Chapter 13 Zhao Duan’s Real Goal
Inside the awning boat.
After Feng Ju asked, Zhao Duan did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly picked up the teapot, poured a cup of Maofeng tea for the other party, and said:
"You and I have never met before. What else could you want to do by visiting Master Feng?"
Feng Ju still pretended to be dumb and frowned:
"If you have something to say, please speak directly."
As a seasoned official, he would never admit to having bribed anyone. As the saying goes:
It can only be understood, not expressed in words.
The so-called "guessing" or "understanding" is essentially a means of shirking responsibility.
In his previous life, Zhao Duan saw the short video series "The Ming Dynasty 1566" and had a deep memory of the scene where Emperor Jiajing struck the chimes:
When the ministers were discussing state affairs, Emperor Jiajing was nowhere to be seen, hiding behind the curtains. The emperor's approval or disapproval of the decision was not expressed verbally but in writing, and was only "hinted" by the sound of striking ritual instruments.
In this way, if it is done, it will be the emperor's credit, but if it is ruined... haha, it was not me who asked you to do it, it was just the ministers' messing around!
It's a prime example of shirking responsibility!
Feng Ju has been an official for many years, and the habit of pretending to be stupid is ingrained in his bones.
Zhao Duan poured himself some tea, put the teapot back, and said with a smile:
"On this Hun River, we are alone in a boat, just you and me. What you say comes out of my mouth, but it goes into my ears. There's no need to be so vigilant."
Huh... Are magic scrolls vegetarian? How many officials have fallen from power after their conversations were recorded in history books?
Feng Ju secretly criticized it but remained unmoved.
"Well, let me tell you," Zhao Duan sighed softly and said helplessly:
"The chief has asked the Ning'an County Magistrate to help me retrieve this person from the Ministry of Justice..."
"Your Excellency, be careful with your words!" Feng Ju interrupted, his attitude righteous:
"Although I have some friendship with the Ning'an County Master, I have asked him for something, so I can't speak carelessly!"
Old Feng has been in the officialdom for many years, relying on the word "存".
Old fox... Zhao Duan said with a smile:
"But when we boarded the ship just now, I said you wanted Wang Xian to come to me, and the person in charge immediately revealed my identity."
Feng Ju's face changed slightly, realizing that he had been caught off guard and had been exposed.
It’s not that he is not cautious, it’s just that the enemy is too cunning!
Zhao Duan smiled and comforted:
"Master, there's no need to be so nervous. I have no ill intentions in inviting you today. Besides, I've already accepted the deposit. You and I are all in this together, aren't we?"
Perhaps this sentence had its effect, Feng Ju's expression eased a little, but he was still very frugal with his words:
"What exactly does the envoy want to say?"
Zhao Duan said:
"The director is in the Ministry of Personnel and is well-informed. He should have heard about my impeachment."
Feng Ju's heart skipped a beat, thinking that maybe his worries were coming true. This Zhao guy saw that the situation was not right and did not want to get into trouble at this juncture, so he came to him and wanted to renege on his promise to rescue the person in person?
But didn't that bastard Wang Xian say everything was fine? Could something have changed at the last minute?
"I have indeed heard of it." Feng Ju imagined it frantically, his expression unchanged.
After a pause, he added tentatively:
"However, at this critical moment, the envoy still has the leisure to sit by the fire and make tea. It seems that he is sitting on the Diaoyutai."
Crazy temptation from Lao Feng...
Zhao Duan chuckled, showing no sign of worry at all:
"Your Majesty has shown me great favor. How could a bunch of cynical censors slander me with just a few words?"
It doesn't seem fake... well, with such a good appearance and being a martial artist, he has enough strength. It's reasonable for His Majesty to be reluctant to let him go... Feng Ju was not surprised and said with a smile:
"In that case, we should congratulate the envoy on surviving this disaster."
As he spoke, he raised the glass with both hands and drank it all in one gulp.
This action also represents a change in attitude.
A bunch of old men who change their ways according to the wind... Zhao Duan smiled, took a sip of tea, and then sighed:
"However, Your Majesty cannot openly show partiality. You must find a way to silence those who intend to attack me."
Feng Ju hesitated and said:
"Could I be of any help? But my office of selection..."
He was puzzled and thought that it was not his turn to find someone, and his authority had nothing to do with it.
Zhao Duan shook his head and said:
"Master, you are being modest. We really have to rely on Lord Feng for this matter."
Feng Ju's heart suddenly jumped: "My lord?"
Zhao Duan said "yes", stared at him, and said seriously:
"I need to accomplish something significant. I think exposing officials for bribery and interference with justice is a good idea. What do you think?"
???
A string of question marks slowly floated above Feng Ju's head. At first he was unable to react, or rather, he found it hard to believe.
After a moment, seeing that Zhao Duan's expression was not joking, the old scholar stood up suddenly as if a cat's tail had been stepped on, and said in a sharp voice:
"Are you crazy?! You want to drag me down with you? Aren't you afraid of yourself..."
He got stuck halfway through his speech because he realized that the other party was not afraid at all.
He just collected a deposit and didn't really do anything. The empress turned a blind eye and the guillotine couldn't fall on the other party's head.
Feel confident and fearless.
He was the one sleeping next to the Empress, maybe even riding on her, but who am I?!
He felt dizzy and the whole ship was shaking. Realizing that he was about to be sold, he was a little confused. Anger, fear, regret... all kinds of emotions surged in his mind.
However, Zhao Duan's next words pulled him back from hell to the human world:
"Master Feng, please don't be so angry. I only said I was reporting the officials, but I didn't say I was reporting you."
What do you mean? Not me? Feng Ju was stunned.
Zhao Duan remained calm, playing with his teacup, and said quietly:
"Master Feng, do you think that even if you sell your official position, you can still silence the mouths of the civil and military officials in the court?"
Yes... Feng Ju was suddenly awakened and regained his sanity.
Being a director of the Ministry of Literature may sound impressive, but in reality, he is nothing in the government.
It was just an attempted bribery to rescue someone, so even if the credit was given to Zhao Duan, it was insignificant compared to the crime of letting the rebel leader go.
In other words, even if he was sold out, or even the small circle behind him was sold out as well, it might not be enough for Zhao Duan to redeem himself!
This is also the reason why Bai Ma Sijian said "meaningless" when he learned of Zhao Duan's intention last night.
The old supervisor knew very well that this achievement was not enough.
Because this impeachment against Zhao Duan is not just about letting the rebels go, nor is it just about ruining his reputation.
More importantly, when the Censorate came to an end, it probably meant that this matter had become a small local battlefield in the game between imperial power and court officials.
Faced with the battle between these giants, the greatest value of Zhao Duan, a small pawn, is to become a discarded piece.
Didn't Zhao Duan understand the danger of this situation?
Didn't he understand that just reporting Feng Ju and the one in the Ministry of Justice jail was not enough to make the empress resist the pressure from the court officials and protect him?
Therefore, his real purpose was never to sell Feng Ju, but to sell someone else.
"What do you mean by this, sir?"
Inside the black-sailed boat.
After Feng Ju figured out the situation, he carefully sat down again, looking extremely timid.
After all, his life and property were in the hands of the person in front of him, so he couldn't help but be timid.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
Feng Ju gritted his teeth and spoke frankly.
Zhao Duan really appreciated the other party's statement. It's simple to talk to smart people.
However, his next words completely changed Feng Ju's expression as he had just crawled back to the world from hell.
"Me?"
Zhao Duan smiled lightly and said softly:
"I want you to report the Prime Minister, Li Yanfu."
(End of this chapter)
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