Chapter 194: Madam, I have something to report...
When Zhao Duan walked out of the Baima Prison, the sun had already passed its zenith.
The carriage was waiting outside. The driver, Xiao Wang, was dozing off with his hat on to block out the sun. When he heard the noise, he jumped up with a start:
"Sir, you're out. Where are we going next?"
Zhao Duan said, "Go back to the government office."
Xiao Wang asked curiously, "And then?"
As the leader's driver, he has been tested for this period of time and has more or less mastered Zhao Duan's style of doing things.
Although I don't know the details, I vaguely know that my master is targeting someone and making some plans recently.
"Wait." Zhao Duan leaned back on the soft cushion and said calmly.
In his previous life, there was a huge firestorm. Out of curiosity, he bought a copy of Sun Tzu's Art of War, but after reading it, he could only come up with two insights.
First, war is about using the majority to defeat the minority, concentrating superior forces, and pressing forward in a massive manner, leaving the enemy no chance to breathe.
Second, remain undefeated and patiently wait for the enemy to make a mistake.
Just like a martial arts master, when both sides start boxing, the one who strikes first is often the first to lose patience and reveal flaws.
However, people often lack patience and cannot stand "stillness", so they insist on "moving around" to relieve their anxiety.
The plot against the young cabinet minister cannot be considered a war, but the principle is the same.
All he was doing now was to make as many preparations as possible, concentrate superior forces, and lure the enemy into revealing their weaknesses.
"Everything that should be done has been done. Now all we need to do is wait." Zhao Duan closed his eyes.
Waiting and hoping—this is where all human wisdom lies.
…
…
The next few days were calm.
Zhao Duan leisurely strolled around every day, enjoying a rare relaxing and leisurely time after traveling through time.
The few eyes that were focused on him gradually shifted away, attracted by the fight between the gods in the court.
Almost everyone thought that he had learned his lesson and wanted to keep a low profile and protect himself in this storm.
The struggles in the government are undergoing new changes every day.
The lights in Xiuwen Hall were on all night, in stark contrast to Zhao, who got up early and went to bed early, and went to and from get off work on time.
Until this day.
In the imperial palace, the Silijian Yamen.
The eunuch holding the pen stepped over the threshold and entered the place that was responsible for many miscellaneous matters in the palace.
"Greetings, sir." A group of young eunuchs stood up and saluted.
During the time of the previous emperor, the Imperial Household Department had great power, and the chief eunuch Wang Zhen was the chief there.
After the empress ascended the throne, she often used female officials around her, but Xu Zhenguan also worried that if he only employed female officials, it would be the same as employing eunuchs.
Therefore, the eunuchs and female officials were deliberately allowed to coexist so that there would not be a huge disparity in power between the two groups.
Therefore, many matters in the harem were still under the charge of the Imperial Household Department, not the Six Shangs.
"kindness."
The eunuch nodded, walked slowly to the workstation, asked a few questions, and then said casually:
"It's already mid-year. Have any of the ladies left the palace to visit their families recently?"
A young eunuch came forward holding a booklet:
"Please take a look, sir."
Concubines need to apply in advance to leave the palace, and then the application will be approved by the Imperial Household Department. Following the old rules, many applications will be submitted much earlier and adjusted flexibly.
The eunuch holding the pen looked through it for a while, his eyes fell on the name of "Empress Yuan", he made a mark and changed the schedule.
After making all the arrangements, he said:
"Submit this to the Six Shangs General Steward for review."
Some decisions of the Silijian were reviewed by the Six Shangs, and correspondingly, the decisions of the Six Shangs were also supervised by the Silijian.
…
…
As the "General Manager of the Six Shangs", Mo Chou has been very tired recently.
Because of the battle between gods in the court, the empress could not express her opinion and could only communicate with the royal party indirectly through her.
He was almost always either in Xiuwenguan or outside the palace, and spent much less time with Liushang.
Therefore, when the female official below came over with the note from the Imperial Household Department, Mo Chou just glanced at it briefly.
Seeing that it was just the imperial concubines' visit to their parents, not very important and nothing unusual, he said:
"Okay. Let's follow this arrangement."
After a pause, he frowned again:
"For trivial matters like these, you can handle them at your discretion. There's no need to leave them to me."
The imperial concubine left the palace.
This was indeed an important matter during the previous emperor's time, involving many aspects and belonging to a high-level matter that required the responsible officials to handle with caution.
But now...it's really not a big deal.
It can almost be said that as long as the imperial concubines do not cause any scandals and bring disgrace to the royal family, everything else will be easy to deal with.
The female official responded and left.
Mo Chou let out a breath, turned around, pushed the door, and returned to Xiuwen Pavilion.
As soon as I entered the room, I heard a lot of discussion and the atmosphere was solemn.
She raised her eyes and saw the Queen of Dayu sitting quietly in the main seat, listening to the scholars arguing below. She only spoke occasionally and was lost in thought most of the time.
Yes, recently, the empress has appeared in Xiuwenguan and the time she spends participating in "meetings" has greatly increased.
Mo Chou walked back to the side of the empress, and Xu Zhen turned his dark eyes to her, giving her a questioning look.
Mo Chou whispered:
"Your Majesty, it's nothing serious. Just some trivial matters for the Sixth Palace. I've already made arrangements."
"Yeah." Upon hearing this, Xu Zhenguan stopped paying attention and turned his attention back to the meeting.
Mo Zhaorong was sitting next to her. Seeing the hint of sadness between the empress's brows on her fair and spotless face, she couldn't help but feel a little distressed.
But there is nothing I can do.
The resistance to the new policy is too great.
After this period of hard work, the imperial party has gained the support of one-third of the officials in the court, which is not easy.
After all, the members of the imperial party were backed by the gentry and powerful families. In other words, implementing the new policies was like using a knife to cut their own flesh.
In order to implement the "Three Golden Strategies" smoothly and thoroughly, at least one-third of the officials must defect.
In this way, using the majority to suppress the minority, things can be considered stable.
But this is easier said than done...how can it be so easy?
Although Your Majesty seems to be sitting on the Diaoyutai these days, in fact, he is anxious, worried, and sad inside... Mo Chou can see it all.
A cruel government is more ferocious than a tiger.
For the gentry and officials of the world, the new policy was like a tiger released by the empress.
How can I not be afraid?
After all, they are too incompetent to share His Majesty's worries.
…
…
The news that Concubine Yuan was about to leave the palace and return home to visit her family began to spread in the palace that day.
Afterwards, a eunuch went to inform Princess Yuan's family to prepare for the reception.
Fortunately, the Yuan family is in the capital, so it’s not far away.
Soon after, this news was also passed to Lihuatang through some secret channels.
Zhao Duan sat lazily in the main seat in the inner hall, flipping through a few things in his hands.
The first one was a handwritten document, which was relayed by Madam Lin when she went to Shenlong Temple to fulfill her vow. It was obtained from Li Yinglong and contained some stories about his past interactions with Yuan Ru.
In addition, there is a waist jade that Li Yinglong has worn for many years and now occasionally takes out to wear.
The second item was secretly sent by Xu Hanlin, which contained clues about the past mistakes made by his teacher, Grand Secretary Chen Zhengru, and a group of familiar scholars.
Each item is thoughtfully noted, so you can go to someone to check and obtain evidence.
How should I put it...
Zhao Duan suddenly remembered his past self.
It's hard for your enemies to find something to hold against you, but it's damn easy for your accomplices to sell you out...
However, he doesn't plan to touch these things for the time being, so as not to alert the enemy.
The third item was sent by the White Horse Prison, which was about the arrangements for the Princess Yuan's visit to her parents.
"Everything is ready."
Zhao Duan threw the things on the table, raised his eyes and looked at the four capable subordinates standing in front of the hall.
"Sir, is it time to take action?"
The defiant Hou Ren grinned suddenly and was already rubbing his hands in anticipation of a fight.
"Sir, do you want to make some more preparations, just to be on the safe side?"
Now, he is no longer lying down, but the dark circles under his eyes are still noticeable. Shen Juan said.
Zhao Duan said calmly, "The night is long and dreams abound. I won't wait any longer."
Madam Lin might be discovered to be abnormal at any time, and Concubine Yuan cannot stay outside the palace for too long.
Preparation is for victory, not for being "thorough".
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"Old Nine, you always boasted to me that your ability to copy handwriting is unmatched in the imperial court. Now it's time to use you. Can you copy these words in Li Yinglong's handwriting? Can you do it?"
Decades ago, Zheng Laojiu, who was famous in the imperial court and now looks harmless and spends his days drinking tea and reading newspapers, stepped forward and took it with a smile.
His slightly hunched back straightened a little, and a certain pride shone on his face:
"Just watch, my lord."
Zhao Duan said:
"Chen Juan, you claim to be able to sneak around and disguise yourself, and you're the only one who can stand out in the government office. If you were to find Princess Yuan, would you be able to do it?"
Chen Juan walked forward with a smile, picked up the jade pendant, and said casually:
"If I fail to complete this task, you will drown me in the river."
Zhao Duan looked at Hou Renmeng:
"I just want to ask you one question: Do you have enough courage?"
Hou Renmeng stroked the hilt of the knife, raised his eyebrows and said:
"I am alone and have no ties. My Lord, you only need to tell me who to kill and that's it."
Next to him, a round-faced man with clear, foolish eyes, but actually quite competent in his work, the recently rapidly developing confidential secretary puffed out his cheeks.
"My lord, what about me?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Kerou, your task is the most difficult. Well, my lord, I want to invite a few distinguished guests to a banquet. Can you arrange the banquet?"
Qian Kerou opened her mouth, feeling that she was being looked down upon, and pouting, she said helplessly:
"Okay..."
Zhao Duan laughed heartily, like a general giving orders:
"Success or failure depends on this one move."
…
…
Another day.
The palace gate opened, and a luxurious carriage carried Concubine Yuan out of the palace and directly back to her parents' home in the capital.
Another day.
When Princess Yuan's personal maid went out to buy something, she suddenly met a handsome and elegant young man.
Yuan Mansion.
In a certain boudoir, before the dressing mirror, the Princess Yuan sat with a graceful figure, looking at her face which had become somewhat less attractive than that of her youth due to her age.
Seems distracted.
In the mirror, there was an oval face that was quite similar to Mrs. Lin, but upon closer inspection, her demeanor and expression were very different.
Concubine Yuan has been in the palace for nearly ten years and is only in her thirties now. Due to proper maintenance, her appearance is still good.
However, the look of perpetual melancholy and lack of nourishment between his eyebrows made it look much less attractive.
“Knock, knock.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Princess Yuan came back to her senses and said coldly, "Come in."
Then the door opened and the maid came in cautiously with a complicated look on her face:
"My lady, I have something to report."
(End of this chapter)
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