Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 235 Playing around

After Fang'e delivered the snacks into the inner hall of Duanjing Palace, she turned around and went to see Concubine Shao.

Anyway, the palace maid did not usually live in the Duanjing Hall, and Zhang Yu did not want to see her that day, which meant that she had a relatively long vacation, because it was not her turn to be on duty that night and the next day.

Qixiang Palace.

"Empress Chen, this is what happened. The Crown Princess seemed to have nothing to do in the East Palace and was very bored. She asked me and others how to entertain herself. I don't know how to answer..."

Fang'e told Concubine Shao truthfully about what had happened in the past few days, especially the situation involving Zhang Yu.

After all, Concubine Shao did not have the brains and ruthlessness of Concubine Wan, nor did she have the corresponding status in the palace. What she wanted now was to use the remaining power of Concubine Wan to help her son become the crown prince.

At this time, there was a person eavesdropping in the back hall of Qixiang Palace.

It’s Liang Fang.

He was not hiding here intentionally to steal secrets, but he had been frequently going to Concubine Shao to show his courtesy in a bid to consolidate his alliance with her. This time it was just a coincidence.

Concubine Shao said, "It is natural for the Crown Princess to feel a little depressed when she first entered the palace. When I first entered the palace, I was also like her, but I have only adapted to it in the past two years."

When Fang'e heard this, she was shocked and said, "My goodness! You actually sympathize with your enemies in the palace?"

What's happening here?
What she didn't know was that Concubine Shao had always regretted entering the palace.

Because Concubine Shao was the most reluctant of all the concubines in the palace to stay in the imperial palace, historical records show that before her death, she had already been honored as the "Grand Empress Dowager". She specifically asked her eldest grandson, Emperor Jiajing Zhu Houzhao, to issue an edict to exempt women from the south of the Yangtze River from being selected to enter the palace, as a favor left to her hometown.

"What else did she say?"

Concubine Shao suddenly became interested in this "daughter-in-law" who had just entered the palace.

"No...no more."

What he said before had completely confused Fang'e, and now she was even a little speechless.

"That's fine."

Concubine Shao waved her hand and said, "Do your job well when you go back. You don't need to come to me to report unless it's a major event... Kneel down and pay your respects."

After Fang'e left, Liang Fang came out from the back hall.

Concubine Shao appeared very humble in front of Liang Fang. She also knew that her good sister Wan Zhen'er had passed away, and there were fewer and fewer people inside and outside the palace who could help her. As the conflict with the prince became increasingly intensified, Liang Fang was the only one who was willing to help her sincerely.

"Empress Chen, it seems that the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace is unwilling to be mediocre, which may become a hidden danger in the future." Liang Fang summarized Fang'e's previous report.

Concubine Shao disagreed and shook her head slightly: "It is completely understandable that you feel bored after entering the inner courtyard of the palace. Just like me, I have lived here for a long time and rarely see the emperor. It is not surprising that I feel a little miserable and even have some thoughts in private."

Liang Fang frowned.

Concubine Wan was a woman with a strong ambition and a strong desire for control, and she was the one who made the decisions in the harem.

Concubine Shao, however, had a different personality. She was very good at pleasing people and made both Concubine Wan and the Emperor feel comfortable. However, she was not sharp enough when it came to speaking out against external forces.

Liang Fang warned: "My Lady, everyone around the prince is our opponent, so don't take it lightly."

Is this a reminder to Concubine Shao that now is the time for you to talk about compassion and empathy? The enemy's wife is of course our enemy.

"Ah."

Concubine Shao nodded, "Eunuch Liang, is there anything I can help you with recently? My family is in the capital, so although I can't help much, I can still be of use to you if you need me. In addition, if there is anything in the palace that you are not convenient to report to His Majesty, you can also bring it up with me, and I will convey it when the time is right."

Concubine Shao really wanted to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with Liang Fang.

Nowadays, she has very little say in the palace. Even if she occasionally gets the opportunity to sleep with the emperor, she is far from being comparable to Concubine Wan.

Liang Fang smiled and said, "Have you heard any rumors outside? Please relax, it's just a small trouble, I can handle it myself.

"Your Highness, you must raise a few more issues in front of His Majesty when you have time. Now that His Majesty is no longer promoting the plan of changing the crown prince, there can be no one to speak up, right? Sometimes His Majesty is too easy-going and muddle-headed in this important matter."

What Liang Fang wants to remind you is, Your Majesty, you should persuade her more often.

Otherwise, if no one mentions it to the emperor, your son’s chance of becoming the crown prince will be gone.

"understood."

Concubine Shao frowned, "His Majesty has been ill recently, and I have few opportunities to accompany him. Can Eunuch Liang find some good medicine for His Majesty?"

Liang Fang seemed to understand something from this and nodded repeatedly: "I understand, Your Majesty is a real dragon in the Ninth Heaven, a minor illness or disaster is nothing to worry about... Your Majesty will surely live forever!"

Is curing diseases a skill?
It would be more practical to prepare more elixirs and magic medicines to offer to him. The emperor believes in them anyway. Who makes those in power pursue immortality in the end?

……

……

After meeting Concubine Shao, Liang Fang did not go to the Imperial Stables office to deal with the accumulated affairs, but left the palace and returned home before sunset.

He really wanted to know the progress of Wei Xing's interrogation of Zheng Youming.

With great expectations in his heart, he was thinking on the way, if Wei Xing could bring me a dozen telescopes directly after returning, and let me report the prince for stealing other people's credit, tut tut...

Unfortunately, beautiful dreams are common but good things don’t always happen.

When he returned home and asked the receptionist, he learned that Wei Xing had not yet come to his house and had not even sent anyone to say hello.

"It's been almost a day? And there's still no result?"

Liang Fang was also puzzled.

Is it so difficult for you, Wei Xingcheng, to send someone to inform us first if you want to succeed?
Or do you, Wei Xing, have ulterior motives and are ready to collude with Qian Neng at this time?

"Here comes someone!"

Liang Fang said angrily, "Send someone to find the man surnamed Wei and ask him what's going on. Make sure he comes in person! No matter how late it is tonight, the gates of this mansion are open. He can't hide away!"

……

……

Wei Xing was also in a state of panic at this time.

They first interrogated Zheng Youming and then other members of the Zheng family. The information they obtained was almost exactly the same, which was that they had just taken over the business not long ago. A family surnamed Tian transferred the business to the Zheng family a few days ago.

The Zheng family took over the business and started operating it without any thorough investigation.

"Hey, that Tian family is really capable, to be able to pass on such a difficult livelihood to others at this time, and others really just sit back and enjoy the benefits? Do you think these people are really brainless, or do they think they have too many brains?"

When Wei Xing said this, he was standing under the rack and deliberately said it for Zheng Youming to hear.

Zheng Youming was already exhausted at this time, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Eunuch...Eunuch, please spare my life. I have no evil intentions. If I knew the reason behind it, I would definitely find someone to inform Eunuch Liang and Eunuch Wei. I would never do this..."

"Humph, this is just your one-sided statement. We have to wait until we catch him before we can investigate and see if you are lying!"

Wei Xing held the tea bowl and wanted to drink tea but had no appetite.

Just as he said, he really couldn't accept the smell of blood in the air.

Because he loved cleanliness, he had always been in charge of the Imperial Household Department. He had been well-mannered for most of his life and had never had to fight and kill like he does now.

He himself was also thinking, I followed Eunuch Liang because I wanted to get rich, not to be brave and aggressive and show off my power... Now even things like torture must be done by me personally?
……

……

The police who followed the Zheng family out to arrest people came back.

But the news that came back made Wei Xing vomit blood. "...Sir, I went to check, but the house was already empty." The Zheng family's steward knelt on the ground, looking like he had lost his parents.

"what?"

Wei Xing grabbed the tea bowl and threw it directly at the man.

Zheng Youming shouted, "Impossible... Didn't I ask you to keep an eye on him? How could this happen?"

The steward was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he said tremblingly: "Dong... Boss, didn't you order us to look for him, and then spread the word so that people know where he is, so that his girl can fall into the trap..."

Wei Xing frowned and interrupted, "Are you fishing with bait? The fish didn't take the bait, but the bait was lost first? What on earth are you trying to do to me? You think I'm easy to talk to and will accept your nonsense, right?"

"Spare your life, spare your life."

This time the kneeling manager began to kowtow and beg for mercy.

It was also because he saw his master being beaten to a deathly state, and he was afraid that he would be the next person to be tortured. Since things were not done well, he could only beg for mercy.

"Fuck..."

Wei Xing stood up and paced back and forth. He was exhausted and felt like he had no strength to use.

The general next to him suggested, "Eunuch, why don't you notify the people from Shuntian Prefecture and Wucheng Bingma Division and ask them to help investigate? It shouldn't be difficult to find someone in the capital or the surrounding areas, right?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Xing stopped and put his head close to the general, almost face to face, and asked softly, "Why am I looking for him?"

"you……"

The general was confused.

Aren't you looking for him?
Now that you know he can't be found, you're so angry, but you ask me why you're looking for him?
Shouldn't you ask yourself this question?
Wei Xing pointed outside and said, "The workshop is right there, and the raw materials are there too. Can't we just make a few of them? Soap, glass, or a telescope? Is it more important to find a member of the Tian family than to make those things?"

The general finally understood now.

Once you find the person, the most you can do is take revenge on him, which is just to vent your anger.

The most urgent task now is to make the product quickly so that we can report to Liang Fang.

Just then, someone came to the door.

"Eunuch Wei, Eunuch Liang sent someone to tell you that you must give him a definite answer today... He also said that no matter how late it is tonight, you can go to his house in person to report."

"Fuck..."

At this moment, Wei Xing could only jump up and down and curse.

……

……

Wei Xing led his men out, as if he really wanted to settle the production matters first.

As soon as he left the torture chamber, the commander of the Beijing camp followed him out and asked, "Eunuch, what should we do with that guy in there?"

"You've already arrested him? Are you going to let him go?" Wei Xing said viciously, "All the properties under his name will be confiscated!"

"what?"

The general was incredulous when he heard this.

Now it seems that they have arrested the wrong person!
We were supposed to arrest the Tian family, but in the end we didn't catch the real culprit. So are we going to let the Zheng family bear all the consequences?
Wei Xing said sinisterly, "Now he has fallen into the crotch of his pants with yellow mud, it must be shit if it's not shit... Should we tell Eunuch Liang that the real culprit was not caught and the matter was ruined?"

The general thought to himself, didn’t you say that all we need to do is make the telescope and the soap?

How can you say that things went wrong?

If you want to infringe on the interests of the Zheng family, just say so. Why make such a big deal out of it?

"Go, bring the craftsman here for interrogation."

Wei Xing seemed to be about to take action against the next target.

……

……

Wei Xing dragged out all the people from the glass workshop and the soap workshop, but these people had no idea why they were detained by the officers and soldiers, and what they were doing here.

These two workshops had never been officially put into production, and when Zhang Yanling set up the trap, he would naturally find people who had no idea about their background to fill in the gaps. At most, they knew roughly how colored glaze and pancreas were made, but they had no idea about the specific process and production technology.

In front of the workshop, Zhang Yanling had fired all the employees, and all the craftsmen in front of him were recruited after the Zheng family took over.

The two products, glass and soap, are currently only in the technical research and development stage. As long as Zhang Yanling does not hand over the complete technology, or personally supervise and guide it, and a group of craftsmen who have no idea are left to overcome the technical difficulties, it may take several generations, or even never.

"Who made this glass?"

Facing a group of craftsmen, Wei Xing did not use force directly, but picked up a glass jar and asked.

Someone from the glass workshop came out and replied timidly, "We made it."

"How did you make it? Can you make this kind of glass now?"

As he spoke, Wei Xing took the lens removed from the telescope and showed it to the craftsmen in the glass workshop.

The craftsmen looked at each other, their eyes wide open, with confusion on their faces.

"I'm asking you a question, are you deaf?"

Wei Xing shouted impatiently.

"You can try it!"

A craftsman replied.

Wei Xing nodded: "Then let's make it now! Do we use a furnace to burn it? How many people do you have?"

"Twenty-six people!"

The foreman of the craftsmen said respectfully.

"Who hired you?"

Wei Xing asked again.

"It's Master Zheng... that's him..."

The foreman of the craftsmen pointed at the Zheng family's steward.

The Zheng family’s steward shouted, “Stop accusing people. Who hired you? It’s… the boss who asked me to hire you. It’s none of my business!”

"Then...what about the people from the workshop before?"

Wei Xing was cautious after all. He felt that the group of people in front of him were probably a group of fools who were temporarily hired by the Zheng family to work. It would be best to find the earliest batch of craftsmen in the workshop and completely copy the previous production process.

What he didn't know was that there were no professional colored glaze craftsmen here at all. There was only one person who had the full set of firing experience. His surname was Zhang, and his name was Zhang Yanling.

It is true that there were several porters who were responsible for firewood and lifting, as well as several mold-making masters.

“There’s no one in the original workshop.”

The Zheng family's steward gritted his teeth and explained: "When we found this place, there were only some glass products on the ground and these things in the furnace. There was also a sketch attached, saying that we could build it according to the sketch..."

(End of this chapter)