Chapter 29 Response
"This is a simple matter. Regardless of the inscription, the key is to completely reverse the original meaning of those eight characters. Furthermore, we must demonstrate our grandfather's integrity and draw a clear line between himself and the Li Party."
"Seizing the initiative means being the first to speak out and control public opinion. As long as we have the upper hand, no matter how others slander us later, it will be in vain. By leveraging the momentum and counterattacking, we can actually gain the upper hand."
He Jingyi and Song Jian looked at each other, both with surprise on their faces.
This strategy could not only resolve the current crisis, but also turn defense into offense. If used properly, it might even be helpful in the fight for the position of assistant minister.
Song Jian took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and had something in mind.
"Alright, I understand. It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
When the footsteps of the grandson and his wife faded away, Song Jian's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice: "Lu Zhong thinks that he can defeat me like this? You really don't take me seriously! Come, tear down the walls on both sides of the gate for me, and order someone to erect a stone tablet in front of the gate. The inscription on the tablet should be...'Wealth and honor for a while, reputation for eternity'."
"Give the servants some more money and go find some idle people from the market at daybreak." Song Jian snorted. "Whichever teahouse or wine shop opens first tomorrow, have them go in and have some tea, and spread the news."
When Steward Huang heard this, he immediately perked up and replied with a smile on his face, "Don't worry, Master. I will make sure everything is properly arranged!"
…
At dawn the next day, before the morning light came, the common people in the capital who had been idle all day suddenly became wealthy and crowded into the teahouses and taverns where scholars gathered.
In the dim morning light, some discussions gradually emerged.
"Have you heard? This time, the Li Party is trying to bribe the two candidates in order to gain a cabinet position."
"I've heard about this. It's Lu Zhong and Song Jian, right? They are honest and upright people who always value integrity. They wouldn't be secretly colluding with the Li Party, right?"
"I don't know about Lu Zhong, but Song Jian is a man of integrity. To stop them from trying to bribe him, he demolished the courtyard wall last night. A stone tablet stood in the ruins, with the words 'Wealth and honor for a time, but reputation for eternity' written on it..."
"Well said! This is the character of the Dasui scholars!"
"I just went to check it out, and it's true. He's truly a loyal and steadfast person of our dynasty. He's determined to completely sever ties with the Li Party..."
"The Li clique is now at its peak of power, having murdered countless loyal and good people. I wonder how many so-called virtuous and good people have fawned over it, kneeling and kowtowed, their integrity completely lost. Yet, in such a situation, you remain unyielding and unyielding. You are truly admirable!"
"Yes, I am worried now that this vacancy among the cabinet ministers will fall on Lawrence Lu because Mr. Song cannot compete for it."
"This is bad, he won't be bribed by the Li Party?"
"It's hard to say. Who can be as upright and honest as Lord Song, and not be greedy for power?"
"Let's wait and see. As long as it's Lu Zhong who goes up this time, he's probably been bribed and has become a running dog of the Li Party..."
"The Li Party is treacherous and evil, and we must fight against them together!"
“Lu Zhong, it must be Li Dang!”
"We support Song Zhongjian and must not allow the Li Party to succeed. We must jointly submit a petition to Your Majesty. How can we allow treacherous officials to run rampant and gentlemen to suffer?"
…
Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Lawrence Lu arranged everything properly. Feeling that his position as a cabinet minister was almost certain, he went to bed with peace of mind.
"Master, something happened..."
Suddenly there was a hurried knock on the door.
Lu Zhong was awakened, his brows slightly furrowed, he put on his clothes and stood up, opened the door, and said in a cold voice: "Why are you so out of control?"
The housekeeper didn't bother to apologize, and whispered all the rumors.
Lu Zhong's eyes darkened, and after a moment of silence, he sneered: "Song Jian... is very good!"
Song Jian took the initiative and secretly spread rumors. As the rumors grew stronger, he was portrayed as an upright minister who was not afraid of the powerful Li family, but he was instead accused of colluding with the Li family.
A lifetime of good reputation was ruined in an instant.
Not to mention the position of cabinet minister, even his current official position would probably be difficult to preserve.
Lu Zhong felt stuffy in his chest, and a fishy and sweet taste surged in his throat, but he forced himself to suppress it.
Seeing this, the butler whispered, "Master, the selection will be held in three days, so we should think of a solution first!"
Lu Zhong asked in a deep voice, "Has the silver from Lord Yang been delivered?"
"I sent it over yesterday, and the Yang Mansion's housekeeper personally accepted it and said everything is in order."
Yang Shouyi was a seventh-rank county magistrate at the beginning of the year, but was promoted to a doctor in the Ministry of War in just three months. How could he have achieved such a rapid rise without the support of the Li Party?
Lu Zhong naturally knew it, but as long as he didn't break this layer of window paper, he could still deal with it. Hearing that the silver had arrived, his expression eased a little, but the haze in his eyes had not dissipated.
Song Jian's move not only cut off his path to advancement, but also left him with no place in the elite. Even if he managed to secure a cabinet position, he would still be subject to future criticism. However, Song Jian, on the other hand, was able to gain widespread fame and acclaim from the literati.
While he was pondering, Lu Ming rushed in, his face filled with anger: "Father! The Song family has gone too far. If we don't fight back, how will we survive in the future?"
Lu Zhong remained silent.
Seeing his father's silence, Lu Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Since the Qingliu faction has no place to stand, why not just join the Li Party? With Li Shufeng's support, the position of cabinet minister..."
"shut up!"
Lawrence Lu said coldly.
After all, he still has some dignity left. How could he turn to the treacherous party unless he is at his wit's end?
Lu Ming stiffened his neck and said, "Father! If Song Jian takes the throne, you will never be able to turn things around!"
The flesh on Lu Zhong's face trembled violently, and he suddenly laughed grimly: "Ha... am I Lu Zhong so easy to deal with?"
…
After getting up in the morning, Song Qianzhao spread out paper and ground ink as usual, practicing calligraphy, completely unaware of the storm his little plan had caused.
Mingjue was running around outside to inquire, and when he came to deliver lunch at noon, he couldn't hide the joy on his face even through the crack in the door, and the corners of his mouth were almost raised to his ears.
"Young Master, this is a brilliant move! The master has been invited by the cabinet to a drink and won't be back until noon."
Song Qianzhao smiled slightly when he heard this, and his eyes fell on the iron chain of the door bolt.
"Mingjue, if this door remains locked, you won't have to collect your monthly salary this month."
Seeing his serious expression, Mingjue hesitated and said, "Young Master, if you can promise not to leave this courtyard, I will open the door for you immediately!"
He was really scared. What would he do if his master ran out and beat someone up again?
Song Qianzhao raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Grandfather seems to be unaware of your relationship with Fu'er."
Mingjue's face suddenly changed when he heard this. He hurriedly took out the key to unlock the door and said with an apologetic smile, "I didn't expect that the young master still remembered this."
Song Qianzhao took the food box and turned back inside, not mentioning the incident of catching him having an affair with the maid last night. The Song family had strict rules, and if his grandfather knew about this, he would be beaten and expelled from the family.
This was a devastating disaster for Mingjue.
Mingjue stood attentively, pouring tea and serving dishes: "Young Master, if there is anything you want to eat, just let me know. If there is nothing in the mansion, I will go out and buy it for you..."
Song Qianzhao said "hmm" softly and ate his lunch leisurely.
While they were eating, they heard hurried footsteps outside the door. He Jingyi pushed the door open and walked in, his face solemn.
"Qian Zhao, have you been in contact with outsiders recently?"
Song Qianzhao put down his bamboo chopsticks, stood up and greeted: "Uncle, why do you ask this?"
Mingjue stepped forward and explained with a smile, "My dear, please understand. Since the young master returned home yesterday, he hasn't even stepped out of the door."
He Jingyi frowned and said in a deep voice, "Since you have no dealings with outsiders, how come you, a commoner, were personally recommended by Song Tianguan to be appointed as the Minister of Government?"
Song Qianzhao was stunned when she heard this. She was not very familiar with the positions in the court, and this sudden news made it difficult for her to understand the connection.
Who is Tianguan?
Judging from He Jingyi’s words, this person’s recommendation will definitely succeed. He is not an ordinary person, right?
Although Song Qianzhao had read a lot of books, he still knew very little about the current situation and had not yet grasped some basic common sense.
Therefore, she had no way to answer He Jingyi's words.
While he was thinking, He Jingyi saw him put down his chopsticks and pondered, thinking that he was avoiding the question, and his tone became more severe.
"This matter is of no small importance. When your grandfather returns home, I will definitely ask for the truth!"
After saying that, he turned away.
Song Qianzhao asked doubtfully, "Who is Tianguan?"
Mingjue was stunned for a moment, then smiled and replied, "It's Song Tianguan, the one who is currently the Minister of Personnel!"
"Minister of Personnel? Song Zheng?"
Song Qianzhao's pupils dilated slightly, and his voice unconsciously rose a few degrees.
Mingjue nodded slightly: "Yes, it is said that they are our relatives within the fifth generation."
Song Qianzhao's expression was stern, and he curled his lips, "Our family doesn't have any dealings with them, right?"
Mingjue shook his head. "Master and Song Tianguan have never had any contact. Their branch has lived in Fuzhou for a long time and has become estranged from their original tribe in Ruzhou."
Song Qianzhao felt a little relieved. If he had a close relationship with Song Zheng of the Li Party, he would be in trouble when the reckoning came five years later. But then he thought again, and a new doubt arose in his mind: Why would the illustrious Heavenly Official recommend a commoner like him?
Why does Song Zheng want to win me over?
Song Qianzhao murmured to himself, "Is it because of the discussion in the teahouse? Or did you suddenly think of this distant relative?"
Seeing Mingjue staring at him with wide eyes, Song Qianzhao shook his head and said, "No matter what, I can't accept this recommendation. If I get involved with him, disaster will befall me in five years..."
She clearly remembered the tragic scene of Song Zheng's entire family being executed after the new emperor ascended the throne.
Mingjue echoed, "Young Master is right! Master once said that the Li Clan's prosperity will only be temporary. Once His Majesty has a clear understanding, it will be eradicated."
Song Qianzhao didn't comment, but said, "Go down, and report to me when grandfather returns home."
Mingjue responded quickly and retreated immediately.
Song Qianzhao hadn't yet made up her mind about entering the government. Even without mentioning the dangers of the court, she still needed to practice basic clerical skills diligently.
More importantly, the Li faction is now so powerful that we must keep our distance. Otherwise, when the new emperor comes to settle accounts, we will inevitably suffer the consequences.
…
As dusk deepened, lanterns lit up under the eaves, casting a hazy glow in the slightly chilly air. Clumps of slender bamboo, newly leafed, stood beside the bluestone path, their branches still tinged with the distinctive greenish-yellow hue of early spring. The stacked Taihu rocks cast shadows of varying heights, sparse and slanting across the landscape—this was the courtyard of Lu's residence, the then-official director of the Household Administration Bureau.
Suddenly, a young man in brocade robes appeared from outside the moon cave, his steps as light as the spring breeze.
Lu Ming walked quickly across the courtyard and saw his father drinking alone in the pavilion. A smile immediately spread across his face: "Father is really smart! Now the Song family is finished!"
Lawrence Lu slowly put down the teacup, "Is there any news outside?"
"The whole capital is saying that Song Jian is a hypocrite, playing both sides and seeking fame!" Lu Ming said with a beaming expression. "Yesterday he was pretending to be a loyal minister in the court, and today his grandson has been recommended by the Li Party. It's clear that he has been secretly defecting to the Li Party for a long time."
"The imperial censors are eager to try, just waiting to submit a memorial to accuse him! Father has already secured victory in this game!"
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