Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

None of the courtiers expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse.

Everyone knows perfectly well that neither Gao Zhao nor those who impeached him are good people. It's quite interesting to watch them keep revealing secrets and tearing each other apart!

It's quite fun to take some time out of my busy schedule to help with things like tending fires and planting seedlings. It's much more interesting than going to court and talking about those dry, boring government affairs!

But then, news broke that the tomb of Empress Dowager Xiang's father had been robbed...

That's going too far!

That's the ancestral tomb of Xiang Minzhong, who served as prime minister during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong!

Those grave robbers dare to rob even the graves of such important figures. If this evil trend isn't stopped, what will happen to them after they die...?

It's terrifying to even think about!

Therefore, everyone agreed with and supported Zhao Ji's decision to increase Gao Zhao's military strength!

Only someone as audacious as Gao Zhao could accomplish something like this!

Moreover, this kid looks like a brute, and comes from a wealthy family, so he's unlikely to be interested in money, which prevents him from being bribed.

Yes, not bad! Definitely the most suitable candidate right now!

Of course, some people hold different opinions.

How could that thing have been found in the Shunchang Depot?

How could Shunchang accept such royal items of dubious origin?

Is it possible that this is a frame-up?

However, despite their many doubts and questions, they dared not voice them in this setting!

I didn't see the emperor's fury, nor did I see the ministers united in their hatred of the enemy!

Raising such questions at this time is tantamount to courting death!

The first reaction people would not be to consider whether what they said makes sense, but to doubt their motives!

The group exchanged glances and sighed inwardly. Under the circumstances, what did the innocence of a few pawnshops matter?

Gao Zhao glanced at them and secretly made a gesture, indicating to control them!

The group remained silent, deciding to avoid direct confrontation and quietly retreat to observe the situation.

The court assembly ended in anger, and Xiang Zongliang was kept behind for a private talk.

Just as the officials were about to disperse, Gao Zhao suddenly spoke up, wailing, "Your Majesty, I have been wronged!"

Emperor Huizong turned around in surprise, and the assembled officials also stopped and stared at him.

"Your Majesty has entrusted me with this important responsibility. Since taking office, I have not dared to slacken in the slightest, but have been extremely cautious, as if walking on thin ice or standing on the edge of an abyss, for fear of failing Your Majesty's trust!"

"However, I have only just achieved some success, and I have already been impeached. This is truly unjust. I beg Your Majesty to do the right thing!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji immediately recalled the impeachment by Zhang Hao and others. These people were truly despicable. I gave them high-ranking positions and generous salaries, but they were ungrateful. Instead, they colluded with lawless individuals to deceive the emperor and try to sabotage my plans. They were truly hateful!

Thinking of this, his face darkened, and he was about to give an order that no one should interfere with Gao Zhao's actions.

"Your Majesty!" Before he could speak, Cai Jing, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, suddenly stood up and said, "The court has its own laws and regulations. Censors are punished for submitting improper reports based on hearsay, and all officials still need supervision and restraint in their duties. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"

Emperor Huizong frowned, but he knew that Cai Jing's words were the truth!

If I were to issue an order for the authorities not to monitor Gao Zhao, wouldn't he be acting lawlessly?

A qualified emperor should know that trust in his subjects is always limited, and only supervision can guarantee their loyalty!

But the problem is that Gao Zhao is complaining!

The other party has made such a great contribution and sent so many treasures to us. We can't ignore it, both for public and private reasons!

Even an emperor has to be mindful of human relationships and social interactions!

Cai Jing, being the capable man he was, naturally saw through Zhao Ji's doubts and smiled slightly, saying, "A subject must be punished for his faults, and rewarded for his merits; the court also has its laws!"

Emperor Huizong suddenly realized what was happening, pointed at Gao Zhao, and said, "Gao Zhao has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the bandits; he shall be promoted one rank!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Gao Zhao had no choice but to express his gratitude and watch Zhao Ji leave. Turning his head, he saw Cai Jing smiling at him. Startled, he quickly bowed and said, "This humble servant greets the Grand Tutor. Thank you for your patronage!"

Cai Jing nodded slightly and smiled, "You're quite a smart man. I thought you'd be upset that I ruined your plans!"

Gao Zhao quickly replied, "This humble servant wouldn't dare! Grand Tutor, you flatter me!"

Cai Jing looked him up and down, recalling the boy's unforgiving behavior earlier, and couldn't help but chuckle.

This reminded him of his youth, a period that was truly exciting and inspiring!

Even those who chose to betray will feel a surge of pride and excitement when they recall that period of time!

Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and now I am old and frail, my hearing is failing, my eyesight is failing, and most of my teeth have fallen out.

His aged gaze swept over the youthful and spirited Gao Zhao, and a complex emotion flickered in Cai Jing's eyes.

"I actually greatly admired your previous discourse on the harmony between righteousness and profit at the Imperial Academy!"

Cai Jing spoke slowly and stepped outside. Gao Zhao quickly followed behind him. This old fellow was getting old and his eyesight was failing. If he were to fall and die here, Gao Zhao would probably be implicated.

"This saying originated with Li Gou, flourished under Prince Shu's new learning, and later... there were other exceptionally talented individuals who innovated and created their own unique schools of thought. I never expected you to follow suit!"

Gao Zhao was stunned. When the old man taught him these things, he didn't explain so many details!

Cai Jing seemed to know a lot about these things. He had an idea and decided to take the opportunity to test the waters and see if he could find out the old man's identity.

However, before he could speak, Cai Jing waved his hand and sighed, "All that is past; all the glory has been swept away by the winds and rains! Let's talk about what's in front of you!"

Gao Zhao was taken aback, not expecting that Cai Jing would actually offer him advice.

Does he also think he is the wise ruler?

"You want to wipe out the Worry-Free Cave? That's indeed a bit difficult, but there are ways. The real challenge lies in how to govern it afterward!"

"You must remember one thing: there is no vacuum of power, nor is there any vacuum of evil. As long as the breeding ground of Worry-Free Cave remains, even if you truly wipe out these people, new ones will appear! It's just another cycle!"

Gao Zhao nodded thoughtfully, following closely behind Cai Jing. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I can't exactly plug up the hole, can I?"

Cai Jing laughed and shook his head, saying, "That's the entire capital's sewer system. How are you going to block it? What are you going to use to block it? And after you block it, how are you going to drain the water?"

Gao Zhao scratched his head and asked, "What insightful opinion does the Grand Tutor have? Please enlighten me!"

"I have no brilliant ideas, I only know that this is your duty!" Cai Jing strode out of the palace, and Cai You hurriedly came to his aid. Before leaving, he turned to Gao Zhao and smiled, "However, someone did manage to do it back then, and the entire capital was free from the scourge of the Worry-Free Cave for nearly twenty years!"

Gao Zhao stood there, watching Cai Jing's figure disappear into the distance, then turned and spat, "You old scoundrel! You dare to play coy with me? If it weren't for your age, I would have slammed you to your death with a pigeon spin!"