In the Han Palace, Shangshe Bureau, in front of the hall, several eunuchs bowed their heads and tied their hands, waiting respectfully and carefully in the corridor, enduring the cold wind. The outside of the house is desolate, but the interior is as warm as spring. There are all kinds of fruits, snacks, wine, food and dishes on the dining table. Zhang Dejun, the imperial envoy who is becoming more and more powerful in front of outsiders, is serving people respectfully and gently at this time. An old eunuch.
In the entire Han Palace, the only people who were qualified to have Zhang Dejun serve him so lowly were the nobles in the palace, except the emperor. Of course, after more than ten years, except for the queen mother and the emperor, no one else, including the empress, had been served by him like this. .
The special status of this old eunuch is that he is Zhang Dejun's adoptive father and provided shelter to Zhang Dejun when the young man entered the palace. Until I was lucky enough to become a chamberlain beside the Queen Mother, and then even luckier to be recommended to serve the Emperor.
After so many years, Zhang Dejun was deeply valued by the emperor, entrusted with important responsibilities, and his authority gradually increased. As his adoptive father, his life in the Han Palace was always nourishing. He was responsible for the Shangshe Bureau, and his real power and status in palace affairs were great. Not low.
"You are busy with official duties, so you don't have to take time to come to me!" Looking at Zhang Dejun who was pouring wine for him, Zhang's father said with a smile on his face: "If the official summons me and I am delayed, then I will Oh no!"
"My father and I may not have talked to each other for a long time, so it's time to come and visit! The weather is getting colder now, so you always need to be more careful and take care of yourself!" Zhang Dejun chuckled, took out a box from his arms, opened the lid, and revealed the inside He picked up something and said: "I brought an old ginseng to replenish your health!"
The shape and charm of this old ginseng made it look like a precious treasure from a long time ago. Father Zhang was slightly surprised and said, "This is a top quality thing. How did you get it?"
A little worry could be heard in Zhang's father's tone. Zhang Dejun acted calmly and comforted: "Father, don't worry. This is a tribute from the Jurchens. The official family gave it to me. My son is strong and strong, so he doesn't need this. Still, Take one and enjoy!”
After listening to Zhang Dejun's explanation, Zhang's father breathed a sigh of relief, placed the old ginseng on the table, bowed respectfully, and said: "How can I enjoy such rare treasures?"
Of course, he did not refuse Zhang Dejun's kindness and kept it away, but judging from his performance, he would probably keep it well.
"The luckiest thing in my life is to recognize you as my adopted son!" The father and son drank together, and once their emotions were in place, Zhang's father couldn't help but express emotional emotion to Zhang Dejun: "In the future, you will be there to see me through my death, and there will be nothing to worry about afterward." Worried!"
"Father, your words are serious. Without your protection and care, my son would not be where he is today!" Zhang Dejun was very kind and comforted him softly: "By the way, I intend to adopt one or two orphans from the public to continue the Zhang family. Incense!”
Hearing what Zhang Dejun said, Zhang's father's face flashed with excitement, but he quickly calmed down, shook his head resolutely, and said: "No!"
Zhang Dejun was slightly stunned by his reaction. Eunuchs like them, as rootless people, in addition to pursuing wealth and power, perhaps the most important thing they care about is the inheritance of incense. I originally thought that his idea would make Father Zhang happy, but I didn't expect that he would reject it so simply.
"Why?"
Looking at Zhang Dejun, Zhang's father said: "Those of us who are slaves are able to serve the palace because we have no roots. Since we have no roots, we have no other thoughts and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. You are now in charge of the Imperial City Department, attracting attention both inside and outside the palace. , was originally sent by jealousy. Since ancient times, eunuchs raising sons have often attracted criticism and are prone to disaster..."
Hearing what Zhang's father said, Zhang Dejun frowned slightly, thought about it seriously, and said: "My son has learned a lesson! However, if you find an opportunity, make achievements, and ask for the official's favor, you will not be afraid of criticism from others." Got it!"
Hearing this, Zhang's father also nodded. As long as he didn't fall out of favor with the emperor, it wouldn't be a big problem. Therefore, there was a little expectation in his eyes.
While the father and son were having a harmonious exchange, a eunuch, covered in frost and cold, hurriedly entered, saluted both of them, and came close to Zhang Dejun's ear to report something to him. Zhang Dejun's expression changed obviously.
Seeing this, Zhang's father immediately said: "If there is an emergency, you can do it yourself!"
"It's not a big deal!" Zhang Dejun smiled at Zhang's father, but stood up and saluted: "Father, please sit down and take your leave first!"
...
"When did it happen?" Zhang Dejun asked his subordinate on the way back to the Imperial City Office.
The person replied: "Just now, the officials suddenly issued an order to detain him to the Si Yamen for your personal examination. I dare not neglect you, so come and report immediately!"
"Where are the people?"
"Locked in the office for now!"
"Go back to Siya quickly!" Zhang Dejun's expression was a little serious.
What happens in the palace is nothing to the country, but to some people, it is a matter of life and honor. Sun Yanyun, the leader of the emperor's chamberlain, was ordered to be taken down and questioned.
For the eunuchs in the palace, especially those with a certain status, this was a big deal. The same is true for Zhang Dejun. Ever since he was assigned to take charge of the imperial city's affairs, from being in charge of the imperial court to taking charge of the first division, although his position of power has been one step closer, Zhang Dejun has always had a sense of crisis and felt uneasy.
He knew very well where his current status came from. He had worked hard to serve the emperor for ten years without making any major mistakes, and he had only gained the trust. However, after leaving the emperor's side, although he was still responsible for the secret affairs of his confidants, he became distant after all. What he worried about was that as time went by, his status in the emperor's heart would be reduced.
Because Zhang Dejun has always been more concerned about the servants around the emperor. In the early years, Emperor Liu had trouble using several people in succession. At that time, Zhang Dejun felt very relieved and happy. After all, he was still able to serve the emperor and satisfy him.
Later, when Sun Yanxi came to power, Zhang Dejun felt pressure for a while. That guy was a little older than him. He looked mediocre, but had a deep mind and was a bit sinister. He was also able to please Emperor Liu and make him feel comfortable. He also had signs of breaking up with Zhang Dejun. , replacing the words and deeds that influenced his influence around the emperor.
For a long time, Zhang Dejun was very afraid and wary of Sun Yanxi. But later on, Sun Yanxi got away with it. During the Northern Expedition, he returned to Tokyo to recuperate due to illness. Without the emperor, his true colors gradually emerged. Later, he no longer became cautious. Because of supervising the construction of Zhaolie Temple, he was directly charged and executed.
Sun Yanyun, who had served the emperor for several years, was a senior eunuch with profound experience and good knowledge of life. The key was that he had a better relationship with Zhang Dejun. However, now he was suddenly taken down by Emperor Liu's order. Zhang Dejun really couldn't think of anything that Sun Yanjun, an old eunuch, could do to offend the emperor.
The most important thing is that under normal circumstances, if a chamberlain breaks the law, the palace has its own department to deal with it, so why would he be specially taken to the Imperial City Department for interrogation? After years of development, the two agencies, the Wude Division and the Imperial City Division, have been formed. The Wude Division is in charge of the surveillance of Taozhou all over the world, while the Imperial City Division is in charge of public opinion in the palace and Kaifeng. Of course, there is some overlap, but generally speaking in this way.
Unlike the Wude Division, the Imperial City Division's main power is surveillance and spying, but does not have the power to arrest, interrogate, or imprison. However, this time Emperor Liu asked the Imperial City Secretary to interrogate Sun Yanyun. Zhang Dejun would not think that this was to increase his power. I thought a lot along the way, but I couldn't figure out a clear idea. When I was going back to the Yamen to climb the steps, I tripped and almost fell.
In a quiet side room of the Imperial City Office, Zhang Dejun sat down, screened others away, and interrogated alone. Looking at Sun Yanyun who had gone into palace clothes, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's going on? Why are the officials so angry?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Yanyun also had a look of grievance on his face, and sighed worriedly: "I am guilty of talking too much!"
With that said, Sun Yanyun explained some of the situations during this period. The problem was that that day, in the Guangzheng Hall, Sun Yanjun took the initiative to scold Dou Yi. From then on, Emperor Liu didn't like the old eunuch. When the emperor felt a thorn in his heart, such an ending would be inevitable. Strange.
"How could I have imagined that just speaking out for the officials in a moment of anger would actually arouse the officials' anger and lead to this trouble! Today, just because I beat and scolded that ignorant servant, I was detained here for the crime of being domineering!" Sun Yanyun lamented.
Hearing this, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but said: "You are also an old man. You have served the officials for so long, how could you commit such a taboo? If it is in private, it still needs to be considered. In the Guangzheng Palace, how can people like you and me talk too much?"
"It's too late to regret!" Sun Yanyun said.
His face changed for a while, and Zhang Dejun calmed down. He stared at Sun Yanyun and said, "The officials asked me to interrogate you. What do you think I should do?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Yanyun immediately said: "As of now, I have nothing else to ask for. I just hope that I can save my life and die in peace in the palace! Secretary Zhang, because of our past friendship, you still hope to save me!"
"Oh, you think so highly of me. I am just a slave. How can I influence the will of the officials? If the officials want to know that they are guilty of you, what can I do?" Zhang Dejun said with a bitter smile.
Hearing what he said, Sun Yanyun panicked, and knelt down directly, saying: "Please be sure to think of a solution for me!"
Under normal circumstances, Zhang Dejun has a good grasp of the emperor's thoughts. However, this time, perhaps due to some connection with himself, Zhang Dejun seemed very hesitant. While Sun Yanyun begged for help, he even had murderous intentions and punished Sun Yanyun with some capital crimes and punished him severely to suit the emperor's wishes.
But perhaps out of soft-heartedness, or perhaps for some other reason, he decided to keep things official and investigate and interrogate the case normally. Sun Yanyun did not have any major problems. When he finally reported to the emperor, he only came to a conclusion similar to this: Treating his subordinates harshly, There are frequent exchanges of rituals during the New Year holidays.
The final result was that Sun Yanyun was demoted to Yeting to take charge of some affairs. Then, the emperor's chamberlain leader changed again, named Yantuo. This was an old man who grew up in the Peking Palace in Jinyang. The most important thing is that he did not deal with Zhang Dejun very much.
During the whole process, the emperor did not express much to Zhang Dejun, but afterwards, Zhang Dejun felt a strong sense of fear.
