Beijing, Yan Mansion
Zhang Shi took the tea lid and gently moved the tea leaves in the tea cup. Beside him was Mr. Yan with a serious look on his face, his dim eyes slightly squinted, wondering what he was thinking about.
After a while, Zhang Shiqian took a sip of fragrant tea and said calmly: "Mr. Yan, now is a good time. What are you still thinking about?"
Mr. Yan's cloudy eyes moved slightly, and when he looked at Zhang, his voice seemed a little hoarse: "I'm wondering whether your Majesty is really sick."
"I haven't been in the court for a long time. I just listen to people's words. I don't dare to believe it."
Zhang Shi laughed dumbly. It is true that the older people get, the less courageous they become, but it is always right to be more cautious.
"It's normal for Mr. Yan to be worried. Yesterday, several cabinet ministers went to the imperial study to see His Majesty. Their faces were not very good when they came back."
"I also went there later, but I only saw His Highness the Crown Prince. He was also in a bad state of mind. The Crown Prince is a person who can't hide things. His Highness has been accompanying His Majesty in the palace these past few days. This cannot be false. "
"A few days ago, when His Majesty was still in court, many people noticed that there was something wrong with His Majesty's health. Nowadays, it is normal for him to be seriously ill. There are rumors in private that... Your Majesty was assassinated by someone sent by the King of Wu because the condition was not serious. It has been kept secret for a long time, but now it has evolved to the point where I am suffering from a tumor!"
"Now that His Majesty cannot attend court and the Crown Prince is inactive, this is the best opportunity to defeat Fang Zhengyi."
After hearing this, Mr. Yan raised his eyes and glanced at Zhang Shi lightly.
"I heard from my students before that there are rumors below that Fang Zhengyi was secretly assigned by His Majesty to go to the south to investigate the salt merchants. Then King Wu fled to the south. It can be seen that the King of Wu and the salt merchants must be connected."
"Now there is news coming back that Fang Zhengyi was kidnapped and King Wu escaped by boat. I think it's better to forget about it. Maybe he has died outside."
"Even if he successfully returns to Beijing, it will not be too late to look for opportunities by then."
Zhang Shiyi frowned: "Old Yan, good opportunities are hard to find. If the thieves in this country are not eliminated, I don't know how arrogant the prince will be when he ascends the throne in the future!"
"Master Zhang..." Mr. Yan stared at Zhang Shi closely and said calmly: "No matter how powerful Fang Zheng is, he is just a young boy who relies on the grace of the Holy One. It doesn't count. It's better to wait a little longer."
"And now that the prince and his majesty are on his side, just relying on the evidence that he accepted a bribe of 60,000 taels from Beirong may not be enough."
"No, besides this, there is other evidence!" Zhang Shi immediately replied: "Wu Wang's Mansion has now been sealed, and the seized account books have been sent to the Ministry of Accounts. There is a large amount of money in Taoyuan County of Fang Zhengyi and Wu Wang's Mansion. The amount of transactions is as high as hundreds of thousands of taels!"
"With such an astonishing number, doesn't Fang Zhengyi have any connection with the rebels?"
"Where's the evidence?" Mr. Yan asked.
"Do you still need evidence for the exchange of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? I heard that something was going on, and it is the responsibility of the official, not to mention that there are real accounts to check! In addition, it is a certainty that he had an affair with Beirong, and he will not be able to escape the death penalty!"
After listening, Mr. Yan suddenly sighed, stood up and faced Zhang Shi and said: "Master Zhang, I think we should forget about this and see the guests off!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a maid came forward to see Zhang Shi off.
The situation suddenly changed, Zhang Shi said in surprise: "Old Yan, didn't you always tell me that you wanted to avenge Yan Guoan?"
"Hey! I'm getting old, and the Yan family can't stand any disturbance. Fang Zhengyi is not in the capital, and all the news I heard comes from others, so I don't dare to believe it too much. He can't return to the capital, and everything will be over. If he comes back , then he will have plenty of time to cook."
"This opportunity cannot be missed! Mr. Yan!" Zhang Shi frowned and said
Mr. Yan sighed again: "Master Zhang, this swelling is an incurable disease. Your Majesty's dragon body won't be cured for a while... There is always a chance."
"But you make me wonder why you are so anxious to deal with Fang Zhengyi at this juncture. Are you afraid that he will return to Beijing, or...that you have contact with King Wu?"
"The King of Wu has hundreds of thousands of taels of money in dealings with Fang Zhengyi. Are you so interested in Fang Zhengyi? Didn't you check on him earlier? Why did you mention this matter at this time?"
Zhang Shi was shocked, this old guy! It doesn’t matter if the oil and salt are not in, there are still so many things on my mind.
"Old Yan, be careful! How can the Ministry of Revenue know about the secret actions of the rebels?" Zhang Shi said sternly: "My Zhang family has been loyal for generations, how can I collude with the rebels?! Mr. Yan actually looks at me like this. I don't think so in the future. There is no need to come to visit senior again, farewell!"
After saying that, Zhang Shi turned around and left.
Mr. Yan leaned on his cane and nodded repeatedly: "Master Zhang! Stay, stay! I am old and confused. Don't be offended."
Zhang Shi's face brightened slightly and he turned around to look directly at Mr. Yan.
"Since Mr. Yan doesn't want to, I can't say anything more. Everyone in the Zhang family is loyal to the emperor and patriotic. They are all devoted to state affairs. They are not without selfish motives. Fang Zhengyi's surly behavior has already aroused public anger. To be honest, except that he is motivated by both public anger and private vendetta!”
"Guo'an and I were friends for many years. Since Mr. Yan is afraid of taking risks, let me avenge him!"
After saying that, Zhang Shi turned around and left again.
Mentioning Yan Guoan, Mr. Yan began to feel a dull pain in his heart, and he shouted helplessly: "Come back, don't leave in a hurry, I haven't finished speaking yet."
Zhang Shi stopped again and stood still.
Old Yan walked tremblingly to his side and whispered: "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince have great trust in this person, so I must be cautious."
"As for what you said, it does make sense. Although we are not in the court, it is our responsibility to get rid of the evildoers."
"But I'm just a commoner now, and those students are all in high positions. I'm afraid my words alone won't be that useful."
"Although we usually have some friendly interactions during the New Year and holidays, after Guoan left, the Yan family has been unable to cope with it in recent years."
Zhang Shi suddenly looked disgusted.
This old dog! All the talk is just to negotiate the price! Now the chicken feet are exposed?
"Speak directly, Mr. Yan! How much do you want?" Zhang Shi was already getting impatient.
Mr. Yan slowly stretched out a palm.
"Fifty thousand taels?"
"Fifty thousand taels..."
"Are you kidding me?" Zhang Shi immediately exclaimed.
A trace of cunning flashed in Mr. Yan's muddy old eyes: "Of course I'm not joking... Since the Minister of the Ministry of Finance is the person closest to money in the world, he can't even get out a mere 500,000 taels, right?"
"Although I don't know why you are rushing to convict Fang Zhengyi at this time, I don't care and am not in a hurry."
"I only know that if Fang Zheng Yiru really returns to Beijing, the future of your Zhang family will definitely not be good. Your son will enter the court in the future, and your relatives will also enter the officialdom. Just like Fang Zhengyi, a villain who is waiting for revenge, will further gain power. You Will the Zhang family be okay?"
"It's better to kill him in time before he gets bigger. Five hundred thousand taels... is really not expensive."
After Zhang Shi listened, he did not move for a long time. Mr. Yan got closer and sighed: "I...maybe this is the last time I will be loyal to the court. My mind has become more and more confused over the years. I don't know..."
"Fifty thousand taels, I'm out! Mr. Yan, the Yan family has not had an easy time these years. This money can be considered as my private support for the younger students of the Yan family."
Mr. Yan smiled knowingly: "Then thank you Master Zhang for your kindness."
...
