In the past, Zhu Youjian certainly wouldn't have cared about this issue.
One would simply assume that Wei Zhongxian was genuinely curious.
But now, inspired by Gao Qingyun, he is no longer so naive.
Zhu Youjian smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's just that the person who made this pen is a scholar surnamed Gao."
"The local people respectfully call him Master Gao."
Wei Zhongxian's face showed a look of sudden realization.
"I see. It seems this old servant has been slow-witted."
But inwardly he was sneering.
"Heh, this little emperor still thinks he can fool me."
"How can a mere scholar be addressed as 'Master Gao'?"
Wei Zhongxian's words were not entirely unfounded.
In the eyes of the villagers, not to mention a scholar, even the lowest-ranking student was not someone to be trifled with.
It's understandable that they would address a scholar as "Gao Gong".
But if the person who invented this pen was just an ordinary scholar.
Once this pen is presented to the emperor, how could it still be called the Gao Gong Pen?
You, the emperor, are on the same level as ordinary people, right?
There's definitely something fishy going on here!
"This so-called Master Gao is definitely the same person as the Master Gao that the Emperor mentioned a few days ago."
After Wei Zhongxian left the main hall, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
He also took out a pencil and started playing with it casually.
"I just wonder, what's the background of this guy surnamed Gao?"
With the appearance of Gao Gong's brush, Wei Zhongxian became even more confused.
"I originally thought that the man surnamed Gao was just a clever scholar."
"He was specifically appointed as Zhu Youjian's military advisor."
"But looking at it now, it doesn't seem like it."
He held the pencil in front of his eyes and observed it carefully.
"How could an ordinary scholar know how to manufacture things?"
"I know those scholars all too well. Asking them to actually do anything is like taking their lives."
"No, I need to intensify my investigation!"
"We must find out exactly who this person is!"
If this were during the reign of the late Emperor Tianqi, or the month Zhu Youjian ascended the throne.
Wei Zhongxian, the dignified Nine Thousand Years Old, spoke up, saying he wanted to investigate someone.
The heavens of the Ming Dynasty would tremble, and the earth would be dug three feet deep.
However, after he was imprisoned once, he was later released by Zhu Youjian.
He was ordered to continue working for the emperor.
However, Wei Zhongxian's prestige had already diminished considerably.
Even if he gave the order, the impact was not significant.
On the contrary, the court officials also heard that a minister surnamed Gao might have appeared by the young emperor's side.
"Yes, Master Gao, and also Master Gao's writing brush."
"Although there are many people with the surname Gao in our Ming Dynasty, there is probably only one person with the surname Gao who is by the emperor's side."
"Wait a minute, is this person really surnamed Gao, or is he using Master Gao as an alias because his skill level is so high?"
Grand Secretary Lai Zongdao sat in his armchair, stroking his beard as he pondered deeply.
Before him knelt a eunuch from the Eastern Depot.
It was this man who came to inform the Grand Secretary.
Although Zhu Youjian had only been on the throne for a little over a month, he was not Chongzhen's first Grand Secretary, but his second.
The first Grand Secretary, Shi Fenglai, had a close relationship with Wei Zhongxian.
So after Wei Zhongxian's first mishap, Zhu Youjian conveniently took it.
Although Wei Zhongxian later regained power, Shi Fenglai did not recover his position.
This is also the most important reason why many people in the Ming Dynasty, including Wei Zhongxian himself, felt that the emperor still did not trust Wei Zhongxian.
After all, no matter how powerful a person is, as long as they don't tie the prime minister to their own pirate ship.
Then that position cannot be secure.
Lai Zongdao shook his head.
"Alas, the Ming Dynasty can never have a day of peace."
He rose to prominence by teaching the Tianqi Emperor.
Therefore, he doesn't like fighting.
In real history, he only served as the chief minister for a few months.
Then he was driven away by the Donglin Party.
Although the Donglin Party is not yet the dominant force, Lai Zongdao is still considering retiring.
"Never mind, I'll go to the palace now and request to retire and return to my hometown."
"Anyway, I'm almost sixty years old and I've served as the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, so I've made a name for myself in history."
"Even if I resign immediately, I won't lose out."
Lai Zongdao made up his mind and immediately went to the palace to see Zhu Youjian.
After reading Lai Zongdao's memorial, Zhu Youjian's mood immediately soured.
"Grand Secretary, why did you suddenly request to resign?"
After being lectured by Gao Qingyun, Zhu Youjian's positive perception of the Donglin Party was completely shattered.
It is very clear that this group of people, who are called loyal ministers and honest officials, are actually thieves and prostitutes in secret.
Therefore, he was more satisfied with Lai Zongdao, whom he had unintentionally promoted.
"I have just ascended the throne and need experienced ministers like you to assist me."
"How can you resign so easily? Have I perhaps neglected you?"
Zhu Youjian's already impressive acting skills came out in an instant.
It was precisely this tactic that allowed him to deceive Wei Zhongxian and finally succeed to the throne.
Sure enough, Wei Zhongxian fell for it, and Lai Zongdao was even more likely to be tricked.
He was so moved that he wept, shaking his head and saying:
"Your Majesty, it is not that you have neglected this old minister, but that this old minister feels powerless to do so."
"Furthermore, I have heard that a sage named Gao has appeared by your side..."
"You can trust this person completely, then you won't need my help."
Zhu Youjian's face instantly darkened.
"How did you know that I have a tutor named Gao by my side?"
It's no wonder Zhu Youjian was angry, since he had immediately ordered that Gao Qingyun's existence be concealed.
As it turned out, the news still leaked out.
How could he not be angry?
Lai Zongdao shook his head again.
"Your Majesty, this old minister was actually just guessing."
He didn't want to offend Wei Zhongxian, so he didn't tell the truth.
Zhu Youjian gave a soft hum, which was taken as an acknowledgment of the answer.
Then he pressed further, "Besides you, who else in the court knows about Master Gao?"
"Also, how much do you really know about Master Gao?"
This time, Lai Zongdao answered seriously.
"Your Majesty, the court already knows everything it needs to know."
"But what I know about Master Gao..."
After hesitating for a moment, he told the truth:
"Then this old minister only knows the name."
"As for other information, we know nothing."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's expression softened considerably.
He first waved his hand, signaling Lai Zongdao to step down.
Then they directly summoned Luo Yangxing.
“From today onwards, you should send more people to guard the courtyard where Master Gao is located.”
"Absolutely no outsiders are allowed to get close, understand?"
Luo Yangxing quickly bowed:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will make the arrangements immediately."
Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, then asked:
"By the way, didn't you get a list not long ago?"
"Have you found all the people mentioned on the list?"
The list that Zhu Youjian mentioned was naturally the list of powerful figures from the late Ming Dynasty that he had extracted from Gao Qingyun.
Luo Yangxing smiled and nodded.
"Your Majesty, I have found most of them."
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