Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 131 Respect and Utilization

Li Zisheng and Pang Qing couldn't help but look at each other again.

The two of them are now full of admiration for Zhang Luan, but there is an inexplicable feeling in their hearts that makes them confused and hesitant.

Li Zisheng thought about it for a while and said, "If there is really an evil fog on the ninth day of the first lunar month, it may really mean that something ominous will happen in the palace... In this way, everything makes sense."

Zhang Luan asked nervously, "Minister Li wants to report this to the emperor?"

"Laizhan, I'm not trying to steal your credit. This kind of thing shouldn't steal your reputation, but you also know that the implications behind this are too serious. If you're not careful, you'll easily get into trouble. Even if you fulfill the prophecy, you'll be ostracized and suppressed by the people in the court. Some people may even persecute you in secret. It's hard to guard against!"

Li Zisheng said with a worried look on his face.

Zhang Luan hurriedly defended himself: "That's true. As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge an open knife but hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. I have absolutely no intention of reporting it myself, nor do I have the intention of competing with Minister Li."

"Oh, how could I not know what kind of person you are? You are so powerful, yet you are humble and low-key, which is really rare... To be honest, I have come into contact with so many people in my life, but there are very few who are as patient and low-key as you.

"If everyone in the world were as humble as you, why would there be so much intrigue, fighting for fame and fortune, and so much bloodshed, fighting to the death?"

Li Zisheng's words sounded like he was trying to scare Zhang Luan, but in fact they came from the heart.

Because Zhang Luan looks harmless in normal times, but what he does is often jaw-dropping.

Precisely because of this, with Li Zisheng's current noble status in the court, he would listen to his words and do what he said, because Zhang Luan gave up almost all the benefits, while he himself hid behind the scenes and quietly got his share.

In addition, matters involving prophecies and divinations in all dynasties would not have a good ending. The reason why Li Zisheng dared to bring it up was because Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen had absolute trust in him. If someone else had reported it, the result would have been very different. However, Li Zisheng would suffer a lot of attacks and impeachments from court officials in the future.

Pang Qing seemed to be thinking: "Master Dao, if everything is really as Mr. Zhang said, then we may be able to make a fuss about this matter. In this way, people in the court will believe in your magical powers even more."

Li Zisheng frowned: "How can it be my magical power? It's Lai Zhan's magical power! Hey, you are such a grown-up, how come you can't even speak?"

"Yes, yes, that is Mr. Zhang's magical power."

Pang Qing was ashamed, but he was saying in his heart, you are really good at pretending, everyone knows what you are thinking, is it necessary to act like this?

Li Zisheng nodded towards Zhang Luan and said with a smile, "It's a pity that Lai Zhan's magical powers cannot be revealed to outsiders for the time being. I have to bear this false reputation for you.

"This visit to the palace to make suggestions may seem like a huge opportunity, but it is actually full of risks. At this point, Your Majesty will not listen to others' advice."

Zhang Luan said straightforwardly: "Minister Li, just report it. I don't have any problem on my side!"

"hehe."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Look at me, I was so busy with important matters that I didn't even have time to ask about you... How is your daughter now?"

Zhang Luan said helplessly: "The person is still in the palace. They said that the next step of selection will be carried out today... I don't know what the specific situation is."

Pang Qing said: "As far as I know, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will come to Qingning Palace in person this afternoon to make the final selection. Now there are only three young noble ladies left in Qingning Palace, one of whom will be the Crown Princess. Including the daughter of the Zhang family, everyone has a chance."

"Ah."

Li Zisheng nodded and said, "Laizhan, please relax. Even though I can't make the decision on this matter, as long as the situation is unfavorable, I will immediately go to the palace to advise the Queen Mother and try to keep the three women in the East Palace. So, even if I don't go in today, I will definitely go in tomorrow."

It is obvious that Li Zisheng was mentally prepared to fight a long-term war.

It would be great if your daughter could enter the Eastern Palace directly, without me having to expend energy and mobilize a lot of personal connections. But even if she doesn't, I will find a way to make her the prince's consort. This way, when the Eastern Palace competes for favor in the future, I, Li, will definitely be used.

Then won't you have to continue cooperating with me obediently?

However, in this case, it seems that if Zhang Yu cannot be selected, it will be most beneficial to Li Zisheng, because it will be easier for him to control Zhang Luan.

Of course, Li Zisheng would not say these words directly. He still had to show his attitude of doing his best to help Zhang Luan.

"Thank you, Minister Li. I am very grateful."

Zhang Luan hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Li Zisheng said with a smile: "Why do you have to thank me? I should be the one thanking you."

At this point, Li Zisheng turned to Pang Qing and ordered, "Bingkun, go to the storehouse and pick up some things. Let Laizhan take them back. I'll go to the palace now... There are some things that must be explained to His Majesty in person... A lot of things have happened in and outside the palace recently. I'm rarely at home, so I need you to take care of everything for me."

Then Li Zisheng nodded at Zhang Luan, "I still say the same thing, come and visit. If you want to come, the door of the Li Mansion is always open to you. As long as I am here, I will definitely not ignore you. Just treat this place as your own home."

……

……

Li Zisheng personally saw Zhang Luan off. His humble and polite attitude and slightly flattering tone showed that he treated Zhang Luan as his lifelong confidant and that he valued him. After the man left, Li Zisheng stood and watched for a long time before reluctantly returning home.

"Hurry, pack up, I'm going to the palace now."

As soon as he entered the gate, Li Zisheng seemed like a different person. His eyes were enthusiastic and his steps were brisk, as if he wanted to fly to the emperor immediately.

Pang Qing said with a smile: "Master Dao, you are so proud of yourself that you are riding high."

Li Zisheng smiled and rolled his eyes at Pang Qing, saying, "Look at what you said. How can this be called being proud? A big change is about to happen in the palace. How can I be considered proud? I don't even have time to feel sorry for Your Majesty!"

Pang Qing continued to laugh.

You call this sad?
I’m afraid you’ll laugh out loud in front of the emperor.

"He is truly a national hero!"

Li Zisheng suddenly sighed, "People like Lai Zhan are really rare in this world!"

Pang Qing echoed, "It's not rare, it should be considered the first person in history, right?"

"Well, that makes sense. How come I happened to encounter this? It seems that even God favors me." Li Zisheng continued to express his thoughts there.

Pang Qing suddenly thought of something and said with embarrassment: "If his daughter becomes the Crown Princess and he becomes the father-in-law of the emperor in the future, I'm afraid things won't be that simple."

Li Zisheng didn't take it seriously and waved his hand, saying, "What are you worrying about? Do you think it's so glorious to be a relative of the Ming Dynasty?"

Pang Qing suddenly realized, and said with a smile: "That's right, it seems that I was worrying too much."

"It's more than just worrying, it's simply worrying without reason! If Zhang Laizhan really becomes a relative of the emperor, for the sake of the title, salary, land, and even the connections in the court, which one does he not need my support for? Are all the connections I have in the court just for show?"

Li Zisheng looked very proud.

Pang Qing said: "I thought that the Taoist didn't want to help him, and even wanted to use the matter of his daughter staying in the East Palace to control him."

"Humph, you are so short-sighted! Who do you think I am?"

Li Zisheng looked unhappy. "Although I am not a scholar, I am also a gentleman. If others help me, I will repay them...

"Since I entered the court, have I not followed this principle in treating everyone and everything?"

"It's natural."

Pang Qing said this, but he was thinking in his heart, you really have a good feeling about yourself, don't you know how people outside are slandering you?

Li Zisheng said, "If Lai Zhan fulfills everything he said today and Queen Wan dies, the court will definitely undergo major changes. Your Majesty will no longer worry about changing the crown prince, and the crown prince will gradually step to the forefront. By then, I will need someone in the East Palace to pass on my message."

Pang Qing asked, "What if Zhang's daughter can't be chosen as the Crown Princess?"

Li Zisheng frowned: "That's a bit troublesome... Although we can let his daughter stay in the Eastern Palace, there is still a big difference between a concubine and an empress."

"Correct."

Pang Qing agreed with this.

If Zhang Luan's daughter cannot become the Crown Princess, she will not be able to become the Queen in the future. In this way, Zhang's daughter will be suppressed by the Queen in the palace, and Zhang Luan will not be able to take on the responsibility in terms of the power of the foreign relatives outside the palace.

Li Zisheng looked up at the sky, thought for a moment and said, "Go, send someone to say hello to the Eastern Palace attendant."

"what?"

Pang Qing was horrified and asked, "Master Dao, isn't it too risky to do this? If people find out, it will be a big deal."

Li Zisheng said, "Your Majesty is focusing on Lady Wan's illness right now, how can he care about other things? Besides, with my power in the court, is there anyone who dares to gossip about me?"

Pang Qing said: "Even if that's the case, it's still very inappropriate."

Li Zisheng frowned and said, "I have had some interactions with Eunuch Tan Ji before. You should know where his private residence is in the city. I have never used this relationship. With his status in the East Palace, I believe he can influence the prince's judgment. This matter must be handled by him."

"Eunuch Qin is a low-key person. Besides, if we go to look for him temporarily, we may not have enough time." Pang Qing still hesitated.

Li Zisheng said: "Doesn't the prince want more help? Even if Eunuch Tan is just, he still has to think about the prince's future. I have repeatedly warned of disasters, which can be regarded as openly supporting the prince. Is Eunuch Tan deaf and blind?

"Just go find it. Whether it works or not, it's a psychological comfort."

(End of this chapter)