Doctor Amnesiac, but not completely amnesiac

"Yes, from the capital, from Longmen, I want everyone."

Qiao Yelan said casually.

Another heavy blow hit Chen Fan's psychological defenses.

It was obvious that the other party had long known what was going on with Wang's Company, and even knew about the smugglers who were still hiding in Longmen and dared not come back - but they only started to attack it at this time.

"You all know that?"

"If you don't want people to know, then you better not do it. Moreover, you guys are making such a big move over there, and you can hide it from the country of Dayan, but can you also hide it from the local snakes in Longmen?"

For the first time, Chen Fan couldn't hold back his expression, and his eyes were filled with horror.

"Just as you thought—the Duke of Wei sends his regards, Minister Chen."

Qiao Yelan bowed slightly and behaved very appropriately.

"You are--you are Wei Yanwu's man!"

"I thought you would have thought of this a long time ago, but I overestimated you. This is really good news - it seems that Prime Minister Cai also knows nothing about this."

A smile appeared on the man's face.

"Think about it, the Cai Party's current situation seems to have started with the bloody massacre of the Wangji Company, but what incident really disrupted your plan and caused the first ripple in the stagnant water of the Great Yan Capital?"

What event?

Chen Fan tried his best to think. The entire Cai Party organization had been running very well before. With his own money, Gao Cheng's people, and the inaction of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites, things should have been going on as planned.

His hands suddenly shook.

Yes, it should have been like this - until Wei Yanwu suddenly tore off his mask and beat Kosice, who was competing with him at the time, out in one breath!

Originally, everyone believed that such disputes would continue for decades - just like the decades that Kosice spent in Longmen.

The Wangji Company had a long history of smuggling - but it was only because Cai Yan emerged as a rising star and suppressed the emperor that their smuggling became more and more daring, with both goods and money doubling.

Originally, Wei Yanwu and Kosice were still in a balance of power, so even if one side was defeated in the end, it should be a slow victory process. Before the situation became completely clear, Wang's Company had plenty of time to slowly settle its affairs and launder the money.

However, the Longmen dispute ended this year, contrary to everyone's expectations. Wei Yanwu brought out an incredible force, directly blew up Kosice's forces head-on, and even drove this black snake out of Longmen.

This brought Wang's business of smuggling to an abrupt end. Manager Wang had to return to the capital to reorganize the account books, while Minister Wang was also eager to change the cage and replace the bird, hoping to quickly cover up the smuggling incident.

If you count carefully, the first stone thrown into this stagnant water was actually thrown by Wei Yanwu!

After that, there was a sudden rumor that the so-called Victoria Red Dragon bloodline had an affair with Wei Yanwu's sister. Now it seems that this news was deliberately released purely to make them relax their vigilance, thinking that Wei Yanwu and the emperor would continue to fight for a while because of this.

He did not forget that in the imperial edict to transfer Zhu Ronghui, the emperor said "this is a rumor".

Think about it again, today in the court, the Grand Tutor, who had never participated in any non-Ministry of Rites issues, suddenly stood on the side of the Emperor, and pulled the Ministry of War together to put pressure on Cai Yan - who in the world doesn't know who the Grand Tutor prefers as the emperor?

Apart from Wei Yanwu, who else could make this Grand Tutor demonstrate his position so clearly?

“I see…I see—I see!”

Chen Fan said these four words three times in a row, but his heart became heavier as he spoke.

Finally I understood, who could suppress Cai Yan so easily, disrupt the Ministry of Revenue, and make all the officials in the court become pawns in their conversations - except for the former crown prince of the Eastern Palace who was a genius, who else could play such a sharp trick?

emperor?

If the emperor could do such a thing, the tutor would not have ended up like this.

"Have you ever been to Prime Minister Cai's residence before?"

“Never.”

"It seems that luck is still on my side."

Chen Fan smiled bitterly. The fact that the other party came to confront him at this time showed that it was Cai Yan who was abandoned, not him, the Minister of Revenue.

The open and covert struggles between the Chen family and the Cai family were also seen clearly by Wei Yanwu who was far away in Longmen...

"Duke Wei...what do you want me to do?"

"Oh? Your Excellency doesn't want a last chance?"

Qiao Yelan asked with interest.

"It's meaningless. Today in the court, the fate of the Grand Tutor has directly put me on the opposite side of Cai Yan. Once this scene happened, the people of the Cai Party have already dispersed. I, the Minister of Revenue, have to protect myself, let alone the people below me?"

How can anything be accomplished if people are not united?

Chen Fan shook his head.

"If tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and we had the fifteen days off, Cai Yan and I would have time to sit down and talk, and chat with other members of Cai's party, and explain things, then we would still have a chance to save the situation. But tomorrow is not New Year's Eve, and there is another court meeting tomorrow - the day after tomorrow."

"Today, Duke Wei should have another heavy blow. This blow will completely shatter the hearts of the Cai Party. The fifteen-day rest period is not to help Cai Yan regain the hearts of the people, but to ferment this division."

"As expected of you, Lord Shangshu."

Are you worthy of it?

The old man smiled bitterly.

It was not until others came to the fore that I could finally see the situation clearly, and even realize that this matter was not directed at me - the past few decades in the officialdom have been like a dog's life.

"Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"You just need to continue to oppose Prime Minister Cai. His Majesty's next step is to take down Gao Cheng and regain control of the Ministry of Personnel. As for your position as Minister of Revenue, His Majesty said that you are a talented person, but you are too greedy for money. As long as you admit your mistakes and correct them, you will still be an important official in the court."

"Yes, if we control the Ministry of Personnel, we will also control the talent pool of the empire. This can be regarded as regaining control of the court. As for the Ministry of Revenue, we can slowly replace people, that's it."

Chen Fan seemed to have aged ten years in an instant and sighed in a very desolate manner.

He finally understood why Qiao Yelan came to take over Wang's Business - of course, it was to completely cut off all income of the Chen family except for the salary.

The hearts of people who are won by money will be nothing but a passing cloud after they lose their money.

The so-called iron-clad Ministry of Revenue became even more vulnerable than Tsai’s party after its fig leaf was torn off.

But what can be done?

They have already lost, miserably.

"But please rest assured, Lord Chen. Duke Wei is not the kind of person who doesn't care about feelings. Since he wants you to continue to serve in the court, he will give you a reassurance."

Qiao Yelan’s words made Chen Fan look up suddenly and stare at the other person intently.

"The rumors outside have more or less hurt the reputation of Duke Wei's sister. Although Duke Wei's surname is Wei now, his sister is still the princess of Dayan. How can she be humiliated by such rumors? So she must choose a husband who is well-matched to quell these rumors."

"It just so happens that your eldest grandson seems to be still unmarried - I wonder, what do you think?"

"Yes—of course!"

Chen Fan almost blurted it out.

Not to mention that this is a marriage between people of equal social status, the Chen family is now in a precarious situation. If they can establish a relationship with the royal family at this time, it will be like a talisman!

If he had previously felt that there was an irreconcilable contradiction between Wei Yanwu and the current Majesty, he had now completely dispelled this idea - Duke Wei was helping His Majesty to tidy up the court, so wasn't this contradiction just being brought out for everyone to see?

Perhaps this amulet seems to be of little significance, but if his Chen family has it and the Cai family does not, then even if the emperor still has to deal with all of them in the end, there must be an order of priority - even if there is a reckoning, this lineage will be able to escape.

"That's good. Duke Wei will ask His Majesty to grant me marriage soon. As long as you have no objection, I should be able to see Master Chen in Longmen next year."

"Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Lord Wei!"

Chen Fan immediately started writing the note with great energy, then stood up from his seat, held it with both hands, and handed it to Qiao Yelan, who was several years younger than him.

Qiao Yelan held the paper in his hand, which was obviously thicker than a piece of paper, and smiled but said nothing. He just took it all.

Seeing that Qiao Yelan accepted the things without saying a word, Chen Fan felt much more at ease. He returned to his chair with a more sincere smile on his face.

"Now that the matter has been made clear, I will take my leave - but I hope that Master Chen will attend the year-end court meeting tomorrow."

"Of course, this old minister will be there to cheer for your majesty."

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"Eunuch Wang, go back and report to His Majesty. Everything is going well. Minister Chen is also a man who knows the times. He has made up his mind to surrender to His Majesty, and he will make a separation in the court tomorrow."

"Yes, Master Qiao, I will report it right away!"

Wang Zhi's face was full of admiration, and he was delighted to go into the palace.

"Wait a moment."

"Master Qiao, do you have anything else to tell me?"

"When Eunuch Wang was not yet the eunuch in charge of the imperial pen, if he wanted to hide banknotes, where would he usually hide them?"

"what?"

Wang Zhi was stunned.

"The kind where you hide banknotes, afraid that they will be seen, and afraid that they will be stolen."

Qiao Yelan added.

"Uh... usually I keep it close to my body, even when I sleep and take a bath. After all, in the palace... you know."

Eunuch Wang said hesitantly.

"Is that so? Then where do you usually keep the banknotes?"

"Usually, they put it in a box and put it on the beam or in the rice jar."

"That's just right—"

Qiao Yelan took out a silver note from his briefcase.

This was already the smallest note in the stack of banknotes that Chen Fan had given, but the number on it was still enough to make ordinary people tremble with fear.

The stamp on the silver note was exactly the same as the one he had received from Shopkeeper Wang and then handed over to Zhu Ronghui to withdraw money.

"Tonight, send someone to kill the captured janitor's entire family, then put this banknote in a box and hide it in a secret place in their house, perhaps on the beam or in a rice jar. Make it look like the janitor hid it himself."

"The slave understands."

"Also, this time we have to leave a child behind, and they must take him away alive. We have to leave enough traces to prove that the child was taken away alive. Then we have to flee far away, taking the child directly to the East Country, to prevent the Dali Temple from finding out anything through the traces."

Although Wang Zhi was a little confused, he still remembered every word, took the silver note, and gave the order.

The corners of Qiao Yelan's mouth curved up.

Killing is to deal the final blow to Tsai’s party, but reporting and ending it are another matter.

The reason why Qiao Yelan explained the whole conspiracy to Eunuch Wang in such detail and in such a comprehensive way, breaking it apart and making it clear, plain and obvious -

Just for this moment.

Because explaining it to Wang Zhi was explaining it to the emperor.

After making this matter clear, whether he brought Wang Zhi to the Chen Mansion or not, it would not arouse any suspicion, neither Wang Zhi nor the emperor. And Chen Fan's performance in the end would only make them think that Qiao Yelan's lobbying behavior was successful, and they would not doubt what kind of words Qiao Yelan used to convince Chen Fan.

Just like after Qiao Yelan went to see the Grand Tutor, the young emperor was only happy when the Grand Tutor left, and he didn't even ask Qiao Yelan what he had said at the Simaitai.

The Tower of Babel is not a charity organization, and Qiao Yelan is not a loyal minister entrusted with the care of the emperor. After planning this for so long, what he wants is not just "being in the emperor's heart".

Now, taking this Minister Chen under Wei Yanwu's name is just to collect some interest first.

If the Emperor of Dayan suddenly had a breakdown, or died suddenly like Helhunzollon, Qiao Yelan didn't want to be in a hurry to help Wei Yanwu or his children take the throne like he did in Leithania.

Now, all the backup plans are ready.

In the court, Wei Yanwu had the Grand Tutor as a stabilizing force to steady the ministers.

In the court, Wei Yanwu has two orthodox strong claims, Dongguo and Victoria, to tempt the Ministry of War.

So the biggest need at that time was actually the funding issue, and this had to be solved by Qiao Yelan - oh, don't get me wrong, it wasn't using the funds from the Tower of Babel.

Qiao Yelan never does anything that will increase his own costs.

That's why he wanted to bring Shangshu Chen in - this old guy has been sitting in the Ministry of Revenue for decades and he also controls the Wangji Trading Company. There's no telling how much money he has made through smuggling.

If, when the time comes, Qiao Yelan doesn't blow up all the old man's gold coins, Lord Chen will thank his ancestors for eight generations.

Chapter 93: Falling Apart

As the former absolute ruler of the Great Yan court, Prime Minister Cai looked a little too haggard when he attended court.

Everyone could see that the Prime Minister had not had a good rest - in contrast, the Emperor was full of energy, examining the ministers in the court with his sharp eyes.

But when Minister Chen from the Ministry of Revenue walked in, many ministers were surprised.

Chen Fan looked normal. Not only did he not look tired, but even the lingering shadow from the turmoil in the Ministry of Revenue had disappeared.