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King Donghai knew very well that his identity was too sensitive and could not take revenge directly, so he could only use a knife to kill people, so he secretly observed and looked for the potential enemy of Empress Dowager Shangguan.

Jing Yao was one, but his influence on the emperor was too weak. After complaining, there was no further information, which disappointed King Donghai.

Mrs. Ping'en is half a man, but at most she can spread gossip and subtly wipe out the favorable feelings of Queen Mother Cining towards Queen Mother Shangguan, and has not been successful yet.

Tokai Neptune must find a more effective helper.

He has been watching the emperor's various actions coldly, speculating on who will rise and who will decline in order to prepare for future needs.

Han Ruzi knew this well. After thinking for a long time, she felt that only King Donghai could see the flaws of the leaker.

People around the emperor were cautious when they saw him. Only by leaving the emperor's sight would they reveal some true faces. Han Ruzi couldn't see it, but the King of Donghai, who was always observing, could.

"I'd better say something first. I'm really just guessing, maybe it's not accurate at all. Your Majesty must find out before making a conclusion." King Donghai was much more cautious than before, and he didn't dare to accuse others in front of the emperor.

Han Ruzi nodded, but Donghai King refused to speak. He walked to the table, pulled up his cuffs, and gently wrote a name on the table with his right index finger.

"Where is the evidence?" Han Ruzi was not surprised by the name.

Tokai Neptune wrote another name.

Han Ruzi frowned slightly, "How come these two people are together?"

King Donghai smiled and said, "Your Majesty may not know that these two people are fighting hard, and they never show up in front of His Majesty. But they often make bets in private. I occasionally hear a few words, and what they bet is to see who is better at scrutinizing His Majesty's thoughts."

"Is he so smart?" Han Ruzi was very confused.

King Tokai took two steps back, "He is not necessarily the smart one."

Han Ruzi woke up, "I will investigate clearly, please step down. Don't interfere in the affairs of the palace anymore. You stare at me, and someone is staring at you."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The King of Donghai retreated to the door, unable to help but said again, "I am definitely not poisoned by my mother. If she has this concern, she should be prepared properly. She will never panic for a moment, so that I will be taken into the palace by Jing Yao without preparation."

Han Ruzi nodded, indicating that she understood the meaning of Donghai King, but she may not agree.

"If this matter is not clear, there will never be peace in the palace." Donghai King wanted to persuade him, but the emperor waved his hand, and Donghai King had to withdraw from the tent.

Han Ruzi also had doubts about Emperor Si's death, but now he could not investigate it, which would cause a lot of suspicion, destroying the stability of the palace that had finally recovered, and he could not investigate it thoroughly without any trace.

This matter can only be discussed after the court has stabilized.

After meeting the King of Donghai, Han Ruzi was as usual, summoned consultants, busy and busy. The reply from the capital had not yet arrived, but some local officials had sent memorials, which tactfully stated that the local private slaves were not serious, and that it was mostly done by some wealthy businessmen and would soon take measures to deal with them.

Officials are protecting powerful families and protecting themselves. If the emperor makes a lot of noise and does not make ruthless moves in the end, then officials who act too aggressively at the beginning will be retaliated against.

Punishing the Yan family of the East China Sea shocked the world, but it was not enough to show the emperor's determination.

Han Ruzi therefore needed Nanzhijin. This old official was sometimes more effective than imperial edicts. He could make the ministers believe that the emperor really wanted to fight against the enemy. In this way, many battles would be reduced, and "fight against the enemy" would be unnecessary.

Seeing that it was getting late, Han Ruzi ended the day's affairs, and the consultants left and several eunuchs packed their tents.

Zhang Youcai asked: "Your Majesty has a meal here, or go back to the tent to have a meal with Concubine Shu?"

“It’s right here.”

Zhang Youcai immediately arranged it. Soon, the tent became orderly and the food was delivered. It was very simple. A bowl of rice and four dishes were delivered here from the kitchen. It had to be inspected many times, so it was a little cold.

Han Ruzi finished her meal quickly, and Zhang Youcai came to clean up the dishes and Han Ruzi said, "Let others do it."

Zhang Youcai moved aside and signaled the two eunuchs at the door to come over and take the dishes away.

There were only two people left in the tent. Zhang Youcai looked around to see if there were any omissions, while Han Ruzi stared at Zhang Youcai.

Zhang Youcai finally noticed the emperor's gaze and said blankly: "Your Majesty... what are your instructions?"

"You can't guess?" Han Ruzi asked.

Zhang Youcai scratched his head, "I can't guess it, Your Majesty, please remind me, do you want something or meet someone?"

"I heard you often bet with people recently?"

"Betting? I don't...oh, it's Cui Teng, who is chewing around in front of His Majesty? We are not betting at all. Without betting, how can we bet?" Zhang Youcai was so angry.

Han Ruzi smiled and said, "Okay, it's not a bet, but there are also wins and losses. Tell me, are you losing more or winning more?"

Zhang Youcai couldn't help but grin, "Of the ten times, I can win seven times, Cui Teng won three times, at least once, he has to rely on cheating."

"Why do you two play... this game?"

Zhang Youcai put away his smile and said nervously: "Your Majesty, I did nothing wrong, right? I will never compete with Cui Teng for winning or losing again."

"It's okay, I'm just curious." Han Ruzi didn't want to scare Zhang Youcai, so she tried to ease her tone and expression.

Zhang Youcai still noticed something, and his face changed slightly, "Actually... it's nothing. Cui Teng said I... said he was a loss, and said that I was just a eunuch. Wu cannot fight wars, and literature cannot govern the country. It has no use at all. I said... I said... Who can serve Your Majesty better than me? When Your Majesty frowned, I knew what Your Majesty was thinking..."

Zhang Youcai's voice became smaller and he immediately raised his head, "I know it's wrong to talk nonsense, but that's Cui Teng. He shows his face in front of His Majesty every day. His Majesty trusts him the most. Cui Teng won't... he shouldn't spread it randomly, right?"

"No, Cui Teng doesn't have the courage or the intelligence."

Zhang Youcai finally smiled, "But it's wrong for me to talk nonsense. From now on, I will only concentrate on serving the emperor and not play with others."

"It's okay, it's okay to play for a while. When did it start?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's been more than a year, and it may take almost two years." Zhang Youcai agreed, but decided in his heart that he would never "bet" with Cui Teng again.

"In the future, Cui Teng will tell him that the emperor is willing to entrust the only prince to you. Is this still a loss?"

Zhang Youcai smiled and said, "Yes, why didn't I expect it?"

"Because you and Concubine Hui are both 'hard people', when you go to serve her, you don't think you are helping me, but helping Concubine Hui, right?"

"Your Majesty's guess is much more accurate than I guess your Majesty's thoughts."

Han Ruzi smiled, "There are so many 'hard people', I will only send you one to serve Concubine Hui, this is trust."

"I understand, Your Majesty, I will never think about it anymore."

"Well, go back and call Nan Zhijin. If there is nothing to do, I will not see anyone else again today."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Youcai stepped back, his steps much easier.

Han Ruzi would rather believe that Zhang Youcai was just an unintentional mistake. Within ten steps, he was the only eunuch left, and he really didn't want to drive him away.

Nanzhijin arrived soon, with a respectful expression, but calm and composed. He obviously did not believe that the emperor could really find the person who leaked the secret.

Han Ruzi didn't say the leak, pointing to the memorial that had been collected and said: "The officials from several nearby counties and counties reported that the situation of private slaves was serious, as if all the problems were unique to the East China Sea."

"These memorials should be sent to the capital first and then transferred to Your Majesty." Nan Zhijin only cares about "rules".

"All of them are dungeons, which were originally being sent to the capital." Han Ruzi did not completely break the rules.

"Your Majesty is intent, so that's nothing." Nan Zhijin still refused to suggest.

Han Ruzi was silent for a while and said, "You haven't had a leaker for a long time, right?"

Nan Zhijin refused to answer.

"You said there was only one leaker, but I felt that there was more than one."

"There is indeed only one. Your Majesty is thinking too much, and this person is only referring to it. The empress dowager is mainly based on approval. Each emperor's approval has its own characteristics. After finding out, he can guess many things unless...ah."

Nan Zhijin didn't guess that the emperor would start with a private slave, but was caught off guard and still worried.

In fact, this was an accident. Han Ruzi only learned about this kind of thing during the tour of the hunt, so naturally he could not show his intention in the approval. "What are my characteristics?"

"It's not important anymore. I know that I'm guilty of death and no longer have any other thoughts."

"We're still betting."

"If the minister does not bet with the king, the minister will admit defeat."

He admitted defeat but refused to help, Nan Zhijin refused to admit defeat in another way.

"Don't, I'm just thinking it's interesting." Han Ruzi nodded heavily and said a name: "Cui Hong."

Nan Zhijin lowered his head, his voice did not change, "Is Your Majesty guessing or asking?"

"No need to guess or ask. It's obvious that the queen has not given birth to a prince, but Grand Tutor Cui is willing to hand over the Southern Army, which must be because he has something to rely on."

"Teacher Cui was in poor health after being assassinated. Maybe he really wanted to retire."

"It's possible, but I have evidence."

Nan Zhijin looked up and said, "Oh?"

"Cui Teng has been betting with Zhang Youcai, the little eunuch around me, to see who is better at guessing my feelings."

"Mr. Cui has always been famous for his nonsense, and this move does not mean anything."

"The flaw is here. Cui Teng is famous for his nonsense and has never had a strong personality. His bet with Zhang Youcai has lasted for a long time. He does not have this kind of perseverance."

"A person should not behave like a person."

"Of course, I'll tell you it's just a little bit that I'll ask. Cui Teng is a confused worm. Like Zhang Youcai, he doesn't know what he is doing, but he must have been inspired by his father. As long as I ask, he will say anything."

Nan Zhijin was silent again.

"As long as I call Cui Teng, I will not ask casually. I must investigate it to the end. Cui Hong must take responsibility for this. No one of the officials appointed by the Cui family can be kept." Han Ruzi paused, "The queen will not be affected, but she will have no relationship with the Cui family since then."

Nan Zhijin looked up, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, why not use it in the world and have to fight against the court officials?"

"The court is me, and every word and action of the officials in the court will eventually be counted on me by the people. If I want to rule the world, I must first govern the court. Nanzhijin, if you want to kill yourself, I will not give you this opportunity. You have two ways to go. One is to continue to serve as the censor and continue to figure out my thoughts. Let's have a contest to see if you can guess correctly or I can hide it. The other is to help me with your help, so that the ministers can understand that it is time for them to make a move."

Nan Zhijin stared at the emperor and said for a long time: "Your Majesty knows why the ministers often give in and are unwilling to help Your Majesty sincerely?"

“Why?”

"Because Your Majesty's idea is not long-lasting, it is not Your Majesty's fault. All emperors are like this. But once the rules of the court are established, it will take decades and hundreds of years to remain unchanged. How could the less-changing court cater to the fickle and changeable Your Majesty?"

"My heart remains unchanged. Farming is the foundation. To promote the great Chu, we must first promote agriculture. I will never let those who have private slaves."

Nan Zhijin bowed to the ground, "Okay, please start with yourself first." (To be continued.).
Chapter completed!