The more blemishes someone has, the more trustworthy they are to use them, right?
Zhang Cai called over the people who were present that day to confirm the matter.
Liu Jie forced a defense: "Lord Zhang's official arrogance is excessive. I was merely flattering him. Who knew he would take it seriously!"
Zhang Cai gave a disdainful sneer.
How can someone so stupid expect to succeed in officialdom?
"If someone dared to flatter me yesterday, they will dare to flatter Your Majesty tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow they will dare to flatter the Emperor. All their words are meaningless."
Zhang Cai added in a very light tone, "Who would dare to hire someone like you?"
Without using any force to intimidate others, he appeared even more calm and composed, taking it all in stride.
A cold glint flashed in Liu Jin's eyes.
People who are unreliable in their words and deeds will never be valued anywhere.
Everyone is afraid of being betrayed by this kind of person.
Seeing this, Liu Jie knew that the situation was hopeless and that he had been rejected by Liu Jin. He had no choice but to make a last-ditch effort to salvage the situation:
"But your claim of taking Zhang Shu's concubine, the prefect of Pingyang, is undeniable!"
“If Zhang Shu disagrees, then you can have the censor use the investigation of the money and grain documents to charge him with military service. Zhang Shu obediently sent his concubine over to reduce his sentence. I, Liu, am afraid of following in Zhang Shu's footsteps, so how dare I say no?”
Liu Jin's indulgence in Zhang Cai's insubordination and confrontation clearly shows his lack of trust in Zhang Cai.
He needs to establish himself as Zhang Cai's mortal enemy in order to make Liu Jin feel that he is still somewhat useful.
Zhang Cai calmly retorted, "You yourself said that Zhang Shu offered his concubine as a bribe to me, so how do you prove that I forced him?"
Liu Jin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Zhang Cai, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Yang Yiqing's unharmed escape and successful conviction made him somewhat suspicious of Zhang Cai.
Zhang Cai is useful, but loyalty is even more important.
However, once these two affairs of taking other men's wives and concubines were made public, Zhang Cai's reputation would be completely ruined, and he would be universally condemned in official circles.
There was no other way to go but to rely on him, the Ninth Prince.
This pledge of allegiance is barely acceptable.
Liu Jin spoke casually, ending the farce:
"Since it was consensual, why call it coercion? Shangzhi has been wronged."
Liu Jie was led away, his face ashen.
Zhang Cai was not happy; instead, she resigned, feeling disheartened.
"I have offended too many people and can no longer survive in the officialdom. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire and return to my hometown."
Liu Jin quickly comforted and tried to persuade him to stay:
"Shangzhi, you flatter us. With your assistance, our family will be even more powerful."
"Those people are nothing to fear."
“Our family has already found out that you arranged for someone to drug Yang Yiqing in the imperial prison. It was Zhang Yong, the eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, who personally went there and caught them in the act, and even protected Yang Yiqing. No wonder you did this.”
A sinister glint flashed in Liu Jin's eyes.
It seems that Zhang Yong has already sided with Empress Su.
If he doesn't win over his followers and make a difference, after Empress Su persuades the emperor to reclaim his power as "Nine Thousand Years Old," he will only face universal condemnation and be demoted to grow vegetables at the Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing.
He didn't want things to end so abruptly.
No matter what, we have to give it a shot.
At such a critical moment, how could we easily let go of someone as intelligent, quick-witted, and invaluable as Zhang Cai?
Liu Jin looked at Zhang Cai encouragingly:
"Shangzhi, please put more effort into the Su family's affairs and achieve results as soon as possible. This way, our family can send you to the Ministry of Personnel as a vice minister."
A hint of interest flickered in Zhang Cai's eyes before he pledged his loyalty: "Thank you for not abandoning me. I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's high expectations."
His current official position is Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, which is a third-rank official, while Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is a second-rank official.
It is rare in officialdom to be promoted two ranks at once.
This also shows that Liu Jin really intends to give him an important position.
...
Lu Xingjian handed a memorial to Su Wanwan, saying, "It's impeaching your uncle, Cheng Wen."
The position of Tongzheng in Nanjing was originally a sinecure, yet it was still impeached.
Su Wanwan knew this was aimed at her.
She seemed quite philosophical about it, putting the memorial back: "What does Your Majesty intend to do?"
Lu Xingjian frowned and pulled her to sit on his lap.
"Let your uncle resign after the New Year, so he won't be targeted like your Uncle Yang."
Su Wanwan's face showed displeasure: "Are you only making our Su family suffer losses?"
Lu Xingjian chuckled and pinched her cheek. "How could that be?"
"How about you marry Heying to the heir of the Marquis of Wuding, and I will let him inherit the marquisate and lead the imperial guards to garrison the palace?"
Su Wanwan immediately refused.
"No way. Heying has been with me for years, loyal and devoted. I have to find her a suitable husband."
"Even the Lady Hou is not satisfied? Guo Xun is a capable man, he won't belittle her."
Lu Xingjian raised an eyebrow, leaned back lazily in his chair, and let Su Wanwan rest against his chest.
With Su Wanwan here, the two of them could chat while reviewing the memorials, which made things much more interesting.
Su Wanwan slapped away his hand that was groping her waist with ill intent, and calmly said:
"Not all women desire wealth and luxury; a peaceful and simple life is just as good."
These words were like a thorn, pricking Lu Xingjian's sensitive nerves.
He couldn't help but think of Xiao Bin.
But the atmosphere was nice right now, so he couldn't cause trouble.
"That Liu Qi is obviously unreliable. Are you really comfortable entrusting He Ying to him?"
"It's up to Heying to decide for herself; I won't interfere." Su Wanwan paused, then looked up at Lu Xingjian.
"If she really insists on marrying Liu Qi, why don't you give Liu Qi an official position?"
Lu Xingjian narrowed his eyes, casually lifting her chin, his gaze full of implications:
"If you grant me one small request, I will..."
"No." Su Wanwan refused before he could finish speaking.
Lu Xingjian raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face: "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already saying no?"
Su Wanwan snorted, "I know exactly what you're thinking."
Lu Xingjian smiled mischievously and brought his thin lips close to her ear:
"Who told you to seduce me back then? I still can't get over it now."
"You can't just kill people and then leave them to be buried, can you?"
Su Wanwan was surprised that her embarrassing old story had been brought up, and her face turned bright red instantly. She quickly reached out to cover his mouth.
In order to save Xiao Bin, she did indeed take the initiative to throw herself into his arms, and was even scolded by him.
This can also be considered her dark history.
But if she hadn't been desperate, she wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure.
"This is all old news, why are you bringing it up again?"
Lu Xingjian glanced at her sideways and teased, "You're allowed to do it, but I'm not allowed to mention it, huh?"
Su Wanwan was furious. She lowered her eyes and refused to look at him. She lightly punched his chest with her small pink fist, her resentment overflowing.
"How dare you say that? I was desperate and had no choice but to beg you, and you still insulted me..."
Lu Xingjian deliberately feigned pain, clutching his chest, but pressed her small hand against his chest.
"You tigress, you're punching your husband again."
Su Wanwan got excited and punched her a few times with her other hand: "I'll hit you, so what?"
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