Dugong

Chapter 136: Forced into danger
"So it's Grandpa Yuan!"

Rong Gonggong's words carried a hint of jealousy, as Yuan Gonggong was a very famous figure in the palace.

The most powerful eunuchs were naturally Eunuch Hai and Eunuch An, while the second most powerful were Eunuch Yuan, Eunuch Niu, Eunuch Meng, and about a dozen other eunuchs.

Then there were more people, including Eunuch Rong.

Li Ping'an laughed and said, "My family and Eunuch Yuan have known each other since we were humble beginnings, and we have lived and eaten together for many years. It's not much to trust him even a little bit."

Although Eunuch Yuan is treacherous and ruthless, he can still be trusted to some extent when there is no conflict of interest.

Ultimately, Xiao Anzi and Xiao Yuanzi are quite similar.

"Two high-ranking eunuchs of the second rank actually emerged from a mere main room!"

Grandpa Rong clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "We've heard that the place is overcrowded, and you have to bribe people to get in. Everyone wants to ride on your good fortune."

"They only see our house, how would they know how many people died inside?"

Li Ping'an sighed, vaguely recalling when he first entered the palace, living cautiously and timidly, but without too many worries.

All he thinks about all day is eating white flour buns and saving up to buy land.

Now that we're well-fed and have money, we actually have more worries.

"Looking at Xiao Fangzi now, he's not suited to make a living in the palace..."

Li Ping'an suddenly remembered something: he still owed Xiao Fangzi a promise. If Xiao Yuanzi ever fell into trouble, he would take the opportunity to ask where the remains were buried.

Thinking of this, I lost all interest.

Back in the Empress Dowager's palace, Li Ping'an sat in a chair and pretended to sleep until dawn, when he was ready to wait for the Empress Dowager to wake up.

For the next few days, it was the same; the first thing Empress Dowager Zhou saw when she woke up was Xiao Anzi's smiling face.

"I haven't had any nightmares these past few days!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuchs and maids of Cining Palace immediately suppressed their ulterior motives. Perhaps in the Empress Dowager's eyes, even her own grandson could not compare to Eunuch An.

After serving her for half a month, Empress Dowager Zhou recovered her health, ate well, slept soundly, and was in high spirits.

Li Ping'an then arrived at the Imperial Horse Stable.

"Greetings, Admiral!"

Dozens of eunuchs, large and small, kowtowed and greeted the palace, their voices penetrating the roof beams and shaking the palace.

The young eunuchs kneeling outside the door were filled with mixed emotions. Some were excited, dreaming of being promoted by Eunuch An, while others were terrified, fearing that their identities as spies would be exposed.

Li Ping'an, dressed in a bright red official robe, sat upright in a grand chair.

Unlike when I first became an official and learned to sit like Eunuch Sun, now I sit however I feel comfortable and no longer need to imitate anyone.

"Get up."

Li Ping'an looked at the first person on his left: "Xiao Chenzi, how are the past official documents being processed?"

"Reporting to Godfather, everything has been thoroughly checked."

Xiao Chenzi took out a scroll from his sleeve and said, "I have copied down the official documents that I disagree with, and I will have my godfather review them."

The young man took the book and bowed as he handed it to him.

Li Ping'an casually flipped through a few pages; most of them were trivial matters. Occasionally, there were serious mistakes, but they were just the work of the eunuchs below, and had nothing to do with Eunuch Peng and the others.

At most, they will be punished for negligence, which is insignificant.

Li Ping'an said with a half-smile, "Little Pengzi did a good job. When we retire, you'll be the right person to take over."

Peng Gonggong looked terrified and immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Godfather, I am utterly loyal to you and have no ulterior motives!"

"Look at you, look at you. We just praised you, and you're already having all sorts of wild thoughts."

Li Ping'an closed the book. Since he had deceived his superiors, he had to allow his subordinates to deceive him as well. After all, if the water was too clear, there would be no fish.

If there are no fish left, how can we fish in the future?

Therefore, even though they knew that their subordinates were aligning and colluding, they turned a blind eye, as long as the facts were roughly correct.

A person's energy is limited; how can they possibly handle every little detail?

Even with His Majesty working tirelessly day and night, he still focuses on the major issues and lets the minor ones go. Cases that do not affect the stability of the nation are simply glossed over.

Peng Gonggong understood the implied meaning in the words and felt somewhat relieved, but he did not get up and remained kneeling in place.

Li Ping'an looked at the first person on his right: "Eunuch Xia, how is the construction of the Investigation Bureau coming along?" "It's finished, and you can go there anytime, sir."

Eunuch Xia took out a booklet from his sleeve, bowed and handed it over: "We have selected some clever and capable eunuchs to serve as clerks, scribes, and ceremonial guards. Please review it, sir."

"We trust you to handle things!"

Li Ping'an had planted many spies around Eunuch Xia. He had obtained the list of those in office as early as the Cining Palace and sent people to investigate their backgrounds one by one.

Only three eunuchs were Xia Gonggong's confidants; the others each had their own powerful backers.

Only after repeated inspections could they say "I'm at ease".

Even so, Li Ping'an was still uneasy and turned to look at Eunuch Peng: "My family mostly works in the palace, and Eunuch Peng usually oversees the Anti-Rebel Division."

A look of joy flashed in Eunuch Peng's eyes, and he kowtowed, saying, "This humble servant obeys."

Li Ping'an asked, "How's the investigation with Fuwei Escort Agency going?"

Eunuch Peng replied, "This humble servant has obtained the witnesses. We are just waiting for all the bodyguards to return to the capital so that we can capture them in one fell swoop."

The young master of the escort agency made some wild remarks after drinking, which were overheard by many people. These were usually good drinking buddies who were now boasting about some kind of chivalrous code.

Faced with the threatening interrogation by the Investigation Bureau, he betrayed the young master without hesitation, even exaggerating the truth, as if he feared that the Fuwei Escort Agency would not be completely destroyed.

Xiao Jinzi, who was investigating the case with him, stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Godfather, I have also found out that the Fuwei Escort Agency is using escorting goods as a cover to smuggle ironware to the area beyond the Great Wall."

"He truly is a traitor!"

Li Pingan tapped the table repeatedly, and the eunuchs familiar with his habits immediately knew that something big was about to happen.

"We learned a new phrase in Jiangnan, 'forced to join the Liangshan rebellion,' has anyone heard of it?"

The eunuchs looked at each other in confusion. Yue Gonggong, who was standing at the end, was the first to react. He stepped forward, kowtowed, and answered.

"In reply to your question, sir, I read about it in a storybook. The story says that Emperor Taizu was forced to rebel by corrupt officials of the previous dynasty. As for Liangshan, it is a place name in the storybook. I have checked the geographical maps of the dynasty and found no similar place names. It should be fictional."

"What Eunuch Yue said is correct."

Li Ping'an nodded slightly. Even though Eunuch Yue was just a minor official of the seventh rank, as long as he worked at the Imperial Horse Administration, he could remember him clearly.

"Then let Eunuch Yue handle this matter. Let's force the Fuwei Escort Agency to join the Liangshan bandits and solidify their crime of treason!"

"This humble servant thanks you for your guidance, sir."

Eunuch Yue couldn't hide his joy. His constant observation of the Admiral's habits had paid off; he hadn't missed a single detail.

The adults practice calligraphy, so we do too; the adults eat steamed buns, so we eat too; the adults read storybooks, so we read too.

And that's exactly the opportunity we've been waiting for!

Li Ping'an waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go back and get on with your duties. This is the first case in the Investigation Department, and it must be handled well. All departments must cooperate."

"As ordered!"

The eunuchs bowed and left the duty room. After leaving the Imperial Horse Stables, the old and young eunuchs immediately surrounded Eunuch Yue in the center.

"Old Yue, just let me know if you need anything."

“Eunuch Yue, I am at your service at any time.”

"We may not have much else here, but we have plenty of horses. If Eunuch Yue needs any for his business, he can take as many as he wants..."

Eunuch Yue had spent decades in the palace, finally managing to become a minor official. He had never experienced such a lively scene before, as if he had become a big shot.

Listening to his colleagues' flattery and praise, Eunuch Yue kept nodding in agreement. Suddenly, he noticed Eunuchs Xia, Jin, Peng, and Peng standing not far away.

He quickly squeezed through the crowd, bowed, and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Greetings, esteemed sirs. This is my first time handling such an important matter. If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me."

The four eunuchs stood casually at the door with their hands in their pockets, yet they still distinguished themselves by hierarchy. Xiao Jinzi was half a shoulder behind, while Eunuch Peng and Eunuch Peng were a little behind.

It was Eunuch Xia who answered, smiling.

"The Admiral has personally given the order, so you should do as you are told. The Three Supervisors, Six Guards, and One Division will assist you."

"Thank you, sir. I will do my utmost."

After bowing in thanks, Eunuch Yue was about to leave when he suddenly heard Eunuch Jin speak.

"When you have time, buy a few storybooks. We're always serving our godfather, yet we haven't kept up with his tastes. We really deserve to be punished and beaten!"

Eunuch Yue readily agreed, secretly planning to slip some silver notes into the storybook to avoid incurring Eunuch Jin's wrath.

(End of this chapter)