Chapter 585: Excessive Favor
Fang Zhixuan's eyes were sharp and he walked away arrogantly.
"It's not you, is it me?"
"The year Lord Tang was murdered, I was in exile. Lord Zhong, how could a criminal like me return to the capital and leave evidence?"
Seeing his serious expression and knowing that he was angry, Gu Mengzhen hurried to comfort him.
"My dear Zhuang, please don't worry. I will never doubt you."
As he spoke, he looked down at Zhong Jian and added in a deep voice.
"We will not allow anyone to slander Mr. Zhuang."
Ever since Fang Zhixuan was rescued, the Emperor has been overprotecting him, acting like he has dementia all day long. Zhong Jian felt aggrieved and unhappy, so he showed weakness and gave in.
"We are one family, so there is no point in arguing. I have no intention of harming Lord Zhuang. I just want to turn the tide and restore the situation for the emperor. Please trust me."
Gu Mengzhen raised his lips with disdain and sneered wantonly.
"Oh, turn the situation around."
"What good plan do you have, Lord Zhong?"
Zhong Jian gritted his teeth, forced himself to endure the grievance, remained calm, and calmly offered his advice.
"Tang Botao used the theory of astrology to harm many of his subjects. The subjects are all the emperor's right-hand men, and the people are all people the emperor is preparing to use."
"I have already deduced that this person is loyal to the Yan clan, but the emperor does not believe it."
"Now, reality has confirmed what I thought. Your Majesty is so wise. The doubts will surely disappear."
"I have all the evidence of Tang Botao's evil deeds that killed officials and harmed the people. As long as it is made public, the emperor can strike back at Prince Di Jin and make him lose the trust of the world by accusing him of shielding the criminal."
He was humble and respectful, presenting the evidence with both hands.
"One plan is enough to turn the tide. Success or failure depends on this one move. I beg the emperor to approve it."
Gu Mengzhen waved his hand and pushed it away.
"I also have a copy of all the evidence."
He finally listened to the words and fell silent, deep in thought.
Zhong Jian was delighted when he heard this. He did not ask where the evidence came from, but spoke passionately, giving advice and encouragement.
"How could I have known that the great plan was in the hands of the emperor? I have missed such a good opportunity by asking the emperor again!"
Seeing that the situation was not good, Fang Zhixuan frowned and spoke solemnly, interrupting Gu Mengzhen's thoughts.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed."
Knowing that his brother meant well, Gu Mengzhen didn't care at all and asked casually.
"how do I say this?"
Zhong Jian's heart was like a fire that suddenly burned fiercely.
If they interrupted the emperor's thoughts, they would at best offend him and at worst be punished.
The emperor was intoxicated and was so tolerant towards Lord Zhuang that he wished he could hold him in his hands.
It's simply unreasonable.
Seeing this, Leng Xie kept silent.
He is Gu Mengzhen's first minister, and he knows Zhuang Shao's identity very well, and he knows how important his brother is in the eyes of the emperor.
He is delusional about competing with Zhuang Shao for favor and fighting to the death, unless he is senile and confused.
Fang Zhixuan glanced at the two of them, and when his gaze returned to Gu Mengzhen, it was already gentle and sincere.
"My humble words may be unpleasant to the ear, and my choice of words may be inappropriate."
"Although the emperor sits on the dragon throne, the world still belongs to the Yan clan."
"All those killed by Tang Botao were those who supported the emperor and fought against King Di Jin. To us, they were loyal subjects and good people; but to the world, they were traitors and villains."
"If Prince Dijin and his people prove that he is the real person and support a person of a different surname, and even involve the emperor's loyalty, then the one who will lose the support of the people is the emperor, not Prince Dijin."
Gu Mengzhen looked straight ahead, listened attentively, and nodded from time to time.
"This is a matter of great importance. What Mr. Zhuang said is absolutely right."
Zhong Jian spoke anxiously and anxiously.
"Your Majesty, please do not listen to misleading words."
"Just think about it, if they had a way to prove that those subjects had dissenting intentions, why did they use astrology to eliminate dissidents? It's clear that they didn't find any evidence."
"If you miss this opportunity, there will be no more. Your Majesty, please take it seriously!"
Fang Zhixuan gave a concise and solemn reminder.
"Your Majesty, be careful. This situation seems to involve Zhong Fumeng, which is extremely suspicious."
When Zhong Jian first heard this, he was shocked and confused.
"This is absolutely ridiculous. Why did Master Zhuang say this?"
Fang Zhixuan pretended to be angry and arrogant.
"Lord Zhong is maliciously targeting his own people. It's not very friendly. I don't need to explain to you. The emperor knows it clearly."
Zhong Jian defended himself with a hint of anger.
"I pray that the emperor will wake up. Lord Hongshun's words are just empty words. He has no evidence at all. You must not believe them."
Gu Mengzhen rejected his words with a cold and frosty expression.
"I have the proof."
Zhong Jian was filled with disbelief.
"what?"
Third brother, you have taken action without telling me?
Gu Mengzhen winked at Leng Xie.
It is a cold and humorous statement of fact.
"The secret guards who were responsible for escorting Tang Botao all said that they were defeated by martial arts masters, and Tang Botao escaped."
After hearing this, Zhong Jian felt like crying but had no tears.
"How can we conclude that all the martial arts masters are allies of Zhong Fumeng?"
Fang Zhixuan was calm and composed, and was very skilled in slandering others.
"Master Zhong, you are joking. Who among the Jianghu people, except your brother's alliance, dares to enter the palace gate without permission? Who knows the terrain of the palace? How can they save people so easily and escape so easily?"
"Perhaps, your brother did it himself..."
Zhong Jian raised his tone and interrupted harshly.
"Don't accuse a good person!"
He was quick-witted and quickly figured out the other party's plan.
"I see."
"Not only did you plan this, you also secretly colluded with the Fuliang League."
"Your Majesty is very clear-sighted. It must be Lord Hongshun who drew the topographical map of the palace and gave it to the people in the Restoration of Liang League to rescue Tang Botao. He intended to use the Restoration of Liang League to support the Yan clan."
"Mr. Hongshun's heart has always been with Prince Dijin!"
After some idle fantasies, Fang Zhixuan's predictions turned out to be 80% correct. He felt cold sweat on his palms.
He had always known that the talents of the Zhong Jian brothers should not be underestimated, so he planned carefully before taking action.
Unfortunately, his clumsy plan was still not enough to eliminate the two men. At most, it would further alienate the king and his ministers.
Planning to undermine their power is actually a long-term strategy. We can only wait for the right opportunity and take it step by step, and not be hasty.
Gu Mengzhen looked sarcastic but didn't take it seriously.
"You're getting more and more ridiculous."
He was eloquent and confident, and looked down on Zhong Jian at all.
"The Five Kings Rebellion was instigated by Xingliang, and the Zhuang family was exiled for their crimes. Now only Mr. Zhuang is left. In other words, Mr. Zhuang's alliance with Fuliang has caused the whole family to have an unresolved hatred."
"How can the two of them be connected?"
Zhong Jian’s words were earnest and heartfelt, and contained admonitions and sincere advice.
"I have already said that he is not Zhuang Shao. You have recognized the wrong person. Why doesn't Your Majesty believe it?"
Gu Mengzhen laughed awkwardly, without any trust in him.
"Oh, here we go again..."
Zhong Jian tried his best to ignore his harshness, persisted, and tried his best to speak kindly.
"You have been exchanging letters for many years, and I found several flaws. I immediately pointed out that Zhuang Lang had been replaced."
"Although I don't know the identity of this person in front of me, I can clearly think that he must be related to Fang Renshu."
Seeing that the emperor was unwilling to listen to a word, he became furious and spoke in a deafening manner.
"Your Majesty, instead of trying to save the real Lord Zhuang, you have been guarding a flatterer all day and doting on him. Is this what you call repaying the kindness of saving the clan?"
Gu Mengzhen frowned and looked furious.
"Bold remonstrance."
"Lord Leng, Lord Su, you wouldn't even speak to me like that. How dare you disrespect the dragon's might?"
My brother was sitting close to me, and in case he was frightened, he looked at him with concern, then quickly put away his anger and only showed teasing.
"The flaws you mentioned are pure fabrication. I have read your letters over and over again for many years, so how come I can't see any problems?"
"Are you saying that you are smarter than me?"