The Three Kingdoms: My Wife is a Great and Good Teacher

"Hahaha." Zhang Gong laughed twice and seemed very happy.

Then he pointed at Liu Zhaoqing and said with a smile: "Although you are a commoner, your words are much better than those famous scholars from the aristocratic families."

"The court should have more young and promising common people like you as officials. Those old Confucian families are more rotten than stones in the toilet."

As he spoke, a servant knelt down beside him holding a plate of lychees and raised the plate above his head.

Zhang Gong took the lychee and peeled it while casually saying, "However, Zhao Qing, your source of information may be a little outdated and superficial."

"It is true that His Majesty holds me in high esteem, but it is false that I am loved by all the officials. Many of those officials in the court want to eat us alive."

"For example, the general who was ordered to suppress the Jiazi bandits regarded us as thorns in his flesh, and wished that we would die suddenly at the side of the real dragon in the next breath."

There is a reason why big shots speak casually, especially when talking to their subordinates, because there is no need for big shots to chat with someone who is much lower in status than themselves.

Zhang Gong's words first confirmed Liu Zhaoqing's knowledge of the times, and at the same time told Liu Zhaoqing what forces in the court he hated, and also pointed out his biggest threat now, which was: General He Jin.

Then the reason why Zhang Gong saw him gradually became clear. Obviously, Liu Zhaoqing wanted to become his chess piece.

A chess piece used by the Ten Eunuchs to seize power from the foreign relatives.

"I, a commoner here in Pingyuan, have also heard of the name of the general. However, since the general is a relative of the emperor, I dare not comment too much on him." Liu Zhaoqing continued with his head down.

This kind of talk is very honest and conservative. Liu Zhaoqing doesn't want to express his opinion.

He can be at the edge of the vortex, but never be the center of the vortex, because that is usually where the cannon fodder is.

"That's right. He Jin is much more petty than I am. If he heard you talking about him, given your commoner status, he would probably find a random excuse to kill you and bury you under a mulberry tree outside Luoyang City. You won't even be able to find your bones in a few days."

Zhang Gong spoke leisurely, then tasted a lychee, and looked at Liu Zhaoqing with slanted eyebrows.

"If you see him in Luoyang in the future, stay away from him."

Liu Zhaoqing bent down and lowered his head, and immediately replied: "The status of a commoner and a general is as different as heaven and earth, so I will definitely not see him."

"That's not necessarily true." Zhang Gong smiled.

"Since you are not a stupid person, you should know why I specifically mentioned what you did to His Majesty in front of all the civil and military officials, right?" Zhang Gong then asked.

He seemed not to want to beat around the bush with Liu Zhaoqing and went straight to the point.

"I...just came to Luoyang, so I really don't know much..." Liu Zhaoqing lowered his head and continued to respond vaguely.

Knowing it in your heart is one thing, admitting it to someone's face is another.

Liu Zhaoqing was not stupid enough to express his loyalty directly to the eunuchs. Although he had just arrived in Luoyang, he knew very well that the eunuchs would not be in power for long.

And the most important thing is that the path he is taking now does not allow him to go along with the eunuch party, otherwise everything he has done will be wasted.

At this time, what Liu Zhaoqing had to do was to belittle himself as much as possible and then withdraw from the center of the struggle between the Ten Attendants and He Jin.

"You really don't know?" Zhang Gong looked at Liu Zhaoqing.

Liu Zhaoqing instantly felt a chill and was slightly surprised. It seemed that Zhang Gong also possessed the power of a great man?

"I really don't know." Liu Zhaoqing continued to bend down and lower his head.

"Haha." Zhang Gong smiled, waved his hand to signal the servant to take away the lychee plate, stood up and walked to Liu Zhaoqing.

He helped him up and said to him with a smile: "Don't be afraid of us. We know that you were born in Julu and have never been out of Hebei. How can you know about Luoyang? I am just teasing you."

Having been in power for too long, Zhang Gong never showed his joy or anger. Moreover, he was just an ordinary one of the Ten Attendants. Liu Zhaoqing could not imagine how powerful Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong could be.

"But..." Zhang Gong shook his head, then walked around Liu Zhaoqing and said, "I've heard about your deeds, saving the people, killing the evil dragon, and saving almost the entire Pingyuan County from the Yellow River turmoil. You are truly a hero."

"I have heard in the court before that many 'heroes' have appeared in various places, but their deeds are not as dazzling as this." After walking around, Zhang Gong sat back on the couch.

"During the Yellow River Rebellion, your deeds would surely be appreciated by those in the court such as Wang Yun and Cai Yong, and perhaps also favored by the eight military officers of the court, but those people..." Zhang Gong sneered, "They treat us like a flood."

"However, if these people can be used well, they will help the 'flood' overflow the embankment and flood the general's mansion."

According to Liu Zhaoqing's memory and the information obtained from conversations with Xun Yu, the ministers in the court mentioned by the Ten Eunuchs were basically people who were loyal to the Han court and suffered from the crisis of the country. Naturally, they did not have a good face towards the eunuchs who were disrupting the government.

However, the Ten Eunuchs did not touch these people. Instead, they called Liu Zhaoqing, and the following sentence "flooding the general's mansion" hinted at it.

Liu Zhaoqing also immediately understood what Zhang Gong meant.

"Sir... do you want me to win over the famous scholars in the court?" Liu Zhaoqing asked.

Zhang Gong showed a look of delight, and then smiled slightly: "Zhao Qing is smart."

"Those corrupt scholars and military officials are not a threat to us, and Your Majesty will not listen to their slander." Zhang Gong said, frowning slightly, "However, those people are still a force that cannot be ignored, especially for us now."

"He Jin, who returned from suppressing the bandits, has been restless recently, and those corrupt scholars and aristocrats seem to be trying to get close to him..."

When Liu Zhaoqing heard this, his heart sank.

What the hell, they're asking him to be a traitor!

There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. The Tenth Eunuch's words pleased the Han Emperor so much that he issued an edict to invite him to the palace to receive his reward.

The purpose is certainly not to think that Liu Zhaoqing has made great contributions in flood control. What does his contribution in disaster relief and saving the people have to do with their Ten Attendants?

However, Liu Zhaoqing's righteous act could be praised by famous officials in the court and gain the favor of the gentry for a while, which would make him a chess piece that the Ten Attendants could use to deal with He Jin.

"It seems you have already guessed it, so I don't need to say more." Looking at the shock in Liu Zhaoqing's eyes, Zhang Gong smiled.

"This matter does not require you to contribute money or any other effort. On the contrary, you can take whatever you need from our mansion. After the matter is completed, we can also grant you a high official salary, or even promote you to the rank of marquis."

For common people, being promoted to a higher position means skipping at least two classes.

And according to Zhang Gong, Liu Zhaoqing can have almost endless "activity funds".

If he agreed at this time, he would immediately become a popular figure among the Ten Attendants and a new upstart in Luoyang.

However, Liu Zhaoqing fell silent, then lowered his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but... I am not familiar with the famous scholars in the court."

"Wouldn't it be better if we chatted more?" Zhang Gong smiled, and then as if he remembered something, he said, "Oh, you think it's not good for you to work under our name, right?"

Zhang Gong was unexpectedly very tolerant about this.

"Don't worry about that. You don't have to acknowledge us. Just complete the task we assign you."

Liu Zhaoqing did not respond.

This made the smile on Zhang Gong's face gradually disappear.

Although Liu Zhaoqing lowered his head to show respect to him, his attitude and temperament at this time did not show that he was the master at all.

"Are you not satisfied with the reward we promised you?" Zhang Gong asked doubtfully.

"Or do you think we can't help you get promoted?"

Liu Zhaoqing shook his head, cupped his hands and continued, "I am naturally aware of the ability of Zhang Gong, but I did those things not for promotion, but to protect the people of Pingyuan from danger."

"Save the people of Pingyuan?" Zhang Gong laughed, "Is this the limit of your vision?"

"I have low eyesight and only see the suffering of the people." Liu Zhaoqing lowered his head and continued to answer.

Zhang Gong pointed at the armrest of the couch, then looked at Liu Zhaoqing with a half-smile: "Do you think we are not worthy of being with you?"

"I dare not." Liu Zhaoqing continued to bend down.

Liu Zhaoqing had such a bright future in front of him, but he did not seize it. In the eyes of ordinary people, this made no sense and no logic.

Nowadays, even the vendors on the outskirts of Luoyang city know that the power of the eunuch is so great that he can cover the sky with one hand and anyone who gets close to him can rise to the top.

Zhang Gong had seen before that a chicken got a chance but could not turn into a phoenix. It was the same temperament as those so-called "proud" corrupt scholars.

"Go away." After a long silence, Zhang Gong said lightly.

Liu Zhaoqing breathed a sigh of relief, then continued to bend down, saluted respectfully, and then left the room.

After Liu Zhaoqing left, Zhang Gong thought quietly for a few seconds, then smiled slightly: "Another frog who doesn't know how high the sky is."

Since the chess piece cannot be used for one's own benefit, it will naturally be destroyed in one's hands.

Zhang Gong called the servants and spoke to them calmly.

"Go get the document I prepared yesterday and send it to the captain."

"It is said that a resident of Pingyuan County, surnamed Liu and courtesy name Zhaoqing, intends to rebel, and his crime should be exterminated along with all his clans."

Chapter 75: Desperate Situation Two-in-One

Less than a quarter of an hour.

Before Liu Zhaoqing walked a hundred meters away from Zhang Gongzhi's mansion, he was stopped by a group of black-armored soldiers who suddenly rushed in from all directions.

"But Liu Zhaoqing?"

The armored official riding on the black horse shouted at Liu Zhaoqing.

Liu Zhaoqing, who had already guessed why these people came, had a very calm expression and said, "Exactly. Who are you?"

Commoners and even Confucian scholars from aristocratic families were all horrified when they saw the armored soldiers. Liu Zhaoqing was able to remain neither humble nor arrogant, which surprised the little leader on horseback.

Then he waved his hand and shouted, "Come here, capture him!"

"Wait a minute!"

Liu Zhaoqing shouted, causing the soldiers who were about to arrest him to pause for a moment. He then bowed in the direction of the Luoyang Palace and said, "I am a person appointed by His Majesty himself. Why do you detain me without asking the reason? Is this against the law?!"

The clerk looked into Liu Zhaoqing's eyes and remained silent for two seconds before sighing and looking at him with pity: "Who told you to offend someone you shouldn't have offended?"

"Capture him and put him in death row!"

-

A quarter of an hour later.

In Luoyang's death row, Liu Zhaoqing was escorted by two soldiers down the dim stairs, across the damp and bumpy road, and passed by death row prisoners whose bodies were not human-like on both sides. Finally, he was sent to a dark cell with only a mat of hay.

"Go in! Don't try any tricks!" A jailer wanted to kick Liu Zhaoqing, but was stopped by his companions.

His companion whispered something to him, and that person was also surprised.

Then he looked at Liu Zhaoqing with the same pity in his eyes as the captain and clerk before.

"Just stay here and don't think about anything else. Don't be so tactless in your next life." The jailer said to Liu Zhaoqing and prepared to turn around.

These two men had obviously seen too many people like Liu Zhaoqing who were awaiting execution for disobeying the Ten Eunuchs in this death row.

"Can you two return my belongings to me?" After entering the cell, Liu Zhaoqing did not show any fear or other strange expression. He calmly asked the jailer who was about to leave.

"Take away your belongings?" One of the jailers turned around and looked him over. "Are you talking about your money and jewelry? They have long been divided up by the people outside."

"And I'm telling you, you're still thinking about money even when you're about to die?"

Liu Zhaoqing shook his head: "It's not money, but a book and a letter."

"A book and a letter?" The jailer scratched his head. How could he not remember having that thing? He was only concerned with robbing the money.

The jailer next to him thought for a moment and said, "The worthless items should all be with the jail chief."

"Then please go to the prison chief and ask him to return the two items to me. I am a guest of the Xun family." Liu Zhaoqing said again.

"Xun family?"

The jailer was stunned for a moment, then said, "Who are you kidding? How could the Xun family be thrown into this death row by the eunuch?"

"Here's something as evidence." Liu Zhaoqing took out a white jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it to the jailer.

"Oh my god, why do you still hide such a good thing?" The jailer was stunned for a moment after taking it, and was surprised. He had no intention of returning the jade pendant to Liu Zhaoqing.

But when he played with it for a while, he suddenly saw a small word inside the jade pendant.

If you look closely, isn’t that the word “Xun”?

The two jailers were shocked. Then they looked at Liu Zhaoqing, who was wearing the anklet but had a calm face. After looking at each other, they immediately took the jade pendant and went out.

Liu Zhaoqing came to the rammed earth thatched bed, looked around casually, sat down, then raised his hand to rub his forehead and smiled bitterly.

"I didn't expect that the first time I went to jail in my life would be on death row."

Liu Zhaoqing knew that Zhang Gong would not let him go, and even felt that Zhang Gong might kill him in his own mansion, so at that time Liu Zhaoqing was actually gambling while trying his best to be humble.

He had to bet that Zhang Gong needed to use him to establish his authority.

So far, he has made the right bet.

From what Xun Yu knew about Zhang Gong, the only thing he knew was that he was "good at strategy". Liu Zhaoqing felt that such a person should not be a reckless man.

As the "hero" that Zhang Gong deliberately mentioned in front of all the officials, he had spent a bit of his prestige to recruit him.

So in other words, if Liu Zhaoqing had agreed to let Zhang Gong work for him at that time, no matter how much he cut ties with the eunuchs, others would know that he was working for the eunuch party.