Chapter 53 Collection Are they going to be exposed?
Princess Zhaoyang, upon hearing Zhou Tinglan's suggestion, knew she shouldn't rush to the Emperor: "I will take you to see my brother."
When the guards at the gate of the Eastern Palace saw that it was Princess Zhaoyang, they did not stop them and several of them stepped into the study of the Eastern Palace.
After Zhou Tinglan and the others entered the study, they bowed to the prince who was sitting behind the desk.
"All of you get up."
When the Crown Prince saw Princess Zhaoyang coming with Zhou Tinglan and others, he put down the document in his hand and was very surprised: "Zhaoyang, why are you..."
"Don't ask any more questions, my Royal Brother. I have something important to discuss with you."
"In that case, you all take a seat."
There was a desk and a soft couch in the prince's study for the prince to rest on. At the prince's signal, several people sat down beside the desk.
"Zhaoyang, what brings you to me?"
Princess Zhaoyang sat down and took a sip of tea before she spoke anxiously, "Brother Emperor, you don't know, something terrible is happening! I'm afraid the Emperor's uncle is planning a rebellion!"
The prince sighed. He stood up and took down a few books from the shelf. "So you guys noticed it too."
The documents were placed on the table. The Crown Prince pointed at them and explained, "These are rubbings of documents that the Emperor's uncle recently handed to Father. You can take a look."
Zhou Tinglan picked up a book at random. It was the document from Prince Duan recommending the new Minister of War.
"I have recently heard that Mr. Chen is a man of both virtue and talent, loyal to the country..."
They were all terms of praise used in ancient official circles. Zhou Tinglan didn't want to read any more, so she lowered her gaze to the end.
"I hereby recommend him to serve as Minister of War, to assist the imperial court in its recruitment efforts. I respectfully submit this report."
Zhou Tinglan finished reading the document and asked, "Your Majesty, are you going to let him take up the position based solely on Prince Duan's recommendation?"
"No." The prince shook his head.
"Father has long known that the Emperor's uncle harbored rebellious intentions. However, because Prince Duan's biological mother saved Father's life, and because Prince Duan's actions were all done in secret and concealed, the evidence we have is limited, allowing his ambitions within the court to grow even more."
Zhou Tinglan read through the rubbings of documents on the desk one by one. They were nothing more than Prince Duan recommending a certain official or a certain measure to the emperor.
From between the lines, Zhou Tinglan could feel Prince Duan's ambition to control the government.
"Prince Duan is really going too far!" She yelled angrily. Seeing this, Xie Zechuan hurriedly hugged Zhou Tinglan and coaxed her.
"Lan'er, don't let yourself get hurt by the mistakes of others."
Zhou Tinglan calmed down a little. She silently said to herself that it was not worth getting angry about Prince Duan who was causing chaos in the court, so she should be more relaxed.
She looked at the Crown Prince and asked, "Your Highness, the situation has become serious. Is there anything we can do for Your Highness?"
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. "After my father learned of my uncle's ambitions, he ordered me to investigate. Although my investigation was better than his, everyone in the court was watching me, and I was unable to find any solid evidence."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince wants us to collect evidence?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Miss Zhou's ability in collecting evidence against Minister Yao was unmatched by ordinary people. I can provide you with access to the Ministry of War and even the Arsenal."
"Your Highness, I would like to ask you about the Arsenal."
"Miss Zhou, please speak."
"I heard from Her Royal Highness the Princess that the armory stores all kinds of weapons from the capital. If Prince Duan were to rebel, weapons would be essential. Your Highness also knows that I am a swordsmith, so I am very sensitive to weapons. I wonder what Your Majesty will do with the weapons in the armory."
When the prince mentioned the weapons in the armory, he felt worried.
"This is another matter that has troubled both my father and me. Prince Duan's coveting of the Armory Department actually began long before Minister Yao was in office. My father secretly transferred weapons from the Armory Department, but due to restrictions, he was only able to transfer a portion. The rest is likely in Prince Duan's hands."
"Isn't that right?"
"Fortunately, there was no major rebellion before we went to the capital, otherwise Dazhao would have been in danger."
Zhou Tinglan proposed a hypothesis: "I believe that Prince Duan's control over the Wukusi is related to Fuchang."
The prince met Fuchang in person in the court. At that time, he was impressed by his courage to recommend him at the risk of his life, and even had the intention of recruiting him.
Upon learning that he was sent by Prince Duan, the Crown Prince could only sigh that he was so good at hiding himself. If he were on his side, he would definitely cultivate him vigorously.
"What Miss Zhou said is not impossible. Fu Chang has been lurking beside Minister Yao for many years, and no one has noticed his intentions. This is why I feel that his abilities are unfathomable."
A dark light flashed in Zhou Tinglan's eyes. She had expected this when she heard about the Armory Department. However, Princess Zhaoyang lived deep in the palace, and what happened in the court was heard everywhere.
Duke Zhaoyang was filled with indignation: "How dare the emperor's uncle be so presumptuous!"
"Your Highness, do not be angry. Prince Duan is doing evil things this time. It is indeed an evil man doing evil things, and he will be punished by heaven."
In ancient times, everyone wanted to sit in that position, but many people were overthrown because they were not worthy of the position.
Besides, what's so good about being an emperor? It just means more power and more beauties. Zhou Tinglan couldn't find any other benefits, and there were even signs of premature aging.
She casually turned her head to look at the thick documents on the prince's desk. The prince had so much, let alone the emperor. Just thinking about the amount of work, Zhou Tinglan shuddered.
So scary!
"Your Highness, I previously thought the weapons in the Arsenal could still be salvaged. However, Your Highness has said that even if they were salvaged, they would only be empty shells. While I gather evidence, I beg Your Highness to do me a favor."
"What is it?"
"Your Highness, I want you to collect a large amount of forging materials, in case Prince Duan rebels at any time."
The prince agreed, and he immediately called the secret guards to do it immediately.
He handed a token to Zhou Tinglan and said, "This is my ID card. Miss Zhou, take it and go find Minister Dong of the Ministry of War. He is my man and will help you enter the Ministry of War smoothly."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhou Tinglan took the token with both hands. The discussion was over. The prince still had some documents to review, so they took their leave.
**
Minister Dong shouted angrily, "Who are you? How dare you enter the Minister's office without permission?"
Zhou Tinglan took out the Crown Prince's token and handed it to Minister Dong, whose expression immediately changed. "Your Highness, what is your purpose for sending you two here? Is it for the new Minister of War?"
He recalled the secret letter that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had sent to his residence a few days ago, in which he was asked to keep an eye on Minister Chen's movements.
"We need to search Minister Chen's office for something. I hope Mr. Dong will cover for us."
The Arsenal is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War. There must be relevant documents in the office of the Minister of War. It would be great if relevant evidence could be found.
Minister Dong smiled and said, "Since this is Your Highness's order, I will do my best to carry it out. I wonder when you two are ready to take action."
"Master Dong will make the arrangements. We are new here and our understanding of the Ministry of War is naturally not as good as yours."
"Well, I'll go check it out first. Minister Chen should be in his office right now."
Minister Dong glanced at the desk, picked up a scroll, and opened the door. "You will stay in my office. Minister Chen is very close by."
He pointed to an office diagonally in front of him and said, "After I go in, I will leave the door of Minister Chen's office a crack. You can listen and make plans."
It is not said that in ancient times, pottery jars were used to build walls as soundproof walls, especially in confidential agencies such as the Ministry of War.
Zhou Tinglan was suspicious and wanted to ask, but after Minister Dong finished speaking, he walked towards Minister Chen's office.
The door of the office next door suddenly opened. Zhou Tinglan quickly closed the door, leaving only a gap to observe outside.
"Is Minister Dong going to see Master Chen?"
It was Minister Shen’s voice.
"Is there something wrong, Minister Shen?"
Minister Dong looked at Minister Shen in confusion. Because he used to be good friends with Minister Yao, he did not interact with him often.
"Nothing." Minister Shen's eyes wandered over the document in Minister Dong's hand for a moment: "Since we are going to look for Master Chen, if we can go together."
Minister Dong declined politely, "I am enough alone."
Minister Shen was bored. He grumbled a few words and turned to go back to his office.
Suddenly, he stared at the direction of Minister Dong's office with scrutiny: "There are other people in Minister Dong's office."
Why did he feel like the door was not closed tightly?
Oh no! When Zhou Tinglan heard Minister Shen's words, she suddenly looked at Xie Zechuan beside her.
Xie Zechuan whispered comfortingly: "Lan'er, don't panic."
Minister Dong feigned confusion, "Why do you think so? I'm right here, so how could there be anyone else in my office?"
"It's probably just my illusion."
Minister Shen opened the door and walked straight into his office.
Minister Dong walked into Minister Chen's office. To Zhou Tinglan's surprise, she could clearly hear the conversation between the people in the reporting office.
"Everything in the Ministry of War is currently operating normally. A few young guards have been punished for being lazy."
"Minister Dong is really thoughtful."
"Thank you, sir. I have also sorted out the Ministry of War's account books recently. I hope you will take a look at them."
Then there was the sound of flipping papers.
"The account books are well done. Minister Dong, is there anything else?"
"Yes, I was unable to speak to you at the palace banquet today. I feel deeply ashamed. I would like to invite you to the restaurant later to drink with me."
Zhou Tinglan immediately realized that Minister Dong wanted to help them keep an eye on Minister Chen so that no one would disturb him while collecting evidence.
For a long time, Zhou Tinglan didn't hear Minister Chen's answer, and just when she was getting a little impatient, she kept waiting.
Fu Chang's voice actually rang out from the office.
"Master Chen has to go to the Arsenal today, so I'm afraid that will be a waste of Master Dong's kindness."
After leaving the palace, Fuchang actually followed Minister Chen to the Ministry of War.
Zhou Tinglan was surprised, and at this moment, a voice came from next door.
"What are you two doing sneaking around in Minister Dong's office?"
She suddenly looked in the direction of the sound, and found that Minister Shen next door had opened the door again without her knowing when.
Are they about to be exposed?
Xie Zechuan's expression remained calm. He said calmly, "Sir, I am only here to wait for Minister Dong. I have no other intentions."
"impossible!"
Minister Shen rushed straight towards the two of them.
Minister Chen seemed to hear some noise outside the office, and he asked loudly, "Who's outside?"
Zhou Tinglan looked at Minister Shen in front of him, then looked at Minister Chen's office diagonally in front of him.
What should she do?
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