Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 368 Youthful Spirit, Emperor's Indifference

"So, this is why you broke into my Pei residence in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Zhou Ming asked, somewhat speechless.

Lu Xiaofeng chuckled awkwardly, "Since you don't want to see me, this is the only way I can find you."

"Hmph, do you know that if I were really out having fun and hadn't returned, based on what you did tonight, you could be beaten to death and no one would complain?"

Lu Xiaofeng said, "Really? With my strength, even if I can't defeat the experts hidden in this mansion, escaping shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Ha ha……"

"Hmm? Legend has it that the Grand Secretary has a Grandmaster-level expert assisting him. Could it be that the expert is currently in the mansion?"

Seeing Zhou Ming's sneer, Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but recall the legend and became curious.

Zhou Ming didn't answer, and directly changed the subject: "Your purpose is to ask my godfather for help and tell His Majesty the truth about this matter?"

Lu Xiaofeng didn't press further, and nodded, saying, "That's right."

"No need for such trouble. His Majesty will be visiting Wan Jin Ge tomorrow, so you can simply inform him of this matter."

"what?"

Lu Xiaofeng was startled: "Why would His Majesty come to your Wan Jin Pavilion?"

why?
Of course it's because Wan Jin Ge is fun!
When Zhou Ming built his Wan Jin Ge, he used all sorts of mechanical arts and his innate abilities to create it, which included a variety of highly playable mechanisms and facilities.

Everyone who came to visit had a great time.

Nowadays, as the organization recruits more and more technical talents to update its facilities, the number of amusement facilities in this Wanjin Pavilion is also increasing.

Since receiving various suggestions from Zhou Ming during the last incident at the Forbidden City, the emperor suddenly realized that Pei Ju, whom he had always regarded as a major enemy, was actually far less of a threat than Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi.

Following Zhou Ming's advice, he took concubines to gain the power of his maternal relatives and to support the Western Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Court of Judicial Review, the Six Doors, the Divine Marquis's Mansion, and other forces.

Although on the surface these forces are far inferior to Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, they are indeed growing stronger, gaining more and more influence in the court, and tending to be loyal to the emperor.

The emperor, who benefited from this, naturally valued Zhou Ming even more.

Of course, the most important point is that Zhou Ming had no intention of entering the imperial court.

Otherwise, given his status as the adopted son of Grand Secretary Pei Ju, he would immediately become a rising star in the court and would inevitably inherit Pei Ju's political power, thus becoming a threat to the emperor.

However, since Zhou Ming never entered the court, none of the above-mentioned things would happen, which made the emperor feel more at ease.

After visiting Wan Jin Ge once, the emperor suddenly discovered that there were so many fun things in the world!

It's quite pitiful, really. When this emperor was young in the palace, the princes were fiercely competing for the throne, and he never got to play with anything good.

Later, all the princes fought fiercely, but he was protected by the late emperor and directly made crown prince, so he quickly entered a state of study.

After the late emperor's death, it goes without saying.

As the saying goes, a boy is a boy until he dies; what you can't get when you're young, you'll have to play with twice as hard when you're older!
Moreover, this emperor has a playful nature by nature.

Upon arriving at Wan Jin Ge, the emperor nearly went mad with excitement.

After that, even if there was nothing else to do, the emperor would still like to come to Wan Jin Ge for a bit of fun.

So much so that when people sought advice from Zhou Ming on important matters, they would often ask him a couple more questions just before leaving.

His unproductive lifestyle has gradually become apparent.

After hearing Zhou Ming's words, Lu Xiaofeng frowned: "Isn't it inappropriate for you to entice the emperor to play around like this?"

"What do you mean by 'temptation'? I didn't give this Wanjin Pavilion to the emperor; he asked for it himself. Besides, as the ruler of a country, how many temptations are there? Even without my Wanjin Pavilion, how could someone with a weak will resist other temptations?"

Besides, His Majesty only comes once every month or two. You, who spends your days indulging in wine and women, have the nerve to criticize others?

Lu Xiaofeng was immediately embarrassed.

In truth, his character in daily life is probably much worse than most people's. He is fond of alcohol and women, and he often sleeps for ten days or half a month at a time.

Someone like him certainly has no right to criticize someone who works diligently for months but only takes one day off.

Zhou Ming continued, "Ever since the Incident at Gaoping Mausoleum by Sima Yi in the Han Kingdom, it has become a difficult problem for any high-ranking official to retire peacefully and return to his hometown."

Although I don't serve in the imperial court, I still need to find a way to ensure my adoptive father's old age. Maintaining good relations with His Majesty is my strategy for protecting my family and ensuring my safety.

"This……"

Lu Xiaofeng was completely speechless and could only apologize.

The next day, Lu Xiaofeng indeed saw the young emperor in white dragon robes at Wan Jin Pavilion.

After the explanation, the emperor's expression turned solemn.

"I never imagined there were so many hidden secrets behind this matter. It is thanks to your cooperation that we were able to uncover the truth."

The emperor faced the rippling lake: "Even so, my uncle has never done anything out of line, and all his plans have been righteous. Let us not mention such things again."

"Huh?" Lu Xiaofeng was taken aback.

No matter how much he thought about it, he never expected that the emperor would remain indifferent after learning about it.

Little did they know that those in the imperial court were not free to speak.

Especially the emperor, whose words carry the weight of imperial authority, cannot speak casually.

So what if Zhu Wushi has so many plans?
In the imperial court, it's normal for people to scheme against each other. Even if you use some underhanded tricks, as long as you don't go too far, or even as long as you're not caught doing anything out of line, nothing will happen.

Zhu Wushi's wisdom lies precisely in this.

Of all the things he's done, has any of them gone too far?

Accepting 180 million taels of silver was not a fatal crime for him at all, and things like the Tianxiang Kingdom and Tianxiang Bean were even less significant.

The only thing that went too far was spreading rumors among the people in an attempt to influence the imperial court.

But who can prove that these rumors are related to Zhu Wushi?

When the rumors started, he was imprisoned in the imperial jail!

As for the claim that these things drove Cao Zhengchun insane, that's utter nonsense.

What did he pressure Cao Zhengchun about?
Did he force Cao Zhengchun to imprison him in the imperial prison?

Did he force Cao Zhengchun to torture him severely?

If you tell anyone, they'll think you're sick.

This is the ability of a member of the imperial family who has stood in the court for decades and fought against various ministers and eunuchs from the Eastern Depot without ever being defeated.

From the very beginning, they were invincible and had no weaknesses.

Just like in the previous incident at the Forbidden City, everyone knows that the reason why those imperial guards did not appear in time was because Zhu Wushi was secretly plotting against them.

But when it comes to guilt, he is not guilty!

Even though the emperor dealt with many of the palace guards in time, transforming them into the Dragon Protector Clan, and even divided some of the power of the Dragon Protector Manor.

However, judging from the current situation, Zhu has also taken advantage of these things and made them part of his plan.

It makes one wonder if he did that on purpose too!
Such ingenious methods and flawless plans would leave even the emperor helpless, only able to sigh in despair.

Lu Xiaofeng didn't understand, but Zhou Ming did.

The emperor had long wanted to get rid of Zhu Wushi, and now that he had learned of Zhu Wushi's almost flawless plan, he felt not only apprehension but also a great deal of fear.

He was very worried that one day, his uncle might use another flawless plan to successfully ascend the throne with the support of countless people.

He was lucky enough to be made a king.

If you're unlucky, you might even die.

At this moment, the emperor's desire to kill Zhu Wushi reached its peak!
Thinking of this, Zhou Ming clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my craftsmen have recently crafted a small trinket. Your Majesty may follow me into the pavilion to admire it."

The emperor's eyes flickered, and he chuckled, "Oh? What interesting things have you got this time?"

However, the impatient one took the initiative to enter Wan Jin Ge.

Zhou Ming followed closely. Lu Xiaofeng, being sensible, stayed where he was and waited silently.

About half an hour later, the two finally emerged from the Wan Jin Pavilion.

The emperor, with a relaxed expression and a slight smile, quickly left.

Zhou Ming appeared shortly afterward, and Lu Xiaofeng quickly went over and asked, "Is it resolved?"

Zhou Ming shook his head: "It's just a suggestion. Whether it will work in the end is still uncertain. But don't ask me any questions. I won't tell you. Even if it works out in the future, you'd better not know."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng's curiosity surged even more, but knowing the gravity of the matter, he did not press the issue further.

Upon returning to the palace, the emperor summoned Cao Zhengchun.

"Is there any new progress in the Imperial Uncle's case?"

"This... Your Majesty, please forgive us, the Eastern Depot has not yet found any new evidence."

"Hmph! Forgive me, forgive me! You've asked me to forgive you for at least eight or ten offenses!"

The emperor snorted coldly, his tone filled with anger: "The princes from various regions have submitted petitions again. I have decided to pardon my uncle's crimes."

"Your Majesty, you can't!"

Cao Zhengchun exclaimed in alarm, "Your Majesty, the evidence against Zhu Wushi for bribery is irrefutable. Even if he is not executed, he cannot be completely pardoned!"

"Uncle, you have worked hard and made great contributions to the court for so many years. Even if you have made this mistake, it is just that your merits and demerits cancel each other out."

The emperor flicked his sleeve and said, "My mind is made up; there's no need to persuade me further!"

Cao Zhengchun fell silent for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes..."

The Emperor said, "Although my uncle made a mistake in this major case, he does not need to be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. The Eastern Depot has gone too far this time."

Cao Zhengchun lowered his head: "It is this old servant's fault."

"Since you know you are guilty, you shall be demoted three ranks."

The emperor said coldly, "I heard that you tortured your uncle in the imperial prison? This was also a mistake. Apologize to your uncle properly. I will announce this matter in court three days later. At that time, if your uncle has even the slightest injury, I will hold you accountable."

"Step down!"

"Yes……"

Cao Zhengchun lowered his head and left.

On the way back to the Eastern Depot, he stumbled and staggered, his steps uneven.

For a dignified Three Flowers Grandmaster to take such a step shows just how intensely his emotions are fluctuating at this moment!
The reason for this was that the experiences he had gone through were simply too exciting for him.

Release Zhu Wushi.

Demoted.

And most importantly, the emperor's incredibly cold attitude!

It is said that true heartbreak is complete indifference.

Cao Zhengchun had spent fifty years in this palace, and he had served this young emperor for several years.

He had an unparalleled understanding of the living conditions of eunuchs.

The eunuch whom the emperor relied on and who held great power was not afraid of the emperor's anger, but rather the emperor's indifference.

Getting angry at least meant that the emperor still had some expectations of him.

Indifference means that he has completely lost the emperor's favor.

Last time, the emperor directly demoted him to a low-ranking eunuch.

But he didn't panic at all.

Because that means the emperor is just angry. Once his anger subsides and his reason returns, he will still rely on you.

This time, however, the emperor did not impose such a severe punishment. He did not even remove him from his position as the head of the Eastern Depot, but merely said that he was demoted three ranks.

But this precisely demonstrates that the emperor had not lost his rationality; he was disappointed in Cao Zhengchun after a completely calm and thoughtful consideration.

This kind of disappointment is precisely the real disappointment.

In other times, even under such circumstances, Cao Zhengchun would not have experienced such intense emotional fluctuations.

But it just so happens to be at this time.

It was when he had seemingly completely ignored Zhu's suppression.

Despite having such a huge advantage, they still couldn't defeat Zhu Wushi in the end.

This kind of failure is the key to Cao Zhengchun's true emotional fluctuations.

Unwilling!

He was extremely unwilling!
He had already seized such a good opportunity, and even imprisoned Zhu Wushi in the Heavenly Prison, yet he still couldn't defeat him?
The emperor's indifference meant that this defeat would not only affect this one instance, but would be a complete and utter failure.

There won't be a next time.

All the resentment in his heart would never have a chance to be released.

He was destined to lose to Zhu Wushi, and he would never be able to recover!

Cao Zhengchun gently brushed a strand of long hair in front of him.

Her long hair was completely white.

In fact, his hair had been white for several years, but Cao Zhengchun hadn't paid much attention to it in the past.

The age of martial artists far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Sixty years old is just the time to strive!

And now...

A wisp of true energy appeared in Cao Zhengchun's hand, naturally condensing into qi due to the characteristics of the Heavenly Gang Child Skill.

This aura is extremely powerful; if it were to fall on an ordinary person, it would be enough to crush them to death.

However, Cao Zhengchun was not satisfied.

Because he could sense that, compared to the past, this aura had begun to weaken.

His peak has passed.

What he will face next is an unstoppable downward spiral!

Cao Zhengchun knew that if things continued like this, in a few years he would become like the martial arts master Mu Daoren, famous throughout the world, yet never daring to fight anyone.

However, with the help of a Yellow Millet Pill, Mu Daoren broke through to the Grandmaster level, extended his lifespan, and created a new peak.

Did he have such an opportunity?

Upon returning to the Eastern Depot, Liu Xi took the initiative to greet him.

"My lord, my men have discovered the whereabouts of those spies from the Dragon Guard Manor. Should we send men to capture them?"

"Ah."

Cao Zhengchun glanced at him.

The ambition hidden beneath that respect was almost impossible to conceal.

After me, he should be the one who can succeed me as the head of the Eastern Depot.

In the past, Cao Zhengchun was never worried that Liu Xi could take his position, because he was a Three-Flower Grandmaster, while Liu Xi was only a Two-Flower Grandmaster, and he was also practicing an incomplete version of the Absorption Technique, which made it difficult for him to break through.

But what if Liu Xi didn't become stronger, but instead, I became weaker?

What will become of me then?
Cao Zhengchun found the answer in an instant.

After all, twenty years ago, he was the one who personally delivered the cup of poisoned wine to the previous governor.

(End of this chapter)