Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 453: Only relatives are used (asking for monthly tickets)

Morning next day.

The selection of candidates for the cabinet finally had a final result, and Xu Pu became a cabinet minister as expected.

He entered the cabinet as a Hanlin scholar and the left vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but was not officially promoted to a grand scholar, that is, he did not hold the title of minister. It was equivalent to temporarily entering the cabinet to do work. This was also a common practice for cabinet officials in the late Chenghua period. Peng Hua was the case before.

Xu Pu, the person involved, was not at the scene that day.

On the same day, the emperor made another arrangement, which was to transfer Li Wenxiang, who was originally detained in the imperial prison, to the Ministry of Justice. He also made special arrangements for Zhang Luan, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, to cooperate with the eunuch Tan Chang, the commander of the Eastern Factory, to investigate the people and matters that Li Wenxiang had previously impeached.

Because this matter was not discussed in the court but only announced in court, many people did not understand for a while why Zhang Luan and Qin Chang would work together.

Although Li Wenxiang was only a Jinshi, he was at least a model of being fair and outspoken, and most of the low-level civil servants in the court respected him. In the eyes of those Confucian officials and old ministers, Li Wenxiang was transferred to the prison of the Ministry of Justice, which at least saved his life. After all, the imperial prison was not open to the outside world, and many people died inexplicably there, most of whom could not withstand the severe torture.

The meeting ended.

Zhang Luanzhi walked out of the Fengtian Palace with a proud look on his face. He felt somewhat pleased and thought to himself that I really had one more way out than others. If anything happened, I could just go to the palace and talk to my daughter.

But then I was wondering, would doing so lead to criticism for interfering in court affairs with the inner palace?
Over time, how could the emperor not feel disgusted?
"Laizhan, what on earth have you done?"

Li Zisheng, who had ignored Zhang Luan for several days, walked over and asked in a curious tone.

Zhang Luan saw a group of officials in front of him stop and look back. He smiled and replied, "Nothing. I am just interrogating an official on the emperor's order... Li Wenxiang, recently everyone in the court has been talking about him. They say he is a righteous scholar who is also a talent."

Li Zisheng frowned and asked, "Not only did he impeach me, he also wrote a memorial to attack you. How dare you regard him as a talent?"

Zhang Luan smiled but said nothing.

Li Zisheng was completely at a loss now. Just when he was planning to wait until he left the palace and then find Zhang Luan to question him further, he saw Qin Chang walking quickly over and calling Zhang Luan.

"Minister Zhang, the Empress Dowager invites you." Qin Chang said.

Zhang Luan smiled, then left the group of ministers, ignoring the strange looks from others, and followed Qin Chang towards Qingning Palace.

……

……

"Minister Zhang, how do you think we should investigate the Li Wenxiang case?"

Qin Chang was responsible for leading Zhang Luan to meet Queen Mother Zhou, and he also asked for Zhang Luan's opinion on the way.

It seems that the two of them are on the same level in investigating the case, but Qin Chang knows very well that the little emperor wants him to cooperate with Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan said, "Your Majesty has already said that you will not take into account the guilt of officials who impeach court officials based on rumors... I heard that he impeached Wan An and Liu Ji, and the words he said were quite unpleasant. Did Wan An impeach him in return?"

"That's indeed what happened."

Qin Chang sighed, "Speaking of this new Jinshi, his performance is mediocre, he has no connections in the court, and his only talent is probably his stubbornness... Fortunately, your Majesty did not bother with him. If it were in the past, I'm afraid he would not even know how he died."

Qin Chang almost said, although Wan'an and Liu Ji are usually smiling and look half like Maitreya Buddha with kind eyes, they are cabinet ministers and have connections with the Jinyiwei.

In the past, if Wan'an and Liu Ji had secretly informed Zhu Ji, perhaps Zhu Ji would have been able to use some means to prevent Li Wenxiang from enduring the torture.

Qin Chang reminded him again: "This person has also criticized you for treating the late emperor. Don't think that Li Wenxiang is a loyal and upright person... Many of these people who speak out and make suggestions have opportunistic intentions."

"I know, it's to gain fame so that I can get promoted in the future..."

Zhang Luan looked very generous and shook his head, "I don't care. If I don't do well, I have to allow people to say that... I tried my best to treat the late emperor and used many secret prescriptions from ancient books. Although it alleviated the condition to a certain extent, the result was that I could only sit back and watch His Majesty pass away... I have always felt very sorry."

Qin Chang said: "Actually, anyone with a discerning eye can see that you did your best to treat the late emperor despite the slanders of others. You really didn't hold back at all... Almost all of us eunuchs saw this and remembered it in our hearts! Humph, anyone who says you are wrong is not able to distinguish right from wrong and should be punished."

"Eunuch Qin, you are too kind. I am a family member and I know my own business. In the final analysis, wasn't it because of my limited medical skills that I failed to turn the tide? After experiencing this incident, I am disheartened. In the future, I will try to avoid interfering in the affairs of the Imperial Hospital. Alas..."

Zhang Luan was indeed very ashamed at this moment.

Because he was really guilty, thinking that he was not good enough and was just a phony in the field of medicine.

However, the look in Qin Chang's eyes when he looked at him was full of admiration, and it was obvious that he felt that the man in front of him was a truly remarkable person. His medical skills were obviously the best in the world, but he still felt guilty and blamed himself for not being able to cure the late emperor's illness. Doesn't this further prove that Li Wenxiang was intentionally targeting this father-in-law who was sincerely working for the court?

This is intolerable, we must investigate thoroughly and give Zhang Luan justice!
……

……

Inside Qingning Palace.

In order to meet Zhang Luan, Queen Mother Zhou even put aside the matter of worshiping Buddha and took Zhang Luan aside to chat about family matters.

"Laizhan, now I want to talk about you... I heard that you went to the palace twice yesterday, but you didn't come to your aunt's place to sit and talk with me?"

Queen Mother Zhou started by complaining to her eldest nephew.

Zhang Luan thought, you left me with a psychological trauma when you came here before. I didn’t even have time to hide from you, and how dare you come to my house and cause trouble?
Zhang Luan replied respectfully, "It's not that I don't want to come, but I'm afraid that a rash visit would affect your spiritual practice."

Queen Mother Zhou rolled her eyes at Zhang Luan and said, "I think you are too busy to notice it. I am an old man with nothing to do. Why can't I practice Buddhism in the palace? I have time to meet you at any time... Humph, you must be looking for an excuse! I won't bother with you this time... Tell me, how are you doing recently? The prince ascended the throne and you are helping him with things. Are you tired?"

"No... I have been studying hard, but I am afraid that I will not do well enough and fail to live up to your and Your Majesty's trust." Zhang Luan said quickly.

"But I heard that the candidate for the new cabinet is not you, but that Xu Pu? I heard that the emperor even asked for your opinion at the court meeting. Did you say you didn't want to join the cabinet?" Empress Dowager Zhou frowned and said angrily, "You are willing to give in, which is a good thing, but sometimes your concession will give some competitors opportunities to threaten the stability of the court... You have to stand up and protect the new emperor, understand?"

Zhang Luan was a little shocked when he heard this.

You, old lady, live in Qingning Palace, and you know a lot about court affairs!
Even the emperor knew it clearly when he asked for my opinion at the court meeting?
"What? Was I wrong?" Queen Mother Zhou asked, "My deceased son asked you to take good care of your son-in-law. Have you forgotten?"

Zhang Luan quickly said, "My nephew hasn't forgotten."

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "So, don't hang out with Li Zisheng and his people in the future... During the Chenghua period, they may have the opportunity to work in the court, but next year will be the Hongzhi period, and they won't have many days to jump around. What good will it get you if you hang out with them?"

"My nephew will remember this."

Zhang Luan quickly responded, "Aunt, you called me here, is there anything else?"

"Why, you want to leave before we even have a few words to say?"

Queen Mother Zhou said angrily, "I will see you first, and then I will go to see Your Majesty. When the time comes, I will definitely have a good talk with my good grandson. How can I neglect you, my father-in-law?

"He doesn't know that you are the best person in the court who can sincerely help him now? Even Huai En has to be put aside."

Zhang Luan quickly said modestly: "Aunt, please don't say that. Huai En is very capable. Even the cabinet and the six ministries have praised him. The Hanlin Academy also admires him... I don't think I deserve such praise."

Queen Mother Zhou looked a little annoyed: "If you are not worthy, who is? Tell me, besides you, who else in the world would care so much about the honor and disgrace of the new emperor?

"I said that you and the new emperor are one, isn't that right? Huai'en? Qin Chang? Or Wei Tai, do you think they can compare with you? If it was Concubine Shao's children who succeeded to the throne, wouldn't they have obediently gone over and become loyal ministers?"

"what?"

Zhang Luan was shocked.

I thought to myself, you, the Imperial Grandmother, are truly awesome. No one else can say such things.

Queen Mother Zhou said, "It is said that when employing people, one should not use nepotism, but one must also consider the time and the occasion. You said that the Crown Prince has just ascended the throne and the situation is unstable. If you don't use nepotism, then you should use virtuous people? Or are you not virtuous enough? You have the ability and are close to the Crown Prince, so there is no room for negotiation when employing you... Remember, you can no longer evade in the future!"

"Yes, yes, auntie is right. I was confused before." Zhang Luan said hurriedly, "But now His Majesty has given me a few new tasks. He wants me to receive envoys from vassal kings and vassal states who come to Beijing, and he also wants me to go to the Ministry of Justice to handle a case involving the impeachment of court officials by censors."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded with satisfaction: "I am a little annoyed that you were not promoted to the cabinet, but fortunately, His Majesty has entrusted you with an important task, so I will not say anything for the time being.

"If you don't say this today, I will have to teach my grandson a lesson later! He is too ignorant of priorities. If he doesn't force you into the cabinet, it will simply give those evil villains an opportunity!"

"Aunt, please calm down." Zhang Luan said, "When my nephew enters the palace next time, he will definitely come to see you. But I have to tell His Majesty, so as not to be..."

"It's okay, you can come whenever you want. My grandson will definitely not object. Don't you know his temper?"

Speaking of this, Queen Mother Zhou felt somewhat proud.

It was as if her grandson was firmly in her hands.

……

……

Zhang Luan came out from the inner hall of Qingning Palace.

Sure enough, Zhu Youtang came with Huai En. It was their routine visit to pay respects, and it looked like they were going to be scolded by the old lady again.

"father in law."

Zhu Youtang took the initiative to step forward and greet him.

Zhang Luan quickly saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Why are you so polite? Oh, by the way, father-in-law, I have a new job for you... Liang Fang has been escorted to Beijing. He has just arrived. When you investigate the case of Li Wenxiang, you can also ask him. It's a good opportunity to find out who is in collusion with him."

Zhang Luan bowed and replied, "Yes."

Huai En smiled at Zhang Luan and bowed quickly.

"Father-in-law, I have to go pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, so I won't accompany you for now."

Zhu Youtang said, "When you have time, you must come to Duanjing Palace more often... Oh, we may move to Kunning Palace in the next two days, so you must come then."

Zhang Luan frowned.

My daughter moved to Kunning Palace. As a male official from outside the imperial court and not a eunuch, can I just go there casually?
"By the way, father-in-law, Yu'er also said that she wanted to see her mother. Can you bring my mother-in-law with you when you enter the palace next time?" Zhu Youtang said again.

Zhang Luan said, "Your Majesty, I will do as you say."

"well."

Zhu Youtang smiled, "Yu'er said before that she missed home, but it's not easy for her to leave the palace right now. In a few days, the imperial edict to enthrone her as queen should arrive... There are some things we can talk about later. I'll go see the Empress Dowager now."

After saying this, Zhu Youtang walked briskly toward the inner hall of Qingning Palace.

Looking at the eunuchs standing at the door, each of the glances they gave was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred.

(Continue to ask for monthly tickets!)
(End of this chapter)