My father Zhao Kuangyin

As Grand Tutor Wang had predicted, Zhao, the envoy, exchanged pleasantries with Grand Tutor Wang for a few moments before leaving the main hall and heading towards the more private study.

As the door creaked shut, a small opening at the fingertip was revealed among the floral embroidery on the window frame.

"Ah Lang, can you please tell us frankly, who is behind this case?"

"If I say he is my uncle, would you believe me?"

Now that things had come to this, Zhao Dezhao had no reason to hide anything. He quietly embellished the story of Li and Ma's deaths, leaving Old Man Wang both shocked and astonished. It took him a long time to recover and sort out his thoughts.

Because the two were whispering so softly, Wang Zhaoyun simply pressed her ear against the window and listened intently with a furrowed brow.

"What about Zeping? Can he just sit idly by?" Wang Pu asked in great surprise.

"Let Yue Gong know that on that day in the Chuigong Hall, Father was determined to crack down on corruption. Now, most of the central officials are just sitting idly by. If you want to find fault, Uncle, there are plenty of opportunities everywhere. It will be difficult to investigate them."

At this point, Zhao Dezhao sighed bitterly, "It's not a problem if it's not weighed, but once it's weighed, things will turn upside down. Minister Zhao has cultivated his cronies for many years, and he can't escape the blame."

"I told him years ago, 'One who holds the highest position for a time cannot hold it forever.'" Wang Pu sighed and shook his head, saying, "Now look what's happened. He's become too powerful to manage properly, and he's hindered by others at every turn. People like Shunyi (Shen) and Duoxun have suffered for a long time, but now they are in danger of being overthrown. Isn't this just reaping what they sowed?"

"That's true, but... I still hope that Lord Yue can lend a hand."

At this point, Zhao Dezhao no longer cared about saving face. The two Grand Tutors were somewhat embarrassed when they heard Yue Gong address him several times.

"Then tell me, my lord, how can I, as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, help him?" Wang Pu said with a wry smile.

If it were true that he was the current Privy Councilor and Minister of State, and could persuade Shen Yilun to temporarily cooperate with Zhao Pu in order to support Zhao Dezhao's entry into the Eastern Palace, then it would be understandable.

Unfortunately, this rank of official was merely nominal; all it offered was a life of privilege and preferential treatment.

Besides that, there's the matter of reputation and the personal connections gained over the years in recommending officials, both inside and outside the government.

This was Wang Pu's only bargaining chip. He knew without much thought that Zhao Dezhao had come for the latter.

"When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. In the court and among the people, there are many officials who have been advised by Lord Yue. If Prime Minister Zhao encounters trouble a second time, we hope that Lord Yue can plead for you on your behalf, just as he did back then regarding the matter of smuggling timber..."

Wang Pu earnestly replied, "I have mentored many young people, but... they also find Zeping domineering. A letter or words are not necessarily useful."

The fact that Zhao Pu held absolute power meant that he monopolized power. Anyone with real ability and the potential to become prime minister would be disgusted with him.

Forget pleading for leniency, just being spared from joining the impeachment campaign would be a blessing, okay?

The situation is already serious enough, and the margin for error is extremely low.

As for Prefect Zhao, who was opposed to Prime Minister Zhao, he was not exactly popular, but at least he had no bad deeds and would not hinder the ministers' path to advancement.

"My father's efforts to combat corruption extend far beyond the central government."

Hesitating for a moment, Zhao Dezhao changed the subject, which made Wang Pu's mind race.

"Oh?"

"I mean, there are over a thousand officials in Kaifeng, the most prominent being the Secretariat and Chancellery, followed by the various ministries and departments, and even the Kaifeng Prefecture." Zhao Dezhao said solemnly, "Does Uncle truly handle every detail without any oversight?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Pu actually nodded silently.

Zhao Dezhao was speechless.

"Minor scuffles are of no use. Even if you fabricate evidence and find one or two insignificant facts, you won't fool the emperor. Instead, you'll be accused of deceiving the emperor."

This is similar to prosecutors; they must have solid evidence to take action. If someone is only a suspect, they usually won't easily arrest them.

Moreover, he is his own third brother, and the cost of bringing him down is immeasurable. It's best to just think about it; it's absolutely impossible to do so at present.

This was precisely what Wang Pu was worried about: Zhao Pu was in danger, but Zhao Guangyi was unharmed.

"For now, don't think about dealing with your third uncle. Protect Zeping first, and we can deal with him slowly later."

Upon hearing Wang Pu's mature words, Zhao Dezhao nodded and said, "That would be best. I imagine you have a plan, sir. I've come here to reassure you."

"What reassurance do you have?"

"Yue Gong kept his promise."

"Is it because of the marriage?"

Having said this, Zhao Dezhao revealed his true feelings, saying:

"Regarding the marriage... to avoid implicating Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, we can postpone it for now. What I ask is that when the Prince is in danger, he will speak up for my husband and protect him, so that he won't fall from grace and be smashed to pieces."

Wang Pu bluntly stated, "If Zeping is dismissed as prime minister, Xue Ziping and Shen Shunyi have a chance to be promoted. They know the importance of things and may very well support the young master. Although this statement is somewhat inaccurate regarding Zeping's character, when necessary, the young master should make a decisive decision..."

Zhao Dezhao remained noncommittal: "I understand Lord Yue's intentions."

Upon hearing this, Wang Pu sighed again.

"My promise alone may not be enough..."

"With the Grand Tutor's promise, there will naturally be a second and a third. If it can keep the Prime Minister at ease and prevent him from losing his composure, it is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

In the end, Wang Pu finally compromised and gave Zhao Dezhao a verbal promise.

As the conversation drew to a close, the door creaked open and closed again, one ear still pressed against the window, the expression shifting several times until finally, a blush settled on the fair cheek.

Whether the young Grand Tutor blushed because he had overheard some important secret, or because Zhao Erlang kept calling him "Lord Yue," remains unknown.

………………

After leaving the Prince's residence, Zhao Dezhao barely had time to catch his breath before taking advantage of the lunch visit to rush to the Prime Minister's residence.

The person who led Zhao Dezhao out was Secretary Hu Zan.

The official in charge of the prime minister's affairs looked just as pale as Ma Shi, who was pacing back and forth outside the Dali Temple.

He was not only frowning and looking miserable, but he also walked with a weak and listless gait, his legs trembling slightly, as if he were terrified that the officials of the Court of Judicial Review would suddenly burst into the Prime Minister's residence and arrest him.

"My lord, the prime minister is having his meal. Has this servant asked him if he has finished eating?"

"Not yet, let's eat together, my lord."

Hu Zan was just being polite, trying to make Zhao Dezhao wait a bit, but he didn't expect the latter to be so impulsive...

"That's how it is, my lord, please have your meal..."

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Dezhao ignored everything and asked loudly from outside the hall.

"Even now, does my husband still intend to eat alone?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Zan was immediately terrified.

Shortly after, Zhao Pu came out in person, glared at Hu Zan with a frown, and sighed as he led Zhao Dezhao into the dining hall.

As he sat down in a few steps, he was still sighing.

"When Yao Shu entered the Prime Minister's residence in the past, the servants did not recognize him, which caused a rift between them. Now that you are in the hall, the clerk is in the same situation. I am in such a predicament today... truly."

"My lord, it's not too late now."

"Yes, it's not too late, let's eat first."

Zhao Pu smiled wryly, and instead of eating at a separate table with Zhao Dezhao, he ate at the same table with him, his wife He Shi, his eldest son Zhao Chengzong, and others.

This weight is enough to show how much the master values ​​him.

Of course, it was his grandfather who said that Zhao Pu should be regarded as a relative, and his father also regarded him as a meritorious official who helped him advance in rank.

After the meal, Zhao Pu learned that Zhao Dezhao had just come from Wang Pu's place, so he led him into the study to talk.

As soon as they sat down, he asked eagerly.

"What insightful views does Qi Wu have?"

"Yue Gong has no great insight; he only said he was willing to speak on behalf of the Prime Minister regarding the matter of the timber from that year."

"Ugh."

Zhao Pu stroked his beard, his brow furrowed with worry, and pressed closer to Hu Zan.

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao felt somewhat indignant.

"Does my lord not understand the principle of cutting off one's tail to save one's life?"

"How could I not know that factional strife is all about power? If I were to expose all my cronies and subordinates, the crumbling wall would collapse as swiftly as a flood..."

Zhao Dezhao slowly said, "Then your cronies are spread throughout Kaifeng?"

"It's just the central government; I haven't even gotten involved with the three departments. As for the Li Shouxin case... it's really hard to guard against a sneak attack."

"Among the officials in various departments, there must be some who are corrupt. Why don't you follow your uncle's example and report some unrelated people?"

"But yes, I was just discussing this matter with Zan and Secretary Wang, to review all the departments and offices, so that His Majesty wouldn't only focus on the Secretariat and Chancellery."

This method is not particularly clever; it merely shifts the blame or finds some accomplices to act as scapegoats.

"If you wish to retain your position as prime minister, the only option now is to back down."

"How to retreat, and to where to retreat?"

"Xue was promoted to the position of Co-Chancellor, making him a joint chancellor with the Duke."

Zhao Pu was taken aback, and after a moment he was in a real dilemma.

"Besides Lord Xue, there is also Minister Shen. Would you rather share the position of Minister with the former, or with the latter?"

"Let me think about it some more."

"My uncle is currently unable to move, and my father is wary of your abuse of power and protection of your subordinates. However, if you share power and take the opportunity to arrest some corrupt officials from other departments, you can atone for your mistakes and secure your position as prime minister."

Zhao Dezhao spoke with such conviction that Zhao Pu was deeply moved.

Finally, Zhao Dezhao sighed.

"As long as the position remains, there is still room for maneuver. If you gamble that your father won't dismiss you if you do nothing, why not take a chance and hope that your 'reformed' character can change your father's mind?"

Are officials really only responsive to gentle persuasion and not to force?

Does this mean he should humble himself and plead his case again?

The prime minister pondered for a long time over the sake of his official robes and sash.

In the end, all he could do was sigh helplessly and reluctantly agree.