Huang Chuan obediently went to ask, and after learning what had happened, he received unanimous sympathy from the whole family.
"Brother, take care," Huang Lao Er patted his shoulder heavily, "If anything really happens, your younger brother will definitely collect your body."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "I'll use my own money to buy you a willow coffin."
He couldn't afford something better.
"roll!"
Old Huang gritted his teeth and roared out these words.
How could he possibly need a coffin!
Huang Lao Er felt wronged, but dared not say anything more because of Huang Lao Da's anger, and silently shrank to one side.
However, the deep sympathy and regret in their eyes were hard to ignore.
"Huang Shu, I'm not dead yet!" Old Huang really wanted to beat his younger brother up. "If your eyes keep darting around like that, you're done for."
What kind of look is that!
She was perfectly fine, but he treated her like a corpse, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
At this moment, Boss Huang really wanted to throw Liu An out.
He really ruined my life this time.
"Brother," Huang Xiaosan chimed in, "why don't you wait a few years until all these old men are dead before you go?"
“Mistress,” Huang Lao Er said quietly, “those old men are dead, but they still have sons and grandsons. It’s no use dragging it out for years, or even decades.”
It was because he understood these things that Huang Lao Er didn't think highly of his eldest brother.
Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaosan's face darkened immediately. "Second Brother, can you please not say anything?"
Who wouldn't understand something so simple? It's just that we're afraid our older brother will overthink it.
He was already angry, and his second brother kept adding to his troubles. The fact that he didn't retaliate only shows how close the brothers are.
Huang Xiaosan felt that if he were in that situation, he would absolutely not be able to tolerate it.
Huang Lao Er: "Fine, I won't say it then."
Indeed, honest advice is hard to swallow.
"Brother," Huang Xiaosan suggested, "why don't we bring more people to protect you?"
"Don't worry," Liu An said calmly, "I've already made arrangements, everything will be fine, don't worry."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their faces away in unison, two words flashing through their minds: disbelief.
Such a clear attitude angered Liu An, who immediately snorted coldly, "I keep my word."
He's supposed to be a Grand Secretary, how can he be so untrustworthy?
Liu An was indeed overshadowed by An and Zhong, but only they were capable of doing so. Who else in the court dared to challenge him?
"Uncle Liu," Old Huang said with difficulty, "it's not that I don't believe you, it's just that things have gotten so out of hand that there's no way to handle it."
This isn't just about offending a few people, or even a group of people; it's about offending the whole world.
If a scholar or gentleman had the means, who wouldn't take many beautiful concubines?
“It has little to do with us,” Liu An explained with a smirk. “Those people are just taking their anger out on you; it’s Grand Secretary An who’s the real culprit.”
I wonder if he's furious right now!
I went to great lengths to make peace with that dog of a eunuch, Qi Yong, for this arrangement, and even made a lot of promises. If it doesn't work out, I'll be furious!
"Shifting the blame eastward?"
"Can't you speak properly?" Liu An glared at Huang Xiaosan fiercely. "You're clearly trying to set things right."
"He gets all the benefits while we're left to take all the blame. There's no way we can have such a good deal. I will absolutely not agree to this!"
It's absolutely impossible to take the benefits and then not want to take responsibility.
"The word itself doesn't matter," Huang Xiaosan said indifferently. "The key is that the Grand Secretary An, who has countless disciples, might..."
While Huang Laoxue was studying government affairs, the two of them were not idle. Whenever they had free time, they would go along with him. They were no longer the ignorant fools they once were.
The three Grand Secretaries, with Grand Secretary An as the leader, controlled 60% of the government affairs, including household registration, the imperial examination, taxation, and the supervision of officials. He was almost always at the beck and call of the people.
Grand Secretary Zhong was second, controlling 30% of the economy, including agriculture, all kinds of crafts, and tributes from various regions; his power was also considerable.
Liu An was the youngest and least experienced, holding only one-tenth of the power. He was mainly responsible for ancestral rites, sacrifices, and the organization and repair of various classics. Although he appeared noble, he did not have much real power.
However, even so, he should not be underestimated; his ability to become a Grand Secretary is the best proof of that.
“No problem,” Liu An said confidently. “I have my own way of doing it.”
So what if he has students all over the world? Qi Yong isn't afraid of that.
After so many days, Liu An finally understood one thing: there was a real reason why Qi Yong, this eunuch, was favored.
When it comes to understanding the Emperor's thoughts, even the three Grand Secretaries combined are no match for Qi Yong.
He only guessed that the emperor would cut flesh, but Qi Yong had already taken the initiative to make himself the knife.
"Uncle Liu," Old Huang looked at him with a conflicted expression, "can your nephew trust you one more time?"
Despite saying that, I have no confidence at all.
"What?" Liu An asked incredulously, "You don't trust me?"
"Of course not," Old Huang laughed awkwardly. "My nephew just thinks what he's learning is very useful, and there's no harm in continuing to learn it."
Let's put our hopes on ourselves.
Even if we manage to avoid it this time, we might still get scammed again next time.
Upon hearing this, Liu An was furious, exclaiming, "You can't make a living off a piece of rotten wood!"
After saying that, he simply turned and left.
He may not be as good as An and Zhong, but he is not without the ability to protect himself. He has not yet stepped down from his position as Grand Secretary, and he has the Emperor and the Lady Protector as his backers, so he has nothing to fear.
Moreover, this disaster isn't that serious. At most, Huang Chuan will suffer some hardship and be suppressed. Only a few hot-headed individuals would dare to kill him.
When gods fight, innocent bystanders suffer.
The reason for this concern is the fear that Huang Chuan, who is hostile to all sides, will be dragged into various troubles.
It's true that we must act cautiously, but seeing how timid and cowardly he is really infuriating.
"Brother, why did you make him leave in anger?" Huang Xiaosan said anxiously. "We haven't even gotten to the bottom of things yet."
"You think he's reliable?" Old Huang said quietly. "First he was taught a lesson by Qi Yong hanging him from a tree, and then he was tricked by Elder An. I have serious doubts about him..."
Huang Xiaosan also had doubts.
Seeing is believing, and upon careful consideration, Liu An's skills were indeed lacking.
After a long silence, Huang Xiaosan looked at his elder brother with a complicated expression and said earnestly, "Brother, please take care!"
Liu An's abilities were actually quite good, as can be seen from his usual behavior and speech.
Yet it was still repeatedly punished, which shows how terrifying the imperial court was.
Even a high-ranking official who's been in the imperial court for decades acts like this, and his own elder brother...
Just thinking about it made Huang Xiaosan feel hopeless.
Perhaps I should save some money in advance, just in case something happens, and maybe I can chip in with my second brother to buy a fine ebony coffin.
Another "Take care" came from his exceptionally intelligent third brother. At that moment, Huang felt as if an arrow had pierced his chest.
His mind went blank, and he couldn't help but growl, "I'd rather die than have a coffin."
After he finished speaking, Boss Huang felt the entire hall fall silent, and the atmosphere became strange.
“Alright,” Huang Lao Er nodded seriously, “I’ll buy you two straw mats.”
Save even more money!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com