Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 462 Foresight
Immediately afterwards, a transfer order came down, and Zhang Luan was officially transferred from the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

As soon as the news came out.

The most surprised person was Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng confirmed with Pang Qing several times before he was sure that the news was correct. He wanted to go directly to Zhang Luan to find out the truth, but he didn't know where to find him.

"Oh no, oh no...I have neglected Lai Zhan recently. Has he...gotten a promotion?"

Li Zisheng said to himself with a look of horror on his face.

Pang Qing asked doubtfully, "Let's not talk about whether this transfer from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Revenue counts as a promotion. Let's just say... even if he really got promoted, why are you so nervous, Taoist?"

"You know nothing!"

Li Zisheng cursed, "Your Majesty has transferred his closest and most trusted minister to the Ministry of Revenue. Isn't this enough to show the seriousness of the problem?"

"This means that..."

Pang Qing frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want to check the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue? Or do you want to completely control the financial power of the court?"

Li Zisheng said: "Your Majesty must have discovered the problem and wanted to take action to rectify it!"

Pang Qing hesitated and said, "From what you said, it seems that the problem Your Majesty discovered is closely related to you, or even that you are the initiator, right?"

Li Zisheng was too lazy to argue with Pang Qing, and said helplessly: "During the time of the previous emperor, the fiscal revenue seemed to be visible, but sometimes... it is impossible to confirm. You won't forget the Tongzhou warehouse case so quickly, right?"

"There is no result, why forget it?"

Pang Qing couldn't help but frown.

"Your Majesty, what you want to investigate is definitely not the Tongzhou warehouse... Now that I think about it, Laizhan is really far-sighted!" The look of fear on Li Zisheng's face continued to intensify.

Pang Qing asked in confusion: "I think I know a little bit about the situation in the court. Why do you suddenly praise Minister Zhang? You have always known that he is good at fortune-telling..."

"exactly."

Li Zisheng said seriously, "Laizhan had already made a fuss about the Ministry of Revenue during the time of the previous emperor, and brought up the issue of the Tongzhou warehouse deficit. At that time, there were some incidents in the court because of this case, and even the Minister of Revenue was involved. At that time, it was thought that this matter was aimed at Wan'an and Liu Ji, but now it seems... In fact, the target is directly aimed at the increasingly severe financial situation of the court.

"Actually, think about it, why did Liang Fang fall? Wasn't it because the inner court was so empty that the late emperor had to find someone to take the blame? Previously, I was a person who made money for the court, but the source of a lot of money could not be brought to the table. If you look into it in detail..."

Pang Qing slapped his thigh fiercely and said suddenly, "I see. You are always worried that the matter will eventually fall on you, and you will be repeatedly criticized for selling official positions and titles?"

Li Zisheng's face turned pale, and he smiled bitterly, "Speaking of which, I'm afraid I can't keep my official position... Alas, now it all depends on whether I can save my life... Now everyone in the court regards me as an enemy. If I can't even hold on to Lai Zhan's thigh, I'm afraid I'm really finished!"

"hehe."

Pang Qing joked, "I don't know who was saying before that Minister Zhang was not ambitious and missed such a good opportunity to advance, and they also said that they would ignore him and stop associating with him?"

"It's all my fault."

Li Zisheng said with a sad face, "I was blinded by greed for a moment and didn't even consider the cause and effect of the matter. Think about it, Zhang Laizhan was able to jump from an inconspicuous and down-and-out scholar to the most popular father-in-law in the court in just over half a year. Could he not have made some arrangements in advance? It's a pity that I was deceived by his simple and honest appearance. I thought he was a rotten person who just muddled through life and was unwilling to entrust my life and property to him."

"He... Zhang Laizhan looks like a womanizer, and you still say he is honest and simple?"

Pang Qing was greatly surprised.

This evaluation is really extraordinary.

Li Zisheng said: "He is lustful. When he sees a woman, especially a woman who was once glorious and prominent, he can't even walk. He usually looks lifeless and pushes everything onto his son, making him seem incompetent. But in fact, as long as he is the father-in-law of the emperor and a minister carefully cultivated by the previous emperor, then His Majesty will definitely use him now. Even if he doesn't join the cabinet, he has more authority than a cabinet elder."

"hehe."

Pang Qing continued to laugh, "Now you finally understand the importance of Zhang Laizhan? You won't be so petty again, right?"

Li Zisheng stood up suddenly and said repeatedly: "Quick, quick... prepare some more gifts and send them to Laizhan."

"Send it again?"

Pang Qing was a little distressed, "If you give him more gifts, his yard will soon be full, right? Do you have to give him a new house? But...giving him a house at this time, isn't it too conspicuous, don't you think..."

"You know nothing!"

Li Zisheng continued to curse, "Whatever he likes, just pile it up for him! Right now, I can't interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Household or the Music Bureau, otherwise I will definitely take all the relatives of criminals in the capital to him! Zhang Laizhan... I'm afraid he's going to poke a hole in the sky now."

……

……

When they heard that Zhang Luan had been transferred to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, not only was Li Zisheng extremely nervous, but many officials in the court were also extremely wary.

However, Wan'an continued to do his own thing. For two consecutive days, he claimed to be sick and stayed at home, and did not attend the morning court.

Liu Ji thought Wan'an didn't know the news, so he went to his house in person to inform him.

After waiting for half a day, Wan'an finally came out leisurely, wearing a robe hastily, with disheveled hair and a dishevelled look.

Historically, Wan'an had a beautiful concubine who ran away with his son after his downfall and took away a large sum of money from him... She became a laughing stock among the court officials, and now is naturally the most critical moment... After all, whether in history or in reality, Wan'an's position as prime minister is almost coming to an end, and it is time for the concubine to launch a general attack.

"Eh!? Elder Wan, aren't you sick? You look very healthy."

Liu Ji couldn't help but shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Wan An had a self-satisfied and enjoyable expression: "This is called keeping healthy, do you understand? I was just sweating a little in the room... What are you doing here?"

Liu Ji shrugged, indicating that he was speechless and could not understand.

But he knew Wan'an very well. Usually at banquets, Wan'an would always use knowledge about health preservation to fool people, and he would mention the art of sex almost every time he had a meal, as if this was the secret of Wan'an's longevity and health.

Giving "power pills" to Emperor Chenghua is also a traditional performing art program of Wan'an.

"The imperial edict has just been issued, Zhang Laizhan is transferred to the Ministry of Revenue as the right vice minister." Liu Ji said anxiously.

"I thought it was something else. I've known about this for a long time." Wan An said slowly, "Zhang Laizhan is really capable. Liang Fang was ruined by him, and Tongzhou Warehouse was almost overturned by him. You can't believe it. He has done so many things, but he hasn't even left the capital, let alone Tongzhou."

Liu Ji looked worried. "He probably won't check the Tongzhou warehouse right now... Elder Wan, don't you think that His Majesty wants to turn the entire Ministry of Revenue upside down? The accounts of Tongzhou warehouse and Beijing warehouse, as long as it is related to the Ministry of Revenue, will be checked by Zhang Laizhan."

"Is it that evil?"

Wan An said nonchalantly, "Is he the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Justice? Besides, how can he do this? He can't get going once he starts, and now he wants to investigate all the problems in the Ministry of Revenue? Even if he is allowed to investigate, does he dare to do so? I wonder how many things are related to the late emperor?"

Liu Ji said: "I don't know who is involved, but it will definitely implicate you and me. Elder Wan, there are already people from the Crown Prince in the cabinet, I'm afraid we are..."

Wan An smiled and said, "You don't know this, right? This time, not only Zhang Laizhan was transferred to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but there is also a person you might not expect, hey, that is the old eunuch of the Eastern Palace, Tan Ji, he has entered the Imperial Household Department as the eunuch in charge of writing, and now your majesty has a strong intention to seize power."

"what!?"

Liu Ji was surprised.

Why is your focus so special?
Are you so concerned even about the personnel arrangements in the palace?
"Don't worry, Lai Zhan and I have a good relationship. If there is anything, he will tell me." Wan An said with a smile, "I plan to invite him to a banquet and discuss health preservation with him later. You can go back first."

"You went to talk to him about health preservation, it wouldn't be about things between the curtains, right?"

Liu Ji was even more speechless.

Wan An glared at Liu Ji and said, "What's wrong? Everyone has seven emotions and six desires. Not only do I want to talk to him, I also plan to write a memorial and talk to the new emperor...Isn't your majesty's body always weak? This is why I really need my health-preserving skills to strengthen his body."

"I really..."

Liu Ji really wanted to say, I really admire you.

But on second thought, Liu Ji felt relieved again.

If you keep on doing stupid things, you will be the one to step down from the cabinet, not me.

The more absurd you are, the more excitement I can see, the safer I will be, and the greater the possibility of me becoming the Prime Minister!

……

……

Zhang Luan did not immediately take up his post at the Ministry of Revenue.

Because the Liang Fang case has not yet been concluded, he will go to Jinyiwei in the next two days to experience the feeling of being high and mighty... He even uses Jinyiwei, the secret agency of the Ming Dynasty, for his own use, so wouldn't that show off his power as the father-in-law of the emperor?

You have to choose a good place to show off!
In Zhang Luan's opinion, the government offices of the imperial court were lifeless and definitely not as "lively" as the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Mr. Zhang."

The person who was responsible for liaising with him at the Jinyiwei Beizhenfu Division that day turned out to be Tan Ji, who had just been promoted to the Silijian as an exception.

"Eunuch Tan? What are you doing...?"

Zhang Luan felt that the way Qin Ji was dressed in front of him seemed a little different from before. Although he was still wearing eunuch's clothes, he looked more neat and elegant.

Qin Ji looked down at the python tattoo on his chest and said with a smile, "I have just been transferred to the Silijian as a scribe."

"The Minister of Internal Affairs."

Zhang Luan smiled and bowed, "Congratulations, and please take care of me in the future, Eunuch Tan."

"I am not an internal minister. I am just assisting the young master in his mission... Mr. Zhang, please don't bother me. I will have to rely on your care in the future."

As he spoke, Qin Ji took out a memorial from his arms and handed it to Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan did not open it, but asked cautiously: "What is this...?"

Tan Ji said: "This is the list of officials that the factory guards investigated before, who were involved in the Liang Fang case."

“Again…?”

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Eunuch Tan and Eunuch Huai wanted to tell me this before, why did you also come up with this? Are you asking me to add these people's names to the final memorial?"

"No."

Qin Ji shook his head and said, "His Majesty has personally read this... Also, His Majesty said that if there is no solid evidence, just let it go. There is really no need to cause trouble in the court because of this."

"Oh, a change to a conciliatory policy?"

Zhang Luan looked like he was realizing something belatedly.

Qin Ji was a little amused and shook his head, saying, "Mr. Zhang, what you said... sounds a little awkward."

"Hey, don't mind me, I'm not criticizing your majesty."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "What do you think of the list I drew up? Except for the main culprit Liang Fang, no one else will be involved. No matter which minister in the court is involved, it doesn't matter if they have had dealings with Liang Fang in the past. After all, at that time... there was no other choice."

Qin Ji shook his head, "That's not right. At that time, people in the court still had choices. Just like me, I never had any dealings with him, but many people in the palace went to curry favor with him. It's not about being the only one sober while everyone else is drunk, but about emphasizing... the clean atmosphere in the court must not be destroyed because of one person."

(End of this chapter)