he would naturally appear extremely stupid, but if he firmly spoke for Xie Zhen, it would be too hypocritical.

It was even more impossible to keep silent, so he had no choice but to bring up his old father, which was both reasonable and would not fall into the emperor's verbal trap.

Li Zongben looked at this man's neither humble nor arrogant demeanor and found him more pleasing to the eye, so he went on to say, "When the late emperor was alive, Minister Xie wanted to retire, but because of the continuous major events in the court, the late emperor and I did not agree to his resignation. This time his attitude is quite firm, and I can't continue to force him to stay, so I plan to allow him to return home to retire. After Minister Xie left, I intend to recommend you as the Minister of Rites. I wonder if you are willing to share my worries?"

This time, Li Shizhi did not continue to use Zuo Xiang as a shield. He just bowed and said frankly: "I eat the salary of the emperor, I am loyal to the emperor, and I worry about the emperor. This is what a minister should do."

"Flat body."

Li Zongben was relieved. Looking at the calm face of the middle-aged man, he said with deep emotion, "Prime Minister Li has a successor."

Li Shizhi lowered his head and looked more respectful and humble.

(End of this chapter)