Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

If Gao Qiu leaves at this critical juncture, then Lin Chong is doomed!

Oh dear, how am I supposed to explain this to my sister-in-law... Instructor Lin is my dearest friend and family member, what am I going to do!

The old steward noticed his somewhat lewd smile and asked what had happened.

Gao Zhao slapped his thigh and sighed, "My good brother Lin Chong has been framed and is now in the Kaifeng Prefecture prison. I heard he's going to be sentenced to death. I'm very worried! So I'd like to ask you, sir, to come and save him!"

The old steward, seeing the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning upwards, wasn't sure if he genuinely wanted to save the man or was trying to kick him while he was down, so he tentatively asked, "Young master, do you really want to save him?"

"Of course!" Gao Zhao exclaimed matter-of-factly, "You know Lin Chong is my good brother, of course I genuinely want to save him!"

The old steward said with some skepticism, "If you really want to save him, young master, there's no need to rush. Death is not a sentence that Kaifeng Prefecture can decide on its own. It must be reported to the Court of Judicial Review for review, and finally decided by the Ministry of Justice. That will take a long time. You can wait for the Grand Commandant to return, understand the case, and then think of a way!"

"Oh!" Gao Zhao was relieved to hear that. He decided to wait and see, since this was not something a lowly son of a minor official like himself could get involved in.

If all else fails, just send Lu Zhishen to storm the execution ground; that would be a way to give his sister-in-law some closure!

After saying goodbye to the old steward, Gao Zhao ran into Qian Bao'er on his way back to his room. Seeing her delighted expression, Gao Zhao pretended not to see her and walked away!

Hearing the maid stamping her feet in anger behind him, Gao Zhao sighed bitterly, fearing that too much affection would burden the beauty!

It's not that Qian Bao'er isn't pretty enough, but Gao Zhao is an open-minded and unconcerned person. For a narrow-minded woman like her, their values ​​are incompatible, so they can only keep their distance!

"Young Master, you're back!" Gao Yi was hanging mugwort and calamus and tying colorful silk ribbons when he saw Gao Zhao return. He was overjoyed and quickly came to greet him.

Gao Zhao returned to his room, glanced around, and casually asked, "Where are Shi Qian and the others?"

"Lu Qian has sent someone to tidy up his own house, and Shi Qian has gone to Jinming Pond to watch the dragon boat races!" Gao Yi leaned closer and said, "Those two are only thinking about their own enjoyment, unlike me, who only has my son on my mind. I'm afraid he won't be able to find me when he comes back, so I've been keeping watch here!"

Gao Zhao glanced at him and said, "Aren't you forbidden from leaving the manor because you're a servant?"

Gao Yi's face stiffened, and he quickly said, "Uh...that's not important. In short, I'm completely loyal to you, young master!"

"Oh, then go to the Kaifeng Prefecture prison and help me kidnap someone!"

"what!"

"Have the kitchen prepare a few dishes and send them over!"

"Okay, sure!" Gao Yi hurried away.

Gao Zhao smiled slightly. Isn't the division of the tracks quite obvious?

So don't even think about competing in a different field, it'll kill you!

After the meal, Gao Yi served Gao Zhao a cup of sweet and sour drink. Gao Zhao was very satisfied, gave him a handful of copper coins as a reward, and waved for him to leave!

Gao Zhao started thinking about Lin Chong again. That unlucky guy must have been framed. As for who it was, the commander had made it very clear!

Who else could have both the ability and the motivation but that judge from the Right Army Patrol Office of Kaifeng Prefecture!

This fellow is truly insidious. He uses such a despicable method to smear someone's reputation. All he needs to do is find a woman to identify the person. He doesn't need any physical evidence at all. Besides, even if he did provide physical evidence, the authorities wouldn't be able to tell the difference!

As for the injuries on her husband, it doesn't matter who hit him!

Once the case reached the Right Army Patrol Office, wouldn't he be able to handle it however he wanted?

A clean and efficient approach will result in an ironclad case!

Lin Chong will be badly injured even if he doesn't die this time. He felt it was a bit of a pity, as this person was quite easy to use!

This judge is a terrible person!

The matter is already over, and the Censorate hasn't done anything to you. Why are they still holding onto this and even framing you?

Don't they know the principle that it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester?

With such a narrow-minded and vindictive nature, how can one achieve great things in the future!

And by touching the son of a high-ranking official, aren't you showing him no respect?

Gao Zhao pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with a good way to deal with that guy, which was very worrying!

I felt a tightness in my chest, neither calm nor able to think clearly!

He sighed and lamented for a while, but then he saw that it was getting late, so he got up and went back to the Imperial Academy.

When we arrived at the dormitory, it was very lively. Some people were talking about what they had seen and heard at Jinming Pond, while others were denouncing the court's decree to change the salt law.

He was in a bad mood and didn't want to participate, so he silently returned to his room and sat alone in silence.

Su Mian returned in high spirits, but seeing him looking depressed, he quickly asked him the reason.

Gao Zhao sighed, "Today I see corrupt officials harming the people, yet I am powerless to do anything about it, and my heart is filled with sorrow and indignation!"

Su Mian advised, "My dear brother, there's no need for this. The world is what it is; it cannot be changed by one person alone!"

Gao Zhao shook his head and said, "Those who worry about their country are always the ones who grieve throughout history; don't try to persuade me!"

Su Mian was filled with respect and remained silent.

The next day, Gao Zhao, as usual, got up early to clock in and skipped class.

However, while listening to the story today, I was somewhat absent-minded. Seeing this, the old man stopped and asked with a smile what was on my mind.

"A friend of mine was framed by a villain and is now imprisoned!" Gao Zhao sighed softly, then added, "The person who framed him is clearly just a minor official, yet I can't do anything about him!"

"Oh!" the old man chuckled. "So you're worried about your friend's situation, or are you troubled by your inability to retaliate against that minor official?"

"Hey, how can you talk like that!" Gao Zhao jumped up, furious and embarrassed, "What do you take me for! That's my good brother!"

"So?" the old man asked with a smile, "Tell me about it, and I'll try to think of a solution for you."

"Tch! What can an old scholar like you do! You're more suited to reading books and telling stories!" Gao Zhao said dismissively, but since he had nothing better to do, he told Lin Chong about his experience.

"That's easy!" the old man said immediately after hearing the explanation. "Anyone who's read a couple of books knows what to do!"

It was obvious from those words that the old man was mocking him, saying that he only knew how to read books and tell stories!

Cursing under his breath for being petty, Gao Zhao still sat down and gestured with his lip, saying, "Tell me about it!"

The old man chuckled, "Then you must first tell me whether you want revenge on that minor official or to save your friend, so I can prescribe the right remedy!"

"Take revenge on that petty official!" Gao Zhao said without hesitation.

The old man was satisfied with the answer and laughed, "If what you just said is true, then the couple must have been instigated by that lowly official. We'll just have to make them tell the truth!"

"I need you to tell me! Why should they tell the truth? If I threaten them, they might turn around and bite me!" Gao Zhao cursed himself for being so blind as to believe such an old Confucian scholar who only knew how to talk big!

The old man sighed softly and said, "If you had read the Analects, you would know the principle that trouble arises from within!"

Gao Zhao was taken aback, and hesitated, "You mean you want them to fight amongst themselves? But they're accomplices, how could they possibly fight amongst themselves!"

The old man smiled slightly and said, "Are you familiar with the Mohist school's 'Shang Tong' (the doctrine of unity)?"