Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 482 For the Benefit of the Nation
Hearing Zu Ting's words, Cui Ling could barely contain his anger.

What benefit would you gain from doing this?

Zu Ting smiled and said:
"Didn't Lord Cui accuse me of being greedy? If that's the case, being greedy for gold and silver is greed, and being greedy for one's future is also greed. If I were to trample this parasite of the country under my feet, then my court robes would have to be changed color."

After saying this, Zu Ting waved his hand behind his back and slowly left.

Cui Ling laughed in anger and said:

"Very well, as expected of a newborn calf that is not afraid of a tiger. I'd like to see how you're going to change your clothes!"

At this moment, Cui Ling's trusted confidant reminded him:
"Master Cui, what should we do if Zu Ting really discovers something?"

"Can this kid be more powerful than Yuwen Tai?"

"But what if?"

Cui Ling stroked his beard and said:
"drag!"

"drag?"

"After autumn arrives, the Khans of all the tribes will gather at Shanglin Temple. At that time, the Prince of Qin will surely return to Chang'an. If we delay until then, things will be easier to handle."

……

Huan Tai Fang.

Zu Ting spent a great deal of effort traveling from Yishou Lane in the southeast of the inner city to Huantai Lane in the northwest.

The important point is that he was kicked out, along with his luggage.

If Yishou Lane in the southeast of the inner city is filled with the exquisite and luxurious atmosphere of the nobles, then Huantai Lane next to Jinyong City has a different style.

It is simple, practical, and does not pursue extravagance.

The residence of the Duke of Wei.

Zu Ting held a visiting card, wanting to request an audience with Gao Huan.

Gao Huan was initially pleased that a scholar had come to pay his respects to the Gao family of Bohai, but upon seeing the name Zu Ting, he frowned.

Gao Huan didn't want to see him, but Gao Cheng stopped him.

“Grandpa, I don’t think Zu Ting is a good person. If you don’t meet him, and he refuses to leave, things will get complicated. You should at least meet him and find out what his purpose is.”

Gao Huan's expression changed, but he ultimately let Zu Ting in.

Zu Ting entered Gao Huan's residence and was shocked to see Gao Huan and Gao Cheng, the father and son.

Simply put, these two are incredibly handsome.

"Greetings, Duke Wei!"

Gao Huan waved his hand and said:

"Why has Zu Fa Cao come here?"

"We've come for the Duke of Wei!"

Gao Huan was surprised and asked:

"Come for me?"

"The Duke of Wei is in grave danger!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan suppressed the urge to hit someone and asked:
"How to say it?"

"The peace that exists today is entirely due to the unparalleled achievements of the King of Qin. However, the state has long been ravaged by war, the people are suffering, and corrupt officials are rampant, undermining the foundation of the state. The Duke of Wei, as the Grand Chancellor of Hebei Province, who governs several prefectures in Hebei, is completely unaware of this. Is this not a grave danger?"

What's it to me!
Gao Huan was dissatisfied, but he still had to show enough respect on his face.

"If it weren't for the ancestral law official, I would have made a mistake!"

However, after Gao Huan admitted his mistake, he didn't ask him how to correct it, nor did he even invite him to stay for a meal.

Gao Huan stated that he would provide all assistance beyond what is currently available.

After using kind words to appease him, Gao Cheng watched Zu Ting's departing figure and asked:

"Grandpa, why did he come here and leave like this?"

"It's all for the sake of leveraging the momentum."

"Taking advantage of the situation?"

……

Jinyong City.

"Your Majesty, that Zu Ting has been wandering around aimlessly lately, I wonder why?"

Hou Jing stood beside Li Shuang, clearly displeased.

Li Shuang smiled and asked:

"What, didn't he come to pay his respects to you?"

Hou Jing's expression changed, and he said:
"It's not for that reason, but I just feel that Zu Ting's reckless running around is really an eyesore!"

Clearly, the Cosmic General was very dissatisfied with Zu Ting's behavior of visiting a group of big shots but omitting him.

"He's leveraging this opportunity!"

"Taking advantage of the situation?"

Hou Jing looked puzzled upon hearing this, but then Li Shuang said:
"If Zu Ting, an outsider serving as a legal officer, doesn't leverage his connections, how can he possibly deal with an old fox like Cui Ling, who has been through so much in the political arena?"

Hou Jing nodded and said:

"So, this Zu Ting, though young, is no pushover." Hou Jing realized this and asked:
"Your Majesty, should we help him?"

"Don't worry, he'll come looking for you eventually."

……

The Mansion of Duke of Liang.

"My lord, Zu Ting has arrived!"

Hou Jing had just returned to his residence when he heard Wang Wei say this.

Hou Jing was delighted and said:
"Your Majesty is truly a prophet!"

As he spoke, Hou Jing instinctively bowed in the direction of Jinyong City.

"Your Majesty's admiration is like a surging river, never-ending."

Wang Wei found Hou Jing's appearance rather strange.

"My lord, there's no one here. Who are you trying to impress?"

Hou Jing looked at Wang Wei and shook his head.

"You don't understand, the king's gaze is everywhere."

"..."

After Hou Jing finished performing a set of movements, he looked at Wang Wei.

"Let that kid in."

Zu Ting entered the room and looked at Hou Jing, who was sitting in the main seat and acting arrogantly, with a humble attitude that bordered on obsequious.

"The reputation of Lord Liang is renowned throughout the north and south. It is truly an honor for me to meet him today."

"You're quite the smooth talker! But aren't you afraid that if word gets out, people will say you're a sycophant?"

"Having witnessed the majesty of Lord Liang, I am filled with admiration, and these are my sincere words."

Hou Jing listened, smiled slightly, and said:
"Speak, why have you come to see me?"

"This is the case of Cui Ling's embezzlement."

"You found the evidence?"

"no!"

Hou Jing couldn't help but laugh when he saw Zu Ting's confident and self-righteous attitude.

"Why are you coming to me if you have no evidence?"

"May I ask, Lord Liang, is the fate of the nation more important, or is the mere Cui Ling more important?"

"Of course, the nation is of paramount importance."

"May I ask you, Lord Liang, the people of Liaodong have suffered under Goguryeo for so long. Is it more important to recover the lost lands of Liaodong, or to deal with Cui Ling?"

"The recovery of Liaodong is therefore of utmost importance."

"May I ask, Lord Liang, is your achievement more important, or is Cui Ling more important?"

"That is naturally my achievement..."

When Hou Jing was asked this question, he instinctively answered, but he realized his mistake halfway through.

What do you mean?

"How can we disregard the nation, the people, and the achievements of the Duke of Liang for the sake of Cui Ling?"

"..."

Hou Jing looked at Zu Ting and asked:
"But you have no proof!"

"If we don't have evidence, we can make it up!"

"..."

Hou Jing stared at Zu Ting, but listened as he spoke eloquently.

“Duke Liang has always been looked down upon by scholars. Now is truly an opportunity to revitalize the nation. If we allow this corrupt official to wreak havoc on the country simply because there is no evidence, would that not be a failure of a subject?”

Hou Jing slapped his thigh and said:
"Well said!"

Hou Jing and Zu Ting talked for a long time, discussing all the details, before reluctantly parting ways.

Watching Zu Ting leave, Hou Jing spat:
"Bah, treacherous minister!"

Wang Wei was taken aback and said:
"My lord, why did you talk to him for so long?"

"We've been talking to him for so long to see if he has any real talent or skills? This kid is really a bad seed!"

"Wouldn't this damage our lord's reputation?"

Hou Jing chuckled and countered with a question:
Do I have a reputation?

"..."

"It didn't exist to begin with, so what's the harm?"

Hou Jing sighed and said:

"Even loyal ministers like us sometimes have to join forces with treacherous ministers in order to jointly protect our country!"

……

(End of this chapter)