Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 83 Arrogant at first and respectful at the end

"Master, someone is coming from the palace."

In the hall of Deng Chang'en's private residence, a group of people, like Li Zisheng, were anxiously waiting for news.

However, unlike what Li Zisheng expected, they hoped that the earthquake did not happen. Once it was confirmed, they would hold on to this point and fiercely impeach Li Zisheng, putting him in an irretrievable situation.

Deng Chang'en asked anxiously, "Has His Majesty sent anyone?"

The receptionist who came to deliver the message said, "No, it was someone sent by Liang Fang, the eunuch."

Deng Chang'en looked around at the people waiting there. There were seven court officials on his side waiting for news, which was a much larger scene than that on Li Zisheng's side.

After all, it involves the important matter of jointly impeaching the emperor and his former favorites, so one must be cautious.

Deng Chang'en smiled and said, as if to save his dignity, "Eunuch Liang has great magical powers and many sources of information. Perhaps just after midnight last night, his spies reported the news from Mount Tai to the capital by means of carrier pigeons, and now he has sent someone to tell me the good news."

Although Zhang Shanji, the military official, felt that Deng Changen's words were not very reliable, he still tried to make up for it: "Yes, even if the technology of pigeon messaging is not mature, as long as you are willing to invest, release ten pigeons each time, and then release ten more at the next place, repeating the process over and over again, there will always be a few that successfully arrive in the capital.

"Even if this plan doesn't work, we can rush back from Mount Tai as fast as we can. It's been exactly nine hours since midnight, so the time is just right."

When I said this, I didn't seem so confident.

They set out from Mount Tai just after midnight and had to reach the capital before dark that day. Even if they changed horses but not men, after traveling nearly a thousand miles, how tired would the messenger be?
Deng Chang'en then walked to the front yard of his house and met Chang Xi, the imperial horse supervisor sent by Liang Fang.

"Eunuch Chang is honored to be here. Please take a seat inside."

Deng Changen greeted with a smile.

"no, I'm fine!"

Chang Xi bowed and said, "Mr. Deng is so polite. I came here to report...Eunuch Liang said that you don't have to wait any longer. Some things are destined to happen and some are beyond our control. If the East Factory finds out that you are gathered here, I am afraid that you will be in trouble for no reason."

Deng Chang'en's face changed immediately.

Zhao Yuzhi, who was wearing a Taoist robe, stepped forward and stuffed a ten-liang gold ingot into Chang Xi's sleeve, then asked softly, "Excuse me, Eunuch Chang, what does Eunuch Liang mean by that?"

Chang Xi felt the size of the gold ingot and his face lit up. He then looked around vigilantly, then approached Deng Changen and whispered, "Captain Mou, who was sent by the Jinyiwei to Mount Tai on official business, has returned to Beijing. He set out from the foot of Mount Tai before nightfall yesterday, whipped three good horses to death along the way, and is now heading for the palace gate.

"That's all I have to say. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Deng Chang'en felt as if a heavy object hit his heart upon hearing this, and he could hardly breathe. However, he did not give up, and grabbed the hem of Chang Xi's clothes. When Chang Xi stopped and turned around, he asked tremblingly, "Before nightfall yesterday... Captain Mou hurried back. That means... there really was an earthquake at Mount Tai, and it happened between the hours of Shen and You?"

Chang Xi shook his head, indicating that he didn't know the inside story, then he pushed Deng Chang'en's hand away, turned around and left.

Zhang Shanji was hunched over, and he and several people in the hall were hiding behind the moon door to eavesdrop, and heard almost the entire conversation between Chang Xi and Deng and Zhao.

At this moment, he could no longer hold back, and walked out from behind the door, came to Deng Changen, and bowed to say goodbye: "Mr. Deng, I suddenly remembered that I have an official business that I need to go back to the yamen to handle immediately. I am afraid that I can't stay in your house for long... I am really sorry."

The others immediately understood what was going on and came over to say goodbye.

Zhao Yuzhi's face was full of contempt: "The news hasn't been confirmed yet, and you're leaving like this? Do you think God's will is really beyond human control?"

"Cough-cough-"

Zhang Shanji looked embarrassed, covered his mouth and pretended to cough a few times, and forced an explanation: "That's not what I meant. I really have something important to do and I dare not delay."

"hehe!"

Deng Chang'en forced a laugh and tried to stop Zhao Yuzhi from questioning those who wanted to leave. He said calmly, "It's really late. Since we can't be sure about the matter, let's wait until tomorrow. I believe that by then, all the right and wrong will be resolved.

"You have worked hard today, please feel free to go. I cannot let you wait in vain at Mr. Deng's house, so please take the small gifts I prepared before with you when you leave." Zhang Shanji said ashamedly, "Mr. Deng, you don't have to be so polite. We just came here to chat and have a small gathering... It's almost the end of the year, and everyone has already prepared New Year's expenses... Well, I really can't delay any longer, I will come to your house to apologize tomorrow."

"see a visitor out!"

Deng Chang'en could only suppress his surging emotions, collect his mind, and open the door to see the guest off.

When they came, no one was personally welcomed into the house by him. After all, because of his status, he was the only one who could curry favor with others.

But when seeing off guests, he would personally see them out the door, which can be described as being rude at first but respectful later.

……

……

The group got into their carriages.

He came with great momentum and left in disgrace.

Deng Chang'en stood in front of the door of his house, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

Zhao Yuzhi leaned forward and asked in a low voice: "How about... let's go in and talk?"

Deng Changen looked back at Zhao Yuzhi: "Why didn't you leave?"

Zhao Yuzhi said helplessly: "You and I share the same fate, why should I just stay out of it? Your Excellency's predicament is my predicament... Alas, if His Majesty asks about it in the next few days, how should we respond?"

"What else?"

Deng Chang'en had a look of desolation on his face, "You can imagine that he has discovered the secrets of heaven twice by himself, and this time it is so earth-shattering that it is truly groundbreaking.

"After this, the position of the Eastern Palace may be more stable. We have no friendship with the Eastern Palace. If the Eastern Palace leaves to assist the court in the future, where will we stand?"

Not to mention the crown prince's ascension to the throne, just the fact that the crown prince came out to help the emperor manage state affairs was enough to make Deng Chang'en suffer.

Zhao Yuzhi said: "People from outside the sect have different levels of Taoism and expertise. You really don't need to worry about this matter. For now, we outsiders should not hurt the harmony."

What this means is that we should quickly find that Li Banxian to reconcile.

Deng Chang'en clenched his fists and almost shouted to the sky: "I was born at the wrong time. The heavens have failed me."

Zhao Yuzhi quickly advised: "Don't blame God, Mr. Deng. We all rely on the teachings of Huang Lao to gain a foothold in the court. We are one in front of the ministers. We really shouldn't have clear positions on everything... If you have something to say, just sit down and talk. Harmony is the most precious thing..."

Deng Chang'en looked at Zhao Yuzhi with a look of sadness and disappointment.

He probably understood that it was impossible for Zhao Yuzhi to maintain an alliance with him anymore, and that she would defect to Li Zisheng.

"In this court, if one person stands firm with the art of spirit-lifting, there will be no place for others to stand. If you don't understand what it means, why did you come to my house today?

"Besides, things are not yet irreversible. Isn't there Concubine Wan in the palace to help us? Li Zisheng is clearly on the side of the Crown Prince, which will definitely offend Concubine Wan... You must know that since ancient times, those who have been able to peek into the secrets of heaven have never had a good end, and I think that guy will be no exception!"

Deng Changen almost gnashed his teeth and said, "Those who reveal the secrets of heaven will be punished. This has been the case since ancient times. Even if the heavens do not punish you for the time being, how can Your Majesty tolerate this person?

"The crime of making irresponsible remarks about the secrets of heaven alone is enough to cause Your Majesty to have a rift with him. Don't you even understand this simple truth?"

Zhao Yuzhi pondered for a long time, her head almost splitting, and she had no idea what to do. She had no choice but to ask, "Then what should I do?"

Deng Chang'en said firmly: "Our position remains unchanged. As long as we persist, there is a glimmer of hope."

(End of this chapter)