Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 62 Understanding Emperor Renzong's Psychology

As the night deepens and the dew grows heavy, the moon is hidden behind the clouds.

Zhan Zhao lightly touched the ground with his toes, skimmed over the wall, and silently entered the Pang residence.

Although the mansion occupies a large area, it has no carved beams or painted rafters.

The front yard is neatly arranged in three sections, paved with blue bricks and lined with pine and cypress trees.

As you venture deeper, you'll see a forest of crane lanterns.

Most of them have been extinguished by now, their crane-eyes inlaid with black jade, shimmering with a faint light.

This single item alone indicates its considerable value.

Clearly, the Pang family mansion, though seemingly elegant, was actually quite wealthy. But where did their wealth come from?
Besides the family's accumulated wealth, to have a continuous source of money, one must earn from highly profitable industries.

However, Pang Ji will not make direct contact. His brother-in-law, "Golden-Faced Yama" Luo Shijun, who has the characteristics of a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person with a martial arts background), is the best front man.

"This humble servant, Luo Fu, pays his respects to the esteemed sir!"

It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. Just as Zhan Zhao used the Qi of the hexagrams to probe and cleverly bypassed the guards of the mansion, and officially entered the inner courtyard, a stout man who looked like a steward also walked respectfully into the study and bowed deeply.

Pang Ji stood before the desk, his long robe flowing down his back. He was tall and slender, with handsome and noble features, as well as a hint of dignified authority.

Anyone who sees his appearance and demeanor would not associate him with a treacherous official; he is simply virtuous!

At this moment, he ignored the steward of the Luo family who entered the study, and simply wrote with great skill and precision.

The steward of the Luo household seemed to be used to being ignored. He carefully raised his waist and said, "Master sent me to invite the eldest son and his wife into the mansion to celebrate their birthdays. He also wants to meet the two young masters and the young lady!"

Pang Ji finally spoke: "Wasn't your master's birthday banquet disrupted by 'Zhong Kui'? Why are you still letting us into the mansion?"

The steward of the Luo family was startled and stammered, "This..."

Footsteps approached, followed by a young, loud voice: "Tell your uncle to settle those messes first, then come and ask us for help!"

The newcomer was a young man of eighteen or nineteen, with delicate features, thin lips, and wearing a light blue Hangzhou silk robe. He exuded a natural air of elegance with every step he took.

Pang Ji had three sons: Pang Yu, Pang Xu, and Pang Yun. The one who came was Pang Xu, the second son.

His mother, Luo, was Luo Shijun's younger sister, but Pang Xu was clearly not polite to his maternal uncle.

"Second son!"

The steward of the Luo household bowed deeply in fear: "This...this..."

Pang Ji raised his hand: "I've said my piece, you can go back now."

"Yes!"

The steward of the Luo family glanced at Pang Ji again, dared not argue, and could only retreat.

As soon as the steward left, Pang Xu's expression changed again. He leaned closer to the table and said, "Father, without Su Wuqing, the Six Doors are like a tiger with its teeth pulled. And since that old fellow Zheng Guowei is not here, why don't we take this opportunity to make a move?"

"Look! Urgent again!"

Pang Ji calmly finished writing the words in his hand and said indifferently, "Come and read them."

Pang Xu walked around to the other side of the table and stared intently: "Endure?"

"It all comes down to one word: 'patience'!"

Pang Ji stroked his beard and said, "Do you know how I taught His Majesty in the palace—"

"A ruler holds supreme power; a single word can bring blessings to the people or bring disaster to the world. If a ruler does not consider the suffering of the people as his own, he may act arbitrarily and recklessly. However, the qualities of a wise ruler stem from benevolence and, more importantly, from forbearance!"

"Only through endurance can Your Majesty become a benevolent and sage ruler!"

"The Emperor heeded my teachings, and the officials were even more pleased that I had taught the Emperor this principle, and they all supported it."

Pang Xu frowned: "Why would Father do this?"

Pang Ji smiled faintly: "Because the principle is true, but people find it difficult to always abide by it."

"As His Majesty grows older, those old ministers, relying on the gifts bestowed upon them by the late Emperor, point fingers at him and criticize him harshly!"

"Endure? Endure for a while, fine, but endure for a lifetime?" "Even officials are human, and human beings can't always endure and never be willful!"

"So all we need to do is wait, wait until the Emperor takes over the reins of government, wait until he becomes willful and becomes a truly trusted minister. At that time, my Pang family will overpower those old ministers who have been granted divine weapons by the late Emperor!"

"Humph!!"

Pang Xu knew that his father still harbored resentment that the late emperor had not bestowed upon him a divine weapon.

He had even prepared his speech, but others had imperial gifts and read them aloud with great authority, while the Pang family had none.
The ancestors of the Pang family also followed Emperor Taizu in his campaigns to the south and north, and made great contributions!
Fortunately, the thought of the Pang family's days of absolute power filled Pang Xu with excitement, but he still did not forget the obstacles before him: "Then we should take this opportunity to sweep away the Six Doors!"

Pang Ji slowly shook his head: "The reason for Su Wuqing's disappearance is that he ostensibly arrested Luo Shijun for evidence, but in reality, he took a group of people from the Five Lakes Sect and the Flying Horse Escort Agency and compiled a book of evidence."

Pang Xu's expression changed: "The tribute from within the household?"

"There is some involvement, although both civil and military officials in the court are inevitably involved, but the matter cannot be brought to the forefront by the censor!"

Pang Ji's eyes darkened: "My reputation is hard-earned. It would be a real pity if it were ruined by a mere constable! Su Wuqing is holding back, and I am indeed somewhat wary of him. It is not a good time to take action against the Six Doors."

'oh? ’

Zhan Zhao stood quietly outside, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Pang Ji surprised him with his intelligence; this treacherous minister was clearly not the kind of fool who rose to power solely through his daughter, but rather possessed a clear political understanding.

According to his plan, he deserved to become the Grand Tutor, who would wield immense power in the court in the future.

The emperor's rebellious mentality was captured perfectly!

At the same time, Su Wuqing's arrangements surprised him even more.

Clearly, this person had already seen through the fact that Master Pang was not truly virtuous. Therefore, Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was actually aimed at Liu Bang. While seemingly investigating Luo Shijun, it was actually targeting the Pang family. Furthermore, he had already collected a list of incriminating evidence long ago.

For Grand Tutor Pang, who wielded immense power in the court, it was of no concern.

However, for the Pang family, which is still in a period of dormancy, this is indeed a considerable threat.

Therefore, Pang Ji did not want to provoke the Six Doors at this time.

The key question is, is this just a coincidence?
Zhan Zhao originally thought that Su Wuqing was forced to leave with Zhong Kui because she wanted to save Li Wuxing.

But now it seems that this person was quite well prepared.

Not only was he temporarily appointed as the Divine Constable, but the Pang family, who were most likely to take advantage of the situation, were also suppressed, making them hesitant to act rashly.

"Not only that, Su Wuqing disappeared last night, but today the Six Doors are operating as usual. The constables are coming and going like the wind, and their expressions are even more spirited than usual!"

The conversation in the study continued. Pang Ji clearly had an intelligence source: "This acting constable Zhan Zhao is also a formidable character. I heard he's connected to Guo Huai. Go and investigate this person thoroughly. Find out his preferences and how he differs from the Four Great Constables who have a deep bond with him. Try to get him to work for the Pang family."

Pang Xu laughed heartily and said, "Father, don't worry, I will definitely give you a surprise."

Zhan Zhao raised his palm.

The light of the hexagram shone brightly.

A surprise is coming!

However, at that moment, his brow twitched, and he floated backward.

The Pang family had a considerable number of guards, befitting their reputation as a family of military generals, but their defenses were not impenetrable or inescapable.

After all, at this time, Pang Ji was not yet a powerful and treacherous minister who had harmed loyal officials and made countless enemies. By then, the number of guards in his residence would probably have to be ten times greater.

Now, with the invisible sword energy of the Six Lines detecting all directions, Zhan Zhao quietly sneaks in without any surprises or danger.

However, those who entered the area covered by his hexagram transformation at this moment carried a sense of threat.

Unlike the extreme sword energy threat posed by Madam Gu.

The newcomer's martial arts skills were far inferior to those of Madam Gu, but there was a vaguely familiar aura about him.

Zhan Zhao did not rush to draw his sword, but stood quietly in one place.

Looking at the corridor not far away, a maid carrying a lantern led the way, escorting a slender figure as she gracefully approached.

(End of this chapter)