Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 744 Truth Becomes Clear Through Debate

Liu Ji was in a good mood that day.

Li Zisheng was detained as soon as he returned to the capital and was not allowed to attend court to report back, thus eliminating the opportunity for him to argue with the emperor in court.

The person Liu Ji feared most in court was actually Li Zisheng, the former reclusive prime minister.

The reason was simple: Li Zisheng knew a lot about him, and Liu Ji felt that Li Zisheng had too many ways of persecuting people, so he was afraid that Li Zisheng would cause some trouble. In order to help Zhang Luan enter the cabinet, it would be best to strike first and remove Li Zisheng as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived, as Li Rong led Zhu Ji and other Imperial Guards to the cabinet's duty room.

When Liu Ji was summoned, he was still somewhat bewildered. He asked blankly, "Eunuch Li, what is this for? Does His Majesty have a message for you?"

Li Rong was quite polite, treating him as if he were dealing with Li Zisheng, and said with a smile, "Grand Secretary Liu, there are some matters that I need you to inquire about... Please cooperate with my work..."

Liu Ji asked, puzzled, "What are you asking? Can't we say it here?"

Li Rong glanced at Xu Pu, who was following closely behind Liu Ji, and immediately dismissed him, saying, "His Majesty has issued an edict requesting that Grand Secretary Xu leave."

Xu Pu's face was unusually pale.

The eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs went directly to the Cabinet office to arrest the person. He also felt that these eunuchs had overstepped their bounds and were even suspected of overstepping their bounds.

But Li Rong is now acting on the emperor's orders. Xu Pu glanced at Liu Ji, shook his head and sighed before turning back.

Then Li Rong stepped forward and whispered, "Grand Secretary Liu, after that Minister Li was detained, he accused you of overstepping your bounds and secretly conspiring to make Prince Xing the Crown Prince. His Majesty was furious when he saw this and ordered you to come to a place for questioning."

"A frame-up! A complete frame-up! There's no way such a thing could have happened!"

Liu Ji deliberately spoke loudly, as if wanting Xu Pu and the secretaries working in the cabinet to hear, "I have been in the cabinet for many years, how could I have done such a treasonous thing? It is clearly Li Zisheng who framed me!"

Li Rong said, "He only made a report, he didn't frame anyone. Besides, where is the evidence?"

"..."

After calming down slightly, Liu Ji pleaded, "Please, Eunuch Li, tell His Majesty that there must be a misunderstanding."

Li Rong said helplessly, "If there's anything wrong, why don't you go and ask them, find out the truth, and that'll be fine? Don't worry, we're not going to the Northern Garrison Office, we're just going to a secluded place."

"..."

Liu Ji had never been to the Imperial Prison and was unaware of Li Rong's methods. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but think, "Find a secluded place... Are they going to get rid of me and make me disappear from the face of the earth?"

Zhu Ji explained the situation from the side: "Grand Secretary Liu, let's be frank. This trip is to confront Minister Li. If there's anything to say, let's make it clear face to face... Truth becomes clear through debate."

"What do you mean? You want me to argue with a disgraced official?"

Liu Ji appeared very defiant, sticking out his neck as he said, "I'm not going."

Li Rong sneered and rebuked, "Whether you go or not is not up to you, Grand Secretary Liu! Besides, the two of you are now accusing each other, but there is no concrete evidence to prove whether your accusation is justified or his accusation is meritorious. So we need to verify each other's accusations."

"If everything goes smoothly, it will only take half an hour, or even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, to distinguish between the real and the fake."

Liu Jiqiang insisted, "There is no such thing as true or false! I am definitely real, and he is fake! I am the Junior Guardian and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, a dignified Grand Academician of the Hall of Diligent Conduct. How could I sit in the same hall with such a petty person?"

Li Rong said, "Grand Secretary Liu, if you refuse to cooperate, you'll lose face! His Majesty might directly issue an edict to remove you from your post... If this gets back to the ears of the court officials, how will you face them when you discuss matters of the Grand Secretariat? Everyone must obey His Majesty's edicts... Otherwise, it's treason, and you could be imprisoned. Whether you'll ever be released then is uncertain!"

"All right!"

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Seeing the Imperial Guards swarming around Li Rong, ready to tie him up at the slightest provocation, Liu Ji had no choice but to submit to avoid being tortured.

Soon, Liu Ji was escorted to a courtyard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had specially found near the Imperial City, and imprisoned with Li Zisheng.

Li Rong stood at the courtyard gate, a hint of worry on his face, but he quickly relaxed. He could sense that Li Zisheng's personality was... "Don't mess with me, or you'll suffer the consequences." As for Li Rong... at most, he would just follow orders. As long as Li Rong didn't deliberately make things difficult for him, he wouldn't hold it against him.

Zhu Ji asked, "Eunuch Li, Li Zisheng is currently being held in the East Wing, and Liu Ji is under house arrest in the West Wing. When can they meet and confront each other?"

"Not urgent."

Li Rong responded without hesitation.

Zhu Ji's face clearly showed panic, and he said tremblingly, "We should make them explain things clearly today, otherwise tomorrow in the court, everyone will know that the Grand Secretary has been taken to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and things will be difficult to handle."

"hehe."

Li Rong smiled and said, "Didn't His Majesty consider this situation before ordering this matter? Since you chose to question Liu Jisuo, you should have expected that the matter would become known throughout the court and the public! Is there any need to save face for Grand Secretary Liu?"

After thinking about it carefully, Zhu Ji realized that Liu Ji was indeed a shameless person.
The Grand Secretary system of the Inner Cabinet has developed to the point where it has produced such oddballs as Wan An and Liu Ji, almost completely disgracing the Grand Secretaries of the Ming Dynasty.

As the Grand Secretaries, they were ridiculed by scholars all over the country. Is there anyone who is more miserable than them?

Li Rong said, "After this incident, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Grand Secretary Liu to maintain his position in the court. Everything depends on how many knives that Minister Li is willing to stab him in the back! Let Grand Secretary Liu stay out of the limelight for a couple of days, wear down his arrogance, and let him know what he's here for."

Zhu Ji asked again, "Can his words also be relayed? For example, if someone wants to see him, should they be allowed to see him?"

"Of course not."

Li Rong waved his hand and said, "Although the two are nominally treated the same, what is Li Zisheng's status? You have to see which one His Majesty will protect!"

Zhu Ji thought to himself, "Now I've really learned my lesson."

Different people, different fates!
Although Li Zisheng may seem more like a treacherous official, he has found a good backer, so even though people talk behind his back, he still receives preferential treatment.

As for Liu Ji, you've offended the emperor, so don't expect any good treatment.

You're here to be placed under house arrest, isolated from the outside world, so we can extract information from you and get you out of the government as soon as possible!

Li Rong said, "You need to be able to assess the situation and cut ties with him as soon as possible! Don't try to play both sides and associate with a good-for-nothing like Liu Ji. What a tragedy that would be!"

Zhu Ji sighed inwardly, thinking, "He really insults people without using any vulgar language."

Yes, how blind I was to fawn over Wan An and Liu Ji before? I'm afraid Liu Ji will turn on me in desperation and expose me, and then... I'm afraid I'll suffer along with him.

Eunuch Li is protecting me!

……

……

That afternoon, Li Zisheng was sitting in the east wing room, legs crossed, pondering how to write the next part of his confession, when Zhu Ji brought someone with him, who turned out to be his head steward, Pang Qing.

"Thank you for your trouble, Governor Zhu."

Li Zisheng walked out into the courtyard with a smile, and the people around him quickly avoided him.

It's as if Li Zisheng is the one in charge here, and all the Imperial Guards are afraid of offending him.

For no other reason than that Mu Bin, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was highly regarded by Huai En and Qin Chang and was the only candidate to succeed the future commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has had his career ruined because of his improper interrogation of Li Zisheng before the New Year.

Even a fool would know how much power Li Zisheng has behind him.

Zhu Ji said, "Grand Secretary Liu has moved into the next courtyard and will be meeting with you on a chosen day."

"Hehe." Li Zisheng laughed, "Then let's give him a chance. I'm not afraid to have things cleared up with that Li fellow face to face. Governor Zhu, did you come here specifically to arrange this meeting?"

"Maybe... we'll have to wait."

Zhu Ji said, "Eunuch Li said that Grand Secretary Liu should reflect on his past actions before..."

“That’s right. Let him reflect on all the filth he’s done in the past and figure out who the real traitor is. That way, he can speak clearly and transparently when confronted face to face.” Li Zisheng said gloatingly. “Eunuch Li is fair. Please thank him for me.”

Zhu Ji cupped his hands and said, "I will definitely convey your message."

"Does Governor Zhu have anything else to say?"

Lizi Province issued an order to evict the guests.

I need to discuss important matters with my top advisor. What are you doing standing there?

Zhu Ji immediately bowed and took his leave.

……

……

Inside the guest rooms in the front yard.

After Li Zisheng entered, he closed the door behind him and then looked at Pang Qing.

Pang Qing looked around, seemingly hesitant to speak directly.

Li Zisheng laughed and said, "Don't worry, no one will come to eavesdrop. The responsibility is too great. Who would dare to make baseless accusations and frame a loyal official at this time? Even Zhu Ji would have to think twice."

"Ah."

Pang Qing nodded, then pointed outside and asked, "Grand Secretary Liu... is he really locked up here?"

"How can it be false?"

Li Zisheng said with a smug look, "I put him in charge yesterday. Let him come here to impeach me for no reason, to show off his abilities, right? Let him stay here and calm down."

Pang Qing said helplessly, "Daoist, why do something that will result in mutual destruction?"

Li Zisheng's face darkened, and he demanded, "Damn it, Bingkun, whose side are you on? Who did the dirty work first? Before Liu Ji impeached me, didn't he consider whether his own hands were clean? Even if he doesn't know how to weigh the pros and cons, he should at least know to clean up his own mess."

Pang Qing looked disgusted: "Master Dao, what you said is too vulgar."

"Humph!"

Li Zisheng sat down leisurely, crossed his legs again, and said, "I don't care, whoever messes with me will definitely suffer!"

Pang Qing asked, "Is it possible that he intentionally impeached you, seemingly exaggerating the crime, but actually to prevent you from being pursued for debts by the court? You see, once you came here, the court officials quieted down, didn't they?"

Li Zisheng sneered and retorted, "According to you, Liu Ji is not only innocent, but also my benefactor? Bingkun, how much benefit did you receive from Liu, or how were you misled by him, to say such thoughtless things?"

"cough."

Pang Qing's face flushed red, quite embarrassed.

Li Zisheng said, "I know perfectly well how Liu Ji treats me. He's determined to prevent Lai Zhan from entering the cabinet. What do you think his intentions are?"

"Besides, if he wanted to help me, why would he frame me for treason? Does someone who falsely accused me of treason expect me to remember his kindness?"

"What the Taoist priest said makes sense."

Pang Qing flattered him.

Li Zisheng sighed, "Anyway, I'm doing fine here for now... What's going on over there in Laizhan?"

Pang Qing said, "I suppose they have already informed His Majesty."

"Haha."

Li Zisheng suddenly burst into laughter, "Even the Grand Secretary was brought here by my memorial. I knew Lai Zhan was capable... If His Majesty doesn't trust him, who else can he trust?"

Pang Qing reminded him, "Master Dao, your future is the most important thing... Who cares about Liu Ji? Helping you out of this predicament is the most important thing..."

"okay."

Li Zisheng waved his hand and said, "I eat and sleep well here. Except for not being able to go out and walk around freely, I can see whoever I want! However, it is a bit troublesome that my nephew Yanling is not in the capital these days. But I trust them, father and son. As long as either of them is in court, I don't need to worry."

Pang Qing said, "According to your previous letter, I have made a simple summary of the money and goods that I can raise, which is about four or five hundred thousand taels of silver."

“Oh, Yanling already told me about this,” Li Zisheng said. “Later, we will report to the court and allocate all the funds for river management to me…”

"Ah? If it's about river management, it'll probably cost at least two or three million taels of silver." Pang Qing seemed very nervous. "You absolutely mustn't take the lead in this matter."

Li Zisheng said, “If we don’t do this, how will the people in the court be satisfied? If I offer 400,000 taels of silver, they will ask me for 500,000 taels; if I offer 1 million taels, they will ask me for 2 million… When will this ever end?”

"In that case, it's best to set clear rules from the beginning, specifying how much they'll be satisfied with at once. Do you think they'd still be unhappy if I were to take on all the river works myself?"

Pang Qing said, "Let's not even talk about how much it costs, just think... if the river is repaired and then another disaster occurs, won't the responsibility still fall on you? They'll say you didn't manage the river well, or that you used inferior materials in the repair work..."

"Humph."

Li Zisheng's expression darkened. "According to you, if I were to manage the Yellow River and cause it to change its course, would it cause another major disaster within a few years? At that point, even without others blaming me, I would be too ashamed to live on... I wouldn't even need others to attack me; I would just commit suicide to atone for my sins."

Pang Qing said helplessly, "Are you really that confident?"

Li Zisheng said, "The Yellow River changing its course is a huge deal. I can take on the great responsibility of river management through this event. If it succeeds, I will be remembered in history and my name will be remembered for generations. If I don't have enough money, Lai Zhan will help me raise it. I can enjoy the glory for all eternity. What more could I ask for?"

"This……"

Pang Qingxin said, "You've been poisoned."

He's been poisoned by the Zhang family father and son, and the poison has seeped deep into his bones; there's no cure.

Li Zisheng looked relaxed and carefree: "I have military merits and have enjoyed enough wealth and honor. What I need to do now is to do something that will go down in history."

"Go and help me raise the money, as much as you can. Once I finish controlling the river, I'll choose a blessed land, build a Taoist temple, and become its abbot, living a leisurely life there! As for you, I'll introduce you to Lai Zhan and his son, so you can have a good home."

Pang Qing said, "I would be content if I could live out the rest of my life in peace; I dare not ask for more."

“No ambition.”

Li Zisheng spat lightly, then said, "Then get yourself together and come with me to manage the river! Also, make sure the things we give to Laizhan are perfect. I've made proper arrangements. If you have any complaints, just drag those people out... and tell them that if they don't want me to report them, they should obediently follow orders."

Pang Qing hesitated, "At this point, do we still need to resort to threats? What if they've put something in your food...?"

Li Zisheng said, “They wouldn’t dare even if they had a hundred lives. You don’t know how much I was praised when I returned to the capital. All the people came out and regarded me as a great hero of the Ming Dynasty. The whole city was shouting my name! Yesterday’s parade through the streets was the most glorious moment of my life. With this achievement, I can die without regret.”

(End of this chapter)