Royal Gold Magistrate

Beijing, Yanfu

Zhang Shi held the tea cover and gently flicked the tea leaves in the teacup. Beside him was Yan Lao with a serious face, his dim eyes slightly squinted, thinking about something.

After a while, Zhang Shiqian took a sip of fragrant tea and said lightly, "Old Yan, now is a good time, what are you still thinking about?"

Old Yan's turbid eyeballs moved slightly, and when he looked at Zhang, his voice seemed a little hoarse: "The old man is wondering if His Majesty is really sick."

"I haven't been in court for a long time, but I just listen to people's words, I don't dare to believe it."

Zhang Shi couldn't help laughing, it's true that the older a person is, the less courageous he becomes, but it's always right to be cautious.

"It's normal for Mr. Yan to be worried. Yesterday, several cabinet ministers went to the imperial study to meet His Majesty, and they didn't look 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 mood. The Crown Prince is a person who can't hide things. His Highness has been staying with His Majesty in the palace for the past few days. There must be no falsehood. "

"A few days ago, when His Majesty was still in court, many people saw that His Majesty was in poor health. Now it is common sense to be seriously ill. There are private rumors... His Majesty was assassinated by someone sent by the King of Wu, because the condition is not serious. It has been hidden all the time, and now it has evolved into a field ulcer!"

"Now that His Majesty is unable to attend the court and the Crown Prince is not in charge, this is the best chance to bring Fang Zhengyi down."

After listening to Mr. Yan, he raised his eyes and glanced at Zhang Shi lightly.

"Before I heard from the old man and the students, it was rumored that Fang Zhengyi was secretly appointed by His Majesty to investigate the salt merchants in the south, and then King Wu fled to the south. It can be seen that King Wu and the salt merchants must be connected."

"Now there is news that Fang Zhengyi was kidnapped and King Wu escaped by boat. I think it's better to forget about it. Maybe he died outside."

"Even if he returns to Beijing successfully, it won't be too late to look for another opportunity at that time."

Zhang Shiyi frowned: "Old Yan, good opportunities are hard to find. If the country's thieves are not eradicated, I don't know how arrogant it will be when the crown prince ascends to the throne in the future!"

"Master Zhang..." Elder Yan stared at Zhang Shi closely, and said calmly: "No matter how powerful Fangzheng is, he is just a brat borrowing the grace of the Holy One. It's nothing, so why not wait a little longer."

"And now the prince and His Majesty are on his side, the evidence that he accepted 6 taels of bribes from Bei Rong may not be enough."

"No, besides that, there are other evidences!" Zhang Shi immediately replied: "Wu Wang's Mansion has been blocked now, and the confiscated account books have been sent to the Ministry of Households. Fang Zhengyi's Taoyuan County and Wu Wang's Mansion have a lot of money. Exchanges, the amount is as high as several 10 taels!"

"With such an astonishing number, does Fang Zhengyi have no contact with the rebels at all?"

"Where's the evidence?" Elder Yan asked.

"Do you still need evidence for the exchange of several 10 taels of silver? It is the official's responsibility to say that there are rumors, not to mention the fact that there are accounts to check! In addition, his affair with Beirong is already a certainty, and the death penalty is inevitable!"

After listening, Elder Yan sighed suddenly, stood up and faced Zhang Shi and said, "Master Zhang, I think it's better to forget about it and see off the guests!"

As soon as the words fell, a maid immediately stepped forward to send Zhang Shi out.

When the situation changed suddenly, Zhang Shi said in shock: "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 troubles. Fangzheng is not in the capital, and all the news is from other people's mouths, and I don't dare to believe it too much. He can't go back to the capital, and everything will be over. If he comes back After that, he will have plenty of time to cook."

"Don't miss this opportunity! Old Yan!" Zhang Shi frowned.

Elder Yan sighed again: "Master Zhang, this ulcer is an incurable disease, and His Majesty's dragon body won't heal for a while...Opportunities are always there."

"It's you who confuse me. Why are you so anxious to solve Fang Zhengyi at this juncture? Are you afraid that he will return to Beijing, or...do you have contact with King Wu?"

"Wu Wang and Fang Zhengyi have a relationship worth several 10 taels of silver. You are so concerned about Fang Zhengyi, didn't you check him earlier? Why did you bring this up at this time?"

Zhang Shi was shocked, this old thing!It doesn't matter if you don't eat oil and salt, you still think so much.

"Old Yan, be careful! How can the Ministry of Household know about the secrets of the rebels?" Zhang Shi sternly said, "My Zhang family has been loyal and good for generations, how can I join forces with the rebels?! Old Yan sees me like this, I see in the future There is no need to come to pay respects to seniors anymore, so farewell!"

After all, Zhang Shi turned around and was about to leave.

Leaning on crutches, Mr. Yan nodded again and again: "Master Zhang! Stay, stay! I'm getting old and confused, don't take it for granted."

Zhang Shi turned pale, turned around and looked directly at Old Yan.

"Since Mr. Yan is unwilling, I can't say more. My Zhang family is all loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and they put state affairs first, and they are not without selfishness. Fang Zhengyi's surly behavior has already provoked public outrage. To tell the truth, except that he is out of both public outrage and personal enmity!"

"Guo'an and I were considered friends who had forgotten their age. Since Mr. Yan is afraid of taking risks, then let me avenge this revenge for him!"

After all, Zhang Shi turned around and left again.

Mentioning Yan Guoan, Mr. Yan began to feel a little pain in his heart, and he shouted helplessly: "Come back, don't rush away, I haven't finished talking yet."

Zhang Shi stopped again and stood still.

Old Yan walked up to him tremblingly, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince trust this man very much, I have to be cautious."

"As for what you said, there is indeed truth. Although we are not in the court, it is our responsibility to eliminate the culprits."

"But the old man is just a commoner now, and those students are all in high positions. I'm afraid it won't be so useful just by my words."

"Although there are some sympathetic contacts during the New Year and holidays, after Guoan left, the Yan family has been unable to do so in recent years."

Zhang Shi suddenly showed disgust.

This old dog!It's all just to talk about the price!Now the chicken feet are exposed?

"Say it straight, Mr. Yan! How much do you want?" Zhang Shi was already getting impatient.

Elder Yan slowly stretched out a palm.

"5 million taels?"

"50 taels..."

"You're not kidding!" Zhang Shi exclaimed immediately.

A hint of cunning flashed in Yan Lao's cloudy old eyes: "Of course I'm not joking...Since the Minister of the Household Department is the person closest to money in the world, it's not like he can't get out just 50 taels, right?"

"Although I don't know why you are in a hurry to convict Fangzheng at this moment, but the old man doesn't care and is not in a hurry."

"The old man only knows that if Fang Zhengyi 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. It seems that Fang Zhengyi, 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 becomes big. 50 taels...it's really not expensive."

After Zhang Shi listened, he didn't move for a long time. Elder Yan got closer and sighed: "I...maybe this is the last time I will be loyal to the imperial court. My mind has become more and more confused these years, I don't know..."

"50 taels, I'll pay! Mr. Yan, the Yan family has not been easy these years, so let me use this money as a private subsidy for the Yan family's underachievers."

Old Yan smiled knowingly: "Then I would like to thank Mr. Zhang for his kindness."

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