The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 14: Even though the rain is heavy, it cannot moisten the grass without roots

As a chess piece that is about to be abandoned, how can you fight your way out of the situation?
Zhao Duan never counted on the kindness or luck of big men. All he could rely on was to make the most of the existing intelligence and means to complete this turnaround.

When I entered the palace yesterday, I happened to see the empress discussing with the prime minister, and then I learned about the subsequent changes in the strategy of "changing rice to mulberry".

Zhao Duan derived two key pieces of information from this:

First, the empress was engaged in a game with the party composed of the "Jiangnan gentry" represented by Li Yanfu.

The Li Party first promoted a "pilot project" in Huaishui, but after it failed, Li Yanfu proposed the method of "reform and relief at the same time" through a Hanlin Academy member.

In fact, they are using state affairs to gain benefits for the interest groups behind them.

Second, the empress was well aware of this, and after ascending the throne, she had been suppressing the Li Party.

Then the question is very clear, how to please the leader?

The old official Zhu Kui said it very clearly: think what the leader thinks, and worry about what the leader worries about.

Therefore, Zhao Duan realized from the very beginning that the key to his "meritorious service while serving his sentence" was not the size of his merit, but whether the empress urgently needed the merit!

The price of a commodity is determined by supply and demand... This is a concept that Zhao Duan was very familiar with when he was in school.

Therefore, when he later saw the invitation letter from the Magistrate of Ning'an in Baima Prison, and noticed that the official he wanted to rescue, who was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, was from a "Jiangnan gentry", he realized that this was an opportunity.

Just link this bribery case to Li Yanfu.

Then, it would be an excuse to attack the prime minister and thus strike back at Li's party.

And the Empress would probably like this excuse very much.

This plan is certainly not perfect, because the original owner lacks knowledge of the court, and many of Zhao Duan's judgments can only be based on guesswork and experience from previous lives.

But he didn’t have time for a “perfect” plan!

You can only take a gamble!
……

"Envoy...are you joking?"

Inside the black-sailed boat, Feng Ju felt as if he had been hit hard. His face turned pale instantly, and he felt as if countless steel needles had pierced his spine.

He? Reporting the prime minister? Crazy?

Even in the most absurd dream, he didn't dare to think about this plot.

Zhao Duan said calmly: "Is Lord Feng afraid?"

Nonsense... You want me to die if I offend the Prime Minister, who wouldn't be afraid?... Feng Ju shook his head and said:

"It's not that I'm afraid. In fact, this matter has nothing to do with the Prime Minister. Who would believe it if I told others about it?"

Zhao Duan asked back:
"Is it okay? Chief Feng is the same age as the guy in the Ministry of Justice's prison. Aren't they scholars from Jiangnan?"

Feng Ju hurriedly distanced himself from the matter:
"There is a strong culture of reading in Jiangnan, and many officials in the court are from the south, but I am not the prime minister's man."

He was really wronged. The party divisions in the court were not based on regions, so how could they be used to define the composition of the party?

"But others may not think so," Zhao Duan said as a matter of course:
"As both are descendants of the Jiangnan clan and officials in the same court, it is reasonable for them to seek help from the Prime Minister after committing a crime, right?"

He continued:

"But the Prime Minister is such a high-ranking official, how could he dirty his hands for such a small matter? He is even too lazy to meet you in person. At most, he can instruct his subordinates or help you find a way. Is that reasonable?"

Zhao Duan said again:
"You were instructed to bribe me through Wang Xian. I am your Majesty's man and have no relationship with the Prime Minister. It is safest for me to do the work. Isn't this reasonable?"

Feng Ju was stunned.

The three "very reasonable" statements directly fabricated a groundless script.

His face was grim, and he said in a cold voice:

"You are forcing me to accuse the Prime Minister... Are you trying to put me to death?
If I don't agree with you, and you expose my bribery, according to the law, the most I can do is to take off my official robes and return to my hometown to retire early.

But if I bite the Prime Minister... the Prime Minister's golden body will at most be stained with a little dust, and I'm afraid I will die without a burial place!"

He found it a little ridiculous.

Could it be that this pretty boy under the empress's skirt is so naive as to think that he can threaten me by holding the evidence?

Losing your job or losing your life? Is it that difficult to choose?

"Is this what Master Feng thinks?" Zhao Duan pretended to be disappointed.
"I thought you were a smart guy."

"What do you mean?" Feng Ju frowned.

Zhao Duan said calmly:
"So, you think that I am trying to exonerate myself by inexplicably accusing Li Yanfu?"

"This……"

Feng Ju was speechless. This was indeed somewhat illogical.

He was so shocked and angry just now that he didn't think deeply about it. There was no reason for Zhao Duan to be an enemy of the Prime Minister.

Even if the accusation was successful, the prime minister would at most be punished a few times, and he would also offend an important figure. Zhao had the support of the empress, so even if he wanted to find a reason to exonerate himself, there was no reason for him to point the finger at Li Yanfu.

Unless... "Oh, Master Feng, don't forget it," Zhao Duan saw his expression change, and added the most crucial blow:

"Who is standing behind me?"

boom!
A thunderclap sounded in Feng Ju's mind, and at this moment, he suddenly realized.

Zhao Duan is the empress's dog. When he comes out to bite the prime minister, he must be representing the empress's will.

Yes!

It is no secret that the Li Party has been weakened repeatedly since the empress ascended the throne. Not long ago, there were rumors that the Li Party was fighting against the imperial power...

In the morning, he was in the government office and heard that the imperial censors of the Li Party had formed a group to impeach Zhao Duan...

It all made sense.

The empress has been repeatedly checked and balanced by the prime minister, and this time, even her own partner has been attacked... Putting yourself in his shoes, it is reasonable for the empress to be angry.

The struggle in the temple is a bloodless one with swords and sabers, and everything must be done according to the rules.

Even the emperor cannot act arbitrarily. If he wants to punish the prime minister, he must have a reason...

"Ton!"

Feng Ju swallowed hard, his mouth was dry, and he realized that he was caught up in the vortex of temple struggle.

"Master, would you like to moisten your throat?" Zhao Duan pushed a cup of tea over.

Feng Ju subconsciously drank a sip, and then said with a nervous look:
"Envoy... So, this is what His Majesty meant?"

Zhao Duan showed displeasure and said in a deep voice:
"Master, be careful with your words! What does this have to do with Your Majesty? Don't speak carelessly!"

Original words returned.

Feng Ju understood what he meant. He knew this, so how could Your Majesty give others a chance to criticize him?

But Zhao Duan's attitude seemed to indicate that he had already admitted it.

Zhao Duan strikes while the iron is hot:
"So, Lord Feng, you must think clearly about which side you want to stand on. If you are willing to share His Majesty's worries, His Majesty will not treat his own people unfairly, but if you insist on being wrong..."

"Oh," he chuckled and said meaningfully:
“Even though the rain falls heavily, it cannot moisten the grass without roots.”

He stood up gently and patted Feng Ju on the shoulder:

"It's up to you to decide how to choose."

After saying that, he walked outside the black tent. It was drizzling and the willows on both sides of the Hunhe River were hazy and poetic, just like a painting.

Behind him, Feng Ju sat in the cabin in a daze. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and made a decision.

He stood up, picked up the oil-paper umbrella in the cabin, held it over Zhao Duan's head, bowed his head like a servant and whispered:

"Your humble servant, I am willing to serve Your Majesty..."

"kindness?"

"Oh, this matter has nothing to do with Your Majesty. I am willing to serve you at my utmost."

Zhao Duan's lips curled slightly, and his clenched fists hidden in his sleeves loosened.

The key "evidence" for the turnaround was finally... obtained.

……

……

Not long after.

When Zhao Duan returned to the shore and got into the carriage, he saw through the curtain that Feng Ju's carriage was gradually moving away.

Zhu Kui, who was driving, wiped the rain off his face and said in a muffled voice:

"Sir, where should we go next?"

He could no longer understand the actions of his own emissary.

But judging from Feng Ju's transformation from being arrogant at first to being respectful later, for some reason, Zhao Duan, who originally had the image of a shallow and dandy, became increasingly unfathomable.

"Next," Zhao Duan lowered the car curtains, estimated the time he had left, and said:

"Go to the Criminal Department."

According to the original plan, he only needed to take advantage of the power of others and persuade Feng Ju to act as a "tainted witness", and his mission would be accomplished.

But since there is still time, why not lure a few more people in at once?

Zhao Duan still remembered that there was a "rival in love" Zhang Changshuo who was eyeing him covetously in the dark.

"Since you want to deal with me, there is no reason not to reciprocate."

Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes and decided to teach Zhang Changshuo a lesson he would never forget.

(End of this chapter)