Chapter 579 You have come to this day!
It wasn’t sunset yet.

Tan Chang and Huai’en were handling official business in the Silijian duty room when they heard that Zhang Luan, led by Tan Ji, had entered the palace to meet the emperor.

There was an obvious hint of panic on Qin Chang’s face.

Huai En immediately called Tan Chang over and asked in a low voice, “Didn’t you tell Hou Fang in advance?”

“I never told him that.”

Tan Chang shook his head.

Huai En pondered for a moment, then sighed, “In fact, it doesn’t make much difference whether you say it or not. After all, Zhang Luan is the father-in-law of the Ming Dynasty, and the queen is also deeply loved by your majesty. They are a loving couple, and it’s just a matter of words for the father-in-law to enter the palace. Your majesty will not only not refuse, but may even hope that he can come to the palace to see you more often.”

Qin Chang was somewhat annoyed: “I never thought that this Zhang Guozhang would not avoid suspicion at all. Doesn’t he know that he should avoid it at this time to avoid being criticized?”

“hehe.”

Huai En smiled, as if his colleague had nothing to do with him, and analyzed on his own, “Whether the officials in the court value dignity or not, they will not be as careless as Zhang Guozhang… It seems that the philosophy of life he practices is consistent, and he is not fooling people.”

Qin Chang sighed softly, his face full of helplessness. Now he was completely out of ideas.

Huai En pursed his lips and raised his chin, saying, “Don’t be discouraged yet. Go and collect those memorials quickly. I’ll send them to the Qianqing Palace later and present them to His Majesty to discuss countermeasures.”

“Oh!? Yes, yes!”

Qin Chang was stunned at first, then he understood instantly.

Now that Zhang Luan has entered the palace to pay a visit to the emperor, they, as the implementers of the plan, must at least have a clear idea of ​​what was said between the monarch and his ministers.

He just happened to take advantage of official business to go to see the emperor, so he could “coincidentally” meet Zhang Luan and eavesdrop on what Zhang Luan said to the emperor.

……

……

In the Qianqing Palace.

When Huai’en and Qin Chang arrived, Zhang Luan had already taken his seat and had even been talking to Zhu Youtang for quite a while.

“Huh? Huai Daban and Qin Daban are here? Put your things down first. My father-in-law wants to discuss something with me.”

Zhu Youtang seemed very easy-going and would greet everyone he met. Even if the other person was just a eunuch or his servant, he seemed to be worthy of respect.

Huai En smiled and said, “Your Majesty, there are a few things that you have to decide.”

“Ah.”

Zhu Youtang nodded and waved his hand, saying, “Then… Huai Daban, you guys wait a moment, I will talk to my father-in-law first.”

As a result, Huai En and Qin Chang naturally stayed and acted as listeners.

Zhang Luan saw the two men coming, and there was nothing unusual on his face. He continued, “Regarding the case of Li Zisheng, the Minister of Public Administration, I would like to ask Your Majesty for the truth.”

Zhu Youtang nodded slightly and said, “Actually, I don’t know the specific situation very well… Huai Daban, you tell me, and I’ll learn more about it.”

“Oh. Here’s the situation…”

Huai En continued, “I just found a secret letter from Liang Fang to Li Zisheng recently. I learned that the two of them had conspired to change the crown prince in the past. For this reason, Liang Fang sent Li Zisheng a generous gift and secretly sent someone to deliver it to Li Zisheng’s hometown in Jiangxi. The person who sent the gift has been found and confessed.”

“Promote easy storage? Lizi Province?”

Zhang Luan seemed a little surprised and asked, “Isn’t he a staunch supporter of the prince’s party? Ever since I met him, he has been working hard to protect the prince’s position as the Eastern Palace. Even Liang Fang was taken down by him and me. When did he actually respond to Liang Fang’s request to change the crown prince? Such a two-faced villain really needs to be investigated!”

Zhu Youtang took the opportunity to ask, “Father-in-law, do you know what is going on with Li Zisheng? Is he loyal or treacherous?”

“I do not know either!”

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, saying with a bitter face: “Your Majesty, you know that I have some friendship with Li Zisheng before, and our personal relationship can be said to be quite good. But I have not discussed any official issues with him, but only privately, involving eating and drinking.”

Huai En smiled and joked: “Zhang Guozhang, you are really direct in your words.”

“There’s nothing I can do about it… As everyone knows, my family was extremely poor in the first half of my life. All my money was spent on studying. I couldn’t even afford to eat and sleep, let alone provide meat for my family? I often didn’t eat meat for three to five months!

“Later, I studied my family’s medical knowledge and made some achievements in curing diseases and saving lives. My family’s financial situation gradually improved and I could eat meat occasionally, but it was not a good life.

“I came to the capital from my hometown. At that time, I was just a student. Li Zisheng admired my talent and often treated me to delicious food and wine. At that time, I realized that I had no resistance to eating and drinking. After all, I was not a big shot at that time, so I appreciated and accepted Li Zisheng’s banquet. After that, it became a habit, and my relationship with Li Zisheng became deeper and deeper.”

Zhang Luan smiled bitterly and said, “I am sorry to have embarrassed your Majesty and all of you.”

Zhu Youtang consoled him, “Father-in-law, don’t be ashamed. Without your past experience, you wouldn’t have achieved what you have today. Besides, you and Li Zisheng knew each other from humble beginnings, so it’s okay to have some friendship. Besides, as long as the ministers in the court don’t form cliques for personal gain, it’s fine for them to have some contact with each other.”

Zhang Luan said solemnly, “So, when I heard that Li Zisheng was taken away by the Jinyiwei and might be involved in the Liang Fang case, what I wanted to do most was to personally investigate his crimes. If there was any injustice, I hope to give him justice. If he is really guilty, I also hope to personally try him and convict him accordingly, so that I will not let him down for knowing me.”

When Zhang Luan said this, Qin Chang’s face looked extremely ugly.

Originally, he thought that Zhang Luan might come to his son-in-law to plead for Li Zisheng, so that he could take advantage of the situation to accuse Zhang Luan of not being a loyal subject. Even if the emperor really agreed to pardon Li Zisheng, Zhang Luan’s reputation would be ruined, and the purpose of weakening the power of the foreign relatives would be indirectly achieved.

But now…

Zhang Luan never pleaded for Li Zisheng at all. He just said that he would investigate and try the case personally, and his reasons sounded so reasonable.

After listening to this, Zhu Youtang asked with concern: “Isn’t your father-in-law also ill recently? Can you hold on?”

Zhang Luan sighed and said, “Alas, there is nothing I can do about it. I hope I can get better soon, and I also hope that the court will be peaceful so that I can be an idle person. But now… I have to recommend myself. I hope Your Majesty can give me this opportunity.”

“it is good.”

Zhu Youtang agreed immediately, and waved his hand, saying, “Father-in-law, since you have decided to personally inquire about Li Zisheng’s case, then I will hand it over to you. Right now, I am just investigating how much connection Li Zisheng has with Liang Fang. After all, even Liang Fang, the instigator, was only sentenced to exile. Li Zisheng…has done something helpful to me, so I will not do anything to him.”

Zhang Luan nodded and said, “I understand. Everything I do is in line with your majesty’s benevolent governance philosophy. But…if he really does something evil, violates the laws of the court, or even threatens the Ming Dynasty, I will be the first one to not let him go.”

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, “Father-in-law, you are too kind. Huai Daban, would you like to assist me in this matter?”

Huai En looked embarrassed, and it was obvious that he didn’t want to get involved.

When Qin Ji saw this, he vaguely guessed that the matter might be related to Qin Chang, so he took the initiative to ask: “Your Majesty, let me go. After all, I often go to the Northern Pacification Office. I have worked with Zhang Guozhang several times before and we get along very well.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, my dear!”

Zhu Youtang suddenly remembered something and said, “Oh, by the way, father-in-law, the queen has been talking about you these past few days, and she also said that she wanted to go out of the palace to visit you. It’s a rare opportunity for you to come to the palace today, how about having a meal together before leaving?”

“I am afraid I may disturb you.” Zhang Luan bowed.

Zhu Youtang smiled happily, “It’s not a bother at all… My dear, please ask someone to make the arrangements, and inform the Queen at the same time, and tell her that my father-in-law will have dinner in the palace tonight, so that she can be happy. My father-in-law, please go to Kunning Palace first, I will discuss the court affairs with them first, and then I will be there.”

“The minister will go first.”

Zhang Luan stood up neatly, with no visible leg injuries or any signs of illness. He walked very smoothly, followed by a eunuch leading the way, and went leisurely to Kunning Palace.

……

……

into the night.

Lighting time.

Huai’en took Qin Chang to the duty room of the Imperial Household Department.

On the way, Huai En saw that Qin Chang was a little absent-minded, so he took the initiative to speak: “You also saw that Zhang Guozhang is actually a decent person and did not speak for Li Zisheng.”

“Ah.”

Qin Chang nodded, but didn’t say anything extra.

Even he, who was always on guard against Zhang Luan and even prepared to have a long-term struggle with Zhang Luan in the future, could not find any fault with Zhang Luan’s previous performance.

Huai En changed the subject and said, “Of course, it is also possible that he is just pretending and saying nice things… It depends on what he says, but on what he does.”

Tan Chang asked: “If he had not been partial, Li Zisheng would have been directly convicted this time, so what was his purpose in taking the initiative to undertake this task?”

“Perhaps it’s just as he said, he wants the friendship to last forever.”

Huai En explained this, and then said, “Now he has gone to Kunning Palace for a family dinner, which is equivalent to entering His Majesty’s inner house… You and I don’t have this kind of intimacy.”

Qin Chang looked a little sad.

Although they often went to Kunning Palace, they only served as domestic servants.

As a family member, Zhang Luan was invited to the banquet.

That’s where the gap lies.

Huai En was also a little confused, and seemed to be talking to himself: “Now that Liang Fang has been exiled, do we have to call him back because Li Zisheng is involved in the case? Is it worth it to go through so much trouble?”

Tan Chang asked, “So…Eunuch Huai thinks that this case should be stopped?”

“If you want to do something and have already started it, you must see it through to the end and don’t give up halfway.”

Huai En is obviously a contradictory person. He always brings up the two sides of the matter and gives two completely different response measures. This time is no exception. He just continues:
“However, if you want to prevent Zhang Guozhang from being promoted by attacking Li Zisheng, I’m afraid this road will not work. No matter who you listen to, you should not listen to Liu Ji ‘Liu Mianhua’… If Liu Ji really has the ability to take charge of the overall situation, he won’t have to worry about a student entering the cabinet and replacing him. The fact that he is so afraid of Zhang Luan just shows that he is incompetent, doesn’t it?”

Qin Chang was dumbfounded for a moment.

Thinking about Huai En’s words, they sounded simple and clear, but they were like an epiphany, giving Qin Chang an instant insight into the world.

No matter who you cooperate with, you should not cooperate with that incompetent cabinet minister who has such a bad reputation.

I originally thought that Liu Ji was quite calculating and good at factional struggles.

But compared with Zhang Luan, who was willing to go through fire and water for his friends and was brave enough to take on responsibilities, it seemed like… Liu Ji was nothing.

……

……

At this time, the Jinyiwei was in the Beizhenfusi Yamen.

After Li Zisheng was “invited” here, he waited in the banquet hall of the Northern Pacification Office for a whole day, but no one came to ask him questions.

Just when he was wondering when he could go home, someone came in and escorted him to the cell.

“Didn’t I say that I was only invited here for questioning? Why should I be locked up in the imperial prison? No, I want to see Commander Zhu!” Li Zisheng immediately protested.

The visitor was Mou Bin, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Mou Bin was currently a popular figure in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was deeply appreciated by Huai En.

Mou Bin said with a fake smile: “Master Li, please don’t be offended… According to the rules, as long as there is no imperial decree to release you, you will have to spend the night in the cell.

“But you don’t have to worry too much. Your case has not been officially opened yet, so there will be no interrogation in the near future. Maybe someone will plead with His Majesty tomorrow, and you can go home.”

Li Zisheng said with a dark face, “Rules are dead, but people are alive. You asked me to come here without telling me what the case is. You should at least ask me questions first, or let me know why I came here, right? It’s already winter, can’t you ask my family to bring some clothes and blankets to keep warm?”

“Of course not!”

Mou Bin refused very straightforwardly, “During the detention period, you are not allowed to communicate with the outside world to avoid collusion. This is the rule of the Jinyiwei. Please cooperate to avoid hurting the relationship.”

The scholar was unable to explain himself clearly when he met a soldier. Li Zisheng saw that his lobbying was futile and had no choice but to follow Mou Bin into the imperial prison.

When he entered the imperial prison, he saw many officials imprisoned in the cells along the way, and the situation became very lively.

When everyone heard that Li Zisheng, who used to be all-powerful in the court, had also come in here, they all looked at him as if they had discovered a new continent. Even strange cries could be heard from time to time in the depths of the cell, which made people feel uneasy.

Li Zisheng thought to himself, will I end up like this one day?

I thought I had everything under control yesterday.

“Li Zisheng, you have come to this day! I have said it before, how can you stay out of this crime when Eunuch Liang is convicted? How can you remain in the court and continue to be an official? You should have resigned and returned home earlier, why did you end up like this?”

There were people inside making sarcastic comments.

Mou Bin shouted, “Stop making a noise! ​​Lord Li was only invited here for questioning and is staying here for one night. If anyone talks too much, don’t blame me for bringing him to court for questioning immediately!”

With Mou Bin’s support, the prison finally quieted down.

But Li Zisheng still felt a little embarrassed. As a powerful figure who once held great power in the government, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

He remained silent throughout the journey, feeling sad and helpless as if he had done something he regretted.

(End of this chapter)