Beijing, Yan Mansion
Zhang Shi was holding the tea lid and gently stirring the tea leaves in the teacup. Next to him was Old Yan, who had a serious look on his face, slightly squinting his dim eyes, and it was unknown what he was thinking about.
After a while, Zhang Shiqian took a sip of the fragrant tea and said lightly: "Mr. Yan, now is a good time, what are you still thinking about?"
Old Yan's cloudy eyes moved slightly, and when he looked at Zhang, his voice seemed a little hoarse: "I'm wondering if His Majesty is really ill."
"I haven't been in the court for a long time. I don't dare to believe what others say."
Zhang Shi burst out laughing. It is true that the older people get, the less courageous they become. But it is always right to be cautious.
"It's normal for Elder Yan to be worried. Yesterday, several ministers from the cabinet went to the Imperial Study to see His Majesty. When they came back, they didn't look very happy."
"I went there later, but I only saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He was also in a bad mood. The Crown Prince is a person who can't hide things. His Royal Highness has been accompanying His Majesty in the palace these days. This can't be fake."
"A few days ago, when His Majesty was in court, many people noticed that His Majesty was in poor health. It is normal for His Majesty to be seriously ill now. Some people privately spread that His Majesty was assassinated by someone sent by the King of Wu. Because the situation was not serious, it was kept secret. Now it has evolved to the point where he suffers from a tumor!"
"Now that His Majesty cannot attend court and the Crown Prince is not in office, this is the best opportunity to bring Fang Zhengyi down."
After listening to this, Mr. Yan raised his eyes and glanced at Zhang Shi indifferently.
"I heard from my students before that people were saying that Fang Zhengyi was secretly sent by His Majesty to the south to investigate the salt merchants, and then the King of Wu fled to the south. This shows that the King of Wu must have had some connection with the salt merchants."
"Now there is news that Fang Zhengyi has been kidnapped and King Wu escaped by boat. I think we should just forget about it. Maybe he has died out there."
"Even if he succeeds in returning to Beijing, it won't be too late to look for an opportunity then."
Zhang Shiyi frowned and said, "Mr. Yan, it's hard to find a good opportunity. If this traitor is not removed, I don't know how arrogant the prince will be when he ascends the throne in the future!"
"Master Zhang..." Elder Yan stared at Zhang Shi and said slowly, "No matter how powerful Fang Zheng is, he is just a young man who has relied on the favor of the emperor. He is nothing. It is better to wait a little longer."
"Besides, the Crown Prince and His Majesty are both on his side now. I'm afraid that the evidence that he accepted a bribe of 60,000 taels from the Northern Rong might not be enough."
"No, there is other evidence besides this!" Zhang Shi replied immediately: "The Prince of Wu's Palace has been sealed off now, and the confiscated account books have been sent to the Ministry of Revenue. Fang Zhengyi's Taoyuan County has a large amount of money transactions with the Prince of Wu's Palace, the amount is as high as hundreds of thousands of taels!"
"Such an astonishing number, does Fang Zhengyi have no connection with the rebels at all?"
"Where is the evidence?" asked Mr. Yan.
"Do you need evidence for the exchange of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? It is the duty of the censor to report the matter based on rumors, not to mention that there are real accounts to check! In addition, it is already a foregone conclusion that he secretly communicated with the Northern Rong, and he cannot escape the death penalty!"
After listening to this, Old Yan suddenly sighed, stood up and said to Zhang Shi: "Master Zhang, I think we should just forget about this matter. Send him away!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a maid came forward to escort Zhang Shi out.
The situation suddenly changed, and Zhang Shi was shocked and asked, "Mr. Yan, didn't you always tell me that you wanted to avenge Yan Guoan?"
"Alas! I am old, and the Yan family cannot stand any disturbance. When Fang Zhengyi is not in the capital, all the news is heard from others, and I dare not trust it too much. If he can't come back to the capital, everything is over. If he comes back, he will have plenty of time to deal with it in the future."
"This opportunity cannot be missed! Mr. Yan!" Zhang Shi frowned.
Old Master Yan sighed again: "Master Zhang, this ulcer is an incurable disease. Your Majesty's body will not recover in a short time... There is always a chance."
"I can't understand why you are so anxious to deal with Fang Zhengyi at this critical moment. Are you afraid that he will return to Beijing, or... are you in contact with King Wu?"
"King Wu and Fang Zhengyi had hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in their dealings. You care so much about Fang Zhengyi, didn't you investigate him earlier? Why do you bring this up now?"
Zhang Shi was shocked. This old man! Not only is he stubborn, but he also thinks so much.
"Old Yan, be careful with your words! The rebels acted secretly, how could the Ministry of Revenue know about it?" Zhang Shi said sternly, "My Zhang family has been loyal for generations, how can we be in cahoots with the rebels?! Old Yan, since you think of me like this, I don't need to come to visit you anymore, bye!"
After saying that, Zhang Shi turned around and was about to leave.
Old Yan leaned on his cane and tapped the ground repeatedly: "Master Zhang! Please stay, please stay! I am old and confused, please don't be offended."
Zhang Shi's expression eased a little, and he turned around and looked directly at Mr. Yan.
"Since Elder Yan is unwilling, I will not say more. Everyone in my Zhang family is loyal to the emperor and patriotic. They are all concerned about national affairs, and they have their own selfish motives. Fang Zhengyi's perverse behavior has already aroused public anger. To be honest, he is motivated by both public outrage and personal hatred!"
"Guoan and I were close friends during his lifetime. Since Mr. Yan is afraid of taking risks, I will avenge him!"
After saying that, Zhang Shi turned around and left again.
Speaking of Yan Guoan, Old Yan began to feel a dull pain in his heart, and he shouted helplessly: "Come back, don't leave in a hurry, I haven't finished what I want to say."
Zhang Shi stopped again and stood still.
Old Yan walked tremblingly to his side and whispered, "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince trust this person very much. I have to be cautious."
"As for what you said, it does make sense. Although we are not in the court, it is our responsibility to eliminate the treacherous and evildoers."
"But I am just a commoner now, and those students are in high positions. I am afraid that my words alone will not be so useful."
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