I really don't want to take shortcuts anymore

Chapter 331: Openly Resisting the Order
Zhang Shichang's eyes narrowed slightly, he paused for a moment, and then he ordered: "I'll go back right now. Just lead someone to guard here. If there is any news, report it to me as soon as possible - make sure nothing is missed."

Chai Zhiguo crossed his hands and said, "I will live up to your trust!"

Zhang Shichang rode all the way back to Xijing. At this time, the city gate had long been closed, but Tingwei Mansion had the privilege of arresting theft and investigating cases at night, so the access control was ineffective for him. He didn't even show his badge, and the gatekeeper opened the city gate with a mocking smile and let people in. .

They galloped all the way to Tingwei's Mansion, strode into the middle hall, and saw Ling Zheng Shan, the most useful eunuch around the new emperor.

He was sitting carelessly on the main seat, frowning and drinking tea without answering. Several subordinate officials of the Tingwei Mansion were standing with their hands lowered, all with frowning eyes. Obviously It was a reprimand.

When he saw Zhang Shichang, the look of hesitation on Zheng Shan's face almost overflowed, and he said coldly: "You can see today that I have realized Zhang Tingwei's official power. Even the emperor's ministers don't look down on him, and they are so angry." It’s been a long wait.”

Zhang Shichang was heartbroken. Tingwei is one of the nine ministers, with a silver seal and a green ribbon, and a salary of two thousand dan, which is much higher than the eunuch's order of more than a thousand dan. It's just that once Zheng Shan gained power, he enjoyed being praised and respected by officials, and no longer took him as an official with two thousand stone in his eyes.

"Zheng Lingjian's words are serious." He didn't even bend his waist, but only cupped his fists weakly, which was considered as a courtesy: "I happened to be out investigating a robbery case tonight, and I got the news of Lingjian's visit, so I put down my official duties. I rushed back at full speed, but I didn't expect that I still had to wait for a long time - to put it into detail, it's my fault."

He said no, but he was accusing Zheng Shan of coming uninvited and delaying official business. If the other party continued to argue, he was being unreasonable.

Zheng Shan is an extremely thoughtful person, and you can't hear this in his voice. He was even more annoyed, but his face was as warm as a glacier, and he was warm and friendly: "So it turns out that this is the case, but I have misunderstood you, sir. I hope you won't take offense."

"The Ling Jian is a person close to the emperor. I am afraid that my filial piety is not as good as my own. How dare I be offended." Zhang Shichang also had a smile on his face, but it didn't reach his eyes: "I just don't know what the purpose of the Ling Jian came late at night?"

Zheng Shan coughed and said seriously: "There is an edict."

Zhang Shichang lifted up the corners of his robe and knelt down upright: "Your Majesty, Zhang Shichang, respectfully listen to this edict."

"Wang Tai, the second son of Duke Chengen, is now detained in Tingwei Mansion?"

"Exactly." Zhang Shichang replied.

"I will pardon Wang Tai's crime and ask him to return home immediately."

After Zheng Shan finished his oral instructions, he went to help Zhang Shichang with a smile: "Please get up quickly, Lieutenant Zhang Ting, and bring him out quickly, so that the servant can go back and report to your Majesty."

Zhang Shichang refused to get up and said expressionlessly: "Please tell your Majesty, Inspector Zheng, that I really cannot obey the imperial edict."

Zheng Shan's eyes widened in shock, and the finger pointing at him trembled: "Zhang Tingwei, how brave are you, how dare you resist the order and be disrespectful?"

"I have no such intention. It's just that the Wang family's case has been decided during the late emperor's lifetime. Although Wang Tai was spared from death because of his young age, he cannot escape the crime. Your Majesty has not yet taken charge of the government personally. If you really want to pardon, you can ask the three adults of the Political Affairs Hall After discussing the use of the seal and issuing an edict, I will not dare to disobey it at all. But relying on such a verbal edict is inconsistent with the legal system."

As he spoke, he clasped his fists in the direction of the Weiyang Palace and said, "I have been entrusted by the late Emperor and Your Majesty to take charge of the Tingwei Mansion and to end the world's prisons. I must set an example and do not dare to violate the laws of the country because of my flattery. I sincerely ask Your Majesty to take back my order." .”

"You are brave!" Zheng Shan almost fell down with anger: "Do you know what you are talking about? Such blatant contempt for His Majesty, you simply don't know how to write the word "death"!

Zhang Shichang, on the other hand, had an awe-inspiring look on his face: "Zheng Lingjian only reports truthfully. If His Majesty punishes you for this, Zhang is willing to bear the full responsibility." Zheng Shan angrily led his people out of Tingwei's Mansion, and several subordinate officers hurriedly stepped forward to help him up. Zhang Shiyuan.

These people are all his confidants, and they all witnessed the scene just now, and their faces were full of worry.

Tingwei Zuojian came forward to persuade: "My lord, why are you doing this? If you openly defy the order, you may be killed in a short time, so you might as well tell the truth. That Wang Tai contracted a serious illness in prison. Strictly speaking, I can’t blame you sir, now you have made a big mistake by covering up a small mistake, what should you do?”

"Yes." Ting Weizheng also advised: "Zheng Lingjian is a man who makes waves even if there is no wind. Looking at his face when he left, I'm afraid he will be more jealous after returning. He is a close official of the emperor, I'm afraid This matter will definitely not go well, adults should be prepared."

"My lord, I have a good plan." Jin Zhao, the right eunuch of Tingwei, said: "Among the three auxiliary ministers established by the late emperor, your Majesty respects the great Sima the most. Why don't you go see me immediately and tell the truth. The great Sima has always admired you. I will do my best to help you deal with it, so you may be able to escape this disaster."

"That makes sense!" Several other people turned to look at Zhang Shichang: "Sir, just listen to Jin Youjian and go to Da Sima's house as soon as possible!"

Zhang Shichang listened to what they said to each other, his face remained calm, but now he suddenly raised the corners of his lips and said something irrelevant:
"You actually don't know much about His Majesty today," he said.

"Sir, what do you mean by this?" Jin Zhao took the lead in asking everyone's questions.

Zhang Shichang did not say much, but changed the subject and talked about Wang Tai: "I personally witnessed Mr. Luo performing abdominal surgery to remove carbuncle. Every step was exquisite and seemed to be extremely effective. If there were no accidents, another half The person will recover within the month, just in time for His Majesty’s amnesty decree when he ascends the throne.”

"But if he can wait until then, I'm afraid you may not be able to wait, sir!" Ting Wei was worried.

Zhang Shichang laughed: "Don't worry, I have my own reasons."

When Zheng Shan rushed into Chengming Hall, there seemed to be a fire burning in his heart.

When Yu Jin saw him coming back alone, with such a wronged and angry expression, he guessed that he had suffered a defeat in Tingwei Mansion.

"Your Majesty!" Zheng Shan fell in front of him, tears welling up in his eyes: "That Zhang Shichang dared to blatantly refuse to accept the order, and didn't take you seriously at all. I am just aggrieved for you, obviously You are the real one, but he said that he will not be released until the three auxiliary ministers speak."

The gist of these words was taken out of context and successfully aroused the anger in Yu Jin's heart.

Although he is young, he has always had the power of the city. Even if he is angry in his heart, he is not above him.

"Tell me the conversation you had with Zhang Tingwei tonight, word for word." He said calmly.

Just when Zheng Shan was about to make a big move with his lies, Yu Jin waved his hand to stop him. Instead, he summoned two eunuchs who followed Zheng Shan to the Tingwei Mansion.

"You tell me," he added. If there is a word of falsehood, they will all be killed." He spoke to the two young eunuchs, but his eyes gently glanced at Zheng Shan. There was no emotion in them, but it made him feel unconscious. The ground is cold.

This master was almost cast from the same mold as Emperor Daxing. Even though he had served him for a long time, he still couldn't see through him.