Jiuxi

Chapter 678: 676 [People Are Not As Good As They Used To Be]

The next morning, at Qin's house.

This mansion was specially built by the late emperor. It is not very large, but it is very exquisite and quiet inside.

There are not many members of the Qin family. Apart from Qin Zheng and his wife, there are only his two sons who have already started their own families.

When Su Yunqing arrived, the mansion had already been basically tidied up, with a total of five horse-drawn carriages and three large carts.

Qin Zheng looked at the reluctance on Su Yunqing's face and smiled, "We all meet and part at the right time, why do we have to do this?"

Su Yunqing sighed and said, "Sir, are you really not planning to stay in the capital?"

"Why stay?"

Qin Zheng was fifty-three years old at the time, but he still looked like he was forty. Moreover, his idleness at home during this period did not affect his mood. Not only was he not depressed because of losing his official position, on the contrary, he seemed quite relieved.

Su Yunqing said sincerely: "Perhaps there will be a chance for recovery in the future."

Qin Zheng shook his head and said calmly, "The achievements of civil and military officials in the court rise and fall, and there is no guarantee that there will not be opportunities for good luck, but officials of the Weaving Department are different. Once they leave, there will be no return. You have been in the Weaving Department for more than ten years, you should understand this principle."

In fact, Su Yunqing knew very well that this special government office, as the eyes and ears of the emperor, would come to an end if it lost the emperor's trust.

But he also felt indignant for Qin Zheng, because he knew how much effort Qin Zheng had put in for Da Qi, but now he was forced to leave the capital. Even if he was awarded a noble title, what was the meaning for Qin Zheng who had never set foot in the military?
Qin Zheng seemed to know what he was thinking, and said leisurely: "A new emperor appoints new ministers. This has been the case since ancient times, and it is especially evident in the Weaving Sutra Department. After the current emperor ascended the throne, I had a premonition that I would leave the Weaving Sutra Department. It was just a matter of time. In fact, Your Majesty does not need to go through so much trouble. I am not someone who would linger on. As long as Your Majesty gives me a hint in private, I will take the initiative to submit my resignation."

At this moment Su Yunqing finally noticed the fatigue beneath his calm face.

The emperor thought that Qin Zheng was unwilling to give up the power of the Weaving Bureau. In fact, he had long intended to retire, but he did not want to disappoint the late emperor, so he had been holding on.

No wonder he did not resist at all during this period and calmly accepted the emperor's decision to deprive him of his power.

Thinking of this, Su Yunqing couldn't help but sigh again.

"Your Majesty letting you take over the position of the Weaving Department is enough to dispel the doubts of most people in the court, because in the eyes of those people, you are to me like Lu Chen is to Duke Rong. This is a natural inheritance and will not affect the overall situation of the court."

Qin Zheng spoke in a gentle tone, staring into Su Yunqing's eyes, and said softly: "But in fact, you and I are just ordinary superiors and subordinates. You are not my confidant, and I don't take special care of you. But I am really relieved that you can come to see me off today, and it is also a bit beyond my expectation. After the assassination case happened, the court and the public avoided me as much as possible, fearing that being involved with me would make His Majesty unhappy, even those people in the Textile Bureau were like this."

Su Yunqing suddenly felt sad.

Although he now stands firmly on Lu Chen's boat because of their common aspirations, if he talks about the person he admires most in his life, Qin Zheng must be among the top three.

As a member of the Weaving Bureau, he certainly knew how much Qin Zheng had done for Da Qi over the past decade. But now, his fate has been ruined before he even left. How could this not be heartbreaking?

He said sincerely: "I will always remember your hard work."

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "That's enough. In fact, even if you didn't come, I was going to have someone convey a few words to you."

Su Yunqing said solemnly: "Please give me your instructions, sir."

Qin Zheng thought for a moment, and said slowly: "You don't have a deep foundation in the capital, maybe this is one of the reasons why His Majesty chose you. I hope you can understand that the Weaving Department is the eyes and ears of the emperor. If this office grows and develops, the power it contains is unimaginable. Since you are the director of the Weaving Department, you must remember one thing no matter what, you must not cross the line. If the Weaving Department interferes in the court, it will be the day of its own destruction. The emperor may be happy to see this happen, but the civil and military officials in the court will definitely put you to death."

Su Yunqing's heart trembled.

In fact, there is a deeper meaning to Qin Zheng's words. If the emperor wants to increase the power of the Weaving Bureau, Su Yunqing cannot blindly obey.

No one wanted to see this special yamen rushing out of the cage. Perhaps the court officials could not do anything to the person holding the knife, but they would definitely not let go of the knife.

Su Yunqing stood up and saluted, saying, "I will accept your instruction."

Qin Zheng smiled slightly, stood up and said, "Since we have met, you can go back now."

Su Yunqing hesitated for a moment, then insisted: "Sir, please allow me to escort you and your family out of the city."

Seeing his sincere expression, Qin Zheng did not continue to refuse.

About quarter of an hour later, the Qin family left the house where they had lived for more than ten years and walked towards the west gate of Yongjia at a leisurely pace.

When they reached the city gate, Su Yunqing, who had been in a complicated mood all the way, suddenly said, "Sir, there is one more thing."

Qin Zhengdao: "Please speak."

Su Yunqing glanced around and said seriously, "Sir, the journey back home is long, why don't you bring more guards?"

Qin Zheng smiled without saying anything, looking into his eyes calmly.

Although he didn't say anything, Su Yunqing felt that his thoughts had been seen through by the other party.

Su Yunqing coughed lightly and whispered, "Yuanzhou is located in the southwest, far away from the capital. I heard that the road is not very peaceful, and bandits and robbers appear from time to time. If you don't mind, you can ask the brothers from the Weaving Department to take you back home."

Qin Zheng rode forward and said leisurely, "Are there really bandits in this world who dare to target the former head of the Textile Bureau?"

Su Yunqing said: "Sir, it is always a good thing to be careful." "I appreciate your kindness."

Qin Zheng suddenly sighed, with a strange look on his face, and then said: "If there really are such bold bandits, the twenty or so people accompanying us are enough to deal with them. As for those unexpected natural disasters and man-made disasters, I think they are beyond human power to resist."

Su Yunqing came to his senses and realized that the person next to him was not an ordinary person.

The current status of the Weaving Bureau was created by Qin Zheng alone. Even though he has stepped down as the director, his influence on the spies in various parts of the Weaving Bureau cannot be underestimated. Moreover, no one knows how much power Qin Zheng still holds in secret, so there is really no need for him to worry so much.

Thinking of this, he cupped his hands and said, "I am worrying too much."

Qin Zheng was about to answer when a calm middle-aged man approached the city gate in front of him and saluted, "Excuse me, is this Lord Qin in person?"

Qin Zheng nodded and said, "It's me, Your Excellency?"

The middle-aged man said politely, "I am Li Qin, and I am here to wait for you on the orders of my master."

Qin Zheng thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "Old Prime Minister Li asked you to wait for me here?"

Li Qin bowed his head and said, "That's right."

Qin Zheng asked, "What instructions does the old prime minister have?"

Li Qin said respectfully: "My master heard that Lord Qin resigned and returned to his hometown, so he invited Lord Qin to Jinlin for a chat. I hope you will do me the honor."

Qin Zheng looked back at Su Yunqing and said meaningfully, "Don't worry."

Su Yunqing felt relieved and bowed to say goodbye.

Many people heard this brief conversation near the city gate. Li Qin did not hide his identity, and his voice was loud, so the news that Li Daoyan invited Qin Zheng spread quickly and soon reached the palace.

After hearing this, Li Zongben was silent for a long time, his brows furrowed, and finally he could only sigh helplessly.

Three days later, in Jinlin County, a hundred miles southwest of the capital.

The ancestral home of the Li family.

Qin Zheng looked at the old man in front of him and said, "I haven't seen you for a few months. You look so good, old Prime Minister. I believe you will live a long and happy life."

Li Daoyan smiled cheerfully and raised his hand to nod at him: "I didn't expect that you, Qin Gongduan, would do such a flattering thing."

Qin Zheng looked calm and said calmly, "Thank you, old Prime Minister, for helping me and saving my life. How can I remain indifferent?"

"As long as you don't blame me for meddling in other people's business."

The old man sighed softly, a trace of melancholy appeared on his weathered face, and he slowly said: "Ever since the assassination case happened, there has been one thing in my heart that I don't understand, why is Your Majesty so anxious. Although the Textile Bureau is different from the central government, it is reasonable to replace you, but Your Majesty could have used more gentle means, why did you cause an assassination scene at the funeral of the late emperor."

Qin Zheng sipped his tea and smiled, "Did the old prime minister gain anything?"

Li Daoyan said softly: "After leaving the court, I stepped out of the game and noticed some details that I had overlooked in the past. I found that Your Majesty might have some concerns about doing this."

Qin Zheng put down the cup and was silent for a while, his eyes were slightly obscure, and finally he said with a sigh: "Your Majesty couldn't wait to let me leave the Textile Bureau, and forced me to leave the capital, and even wanted me to die on the way, or let me return to my hometown to die. In the end, there is only one reason."

Li Daoyan said, "Your Majesty doesn't want you to find out some things."

Qin Zheng nodded and said, "This is a heart disease, there is no cure."

The old man's eyes were bright at this moment, and he asked, "Then can you check it?"

Qin Zheng met his scrutinizing gaze and asked, "Does the old prime minister want me to investigate further?"

There was another moment of silence.

After a long while, Li Daoyan changed the subject and said, "You and your family can stay in Jinlin for a while. It's not far from the capital. I think His Majesty will not object to the arrangement of a dying man like me. You and I have been exhausted over the years and have not had much contact. Now that we have both stepped down from power, we can take this opportunity to chat about love and romance. How about it? If you want to continue your journey south to return to your hometown, I will send someone to see you off as a token of my respect."

Qin Zheng said: "I am honored."

"As for those things..."

Li Daoyan paused for a moment and said faintly, "We have to check it out."

Qin Zheng lowered his head and brows, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

Li Daoyan looked at the sunlight outside the window and said slowly but firmly: "I am a person who cherishes the past, and I believe you are the same. If I don't find out everything clearly, how can I face my old friends when I die in the future?"

"Yes."

Qin Zheng spoke in a low voice, with a hint of grief: "I just hope... the truth is not what I guessed."

(End of this chapter)