Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 758 What Can You Do to Me
Zhang Luan stayed in the palace until 1:45 PM. After having lunch, he sat idly for about half an hour before being carried out of the palace in a sedan chair.

When he arrived at the palace gate, he was already feeling dizzy and his eyes were so blurry that he could barely keep them open, when he heard a clear voice from outside: "This humble servant, Mou Bin, pays his respects to Grand Secretary Zhang."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan looked out of the sedan chair's air vent and was startled by what he saw. He quickly called out, "Stop! Stop!"

The sedan chair then came to a stop.

Zhang Luan was helped down from the sedan chair and stood up shakily.

Mu Bin simply knelt there on one knee, not daring to get up and help him up.

Zhang Luan sized up Mu Bin: "Commander Mu... oh no, I should call you Commander Mu now. Are you here to talk to me about the investigation?"

"His Majesty has entrusted me with an important task, but given my current health condition, it's not convenient for me. Could you help me move forward with the preliminary investigation?"

"Ok?"

Mu Bin was completely dumbfounded.

He looked up at Zhang Luan, as if to say, "You can't expect me to lick dog poop clean after I've stepped in it, can you?"
I was blind back then. Between you and Eunuch Huai, I chose Eunuch Huai, who was known for his loyalty and integrity.

Now, Eunuch Huai is no longer in the capital. I heard he went to the Central Plains to supervise river management, and he's terminally ill with little time left. Anyway, I can't count on him anymore. As a result, the Emperor inexplicably promoted me to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and then inexplicably made me cooperate with you... and then you put aside past grievances and want to give me power, letting me investigate cases in your place?
Each and every one of these incidents has a strange and peculiar quality, leaving people completely baffled.

"This humble official is still inexperienced and lacks the profound wisdom of Grand Secretary Zhang. I truly do not know where to begin," Mu Bin said, and his words were quite sincere.

Although he didn't know whether Zhang Luan had suggested to the emperor that he be promoted, he at least knew that Zhang Luan, who had a great deal of influence with the emperor, had not taken advantage of his misfortune.

If it were an ordinary person, given the unpleasant relationship between the two parties last year, how could they possibly allow Mu Bin to have the opportunity to be promoted to a higher position?

That completely ruined his career prospects!
The fact that he is here peacefully awaiting orders proves that Zhang Luan has not held a grudge about what happened last year.

Zhang Luan said, "You're wrong... You were promoted to commander because of your outstanding abilities and the ability to command respect..."

Seeing that Mu Bin was about to explain, Zhang Luan waved his hand, "Don't be modest. Since His Majesty has made the decision, just do your job well and live up to the Emperor's favor. Oh, by the way, if you really feel at a loss, you can go and discuss it with Commander Qin Yun. That kid is quick-witted and might be able to be your assistant."

Mu Bin was taken aback.

I wondered to myself, what does it mean to bring up Qin Yun at this time?
Is this a plan to groom Qin Yun as the next commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and to give him a chance to make meritorious contributions?

"Yes."

Mu Bin hurriedly accepted the order.

"Get up."

Zhang Luan slightly raised his chin and said softly, "I'm sick and don't have much strength, so I won't come forward to help you. Oh dear, I should have had someone bring a table and chairs so we could sit down and discuss the investigation with you properly, but unfortunately this is the palace, and I can't overstep my bounds. Oh, by the way, which eunuch has the palace sent to cooperate with me this time? Why don't you ask him for his opinion?"

Based on Zhang Luan's "experience," whenever he had the Embroidered Uniform Guard assist him in handling cases, he would assign a palace eunuch as his deputy, essentially as a supervisor.

This task often fell to Qin Ji.

In Zhang Luan's view, things I don't want to do, I can just leave to Qin Ji!

I can just be a hands-off manager.

Mu Bin explained, "The higher authorities did not specify which eunuch was in charge. They simply instructed that this investigation was of great importance, involving state secrets and potentially implicating many retired officials from the time of the late emperor. They said it was necessary to review the records and find out the outstanding treasury funds."

"Oh, you're going to trace it back, right?"

Zhang Luan asked.

"Well... that's roughly it."

After thinking for a moment, Mu Bin replied, "Because it involves many things and we don't want to cause any bad effects, His Majesty summoned me before and mentioned that as long as the accounts can be aligned, we can let some people's crimes go unpunished. If it is really unclear or someone is deliberately concealing something, then it is not too late to conduct a thorough interrogation."

Zhang Luan nodded slightly and said, "That makes some sense. But wasn't the Liang Fang case investigated once before? Do you know who we should start investigating now?"

Mu Bin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will obey all orders from Grand Secretary Zhang."

Zhang Luan waved his hand: "My mind is a complete mess right now. I don't even know what the case is about or how to investigate it. Why are you listening to me? Let's first define the general scope. It involves the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and who else? You can figure it out first."

“If you need anything, you can come to my residence to find me. Of course, you can also have Qin Yun go to my son... Yanling is quick-witted and will definitely be able to help you find clues.”

Hearing this, Mu Bin was utterly frustrated.

The Zhang family elder in front of me wasn't even pretending anymore.

Having decided to be a hands-off manager, he pushed everything onto his youngest son. That's how shameless he is... What can you do about it?

……

……

Mu Bin is a smart man.

He has now completely lost his backing in the court.

Huai En and Qin Chang were both people he relied on highly. He even felt that they were the representatives of the emperor's close ministers. He only needed to follow Huai En and Qin Chang's orders to do his job well, be worthy of heaven and earth, be worthy of the emperor, and be worthy of the common people.

But right now...

He had to submit to Zhang Guozhang, whom he had previously held in extremely low regard, which made him feel that the world had turned upside down.

Upon arriving at the Northern Garrison Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mu Bin immediately ordered someone to summon Qin Yun.

"Governor Mu, is there anything you need to do?"

When Qin Yun saw Mu Bin, he quickly bowed.

With Mu Bin now promoted to commander, he has become the de facto head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Coupled with the weakening of the Eastern Depot, Mu Bin's power has been amplified considerably.

Mu Bin said, "Come with me, I have something to tell you in detail."

Mu Bin really didn't have much of a temper in front of Qin Yun.

In terms of the stability of one's backing, Qin Yun is definitely more powerful.

As Qin Chang's nephew, he was able to curry favor with the Zhang family, who were related to the imperial family. Now, he basically doesn't care about the affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is always on errands, where he is exceptionally well-paid. As a result, Qin Yun is exceptionally popular in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and everyone wants to follow him because they can gain both fame and fortune.

The two entered the inner hall.

Mu Bin briefly recounted the emperor's decree to thoroughly investigate the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue's treasury.

Qin Yun said, “It sounds like we should start with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue… but the main person in charge, Vice Minister Sun, passed away last year, and the Tongzhou granary case had been put aside. Now that we are picking it up again, I don’t know where to begin?”

Mu Bin asked, "The Ministry of Revenue case should not be investigated only within the Ministry of Revenue. The scope should be expanded to include other government departments, such as the Ministry of Works, to clarify the root cause of the deficit."

"That……"

Qin Yun suddenly felt that Mu Bin seemed to be more ambitious and decisive than his predecessor.

Although the personnel structure of the court underwent many changes after the new emperor ascended the throne, the Ministry of Revenue basically maintained its original structure because of Zhang Luan's presence.

Sun Ren died of illness, and Li Min, the Minister of Revenue, remained in office.

As for the Ministry of Works, Minister Jia Jun is still in office.

If we're going to investigate these two...

Is this some kind of prelude to promoting Zhang Luan to Minister, or helping Zhang Luan take control of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works of the Ming Dynasty? Or is it to pave the way for purging all the existing officials in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works?

Mu Bin suggested, "You usually have close ties with the young imperial uncle of the Zhang family, so you might as well listen to his opinion." "Yes."

Qin Yun respectfully accepted the order, then asked curiously, "But... such an important matter, shouldn't it be led by the Second Young Master? I wonder if that's in accordance with the rules?"

Clearly, Qin Yun felt that even if Mu Bin wanted to seek advice, he shouldn't have gone directly to Qin Ji, the current head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, or Li Rong, who was in charge of the Imperial Guard.
Or perhaps we should ask Zhang Luan, who is in charge of the case?

You asked me to come here so that it would be easier for me to contact and communicate with Zhang Yanling?
Mu Bin shook his head and sighed, saying, "This was actually Scholar Zhang's idea."

"Oh."

Qin Yun understood immediately upon hearing this.

He had long known that Zhang Yanling was actually in charge of all the important and minor affairs of the Zhang family.

Once Zhang Luan chooses to be shameless, he will have no more scruples and will entrust the mission he bears to his youngest son. And if nothing unexpected happens, Zhang Yanling will do a very good job, and everyone will be satisfied.

Mu Bin said, “The river construction has begun, and the court’s finances are extremely strained. His Majesty is very annoyed by the current empty treasury. If this year’s summer harvest is still below expectations, the treasury may be tightened again, which may even affect disaster relief and foreign military operations. The silver obtained from the salt tax reform alone cannot fill such a large gap.”

"I understand."

Qin Yun was also inwardly groaning.

You say you value me and let me do things, fine, but why do you have to scare me by saying it concerns the stability of the court?

Seriously, what business is it of a mere commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard whether the Ming Dynasty is functioning properly? Can we please stop making such grand pronouncements right off the bat?
"This humble servant will go and visit the Second Young Master immediately. But after finding out the truth, where should this humble servant report to you?" Qin Yun's implication was: Do you want me to report to you openly and publicly, or do you want us to communicate privately?
We need to establish a normal channel and mechanism for communication!
"Let's stay here."

Mu Bin said, "Recently, I haven't gone anywhere. I'm focusing on my job and won't even go home if I pass by. I'm determined to do my job well."

……

……

Liu Ji is about to leave Beijing.

The situation was extremely bleak, even carrying a sense of tragic grandeur, as if one had reached the end of their rope and would henceforth sever all ties with the court.

Or perhaps the court officials all knew why Liu Ji was disliked by the emperor and dismissed from his post, which resulted in no one coming to see him off when he left the capital.

Unexpectedly, he left Beijing on the same day as Huai En.

It seemed as if Huai En was deliberately waiting for him ahead.

Liu Ji's carriage left the capital and traveled less than five miles, before reaching the reception pavilion, when he encountered Huai En, who was there drinking tea and meeting with friends.

Upon seeing Huai En's convoy from afar, Liu Ji quickly dismounted from the carriage and, with light steps, went forward to greet Huai En in the pavilion.

Huai En smiled and dismissed his attendants, then invited Liu Ji to sit on a stone bench in a nearby pavilion. Perhaps out of consideration for Liu Ji's advanced age, Huai En's entourage had even prepared a cushion in advance.

Liu Ji asked curiously, "Is Eunuch Huai going back to his hometown?"

"Where would I find such good fortune? This old man still has to go to Henan to supervise the river works."

Huai En smiled and said, "Originally, I was supposed to travel with Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Revenue for the first two days, but due to the recurrence of my illness, I was delayed for two more days before I could finally set off."

Liu Ji asked in surprise, "I didn't know about your condition..."

"It's beyond repair."

Huai En shook his head and said, "Before I left, I made a special trip to the Zhang residence to get the prescription. I'll have to get the medicine according to the prescription when I get to the Central Plains. I don't know how long this illness can last..."

Liu Ji nodded and said, "Eunuch Huai has worked tirelessly for the country, and he is still busy even now, which is admirable. It's laughable that I, an old man, am like this..."

At this point, Liu Ji's face showed utter frustration.

Huai En asked with a smile, "Grand Secretary Liu has been in the cabinet for ten years now, hasn't he? Now that you've retired and returned to your hometown, is there anything you regret?"

Liu Ji was displeased. He thought to himself, "What do you mean I have any regrets? I'm full of regrets right now! I've only been the Grand Secretary for a few days! The Emperor shouldn't have removed me before I even had a chance to settle into my new position!"
"Grand Secretary Liu, do you think the sky over our capital is clearer or darker?" Huai En suddenly looked towards the capital and asked.

Liu Ji looked back and said, "Yes, it's obviously darker now."

Wayne continued, "Is there anyone who can clear away the clouds and reveal the clear sky?"

"This one……"

Liu Ji said, "I am actually willing to give it a try."

"hehe."

Huai En asked with a smile, "Then why didn't you try it before? Why did you only come to tell me this now? Didn't you explain it to His Majesty?"

Liu Ji thought to himself, "You've hit the nail on the head."

Liu Ji said, "I have a memorial to the throne that I hope Eunuch Huai can pass on to me so that it may reach the Emperor's ears."

Liu Ji was still unwilling to give up at this point.

Or rather, this time, he, as the chief minister, didn't even have the chance to defend himself before the emperor. He was directly imprisoned and then dismissed from his post on the spot. It seemed like he resigned voluntarily, but in fact, he was never given a chance to explain himself from beginning to end.

"Feel sorry!"

Huai En shook his head resolutely and said, "Please forgive this old man for being powerless to help."

"It's just a memorial to the throne, nothing treasonous... If you can grant my wish, I will be eternally grateful."

Liu Ji said urgently.

Huai En shook his head firmly, and asked, "Young Master Liu, don't you know how popular you are in court? Look at who's come to see you off today?"

Liu Ji said with a dark face, "They are all cowards and dare not oppose the maternal relatives! These scoundrels are not fit for any cause!"

"If you don't sow good seeds in ordinary times, how can you expect to reap good results now? It's not that easy."

Huai En reprimanded him with a stern face.

Liu Ji was furious when he heard this. He thought to himself, "You cowardly old eunuch, now you've been exiled by the emperor just like me. You probably won't have another chance to go to the palace to pledge your loyalty to the emperor, that's why you refuse to help me."

How dare you try to reason with me?
If you're really that capable, you could just stay in the capital to recuperate. Why go to Henan to oversee Lizi Province? At least I'm retiring and returning home, while you... you'll only die far from home!

Huai En added, "I was originally planning to wait for someone here, but it seems he's not coming."

"Who?"

Liu Ji glanced around and asked, "Are you waiting for some high-ranking official in the court? Is it a minister, a vice minister, or perhaps a scholar from the Hanlin Academy?"

Huai En smiled and shook his head.

Liu Ji stood up angrily and shouted, "Eunuch Huai, although I respect you very much, we have worked together for a time. Is it necessary to be so ruthless? My old bones will be like candles being blown out when I return to my hometown, and I will just be waiting to be buried in the yellow earth. And what about you? Hmph!"

"Go well."

Huai En smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Liu Ji flicked his sleeve and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered that there was a cushion under his buttocks. He couldn't remember whether he had brought it himself or if Huai En had given it to him.

Feeling he couldn't stand being taken advantage of, he grabbed the cushion and scurried away, looking utterly ridiculous!

(End of this chapter)