Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 544 The test begins

Supervisor of Ceremonies.

After the court meeting ended that morning, Huai'en returned to the duty room early, sorted out the memorials that needed to be processed, and prepared to take them to the Qianqing Palace for the emperor to review.

At this time, Tan Chang came in from outside, followed by Tan Ji.

"Eunuch Huai."

Qin Chang walked up to Huai En and said seriously, "Now the ministers in the court are already asking about the river engineering... The news about the Yellow River diversion project is spreading wildly in the capital. They all say that everything your majesty has done since ascending the throne is risky. Isn't it a big step? It seems like someone is deliberately muddying the waters. You see..."

Huai En frowned and asked, "Didn't the East Factory check it out?"

Qin Chang said helplessly, "The news channels are too mixed, or someone may have taken this opportunity to attack Zhang Guozhang, and the students of the Imperial College are the most active... Recently, there have been several major incidents, such as students secretly posting "big-character posters" at night, and openly accusing important officials in the court at literary gatherings, etc. Their words are so vicious that even the eavesdropping factory guards are ashamed... Should I ask Your Majesty to send someone to deal with it and stop this evil trend?"

Huai En frowned and waved his hand, saying, "They are just a group of students. I don't think they can cause any big trouble. There is no need to worry."

"You are right. It took the scholar ten years to rebel but he failed. The students alone could not cause any big trouble, but the rumors spread had a very bad impact."

Qin Chang said with a bitter face, "I know you sympathize with those scholars, but no matter which dynasty, scholars are not allowed to participate in politics, especially since they are just a group of students. If they cause trouble..."

"I see."

Huai En glanced at Qin Ji who was silent behind him and asked, "This time, the target is Zhang Guozhang, right?"

Tan Chang nodded: "Yes."

"That's what I expected." Huai En smiled faintly, and said, "Or rather, it's time... Zhang Guozhang was born as a student, but he was able to rise to a high position and was highly valued by His Majesty. If he didn't have any reputation at all, it would be too unusual... Since he has reached this point in his career, what does it matter if he endures a little criticism?"

Tan Chang was shocked and asked quickly, "You always said that this is something that Zhang Guozhang must experience when he ascends to a high position?"

"Ah."

Huai En nodded. "A person must be able to remain calm in the face of praise or criticism, and remain calm even when Mount Tai collapses in front of him, in order to achieve something. Previously, Zhang Guozhang's official career was too smooth, and he did not show his inner strength at all... This incident is a test for him.

"I'll see your majesty later, or so the saying goes."

"Oh."

Qin Chang seemed to understand something and asked, "That is to say, we have to let this reputation continue and put some pressure on Zhang Laizhan to see if he can hold on?"

"That's right. Whether it's a mule or a horse, it has to be taken out for a walk. This time is the time to test Zhang Guozhang's character."

Huai En smiled meaningfully and waved his hand, saying, "Okay, no more talking. Take all these things with you. It's time to go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity... Your Majesty is diligent in court affairs every day, and we cannot slack off. We must assist the new monarch wholeheartedly."

……

……

The Northern Pacification Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhang Luan was sitting in the middle of the lobby with a smile on his face. Today he came to finish the finishing work of the previous "traitor party case". The reason why he came here so excitedly was because Zhang Shanji, who had previously called him a traitor at the court meeting, was also among the people on trial that day because he was involved in the case.

"I really can't help wanting to see him in person and see what he has to say to me... I also want to ask him, between him and me, who is loyal and who is treacherous? Why didn't he think about himself when he impeached me?"

Zhang Luan said to Tan Ji, the envoy from the palace, and started to show off without any scruples.

Qin Ji looked a little embarrassed.

A good-natured guy like him hates to see people chasing for fame and fortune and then getting humiliated afterwards.

He complained in his heart, you said that you, Zhang Luan, are already the father-in-law of the emperor. Even if you are not a high-ranking official, you can still call the wind and rain in the court. Do you really have to feel guilty about a censor?

After waiting for a long time, four or five prisoners had been tried, but the Jinyiwei still didn't bring Zhang Shanji out. Moreover, the time dragged on longer and longer. Zhang Luan was puzzled and immediately asked Zhu Ji, "Commander Zhu, what's going on? Aren't there still a few prisoners who haven't been tried yet? Why don't you continue with the process?"

Zhu Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Before, a criminal committed suicide in the imperial prison out of fear of punishment..." "Who? Zhang Shanji? This guy actually committed suicide just to avoid seeing me? Is it that serious?"

Zhang Luan stood up immediately after hearing this.

Although he really wanted to slap Zhang Shanji in the face in public and embarrass him, Zhang Luan had a kind nature and respected those officials who dared to criticize current social ills. He did not expect to meet such a tough guy this time.

"That's him... Although the person has been saved, we have to wait for some time and wait for the imperial physician to properly treat him before we can send him here."

Zhu Ji said with a wry smile.

"Oh, saving people is more important. Don't be too anxious. I'd better wait."

Zhang Luan's face was full of regret.

After Zhu Ji stepped back to arrange follow-up matters, only Zhang Luan and Qin Ji were left in the court of the Northern Pacification Office.

Seeing the regret and remorse on Zhang Luan's pale old face, Qin Ji couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mr. Zhang, don't you want the guilty person to reform the most? Zhang Shanji committed suicide out of fear of crime, and you still want to force him to come to court? You can't do that, right? Just to embarrass him in front of you?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, "I've read his case files. His biggest involvement was actually flirting with Deng Chang'en and accepting a lot of bribes from Deng Chang'en. But to be honest, he wasn't a bad person at all. After passing the imperial examination, he did a lot of things that were beneficial to the court and the people."

Tan Ji was stunned for a moment.

I thought to myself, Zhang Luan’s temper is really unpredictable!
Just now he was shouting for war and killing, wanting to show off in front of Zhang Shanji and make Zhang Shanji find a hole to hide in the court, but now...

You're actually starting to cry wolf?
Just because you know that he committed suicide out of fear of punishment and failed to die, you feel sorry for him and are showing such false compassion?

Zhang Luan then said, "Actually, Eunuch Tan, you see, Zhang Shanji was sentenced to be dismissed from office and sent back to his hometown just like Ni Yue. You said his crime was not so serious that he had to die. He was just imprisoned for a few days. Why did he get so upset that he had to commit suicide? Is it that serious?"

Tan Ji smiled bitterly.

I was thinking, if you hadn’t come, maybe that person wouldn’t want to die.

When they heard that you, Zhang Luan, came to try the case, they were so ashamed that they couldn't face the past. They couldn't get over it and just hanged themselves to end their lives. That was a very common thing.

So, the root of the problem lies with you. Don’t you want to reflect on yourself?

"Mr. Zhang, do you think we should continue the trial today?"

Qin Ji saw that Zhang Luan was losing interest, so he asked for his opinion.

"Forget it, forget it. Let's just bypass Zhang Shanji. His case doesn't need to be heard in court. Just follow the previous agreement and sentence him to be dismissed from office and sent home... Oh, and he has to pay for the caning, right? List them all together. I'm going back first."

Zhang Luan stood up slowly and glanced in the direction of the imperial prison, seeming a little unwilling.

Qin Ji then stood up and said, "Since Mr. Zhang has decided to put the case aside for now, I will return to the palace to report to His Majesty."

Zhang Luan asked casually, "Will Your Majesty be distracted by such a small matter?"

"This is no small matter."

Qin Ji said, "After all, this is related to you, Zhang Guozhang, so we have to inform His Majesty. Besides, it is only natural for us to report to His Majesty after we return from our mission. Mr. Zhang, this matter... has nothing to do with you, so there seems to be no need to ask, right?"

"Hey, look at me. I don't know the rules of the palace, and I'm asking around... Whether you want to report back is your own business. No one here wants to report back, so why are you asking so many questions? Well, when I get back, I'll organize the case into a file and present it to Your Majesty. You don't know, I'm not very smart, sometimes I don't know what to write when I pick up the pen, and I have to ask my son for help..."

"You are really..."

Qin Ji thought to himself, you are really a person who tells everyone everything and is so sincere.

You don't even hide your son's abilities in front of me. Are you protecting your son or are you trying to show off in front of others that you have a good son?

However, having such a father is a blessing for the younger generation of the Zhang family!
(End of this chapter)