Li Zushu saw Xu Yunzhen's expression was different and immediately realized that he had been too proud just now and had inadvertently revealed his true thoughts.
In order to avoid leaving a vicious impression in Xu Yunzhen's mind and affecting his next plan, he hurriedly explained: "Ding Guogong, this is a life-or-death situation, and there is no room for any hesitation..."
As he spoke, he secretly observed Xu Yunzhen's expression.
Seeing that the other party's expression softened, he continued to encourage: "At this time, we must make a decisive decision, otherwise, we will not be able to please both sides."
"Think about it, if your ancestor, Xu Zengshou Gong, had not been resolute and decisive, how could your Xu family have a two-state sect that would have been glorious for hundreds of years..."
After listening to Li Zushu's words, Xu Yunzhen's doubts disappeared and he said resolutely: "Marquis of Linhuai, you are right. A man must not be as kind as a woman when planning his affairs."
"What's more, it was Chongzhen's incompetence that led to rebellions and people's livelihood. Not only did he not repent and try to protect our interests, but in order to appease those mud-legged people, he actually wanted to deprive us of our land..."
Upon seeing this, Li Zushu encouraged Xu Yunzhen in a timely manner.
After a while, Xu Yunzhen confided in Li Zushu and once again introduced him as his first confidant.
"Mr. Dingguo, do you know if those old guys Fan Jingwen and Jiang Dejing have done anything unusual recently?"
Seeing that Xu Yunzhen had surrendered, Li Zushu asked again.
It turned out that in order not to expose his identity, Li Zushu completely tied up Xu Yunzhen who had been dragged into the water.
He used retreat to advance, coaxing Xu Yunzhen to monitor the movements of the palace and officials, while he was responsible for the affairs of the outer city, so he asked this question.
When Xu Yunzhen heard this, he shook his head and said, "It's strange to say that, except for Zuo Maodi's explanation about Nanliang last time, there is nothing unusual about those old guys."
"It seems as if they are not aware of the storm in the capital, and they are still going about their business... Do you think they are pretending to be nonchalant on the surface, but secretly plotting against us?"
Hearing this, Li Zushu pondered for a while and sneered: "These old guys are quite cunning!"
"We were singing hard in the front, but they got the news easily in the back and acted like loyal ministers."
Xu Yunzhen looked at him with some confusion and said: "Zhu Cixiang is in dire straits now, and they don't help him, how can he be a loyal minister?"
Li Zushu smiled and said: "Dong Guo Gong, this is the cunningness of these old guys."
"You think, His Majesty's departure from the capital without informing them shows that he does not trust them. If they ask without knowing what to do, it will easily arouse suspicion."
"Besides, they don't have any soldiers. Even if they enter the palace, they won't be able to help much. They might as well do their duty and maintain the stability of the capital..."
After listening to his story, Xu Yunzhen suddenly realized, and then said in a panic: "That's not right. Wang Jiayan, the Minister of War, has soldiers in his hands."
"And Fan Jingwen is the chief minister of the cabinet. If they join forces..."
"Dong Guogong, you don't have to worry. The elite of the Beijing army have long been taken to Yu County by Gong Yonggu. Although there are still 30,000 to 40,000 people in the capital, they are all nothing but nothing to worry about."
"Furthermore, I have already sent people to lobby the army. Although they did not express their position clearly, they accepted all the gifts they sent."
"So as long as we have the upper hand, even if there is a war, they will just sit back and watch..."
Xu Yunzhen felt relieved after listening to Li Zushu's story.
After the two looked at each other and smiled, they were about to pick up their teacups and drink tea when they heard a rush of footsteps coming from outside.
Then he saw Li Zushu's bodyguard running in with a panic look on his face. After a hurried salute, he handed over a small note.
Li Zushu opened it and took a look, his expression suddenly changed.
...
Outside the Donghua Gate of the capital, in front of the Dongjishi Factory.
Wang Chengen looked at the plaque on the door hesitantly.
When Wang Youde behind him saw this, he opened his mouth several times to speak, but in the end he endured it.
The few soldiers standing in front of the door seemed to have noticed something, and they couldn't help showing strange expressions on their faces.
Wang Chengen stared at the plaque for a while, sighed slightly, and then walked slowly towards the hall.
After he entered the door, he did not go directly to the hall, but first came to a small hall on the left side of the hall.
In the middle of the small hall hangs a portrait of Yue Wumu. In the portrait, Yue Wumu is dressed in military uniform, holding a sword in his left hand and looking down with a solemn expression on the back of his right hand.
Especially Yue Wumu's eyes, which are so lifelike that they seem to be able to see through people's hearts, which is intimidating.
Maybe it's because Yue Wumu's eyes are too expressive, or maybe the eunuchs in Dongchang feel guilty and don't dare to come.
Therefore, some parts of the small hall were covered with dust, especially Yue Wumu's eyes, which had some spider threads.
Upon seeing this, Wang Chengen hurried forward and wiped it carefully.
After regaining Yue Wumu's heroic appearance, he stared at the portrait for a long time before slowly walking back.
At the back of the small hall is a brick screen wall, on which there are carvings of Suan Ni and other selfless mythical beasts, as well as the story of Duke Di Liang who defeated the tiger and upheld justice.
Wang Chengen looked at these pictures carefully, feeling filled with emotion.
I remember that when Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the construction of the East Factory, the eunuchs were even happier than during the New Year.
Because although there have been some powerful eunuchs in all dynasties, most of them acted pretentiously and there was never an institution that truly belonged to them.
In particular, this organization not only belongs to them, but also has the right to supervise hundreds of officials and Jinyiwei.
Having such a stage is enough for these despised eunuchs to show off their talents and wash away the world's misunderstanding of them.
Because of this, when Zhou Siyu learned that he would be the first factory owner, he was so excited that he stayed up all night.
He visited almost all the famous buildings in the capital, and even condescended to seek advice from some scribes, just to create a unique Dongchang belonging to their eunuchs.
When the East Factory was built, all the eunuchs were ecstatic and regarded it as a holy place that carried their hopes and dreams.
Zhou Siyu also recorded all this very solemnly in the factory owner's notes, and taught his successors to perform their duties faithfully.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long, and those successors went astray. For their own selfish interests, they did not hesitate to harm the people and kill ministers unjustly.
Let Dongchang become synonymous with evil, cruelty and other sins.
Although there were also guardian ministers and Huai En who protected the prince during this period.
Li Fang maintains integrity and dares to give direct advice.
Chen Ju who adheres to "the laws of his ancestors and the principles of sages and sages" is known as the Buddha.
It is a pity that there are too few such people, and they do not provide much benefit to the people. Their reputation is far less than that of Wang Zhen, Liu Jin, Wei Zhongxian and others, so that Dongchang is notorious among the people.
Wang Chengen couldn't help but shook his head when he thought of this. He was a little reluctant, but walked out of the small hall helplessly.
Then he walked through the main hall and came to an ancestral hall with a unique building on the west side.
Right in front of the ancestral hall is an archway with the four characters "Liu Fang for a hundred generations" written by Zhu Di himself.
When Wang Chengen saw these four words, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Because of the current reputation of Dongchang, it is impossible for it to be famous for eternity, but there is a chance to be infamous for eternity.
At this time, he suddenly smelled a fishy and bloody smell coming from the back south of the archway, and a gleam of disgust flashed in his eyes.
Because there is Dongchang's prison and a hell on earth, and Dongchang's prestige is largely due to this.
Wang Chengen calmed down, walked slowly into the ancestral hall, lit three pillars of incense in front of the tablets of Huaien, Li Fang, and Chen Ju, and bowed respectfully.
After praying silently, he slowly walked out of the ancestral hall and came to the main hall.
"Youde, go and call the criminal officers, servants, and people in charge of the investigation. Master has..."
"Master, haven't you always wanted to imitate Lord Zheng He and rectify our name?"
"Now is an opportunity. If you disband Dongchang, then we will only have to bear the infamy forever..."
Wang Youde seemed a little excited and hurriedly interrupted Wang Chengen before he could finish speaking.
When Wang Chengen heard this, a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes, and then he looked at Wang Youde with a complicated expression.
