Manchu traitor, how can you let me be the emperor of the ages

Chapter 238 Cai Party's Revenge

Guan Peng?

Cai Jing was stunned again, and began to doubt the guess just now.

Could it be Yan Song playing tricks behind his back?

Guan Peng and Wang Mang had an irreconcilable relationship. Even if Wang Mang wanted to spread the news, he would never do it through Guan Peng.

It is also unlikely that Guan Peng listened to the emperor's order before spreading the news.

Did he do it spontaneously?

But where did he hear the news?
Cai Jing clenched his teeth and thought of a possibility.

Cai Jing and Han Mulu were both in the household department. Could it be that this was the news that Han Mulu accidentally leaked, and then Guan Peng got it.

And Guan Peng obviously didn't have the responsibility and idea to keep Cai's party secret, so he directly revealed the matter.

As for Su Ling'a in the back, this person is a watcher who doesn't think it's a big deal, and he would gossip everywhere if he has nothing to do. Now that this kind of thing has happened to him, how can he not talk about it?

Moreover, Cai Jing also doubted whether the emperor was behind the incident, otherwise the rumors would not have spread so quickly.

Thinking of this, Cai Jing clenched his fists.

The rumors became more and more confusing. Just listening to other people's description of Cai Jing, I came up with three possibilities. If we really continue to investigate, there may be some messy clues...

After Deng Xunwu finished speaking, seeing Cai Jing's increasingly ugly face, he hurriedly changed the subject and said, "My lord, it's not like I didn't do nothing while waiting outside."

He knows that it's best to talk about his actions at this time, lest the leader treat you as a waste who can't do anything and only knows how to fish.

"At that time, Gao Shilang and I wanted to join forces with you adults to put pressure on His Majesty and Zhongshu Sheng, so that they would not dare to do anything to you, Lord Song, and Lord Han."

"But at that time, many servants of the six departments believed the rumors, and some of them changed their attitude towards us because of this, and even prepared to watch our excitement."

Recalling the events of that day, Deng Xunwu had a look of helplessness on his face.

Even Lu Yin, the right servant of the Ministry of War with the best attitude, looked at each other indifferently because Cai Jing was in charge of the Ministry of War.

As for looking for Yan Lide, they didn't even see him face to face.

Cai Jing frowned when he heard this.

When he was fighting for the chief examiner of the examination, he arranged so many rounds, just to win the hearts of the servants of the six departments and firmly control the six departments in his Cai Jing's hands.

But who would have thought that just one trial would turn all his previous efforts into nothing.

It's not that Cai Jing didn't know that giving the position of deputy examiner to Han Mulu would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the other servants.

But he also has backhands, and Cai Jing is also confident that he can smooth out, or at least suppress the dissatisfaction of the servants.

When the candidate for the deputy examiner was confirmed, Cai Jing secretly approached Lu Yin, the right servant of the Ministry of War, and personally promised that when the next subject was selected for the deputy examiner, he would gather all the strength of the Cai party to support him in the election as the deputy examiner.

And Yan Lide and several other servants also had arrangements, but Cai Jing at the time couldn't explain it clearly, and he couldn't explain such things clearly.

Originally, he planned to wait until the exams were over, and then take action one by one to give these people corresponding benefits, and Cai Jing had already thought about who and how to arrange them.

But who would have thought that the plan could not keep up with the changes.

Before he had time to make a move, Cai Dang suffered such a shocking change.

Deng Xunwu continued: "The other servants refused to help, and you, Mr. Han and Mr. Song, were already in the tribute courtyard at that time. With the strength of me and Mr. Gao, I couldn't make other adults obey..."

Having said that, he took a cautious look at Cai Jing.

Wherever there are people, there are struggles, including small factions within the Tsai Party.

Cai Jing nodded expressionlessly: "So you asked Youer to come forward and help you with this?"

"My lord, the candle is exhausted." Deng Xunwu hastily clasped his hands and replied.

Cai You is Cai Jing's eldest son, and more importantly, he is Song Qiaonian's son-in-law and Han Mulu's nephew.

With this relationship, no matter what small faction it is, they will give face and listen to him honestly.

"It is said that a tiger father has no dogs and sons, and the eldest son has the style of an adult, calm and steady. With him, things really go much smoother."

Deng Xunwu was flattering at first, and then added: "Your Excellency was not there at the time, so I thought about intimidating the court so that they would not dare to do anything to you."

"On the other side, we must quickly create some disturbances and shift the court's focus as soon as possible. In this way, the court and His Majesty will not dare to let the tribute court fraud case hold back too much energy."

Cai Jing nodded slightly, this is a good idea, but...

"I just didn't expect that His Majesty and Qin Hui would do it so quickly, right?"

"Yes, my lord."

Deng Xunwu looked ashamed: "That day, Gao Shilang and I wanted to launch an attack at the court meeting, but I didn't expect that His Majesty seemed to have prepared it long ago."

"He said at the time that evidence has been found in the Tribute Court, and the person behind the scenes has been locked, and the case will be closed soon."

"Master Gao and I were caught off guard, and we didn't even know how to delay it."

Gao Xun also nodded with a look of concern, obviously he still had a fresh memory of that court meeting.

Cai Jing also let out a long sigh when he heard this.

Evidence found!
The most deadly part of the whole thing is this, which directly laid the foundation for their defeat!

With this thing, it means that at least one person will be lost.

"Han Shilang's plans are not secret..." Cai Jing shook his head and sighed, feeling extremely regretful.

"My lord, I always feel that this matter is a bit strange."

Gao Xun suddenly said from the side: "Li Yuan and Wei Zheng did not reveal the evidence on the spot, but left it so late to let others know. Could this so-called evidence be... forged by them?"

Cai Jing glanced at him, then shook his head: "It's unlikely."

"As far as I know, Wei Zheng and Bao Xuan were among the censors who searched that day. No matter who forged the evidence, it should not be hidden from the eyes of these two."

"Then what if it's the two of them..." Gao Xun said halfway, his voice became smaller and smaller.

Cai Jing also sighed lightly, sometimes even as an opponent, you have to admit the character of these two people.

"And Li Yuan also went there that day. If someone really forged evidence, he would stop it for the old man."

"This..." Deng Xunwu and Gao Xun looked at each other, and they both saw the hesitation flashing in each other's eyes.

They thought that after this incident, the Cai party would break with the Duke's government.

But looking at the current situation, Mr. Cai still has great confidence in Li Yuan?why is that?
You must know that Li Yuan handled the entire test case, and Wei Zheng was only his deputy in name. In other words, the Cai party suddenly lost two servants, which was directly related to Li Yuan.

Cai Jing also saw their doubts, but at the moment he was not in the mood to explain to the two, but turned his head and looked out the window.

"This is the Han Mansion, if it is real evidence, just ask Lu Cai and you will know."

The sedan chair stopped right in front of the gate of the Han Mansion. This time, the general guarding the gate was more sensible, and without saying anything, he led Cai Jing and others all the way in.

After meeting Han Mulu, his reaction was worse than Song Qiaonian's, and he almost burst into tears on the spot.

Cai Jing stared at Han Mulu closely: "Lu Cai, tell the old man what happened to the evidence you found?"

Deng Xunwu and Gao Jun also looked at him intently, they obviously felt that this matter was very strange, no matter what, Han Mulu was a third-rank servant in the officialdom, how could he make such a low-level mistake?

"Evidence..." Han Mulu opened his mouth with a sad face.

"There are no outsiders here, you just need to tell the truth." Cai Jing said sharply.

"Yes, my lord."

Han Mulu shivered, and then sadly said: "The lower officials didn't know about the evidence at first."

"The family delivered food that day, but at that time, the lower official had cramps in his abdomen, so he didn't open the food box..."

Having said this, two more lines of tears flowed from Han Mulu's eyes: "But who would have thought that Tiger Benwei would search the Gongyuan that day!"

"The lower officials didn't have time to make any preparations, so they pulled them out of the official building, and then...then..."

"Then they searched for the things you haven't seen yet." Cai Jing sighed, covered his face and slumped back to the chair.

"The first time you get the food, whether you want to eat it or not, you should check it all, and then burn it!"

"My lord, I understand, I understand..."

Han Mulu cried his heart out, slumped on the ground and pulled Cai Jing's leg, weeping bitterly: "Can I have another chance..."

Cai Jing stared at him, and shook his head slowly after a long time: "If you don't keep secrets, you will lose your ministers, and if you don't keep secrets, you will lose your body. Lu Cai, people like you and me only have one chance. abyss."

Han Mulu was crying and wanted to say something, but Cai Jing continued with a blank expression: "This time you can save your life and escape unscathed. It is God's favor. If the old man still forces you to stay in the court, which is a place of right and wrong, I'm afraid you won't be so lucky next time."

After this incident, he already understood that the current Han Mulu was old and confused, and it was really not suitable for him to stay in the court any longer.

"grown ups……"

Han Mulu opened his mouth, wanting to struggle again.

As long as people who have tasted the taste of power will never forget that wonderful taste, how difficult is it for them to let go?
Cai Jing ignored his plea and asked about another matter.

"Lu Cai, let me ask you, the deputy examiner has decided on your matter, have you ever told anyone about it?"

Han Mulu was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head like a wave drum, and said like a curse: "No, absolutely not."

"No?"

Cai Jing frowned: "Think about it again, have you mentioned this in the household department?"

"I……"

When Cai Jing questioned him like this, Han Mulu himself began to doubt himself, frowning and lost in thought.

Seeing him like this, Cai Jing frowned even tighter.

"I... should be..."

A few drops of sweat dripped from Han Mulu's forehead, but he still shook his head.

"Did your subordinates know about it, or did Guan Peng's people know about it?"

"I……"

The time is so far away, Han Mulu seems to have forgotten many details, and now being questioned by Cai Jing, he gradually fell into self-doubt.

"My lord...shouldn't have..."

Looking at him, Cai Jing calmed down a little, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Lv Cai, I'm just asking, I don't intend to blame you."

Han Mulu panicked, straightened up with staring eyes and argued, "My lord, I really didn't..."

"okay."

Cai Jing interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Whether you have it or not, I won't pursue it this time. The past is like a cloud, so it's over!"

Han Mulu's face darkened, after all, it was because Cai Jing didn't believe him.

But what he said is also true, now that Han Mulu has reached this point, he is about to quit the officialdom, so what's the point of being more serious?

"Yes, my lord."

Han Mulu nodded sadly, and didn't say any more.

Cai Jing sighed, further confirming the conjecture in his heart.

First, Guan Peng deliberately leaked the news, and then left such a big clue to be found by Huben Wei. It seems that Han Mulu is really old...

That's fine, if you can go back whole, without going to jail, you're already better than most officials.

"Lu Cai, take your family and go to the old man's house."

"Get settled for a few days first, and after a few days, the old man will send someone to escort you back to your hometown."

Han Mulu and Cai Jing are fellow villagers, and they will definitely be rich and prosperous when they go back.

"Thank you sir."

Cai Jing shook his head, didn't say anything, but left the Han Mansion with Xuanwu Gaoxun and rushed all the way to the imperial city.

The three sat on the sedan chair, and Cai Jing remembered the conversation just now.

"You said just now that you want to hold back the court and create trouble. What kind of trouble is it?"

Deng Xunwu was stunned, and hurriedly said: "My lord Gao and I wanted to stir up chaos in Qi, but who would have thought that the situation in Qi would be complicated and difficult to shake for a while."

"The situation was very critical at that time, so we thought of a way to burn the boat."

"burn one's boats?"

A look of solemnity flashed in Cai Jing's eyes: "Tell me carefully."

"Yes, my lord."

Deng Xunwu bowed his head and said: "When the mission of the Ming Dynasty came to the capital at the end of the year, the officials and Mr. Gao had made good friends with several generals. It was only later that the officials found out that one of them was garrisoned at the border by the Ming Dynasty after the year."

"And the place where he is stationed is close to the northeast border of the imperial court..."

Having said that, Cai Jing has roughly guessed their plan.

Deng Xunwu looked at Cai Jing tentatively: "Since the matter is over now, why don't you send a message to him and tell him to cancel the matter..."

Cai Jing glanced at him: "Why cancel it?"

"My lord..." Deng Xunwu didn't know what to say.

Cai Jing snorted coldly: "Anyway, this time the test is the enemy's darkness, so we have suffered such a big loss!"

"This time the enemy is open and we are in the dark, the old man took the lead, no matter what, it will make them fall even more!"

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he said bitterly: "Even if the court is really changed in the end, the old man can still be the prime minister, but the old man doesn't believe that they can still do this!"

(End of this chapter)