Chapter 194: Madam, I have something to report
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 and said:
"Sir, you are out. Where are we going next?"
Zhao Duan said: "Go back to the government office."
Xiao Wang asked curiously: "Then what?"
As the leader's driver, he has more or less mastered Zhao Duan's style of doing things after this period of testing.
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, he was very excited and bought a copy of The Art of War out of curiosity. After reading it, he could only come to two conclusions.
First, war is about using the majority to defeat the minority, concentrating superior forces, and launching a massive attack, leaving the enemy no chance to breathe.
Second, stay undefeated and wait patiently for the enemy to make a mistake.
Just like a martial arts master, when both sides start to fight, the one who strikes first is often the first to lose patience and reveal flaws.
However, people often lack patience and cannot stand "stillness", and 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 much preparation as possible, concentrate superior forces, and lure the enemy into revealing their weaknesses.
"Everything that should be done has been done. Now all that is left is to wait." Zhao Duan closed his eyes.
Waiting and hoping - all human wisdom lies here.
……
……
The next few days were uneventful.
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.
Xiuwen Hall was brightly lit all night long, 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 in charge of writing stepped over the threshold and entered the place that was responsible for many miscellaneous matters in the palace.
"Greetings, eunuch." 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 leader of this department.
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 two groups of eunuchs and female officials were deliberately allowed to coexist so that there would not be a big disparity in power between the two groups.
Therefore, many matters in the harem were still under the charge of the Imperial Household Department, and not under the management of the Six Shangs.
"kindness."
The eunuch nodded, walked slowly to the workstation, asked a few questions, and then said casually:
"It's already the middle of the year, have any of the ladies left the palace to visit their families recently?"
A young eunuch came forward holding a booklet:
"Please have 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. According to old practices, 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 "Princess Yuan", he made a mark on it, and changed the schedule.
After everything was arranged, he said:
"Submit it to the Six Shangs Chief 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", Mochou has been very tired recently.
Because of the fight 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 Xiuwen Hall or outside the palace, and spent much less time in Liushang.
Therefore, when the female official below came over with the note from the Imperial Household Department, Mochou just glanced at it.
Seeing that it was just the visit schedule of the concubines in the harem, it was not very important and there was nothing unusual, so he said:
"Okay. Let's follow this arrangement."
After a pause, he frowned again:
"As for such trivial matters, you can handle them at your discretion. You don't 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 being of a higher standard, which required the responsible officials to handle with care.
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 shame to the royal family, everything else will be easy.
The female official responded and left.
Mo Chou let out a breath, turned around, pushed the door, and returned to Xiuwen Hall.
As soon as I entered the room, I heard a lot of discussions and the atmosphere was heavy.
She raised her eyes and saw Queen 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 has spent participating in "meetings" has increased significantly.
Mo Chou walked back to the side of the empress, and Xu Zhen turned his dark eyes to her and gave her a questioning look.
Mo Chou whispered:
"Your Majesty, it's nothing important, just some trivial matters of the Sixth Palace, which have been arranged."
"Yeah." Upon hearing this, Xu Zhenguan stopped paying attention and turned his attention back to the meeting.
Mo Zhaorong was sitting nearby, and 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 that can be done.
There is too much resistance to the new policy.
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, behind the members of the imperial party are the gentry and powerful families. In other words, implementing the new policies is like taking a knife to cut their own bodies.
In order to implement the "Golden Three Strategies" smoothly, at least one-third of the officials must defect. In this way, the majority can suppress the minority, and things will be 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, you are anxious, worried, and sad inside... Mochou can see it all.
Harsh government is fiercer than a tiger.
To the gentry and officials throughout the country, 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 your 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 make preparations for the reception.
Fortunately, the Yuan family is in the capital, so it’s not far away.
Soon after, this news was also transmitted 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 occasionally takes out to wear now.
The second thing was secretly sent by Xu Hanlin, and it was clues about the past mistakes made by his teacher, Grand Secretary Chen Zhengru, and a group of familiar scholars.
Each item is thoughtfully noted, and you can go to someone to check and obtain evidence.
how to say……
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 Baima Prison, which was about the arrangements for Princess Yuan’s visit to her parents’ home.
"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.
"My Lord, is it time to take action?"
The defiant Hou Ren suddenly grinned and was already rubbing his hands together.
"Sir, do you want to make some more preparations, just to be on the safe side?"
Now, Shen Juan, who is no longer lying down but still has noticeable dark circles under his eyes, said:
Zhao Duan said calmly: "The night is long and dreams are many, 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 "comprehensiveness".
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. 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 the day drinking tea and reading newspapers, stepped forward and took it with a smile.
His slightly hunched back straightened a little, and a certain pride flashed on his face:
"Just watch, my Lord."
Zhao Duan said:
"Shen Juan, you claim to have been able to sneak around and disguise yourself, and to track down the only one in the government office. Is it possible for you to find Princess Yuan?"
Shen Juan walked forward with a smile, picked up the jade pendant, and said casually:
"If I fail to complete this task, you will throw me into the river."
Zhao Duan looked at Hou Renmeng:
"I just want to ask you one question, are you brave enough?"
Hou Renmeng stroked the hilt of the knife and raised his eyebrows:
"I am alone and have no ties. Sir, you only need to tell me who to kill and that's it."
Next to him, there was a round-faced man with clear and silly eyes, but he was actually very efficient in his work. The confidential secretary who had grown rapidly recently 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, felt that she was being looked down upon, pursed her lips, and said helplessly:
"Okay..."
Zhao Duan laughed out loud, 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 went straight 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, in front of the dressing mirror, Princess Yuan sat with her graceful figure, looking at her face which was no longer as pretty as it was in her youth due to her age.
Seems distracted.
In the mirror, there is an oval face that is quite similar to Mrs. Lin, but upon closer inspection, the demeanor and expression are very different.
Concubine Yuan has been in the palace for nearly ten years and is now only in her thirties. Due to proper maintenance, her appearance is still good.
However, the look of chronic melancholy and lack of nourishment between his eyebrows made it look much less attractive.
"Dong dong."
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 carefully with a complicated look:
"My lady, I have something to report."
(End of this chapter)