From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 127 The Third Father in Linhu Palace
There was a saying in Li Chengqian's previous life that Qin Hui still had three friends.

Humans are social animals. No matter what position you are in, you need to interact with others. It doesn't matter if you are an ordinary person or an emperor.

Emperor Qing, Fan Jian, and Chen Pingping grew up together, struggled together, and finally reached their current position after going through many ups and downs.

As their status changed, their relationship naturally changed as well.

But no matter how big the change is, the three of them have a tacit understanding in some aspects and maintain an ambiguous friendship.

It is the existence of this friendship that makes Chen Pingping and Fan Jian special in the court. Although they are both ministers, they are very different from ordinary ministers.

To maintain this kind of relationship, it is obviously not conducive to doing everything in a businesslike manner. So, I don’t know when it started, but when there was a huge disagreement between the three of them, they would temporarily put aside the disagreement, find a relaxed environment, not talk about business, relax and have fun.

This is a little secret between the three of them.

However, as they grew older, their scheming became more profound. Since eight years ago, there have been no major disagreements between the three that needed to be relaxed.

Until this time.

Fan Jian made it clear that he wanted to go against Chen Pingping, which made Chen Pingping very angry. In the Linhu Palace, the two of them exposed each other's shortcomings and almost came to a fight. This disagreement was almost irreconcilable, and Emperor Qing had not made up his mind on this matter, so he asked the two to put aside their dispute and relax for a while.

Then, he was arrested.

To be precise, Fan Jian and Chen Pingping were arrested.

Emperor Qing was a grandmaster with sharp eyes and ears. When he realized something was wrong, he naturally left first. Fan Jian and Chen Pingping could only follow behind, just like many years ago.

Of course, Chen Pingping is the president of the Supervisory Council and the nominal superior of the Provincial Court. Fan Jian is the Minister of Revenue, the father-in-law of the current crown prince, and the biological father of Lord Fan who came to arrest people. These two people definitely cannot be taken directly back to the Provincial Court. Instead, Guo Baokun took them away through the back door.

Before leaving, Guo Baokun patted Fan Xian, who was still dreaming, and said, "Whether you're a human being or an official, sometimes you have to be flexible. I'll definitely report them tomorrow, but they can't go with us to the Daoshensi tonight, because this concerns the reputation of the imperial court."

In this way, Fan Xian returned to the Fan Mansion in a daze, always feeling that he seemed to have been tricked by Guo Baokun, but it seemed to be a pure coincidence.

"I felt like I was being used as a tool."

In the study of the Fan Mansion, Fan Xian looked at Fan Jian, who had a natural expression on his face, and didn't know what attitude to adopt.

"Used as a pawn, by whom?" Fan Jian, still reeking of alcohol and not even having had time to shower, frowned at Fan Xian and said, "Don't overthink it. Tonight was just a coincidence. Chen Pingping and I decided to go out for a drink an hour ago. Guo Baokun isn't that powerful, nor does he have the guts to do that."

“But you…!”

"But what? You think this is a conspiracy?"

"Is not it?"

"Bullshit!" Fan Jian raised his head, looked at Fan Xian, and said with a hint of amusement, "It's Guo Baokun's duty to report me. He has to report me when he encounters this situation. But this matter will not affect me, nor will it affect Chen Pingping. His Majesty will keep it in mind. As for reputation, do you think my reputation is good? Twenty years ago, I was also a famous playboy in Kyoto. I booked every boat on the Liujing River and wooed every famous courtesan. Today, I just drank some wine and listened to some music. What's the big deal?"

Fan Xian opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

What you said makes a lot of sense!
As a son, I couldn't refute it.

But were you just listening to music and drinking? What were you holding in your arms at that time?
However, under Fan Jian's gaze, he still smiled awkwardly, "Since everything is fine, I'll go back."

"Go back and stop making a fuss all day long." Fan Jian waved his hand in disgust.

Fan Xian left the study and closed the door behind him.

Fan Jian sat on a chair in the study. After a long while, when he was sure that Fan Xian had gone far away, his face fell and he touched his chest. "Damn it, I was scared to death. These kids nowadays are so bold that they dare to do anything!"

————I am the dividing line————

Minister of Revenue Fan and President of the Supervisory Commission, Chen Pingping, were caught in the act by the Provincial Court of Justice. The next day, Director of the Court, Guo Baokun, issued a stern letter condemning both men's actions. Chen Pingping, as President of the Supervisory Commission and the immediate superior of the Provincial Court of Justice, was particularly punished for his role in the violation.

The impeachment memorial was retained, but this incident caused an uproar in the court.

Of course, what really caused this incident to explode was not that two high-ranking officials were caught having sex with prostitutes by the Provincial Court, but that Lord Fan arrested Minister Fan, which became a hot topic and a legendary event.

In one day, the story of Young Master Fan, who sacrificed his own family for the sake of justice and broke into a brothel at night to arrest his father, spread throughout Kyoto, making Fan Jian and his son famous.

It is said that the atmosphere in Chengtian Hall that day was very strange. In the end, His Majesty made a judgment on the matter on the grounds that the two men were just drinking and feasting, and there was no actual evidence of sexual intercourse with prostitutes. This was because the two men were in high positions of power, and their untidy appearance during the feast was detrimental to the dignity of the court. He fined them one year's salary and ended the matter.

At the same time, Guo Baokun was loyal to his duties and upright, making him a model official. He was promoted to vice president of the Supervisory Yuan and concurrently served as director of the Provincial Court of Justice. All laws were settled.

After the court meeting, Linhu Palace
Emperor Qing and the other two sat in silence, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward and dull.

It was unknown how long it had been, but Emperor Qing, who had been gloomy all the time, suddenly laughed. The louder he laughed, the more unrestrained he became. In the end, he even laughed to tears.

Chen Pingping and Fan Jian also smiled bitterly.

How should I put it? As long as I am not embarrassed, others will be embarrassed.

You're not the only one who's embarrassed.

"Alas, I'm old, really old. What a pity! I left too early and didn't see the two of you when Fan Xian came in. Fan Jian, how did you feel then?"

"Your Majesty, you chose the place." Fan Jian said speechlessly. When he heard the noise last night, Emperor Qing left early because he couldn't be present, but neither Fan Jian nor Chen Pingping had this concern. After all, they were both in high positions and had great power. It wasn't like they were catching someone in bed with an adulterer. It was just a matter of arguing, which they were familiar with.

However, when Fan Xian kicked open the door and their eyes met, thinking about that scene now, I want to crawl into the ground!
This Guo Baokun is such a piece of shit!
"Yes, Chen Pingping told me." Emperor Qing looked at Chen Pingping and said, "Didn't you say that place was safe? The Dao Judicial Division is registered under the name of the Supervisory Council. Could it be that you arranged what happened last night?"

Chen Pingping was helpless. "Your Majesty, I can't manage the Daoist Court. That's the Crown Prince's territory. Guo Baokun is capable, but he's too flamboyant and likes to make everything public. He's not suitable for the Supervisory Council."

With just one sentence, Emperor Qing was silenced.

He had witnessed Guo Baokun's deterrent power. When he went to court today, his heart beat faster when he saw Guo Baokun.

Although the Supervisory Commission has a high-sounding stone tablet outside its gate, it does more secretive and shameful things. If such a department has someone like Guo Baokun, most of its functions may be abolished. It's not worth it!
"What do you mean?"

"Why not just separate the Moral Review Department from the Supervisory Commission?" Chen Pingping already had his own ideas about this matter.

Anyway, this Daoshensi was not originally part of the Supervisory Yuan. Now the Supervisory Yuan is just using it as a name. The Supervisory Yuan will not lose anything if it is separated. After it becomes independent, it will be upgraded to become the Moral Review Yuan. In this way, Guo Baokun will not be able to hold the position of Vice President concurrently, and he will be restricted to the Daoshen Yuan, which is exactly what he wants.

"Fan Jian, what do you think?"

"I have no objection, but this matter needs to be carefully considered. Guo Baokun has just been promoted to Vice President of the Supervisory Yuan, so we shouldn't act rashly. Otherwise, this official appointment will seem like a joke."

"Hmm, that makes sense. Let's wait and see," Emperor Qing said. "Also, we need to keep an eye on the prisoner exchange with Northern Qi to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes!" Chen Pingping's eyes flashed and he nodded.

"How's the situation in the northwest?" Emperor Qing asked Fan Jian again, "Is the supply of money and grain back to normal?"

"We've already prepared enough money and food, all delivered by the Imperial Treasury's caravans. But there's still that problem: the Crown Prince plans to build a city right here, incorporating an area of ​​3,000 miles into Daqing territory. He's causing quite a stir in the court," Fan Jian said with a wry smile. "The Ministry of Revenue is using the Imperial Treasury's trade routes, so they can barely manage, but the Ministry of Works is completely helpless."

"Although the Western Hu were defeated this time, that area is a thousand miles of desert, uninhabited. Building a city there would indeed be a waste of money and manpower," Chen Pingping said. "Your Highness is a skilled warrior, but this decision seems a bit hasty."

Emperor Qing remained silent, his gaze fixed on Chen Pingping, "Where's Yan Bingyun? What's going on with him?"

(End of this chapter)