Chapter 76: The Wind And Rain Are Coming, The Mountain Is Full Of Towers! Seeking Monthly Tickets
The news of Zhang Biao “auditing” the Ministry of Revenue spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Yingtian Prefecture faster than a fast horse of the Imperial Guard.
At this moment, inside the Prince Yan’s Mansion.
Zhu Gaochi’s unrestrained laughter echoed through the study.
“Hahaha! Good! Well done, Zhang Biao! He’s truly a man! Courageous! Not only did he anger Imperial Grandfather three times, but he also dared to extort the Ministry of Revenue! Refreshing! Truly refreshing!”
As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhu Gaochi, whose face was filled with solemnity and disbelief. He then suppressed his laughter, saying with an excitement that feared no chaos, “I’ve long disliked that fat old pig Ru Chang!”
“He withholds military pay and bleeds the soldiers; we all know it, but no one dared to skin him! If Zhang Biao can truly go to the Ministry of War and skin that fat old pig, I’ll treat him to drinks!”
“Heh!”
Zhu Gao Sui, who was gnawing on a pig’s trotter, let out a sudden laugh and said with admiration in his eyes:
“In this world, there’s nothing my Brother Biao doesn’t dare to do! Second Brother, just wait and treat him to drinks!”
“Oh, right.”
He then reminded him:
“Get him a roast chicken and steamed fish from Zui Xian Lou; he’s probably tired of pig’s head meat too!”
“Hahaha!”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi couldn’t help but burst into laughter again. He then walked to Zhu Gao Sui’s table, picked up one of his pig’s trotters, bit into it fiercely, and said to Zhu Gaochi as he ate:
“Eldest Brother! What do you think? Should we help that fellow Zhang Biao? Provide him with other, concrete evidence? Let him overturn the heavens!”
“No, no, no, don’t do that, Second Brother!”
Before Zhu Gaochi could speak, Zhu Gao Sui quickly stopped him:
“My Brother Biao doesn’t need help. We just need to wait and watch the show! Brother Biao has his own plans. If we get involved, it might backfire!”
Hearing this, Zhu Gaochi was slightly surprised but didn’t pay much attention. He continued to say to Zhu Gaochi, “Eldest Brother, say something. What should we do next?”
“Father King is far away in Beiping, and this matter is too serious.”
Zhu Gaochi glanced faintly at Zhu Gaochi and then at Zhu Gao Sui, his eyes showing a composure and worry that belied his young appearance:
“Although Zhang Biao’s actions are a demand for salary, they have thoroughly exposed the corruption in the Imperial Court. His sharpness is unparalleled, but it also leads him to a dead end. The Emperor’s wrath, when he awakens, will be unimaginable.”
After saying this, he slowly stood up and walked to the window, looking in the direction of the Imperial Palace, his gaze distant and profound:
“But why would he do this? Is it merely to demand his salary? Or is there another deeper meaning? It seems he has inadvertently prevented Zhu Yunwen from being established as the Imperial Grandson. Is this good or bad for Father King?”
Hearing this string of questions, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gao Sui fell silent.
After a moment, Zhu Gaochi’s eyes flashed with determination. He turned to his two younger brothers and said:
“Issue an order: all people in the mansion are to remain indoors, and no one is to go out without a valid reason. If Censor Zhang or any of his associates approach, report it immediately. Do not engage in any conflict or negligence. Everything will await the Emperor’s decision upon his awakening.”
“Yes, Eldest Brother.”
Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gao Sui said in unison.
On the other side, in the Duke of Kaiguo’s Mansion, which had also received the news.
“Heh heh, that brat Fu Youwen, he’s finally gotten his comeuppance!”
Duke of Kaiguo Chang Sheng said with a hint of schadenfreude, “He’s always been stingy, withholding our rewards as nobles, he deserves it!”
“It’s not that, Second Brother. I’m worried now, will he blame us?”
Chang Sen, who was beside him, said with a worried expression.
Chang Sheng waved his hand dismissively:
“We haven’t offended him, why would he blame us? Besides,”
He paused here, glanced in the direction of Jianchang, and snorted, “With Uncle here, who would dare touch us? Do they really want to die?”
“But that Zhang Biao, he even made the Emperor fall ill three times. And yesterday in the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square, his hatred for us nobles was very deep.”
“Enough, enough!”
Chang Sheng impatiently interrupted him:
“When the sky falls, the tallest will bear it. The Emperor is still here. Would he just stand by and watch Zhang Biao attack our Chang Clan? Have you forgotten Yunteng? Even if he doesn’t consider Uncle’s feelings, he’ll consider the Crown Prince’s!”
Hearing this, Chang Sen finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as if remembering something, he looked around and lowered his voice:
“Second Brother, there’s another matter. I heard that the Emperor intends to establish Zhu Yunwen as the Imperial Grandson. Is this true? According to propriety, isn’t Yunteng the legitimate son? Why is it a son of a concubine’s turn?”
“What did you say?!”
Chang Sheng’s eyes widened instantly, his voice contorting: “Is this true?”
“I’m not sure if it’s true!”
Chang Sen shook his head:
“You went to inspect the Capital Garrison yesterday and didn’t attend the Imperial Court. According to the court officials we are close to, the Emperor intended to establish the Imperial Grandson yesterday. And the ones who proposed this were not from our faction, but Liu Sanwu and Mei Yin.”
“You must know, they support Zhu Yunwen.”
“Bang!”
Upon hearing this, Chang Sheng slammed the table, his expression a mixture of emotions. After a moment, he said with suppressed anger:
“This matter must be reported to Uncle as soon as possible! If Zhu Yunwen is established as the Imperial Grandson, what will our Chang Clan’s reputation be?!”
“But…”
Chang Sen still said worriedly, “The Emperor makes his own decisions, and now he’s… he’s unwell. If Uncle goes to make a fuss, what if, what if…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Old Zhu had gone mad. Provoking him at this time was simply courting death.
Hearing this, Chang Sheng felt as if he had been doused with a basin of cold water. A chilling cold instantly surged through him, extinguishing all his impulsiveness.
“You are right, I was reckless…”
Chang Sheng murmured, “But this matter still needs to be reported to Uncle, otherwise, our Chang Clan might face great misfortune…”
“No way, if Uncle doesn’t go to make a fuss, what great misfortune could there be!?”
“You don’t understand. Since ancient times, the struggle for imperial power has been the most brutal. Zhu Yunwen has a shallow foundation, and the country is young and uncertain. The Emperor will surely consider him…”
Chang Sheng shook his head wearily, as if drained of all strength, and slumped into his armchair.
At this moment, Chang Sen couldn’t help but say dejectedly:
“Then what about Yunteng? Sister only has this one son. Are we going to watch him lose everything that originally belonged to him?”
Chang Sheng: “…”
Chang Sen: “…”
They looked at each other, speechless.
After a long pause, Chang Sheng managed to stand up from his seat, looked at the sky outside the door, and said faintly:
“It will soon be Sister’s memorial day. Can you send a message to the palace saying that we wish to pay respects to their mother with Yunteng and his sister?”
“What does Second Brother mean?”
“Whether to contend or not, it still depends on Yunteng’s wishes. If he doesn’t want to contend, anything we do will be in vain.”
Hearing this, Chang Sen was stunned for a moment, then nodded in realization: “Second Brother is right. I’ll arrange for someone to send a message to the palace now.”
