Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 77 The Divine Man's Trouble

The residence of Deng Chang'en.

Because tomorrow is the day when Li Zisheng predicted that there would be an earthquake at Mount Tai, Deng Chang'en specially called over Wu Hao, the deputy director of the Imperial Observatory who was close to him.

Also arriving at the same time was Ai Yu, the supervisor of Shanglin Garden.

"You mean, Minister Li from the Silver Palace Department hasn't been to the Imperial Observatory recently, nor has he asked your people to help him deduce the stars? Then has he asked anyone to go to his house and consult with him privately?"

Li Zisheng's recent series of abnormal behaviors have had far-reaching impacts, shocking the government and the public. Deng Changen is still puzzled.

How could such a good person suddenly go "crazy"? He was so bold as to go against the emperor!
Being "crazy" alone is not enough, the key is that he can accurately predict the future every time. The day when Li Zisheng predicted an earthquake in Mount Tai is approaching, and he must take precautions in advance.

If there really was an earthquake, and there was someone helping behind the scenes, how could Li Zisheng be so sure? These things must be made clear so that he can follow suit in the future.

Wu Hao looked very nervous.

He came from an astronomical family and was well aware of the patterns of celestial changes. His grandfather Wu Yongchang and his father Wu Ying both worked in the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.

He is a technocrat, neither a follower of Li Zisheng nor Deng Changen. He used his family's knowledge to become an astronomy student, and now he has become the second-in-command of the Imperial Observatory. He has worked hard all the way. Unfortunately, there are two powerful ministers above him who are known for their profound Taoist knowledge and are appreciated by the emperor. This gives him a headache.

Not getting close to either side means that neither side will treat him as one of their own.

Wu Hao said: "Indeed, the affairs of the Imperial Observatory are all normal recently, and there is no difference from the past."

Deng Chang'en said, "You should have heard about the disaster reported by Minister Li. Didn't you deduce it and verify it?"

"This……"

Wu Hao was getting more and more embarrassed. "Previously, Minister Li predicted an earthquake in Ningxia, and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory made deductions, but to no avail. Now Minister Li has predicted an earthquake in Mount Tai, and we have tried our best to observe it, hoping to find clues from the changes in the stars, but still... there is no clue. It is also because of our lack of talent and knowledge that we cannot deduce the secrets of heaven. I am ashamed."

Deng Changen sneered: "You guys are not as good as Minister Li?"

Wu Hao lowered his head and showed an attitude of humbly admitting his mistakes.

In fact, he felt very aggrieved.

If I had such great abilities, would I still be just the deputy director of the Imperial Observatory? Wouldn't I be a big shot like you, with the emperor's favor?

Ai Yu said, "Master Deng, it seems that the earthquake at Mount Tai is really a figment of the imagination... If nothing happens tomorrow, we will have something to say..."

Originally, Ai Yu wanted to talk about how to mobilize court officials to impeach Li Zisheng, but was stopped by Deng Changen.

It was obvious that Wu Hao in front of him was not his direct subordinate. Besides, the Imperial Observatory was now the territory of Lizi Province, and the personnel and financial power were not in his hands. It was not impossible for Wu Hao to spread the inside story after hearing it, or even to report him.

Deng Chang'en said, "As a colleague, I don't want to see Minister Li make a fool of himself, but the earthquake in Mount Tai is related to the foundation of the country after all, so it is better not to happen if it can be avoided... What do you think, Mr. Wu?"

Wu Hao said: "I also think this is the case."

“Then you in the Imperial Observatory must think carefully. If you are unlucky enough to be hit by him again this time and you do nothing, you people in the Imperial Observatory will never be able to hold your heads up again.

"Now that your Majesty is in his prime, you guys will probably always be suppressed by Minister Li. I feel sorry for you." Deng Chang'en tried his best to instigate.

Deng Yu, who was standing aside, was secretly laughing as he watched, thinking, in front there was Eunuch Liang, the Imperial Stable Supervisor, and now there are this group of officials from the Imperial Observatory who have vested interests in the same profession, it would be best if the Li family were deserted by their friends and relatives. Since I have joined Lord Deng, I must protect his interests first in everything I do.

Wu Hao said: "I will definitely try my best...I will definitely try my best."...

……

Ai Yu sent Wu Hao out the door, and when he came back, he saw that the teacup that Deng Changen had previously held in his hand had shattered into pieces and scattered all over the floor.

It was obvious at first glance that Deng Chang'en was angry, but whether it was out of sheer rage or just to vent his anger by throwing something was unknown.

"Sir, I don't think you need to worry too much about this matter... Since ancient times, people who can predict an earthquake are rare. This is not a matter of peeping into the secrets of heaven, but pure luck... If he can predict it twice in a row, is there still justice?"

Ai Yu tried to choose the nicest words possible.

But if you look closely at Deng Changen's hands, you can see that they are shaking constantly.

Ai Yu was a little panicked for a moment. Could it be that this Shaoqing of Taichang Temple was so unconfident?
Deng Chang'en said, "I asked you to look up history books before, looking for someone who can accurately predict earthquakes, and on time. Is there such a person?"

Ai Yu thought about it and shook his head helplessly.

Deng Changen insisted: "So there is none?"

Ai Yu said: "There are quite a few records in folk history, but most of them are absurd and bizarre. It seems that there is only one person like Li Shilang who can accurately predict the time and place in front of the emperor."

"This……"

Deng Chang'en's face turned even uglier, and he muttered, "This is ridiculous. Could it be that he really has great magical powers?"

Ai Yu hurriedly comforted him: "Master Deng, don't you have it too? Why envy others!"

Deng Chang'en glanced at Ai Yu, feeling bitter but unable to express himself.

Others don't know his abilities, but he knows it very well. Taoist techniques are purely based on the means of cheating and deceiving people. It just depends on whose cheating skills are more sophisticated.

Originally, he had the same mentality when fighting with Li Zisheng.

But now he knows that his long-term rival is not a charlatan, but a person with mysterious powers. How can a charlatan like him not panic?

You know, he had tried every possible way to attack Li Zisheng before. He contacted Liang Fang, found people from the Imperial Observatory, and widely publicized Li Zisheng's prophecy. He wanted to use these means to bring Li Zisheng down...

No one expected that Li Zisheng actually had real abilities. The more Deng Changen thought about it, the more scared he became. The scared he became, the more he wanted to do something. As a result, he unknowingly lost his composure.

Deng Chang'en tried to calm himself down, and after a long while he sighed, "There will be results in the next two days. If there is an earthquake in Mount Tai, the position of the crown prince will be stabilized... It's a pity that the crown prince and I have never had any contact."

Ai Yu heard something unusual in Deng Chang'en's words and thought, why is Lord Deng starting to look for a way out for himself?

Ai Yu said, "Sir, an earthquake will definitely not happen... Mount Tai is the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. If an earthquake occurred on Mount Tai, it would be a major event. How could it be easily discovered in advance?"

Deng Changen said: "I hope it's as you said."

The more Ai Yu thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. After coming out of the inner hall, he couldn't help but hesitate, thinking, do I have to leave a way out for myself?
It seems that Lord Deng is not very reliable. Even he has begun to back down. If he loses power, an official like me will be finished. I may have to find a way to establish contact with Minister Li as soon as possible.

If we wait until the Taishan earthquake occurs before going there, I'm afraid it will be too late.

(End of this chapter)