Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 162 Double Swords Become Scissors
"Uncle Gu."

In the Chen residence in Da Shi Yong Fang, Chen Qing looked at Master Gu, whom he had just summoned back from the Gu family's bookstore, and said with a smile, "Guess what good news I brought you back?"

Master Gu was in his study arranging the next installment of the Chronicles of Heroes when Chen Qing hurriedly called him back. Upon hearing Chen Qing's words, he smiled and said, "Could it be that Zizheng has been reinstated?"

"not yet."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "But it will be soon. The people from the Zhenfu Division will be returning from Huzhou soon. Once they return from Huzhou, I will probably be able to resume my original position."

"Perhaps we can move up a little further."

Chen Qingqian, formerly a centurion of the Zhenfu Division, was already a sixth-rank military officer. It was the emperor who gave him the imperial approval to promote him exceptionally.

The next rank above that is Deputy Commander of a Thousand Households, a fifth-rank official.

If it were an ordinary garrison, Chen Qing might have been able to take this position without much trouble. However, the Zhenfu Division wielded immense power, and after Chen Qing's reinstatement, he would most likely not have the opportunity to take this position.

However, his experiences during this period, as well as that gold medal, were enough to grant him a superior status in the Northern Garrison Command, far exceeding that of an ordinary centurion.

Once back at the Zhenfu Division, it wouldn't be difficult for him to actually command one or two, or even two or three, centurion units under the name of a centurion.

After all, the emperor personally accompanied Chen Qing for a part of the journey through the Zhenfu Division, a privilege that Tang Can and others did not receive. It is true that some people in the Zhenfu Division would be envious, or even harbor resentment, but there would also be a number of people who would show Chen Qing some respect.

"If it's not a return to the Garrison Command, then what other happy event could there be?"

Master Gu stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon us?"

Chen Qing had mentioned the arranged marriage to Miss Gu before. Obviously, Miss Gu had also told her father about the good news in private, but Mr. Gu was too thoughtful to say it aloud.

Chen Qing said in a daze, "Alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The person is already waiting for Uncle Gu in the main hall. Uncle Gu, come with me."

Master Gu then followed Chen Qing into the main hall, where Zhao Shilang, who had dressed himself up to look presentable, was drinking tea with his head down.

Miss Gu sat on the chair next to him, smiling and chatting with Vice Minister Zhao, reminiscing about how Master Gu had almost squandered his fortune in recent years in order to find a way to save him.

Zhao, who had been smiling, couldn't help but become serious after hearing about what had happened to Master Gu over the past few years, and let out a long sigh.

Master Gu stood frozen at the entrance of the main hall, not moving for a long time. After a while, he finally turned to look at Chen Qing, his eyes filled with confusion.

Although he didn't speak, Chen Qing understood his meaning and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, don't worry, he wasn't kidnapped from the imperial prison. His Majesty has already released Lord Zhao."

"It won't be long before Lord Zhao gets promoted another rank."

Master Gu then took a deep breath, strode into the main hall, and spoke in a trembling voice: "Elder brother!"

When Vice Minister Zhao looked up and saw Master Gu, he immediately stood up with difficulty and staggered towards Master Gu. He patted Master Gu's shoulder, his eyes also reddening.

With tears in his eyes, Master Gu said, "Now, I have finally repaid my elder brother's kindness!"

Vice Minister Zhao sighed deeply: "Back then, I experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, and I was once very successful, surrounded by countless people."

"I'm afraid you, Gu Shao, are the only one who has kept me in mind since I fell on hard times."

Seeing the two old brothers reunited, Chen Qing gave Miss Gu a wink, and Miss Gu immediately understood. She quietly walked up to Chen Qing and asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"

"Old brothers are reunited, so let's not get in the way here."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "Let's go out for a walk. Tomorrow we'll have a banquet at our residence, and we'll also rent a house for Uncle Zhao's family nearby."

Gu Pan nodded first, then said, "Da Lang is quite attentive."

Chen Qing coughed and said, "I admire Lord Zhao's integrity, and this is a rare opportunity."

"This is the future Constitutional Commissioner. Others may want to pay attention to it, but they don't even have the chance to."

…………

After several days of hard work, Chen Qing personally took care of everything and finally got the Zhao family settled back in. After the Zhao family moved into their new house in Xiaoshiyongfang, Chen Qing and the Gu family father and daughter also came to offer their congratulations.

After entering the main hall, Zhao Shilang, who had recovered, let Chen Qing sit in the main seat and then called over his only son, Zhao Cunyi. When the young master Zhao arrived, Zhao Shilang looked very serious.

"kowtow."

Without hesitation, Zhao Cunyi knelt down in front of Chen Qing and kowtowed to him. Chen Qing quickly got up and tried to help him up, but Zhao Cunyi pressed him down.

This high-ranking official, who had been trapped for three or four years, became unusually serious. He said solemnly, "It's not that we are of different generations. I should be the one kneeling on the ground right now. Zizheng, don't move. You should be able to accept these few heads."

Zhao Cunyi kowtowed three times respectfully, and Chen Qing sighed and said, "Alright, brother, get up quickly, otherwise we won't be able to associate with each other in the future." Zhao Cunyi looked at his father, and seeing his father nod, he stood up.

Zhao Mengjing said with a serious expression, "Chen Zizheng has been kind to the Zhao family. If I am no longer here, you must do everything in your power to help him, as long as he asks."

"Understand?"

When Vice Minister Zhao left the imperial prison, it changed not only his personal circumstances, but also the circumstances of the entire Zhao family.

Chen Qing waved his hand and said with a smile, "Only one person in the world can pardon someone from the imperial prison. Uncle Zhao shouldn't attribute this credit to me alone."

Zhao Mengjing shook her head slightly: "You deserve at least 50% credit for this matter."

At this point, Vice Minister Zhao waved his hand and said, "You may all go ahead. I want to have a word with Zizheng."

Soon, everyone else in the main hall left, leaving only Vice Minister Zhao and Chen Qing. Vice Minister Zhao paused for a moment before continuing, "Of the remaining 50%, I'm afraid 30% is still with Yang Yuanfu."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing exclaimed, "How did Uncle Zhao figure that out?"

"Calculating the time, it's almost time."

Zhao, the Vice Minister, lowered his head to drink his tea, and then slowly said, "Counting it up, His Majesty has been in power for more than three and a half years now, which is almost enough time for His Majesty to take control of the Capital Garrison and the Yiluan Division."

At this point, Vice Minister Zhao glanced at Chen Qing but did not continue.

Because for intelligent people, there is no need to explicitly state many things.

The emperor had spent more than three years gaining control of the military right under his nose, and naturally, he would begin to take complete control of the court's political power.

At this point, Yang Yuanfu became an obstacle. Faced with such an obstacle, it was clearly not enough to rely solely on a newbie like Chen Qing.

It would take the emergence of a qualified minister like Zhao Mengjing.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Qing briefly explained the events that had occurred recently to Vice Minister Zhao, and finally said, "I was the one who started these things, but ultimately, it was the conflict between the two Grand Secretaries that led to this situation."

"Now, although Minister Xie is temporarily in charge of the cabinet, Minister Yang is still in power. His position is likely unstable. Minister Yang insists that the court first determine that the Yang family is innocent before he will return to the cabinet."

"Things have reached a stalemate."

"That's why His Majesty took this opportunity to reinstate Uncle Zhao, probably to give that Lord Yuanfu a warning."

Zhao Mengjing stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then shook his head slightly, saying, "The cabinet is a place where one move affects the whole situation. Any struggle that comes to the surface can't possibly be a struggle between two cabinet ministers."

Chen Qing seemed to be thinking: "Uncle Zhao means the three Grand Secretaries?"

"It's all the cabinet ministers."

Zhao Shilang said softly, "There are just some things that you, Zizheng, cannot see yet."

He looked at Chen Qing and continued, "Could you give me a copy of the charges against the Yang family from the Zhenfu Division?"

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Of course, I'll compile a detailed list when I get back and send it to Uncle Zhao."

Vice Minister Zhao nodded and said, "Next month, I will go to the palace to meet the Emperor and begin my duties in the court."

He closed his eyes and slowly said, "As the Chief Censor, I will certainly cut off the wings of the Yang family for His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing smiled as well.

"It seems that the officialdom in the capital is about to undergo a violent upheaval."

Zhao Mengjing remained calm and said to Chen Qing, "I heard about your father's matter from Gu Shao. Do you need my help?"

If the Zhenfu Division was merely an invisible knife hanging over the heads of officials, then the Censorate was a gleaming knife resting on the necks of all officials.

Zhao, who is about to be appointed as the Left Censor-in-Chief, is completely outmatched by Chen Huan. If Zhao were to speak about the Chen family's affairs, Chen Huan would probably not even have the courage to utter a word.

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said with a smile, "No need to trouble yourself, the people from the Zhenfu Division who went to Huzhou will be back soon."

Young Master Chen spoke slowly.

"Soon, it will be them coming to beg me."

(End of this chapter)