Chapter 234: The Willing One Takes the Bait
"Xuan, come in!"
“Plop!”
As soon as Ouyang Xiu entered the Funing Palace, he saw Zhao Xu sitting behind the imperial desk and knelt down with tears in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I have served through three dynasties and am now old. My mental endurance is no longer as strong as it once was. I fear I am no longer competent to serve as Vice Chancellor. I hereby resign and hope that Your Majesty will grant me the grace to retire and return home."
Bewildered and caught off guard, my top helper in confronting the censors actually wanted to run away!
The voice is loud and full of energy. Is this an elderly person?
Yesterday, you, Ouyang Xiu, called six girls to drink with you at Xiaoxiang Pavilion and returned home late at night. Is your psychological endurance not as good as before?
Being an emperor is really tiring. Everyone is always causing trouble...
Zhao Xu was secretly complaining, but his hands kept moving. He quickly stood up and helped Ouyang Xiu to his feet. "Prime Minister Ouyang is a veteran of three dynasties and has worked hard for the court for many years. I have just ascended the throne and I still need your support. If you have any difficulties, I will help you handle them. Hurry and stand up!"
Enough is enough. After all, Ouyang Xiu didn't really want to retire and return home. The prostitutes in the capital's brothels were much more varied than those in Suizhou...
Ouyang Xiu slowly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I sense a massive conspiracy looming over me. If I'm not careful, I'll be ruined."
"Conspiracy? Disgrace?" Zhao Xu asked curiously.
Ouyang Xiu said sheepishly, "I am handsome, can write poetry, and am proficient in calligraphy, painting, music, and antiques. Most importantly, I also have a good understanding of people's clothes. Naturally, I am sought after by many women in the capital. They all offer themselves to me. How can I resist such temptation?"
Zhao Xu said with a dark face: "Speak to the point."
"Well, the point is that rumors are like the wind, always following me. From the Qingli New Deal to the Puyi Dispute, I have always put the interests of the government and the people first. For this, I have offended many colleagues in the court, and they are all trying to get rid of me as soon as possible."
"As a friend once said, rumors are the cheapest weapon. They only require a thought and a tongue. The people of the capital love to hear all kinds of gossip about officials. If there happens to be some "ethical," "erotic," or "political" elements in it, the emperor should know that "three people make a tiger, and a lot of gossip can melt gold." By then, I will definitely be too embarrassed to stay in the capital!"
Zhao Xu thought for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Are you saying someone is spreading rumors to accuse you of violating ethics and engaging in promiscuous relationships?"
"Yes! I have discovered some clues." Ouyang Xiu took out the recently published official bulletin from his sleeve, pointed out the news related to himself, and respectfully presented it to Zhao Xu.
"The Ministry of Public Relations spread this false and divisive report through the imperial gazette without even consulting me. They also deliberately prevented delivery of the gazette to my residence. If someone hadn't warned me, I would still be in the dark!"
Zhao Xu read the court report and found that there were indeed many suspicious points in this matter!
A general amnesty means that the state reduces or exempts criminals from punishment according to law, and it does not mean that past crimes will be forgiven. Considering Xue Liangru's crimes, it was a blessing for him to be released from prison safely, and it was impossible for him to be reinstated.
It is said that Ouyang Xiu took the initiative to find the relevant departments and expressed that they could not show favoritism, and Xue Liangru was dismissed from office because of this. This is obviously an attempt to sow discord.
Praising Ouyang Xiu for his selflessness? Zhao Xu had no impression of it at all.
…
Since he ascended the throne, unlike the Buddhist Han Qi and the rigid Zeng Gongliang, Ouyang Xiu has always been cheering for him and is one of the most useful helpers. Thinking deeper, is the person behind the scenes targeting only Ouyang Xiu?
Zhao Xu frowned slightly and looked at Ouyang Xiu: "What are you thinking? Do you have anyone to suspect? A veteran of three dynasties wouldn't just want to retire and return home in disgrace, would he?"
"Censor!" After a long silence, Ouyang Xiu gently uttered two words.
"If there's anyone in the court who hates me to the core, they must be in the Censorate. From Qian Mingyi to Liu Xuang, I've been impeached numerous times by the Censorate. What's infuriating is that they never have any solid evidence. The Censors can just spread rumors and report things, but I can't do anything about it when I'm wronged. It's really annoying!"
"Haha, the censor!" Zhao Xu chuckled, and a plan came to his mind: "Prime Minister Ouyang, how about I put you in a difficult position for a while and lure the snake out of its hole?"
"Here it comes!" Ouyang Xiu said in his heart. As Chen Ge expected, the emperor also needed to arrange his own power in the censorate, and he just provided the emperor with an opportunity.
Ouyang Xiu pretended to be ignorant and knelt again, saying with tears of gratitude: "As long as we can find the person behind this, it will be entirely up to Your Majesty to arrange it."
Zhao Xu helped Ouyang Xiu up, and then began to whisper instructions to him, this and that.
Half an hour later, Zhao Xu was eating with big mouthfuls, while Ouyang Xiu walked out of the Bianjing Palace briskly with his arms behind his back.
The show is about to begin!
Dongcheng District is as bustling as usual.
The brilliant sunshine bathed the capital, its red bricks and green tiles shimmering with golden light. Shops, workshops, and taverns lined the streets, and vendors hawking their wares in front of the shops added a touch of liveliness to the capital.
There was an endless stream of pedestrians on the streets, people carrying children, coachmen delivering goods, young ladies stopping in shops to choose goods, scholars chatting and laughing... Every confident smiling face showed the prosperity of the Song Dynasty.
Fifty meters away from the [Medical Practice Hall], the carriage slowly stopped and the voice of the chubby-faced maid came from outside: "Miss, there are so many people gathered ahead, blocking the road."
"What's the big deal?" Ouyang Qingqing lifted the curtain and looked at the high platform in front of the [Medical Hall]. Four women from the Western Regions dressed in light gauze were performing a passionate belly dance.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
