A hasty man cannot eat hot tofu
Prison Commissioner of the Ministry of Justice?
Could it be that this Old General Li was trying to pave the way for her?
Ji Yunshu smiled faintly. "Old General Li's words have elevated this humble one. Over the years, the position of Commissioner of the Ministry of Justice has always been selected through a series of examinations. There are countless intelligent people in this world. Moreover, there will always be someone better than you. This humble one has neither the knowledge nor the background to qualify for the position."
"People strive to reach higher places. Even peach blossoms fall from the sky and fight to float into the river, let alone people. Moreover, Teacher's investigations are excellent. My Li family had a scandal two years ago, and it was all thanks to Teacher's efforts that I was able to resolve it. Teacher can't hold the position of Commissioner of the Ministry of Justice? Who else can? "
'A scandal?'
He was talking about Madame Jiang's burial!
It turned out that Old General Li wasn't a simple-minded old man who didn't care about worldly affairs. He was clearly not a smart person.
Ji Yunshu hadn't even thought about the position of Commissioner of the Ministry of Justice. If she could go to a small county and become a coroner, that would be great.
She could only respond politely once again.
"Many thanks for Old General Li's appreciation, but this humble one is used to leisure and has no wish to dabble in officialdom. Instead, I envy General for being able to return to the countryside after so many years. That is the life that people should pursue."
"I wanted to introduce Teacher to this position, but since you don't want to, then forget it." He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea in front of Ji Yunshu.
"The weather is cold. Let's warm up."
After going around in circles, he still didn't mention the 'Lin Capital Case'.
Ji Yunshu swore that this old man was the most torturous person.
And then …
She drank five full cups of tea!
Old General Li seemed to have made himself drunk. He slightly narrowed his already small eyes and laughed in a deep voice.
"This old man has lived for so long, but I've never seen anyone as patient as you."
"Hmm?"
"That Qin Shiyu is not a liar by nature. As soon as he came to the mansion, he wanted to test this old man. He kept talking about what happened fourteen years ago. When I saw his mischievous appearance, I got angry and sent him away. But you're good. It's been the time to drink a cup of tea, and I haven't heard you mention anything. Instead, this old man has said so much, but you've completely brushed me off."
His tone was full of mockery towards Qin Shiyu, but he also raised Ji Yunshu to a higher level.
It wasn't that she didn't want to mention it, and it wasn't that she wasn't anxious!
It's just that you're too good at acting. In your place, haste makes no difference!
Fortunately, Ji Yunshu managed to outlast him.
This old fellow actually took the initiative to mention it.
So —
"Since General has spoken, then this one has no reason not to ask." She paused and carefully observed General Li's expression. "Fourteen years ago, the Imperial Duke went to Qingzhou to look for you. After he returned to the capital, something happened at the Imperial Duke's residence. This one also heard from Madame Jiang that during your discussion with the Imperial Duke, they seemed to have discussed the mobilization of troops. Is this related to the 'Lin Capital Case' that I'm investigating?"
She went straight to the point.
After all, it was getting late, and she didn't want to beat around the bush.
Old General Li leaned back against the folding screen like a drunkard.
There was no response for a long time.
He looked like an old man sitting leisurely in the mountains under the setting sun.
Ji Yunshu thought that he had fallen asleep, and thought that she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him today.
Who knew …
Old General Li suddenly let out a sigh.
"This old man and the Imperial Duke are best friends. When the late Emperor was still alive, the Imperial Duke was conferred the title of Prince Ning. The current Emperor was just the Eighth Prince with no real power at that time, and the infighting within the imperial family has never stopped. Prince Ning did not like to fight for power, so he gave the title of Crown Prince to the Eighth Prince. After the late Emperor passed away, the Eighth Prince ascended the throne and was conferred the title of Qi Zhen. Not long after, the Emperor conferred Prince Ning the title of Imperial Duke to guard the capital. Although he was conferred the title, he was stripped of his real power.
Ji Yunshu understood what he was saying.
The four sons of the Qi Zhen Emperor were only given titles, but not land. Their mansions were all located in the capital, which prevented them from recruiting troops.
If they left the capital, they had to send someone back to report their whereabouts every three days.
Therefore, the current Emperor didn't just keep one toothless tiger by his side, but several of them!
Ji Yunshu listened patiently, watching the white steam rising from the teacup.
Old General Li continued, "As the saying goes, a new emperor brings his own courtiers. This old man was tired of being an official for three dynasties, so I resigned from my post and returned to Qingzhou. For the past ten years, I've been happy and carefree, but I have a disappointing son and a disappointing grandson. If it weren't for the fact that I'm still in good health and can sit in this world for a few days, they would have died long ago."
He slapped his thigh!
Although his words were angry, his expression was calm and indifferent, as if he was drunk.
"Speaking of my son, he's a good-for-nothing bastard. He has an official post, but he idles about. As for Zhao 'er, he was fine when he was young, but as he grew up, he became more and more disappointing. He became addicted to gambling and turned into a little bastard. If I had known earlier, I would have beheaded that little bastard when he was still in his swaddling clothes. What a scourge he is, and …"
He chattered on endlessly.
Ji Yunshu was suffering. She had finally brought up the matter of the Imperial Duke, but after going around in circles, she ended up going back to his son and grandson.
She was probably going to have her fill of tea today.
She might as well just treat it as listening to the storyteller in a teahouse.
After Old General Li finished talking about his son, daughter, grandson and granddaughter, he finally got to the main topic.
"Away from the imperial court and the battlefield, my heart is free, but I still can't let go of the matters in the capital. During the few years I was away from the capital, the Imperial Duke came to Qingzhou to see this old man a few times. It was always to play chess and discuss documents. But one day, fourteen years ago, he suddenly came to see this old man and asked about the cavalry in Qingzhou. He only mentioned a few words, but this old man didn't notice anything unusual. But after he returned to the capital, something happened. The Imperial Duke's residence caught on fire, the gates were closed, and all the guards in the residence were transferred. This must not be simple, but who can predict natural disasters and man-made disasters?"
He sighed deeply.
Ji Yunshu asked, "The Imperial Duke only asked about the General's cavalry? Nothing else? "
He waved his hand.
He shook his head again.
"No, nothing else. That old man died without any warning. This old man also wanted to dig him up from the ground and ask him what happened."
After he finished speaking, he propped himself up with difficulty, turned around, and walked to the other side of the screen, and slowly sat down.
He spoke in a weak voice.
"It's getting late. Teacher, you should go back. You know, this old man has told you everything."
What?
You told him everything?
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