Joy of Life: I am a Han Dynasty succubus, and I rebel from the beginning

Chapter 145, Fan Xian's choice, the spring exam is approaching, undercurrents surge
"It's not that difficult. It's just a matter of blending in with the world! It's been like this for decades. If you want to give justice to the scholars, wait until you are in power."

Liu Hong spoke without any concern.

Fan Xian frowned. This was also what Fan Jian said.

Liu Hong and Fan Jianxing are both slick in their approach to things.

He also knew that he could not resist the anger of the officials, but he thought of those gray-haired scholars who were still writing furiously.

Fan Xian just couldn't make up his mind.

"Since His Majesty wants me to be a lone minister, he will help me with this imperial examination fraud."

Fan Xian spoke hesitantly, remembering the death of Lai Mingchen.

The former high spirits have turned into the current cautiousness.

"Yes, His Majesty will help you, and even issue a decree for you to thoroughly investigate the cheating in the imperial examinations."

Liu Hong nodded with a smile.

Fan Ruoruo heard something behind Liu Hong's words and spoke quickly.

"What will happen to my brother?"

"He is a lone minister, just like me. As long as the emperor still favors him, who can do anything to him except some clowns?"

Liu Hong didn't take Fan Ruoruo's words seriously.

How could Emperor Qing possibly attack Fan Xian before he, the whetstone, had sharpened the prince's sword?

What's more, Fan Xian's fathers have not yet retired from the court.

Fan Xian's eyes lit up with joy. If that was the case, then he could investigate cheating in the imperial examinations!
"I advise you not to get involved in these matters, unless you want your father-in-law, Lin Ruofu, to be forced to retire and return home."

Liu Hong knew exactly what Fan Xian was planning.

Lin Ruofu was easily forced to resign and return home because of the imperial examination fraud case, which was not what Liu Hong expected.

After all, he is the last prime minister of Qing Kingdom. He has to confront Emperor Qing and end it in a dignified manner.

It is ridiculous that He Zongwei can bring down Lin Ruofu by accusing the widow of her husband's death.

"How did you hear about this?"

Fan Xian frowned.

Liu Hong, like Chen Pingping, knew a lot of things but just didn't tell him.

For example, this time when Liu Hong established the East Factory, it clearly affected the core interests of the Supervisory Council. At the very least, many of the palace's spies were cut off.

However, Chen Pingping simply placed some evidence of Liu Hong's crimes on Emperor Qing's desk and let the matter go.

You have to know that the people in the Supervisory Council are full of anger. If he hadn't calmed them down, who knows how many people would have tried to assassinate Liu Hong during this period.

"Guess! Anyway, I've given you the answer. It's up to you to decide how you choose."

Liu Hong spoke calmly.

Just then, a maid brought up some desserts and placed them in front of Fan Xian and Fan Ruoruo.

Fan Xian walked out of the main hall in a daze, with justice and family affection constantly struggling in his heart.

Fan Ruoruo just wanted to go over to comfort Fan Xian.

But he was caught by Liu Hong.

"Let your brother judge for himself."

"Sir, we have found the person. As expected, he has been living in the Red Dust Inn for a long time."

Ji Xin rushed over excitedly, and after seeing Fan Ruoruo, he realized that he had leaked the information, and quickly kept silent.

Liu Hong spoke expressionlessly.

"Well! Just kill him, it'll be a little cleaner."

Since the information has already been revealed to Fan Ruoruo, just kill him directly to prevent Fan Xian, a soft-hearted guy, from asking any more questions after learning the news.

"Yes!"

Ji Xin clasped his fists and left.

Fan Ruoruo originally wanted to ask who that person was, but seeing that Liu Hong had no intention of explaining, she didn't say anything.

Since he could say it so frankly in front of me, he probably wasn't going to attack the Fan family.

"Lin Ruofu, Lin Ruofu! I'll cut all these tails short for you. Let me see what happens when the so-called powerful and treacherous minister faces Emperor Qing head-on!"

Liu Hong muttered to himself, his eyes flickering.

Finally, Fan Xian sorted out his thoughts and took Fan Ruoruo back to the Fan Mansion.

The purpose of his crossing over was just to have a wife and children and a warm bed! Even though he was influenced by Ye Qingmei, he had more feelings for the people of the world.

When faced with major events, I ultimately chose family.

Wan'er's brother has been killed by Uncle Wuzhu. If Lin Ruofu is forced to resign and return home, Wan'er will be left alone.

During these days, Emperor Qing secretly pushed for it, telling Fan Xian openly and covertly that the imperial examinations were cheating and that the scholars were suffering.

But Fan Xian remained indifferent, like a piece of wood.

Lai Mingchen's death was still very beneficial. At least it created an unbridgeable gap between Fan Xian and Emperor Qing.

Facing the list sent by his father-in-law, the prince, and the Qin family.

Fan Xian watched coldly and said nothing, as if he regarded the position of Ju Zhonglang of the Ministry of Rites as a gilded official position.

The backup plan against Lin Ruofu was already prepared. Emperor Qing finally couldn't bear it anymore and ordered Fan Xian to thoroughly investigate the cheating in the imperial examinations over the years.

Liu Hong actively recruited followers and prepared to cast a wide net.

As long as a few scholars passed the imperial examinations, became officials, and depended on him, Liu Hong would make a profit.

The idea of ​​selecting scholars and then operating behind the scenes is outdated and will make people hate you.

Since officials have to choose to rely on powerful people after entering officialdom, is it necessary to spend time, effort and favors to operate behind the scenes?
Liu Hong brought Zhang Liang to the garden.

A female corpse was lying on the seat, her face pale.

"Sir, we have checked it out! This woman's husband was indeed a scholar in the imperial examination, but he died of depression not because he failed to pass the exam, but because he could not stand the bitter cold in the borderland."

Ji Xin continued digging a pit, preparing to bury the woman.

Liu Hong raised his eyebrows.

"Are you mentally ill? What if someone finds out? Just burn it."

Ji Xin smiled awkwardly. He was indeed confused. Thinking of burying someone in Liu Hong's backyard was unlucky.

"Zhang Liang, Lin Ruofu should have gotten the hint. What do you think he will do?"

Liu Hong looked at the billowing smoke and spoke casually.

"I don't know, but sir, His Majesty should have an order soon and send it to the Minister's Office."

There was a blazing fire in Zhang Liang's eyes.

"Well! Calculating the time, it's almost enough. After all, the Spring Examination is coming soon."

Liu Hong nodded.

The personal guard stepped forward and whispered in Liu Hong's ear.

"Sir, there is an order from the palace."

The person who delivered the imperial edict was Hong Zhu. It seemed that as the spies arranged by the dignitaries in the palace suffered heavy losses, Hong Zhu's status also rose.

Emperor Qing's order was very simple, asking Liu Hong to arrange personnel to maintain order in the imperial examination hall in Kyoto.

Liu Hong took the imperial edict and looked at it for a long time, then spoke in confusion.

"Gone?"

Hong Zhu shouted away the young eunuchs around him and spoke softly.

"Your Majesty has issued a secret order to have you and Little Master Fan investigate the imperial examination fraud case. Even if more people are implicated, it doesn't matter. After all, the newly built East Factory needs to kill people to establish its authority."

Liu Hong smiled. This was the Emperor Qing that he had in mind.

"What position do you hold in the East Factory now?"

"I'm glad your Excellency didn't write my name on the list."

Hong Zhu was relieved, but also a little scared.

It was Eunuch Hou who arranged Hong Zhu to serve as a spy for those dignitaries and reward them with a cup of poisoned wine.

"Killing people to establish your authority? Hong Zhu, you are so lucky. You may even be able to arrest the last prime minister of Qing Kingdom with your own hands."

Hong Zhu's heart was shaken.

Looking at the warm smile on Liu Hong's face, one could never have imagined that the East Factory would be able to take over such a major case at the very beginning of its establishment.

Liu Hong didn't explain much to Hong Zhu.

Hong Zhu has lived in the deep palace for a long time. The more she knows, the easier it is for her to be exposed.

Eunuch Hou and Hong Siyang, who are beside Emperor Qing, are both shrewd people.

Hong Zhu didn't ask any more questions and left the Minister's residence with the eunuchs from the palace.

"Is the Spring Examination on the 12th?"

Liu Hong suddenly spoke.

Ji Xin didn't understand and nodded.

"Yes, sir, tomorrow."

"In this case, of course, my Minister's Mansion cannot treat our scholars unfairly. Let's send them all off in carriages tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)