Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 42 Under the Spotlight! (5k)

"This Huang Jing is a rebellious and disobedient person who has repeatedly submitted memorials advising against the establishment of an heir. He is truly out of touch with reality!"

"I wonder if this time, things will take a turn for the better?"

One sentence, profound in meaning, caused a great stir!
The expressions of the several elders changed simultaneously, and they all looked over.

There's something wrong with the congratulatory message!
The senior officials almost immediately guessed Liu Hang's original plan.

Actually, there has always been a problem with the congratulatory message!
Huang Jing's congratulatory letter was not delayed at all.

Liu Hang's real scheme was to make Huang Jing delay submitting the congratulatory memorial before the deadline.

In this way, there was simply no time to check the congratulatory message again for any problems.

The problematic congratulatory letter, submitted by Han Zhangka in a timely manner, naturally reached the Emperor directly.

In this way, the presenter and the writer are equally guilty, and even if Han Zhang has a silver tongue, he will still suffer because of it.

Whether Han Zhang will be demoted again remains to be seen, but at least his entry into the cabinet will be delayed.

As for when it will be delayed, it could be a year, two years, or three years.
In any case, the earliest Han Zhangfang will have a chance to compete for the position of Grand Secretary will be when someone vacates the position.

Originally, this plan was considered flawless.

Huang Jing was a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, and Han Zhang was Huang Jing's superior, so Huang Jing's congratulatory letter should have been delivered to him.

Once Han Zhang presented his congratulatory memorial, he fell into their trap.

As a result, Fu Bi took Liu Hang's side and sent Liu Hang to retrieve the congratulatory letter, inadvertently thwarting Liu Hang's plan.

Liu Hang was extremely anxious.

If he becomes the last person to collect the congratulatory message, then he will become the one to present the congratulatory message.

Since there was something wrong with the congratulatory message, he became the one who suffered.

However, Liu Hang held a high position in the imperial court, so he must have been a capable person.

He suggested a solution: return 15 minutes and a half earlier.

Returning a quarter and a half minutes early forced Han Zhang to send someone to find He Biao again, thus removing the identity of "the last person to find He Biao".

By this point, he had calmly extricated himself, broken Fu Bila's bias, and forced Han Zhang to make another choice, throwing the difficult problem back to Han Zhang.

Han Zhang was also capable and provided a corresponding solution.

In other words, either find the congratulatory message and bring it back on time, or simply fail to find it and completely nail Huang Jing to the spot.

In other words, from Han Zhang's perspective, the worst outcome for him would be that he couldn't find Huang Jing, that Huang Jing would take the blame, and that he himself would also bear a small part of the responsibility.

The best outcome, of course, is that Huang Jing was found and absolved of responsibility.

However, all of this is predicated on the congratulatory letter being without any problems.

In fact, the moment Han Zhang once again chose to send his own people to retrieve the congratulatory message, those people had already stepped into Liu Hang's scheme.

Originally, the plan was to implicate Han Zhang and then bring him to justice.

Unexpectedly, Fu Bi took sides, and Han Zhang was not involved.

Fortunately, as a second-best option, they dragged the top scholar into the mess.

That's not bad either!

From the moment the congratulatory message became problematic, the best solution was not to take it back.

However, Han Zhang's decision was to have people try their best to retrieve the congratulatory message!

Liu Hang straightened his clothes, looked at the surprised looks on the faces of the senior officials, and smiled calmly.

If you can't drag Han Zhang down with you, dragging the top scholar down with you is just as good.

Those who present the memorial are guilty of the same crime as those who write it!
This crime can't be erased, can it?
The top scholar went into the water; as his teacher, Han Zhang couldn't just stand by and watch him drown, could he?

If they save him, then Han Zhang will have to take responsibility.

If we don't save him, we should know that Jiang Zhao is a top scholar, not some incompetent disciple.

How cold-blooded and heartbreaking is a person who won't even save his apprentice whom he has taught since childhood!

Han Zhang glanced coldly at Liu Hang and uttered two words.

"Hard enough!"

After saying this, he closed his eyes and began to plan how to rescue her.

If all else fails, a political struggle is not out of the question.

Liu Hang's plan was an open scheme.

Huang Jing's self-disclosure of offering sacrifices must have resulted in a very embarrassing congratulatory letter, which would definitely anger the emperor.

To save lives, one must step in, take responsibility, and bear the king's wrath.

He even revealed his methods in advance.

The purpose was to notify Han Zhang and ensure his fate.

After all, if Han Zhang wasn't notified in advance, and Han Zhang instinctively tried to protect himself, there would be nothing he could do.

The Grand Chancellor and several other senior officials exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt, and they frowned inwardly.

The problem with open schemes is that even knowing what others are doing, it's still difficult to arrive at the optimal solution.

Just like this time, since Liu Hang deliberately planned and calculated the timing, Jiang Zhao will definitely be able to bring back Huang Jing's congratulatory message.

Therefore, the optimal solution would undoubtedly be for Han Zhang to be cold-blooded and refuse to participate.

The problem is that this is almost impossible to do.

How can we really not save a disciple who has been taught since childhood and is a top scholar?
Once they entered the fray, they fell into a trap.

Of course, theoretically speaking, the best solution to this problem is for the top scholar to be able to handle the official's anger and the trap set by Liu's faction of officials on his own.

In other words, the bait does not fall into the trap.

Therefore, Han Zhang naturally did not need to enter the venue.

But the question is, is it even possible?

impossible!
Let alone a top scholar, even several senior officials would rarely have any idea how to deal with it.

After all, that was an emergency; who could react in time?

Difficult, difficult, difficult!
In the turbulent world of officialdom, the most important thing is to be sharp-eyed and discerning.

Many people noticed something was off about the atmosphere at the front, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

"when!"

The hour of Mao (5-7 AM) is seven-quarters past.

"My lord, are the congratulatory messages ready?" A purple-robed eunuch walked out of the Chuigong Hall and stepped forward to ask.

That was Eunuch Li Qi, the highest-ranking eunuch in the palace.

However, this is an era for scholars, and even the emperor's close attendants, such as the Grand Eunuch in charge of ceremonies, cannot help but ask questions in a gentle and amicable manner.

“One copy is missing. The official who submitted the congratulatory memorial has fallen seriously ill, and Minister Han has already sent the newly appointed top scholar to retrieve it,” Fu Bi said without changing his expression.

From the moment Liu Hang revealed the plan, Fu Bi already knew that his responsibility was not significant.

As the head of all officials, once Jiang Zhao retrieves the congratulatory letter, he will have already completed the task of "fullness" of the letter.

As for the problem with the content of the congratulatory letter, the responsibility lies primarily with Jiang Zhao, who presented the letter, and Huang Jing, who wrote it.

After all, although he would check all the congratulatory messages from officials, theoretically only the emperor could view them.

As the head of all officials, he had no authority to investigate Huang Jing's congratulatory letter, so naturally he was unaware that there was a problem with Huang Jing's congratulatory letter, and therefore this matter had nothing to do with him.

At most, that's only sharing a small portion of the responsibility.

It's alright!

“The Emperor is interested in seeing this.” Li Qi hesitated. “How about we send these up first, and I’ll report the truth and send them up before the bell rings? That will be the same.”

“Alright.” Fu Bi nodded.

The officials became interested in examining the document and had no choice but to present it to the emperor.

Anyway, the bells didn't ring.

As long as it is presented before the bell tolls, it will still be "complete" and auspicious.

Li Qi stepped forward, carrying over a hundred memorials, and entered the side hall.

Time was running out, and Han Zhang's expression grew increasingly grim.

Chui Gong Hall.

The gilded dragon candlesticks burned brightly, and on the sandalwood throne adorned with dragon patterns, Zhao Zhen slowly asked, "Have they all been presented?"

“Nothing can escape His Majesty’s discerning eye. Indeed, one portion is missing.” Li Qi bowed and said, “I heard that the official was seriously ill and has already been sent to the Han residence. Minister Han has sent the newly promoted top scholar to retrieve it.”

"The top scholar!" Zhao Zhen nodded slightly: "The top scholar's strategies are practical, and he should be able to handle matters without making mistakes."

As Zhao Zhen spoke, he slowly began to flip through the pages.

After quickly flipping through several documents, Zhao Zhen's heart stirred. He glanced at the names of the officials who had submitted the memorials and couldn't help but ask, "Where is Huang Jing's congratulatory memorial?"

These days, the civil and military officials tacitly stopped advising him to establish an heir. He finally had a moment of peace, but then a clerk from the Ministry of Rites, who was obsessed with becoming famous and outstanding, appeared out of nowhere, which disgusted him greatly.

He wanted to see what kind of congratulatory memorial this official, who was full of talk about benevolence and righteousness and whose every word revolved around establishing an heir, would submit.

"You just said that an official is seriously ill? What about Huang Jing's congratulatory message?" Zhao Zhen asked casually.

"This..." Li Qi was startled and quickly shifted the blame: "This servant has no idea why Huang Jing's congratulatory message was not presented. It was all said by the Grand Chancellor."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand dismissively: "It's almost the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). Summon all officials to the palace!"

"Yes!"

"Summon all officials to the palace!"

As soon as the order was given, all the civil and military officials entered the Chui Gong Hall. Several Grand Secretaries looked at each other and gazed at each other.

To be honest, apart from Liu Hang and Fu Bi, none of the Grand Secretaries wanted such a congratulatory letter to appear.

The content of the congratulatory message was obvious; it was nothing more than the issue of adopting a member of the imperial family.

The content of this congratulatory letter must have been quite good, otherwise it would have been aimed at confiscating the property and exterminating the entire family.

It's just that it appeared at an inopportune time.

Of course, being out of step with the times is the biggest problem.

On such a joyous occasion as a birthday celebration, the appearance of such a congratulatory letter is undoubtedly somewhat of a mood killer.

If this congratulatory letter is not presented, the situation will not be "complete," and the Emperor will be displeased.

If that happens, the officials will be even more displeased.

"Is one of the congratulatory letters missing?" Zhao Zhen asked.

This was one of the few times he held a birthday celebration, hoping to bring good fortune and that Heaven would have mercy on him and give birth to a son to inherit the throne.

The basic condition for a word "complete" is indispensable.

"Your Majesty, the top scholar has already gone to fetch it, and it should be ready soon," Fu Bi replied helplessly.

Zhao Zhen nodded: "As long as it doesn't delay the auspicious time." Time passed by, minute by minute.

The sound of Zhao Zhen gently turning the pages of the congratulatory memorial was so loud that no one dared to relax for a moment.

Missing the auspicious time would be a huge mistake.

At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), just as the bell was about to ring, a man strode into the hall.

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations have arrived!"

Jiang Zhao ran into the main hall, panting.

"Ah, a congratulatory letter!" Upon seeing this, Li Qi strode forward, took the congratulatory letter, and slid to his knees, directly before the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Huang Jing's congratulatory letter is also presented!"

"when!"

Less than ten breaths after the congratulatory memorial was presented, the bell rang.

"It's on time, that's for sure." Zhao Zhen nodded in satisfaction.

Being on time is a good thing!

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen casually picked up the newly presented congratulatory letter and calmly tore open the envelope.

Upon looking at him, his pupils dilated slightly, and his relaxed expression turned serious.

"Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, yet the Book of Changes says: 'A sudden illness should not be treated with medicine, for it may bring joy.'"

Advise and establish heirs!

Zhao Zhen's face darkened.

Birthday greetings are governed by strict rules and regulations, with specific guidelines for the beginning, main content, and ending.

This one.
Zhao Zhen's good mood vanished by seven-tenths in an instant.

His heart sank, yet he was irresistibly drawn in, and forced himself to read what it contained.

I looked down and glanced at it a few more times.

"Snapped!"

Huang Jing, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, had his congratulatory letter thrown violently into the air.

"In the past, Emperor Zhao of Han had no heir and chose Changyi as his fief, which was truly a blessing for the ancestral temple—" Emperor Renzong staggered to his feet, his twelve-tasseled crown and beaded curtain trembling wildly like a sudden rain.

"What a blessing for the ancestral temple!"

"I am still on the throne, are you all in such a hurry to find a [King of Changyi] for the Great Zhou?"

During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhao died without an heir. The King of Changyi, a member of the imperial clan, was supported by Huo Guang and enthroned as emperor.

When the usually benevolent emperor became enraged, all the officials in the palace prostrated themselves in fear, and even the Grand Chancellor Fu Bi was terrified.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"Your Majesty's words are truly piercing! Your Majesty is the head of the clan, and we ministers would never dare to harbor such thoughts!"

The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong emerged one after the other, their eyes filled with horror.

They are representative figures of the imperial family.

Both of them trembled with fear and unease.

The Emperor's words were truly malicious. These two were the most prestigious and powerful princes in Bianjing, and these words were clearly directed at them.

“They’ve rebelled!” Zhao Zhen said, enunciating each word clearly.

The dragon roared, and the hall fell silent!

The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong both prostrated themselves, not daring to make the slightest move.

Zhao Zhen was truly enraged.

On the one hand, it would be extremely disheartening to submit a memorial about establishing an heir on a joyous occasion like a birthday celebration.

On the other hand, the phrase "Emperor Zhao of Han had no heir and chose Changyi" really put him in a bad position.

As a monarch, he was well aware of the dangers of a monarch having no sons.

With each new emperor comes a new court, and he understood the fact that his ministers favored the King of Yan and the King of Yong.

However, knowing and understanding are one thing, but saying it bluntly is another.

The fact that He Biao said something like this was really too much for people to handle.

Zhao Zhen felt that his imperial power had been challenged!

"Li Qi!"

"This servant is here!" Li Qi immediately knelt down.

"Grasp!"

"Grab this man, don't let him get away!"

The roar echoed throughout the hall.

The emperor was angry and laid down millions of corpses.

Upon hearing this angry roar, all the civil and military officials instinctively bowed their heads and kowtowed.

It was truly terrifying when a benevolent king, who had been merciful for decades, suddenly became enraged.

On the throne, Zhao Zhen was so enraged that he could hardly sit still and quickly braced himself with one hand on the desk.

As an official, a being at the pinnacle of power, no matter how benevolent he may be on ordinary days, he still possesses an inviolable dignity and would never allow himself to show any disrespect.

"Hmph hmph hmph!" Zhao Zhen looked at the bowing civil and military officials and laughed angrily, "I know that the people of the world have been waiting for a long time, just for someone like this to come out and scold me, force me to abdicate, and unite as one, colluding with the outside world, is that it?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it sent shivers down one's spine.

In fact, Zhao Zhen was undoubtedly a first-rate benevolent ruler.

He may be kind and gentle, but when he really gets serious, he can be incredibly ruthless.

Thirty years ago, this man fought for power and dismissed countless ministers of the Six Ministries and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Twenty years ago, Han Zhang's "memorial dismissing four prime ministers" was also written by this man.

After all, without the emperor's intervention, a single memorial wouldn't even make the four Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet frown.

Twelve years ago, the four cabinet ministers who were in charge of the new policies were all dismissed.

A benevolent ruler is indeed a benevolent ruler, but that doesn't mean that Zhao Zhen wasn't ruthless when he wanted to be.

How could a subject not be afraid when an emperor who has ruled for more than thirty years is enraged?

"Your Majesty's words are truly piercing!" Grand Chancellor Fu Bi quickly pledged his loyalty: "Throughout history, a monarch without an heir has always been a major event that destabilizes the state, and it is understandable that the people are worried."

"However, no matter how concerned the people are about the country, they would never dare to tamper with the congratulatory memorial!"

Zhao Zhen did not speak, but waved his hand to signal Fu Bi to leave.

As a monarch who had experienced many political struggles, he had his own judgment.

Zhao Zhen quietly glanced at the civil and military officials, his gaze repeatedly passing over the Prince of Yan, the Prince of Yong, Han Zhang, and Liu Hang.

The Chuigong Hall was completely silent.

After a long while, Zhao Zhen withdrew his gaze.

The person who finally presented the congratulatory message appeared to be Han Zhang's disciple!
"Li Qi, what do you think?" Zhao Zhen didn't ask about the newly appointed top scholar, but instead looked at the eunuch.

At this moment, he was filled with doubt and trusted no one.

“This servant believes that someone is behind this,” Li Qi said.

Zhao Zhen stared at the chief eunuch Li Qi: "Then tell me, who instructed Huang Jing?"

If any of the civil and military officials cannot give a satisfactory answer to this matter, he might consider launching another major purge.

Now, all he has to do is see if he can find the real culprit.

“No one instructed Huang Jing,” Li Qi quickly replied.

As the emperor's eunuch, his job was to present his objective testimony.

"Who instructed Huang Jing?" Zhao Zhen asked again.

He doesn't trust anyone right now, but he wants results.

The congratulatory message arrived so suddenly that he knew nothing about it.

He needs people to constantly stand up and confront him in order to extract information.

Even if it means wronging some people, I'm willing to do it!

The monarchical power is utterly unacceptable when challenged.

"This servant does not know that anyone instructed Huang Jing!" Li Qi hurriedly stated the facts while clearing himself of any wrongdoing: "This servant went out to get the congratulatory letter, but Master Fu said that one was missing and had already sent the top scholar to get it."

At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the Emperor sent me out to urge the scholar to submit his congratulatory letter. Just then, the top scholar returned with the letter, and I immediately presented it to him without the slightest delay.

"Tell me who is behind this, and I will pardon you!"

As a monarch, Zhao Zhen had his own judgment, but at this moment all he wanted was the result.

Such a loud conversation was clearly audible to all the civil and military officials.

Everyone knows that the officials' suspicions will only intensify, not diminish.

The emperor didn't have time to find any evidence; what he wanted was the murderer and to uphold the emperor's authority.

Someone has to step forward now, otherwise it could lead to the eunuchs making baseless accusations.

If eunuchs try to frame someone, it could really lead to a major disaster.

Many officials were terrified and prostrated themselves, not daring to make the slightest move.

Even high-ranking officials in purple robes of the third rank trembled all over.

Such a scene is extremely rare.

The last time the emperor was truly enraged was probably twenty years ago!
The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet exchanged glances, their faces grave.

Breathe!
Two breaths!

Three breaths!

Zhao Zhen's patience was about to run out.

Han Zhang had already taken one step forward.

At this critical moment, a figure from the last position stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, have a memorial to present!"

In the Chui Gong Hall, only one person's clear voice resonated throughout the hall!

All the civil and military officials turned around, and the emperor's gaze remained fixed on them!
Jiang Zhao, the Jiang Lang of Huaizuo!
……

(End of this chapter)