170. A loyal minister who can act as a treacherous minister.

Inside the Imperial Study, Qu Zijin saw that Wei Xiuming had left Xie Wenling behind and sent the children to the side hall, but he made no mention of himself.

He was torn between taking his leave or going to the side hall with them.

Fortunately, Wei Xiuming spoke first: "Minister Qu, please stay as well. There's something I'd like to hear your opinion on."

Qu Zijin quickly bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Wei Xiuming picked up a memorial from the desk and handed it to Xie Wenling with a smile: "Minister Xie, someone has impeached you. Take a look for yourself."

Xie Wenling took the memorial and calmly opened it.

The memorial was very thick. He read it page by page, his face still expressionless, as if the memorial contained not his own crimes, but other people's trivial matters.

After reading it, he gently closed the memorial and bowed to Wei Xiuming, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe I have acted with integrity and have never done anything as described in the memorial. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

“You’re quite composed,” Wei Xiuming said, looking at his calm demeanor. He then turned to Qu Zijin and said, “Minister Qu, take a look and share your thoughts.”

Qu Zijin accepted the memorial.

When he first saw Wei Xiuming's smiling face and Xie Wenling's calm demeanor, he assumed it was something trivial.

As he looked at it, his face grew paler and paler, and his hands trembled slightly.

The memorial was filled with more than a dozen charges, including accusations of "abusing power for personal gain" and "forming cliques for personal gain," as well as serious charges of "having too close private dealings with princes, which may indicate treacherous intentions."

Even details such as "his daily behavior was flamboyant and lacked the proper conduct of a court official" were clearly described.

He was shocked and looked at Wei Xiuming, then at Xie Wenling.

He couldn't quite understand how the two of them could laugh while facing the impeachment memorial, and how the other could act so nonchalantly.

Even as an outsider, he was terrified.

These charges combined are enough to warrant the Xie family being raided three times over!

He didn't understand, but he was very anxious: "Your Majesty! This is absolutely impossible! Lord Xie is an upright, kind-hearted, and loyal man! The contents of this memorial must have been maliciously fabricated to frame Lord Xie!"

Wei Xiuming's smile faded slightly, and his tone became somewhat probing: "Oh? Minister Qu is so certain? This memorial is written in great detail, even clearly stating how many bolts of brocade Minister Xie sent to the Marquis of Beiding's residence last month. How could someone know such details if they hadn't been deliberately observing?"

Qu Zijin quickly said, "Your Majesty, Lord Xie and the Marquis of Beiding's family are related. Sending some brocade is just a normal social interaction. How can it be considered as seeking personal gain? As for his dealings with the princes, as a court official, it is normal etiquette for Lord Xie to occasionally meet with the princes outside the court. How could he have any ill intentions? This is clearly someone taking things out of context and deliberately smearing Lord Xie!"

He paused, then added, "Since entering officialdom, Lord Xie has been diligent and conscientious, sharing His Majesty's burdens and working for the benefit of the people, without ever making the slightest mistake. I urge His Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter, find the person who fabricated the facts behind it, and restore Lord Xie's innocence!"

Xie Wenling did not expect Qu Zijin to stand up for him.

Although he himself did not believe the claim that Qu Zijin was "upright and kind-hearted," he felt that Qu Zijin probably had some misunderstanding about him.

However, he still cupped his hands in thanks to Qu Zijin and said, "Thank you for your trust, Grand Tutor Qu."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin quickly waved his hand, his tone urgent and earnest: "Lord Xie, there's no need for such formality. This is what I should say. Those charges are completely baseless; it's clearly a malicious frame-up!"

Wei Xiuming listened quietly.

He looked up at Xie Wenling, his tone unbiased, offering neither reassurance nor question: "Minister Xie, you've read through all the charges in the memorial. Minister Qu has put it this way, so tell me yourself, what do you have to say in your defense?"

Xie Wenling's voice was steady: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Beiding's residence is related to me. The few bolts of brocade that he sent last month were purchased with my own salary, and were by no means obtained through misappropriation of my authority. Moreover, it is only natural for relatives to exchange gifts; how can it be considered embezzlement?"

He paused, then continued, "As for forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices, I have always focused on matters of state in court, not personal relationships. All my correspondence has been about official business, and I have never uttered a single private word. My subordinates can attest to this. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may review all the accounts and documents in my residence and government offices at any time. I will have no objections."

"Your Majesty entrusted me to receive the princes when they came to the capital in accordance with custom. All of this was done in an official manner, with attendants always accompanying them. There were never any private conversations. How could there be any close contact? The guards on duty in the palace and the messengers at the official post station can all testify to this."

After refuting the most serious accusations, Xie Wenling looked up and stared directly at Wei Xiuming.

The latter remained silent, neither stating whether he believed or not.

Xie Wenling did not refute further, but said directly: "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. If there is even half a lie, I am willing to be cut in half at the waist. But I also know that whether these charges are true or false is entirely up to Your Majesty's decision."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin couldn't help but frown. He was about to speak to persuade her when Wei Xiuming raised his hand to stop him.

Xie Wenling continued, "However, I dare to assert that Your Majesty will ultimately admit that these are all false. Since I entered officialdom, from an unknown minor official to where I am today, I have relied entirely on Your Majesty's support. If I were to be dismissed now because of these fabricated charges, it would not only chill the hearts of loyal officials throughout the land, but it would also be tantamount to Your Majesty's cultivation of me being completely wasted."

He then knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon. I am willing to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly, even if it means my death, I will never waver!"

Wei Xiuming then laughed again, his tone finally softening: "You have a silver tongue; every word you utter hits the nail on the head. Of course I believe you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have only summoned you and Minister Qu today."

Qu Zijin breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Xie Wenling also straightened up slightly, waiting for Wei Xiuming to continue.

He knew, of course, that this was just Wei Xiuming testing his loyalty and attitude.

As he said, he was promoted by Wei Xiuming. It took a lot of effort to cultivate and support him. Now that he has this opportunity to replace the old prime minister who is a veteran of two dynasties and refuses to relinquish his power, how could he possibly depose him at this crucial juncture?

Isn't this tantamount to all our previous efforts being wasted, and bowing down to the old prime minister to admit defeat?

Wei Xiuming simply wanted to get his attitude and make him realize the seriousness of the matter.

Of course, if Xie Wenling suddenly decides to do something reckless, Wei Xiuming wouldn't mind sending him on his way and training someone else instead.

Anyway, Wei Xiuming is still young, there are plenty of smart people in the world, and the government is stable.

A momentary lapse in judgment is nothing; he has plenty of time to learn from his mistakes.

Fortunately, Xie Wenling was clever. He immediately realized Wei Xiuming's intention, expressed his loyalty, and emphasized that they were on the same side and that he was his only support.

He couldn't, and had no reason to, betray him.

Wei Xiuming was very satisfied with this.

He was satisfied with his talent, and even more satisfied with his loyalty as a subject.

Although Xie Wenling came from a prominent family, his family had long since fallen into ruin and was now essentially a commoner.

Although he had the support of the Marquis of Beiding in the imperial court, the Marquis of Beiding was a lazy bum who just coasted along.

Therefore, he essentially had no family influence.

He was promoted by him and can only rely on him.

Chunchen was the emperor's favorite.

No emperor would not love a loyal minister.

Of course, Qu Zijin was also a loyal minister, even more so than Xie Wenling.

However, Qu Zijin's personality was completely unsuitable for officialdom. Although he was kind, upright, and gentle, this also led to his stubborn naiveté.

Wei Xiuming dared not even imagine what would have happened if Qu Zijin hadn't come into his sights and received his protection because of that "returning to one's roots" proposal.

Someone with such a pure and innocent personality like him would have no chance of surviving in officialdom.

He'll end up in a terrible situation.

Xie Wenling was different; he was adept at social maneuvering and was incredibly shrewd, thriving in the murky world of officialdom.

He was born for this.

Wei Xiuming was certain that even if Xie Wenling hadn't come into his sights early on, he would have been able to make a name for himself through his own abilities.

He was practically the perfect subject.

A loyal minister who can act as a treacherous minister.

They could do the dirty and tiring work for him, give him some insidious and vicious ideas, and then take the blame themselves to maintain his image as a wise ruler.

They could also offer sound strategies for governing the country, building the dynasty, benefiting the people, and consolidating royal power.

He can shoulder the main responsibility and also assist him.

More importantly, there's not much need to worry about him betraying him.

---

Mini-theater:

The Emperor's Livestream Room.

Wei Xiuming, the livestream host, is passionately speaking into his microphone—

Wei Xiuming: (Excitedly) Today I'm going to recommend a super useful minister to all the emperors!

Wei Xiuming: (Showing Xie Wenling) Emperors, please look, this is the one!

Wei Xiuming: This is a loyal minister! Handsome, highly capable! Capable of taking the blame, offering advice, and providing support! A super three-in-one!

Wei Xiuming: Most importantly! As a loyal minister, he did not have the biggest flaw of a loyal minister—he spoke harshly.

Wei Xiuming: Do you love such a loyal minister who can do the work of a treacherous official and speaks so nicely?

Wei Xiuming: Emperors, a super three-in-one event, don't miss it!