Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 409 Buying a Boat Ticket

As expected, Zhang Luan stayed at home for two hours.

Finally, after Luo Xiang knocked on the door and urged him, Zhang Luan came out dejectedly. Seeing Zhang Yanling standing there in the front yard, he immediately asked curiously, "Didn't you leave?"

"Where can I go at this time?"

Zhang Yanling asked back, "Big things could happen in the palace at any time. Shouldn't I find a place where you can contact me easily so I can support you at any time?"

"My son, I am... too shallow. When this matter is over, I will definitely reward you well." Zhang Luan has also learned to make big promises to his son.

Zhang Yanling smiled and asked, "Father, what can you give me as a reward? Give me some silver? Or let me inherit your beautiful house?"

Zhang Luan was ashamed and said, "I have devoted my whole heart to the Ming Dynasty and the Zhang family, and I have never had any selfish motives. You can make fun of me as much as you want. As long as it is for the good of the Ming Dynasty and our family, and you feel happy, then anything is fine."

Zhang Yanling nodded in praise: "Well, this mentality is very good, keep it up. I hope you can hold up the scene when something big happens next time."

……

……

It was already late at night when Zhang Luan returned to the palace.

He did not go through the main gate of the palace, nor through the left or right gates. Instead, he returned the same way, took a carriage to Dong'anmen, and then changed horses to enter the palace.

Because he was personally escorted by the eunuchs of the Imperial Stables, the treatment Zhang Luan received was naturally special.

However, Zhang Luan was stopped in front of Donghua Gate. It was not that the palace people did not let him in, but the cabinet deputy minister Liu Ji knew from somewhere that Zhang Luan would enter the palace through this gate at this time, so he came to wait specially. After seeing him coming, he took the initiative to step forward to stop him.

"Master Liu?"

Zhang Luan was very surprised to see Liu Ji.

After all, he had temporarily reached an offensive and defensive alliance with Wan'an, and his son had also indicated that Liu Ji could be killed first. In addition, his medical skills had been questioned before, and Wan'an also pushed the blame on Liu Ji, saying that it was all Liu Ji's fault.

Now in Zhang Luan's subconscious mind, Liu Ji is undoubtedly his political enemy.

Seeing Zhang Luan dismount, Liu Ji hurried forward and bowed respectfully: "Master Zhang, it's great that you're here. Let me talk to you for a moment... It won't take much time, I hope you can do me the honor."

"what?"

Zhang Luan turned his head to look at Luo Xiang who had been urging him.

But now Luo Xiang obviously did not move forward, but fell behind without moving. Now, no matter how dumb Zhang Luan was, he could see that the reason why Liu Ji found this place accurately was that someone must have tipped him off or even pointed him in the right direction. Even if this person was not Luo Xiang, he was at least an insider.

Liu Ji came up to Zhang Luan, nodded and said, "Master Zhang, something big is going to happen in the palace... right?"

Zhang Luan said, "Lord Liu, you should understand the rules... Things related to the palace must not be leaked casually. This concerns the dignity of the Ming imperial family and the stability of the court."

After hearing this, Liu Ji felt uncomfortable.

My goodness, after all this trouble, now it’s the turn of a relative who has just entered the court for more than half a year to speak to me in official language?
However, people have to bow their heads under the eaves. Liu Ji nodded and said, "I understand. Isn't it... I have some difficulties... I need your guidance?"

Who is Liu Ji?

He is a shameless traitor who has been in office for a long time and has deceived his superiors and subordinates in the world of fame and fortune.

In the past, I would definitely bend my knees to Wan An, but now I am bowing to Zhang Luan, isn't that just a matter of turning around? If I use my brain a little, maybe I can get more wealth and glory in the next ten years, so why should I be so persistent?
Zhang Luan said, "Lord Liu, if you want me to teach you something about the secrets of the palace, then I can only say that you have found the wrong person. In fact, for some things, it is the same if you ask Eunuch Luo."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, what is the emperor's condition? Does he really need an answer from me, the emperor's attending physician?

Many times, those onlookers could see it very clearly. Everyone knew that the emperor was terminally ill, but no one was willing to admit it in front of the emperor or even in public.

I'm afraid even the emperor himself didn't think he had much time left to live.

Liu Ji smiled and said, "There are some things that you have to bring up."

"I!?"

Zhang Luan pointed at his nose and said with a smile, "Lord Liu, are you kidding me? I am at best a doctor now, treating His Majesty. If you think I have the ability to accomplish great things, then I have to find someone to expose the matter and see if there is any conspiracy behind it."

You're asking the emperor's attending physician to discuss important matters, I'm afraid you're being stubborn.

Anyone who hears this will think that you, Liu Ji, are trying to usurp the throne and commit regicide.

Liu Ji was speechless after being treated so harshly by Zhang Luan, but he could tell that Zhang Luan was extremely wary of him.

Liu Ji said helplessly: "Master Zhang, let me put it this way. I know that Lord Wan had come to you before and promised you something, making you feel that with his help, you could accomplish something... Am I right?"

"what?"

Zhang Luan could only pretend to be confused for now.

"That's it."

Liu Ji said, "Everyone in the court knows what kind of person Wan An is. He never asks about the big or small matters in the court, and he shirks all the responsibilities that can be shirked. But when it comes to playing with people's hearts, he is the first to do so, and he is never inferior. There are many people... who fell into his hands and never realized that they were harmed by him until they died."

Zhang Luan asked, "Are you saying that Lord Wan is planning to harm me?"

Liu Ji spread his hands and said, "Look, you know everything."

Zhang Luan thought, what do I know?

"Mr. Zhang, Wan'an is not trustworthy. He has harmed countless people." Liu Ji said, "If you don't believe me, you can go and ask him. Everyone knows how cunning and deceitful he is."

Zhang Luan said, "Master Liu, it's not a good idea to say this...

It's not good to say it, but in reality it's saying, what's the point of telling me this? If you want to surrender and establish a cooperative relationship with me, you have to see what benefits you can give me first. Just attacking your political enemies and want to get on board, do you think it's so easy to buy a ticket?
Liu Ji said, "Here is a list of officials. Please have a look at it, Master Zhang."

"what?"

Zhang Luan couldn't help but frown.

"These people can all be used by the new emperor."

In a desperate situation, Liu Ji directly treated the prince as the new emperor.

Zhang Luan was shocked by such radical words, and he quickly said, "Lord Liu, you are playing with fire and getting burned."

Liu Ji argued, "I have no intention of being disrespectful to Your Majesty, but everyone will take this step, sooner or later. Please take a look at these people first to see if they can be used. If you need anything, just tell them to come and see you... Eunuch Luo can help pass on the message.

"Think about it, what ability does Wan An have? He is just talking to himself. Can he get support from others?"

Zhang Luan was secretly surprised.

I was thinking.

There is nothing wrong with what he said.

I cooperate with Wan'an. At most, Wan'an just provides me with the title of minister and helps to run things in the court, but is there really such a big difference with or without him?

But Liu Ji here is not simple. There was a eunuch from the Imperial Stables standing with him, and even many officials in the court stood with him. Then Wan'an... seemed insignificant.

"Regarding the Crown Prince's investigation, as far as the clean government is concerned, I will be able to investigate all the details clearly with just one word from you."

Liu Ji said, "To be honest, I was indeed involved in the Tongzhou Warehouse case, but... not much was involved. In fact, most of the involvement was with Wan An's followers. Even Sun Ren's death was caused by Wan An... He asked me to go to Sun Ren in person and force him to kill himself."

"what?"

Zhang Luan thought to himself, you are really bold and responsible, you dare to say anything.

You even told me directly about the murder to silence him?

Are you threatening me that if I don't listen to you, I will follow in Sun Ren's footsteps?
Liu Ji said: "Wan An never follows the rules when doing things. Just like before, I was wholeheartedly helping him plan, but he just gave up...

"Master Zhang, you must think carefully. Once you get along with this kind of person for a long time, you will know that he has no moral principles. On the contrary, we can assist the new emperor in the future and restore the court to a state of clean governance.

"The bad policies of the Chenghua Dynasty must be eliminated by you personally."

……

……

Zhang Luan said goodbye to Liu Ji and continued to ride into the palace.

After arriving at the Qianqing Palace.

Only then were they told that the emperor's condition had not changed at all, and he had not even woken up in the middle of the night.

Zhang Luan went in to check around and came out without finding any changes in the emperor's vital signs. Even his sleeping position did not change, as if the past two hours had never existed. He suddenly felt that the attention others paid to him, or the emperor's attention to him, seemed very empty. In fact, it made no difference whether he was in the palace or not.

"Mr. Zhang."

Chen Gui walked over and looked at Zhang Luan with a smile.

Zhang Luan felt a little nervous and asked, "What's the matter?"

"The Queen Mother invites you." Chen Gui said.

Zhang Luan looked evasive: "It's already very late at night. I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to go to Qingning Palace, right?"

Chen Gui asked curiously, "The Queen Mother is not feeling well, why don't you go and see her in person? Besides, Qingning Palace is not far from here, so if there is anything, it will be convenient to inform you."

"Ah."

Zhang Luan then followed Chen Gui to Qingning Palace.

Halfway through, Zhang Luan took out the list Liu Ji had given him and handed it to Chen Gui.

Chen Gui asked: "What is this...?"

Zhang Luan said: "I want to give this thing to my son, but he is outside the palace. I wonder if it is possible..."

"You are really... embarrassing me." Chen Gui said, "You just entered the palace, where did you get this? When you left the palace earlier, couldn't you give it to him in person?"

"It's a bit inconvenient." Zhang Luan said.

Chen Gui thought about it, nodded and said, "I wonder if we can take a look at what's inside?"

“It’s the name of some people.”

Zhang Luan said, "They are all ministers in the court."

Upon hearing this, Chen Gui quickly stuffed the things back and waved his hands repeatedly: "We can't just pass this thing on for you. Mr. Zhang, you should know that you are now the target of public criticism. His Majesty didn't say anything and you are so foolish as to not care about anything. If someone goes to complain and says that you are in contact with these people... Although no one will believe it, are you really not afraid of being investigated?"

Zhang Luan was shocked at first, and then he realized that this list was actually a big bomb.

He even wanted to destroy the list on the spot.

Chen Gui suggested: "You should go see the Queen Mother first. She is very resourceful and may be able to give you some advice."

(End of this chapter)