My father Zhao Kuangyin

Zhao Dezhao had no intention of asking how much evidence there was; the more complicated the matter and the more difficult the scheme, the harder it would be to clean up the mess.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Zhao Dezhao maintained a calm demeanor until he reached the Prime Minister's residence, at which point he dropped his disguise and hurried to the courtyard.

At this time, the Grand Secretary of the Song Dynasty was also very worried. He paced back and forth in his own garden. When he saw Erlang arrive, he felt a little relieved.

"Kaifeng Prefecture will never let this old man have peace."

Zhao Dezhao bowed and said with a focused gaze:

"The one who tied the knot must untie it. The most urgent thing is for you, sir, to personally summon Lei Youlin and have a heart-to-heart talk with him."

Just then, Secretary Wang Dong was standing nearby, looking extremely ashamed.

"My lord has been keeping a close watch on the officials of Kaifeng Prefecture lately, but I never expected that I would still fall behind. I also never expected that a neighbor would harbor a grudge against my lord for three years..."

"This is not the time to discuss guilt, Secretary Wang, please don't feel guilty," Zhao Dezhao said, trying to comfort him.

"I...I have failed my husband, and I have failed Brother Shanxing..."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Erlang's words caused the gray-haired, gray-bearded seventh-rank official to choke up.

No one cared whether he was acting or genuinely expressing his feelings.

"Where are Lei's neighbors? Has any official gone to invite them?" Zhao Dezhao asked again.

"He was at home this morning, but now... his whereabouts are unknown."

The one who answered him was Liu Wei, a private advisor without any official position. His eyes were now dull and lifeless, just like Hu Zan's fear back then.

In fact, what the people committed was not a very serious crime, but it depends on the circumstances.

The officials are so sensitive to corruption and bribery that they even posted the sixteen-character mantra, which is a sign of their concern at this critical juncture... or rather, as long as the officials are in power, even minor mistakes will be severely punished.

Even if the crime doesn't warrant death or implicate relatives, it's enough to ruin their family and the majority of their "hard work" in life.

It's the same old story: we don't care about right or wrong, we only care about who's behind it.

There were quite a few loose ends uncovered in Kaifeng Prefecture. Zhao Guangyi used a feint, first feigning weakness and appeasement, then secretly pulled this stunt, which was truly difficult to guard against.

Of course, a person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear, and the fact that Zhao Xianggong had many hidden dangers was one of the main reasons.

Don't say it's just making false accusations and framing people. His old father isn't stupid. How could he not tell the truth from the falsehood?

Just like the witchcraft scandal, this approach would never have worked on Zhao Kuangyin.

What works now is the consistent path of the two parties' struggle: exposing each other's secrets and speaking with evidence.

In such cases, the official's anger should actually be described as "joyful anger."

This should be considered healthy competition, eliminating pests and clearing nests, clearing away landmines for the foundation of the Song Dynasty.

"My lord."

Thinking it over, Zhao Dezhao gestured to Zhao Pu, requesting a private meeting.

Zhao Pu hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse. He then left seven or eight of his personal officials behind and led him to the side hall.

After the servants brewed the tea, they all left the room, leaving only the old man and the young man.

Zhao Dezhao raised his cup, took a sip, and asked first, "Does my lord have a solution?"

In this private place, Zhao Pu stroked his beard in thought, his expression once again displaying the stern and imposing demeanor of a prime minister.

"I did have a plan before I discussed it with you, but as for the Emperor... it's really hard to say."

"What's troubling you, my lord?"

Zhao Pu paused for a moment, then asked, "Is Your Majesty fully aware of the assassination of Ma Shi?"

Even if Father knows the truth, he will just consider it as the two of them, one openly and one secretly, fighting each other.

Zhao Pu nodded, neither denying it.

"If I were to kill Lei Youlin and then plead guilty before the Emperor, would that be a satisfactory solution?"

Zhao Dezhao initially thought it was a joke, but then... he fell into deep thought.

To say that this is the first level would be to wrong Lord Zhao.

Why?

First Li Shouxin and Ma Shi, and then Lei Youlin appeared. If all three of them were killed by assassins sent by Zhao Pu, it would be too irrational and too obvious.

In the parody, this is called the collapse of a "persona". No one believes the surface that floats on the water, and most people will speculate about what lies beneath.

It must be understood that this is not just any ordinary minister; this is the Grand Secretary who has held absolute power in the central government for ten years. Is it reasonable for him to act like a child when dealing with matters?

If this is illogical, what is the truth? Who did it?

That's so hard to guess.

In fact, the entire court could not find a second person. Apart from his third uncle, who else could it be?

Therefore, when Zhao Pu acted out his role, he cried when he was deeply moved, and listed his merits. This allowed him to shift the blame onto Kaifeng Prefecture, fabricate evidence of false accusation, and turn the tables on them.

The frustrating thing is that all these schemes are based on the premise that the officials cannot find out about them.

Honestly, if it weren't for Emperor Taizu of Song holding the fort, and instead a mediocre ruler had taken the throne, it would have escalated into a major disaster like the Party Proscription long ago.

The difficulty of this strategy lies in convincing the officials of the fabricated evidence that the Kaifeng Prefecture had used to frame them.

"Your plan is ingenious, but can so much evidence truly be concealed so easily?"

"I am worried about this," Zhao Pu sighed and slowly said, "Let alone Hu Zan, Wang Dong treats Lei Youlin like his own son and keeps his mouth shut. According to his recollection, at least a dozen officials in my Prime Minister's residence are about to be convicted. These incriminating pieces of evidence are now in Zhao Guangyi's hands and cannot withstand a thorough investigation."

Whether it's destroying the archives in the secret archives or silencing witnesses, too many people will be implicated. Once it starts, there's no going back, and we'll end up in a passive position.

This is like needing countless lies to cover up one lie.

And this first lie should have been told by Zhao Dezhao himself.

"Sun Chengyou presented seafood first, and this time, Your Majesty... alas." Zhao Pu said awkwardly, "Things shouldn't happen more than three times. If you, my lord, have no brilliant plan, then..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Dezhao frowned and interrupted, "Does my husband know that I am a jinx?"

Zhao Pu paused, thinking he was about to decline, and said with a wry smile, "July, the day of Xin-You."

"If Lei Youlin were to disappear and then return, and even report this to the magistrate, on what day would it be considered a good deed?"

Zhao Pu was taken aback and said, "That's... impossible. Guangyi is, after all, your uncle. On this auspicious day..."

Hearing this, Zhao Dezhao almost burst out laughing in anger.

If his third uncle cared about his nephew Liang Shi, why would he deliberately cause trouble at this time and protect Zang Na Lei You Lin?

Emperor Taizong's virtue was higher than the heavens; the current Prime Minister Zhao was underestimated.

Perhaps sensing something amiss, Zhao Pu couldn't help but ask, "What benefit would there be in choosing your auspicious day?"

"The wedding ceremony will be held outside the palace. My father needs to enter the Prime Minister's residence to receive the ceremony. This is a matter of etiquette. All the high officials will be present, as will my father and my third uncle..." Zhao Dezhao said without hesitation, "My father knows that my father has abstained from alcohol for a long time. How can he tolerate drinking at the wedding ceremony? At that time, when my father is in high spirits, Lei Youlin will report him for his crime. Although it is disobedient, since he has already risked his life to serve my third uncle, why would he care about his life?"

Zhao Dezhao did not believe that Lei Youlin was also a fool who did not know the disadvantages of seeking refuge in Kaifeng Prefecture.

This undoubtedly shows a willingness to stand against the Prime Minister's residence regardless of life or death, showing no regard for personal safety.

In other words, the honest man, already short-tempered, became even more irritable because of his uncle's little fuss...

"I'm afraid that Lei Youlin will act impulsively and disregard his own feelings, as well as the depths of this factional strife, and will drag you into it even at the cost of his life."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Pu was stunned, and his beard trembled slightly with his fingertips.

Wouldn't it be incredibly beneficial to exchange one down-on-his-luck scholar who repeatedly fails the imperial examinations for one prime minister?

Once Zhao Pu falls from power, Zhao Dezhao, though not entirely wiped out, will inevitably be in a more passive position.

Furthermore, if Zhao Dezhao were to try to curry favor with the two ministers, Xue and Shen, he would be completely unsuitable for internal power struggles.

Furthermore, if Zhao Dezhao were to "establish his own" faction and make decisions on his own, would he be able to withstand Zhao Guangyi's attacks?

It's only been a few months since China joined the WTO. This is truly wishful thinking.

One must take things one step at a time. Without Zhao Pu protecting and supporting him, his desire for independence is nothing but empty talk.

Finally, seeing that Zhao Pu was greatly frightened, Zhao Dezhao calmed down and said in a composed manner.

"My lord, please hear me out..."