Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 394 Negotiation (Please vote!)

After Zhang Luan returned, the first thing he did was to look for his son who was refining medicine.

"Son, as you expected, it will not be easy to see the emperor today."

Zhang Luan said sadly, "But I don't know if something happened to His Majesty, or if His Majesty only trusts Wang Ji now. Anyway, I feel relieved now."

Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, I think the more likely possibility is that His Majesty's physical and mental state has begun to deteriorate, and it is no longer convenient for him to see outsiders."

"How to say?"

Zhang Luan asked nervously.

Zhang Yanling put down the test tube in his hand, called Zhang Luan to sit aside, and then said calmly: "When liver disease develops to a certain stage, it will definitely spread to the brain and make people unconscious... This is a concrete manifestation of terminal illness."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise: "Just like Wan Fei at the beginning of the year?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded heavily. "It doesn't mean that everyone will immediately enter a critically ill state. There may be a gradual process, that is, the mind gradually becomes unclear, the person starts to speak incoherently, the mind becomes abnormally excited, and there is no rest for several days. There are also situations where one falls asleep for a day or two and then suddenly wakes up."

"Then...where has Your Majesty come now?" Zhang Luan asked.

Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I have never seen the patient in person, how can I know the specific progress of his illness?

"But the spider nevus I told you about before, as well as His Majesty's disordered sleep and rest, have proven my assumptions, indicating that his condition is rapidly deteriorating."

Zhang Luan asked in confusion: "You know the pathology, don't you know when it will develop to the point where it is irreversible?"

"I really don't know."

Zhang Yanling explained, "I'm going to tell you something you don't understand. This is actually related to the amount of a toxin in the human body, let's call it bilirubin. Some people are more tolerant, so even if the toxin level is very high, they can still endure it and not have any problems. But for some people, even if the toxin level is not too high, they are already terminally ill."

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "Are you trying to say that Concubine Wan couldn't hold on because of her old age and frailty, so she died soon? And Your Majesty is only forty years old, in the prime of life, and has a relatively higher tolerance, so everything is still unknown?"

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "You can say that, but it depends on the specific physical condition of each person. Bilirubin is only one indicator of liver disease. There are also various enzymes in the body. I can't tell you clearly, but in short, Your Majesty should be going through a tribulation in the next few days."

"Ah? To transcend the tribulation? Is Your Majesty going to become an immortal?"

Zhang Luan had only said this jokingly, but then his face turned gloomy. "If that's the case, then His Majesty has really passed away. Ugh... Is there no one else here? Could there be ears behind the walls?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and comforted: "This place is specially set up for your majesty to refine medicine. Who dares to approach it casually? If something goes wrong, whoever comes here will suffer... The people in the inner court understand these rules better."

Zhang Luan said, "Alas, only my father and I dare to take on this task... How much pressure do you think we have to bear? Originally, these should have been the tasks of the Imperial Hospital."

Zhang Yanling said: "I have already told Uncle Shen to visit Duke Ying and Duke Baoguo in the next few days..."

"you……"

Zhang Luan was surprised, "You don't want to rebel?"

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at Zhang Luan and asked, "Dad, do you think we have the capital to rebel?"

"we……"

Zhang Luan suddenly realized that he was a little frightened by his son's behavior and had unconsciously exaggerated.

"We are ensuring a smooth transition of power in the future, but we cannot figure out which side the major forces in the court stand on. Especially the two cabinet ministers, because we took the initiative to expose the Tongzhou warehouse deficit case, they have actually stood on the opposite side of the prince." Zhang Yanling said.

Zhang Luan asked nervously, "If the cabinet ministers take the lead in opposing the crown prince's succession to the throne, and this leads to chaos in the court, wouldn't that be the result of my own actions?"

"So, Dad, you should go meet Wan'an in person."

Zhang Yanling said, "Try to comfort him and let him know which side he should lean on at this critical moment."

"I'm not going!"

Zhang Luan resisted, "Knowing that this is a time of trouble, why would I go to see Wan An? I'm afraid I'll go into the Wan Mansion upright and come out sideways... Who will I go to for justice then?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "This incident has caused Wan'an to flee in panic. His position is in jeopardy and he doesn't know how to end it. Do you want him to take risks? But now you just need to go there and you can appease him."

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Son, why do you want me to do this? Since you decided to suppress Wan An and Liu Ji before, and finally achieved results, why do you want to appease them again?"

Zhang Yanling said, "The key to success is to alternate between tension and relaxation. Are you going to count on Li Zisheng to manage the government in the future? Of the two people in the cabinet, one must step down, but it can be either Liu Ji or Wan An. If the new emperor directly asks both regents to step down upon ascending the throne, how do you want the world to evaluate the current emperor? No longer using the old ones? Do you think this is in line with the prince's previous personality of being lenient to others?"

"This……"

When Zhang Luan heard this, he suddenly felt that the matter was not simple.

But with his way of thinking, he obviously couldn't understand the deeper meaning of it.

"Dad, in fact, not only you don't understand, there are some things I don't understand either... Just like Wan'an and Liu Ji, everyone knows that they are not good people, but there is one person who stayed and insisted on enduring the infamy of Liu Mianhua in the court for several years before retiring." Zhang Yanling said.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Who's standing still? Where?"

Zhang Luan was bewildered.

What Zhang Yanling said was naturally what actually happened in history.

It was obvious that after Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne, he could have gotten rid of Wan'an and Liu Ji. Facts had proved that Emperor Hongzhi was ruthless when he got rid of Wan'an, but he allowed Liu Mianhua to stay in the court, and he endured so much infamy for several years before retiring.

This is probably an attitude.

Let the world feel that the new emperor is not someone who will be controlled by his ministers, and that he is kind and generous to his old ministers.

Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, you don't need to understand too deeply. You can always tell Wan'an clearly that no matter what mistakes they have made or whether they can gain the trust of the prince, at least the prince will need one of them to assist in government affairs in the future. It depends on who he uses."

"I……"

Zhang Luan hesitated and said, "Son, if I go there rashly and His Majesty knows about it, wouldn't I be considered a traitor?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "I have already said that His Majesty is not in his right mind now, and the palace is already preparing for his funeral. Do you think anyone will still care whether you go to see Wan'an? Even if His Majesty really investigates you, as long as you reply as I said, nothing will happen.

"Who would believe that you and Wan An were at loggerheads over the Crown Prince's issue a few days ago, but now you have put aside your differences and are even working together to complete a smooth transition of power?"

"you……"

Zhang Luan muttered, "Today, I acted like a fool... But it doesn't matter. I was smart all my life, but nothing came of it. Now I'm confused, but I've gained fame and honor. Maybe people should just muddle through. Some good things will fall from the sky. If you really care about everything, you will get nothing."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, you have a very profound understanding."

Zhang Luan said, "Who told me to always listen to you? If I don't listen this time, then all the work I've done so far will be in vain. If things turn out just like you said, then I can rest easy and just wait for... a good life."

At this time, Zhang Luan seemed to have begun to look forward to the new emperor ascending the throne, and himself being a meritorious minister, enjoying the worship of others, becoming a pillar of the court, and even holding great power.

He was also thinking that if Li Zisheng had experienced something, he would also like to try it one day.

……

……

Zhang Luan really listened to his son and went to see Wan'an that day.

For the past two days, Wan'an has been claiming to be sick and staying at home. He is too embarrassed to go to court. He has even prepared to withdraw from the court and has started asking his family to pack up his belongings.

When he learned that Zhang Luan was coming to visit, he was shocked and wanted to refuse him entry. But after thinking it over, he decided to meet Zhang Luan in the back hall of his house.

"Zhang Taichang, you and I meet again."

Wan An smiled and greeted, "When I met you at the beginning of the year, I knew that you would contribute to the country and achieve great things in the future. I never thought that it would only be half a year... Hehe."

Zhang Luan thought, accomplishing great things in half a year?
And you're the first big thing I did, right?

Zhang Luan smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "They each serve their own master, not worth mentioning."

"what?"

Wan An was shocked.

I thought, it seems that we are worshipping the same master, right?

How can you say that?

But he immediately understood something.

He was thinking, this guy was implying that he was helping the prince, but I was helping someone else, specifically Concubine Shao's son?
"Lord Wan, there is something I want to talk to you about." Zhang Luan said.

Wan An asked, "Is it about treating your majesty?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "That is a confidential matter in the palace. How can I casually tell anyone about it?"

Wan An smiled and said, "Yes, it is okay for ministers in the court to have private dealings with each other, but if they leak all the secrets they know, it would be considered forming a clique for personal gain. How can we do that?

"We are all people who know the rules. Even if you want to talk, I won't listen."

Zhang Luan felt somewhat disdainful and thought to himself, no wonder you, Wan'an, are always scolded. Who would want to form a clique with you?
You want to listen, but who will tell you?
"Lord Wan, there are actually many things about the Crown Prince's studies that I don't quite understand."

Zhang Luan did not show a humble attitude. Instead, he seemed to be getting along with Wan An on an equal footing. He talked freely and even had a bit of arrogance in his tone. He said, "It is also because I am on duty in the East Palace, and sometimes I need to teach the prince."

"Yes, yes, yes, I remember now. You have been promoted to the Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, right? Congratulations! You will be a minister of the Hanlin Academy in the future. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can come and ask me. I will tell you everything I know." Wan'an said with a smile.

Zhang Luan stared at Wan An and said, "The prince visited my house before, and the conversation touched on the affairs of the court. He asked me whether I should continue with certain things or stop here. What do you think..."

"what?"

Wan'an was stunned at first.

If you say something else or give any hints, Wan'an won't realize it.

But Zhang Luan had made it clear, and he immediately realized that the other party was here to negotiate.

"Some things... it's better not to escalate the situation."

Wan An seemed very cautious and replied, "Just like the Tongzhou warehouse deficit case, the matter has dragged on for decades, and many of the debts have existed since the reign of the previous emperor. How can it be so easy to find out clearly?"

Zhang Luan thought to himself, the entry point my son asked me to find is really useful.

Wan'an was really scared.

And he seemed to understand what I was going to say. Zhang Luan stared into Wan'an's eyes and said meaningfully, "If we don't investigate further, and His Majesty later investigates and says that the prince is incompetent and unable to take on such a big responsibility, then... that's not good, right?"

Wan'an is an old hand after all. Even though he is called the Wansui Elder and jokingly called the Dick-Washing Husband, he still knows how to adapt to the situation at critical moments.

He said righteously: "The Crown Prince is a scholar who is unparalleled in the world. What he has seen and understood is what I have never seen in my life. How can you just say no to such a loyal, filial, benevolent and righteous Crown Prince who cares about the country and the people?

"Laizhan, please be at ease. Even if there are treacherous villains who slander you behind your back, I will definitely speak out for the prince's talents and let your majesty know that there are people who are slandering you with malicious intent."

When Zhang Luan heard this, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I thought to myself, is there anyone who praises others as much as you do?
Your evaluation of the prince is clearly flattery, don't you know?

If my son hadn't told me exactly what you were like when I first met you, I might have believed you when you said this.

But now...

Don’t you, Wan’an, think that what you said is too hypocritical?

"Lord Wan, I also know that the Crown Prince is extremely capable and even cares about the country, so he is a qualified crown prince. But sometimes, it's not enough to just rely on our words... What do you think?"

Zhang Luan said seriously.

Wan An hesitated: "So you want to..."

Zhang Luan said: "Of course we have to do something to let His Majesty know."

"work?"

Wan An couldn't help but frown, "You mean to say that you want me to go to His Majesty and mention the ability of the prince? But... to be honest with you, I did something wrong before, which caused His Majesty to have a grudge against me, so that now I can't even enter the palace to see him."

Zhang Luan thought, are you pretending to be a good person in front of me?

I don't know what "wrong" things you did, and you are targeting me?
How dare you say that?

I really misjudged you at the beginning. I thought you were a good person. Well, now I don’t have to have any psychological burden. We are opponents and enemies anyway, so why should we be polite?

"Lord Wan, you are a minister of the cabinet. Shouldn't you unite some people in the court to do something for the crown prince and spread his good name?"

It was obvious that Zhang Luan was deliberately misleading, but he didn't say it clearly.

Wan An bowed and said, "Come and see, please give me some advice."

Zhang Luan said, "I heard that Minister Ni of the Ministry of Rites had previously proposed to Your Majesty to allow the Crown Prince to hold court in the Wenhua Palace, and Your Majesty later agreed."

"That's not the court, but..."

Wan'an was about to explain to Zhang Luan with a smile, but halfway through his words, he noticed that Zhang Luan's expression was not right.

Zhang Luan's face was grim, and he asked, "But what?"

Wan An immediately understood something, slapped his thigh, and shouted, "Yes, at that time, I asked His Majesty to let the Crown Prince hold court in the Wenhua Palace. Now that His Majesty is seriously ill, how can there be no regent? I will find someone to ask His Majesty about this matter."

Zhang Luan smiled and asked, "Lord Wan, will there be any consequences if we do this?"

What I mean is that it was not me who proposed this, but you who insisted on asking the crown prince to be regent.

"Not really."

Wan An smiled and said, "Your Majesty has a deep affection for the Crown Prince, and what's more, if these words were spoken by the lecturer of the East Palace, perhaps... Your Majesty would be suspicious, but if they were spoken by me, then... there would be no problem."

Speaking of this, Wan'an still felt a little aggrieved.

Even Zhang Luan is thinking about it, isn’t he?
In the eyes of the emperor, you, Wan'an, are now a treacherous minister who is against the prince. When you suggest that the prince should be regent, will the emperor think that you are sincerely helping the prince?

Or, the emperor would think that the prince has ambitions to ascend to the throne and deliberately come to you to talk about this matter?
That must be... you mentioned it on purpose because you wanted to frame the prince.

Zhang Luan said: "If this is true, then Lord Wan can be said to be one of the few clear-sighted people in the world. He is much better than those rats who secretly sow discord and divide the relationship between Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"Yes."

Wan'an was very embarrassed after hearing what Zhang Luan said. Who the hell are you mocking?

However, Wan'an's skin is thicker than the city wall. At this critical moment that concerns his political future, he doesn't care about his face at all, as long as he can keep the official hat on his head.

"Lord Wan, you see, some people in this court can be used, but some cannot. Especially those treacherous people who secretly sow discord. In the future, should we..."

"we?"

Wan'an heard the most crucial word in this long string of words.

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "The prince asked me before, among the ministers, who is more capable, Wan Ge Lao or Liu Ge Lao, and who is the best minister to assist the Ming Dynasty at present?"

Wan An quickly asked, "Then how did you answer, Lai Zhan?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan sighed and said, "Of course I can only speak frankly."

Wan An couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I thought to myself, you’re pretty good at solving this riddle.

How do you say it clearly?
be honest?

But the question is, how can your perception be considered the truth?

Or have you already seen through the government?

"Laizhan, you and I have known each other for a long time... We both came from the Hanlin Academy. I have always felt that you have a bright future. In the future, you will definitely have a place in the Hanlin Academy. I will even strongly recommend you to join the cabinet in the future."

In order to gain Zhang Luan's sincere help, Wan'an no longer had any sense of shame.

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "I told the prince at that time that this Liu Gelao, also known as Liu Mianhua, is very smooth and worldly-wise. He will not do anything that can be shirked."

"Cough cough..."

Even though Wan'an was prepared, he couldn't help coughing when he heard this.

Is this fucking a curse on Liu Ji?

Every word is a slap in my face!
Are you going to tell the prince what I am called and what I have done that has angered God and man?

"But when I mentioned Lord Wan, I told the prince that Lord Wan was a first-class wise minister of the Ming Dynasty. The court has been peaceful all these years, mainly because of Lord Wan's good coordination."

Zhang Luan continued.

Wan An was relieved when he heard this, but he said modestly: "Laizhan, you really flatter me. How can I be as capable as you say? I just try my best to help the court do something practical and fulfill my duties! Haha."

Wan Anxin said, I'm just worrying about nothing.

Think about it too.

At this moment, Zhang Laizhan did not go to find Liu Ji, but came to me alone. Doesn't this just show that he plans to join forces with me?

Of course, for some things, someone has to be found to take the blame, and that person is undoubtedly Liu Ji.

After the crown prince ascends the throne, he will definitely have to add "his own people" to the cabinet. If I recommend Zhang Laizhan to join the cabinet, he will be the second assistant, and perhaps even the first assistant in the future... And what benefits will he get from helping Liu Ji?
He will definitely gain more by forming an alliance with me.

Zhang Luan said, "But the prince meant to ask me to contact both Lord Wan and Lord Liu to see if I can learn more about them."

"what?"

Wan'an was stunned for a moment again.

My heart, which had just been somewhat relieved, became tense again after hearing this.

"Laizhan, don't go to see Liu Ji. He is a very cunning man... Just take the treatment for His Majesty this time. He insisted on finding a famous doctor from his hometown, Boye County, and said he wanted to replace you. I was very opposed to this at the time, but he insisted that you were harming the country and the people... He said it with all his might. You said I didn't know how to treat illnesses, so I was deceived by him."

Wan'an now fully demonstrated his enthusiasm for selling out his teammates.

In order to keep his position as prime minister, what does it matter if he sells out Liu Ji?
If I don’t sell it now, I will have to go home and farm without waiting for the crown prince to ascend the throne. I might not be able to leave in peace, and someone will come to exact revenge on me halfway!
At this point it is no longer a question of whether or not to sell teammates, but rather how to sell them thoroughly enough and how to sell them at a high price.

I can only say... I'm sorry first.

Zhang Luan said: "Alas! After all, I have not been in the court for long, and I don't know anyone."

"Relax."

Wan An said, "In the future, if you don't know anyone in the court, just come and ask me. I know everyone. I can tell you clearly what their moral character is like, whether they are capable of doing things, how they are usually well-received, and what stains they have. In the future, if you join hands with me, will there be any rivals in our court?"

Zhang Luan smiled.

I was secretly delighted.

My son is so capable that he only let me say a few words and Wan'an obeyed my orders wholeheartedly. I even feel embarrassed.

"Laizhan, what else are you worried about?"

Wan An fully demonstrated his enthusiasm for work at this moment, "But are you worried that your Majesty is seriously ill, and someone is secretly plotting against the Crown Prince? Even wanting to replace the Crown Prince with Concubine Chen... No, it's Concubine Shao's son? Don't worry, I'm here, I will never let such people succeed."

Zhang Luan said, "There are some things I don't understand either. I did talk a lot about it with Li Shangshu of the Yintai Division before."

"Minister Li? He...you and him...that..."

After all, Wan'an was not very clear about the true relationship between Zhang Luan and Li Zisheng, so he did not dare to rashly alienate them, nor could he directly talk about surrender.

Instead, he wanted to test Zhang Luan's attitude.

Zhang Luan said: "Minister Li is a reasonable person. He has been firmly on the side of the prince from the beginning."

"To be honest, I am the same."

Wan An quickly patted his chest and said, "I am loyal to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, you must tell the Crown Prince my words.

"In the future, I am willing to assist the Crown Prince and do my best to support the Ming Dynasty and the country. I will use the little energy I have left in my life to ensure that the people of the Ming Dynasty can live and work in peace and contentment..."

(End of this chapter)