The 30th year of Jiaqing, late autumn.

The capital city of the Great Zhou Dynasty—Zhongdu.

In front of the Meridian Gate of the palace, two bloody people were lying on the left and right sides. One of them had already lost his breath. The other was crawling towards the man, but he tried his best and couldn't move even half a step, and finally passed out.

At this time, a man walked slowly from Huangji Gate, his steps were staggering, and he looked like a lame man at first glance.

The imperial guards and eunuchs who were guarding the side seemed to recognize this person. They didn't know what he was doing, so they hesitated and did not stop him. Without thinking, the man came up and pointed at the corpse and cursed: "You deserve it! You are so stubborn and don't listen to others. This is what you should do."

Report!" He said, approaching the corpse and touching it gently, shaking the corpse deliberately without exerting any force, as if to see if there was still a trace of breath left.

Then he came to the fainted person and pushed him gently. After confirming, he sat down between the two people. He was still cursing and whimpering. There was no sense of hatred at all. Indignation outweighed complaints.

. couldn't help crying, and shouted a few words from time to time. In addition to the imperial guards arrayed neatly in the distance, and some inner palace eunuchs keeping a close eye on him, he and the two corpses were the only ones in the whole square, which looked particularly eye-catching.

Half an hour later in the morning, two people came from the direction of Zhengji Hall. They looked like they were of distinguished status, and they must have come to raise an army to question the perpetrators. They were followed by some officials and attendants, separated by a long distance. They were generally afraid of stealing the limelight.

Some even appeared to be afraid and evasive.

When he came to the man, a seventy-year-old first-class official asked: "Liang Ji! You are so bold. You dare to make such a noise in this important place of the imperial court. What do you have to say to defend yourself?"

At first glance, this person is a veteran of the officialdom. He is not in a hurry to convict him. He gives people a chance to distinguish and does not say anything. Next to him is an eunuch from the inner palace. Judging from his clothes, he looks very noble and he is not in a hurry to say anything.

"Lord Cao! Thief Peng drove me away for no reason and didn't even give him severance pay. I came to disgust him, as the Forbidden Army next to me can testify!" the man named Liang Ji said in conclusion.

It's okay to deceive ordinary people, but this is Cao Shu, the second minister of the cabinet who has all the power for a while, not to mention Jingyin. Besides, Peng Ren, the chief minister of the cabinet, knew that something was going to happen to him, so he acted so abnormally. How could he be deceived?

He turned to the eunuch and asked: "Eunuch Liu! This is totally a strong argument. What do you think?"

This person was Liu Quan, the eunuch in charge of the imperial eunuch. He was a popular figure around Emperor Jiaqing. He knew very well that he wanted to be seen as a villain. He replied disdainfully, "Just let Mr. Cao do what you want! I will report back to the emperor later."

Cao Shu straightened his clothes and coughed dryly, "The emperor's decree is to expose the corpse for three days. No matter what the reason is, you are guilty. Come on! Get it for me and send it to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment to wait for the Holy Judgment."

At this time, the two imperial guards came up to hold Liang Ji, but Liang Ji flashed his hands and prevented him from succeeding. "Master Cao! The emperor's will is to expose the corpse, and he did not say that Yin cannot come to curse the corpse and complain. I am

What crime is there to take revenge and vent personal anger?"

Liang Ji's words are reasonable. It's not up to you to decide whether to resist the imperial edict or not, otherwise you will get yourself into trouble. You must know that Liang Ji is a well-known aide, so what tricks will he play on himself with his words?

It's better to be careful. He could only yell forcefully: "Didn't I tell you? Wait for the Holy Judge and take him down quickly!" He turned his face to one side and kept waving his hands.

Liang Ji seemed to have been well prepared. He threw himself down and crawled to the ground, looking like a scoundrel. He said, "Imagine how Peng thief supported you back then, otherwise you would still be a sixth-grade official. Did you see me mistreating you?"

Thief Peng, why don't you complain about him?" The two imperial guards had no choice but to watch on both sides, waiting for Cao Shu's further orders.

As soon as these words came out, Cao Shu was really embarrassed. Peng Ren could end up like this because he secretly caused it. This was a roundabout way of scolding himself. Although Liang Ji was disabled, he was clever and secretive. It turned out that he had

This move is waiting for you!

At this time, the officials behind had already followed, but they kept a distance and naturally heard clearly without making a sound. Only they knew what was in their minds. When they saw Cao Shu looking back at them, they couldn't help but avoid it.

He has a face that says it has nothing to do with him. It is better to be cautious at this critical moment.

Seeing that no one stood up for him, Cao Shu could only refute himself, "How can this be true? Peng Ren is a traitor, and I have been at odds with him for a long time, and yet you have compassion and instead slander me?".

"Yes! Cao Shufu's loyalty to the emperor is as clear as the sun and the moon. How can you associate with the rebels? You have ulterior motives!" As soon as Cao Shu finished speaking, an official stood up. It seemed that he was expected. Although it was a step too late,

Finally, someone took the lead to speak out, and several others followed suit. It can be seen that the general trend in the DPRK is that those who follow the trend are still in the majority.

"Pan Guohong! What are you calling for? You are just a dog of the Cao family, still gnawing bones? Xia Zhanke can't finish the meat, have I given it to you?" Liang Ji was not forgiving and stabbed the person in the face all at once.

Sore spot.

"You are one of Pengnun's dogs, a lame and biting mad dog, and you are still barking here when you are about to die?" the official named Pan Guohong retorted angrily. But he did not dare to step forward and had no courage at all.

No, he looks like a slave.

"Master Cao! I'm just a useless person. I'm no threat to anyone. Is it worth your trouble?" Liang Ji ignored Pan Guohong and asked whether he could escape. He looked at Cao Shu, who had just been promoted to chief minister.

He raised his head and stared at him with eyes.

"You're worrying too much. I'm just doing things in accordance with the law. I'm not targeting any innocent people. You can't blame me!" Cao Shu vaguely felt that the reason why Liang Ji did this was because of his talent and deft reasoning. There would be no fatal consequences.

I feel disgusted with myself. Even though I said this, I was already secretly planning to kill him, thinking about how to kill him.

Liang Ji chuckled and sighed: "It seems that my life is going to end here, come on!" Before he finished speaking, when the two forbidden troops relaxed, they stood up in one fell swoop, showing a fearless look.

, rushed straight to Cao Shu.

Cao Shu didn't know why he was doing this, so he couldn't help but take a few steps back and stretched out his right hand to stop him. He asked sternly: "What do you want to do?" At the same time, Pan Guohong rushed up and blocked Cao Shu's front. Many people died with him.

Vigor.

Liang Ji smiled and said nonchalantly: "I'm a useless person, how can I be worthy of Lord Pan? You know what happened to Thief Peng today. Don't do too much, otherwise you will get retribution."

Pan Guohong looked horrified, but he still said firmly: "It's just you? Just save it!".

At this time, two forbidden troops came up to restrain Liang Ji, forcing him to kneel on the ground, unable to move. Liang Ji was still struggling, but to no avail, so he had to raise his head and shout loudly: "Cao Shu! Don't think you have got rid of me.

As long as everything goes well, my two brothers in life and death will not let you go, so just wait!"

Seeing that Liang Ji was restrained, Pan Guohong became bold and came to his side. He kicked him hard twice and cursed: "Damn lame! You are so stubborn when you are about to die. What kind of brother? I will crush them with just one finger."

Humph!" He said and kicked him a few more times before he felt relieved.

Cao Shu waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "Take it down!".

The two imperial guards lifted Liang Ji up neatly and walked outside the imperial city. They only heard Liang Ji keep shouting: "Don't think I'm joking. When Cao Shu regrets it, just wait."

You will suffer the same fate as Peng Ren!" The voice echoed right in the middle of the square, and everyone in front of the Meridian Gate could hear it clearly.

Seeing this scene, Pan Guohong, who looked like a slave, jumped up, raised his head and cursed: "Who do you think you are? See what you can do! You ungrateful thing." He was the only one present who worked very hard, for fear that others would not know.

As if. Seeing that Cao Shu was out of sight, he turned back to look at Cao Shu. Unexpectedly, he realized that he had already walked into the crowd behind him, so he ran over and rushed over without a trace of hesitation.

I happened to hear Cao Shu saying to a first-rank official who was nearly sixty years old: "Master Qin! I will recommend you to the emperor to be the Minister of Rites." The tone of his words was very gentle, as if he had said it accidentally.

The man was very respectful and saluted quickly: "Thank you, Chief Minister Cao! I may not be qualified for this post because I have few talents and little knowledge." After saying that, he waved his hands and his attitude was very sincere. He didn't seem to care about the official position. He looked helpless and didn't want to compete with him.

He has too many involvements.

This person is Qin Yunhou, the cabinet minister and the minister of the Ministry of War. Cao Shu is also the minister of the Ministry of Rites. He has been appointed as the chief assistant, so naturally he can no longer hold the concurrent position. Qin Yunhou knew that if he was appointed as the minister of the Ministry of Rites, the minister of the Ministry of War would be replaced by Cao Shu's people. Although the Ministry of Rites

It is easy for Shangshu to serve as the second minister of the cabinet, but getting too close to Cao Shu will cause trouble, so avoiding him is a treacherous move.

"Who doesn't know that Qin Gexiang's poems are famous all over the world? Mr. Cao Ge is doing it for your own good, so don't refuse anymore!" Pan Guohong, who was still breathing, immediately answered. Because Cao Shu had already told him,

If you don't interrupt, you will really have a stupid head.

Qin Yunhou was still shaking his head and replied politely: "I have been ill recently, and the affairs of the Ministry of Rites are complicated, and I really can't cope with it." If a person doesn't want to do something, he will always find various reasons. It seems that Qin Yunhou really doesn't want to take up the post.

This position.

"No rush! I'll take care of it first. When Mr. Qin Ge gets well, it won't be too late to take over. That's it!" Cao Shu was a little impatient. As soon as he finished speaking, he clasped his fists, turned around and left, no longer paying attention to the other party.

What kind of idea.

Pan Guohong shook his head at Qin Yunhou and sighed. He was putting pressure on the other party. Even though Pan Guohong looked like a slave, he was still quite scheming. Otherwise, he wouldn't have climbed to the position of waiting man in charge of the Ministry of Industry. He quickly caught up and followed.

Cao Shu left.

At this time, a man in his sixties, wearing a nine-python prince's uniform, came walking from the direction of Qinzheng Hall. He was followed by several waiters. He happened to bump into Cao Shu, and Cao Shu hurriedly saluted and said: "See you there."

Congratulations, Prince!".

"It's Chief Fu Cao! Please forgive me if my foolish son-in-law has offended anything! After he recovers, I will ask him to go to the house to apologize in person." The prince said with his hands.

"Where! Where! Mr. Ai is too upright. There is no need to stand up and anger His Majesty. It is normal to argue with me." The other party was a royal relative. Cao Shu did not dare to offend, and his attitude was very complimentary.

"I hope the chief minister is telling the truth. I want to serve as an official in another place, Chief Minister Cao! You won't stop me, right?" Seeing that the other party doesn't care, it's a good time to speak.

"Of course not! It's just a good time to practice some exercise down there. It won't be too late to go to the capital then." No matter what he thought in his heart, Cao Shu's reply gave the prince enough face.

"Thank you very much!" He said as he kept cupping his hands and showing kindness to the other party. "I still have to take this child back so that I don't bother Mr. Chief Assistant!" He clasped his hands and walked towards the sleeping man.

people.

At this time at the Meridian Gate, everyone's eyes turned to the prince. When approaching the person, he first tried his right index finger near the person's nose. When he saw that everything was fine, he shook his head and ordered the waiter to carry him into the car. He carefully dragged him away.

Follow behind.

Cao Shu and the officials on the left and right were watching. When they saw that they were far away, Cao Shu turned around and left. The other officials followed, except Qin Yunhou who was a little disappointed and didn't want to make any noise, so he left in the opposite direction of Cao Shu.

.

Here Cao Shu asked Pan Guohong who was catching up: "Do you know Liang Ji's two friends?".

Pan Guohong did not dare to neglect, shook his head and said: "What friend? I have never heard of it." Pan Guohong looked at him, but he had not cared about it in his heart. Hearing Cao Shu mention it, how could he not be confused...

Cao Shu had expected this a long time ago and said sincerely, "Liang Ji is a talented person, and he has good friends. Go check it out!".

Although Pan Guohong was a little puzzled, he still agreed: "I know, let me give you the news as soon as possible." He was still thinking about what Cao Shu was making such a fuss about, what kind of big trouble could a lame man cause. From the bottom of his heart, he looked down on Liang Ji.

It's okay for humans to come up with ideas. Without Peng Ren as a backer, he's just a headless fly. His bite doesn't itch or hurt, and it just buzzes and screams.


Chapter completed!