Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

This person came out hastily, spoke without careful consideration, and wasn't particularly skilled.

He almost immediately grasped the loophole in Chen Ting's words, but he did not speak for the time being.

Seeing that Jiang Zhao did not answer for a long time, Zhao Zhen spoke up: "Were you stumped by Chen Ting's question?"

In just a short time, he had already figured out quite a few things.

This newly appointed Hanlin Compiler is quite capable; he has learned at least 70% of the skills of his teacher, Han Zhang.

This is someone who truly reached their peak right from their debut!

Logically speaking, they shouldn't be stumped by the question at this point.

Finally, someone stepped forward to confront them, and Zhao Zhen did not want it to end so soon.

Therefore, the emperor, who was sitting on his throne, took the initiative to send a message over.

The time has come!

Upon hearing Zhao Zhen's words, Jiang Zhao immediately replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, it was not that I was stumped by Lord Chen's question, but rather that I disdained to answer the treasonous words spoken by Chen Ting."

Ok?

Chen Ting was somewhat surprised. He had only said two sentences; how could it be considered treasonous?

"Nonsense! I, Chen, am utterly loyal and devoted. How could I be accused of treason?" Chen Ting questioned.

At this time, the king was furious. Although he had come out at Liu Hang's behest, he really did not want to be labeled as "treasonous".

This hat is quite heavy!

“Huang Jing was a vice minister in the Ministry of Rites. I was the last person to handle the document he wrote. I am the most suspicious. His deception of the emperor is equivalent to my deception of the emperor. This is my first crime.”

“This thing written by Huang Jing was personally presented to Your Majesty by me. The one who presents it and the one who writes it are equally guilty. This is my second crime.”

Jiang Zhao stated clearly, "Whether I know or not what kind of outrageous and treasonous words Huang Jing presented, I am already guilty of these two crimes and cannot escape punishment."

"I do not know Huang Jing's character, but I imagine he is not a fool. This act of deceiving the emperor suggests he was prepared to die. I will simply imprison him and execute him."

As she spoke, her voice lowered slightly, adding a touch of sorrow.

"Lord Chen asked me whether I am a hero, and I will answer you now." Jiang Zhao slowly stood up and looked over with a serious expression: "Huang Jing is arrogant and rebellious, so why does Lord Chen call him a hero? If Huang Jing is not a hero, then why does Lord Chen call me a hero as well?"

In one sentence, he made his position clear.

I don't think Huang Jing is a hero!

On the contrary, Chen Tingke thought Huang Jing was a hero.

"Lord Chen's words are utterly treasonous. I humbly request Your Majesty to order Lord Chen to retract his words before I may submit my next memorial!"

After saying that, he slammed his fist down hard!

Holy crap, he killed it in seconds?

When Jiang Zhao had spoken seven-tenths of what he wanted to say, several high-ranking officials in purple robes raised their heads. When he finished speaking, even the Grand Chancellor Fu Bi couldn't help but look ahead.

Chen Ting only said two sentences and was instantly silenced!

Chen Ting, who had stood up to question Jiang Zhao, was at a loss for what to do, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Isn't this a high-level match?

A high-ranking official of the third rank, could be defeated in an instant?

Chapter 44 I am a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the second year of the Jiayou era!

He only said two sentences and was instantly defeated!

A high-ranking official of the third rank, could be defeated in an instant?

Chen Ting was somewhat incredulous. He tried to answer several times, but couldn't find the words. He felt powerless and didn't know what to say.

Jiang Zhao's few words seemed to suggest that whatever he said would be pale and powerless.

"Hahaha!" Zhao Zhen laughed loudly upon hearing this.

"What a fine Jiang Lang of Huaizuo, what a fine Hanlin Compiler."

"Whether Huang Jing is a hero or not, I don't know. However, Jiang Zhao is indeed a hero."

"Throughout my life, I have always admired heroes and valiant men."

With a single word, he defeated a high-ranking official of the third rank, and even Emperor Zhao Zhen couldn't help but take notice and feel a sense of appreciation for his talent.

Just then, Right Censor-in-Chief Feng Yuan stepped forward and angrily rebuked, "The one who submits the memorial is guilty of the same crime as the one who writes it. Jiang Zichuan, don't try to argue your way out of this!"

"Huang Jing is a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and where is Han Zhang, the Minister of Rites? Why are you cowering and hiding behind your students?" As one of the highest peaks of the Imperial Censorate, Feng Yuan's stern shout echoed throughout the hall.

Chen Ting was instantly defeated, and he had no choice but to come out and question them.

Many officials are becoming increasingly humble.

The second-in-command of the Censorate, a second-rank official, has been removed from office!

This is already one of the highest levels of existence below the Grand Secretary!

At the same time, Zhao Zhen glanced at Han Zhang and Liu Hang out of the corner of his eye.

Both of them remained calm and composed, revealing nothing unusual.

Perhaps realizing his apprentice's abilities, Han Zhang did not step forward even when Feng Yuan provoked him.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but look at the capable young man.

As expected of master and disciple, how similar they are to Han Qing in his youth.

However, it needs to be even more powerful.

He debuted at a peak level!

"Why implicate the innocent, Lord Feng? Lord Han's loyalty to the country is known to all. Don't drag a loyal minister into this mess." Jiang Zhao saw through Feng Yuan's intentions at a glance and immediately exposed him without hesitation.

Once Han Zhang leaves the game, Liu Hang will also leave.

If Liu Hang catches him and beats him up, and pulls off a "Tian Ji horse racing" move, he'll probably have a hard time arguing back.

"Completely innocent?" Feng Yuan sneered. His intention was to muddy the waters, and he had no regard for morality or ethics.

"If I remember correctly, when Han Zhang was in charge of Dingzhou, he arrested Jiao Yong, a general under Di Qing, on the grounds of 'lax military discipline,' and retired loyal officials were framed for it. Does such a person deserve to be called loyal?" Feng Yuan's voice resounded throughout the hall.

Many military generals took notice of him.

Feng Yuan scolded, "You two, master and disciple, one gave Di Qing a poem, the other framed a loyal official. One played the good cop, the other the bad cop, you sang it so well!"

Jiang Zhao frowned slightly.

What Feng Yuan said was indeed something that happened.

Han Zhang was truly exceptional in governing the country and managing people's livelihoods; even looking at the history books of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was a capable man.

However, Han Zhang also suffered from the common flaw of scholars: he looked down on military generals, believing that they only possessed bravery but lacked wisdom and strategy, and that only those who were called out in name at Donghua Gate were true men.

Even though Jiang Zhao was present, Han Zhang didn't utter this "famous saying," which doesn't change the fact that Han Zhang did indeed harbor some prejudices.

Whether Jiao Yong was truly lax in his military discipline was something even Jiang Zhao wasn't entirely sure about.

However, he was indeed punished!

This kind of contempt for military generals is not uncommon among civil officials.

Jiang Zhao's expression darkened.

He was not the kind of person who looked down on military generals.

Civil and military officials each performed their duties and were indispensable.

However, one's perspective is determined by one's position, and one should still defend the teacher when necessary.

"What, does Lord Feng mean by wanting to exonerate Jiao Yong?"

Jiang Zhao sneered and pointed, "Judging from your expression of shock and anger, anyone who didn't know better would think you were a military officer!"

"Sir, you have no evidence whatsoever, yet you try to exonerate the military officer with your silver tongue. If you are so indignant, why not join the army?"

Jiang Zhao said with a sneer, "You are a second-rank official. Even if you are demoted from a civil to a military position, you are still a second-rank military general!"

"Even so, he will not lose his title of marquis."

Mocking voices echoed throughout the hall.

Feng Yuan's expression changed slightly as he noticed that many civil officials were looking at him.

Realizing he had misspoke, he quickly retorted, "When did I ever say I wanted to be granted a title? Don't spout nonsense!"

"Stop making excuses! Tell us about your accomplices and your backers!"

"If you have the ability and the responsibility, then speak up honestly!" came another stern rebuke.

Chen Ting!

Jiang Zhao glanced at the two high-ranking officials who had stepped forward one after the other, and sneered: "I entered the capital on May 27th to take up the post of Hanlin Compiler. It has been less than a month since then. How can you say I am an accomplice?"

"Jiang is neither a hero nor has any accomplices."

A loud voice echoed throughout the hall. Jiang Zhao turned around abruptly and bowed to the Emperor: "I was born in the second year of the Baoyuan era. At that time, the Emperor was wise and the world was at peace. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment. I also had a carefree childhood and grew up safely."

From passing the imperial examination at the county level in the seventh year of the Qingli era, to becoming a provincial graduate in the first year of the Zhihe era, and finally achieving the highest rank in the imperial examination this February, and taking office as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy on May 27th, every step of my journey has been thanks to the Emperor's favor.

"I am a newly appointed scholar in the second year of the Jiayou era, and a protégé of the Emperor. If we speak of a mentor, Your Majesty is my mentor!"

"If we're talking about a powerful backer, Your Majesty is my powerful backer!"

"If we're talking about allies, I can only be one of Your Majesty's allies!"

"What Imperial Censor Feng and Vice Minister Chen just said was not a discussion of the way of a loyal minister. I humbly request Your Majesty to order the two of them to retract their words!"

After saying this, Jiang Zhao's eyes turned red and tears streamed down her face. She bent down and kowtowed heavily.

It sold out in seconds again?

Are there any experts?

The senior officials all looked surprised and doubtful.

If someone says your teacher has problems, you would say the emperor was your teacher.

If someone says you have accomplices, you would say the emperor is your accomplice.

If others say you have powerful backers, you should say that the emperor is your true backer.

How are we supposed to answer that?

Not to mention the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, even Emperor Zhao Zhen on his throne was stunned.

How could this be related to me?

Also, isn't this level of debate a bit too much?

He was surrounded by a third-rank official and pursued by a second-rank censor.

As a result, when the two high-ranking officials pressed them for answers, they were both silenced without exception.

In the main hall, Feng Yuan, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and Chen Ting, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, were both stunned, their minds blank.

Done!

Grand Secretary Liu Hang closed his eyes and sighed.

Neither a second-rank official nor a third-rank official could force Jiang Zhao into a trap; he was already doomed to lose.

The difference lies in the fact that either they were deposed by the king, or they were defeated by the powerful Han Zhang in a political struggle some time later.

Because the Grand Chancellor was biased, he was unwilling to abdicate, and it was just a risky gamble in the first place.

Unexpectedly, this was a miscalculation!

Who would have thought that a young man who had only been an official for less than a month could actually play in the top-tier tournament?

It’s not unfair to lose!

This plot was not unusual, but what was unusual was that it provoked the king's anger.

If those who enter the game cannot withstand the emperor's wrath and the questioning from several waves of Liu's faction officials, they will inevitably collapse.

As it turned out, fate played a trick on him, and Jiang Zichuan was able to hold on and even fight back.