Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 586 Double Act
Qin Ji felt that Zhang Luan's question was very harsh, and hurriedly reminded him: "Mr. Zhang, can we ask the question in a more tactful way?"

Zhang Luan, however, took a tough stance and said, "Why should we be tactful? It should be as it is. You two, do you need to step aside?"

Upon hearing this, Du Ming couldn't help but look at Feng Guan.

It seems to be saying, you were so confident before, and you said anything you wanted to say to others, and now I feel embarrassed to leave even though I want to.

Please give us an idea so that we can end this smoothly!

This time, Feng Guan didn't even say a word. His face was wooden and his eyes were empty, but he still sat there.

Li Zisheng looked at the people present, coughed twice, and continued: "In fact, no matter how brave Liang Fang is, he dare not decide on the matter of changing the storage on his own, so..."

Now Du Ming and Feng Guan were shouting in their hearts, "Oh no, oh no! Li Zisheng is trying to push all the responsibility onto the late emperor. We are afraid that we are going to hear things we shouldn't hear. What should we do now?"

Zhang Luan asked, "So, it was the late emperor who ordered the change of crown prince and let the people below spread the word first?"

Tan Ji hurriedly tried to dissuade him: "Father-in-law, please be careful with your words."

Obviously, this is what Qin Ji was most afraid of hearing. As long as he went back and recounted it, once the little emperor heard it and knew that the late emperor did not like him, he would not know how sad and upset he would be in his heart.

"but……"

Li Zisheng suddenly changed the subject and said, "The matter of changing the crown prince actually originated from the late Concubine Wan. In the past, Concubine Wan was not kind to the crown prince. She was worried that the crown prince would retaliate against her after ascending the throne, so she vigorously promoted and facilitated this matter. In addition, it was also related to the fact that Liang Fang and other eunuchs were questioned by the late emperor."

Zhang Luan raised his hand and said, "I don't quite understand the inside story. Please ask Minister Li to explain in detail."

Li Zisheng sighed, "In the early years, let alone the court officials, even the late emperor knew very little about the prince. The so-called father-son relationship is the blood relationship in the world, but when Concubine Wan was alive, the late emperor and the prince had only a few opportunities to meet. How could he know about the prince's talents? Isn't it all based on the one-sided words of others?"

Zhang Luan looked at Tan Ji and asked, "Eunuch Tan, the prince really had few opportunities to see the late emperor at that time, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense."

Qin Ji warned, "Minister Li, how about this... let's talk about it in another place?"

Li Zisheng squinted at Feng Guandao and said, "I forgot who told me that I could speak freely... Anyway, I'm ready to confess everything. The worst that can happen is death.

"If others really like to hear these royal secrets...it's okay for me to tell them."

Feng Guan was so angry.

Zhang Luan hurriedly said, "Minister Li, please don't embarrass Minister Du and Feng Siqing. They are here by the emperor's order to serve as witnesses... Just speak your mind."

"Ah."

Li Zisheng said, "Liang Fang spent a lot of money to buy tribute, so the inner treasury was empty. The late emperor went to the inner treasury to check it himself and found that it was empty and almost empty. He once said that if this world does not take it into account, the future generations will inevitably suffer.

"Liang Fang felt guilty and thought that this was a hint from the late emperor that the prince would punish him in the future, so he discussed with Concubine Wan and repeatedly attacked and slandered the late emperor in order to destroy the prince's reputation in order to achieve the purpose of promoting a change of crown prince.

"Initially, when Concubine Wan was in power, the late emperor was indeed shaken by her influence and even discussed the matter during a court meeting. Eunuch Huai En was sent by the late emperor to guard the mausoleum in Fengyang because he tried to stop this from happening... I think everyone in the court should know about this, right?"

Zhang Luan nodded: "Everyone in the court knows about this, and there is really nothing to hide. It turns out that the late emperor wanted to change the crown prince because someone secretly instigated him... So, Liang Fang really has a rebellious heart."

Li Zisheng asked, "Zhang Guozhang, it seems that you were the one who pardoned Liang Fang's death sentence. Do you regret it now?"

Several people nearby heard this and were wondering what the situation was.
Li Zisheng actually laughed at his big backer Zhang Luan in public?

It seems that the relationship between the two is not that close.

Zhang Luan said, "This is your majesty's mercy, not my intention... I have no control over Liang Fang's life or death, Minister Li, please take care of your current situation first."

"Nothing, just death."

Li Zisheng said, "If you have anything else to ask, just tell me... After that, I will go back to the imperial prison and have a good sleep. The soft cushions and bedding I gave you yesterday are really warm."

This made everyone present unable to understand.

Especially Feng Guan.

He was thinking, why is this mentioning padded bedding?

Are the treatments in the Northern Pacification Office so good?
Is it possible for a suspect to sleep on soft bedding and feel warm in such a cold and gloomy environment in the imperial prison?
It seems that the treatment Li Zisheng received when he entered the imperial prison was different from that of other people.

Zhang Luan was a little confused at first, but when he looked back at his son and noticed the look in his son's eyes, he suddenly understood.

Li Zisheng was reminding him.

Lai Zhan, I am grateful for your kindness, especially that you even changed the cushions and bedding for me. You can notice such details. How can I not be on your side?

So now we continue to play against each other, especially to show that you and I are not in the same group, which will help you build up your reputation.

It's enough for us to know our friendship secretly. There's no need to tell these people about it.

Zhang Luan smiled knowingly and continued to ask, "After the late queen came, did you ever think of changing the crown prince? Especially after the crown prince got married this year."

Li Zisheng said solemnly: "In the middle of last year, the late emperor came to me and asked about the matter of changing the crown prince. At that time, I was bewitched by Liang Fang and had an ambiguous attitude towards the matter of changing the crown prince. I never clearly expressed my opposition."

Feng Guan threatened: "Li Zisheng, you are really a traitor!"

"Yes, I am a traitor. You are not going to ask me again, what evidence do I have to prove my treason?"

Li Zisheng taunted him and replied, "I'm telling you, Feng Jiqing, I'm a dying man, you'd better not mess with me. I know everything you've done. As for the administration of the court last year, don't say that everyone else is drunk and I'm the only one sober, and you're the honest official... What's the real situation? I have a detailed record here, so we'd better be friendly."

"you……"

Feng Guan was instantly a little upset when he heard this. Li Zisheng is now a prisoner, and he still dares to threaten me?
Du Ming quickly and secretly pulled Feng Guan's clothes.

It seems to be saying, do you think you are so awesome?

Who's on the other side?

That’s Lizi Province!

As the most favored minister of the previous emperor, do you dare to say that you have never made a principled mistake? If you have, don't think that he doesn't know.

At least on my side...

He knows all the evidence!
Forget it, love whoever you want.

Zhang Luan said, "Minister Li, please continue."

Li Zisheng said: "But ever since I listened to Zhang Guozhang's words and reported the prophecy of earthquakes in Ningxia and Mount Tai to the late queen, the late emperor has never mentioned anything about changing the crown prince.

"Especially after the Crown Prince got married, the late Emperor gradually recognized his achievements and praised him in front of me many times... But Liang Fang still refused to give up. After Concubine Wan passed away, he not only did not withdraw his idea of ​​changing the crown prince, but even went further and secretly harmed the Crown Prince..."

Feng Guan frowned and asked, "So, you are the great hero?"

"Feng Jiqing, may I ask, under those circumstances, what did you do for the Crown Prince?"

Li Zisheng questioned.

Feng Guan was suddenly speechless.

Qin Ji said quickly: "Be gentle, let's talk nicely and don't get angry."

Zhang Luan asked, "Minister Li, is what you said the truth?"

Li Zisheng sighed, "I even dare to admit that I had secretly colluded with Liang Fang to promote the change of crown prince, so what else is there worth hiding?
"No one is really asking me to produce evidence to prove that the late emperor and Liang Fang said these things, right? I'm really sorry, it's hard for me to produce evidence to prove that I'm guilty, but I am indeed guilty."

Zhang Luan nodded slightly and said, "Minister Li, you did do something wrong, but knowing your mistakes can help you improve. When the late emperor was alive, especially when he was seriously ill this year, you stood up for the prince many times. In particular, in order to ensure that the prince could ascend the throne smoothly, you stayed by his side and stayed at the Qianqing Palace for more than ten days. I saw this with my own eyes!"

Feng Guan asked in surprise: "Master Zhang, are you defending him?"

"I'm just telling the truth."

Zhang Luan said indifferently, "If this is considered as protection, then so be it."

Li Zisheng said quickly: "Zhang Guozhang, you don't have to say only nice things. I did those things for my own future. To put it bluntly, I was engaging in political speculation. In fact, I used you. You are the chief judge today. If you want to get as much information as possible from me, don't be hypocritical..."

Zhang Luan pretended to be angry and said, "Hey, you... look like you really are unrepentant!"

Du Ming couldn't bear it any longer after hearing this, and asked loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, do you think we need to continue the questioning?"

Zhang Luan straightened his back and said as a matter of course: "Of course I have to ask, otherwise how can I report to His Majesty? When to stop, it depends on Eunuch Tan."

"Don't look at me."

Qin Ji quickly shirked responsibility and said in a sharp voice, "Mr. Zhang, you are the one who makes the decision on this matter. You have the final say on when to stop."

"All right!"

Zhang Luan nodded slightly, then looked at Li Zisheng and asked, "Minister Li, do you have anything else to confess? Especially since Liang Fang refused to speak out and you knew about it... Whether it involves the change of crown prince or some secrets of the previous emperor, you should not hide it... If you tell me everything honestly, I will plead for you in front of His Majesty."

Li Zisheng laughed and said, "From what you said, it seems like you are not asking me questions, but interrogating me?"

Zhang Luan smiled faintly and said, "You have come to this point, why are you still pretending to be confused? Do you really think you can keep this official uniform? Come on, tell the truth!"

Li Zisheng said, "How about this? Let me write a self-explanatory memorial and ask you to pass it on to Your Majesty. Let Your Majesty know the whole story. I will tell you everything I know. I just don't know if you have the courage to read it."

"Li Zisheng, what do you mean by this?"

Feng Guan continued to show his power.

Obviously, among these people, Feng Guan had the least friendship with Li Zisheng, and he felt that even if Li Zisheng turned against him, it would not harm him.

More importantly, Feng Guan has always been very proud and has not done many evil things.

Not afraid of being threatened by Li Zisheng!
Du Mingze obviously felt guilty and said, "It would be best if you could explain the whole story yourself. Why don't we go outside and wait?"

"Then just wait."

Zhang Luan ordered, "Commander Zhu, please prepare some paper and pen. When Li Zisheng finishes writing, we will present it to His Majesty without anyone reading it... How do you think?"

"That's the best way, let's do it this way."

Qin Ji couldn't help but wipe away a cold sweat.

I thought to myself, you actually know quite a few secrets.

The affairs of the royal family, especially those involving Yi Chu, should all be top secret. How can you know them just because you want to know?
What if you spread this and it affects the reputation of our Majesty?
Zhang Luan said, "Then we'll wait a little longer... Minister Li, thank you for your trouble. After I finish writing, I will present it directly to His Majesty. As for your future, whether you will be pardoned, dismissed, or exiled, it all depends on His Majesty's will."

Feng Guan asked, "Aren't you looking at the degree?"

Zhang Luan turned his head and asked, "Mr. Feng Si, let's be honest. Li Zisheng's collusion with the eunuchs is indeed a serious crime, but isn't it the same for Wan'an and Li Yu? What was the result? Who was held accountable? It depends on whether they have done evil...

"Minister Li, thank you for your trouble. Please write it quickly!"

(End of this chapter)