National Division

Chapter 73 So-called... good turning evil!
Shen Residence, Flower Hall

The Shen clan members who were discussing matters in the hall were all taken aback upon hearing this.

Shen Xian said, "Second Grandfather is back. Let's go greet him."

As he spoke, he went to greet them first.

Han Yi looked at the young man in blue and thought to himself, "Could it be that the Shen family of Lanxi has offended a cruel official? I wonder if Scholar Shen can withstand the attacks of those vicious dogs from the Dali Temple."

Actually, he was secretly worried.

Gritting his teeth, he took a step and followed.

Shen Xian noticed that Han Yi was with them and thought to himself, "This young man is quite useful."

I had originally intended to send Han Yi away from the Shen residence, since it involved family matters and it was not appropriate to involve outsiders.

But since he was new to the capital and had no close associates, he decided to give Han Yi a boost.

This is also a test; only those who are perceptive and discreet can become qualified secretaries to leaders.

Shen Zheng also suddenly woke up and got up, saying, "Let's go greet Father first."

Then Shen Zhai and Shen Qian and the others also came out of the hall.

The oxcart stopped in front of the Shen residence, and an elderly man with gray hair got off the oxcart with the help of the steward.

The man was seven feet tall, with a stern and imposing figure. Accompanied by his steward, he ascended the steps.

The servants who had been sitting on the benches outside the door came forward one after another, some leading the horses, others unloading the carts.

Before long, Shen Lin and his group arrived at the ceremonial gate.

At this moment, Shen Xian, along with Shen Zheng, Shen Zhai, Shen Qian, and others, surged forward in a dark mass and stood still.

Shen Lin's aged gaze swept over the group of people, first landing on Shen Zheng's face, and he called out, "Boyan."

Then, the light fell on Shen Qian's face, and it was said, "Zhong Cheng has come too."

Shen Zheng quickened his pace and called out, "Father."

As she spoke, she took Shen Lin's arm and lowered her voice, saying, "Father, something has just happened at home."

Shen Lin's face remained calm and composed as he said, "Let's talk in the hall."

A short while later, accompanied by Shen Zheng, they walked towards the hall under the wooden plaque inscribed with the four characters "棠棣同馨".

The guests and hosts took their seats, and servants served several cups of fragrant tea before slowly retreating to the outside of the hall.

Shen Lin picked up the teacup, took a small sip of Lushan Yunwu tea, and felt a fragrant aroma fill his mouth, instantly dispelling his fatigue. He asked, "Speak, what is it?"

Shen Zhai said, "Father, a familiar criminal officer from the Dali Temple told me that the blind girl from the Yu family has escaped from the capital, and the criminal officers from the Dali Temple have already gone to Guhe County to arrest her."

Shen Lin's old eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the Shen brothers, Shen Zhai and Shen Zheng, then at Shen Qian, and asked, "How did you brothers come up with this plan?"

Shen Zhengdao: "Fourth brother's idea is to have second brother ride a fast horse to Guhe County, arrest the Yu family, and send them to the imperial court."

Shen Zhai was the fourth in the clan, Shen Qian was the second, and Shen Bin was the third.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lin angrily retorted, "Nonsense!"

The teacup was placed heavily on the coffee table.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng looked embarrassed.

Shen Zhai said urgently, "Father, if the people from the Dali Temple follow the clues and implicate our Shen family, it will be a terrible disaster."

"What kind of situation is this, where every whisper of wind and every rustle of grass seems like an enemy soldier?" Shen Lin's face darkened as he rebuked.

Watching this scene, Shen Xian thought to himself, "This second uncle of the Shen family has, after all, experienced the ups and downs of officialdom during the Zhenyuan and Hongxi reigns, and his ability to maintain composure is first-rate."

“My nephew just said that the blind girl from the Yu family is in the Shen family residence in Guhe County,” Shen Zhai said.

Shen Lin, his aged gaze falling upon Shen Xian at the head of the table, composed himself and asked, "Mu Zhi, how did you and your father handle this?"

Clearly, the old man had a good memory and recognized Shen Xian.

Shen Xian said, "Reporting to Uncle, Father is also in a dilemma. Without integrity, there is no foundation. Since we made a marriage agreement back then, we should keep our promise. How can we go back on our word?"

Shen Lin paused for a moment, then said, "But the Yu family girl is blind. The marriage agreement was ultimately hasty."

Shen Xian said, "Precisely because she is a blind woman, we should not kick her when she is down. Wouldn't the reputation of the Shen family of Lanxi, known for its loyalty, integrity, and propriety, be ruined in an instant?"

The good thing is that she was blind; even if the Empress knew, she would still praise her as a person of integrity.

Does a mature monarch want the loyalty of petty people or the loyalty of virtuous people?

Moreover, is he a virtuous man with the talent to govern the world?
This question is not difficult to answer. Unless a gentleman only knows how to seek fame by being honest, and then dares to speak frankly and offend others, and is not employed by me, then I will dismiss him, expel him, or kill him!
Just like Wu Zetian in a parallel universe, who tried her best with a thoroughbred horse but found it useless, she then killed it with a dagger.

Petty people are meant to be dogs, while virtuous people are meant to be retainers. Since they are willing to sincerely assist you, how can you be bullied or humiliated?
If you can't even grasp this basic art of ruling, how can you expect to be a strategist?

In officialdom, one must uphold righteousness and be flexible in adapting to circumstances; in other words, the righteous can be used to quell evil!
Upon hearing this, Shen Lin looked at the righteous and awe-inspiring young man and was momentarily speechless.

The old man couldn't understand why the boy he remembered was so fearless and dignified.

“If they were rebels, then even if we were to kill our own family for the greater good, it would be justifiable. But she is just a blind girl, all alone, and she did not participate in the treason.” As Shen Xian spoke, his voice suddenly rose several octaves, and he said with a firm and resounding tone, “The Shen family of Lanxi has upheld loyalty, integrity, propriety, and righteousness since the founding of the nation. How can we commit such an unjust act?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng looked ashamed.

Shen Qian praised, "Nephew is right."

Shen Zhai said angrily, "The criminal officials of the Dali Temple don't care about your loyalty and righteousness. They arrested the Yu family's daughter and will definitely frame the Shen family of Lanxi."

Shen Xian said coldly, "It's understandable that Fourth Uncle fears cruel officials like tigers, but the laws of the country are glorious and the principles of heaven are clear. How can we allow them to spout nonsense and distort the truth?"

The Court of Judicial Review doesn't concern itself with loyalty and righteousness, but the Empress Dowager does!
However, the Empress Dowager harbored hatred towards the ministers who were loyal to the Li Jing royal family, and she resented that they could not be used by her.

Do you think the Queen wants to use these city foxes and shrine rats?
It's because those gentlemen wouldn't serve the Empress Dowager. Now, suddenly, a loyal and trustworthy, unparalleled patriot has appeared, willing to serve her wholeheartedly. They'll probably be overjoyed and weep with joy.

Shen Lin sighed, clearly persuaded by Shen Xian, and said in a hoarse voice, "What Mu Zhi said is right, but the court is in turmoil, so we must act with caution."

He's old, and his family of hundreds of wives and children can't withstand this kind of hardship anymore.

He knew that what the young man in front of him was saying was something that even when the late Emperor Zhenyuan was alive, upon hearing this, he would have made Shen Xian a model of loyalty and righteousness for the whole world.

But now the Empress Dowager is ruling as regent, heavily relying on cruel officials to eliminate dissidents.

"Father!" Shen Zhai exclaimed anxiously upon seeing this.

Shen Lin waved his hand and sighed, "The Dali Temple officials will not implicate the Shen family of Lanxi. Tomorrow I will ask the Empress for permission to retire and submit a petition to plead guilty."

For the Shen family of Lanxi, loyalty, integrity, propriety, and righteousness are the foundation of their character and the legacy of their family, and these principles should not be abandoned.

As for other matters, the Shen family of Lanxi had always held important and prestigious positions, and were not involved in the central government or military affairs, so they had no connection with the treason case.

While I'm retired, I should report this matter to the authorities.

Upon seeing this, Shen Zhai said loudly, "Father, then we should separate from the Shen family of Guhe County and draw a clear line."

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was shocked.

Shen Qian's tiger-like eyes widened, a murderous aura surging across his face. He coldly shouted, "Shen Zhai, what nonsense are you spouting?"

At that time, people respected Heaven and their ancestors, and valued harmony and love among relatives. Shen Qian regarded Shen Zhai's actions as a great disgrace!
Shen Zheng stared blankly at Shen Zhai, dumbfounded, and said, "Fourth brother, what's wrong with you?"

Divide into clans? We're not even within the five degrees of kinship, what's the point of dividing into clans? If word gets out, the whole world will laugh at us.

Shen Zheng and Shen Bin share the same grandfather.

Shen Zhai's tone grew increasingly firm as he spoke: "The Shen family of Guhe harbored a criminal, which is already an accomplice. The Shen family of Lanxi cannot be buried with them!"

He had just been promoted to Imperial Censor and his future looked bright. How could he possibly get involved in such a case? He couldn't even touch it, otherwise, given the ruthlessness of the Censor, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Shen Lin frowned, his aged voice already showing anger: "What do you want to do?"

Shen Xian's expression turned strange, a half-smile playing on her lips.

Does this mean they've drawn a clear line?
“Father, the main branch and the collateral branches of the Shen family of Lanxi have long since separated, and we have had little contact with them in recent years. At that time, the Yu family sent someone to ask you to plead for them, but you did not agree. All of this was done by the Shen family of Guhe!” Shen Zhai said urgently, becoming more and more determined as he spoke.

In fact, they should have separated their clans long ago. The two brothers, Shen Qian and Shen Shu, have been low-ranking officials for many years and are both crude and uncouth. Continuing to use the name of the Shen clan of Lanxi will only bring shame and trouble to the Shen clan.

Shen Lin's expression changed slightly, and he flew into a rage, saying, "Nonsense!"

Shen Zhai, you really disappointed me. How could you say such nonsense?

Just then, a servant hurried over and said, "Sir, the people from the Dali Temple have arrived."

Shen Zhai's face turned ashen, and he said, "It's over, it's over."

After a while, several jailers dressed in black and red uniforms escorted a burly middle-aged official from the outside.

The doorman who had previously blocked Shen Xian's way didn't dare to stop him at all. He came running from the outer room in a panic, saying, "Master, the people from the Dali Temple have broken in."

The leader was Suo Yuanli, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review. He was a burly man with deep-set eyes and high cheekbones. His face was fierce, with a scar running across it. His voice was hoarse and shrill as he called out loudly, "Is Junior Supervisor Shen at his residence?"

As he spoke, he led a large group of prison guards to the front of the hall.

Surrounded by the Shen family, Shen Lin arrived under the eaves, his aged gaze fixed on the executioner opposite him.

"Junior Supervisor Shen, I am acting on Lord Zhou's orders to summon members of the Shen family and inquire about the whereabouts of the traitorous Yu family." Suo Yuanli smiled, but his smile only made him appear more sinister and vicious, like a ghost. His eyes, filled with a hint of amusement, fell on Shen Lin's face, and he asked, "Junior Supervisor Shen, may I ask who is in charge of this residence?"

(End of this chapter)