Chapter 976: Ministers

Zhulan asked, "Have you asked Liu Feng about his plans?"

Gu Liufeng is a child with a lot of ideas in his mind. He is a very opinionated child.

Ding said, "Liu Feng said he wanted to take the exam for the title of scholar next year, and if he passed, he would not take the provincial exam."

Zhu Lan nodded. Liu Feng's idea was right. "It's not good to take the provincial examination too early. It's good that Liu Feng can stay calm and plan for himself."

Mrs. Ding smiled, and her husband also saw that Liu Feng had a lot of ideas. Besides, he was just her cousin, so he only gave her some suggestions and didn't say anything else.

In the teahouse, Ran Zheng walked upstairs with a tired step. After entering the private room, he sat down on the chair directly. "Have you heard the news too?"

Zhou Shuren stared at Ran Zheng's hair. He remembered that the last time he saw Ran Zheng, he didn't have many white hairs. Now almost half of his hair was white. He handed over the poured tea and asked, "How is Ran Lei's arm?"

Ran Zheng's lips were dry, so he drank some tea to moisten them. "I've already seen a doctor. If I take good care of my arm, there won't be any major problems."

Zhou Shuren poured another cup of tea for Ran Zheng, "You know I can't help you much."

Ran wanted to laugh but couldn't, especially when his son's miserable appearance flashed through his mind. His heart ached. "I know, I'm very grateful for your kindness."

Ran Zheng was silent for a moment, "I regret it very much. I had already thought about sending Ran Lei away from the capital. If it had been earlier, nothing would have happened. It's all my fault."

Zhou Shuren grabbed Ran Zheng and was about to pull his own hand away, "I can't help much, but I have a way to get Ran Lei out."

Ran Zheng put down his hand. He had tried every possible method, but still couldn't find a son. Looking at Zhou Shuren who was confident, hope rose in his heart. "What do you think the method is?"

Zhou Shuren loosened his grip, "It just costs money, and it's not a small price."

Don't think that Ran Zheng is low-key. That is because Ran Zheng knows he is waiting for the opportunity. It does not mean he has given up on his career. It is precisely because of his low-key attitude that it proves how much Ran Zheng cares about his career.

Ran Zheng frowned, wondering what good solution Zhou Shuren could come up with.

Zhou Shuren continued, "Originally I didn't want to tell you so early because the price would be too high for you, but Ran Lei is in trouble and we can't wait any longer. Who knows if there will be a next time."

Ran Zhengxin was trembling, "You talk, I listen."

Zhou Shuren lowered his voice and said, "The price is your career. If you ask the emperor to retire, Ran Lei will definitely be able to come out."

He thought a lot on the way home after seeing Master Lei. The emperor must know about the prince's behavior. The entire capital is under the emperor's control. The emperor certainly knows that Ran Lei was wronged, so he thought of Ran Zheng's official position.

Over the years, Ran Zheng has accumulated a lot of merits. No matter where these merits are assigned to Ran Zheng, he has considerable power in his hands, otherwise it would discourage loyal ministers.

But Ran Zheng is connected to the Crown Prince and the King of Chu, which makes things difficult, especially in the current situation.

At first, the emperor let Ran Zheng take up some time off for the sake of the crown prince, but after cleaning up the court, several important positions became vacant, and Ran Zheng was the most likely candidate. So when the rumor came out that something had happened to Ran Zheng's family, the emperor had more to consider.

He made a bold guess. Since there was no plan to use Ran Zheng anyway, Ran Zheng's retirement would be the best outcome. In the future, the compensation would be given to Ran Zheng's son or daughter, and that would be a matter for the crown prince to succeed to the throne.

Ran Zheng had been busy thinking about how to save his son. He had been thinking of ways and relying on others, but never thought about himself. When Zhou Shuren reminded him, Ran Zheng's mind worked quickly and he suddenly laughed. The laughter got louder and louder, and tears came out of the corners of his eyes.

Ran Zheng realized that the emperor wanted him to retire on his own initiative. He had served the emperor for many years, but in the end, he was just a subject.

Zhou Shuren felt sad listening to the laughter, he poured himself some tea, the most ruthless is the emperor, have there not been many ministers who have sacrificed themselves in front of Jiang Shang since ancient times?

Ran Zheng laughed so hard that he almost choked on his breath. He wanted to take out his handkerchief to wipe his tears, but he felt nothing there. Then he remembered that he was in such a hurry to get out that he didn't take out his handkerchief.

Zhou Shuren handed over his handkerchief, "Wipe it."

Ran Zheng wiped the tears from his eyes and drank a few cups of tea to calm down. He couldn't say much to Zhou Shuren, "Thank you."

Zhou Shuren, "We are relatives by marriage, and you have always taken good care of me."

When he was in Jinzhou, Ran Zheng helped him a lot, and he remembered it all.

Ran Zheng pulled the corner of his mouth, "If you don't tell me today, someone else will tell me someday, but by then, Ran Lei can't wait."

He started helping Zhou Shuren because he had high hopes for him and it was only for the Ran family. Later, they got engaged, and before he could help more, Zhou Shuren went to Beijing.

After the Zhou family came to Beijing, they actually helped the Ran family. Not to mention the grandson Ran Xun, the younger son Ran Lei went to Beijing first, and Zhou Shuren also took care of him.

Zhou Shuren, "Hurry up and go to the palace, Ran Lei can't wait."

Ran Zheng stood up and saluted, "I promise you here, as long as I, Ran Zheng, am alive, I will definitely help the Zhou family if they are in trouble."

As for his grandchildren, he couldn't guarantee it, because he would have no control over them after his death.

Half an hour later, Ran Zheng knelt on the floor of the Zheng Palace and refused to get up. The emperor asked him to get up but he remained kneeling on the floor without moving. He said in a muffled voice, "I have made up my mind. Please allow me, Your Majesty."

The emperor had mixed feelings. He wanted to make the situation clearer. Ran Zheng's retirement would reduce many complications. He remembered Ran Zheng's loyalty over the years. "My dear minister, you don't have to do this."

Ran Zheng did not move. "I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire. I am really old and my heart can no longer bear it. My son's arm was injured and he was lying on the cold wooden board with a fever. As a father, I wish I could take his place. I can't bear to leave Your Majesty. I also want to continue to serve Your Majesty, but I am really afraid, Your Majesty."

The emperor was surprised by Ran Lei's matter, and pursed his lips. Zhang Yang's hand was really too long. "I approve."

Ran Zheng relaxed his breath and said, "I thank the emperor."

The prince looked at Ran Zheng who was performing the ceremony with a complicated look, and finally understood what his father said yesterday. His father was just waiting for Ran Zheng to retire voluntarily. He was very different from his father and thought he had learned everything, but in fact he still had a lot to learn.

The emperor personally helped Ran Zheng up, looked at his graying hair, held Ran Zheng's arm with strength, and finally patted Ran Zheng's shoulder, "You are very good, I will always remember it."

Ran Zheng's eyes were filled with tears, and he said with emotion: "It is my blessing to be able to serve the emperor."

The emperor turned his head and said to the prince, "See Lord Ran off."

Ran Zheng left the government hall and said, "Prince, please stay. I, no, will take my leave."

The prince watched Ran Zheng walk away step by step. When he heard footsteps, he turned around and saw that it was his father. "Father."

The emperor also looked at Ran Zheng, "Do you think your father is ruthless?"

"No, I know that my father is doing this for the country."

The emperor patted his son on the shoulder and said, "This is a lesson I'm teaching you. Take it seriously. When you become the emperor, you will understand."

The prince lowered his head and said, "My son is terrified."

The emperor waved his hand, turned around and walked away, saying, "Take my order and personally pick up Ran Lei. Ran Lei is innocent. Eunuch Liu will give you the evidence."

The prince raised his head and looked at his father's slightly bent back. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but it felt like his father's back was even more bent.

Eunuch Liu quickly handed over the evidence and whispered, "The emperor is in a difficult situation."

The prince took the evidence, nodded to Eunuch Liu, and left.

(End of this chapter)